Self-explanitory... I feel there were a couple way overrated albums so far this year and these are my picks so far:

DFA - The Remixes (I liked LCD Soundsystem though)
J Dilla - Donuts (a lot overrated, maybe just cause he's dead, but there's no way it's better than RJD2)
Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I am (Hard-Fi is better!!!)

What about you guys? Scores are misguiding sometimes

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Cyrone,

Going from highest score down, these are the albums that I felt were overrated. The first number is the score it was given; the second is the score I'd give.

Serena Maneesh (85/65)
Scott Walker (84/75)
Artic Monkeys (82/70)
Regina Spektor (80/70)

quote:

Originally posted by L. R. William Spencer:
Going from highest score down, these are the albums that I felt were overrated. The first number is the score it was given; the second is the score I'd give.

Serena Maneesh (85/65)
Scott Walker (84/75)
Artic Monkeys (82/70)
Regina Spektor (80/70)

I agree, I'd include Destroyer and DFA Remixes on the list though. Regina Spektor I haven't listened to though so I cannot really judge that. Serena Maneesh was good, but hardly memorable.

Yeah, Destroyer has some good tracks, but I feel like the quality isn't maintained all the way through. Haven't heard the DFA stuff...

I should point out that the scores aren't being GIVEN by Metacritic, but tabulated by them. There is, of course, the issue of the weightings of sources and the 'secret formula', but Cyrone makes it sound like Metacritic has rated things too highly. They're just tabulating reviews by others sources. I'm not sure if you meant the implication, but I just wanted to be clear.

I'd say the critics are gushing over Scott Walker because he releases a record once every blue moon, and not because it's good (or even listenable) but I couldn't stand it, and I'm not objective enough.

I agree with Cyrone though: the Hard-Fi record is superior to the Arctic Monkeys.

Personally, I've never let a score (or a review) steer me away from a record. But I love the clearinghouse of information that MC provides...

I don't think Ghostface's record is at all worthy of that kind of critical praise, and therefore that kind of Metacritic score.

Serena-Maneesh is infinitely overrated. It sounds like a bad My Bloody Valentine imitation. Which might've been cool except it's being released about 15 years to late. These guys are a little slow jumping on the bandwagon.

I'd also agree with Scott Walker, although he at least gets some points for originality. Still not something I'd ever see myslef listening to though.

Belle & Sebastian's Life Pursuit is overrated for me simply because I find it the least enjoyable B&S record. It's too poppy. They took the worst elements of Dear Catastrophe Waitress and made a whole album of it.

And although 76 isn't that high, i'd still throw in a vote for Danielson. People really like this? Just when I thought you couldn't get any more annoying than Deerhoof or Architecture in Helsiniki, someone proves me wrong.

I'd put Fishscale much lower...it's opening ten minutes are an absolute knock out, but after the Champ, the whole energy/excitement level seems to drop off about ten notches and the album never gets it back. And the skits are beyond lame. To me, it's a classic cherry picker...grab Shakey Dog, Kilo and The Champ off I-tunes, and ignore everything else.

Yeah, when I say Metacritic I mean they represent all the critics as a whole. And wow "Fishscale" isn't really that good? I DLed it a while ago and was getting excited over it (didn't listen to it). And yeah, "Life Pursuit" was a bit iffy.. "Dear Catastrophe Waitress" was way better for some reason.

quote:

Originally posted by ericg75:
Serena-Maneesh is infinitely overrated. It sounds like a bad My Bloody Valentine imitation. Which might've been cool except it's being released about 15 years to late. These guys are a little slow jumping on the bandwagon.

I'd also agree with Scott Walker, although he at least gets some points for originality. Still not something I'd ever see myslef listening to though.

Belle & Sebastian's Life Pursuit is overrated for me simply because I find it the least enjoyable B&S record. It's too poppy. They took the worst elements of Dear Catastrophe Waitress and made a whole album of it.

And although 76 isn't that high, i'd still throw in a vote for Danielson. People really like this? Just when I thought you couldn't get any more annoying than Deerhoof or Architecture in Helsiniki, someone proves me wrong.

What is exactly that you don't like about Danielson?

quote:

Originally posted by L. R. William Spencer:
What is exactly that you don't like about Danielson?

I just don't think trying to cram as many melody changes and instuments as possible onto an album makes it genius. Brian Wilson did it successfully, but he had a much better sense of melody and song structure. I don't think Danielson's songs are particularly interesting, the lyrics are stupid, and to top it off, he has potenially the worst singing voice ever put to tape. The only thing this album makes me want to do is turn it off immediately.

I don't think the DFA remixes are overrated at all. These guys are amazing producers! The sounds they can create, along with the subtle textures they layer throughout their music, are perfect for both dancing and headphone-appreciation. I've listened to the remix album a ton of times already, and have yet to tire of a single track.

As for an album I'd say was overrated so far this year...hmmmm. Life Pursuit is, but just a little bit. I love certain tracks, but still think it pales in comparison to their first two albums.

quote:

Originally posted by ericg75:

quote:

Originally posted by L. R. William Spencer:
What is exactly that you don't like about Danielson?

I just don't think trying to cram as many melody changes and instuments as possible onto an album makes it genius. Brian Wilson did it successfully, but he had a much better sense of melody and song structure. I don't think Danielson's songs are particularly interesting, the lyrics are stupid, and to top it off, he has potenially the worst singing voice ever put to tape. The only thing this album makes me want to do is turn it off immediately.

I'll give you the bad voice... but I don't think I agree on the melody/song structure (although, yes, Brian Wilson is in a class of his own). What albums/songs are you referring to?

quote:

And although 76 isn't that high, i'd still throw in a vote for Danielson. People really like this? Just when I thought you couldn't get any more annoying than Deerhoof or Architecture in Helsiniki, someone proves me wrong.

3 incredible bands. I would just chalk that up to taste (bad taste).

quote:

Originally posted by Sicnarf:

3 incredible bands. I would just chalk that up to taste (bad taste).

At least you admit you have a problem

I was expecting Danielson to sound more like Anathallo, post-rocky stuff or like Sufjan's instrumental parts. I was expecting it to be so indie pop, so I don't dig "Ships," really. Architecture in Helsinki is too peppy and, I guess, twee for me. They could make a record I'd like one day, though. I like some Deerhoof.

Other overrated records:

The Matmos record, like most Matmos records, is a purely intellectual, artistic excersize. Same with Herbert - Scale and Scott Walker - The Drift. All three are a tad overrated. At least "Scale" is kind of danceable...

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Yay!,

I don't think Scale is over-rated. It's one of the best vocal/electronica albums I've heard in years. The dynamics of each song are pretty cool as well, with almost each track having a "wow" moment. "Something isn't right, I don't feel love."

I think Tropicalia is over rated. I bought the album, it's not bad, but it's not like "omg this is amazing".

Scott Walker album is a disaster, imo.

Arctic Monkeys, I didn't really hear anything great.

quote:

Originally posted by ericg75:

quote:

Originally posted by Sicnarf:

3 incredible bands. I would just chalk that up to taste (bad taste).

At least you admit you have a problem

I know. I'm turning into a hipster. I still love those bands. Danielson is the best album released this year in my opinion.

I figure, on this board, just mentioning the Arctic Monkeys is like a synonym for "overrated" or "overhyped" In fact, I should go to urbandictionary.com right now and submit the verb "arctic monkeyed" with the definition "having too much, too soon, too quickly." I could also submit a noun and adjective equivalent.