2008 saw comeback albums by Britney Spears, Janet Jackson and Brian Wilson. It also saw indie-rock darlings like Vampire Weekend and The Killers attract continued buzz. None of this impressed Chicago Sun-Times pop music critic Jim DeRogatis. Today he shares his least favorite and most overrated albums of the year.
View Jim DeRogatis' list
Soundcheck blog: John Schaefer on compiling a "worst of" list
Comments [8]
While the DIY music fervor has indeed brought us some real gems, for the most part, the DIY trend has not been successful in maintaining quality checks on itself. It seems like the more and more people who take up music and go the DIY route, the more music suffers in return.
There's nothing inherently wrong with wanting to "do it yourself." Really, I support the notion wholeheartedly. However, the 'yourself' part of the equation seems to have taken a backseat to conformity and poor renditions of contemporary hit tunes - tunes I might add that have shaky quality themselves.
So generally speaking, this year's music can be summed up as a free-for-all of knock-offs, abusive trends, and contrived attempts at originality.
Still, even in an era of shameless musical conformity and surface-level creativity, some truly innovative and refreshing musical gems can be found... Let's just hope on Adele's next go-round she sticks to the "Chasing Pavements" sound and feel, and ignores the 'we-have-to-do-this-kind-of-song' mantra. Likewise, let's hope that Charles Hamilton continues to combine alternative nerd charm with authentic vernacular and his most basic street instincts.
-Amir Said
I'm a huge fan of Janet and I have to agree that all the album or music after All For You just seem like a lazy effort. Yuk! The edge is gone...and the connection to Britney makes sense because it all seems bland and boring.
Sorry Janet! Get back to MPLS to rediscover the muzic.
I wish I never heard the florida emo crunk style.
Some of the worst music to come out for a long time, from florida at that.
examples
brokencyde "Freaxxx"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8F5YSA1Oz0
3OH!3 "I'm not your boyfriend baby"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qp7BUQOVU88
Britney's album is garbage aimed at the least-common denominator. Too many journalists buy into the "Britney is back" storyline and it's simply not true. Thanks to Jim DeRogatis for saying what most critics won't!
Music is changing, and it is not all about singer/songwriters. Producers have been controlling music for years, and that isn't a bad thing. It has greated some great pop albums. Britney's latest album is a fun dance record.
derogatis seems like a smart enough guy, so why does he keep wasting time talking about all this personal stuff about music he doesn't like? nobody in the real world cares about that stuff because it's silly. if you don't like a record, all it means is that the record doesn't give YOU goosebumps, nothing more. i know he wouldn't have a job if that's all he wrote, but it's goofy and pointless. NOBODY really pays attention to rock critics anymore, if they ever did.
Sorry you all only like folk music played acousticly in your studio. There is other forms of fun upbeat music out there.
Um, Janet Jackson is not a mother.
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