Top 10 Worst Albums of the 2000s

Not every album that is produced ends up topping the music charts.  In fact, a lot of albums end up under-performing, whether commercially or critically. An album can be great but still fail to make a dent in sales, but when an album is critically panned, it’s pretty telling that it’s something you’re better off not listening to at all.  There are a number of albums that could have been on this list, but I think the 10 worst albums of the 2000s outlined below deserve their spot. Let’s check them out:

10. Razorlight

Image: http://www.amazon.co.uk/

Razorlight is an Indie rock band that started in 2002. Their self-titled album was released in 2006 gaining mixed reviews.  In the UK it debuted at number 1; however, some reviews were as low as 2.8/10.  A lot of the songs on the album have a stolen theme (from other large rock bands – The Strokes, Bruce Springsteen, etc.) and the front man Johnny Borrell is nowhere near as talented as many other front men.  He either tries too hard or just simply cannot get the job done.  Razorlight is Britain’s rock band that comes nowhere close to competing with some of the big guys.

9. Chinese Democracy

Image: http://www.rollingstone.com/

Guns and Roses is an American rock band that released ‘Chinese Democracy’ in 2008 after a long hiatus since 1993.  In fact, Axle Rose was the only remaining original band member on this album. It was wildly overrated with far less sales than expected, but it did however receive decent reviews. The biggest criticism of the album is that it is dated with no real purpose.

8. Life on Display

Image: http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/

Puddle of Mudd is American rock band that released ‘Life on Display’ in 2003. The album was a huge let down only selling about 700,000 copies in the United States, compared to over three million from their previous album. Only one big single came out of the album which reach #1 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks.  Two of the other songs were minor hits later becoming theme songs for TV shows. Other than that, the album was a complete let down.

7. St. Anger

Image: http://www.rarerecords.net/

‘St. Anger’ was released by Metallica, an American heavy metal band from California, in 2003.  During development of this album, producer Bob Rock filled in as bassist for Jason Newsted who had to enter rehab for alcoholism and addiction.  After the release of this album Bob Rock no longer collaborated with Metallica.  Some of the reviews for the album indicated that it was such a mess that it sounded like a group of guys playing in a garage.  There were mixed reviews of the album, but the overall perception was not good.

6. Results May Vary

Image: http://www.amazon.com/

Limp Bizkit, an American metal band from Florida, released their fourth album in 2003.  ‘Results May Vary’ received critical reviews with generally negative comments about how confusing the album was. The album received low scores in many review magazines stating there is no consistency, no melody, and no structure.  Unfortunately, one of the problems may have been the loss of the bands lead guitarist, Wes Borland, right before recording the album.

5. I Am Me

Image: http://www.amazon.com/

Ashlee Simpson released her second album, ‘I Am Me’, in 2005.  The album contains some pop and rock music just like her prior album. Initial reviews by mainstream critics has the album rated 43 out of 100. The album was supposed to be about her emotions and life experiences since her previous album.  Some reviews stated that the album was soulless and flawed.  Although some people said it showed some maturity and growth, most did not like the lyrics and found the music dull.

4. Paris Hilton

Image: http://www.amazon.com/

Paris Hilton released her initial debut album, ‘Paris’, in 2006.  The album is more of a hip-hop and R&B mix of music with three singles.  Although the album only sold 200,000 copies in the United States and about 600,000 copies worldwide, it got mixed reviews with some saying it was catchy with some fun in it, while other said it lacked ballads.  The music is generally good from the production standpoint, but it does not leave you wanting more.

3. Rudebox

Image: http://www.robbiewilliams.com/

Robbie Williams released his seventh album, ‘Rudebox’, in 2006 in the United Kingdom. Robbie ventured into indie rock territory with ‘Rudebox’, coming in completely short of what his expectations were. It was a terrible rendition of hip hop and at times awkward. He did have collaborations on the album with some other artists that did help the album slightly, but it also led to some controversy.  One artist claims to have co-written a song and the other controversy is over lyrics in another song.

2. Playing With Fire

Image:  http://www.amazon.com/

Kevin Federline debuted his only album in 2006. The reviews of this album are so bad that on the mainstream scale the album scored at 15 out of 100. The overall consensus is that he does not have good lyrics, his rapping does not flow well, and most of his songs are half-hearted. The producers did a terrible job with the music. So bad, in fact, that the bass over compensates so much that it makes your ears hurt.

1. Crazy Frog Presents Crazy Hits

Image: http://www.amazon.com/

Crazy Frog debuted its album Crazy Frog Presents Crazy Hits in 2005.  Crazy Frog was originally just a set of ringtones that then morphed into a pop album. The reviews are critical saying there is nothing musical about it and the frog voice is distracting. The vocals are the main complaint of this album. Below it the music is not all that bad; however, the Frog really takes away the dance factor and just ruins the whole album.

If there’s one thing to take away from this list, it’s to do yourself (and good music on a whole) a favour and avoid even listening to all these albums at all.