Often, I come across a great new wave track from a band I've never heard of. I look them up, and am thrilled to see they released an album. After tracking it down however, it turns out the album totally fails to measure up to the great track. This is especially bitter if the track gives the impression that I would enjoy anything produced by such a band.
Roaring Boys (S/T)
House of Stone is a great song, though the single version is definitely superior to the album version. Roxy Music inspired, great instrumentation and rather unique vocals. The album on the other hand... is bad. the slower tracks are good: Strange Girl, Persuasion and in particuar, Again & Again. But the rest of it is just a plain awful attempt at pop rock, completely discordant with the other songs. It's not unlistenable, but the quality is down there with the most throwaway shlock. Oh, and don't go hunting for B-side gems. They aren't much better.
The Way Moves (Favor & Disgrace)
The main disappointment of this one is how good the first album is. The band's self-titled effort is profoundly enjoyable, with several memorable tracks, and vocals reminiscent of the Furs. The followup does away with any keyboards and goes for a more guitar-heavy sound, failing to leave any kind of impression. I think there is only one track on here worth replaying: Sons of the Highway. The rest is a snoozefest from a band capable of better.
When In Rome (S/T)
Does this even need comment? Their hit isn't obscure, but the album itself probably qualifies. The Promise is great. Sight of Your Tears, Something Going On, Heaven Knows, and Child's Play are reasonably enjoyable, but the rest is what I'd describe politely as utter trash and borderline unlistenable, so even if they get 5 good songs, its completely drowned by the abysmal quality of what's attached.
Picnic At The WhiteHouse (The Doors are Open)
We Need Protection is a gem in my view and I was greatly excited to hear the whole album. To my shock, while I enjoyed Little Lady and Heaven (which sounds like Copeland's work), the rest is very lackluster or just plain bad. Turn over this rock and you'll find little to write home about.
Twelve Drummers Drumming (S/T)
This one actually managed to annoy me. I love We'll be the Last Ones to death. Brilliant track, very foreboding and ominous to listen to. The video is also great. But this album is trash. Only one other song is worth listening to (I think it's called Have You Heard It?) The rest is either forgettable or unlistenable to a greater extent than When In Rome. I don't know if they were trying to be experimental, but it came out terribly.
So what are some of your disappointing obscure albums?