Controversial Albums?

[devildog]

I was listening to The Cars this evening and it made think of this topic: What album in any band's discography causes (or caused) the most controversy in terms of whether it was liked/disliked or it marked a change in direction from their usual style, etc? Which album from any group, in your estimate, stirred the most intense hatred or love?

To me, The Cars' album "Panorama" falls into this category. Over the years, I have heard many people state they are very fond of this album and consider it one of the best. Yet, I also have heard alot of Cars' fans give it the thumbs down. Those that like it consider it a maturity in song-writing with less feel-good lyrics. Other say it was boring, lacked their signature hooks, and was too dark.

[beatschool]

I'm playing the role of "Obvious Man" tonight, but I'll offer up "Sandinista" by the Clash. My personal favorite, but nearly everyone I know hates it. They think it is all over the map and not punk rock. If they wanted an imitation of the original Clas

[Frau_Blucher]

One of my London friends told me that Sandinista was intended to be a bit subversive, not only in subject matter but layout. It's almost like the Clash wanted you to be able to pick out subsets of the double-lp and make sub-mixes with it. Does that make a

[Jason²]

Not sure if I'd call these controversial (something like Body Count, I think, would be more deserving of that tag) - however, as far albums that seemed to ring an awkward tone in the discography - most of the time it's either the "experimental" album or t

[Ollie Stench]

Prince - Controversey!

[WoodlandParkPunk]

Prince - The Black Album.

[devildog]

Jfiber,

You are right about U2's Rattle & Hum. I remember the reaction when my college buddies first heard "When Love Comes To Town". Lou Reed's album also is on the mark. I do not remember Kiss' album but the song "Beth" caused a stir. Was that so

[scramjet]

[quote][i]Originally posted by jfiber[/i]
<br>most of the time it's either the "experimental" album or the "fuck the record company" album.

[KYYX4ever]

Duran Duran is a good example: After 1983's "Seven & the Ragged Tiger, their sound changed remarkably. Some members left after this album, and 1987's "Notorious" marked a totally different sound. Many Duran fans felt that the "magic" was gone, and fans so

[bruiser]

i'm confused about the question because i can see categories here: is it "unpopular" albums that polarize fans or albums that marked a distinct shift in direction but people still love? because inxs' "kick" wasn't controversial as i remember it, just UBIQ

[2Nu]

[quote][i]Originally posted by KYYX4ever[/i]
<br> I'm sure you've all heard how all 5 original members are back together now and are kickin

[Frank_Chickens]

"We Are the League" by The Anti-Nowhere League: The LP contained the track "So What" which talked about the singer's experiences, from drug-taking, to certain illegal sexual practices. The vice squad paid the boys a visit and a cleaned-up version appeared

[skinnytie]

"End of the Century" - The Ramones
"English Settlement" - XTC
"Remain in Light" - Talking Heads

[Grunch]

While not New Wave, an interesting collectable of sorts is the Van Morrison release as an obligatory final release for his label, I believe in the 70s. It is about 30 tracks of the exact same beat, he just mutters and mumbles on, every track, same beat, s

[2Nu]

[quote][i]Originally posted by Grunch[/i]
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Lastly, what about The Far Corporation with members of Toto, and their cover version of