Overrated. This term is most often uttered in one of two situations. Situation one: A new band is getting an incredible amount of press for their debut album. Critics call the band "overrated" by listing all the bands that they rip off. Situation two: A universally-acclaimed band such as the Beatles is mentioned in conversation. Music snob looks at unsuspecting victim and proceeds to explain to him/her why the Beatles are "overrated" in order to establish music snob as a person of highly distinguished taste and not one of the masses. Later in the day, music snob realizes he has no girlfriend, no money and a head full of useless knowledge. He is spotted crying alone in a room full of vinyls.
The following albums are incredibly essential and significant -- cherish them. They are also appreciated far beyond their intrinsic worth. (Props go to Chunklet for the idea). Let the public outcry begin.
The Beach Boys
Pet Sounds
OK, so you guys can harmonize. We get it. Now raise your hand if you can name a song other than "Wouldn't It Be Nice?" Now raise your hand if this album makes you painfully miss California or just simply hate it.
Nick Drake
Pink Moon
If Volkswagen didn't play him, would you know who he is? Do you know any lyrics beyond those in "Pink Moon"? Do you ever know when one song finishes and the next one starts?
Marvin Gaye
Let's Get It On
Name a track on this album other than "Let's Get it On." Name a situation when you listened to this other than when you brought that innocent freshman back home to your frat house.
Led Zeppelin
IV
You've really made it when you sell your soul to Cadillac. The fact that these songs actually fit in a car commercial is troubling. It might be physically impossible to listen to "Stairway" one more time.
Van Morrison
Astral Weeks
Van Morrison might be my all-time favorite recording artist. I'm just gonna give him the benefit of the doubt here and say he's way too brilliant for me to understand him. I have no clue what's going on in this record. Meander = genius?
Nirvana
Bleach
Stop saying this is the best Nirvana album ever, just to sound cool. It's not. It's the sound of a band not yet sure who it is, kind of like the sound of puberty.
The Pixies
Surfer Rosa
The end of Fight Club is great. Ed Norton holds Helena Bonham Carter's hand while buildings crumble and the Pixies' "Where is my Mind?" plays. I'm gonna let you in on a little secret. No one ACTUALLY likes the Pixies. They just think everyone else does.
The Ramones
The Ramones
The Ramones can't play instruments. If I were to say to you, "Hmm, I'm thinking about performing an operation on you. I have no medical training whatsoever. I also don't have any arms." Would you let me?
The Smiths
The Queen Is Dead
Morrissey sounds like my dad trying to do a British accent. He also preaches this "down with the man" philosophy while living in F. Scott Fitzgerald's former house. Yes, The Great Gatsby!
The Who
Tommy
Rock and opera. These two words should never go together. Oh, what's that? Your two favorite things are Madame Butterfly and Styx? Is an album still worthy if it only sounds good when you're on drugs?
