Most disappointing albums of 2012

[kosmo vinyl]

It usually easier for me identify which albums didn't do anything for me, then trying to narrow down a final list of favs.

The Alabama Shakes album is one track track paired with several hobbiest level blues band tracks.  The annoying production combined with blues guitar 101 playing makes for a real snooze fest.  So many better revivalist soul/blues records being released that's  better than this, might I suggest seeking out the new Kylie Auldist album "Still Life" instead.

Sorry fellow forumites, but I just can't get into the Alt-J record.  It just reeks of pretension, I'm far more into the Django Django record.  While not perfect it's better than that Alt-J mess.

[K8teebug]

I like both the Alt-J and Django Django records.  I can't get that damn "Default" song out of my head most days.  Love it.

Agreed about Alabama Shakes.  I saw them sing "hold on" and loved her voice.  Bought the record thinking it would be a great summer "by the pool drinking a beer" record and haven't been able to listen to it the entire way through.

[James Ford]

I agree that the Alabama Shakes album is pretty crappy, but how can you really be disapointed by a debut album by a bunch of nobodies? I mean what was the expectation level on it?

I think the Band of Horses album was the most disappointing for me. After their great first two albums, they've released a tepid third album and the fourth was a borderline stinker. Sure, there were many crappy albums in 2012, but I totally expected that (Jack White I'm looking at you, tough guy). I guess I still had some hope for BOH, but now I've completely lost interest.

The Justin Townes Earle album was somewhat of a disappointment too. He moved further away from his distinctive honky tonk sound to a boring, more generic alt-country sound that made him sound more like Steve Earle's son. Still puts on a great live show though.

[StoneTheCrow]

I wondered what happened to Alabama Shakes.  Saw them last spring and they were good.  Then the album came out and.....nothing.

As far as disappointments, I can't really think of anything at the moment. Gonna mull that over, though.

[K8teebug]

It was disappointing because I was looking forward to a fun album to listen to while I drank by the pool and it was not even that good.

[atomicfront]

Listing new albums that disappointed you seem pointless. There are probably tens of thousands of albums that would fit that bill.  And it might just not be your thing. I like the Alabama Shakes  as much as I didn't want to.

Anyway disappointing for me based on their previous work which I liked:

xx
school of seven bells
sleigh bells

[Vas Deferens]

Magnetic Fields is a disappointment.

[kosmo vinyl]

I agree that the Alabama Shakes album is pretty crappy, but how can you really be disapointed by a debut album by a bunch of nobodies? I mean what was the expectation level on it?

Well the debut albums by Third Coast Kings who hail from Detroit and Hannah Williams and the Tastemakers, who will be considered nobodies by most, have stellar debut albums out this year.  Then again their label Record Kicks has stellar reputation for finding top notch acts. Both these groups are far far better than the Alabama Shakes record.  Seems like Alabama Shakes got rushed into the studio and someone hoped their "celebrity" producer would help move the product.

[DeathFromAbove1979]

Listing new albums that disappointed you seem pointless. There are probably tens of thousands of albums that would fit that bill.  And it might just not be your thing. I like the Alabama Shakes  as much as I didn't want to.

Anyway disappointing for me based on their previous work which I liked:

xx
school of seven bells
sleigh bells

Actually liked Sleigh Bells 2nd album more than the first.

[Relaxer]

XX might be the biggest one, I was really looking forward to it. And I really tried to get into it but found it boring and hookless.

Flying Lotus' Cosmogramma was my #1 a couple years ago so the new one was heavily anticipated. And... I just don't care for it. Feels like all the edges have been smoothed out.

Despite really liking The Sword, I have not been at all compelled to listen to their new one after giving it a couple spins.

Fight Amp made my best-of list, but honestly, I've LOVED all their previous albums and this one was underwhelming while still being just good enough to be considered good.

Boss Hogg Outlawz 'Serve and Collect III' was disappointing after #2 was so great.

the new ones by Bonnie Prince Billy and JEFF the Brotherhood were also lackluster and fell out of the rotation quickly.

[James Ford]

On paper, the David Byrne/St Vincent album sounded good.

After listening once, I found no need to hear it again.

[slappy]

Kelly Clarkson - Greatest Hits
I don't get it?
There was like one new song. I felt like heard it all before. 

[bellenseb]

The Primitives' comeback album was pretty lackluster. I hope they write some new original songs for the next one.

(Also, if you don't already have it, the Swarm app for Spotify is a GREAT way to scan all the albums that came out this year from bands already in your collection).

[kosmo vinyl]

I actually really liked the new Primitives, to me it was a great update to the 60s girl sound.  Had no idea it was so many covers...