When it comes to the world of music, we’ve had so many iconic outputs by legendary artists that it’s hard to keep track of them all.
However, a lot of our favourites who we consider to be untouchable in their impact have in fact been inspired by other artists themselves.
Most of the time, these inspirations have created near-perfect albums, where the influence is rather clear.
However, sometimes, the albums that multiple artists are influenced by aren’t that good at all. The artists of now have seemingly taken all the best parts of their inspirations to create something even better than their predecessors.
Influential but not that good? Yes, they exist, and have existed for quite some time.
So here are six albums that completely changed the game forever, that if you were to listen to top to bottom today, aren’t the most enjoyable of experiences.
1. Arthur Brown – The Crazy World of Arthur Brown
Listen to ‘Fire’ below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaHEusBG20c
‘Fire’? Iconic. ‘I Put A Spell On You’? Timeless. But how many of you have sat down to enjoy the trippy organs of ‘Spontaneous Apple Creation’?
Arthur Brown, the progenitor of black and white face paint, which was used by bands such as Kiss, has had an extreme influence on rock music though.
Shock rock was birthed from this album, crazy live performances inspired by the live renditions of its songs, and the use of organs and unique vocals was something completely unique for the time.
However when it comes to an album experience, this project really only has two songs going for it.
2. Butthole Surfers – Psychic….Powerless….Another Man’s Sac
Listen to ‘Mexican Caravan’ below:
So many bands like Pearl Jam, Ween and especially Nirvana were inspired by the 80s outputs of Butthole Surfers.
Even Kurt Cobain’s demo tapes can be cited as direct influences from the grit and garishness of this band.
While Psychic….Powerless is considered one of the most undeniably influential albums from the 80s, most of its songs borderline on unlistenable noise to the average music lover.
3. Sex Pistols – Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols
Listen to ‘Anarchy in the UK’ below:
Now this album, for its time, was exceptional. The production was phenomenal and the cartoonish spin that Sex Pistols put onto punk still has its far reaches today, influences most punk and pop-punk bands even in 2019.
However today, the album from start to finish can feel obnoxious and rather dated.
Sure the influence is absolutely groundbreaking, especially in the UK, but for the most part, this album is one of the most important pieces of music in history that you don’t have to ever hear more than once.
4. N.W.A. – Straight Outta Compton
Listen to ‘Straight Outta Compton’ below:
One of the most iconic and influential two-song openers in all of hip-hop history, with ‘Straight Outta Compton’ and ‘F*ck the Police’.
Rap albums even today struggle to meet such a level of politicism mixed with catchy rhyme-schemes with perfect beats to support it.
However, a good half of this album fails to impress at the same level, with only one or two other songs being even close to memorable.
But really, what does it matter when the songs that do shine, have influenced future generations to come forever.
5. Kanye West – 808s & Heartbreak
Listen to ‘Heartless’ below:
Essentially, this album is Kanye West’s most iconic and influential, but also considered to be amongst his least enjoyable outputs ever.
This album birthed generations of music which cite this era of West’s as direct influence. Artists like Drake, Post Malone, Travis Scott and A$ap Rocky are essentially direct children of this albums impact.
However, at times the album can feel a bit unfinished and messy, as if Kanye spent as little time as possible on it.
6. Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band – Trout Mask Replica
Listen to ‘Frownland’ below:
The album you’ve never heard and will probably wish you hadn’t. The album that many have failed to finish listening to.
The album heralded as “terrible” and “harsh-sounding” and “like barbed wire” by critics. The most influential album on this list.
The White Stripes, Talking Heads, The B-52s, Devo, PJ Harvey, David Lynch and even the Red Hot Chili Peppers have all cited this album as a direct influence.
It’s a 1969 masterpiece that created unmatched avant-rock to inspire years of your favourite rock music to come, and yet barely anyone can sit through its 80 minutes of harsh sounds and off-kilter instrumentations.
