Is there something that distinguishes this game from just "shitty album in a long lineage of albums"?
Like does the immediate predecessor have to be an amazing, top-shelf kind of thing?
e.g. Experimental Jet Set is an obvious dip to me, but Dirty is not some kind of masterpiece, so I don't think this really counts for the game.

Different version: is the game focusing on an artist (like Metallica, above) that had an impeccable run of records and then just obviously cocked it up?
Trying to tip my own sacred cows: Autechre had kept pushing the boundaries of their thing with each release up to Confield, which really jumped far out into left field compared to its predecessors, but then followed it up with the relatively-bland Draft 7.30. I like everything they've done but that is not one I reach for regularly, whereas Untilted gets back into "undisputed mastery" territory.

Shudder to Think Pony Express Record --> 50,000 B.C.

Or as FM kerble calls it, "50,000 feces". A solid run on Dischord to a weirdo minor masterpiece to this. The band lost some members by that point, and the remaining guys were increasingly focused on tv and film work: this is one of the most half-assed, regrettable albums I can think of.

White Light/White Heat to Velvet Underground.

(a) Senile Animal to Nude With Boots

(Most here will probably say the jump to Atlantic)

GuyLaCroix wrote: Sat Jul 17, 2021 1:48 pm (a) Senile Animal to Nude With Boots

(Most here will probably say the jump to Atlantic)

I'm just gonna say "all of it."

Propaganda's first album, A Secret Wish, released in 1985, was very much a pop Eighties album in its way, but is really good. In my opinion, I guess I should add, because I could imagine it not being to everyone's tastes.

Propaganda's second album (not counting an intervening remix album), 1234, released in 1990, is horrific.

ErickC wrote: Sat Jul 17, 2021 4:02 am

M.H wrote: Sat Jul 17, 2021 2:25 am

kicker_of_elves wrote: Fri Jul 16, 2021 11:23 am Master Of Puppets/…And Justice For All

Come on now, Kicker_of_elves. You can't ask us to play a game and then make a mistake that bad straight away.

Ehhhh... I love Justice, but you can tell they lost a lot when Cliff died. They substituted the harmonic complexity of Master of Puppets for the pantomime complexity of repeating the same phrases a lot. Also, this album was directly responsible for the sound of Metallica, because, after the Justice tour, they were sick of songs that were repetitive and went on for long periods of time. So what do you get? Enter Sandman.

AJFA is a great album, bookended by two of their most vicious tracks. The black album and everything after applies to this thread, though.

House of GVSB to...Freak*on*ica.

Throwing Muses: Throwing Muses, couple of EPs, House Tornado, ... and then Hunkpapa

Not a terrible album, but messes up a solid streak.

pldms wrote: Sat Jul 17, 2021 6:44 pm Throwing Muses: Throwing Muses, couple of EPs, House Tornado, ... and then Hunkpapa

Not a terrible album, but messes up a solid streak.

Yes, I believe they have admitted it was a misstep, succumbing to pressure to make “hits”. But the pendulum swings back with The Real Ramona, with “Red Shoes,” “Honeychain,” and “Two Step” ending up as some of their best songs. Plus Tanya’s guitar playing very much a continuation of her style on Pod.