0:00: 🎵 Discussion on albums that have unexpectedly impressed or disappointed the panel members. 4:10: 🎸 Disappointment over perceived Eddie Van Halen dominance in album, fear of listening to it due to weak reviews, and lack of focus in the music. 8:03: 🎵 Exploring unexpected positive reactions to an album from 1980, despite lineup changes and preconceptions. 11:48: 🎵 Critique of David Bowie's album 'Tonight' highlighting inconsistencies in quality and cover choice. 15:23: 🎸 Exploring the shift from leaders to followers in bands over time, sparking a discussion on how bands evolve in the music industry. 19:18: 🎶 Discussion of Japanese band gaining popularity in the US and Tokyo, likened to Puffy Yumi with collaborations from Andy Sturmer. 23:20: 🎵 Revisiting Queen's album 'Hot Space' reveals surprising gems amidst mixed reviews and experimental sound. 27:24: 🎵 Surprising elements in Black Sabbath's album 'Never Say Die' revealed through a friend's cassette. 31:15: 🎶 Discovery of new bands can lead to pleasant surprises, prompting exploration of their extensive discography. 35:15: 🎶 Discussion on the commercial success of Genesis in the 80s and the influence between band members. 39:23: 🎵 Criticism of a lengthy album with sporadic musical greatness, leading to poor audience reception during the tour. Recapped using Tammy AI

This episode surprised me! The new guy Elder of Rock and Better Call Saul ( Tom Curless ) I wasn’t expecting one of my favorite episodes yet of the Contrarians. This one made me laugh and smile and I haven’t done that in a long while. Thanks for the pick me up gentleman! 🤘🏻

How I’ve read that VH III went down is Gary has gone on record to say he thinks things would have been better if they played live shows and then went to write a record but instead Eddie had pre written material and they just rolled with that.

@bryanmcfadden4071

4 ай бұрын

When I met Gary in Boston at one of my shows I politely asked him what happened with Van Halen...he simply left, never said a word and left his drunk behind .. he stayed for the show and left . True story

Good surprise: Bruce Dickinson - Accident of Birth. When Bruce left Iron Maiden in 1992, he was doing these very 90's sounding alternative metal albums like Balls to Picasso and Skunkworks. In hindsight, they were good for what they are, but back then, they were a hard pill to swallow. But then in 1997, we get news that Bruce is putting out a full-on metal album, and that Adrian Smith was with him. So when I finally heard Accident of Birth, it just blew me away. Bad surprise: Megadeth - Risk. I enjoyed Cryptic Writings. I had some radio friendly stuff, but it also had some good metal mixed in. So when the follow up was announced, and the first single was this awful attempt at a sports anthem, I became a little worried. Then the album came out, and I was so disappointed. As Dave Mustaine has later said, the record label was trying to turn the band into some alt rock radio band. Good surprise: When Blue Oyster Cult put out Heaven Forbid, seemingly from out of nowhere after more than a decade of being away. And it was a banger.

@SuperStrik9

4 ай бұрын

Great pick for bad surprise. I totally agree with you. I dug Cryptic Writings as well and saw them on the tour for that album. Risk was terrible. Megadeth bounced back on their next album The World Needs A Hero and have been pretty consistent ever since.

I had no intel on Chinatown when I bought it. But I love that album as a whole, even as a step down from Black Rose. Renegade, as we talk Thin Lizzy, I initially dismissed it outright, other than Pressure Will Blow. Years later, I bought a new copy, popped it on... boy, my first impression was wrong! Renegade was good.

@keithleeuwen877

3 ай бұрын

Lizzy !

Yes Thin Lizzy Chinatown is really good. You guys inspired me to give a listen - great record.

A positive note first. When Iron Maiden released The Final Frontier in 2010 I couldn´t believe what I was hearing. A turgid, overlong, tuneless, unlistenable mess of an album that only made it into my collection for completion´s sake. Five years later they issued a follow-up, a double CD even - The Book of Souls. A daunting task to get ready to dive into, for sure. I did buy it immediately, again for completion´s sake, but it unexpectedly turned out pretty well! It´s no work of genius, but its limp predecessor is easily the worst of the Bruce era. The Book Of Souls is easily a 7/10 for me. Thumbs up! A few years before that, I developed an almost daily habit of visiting Judas Priest´s website to listen to the title track of their forthcoming double concept album, Nostradamus - and boy, did I love it! Epic, melodic, ripping solos, aggressive, with Rob screaming up a storm! I still love that track, which is more than can be said about its flaccid parent album. Nostradamus to me is a great single. Great title track, plus CD1 closer Persecution is awesome, as well. Two good tracks in all, and the rest is just a crime to the band´s heritage. They even broke out the old guita synthesisers from the Turbo era to add textures to an already muffled production job. Heinous album, silly concept, though the album cover is itself kinda cool. Great episode, guys!

Phil Collins is the actual drum player on Intruder. He was with Peter in the studio and made up the beat and Peter asked him to repeat this same pattern for 10 minutes. (Phil also got credit on the song) Great show!

A positive surprise for me is Journeys Evolution album. As a kid I hated it, but as a 50 year old I love it. It is my second favorite album of Journey. It only has one hit, but every track is great. The songs are bluesy and the songs where Perry and Rollie trade vocals are great! It makes you wish Rollie had stayed and they did more of this. I guess I had to mature to appreciate it, but I'm surprised by how much I reach for this album now!

@toddschulz2807

4 ай бұрын

First 3 albums of Journey are the best IMO

Baby Metal is fun. They're probably the only band that brought happy into metal. My let downs came with hearing well respected albums that didn't click with me. Dream Theater's Metropolis Pt 2 is one. I like pretty much all the other Portnoy albums but that one leaves me a little flat. Another is Camel's The Snow Goose. I like instrumental music, but there's just no oomph to this. I'll just go listen to classical music instead. My surprise like is Jethro Tull's Under Wraps. I enjoy the electronic experiment Ian tried there. It's one of Martin' Barre's favorite albums.

Hear me out. I just listened to The Rollers 1981 album “Ricochet.” I know the past history, but wow. Different singer and they wrote their own songs. That along with 1979 “Elevator “, and it’s what could have been.

I'm one of the very few people who like VH III better than A Different Kind Of Truth, For Unlawful..., or the almost unlistenable Balance.

@bryanmcfadden4071

4 ай бұрын

😂 I saw all those tours .. surprisingly I agree with you...Eddy had knee surgery and was Messed up on all kinds of pain killers live ... Each time I saw them after 0U812 it went downhill each ticket and was given a pass because Alex and Sammy solos were amazing too.. could see it unraveling on stage for 10 years

@Chaz4543

4 ай бұрын

I was just listening to Balance last week and I couldnt believe how bad it was. It was so dull. The best song from that era was Humans Being which came out the year after Balance and I assume was recorded during those sessions. Humans Being is better than any song on Balance.

Two good surprises, one a album, the other a run of releases: - Tal Bachman's debut: only got it because it was a throw in by the seller on a large order. Took this one because it has his big hit, She's So High, but the rest of the songs are way better; a lot of the songs have a Beatles vibe. - Queensryche's run with Todd La Torre on vocals. All solid releases with Condition Human sounding like the logical continuation of Empire and Promised Land. Wasn't expecting much after the last few disastrous releases with Geoff Tate but I'm glad the band righted the ship.

Groovy show, you glorious gentleman, you! Plus, I’ve done a show with Tom and a few shows with Grant. And, The Elder of Rock is a mystery man to many, shrouded in darkness. 😉 But he’s an exquisite egg, too. Fine choices all around men, both good and bad. My first thought was the disappointment of Metallica’s St. Anger album in 2003. Poor production, no guitar solos, crappy drum sound and just a general, generic, geriatric malaise. At my record store gig at the time, I’d imitate Lars’ drum sound on the CD by hitting the metal coin donations can on the counter with a pen. Not a good Metallica album; same goes for the Metallica/Lou Reed collaboration record Lulu. On the pleasantly surprised list I’d name Blue Öyster Cult’s The Symbol Remains from 2020. After nearly two decades away from the fray - and from recording a new studio album - who expected BÖC to come back with such an exciting and exceptional release?! Not many perhaps, but they DID! The highlight for me on this particular platter is “The Alchemist.” What a wonderful sounding song that ticked all the boxes - in my head 😉 - of classic Blue Öyster Cult. Highly recommended. Grant, just one minor quibble: The Game blows $h!t Space out of the water! I just simply CANNOT think of those two albums as a pair. Granted, 😉 there are 3 or 4 okay songs on $not Space, it just doesn’t reach the awesome heights l find on The Game. That’s all. Cheers from The Big Apple. 🍎 Rock Out and Prog On! Your pal and ours, ~ The Divided Duvet Cover known as Davey Cretin, from CRETIN CLASSICS.

@TheElderofRock-dz4zg

4 ай бұрын

I'll have better lighting next time lol

Judas Priest - Rocka Rolla, everyone said it was crap, but I loved it. Yes - Close to the Edge, everybody goes on about how great it is... I couldn't stand it.

@LarryFleetwood8675

4 ай бұрын

Agreed, I felt Rocka Rolla was poor at first years ago but now I'd say it's pretty damn good too with some excellent songs that showed the way of the greatness soon to come.

Never thought Van Halen were that good as songwriters until they got Sammy.Did too many covers in my book.Thin Lizzy I love Chinatown and Black Rose.

Even if the old folks aren't down Baby Metal does have some cred. KZread up Baby Metal and Rob Halford. Metal God meets the Fox God. Two thumbs up InterstellarDave Band-Maid slays.

Great show as always guys and great choices too! Only one i would add is Alice in Chains starting up again with William Duvall! Love Black Gives Way to Blue,Devil Put Dinosaurs Here and Rainier Fog. Really great solid records and I hope they keep at it.

VH III and Diver Down are my most disappointing Van Halen albums. Gary is not the problem on VH III the material is just not that good.

I loved Queen. But when I first heard We are the Champions/We Will Rock You I hated it and thought News of the World was a real stinker.

"K" by Kula Shaker from 1996. It is a heavy 70s sounding style mixed with middle eastern themes. It is an unusual combination, but that album really really jams. Such a surprise. Good stuff.

Bowie's Tonight - The long form video for "Blue Jean" is interesting.

Love Me some Chinatown!

@curlessmania4708

4 ай бұрын

It’s really strong!

Ted nugent caveman definitely surprised me very good and heavy

Never Say Die is great, i rank it as number 6 of the Sabbath albums.

I didn't want to, but I am obsessed with Band Maid, like I haven't been in any bands in the last 30 years.

This was a fun episode!

I was looking forwatd to the new Judas Priest ,Saxon, and Bruce Dickinson albums and all three albums were trash. Positive was discovering Ghost and their album Impera.

The roof is leaking off Face Value is such an underrated song!

@curlessmania4708

4 ай бұрын

Such a great track! I

Surprised how good Judas Priest Firepower was , I was just as surprised that Judas Priest Invincible Shield wasnt

The majority of Tonight is Iggy Pop covers just reworked and even a new song he and Iggy wrote and sing together “Dancing With The Big Boys”, the problem is the arrangements of the Iggy covers are tepid.

Kansas - Freaks of Nature was surprisingly heavy.

@LarryFleetwood8675

4 ай бұрын

Not bad but a mixed bag for me with some good songs for sure yet overall, I think the production and even the performances lack something. Somewhere to Elsewhere that came later, felt a lot more consistent to me.

I bought Virtual XI by Maiden and it as seriously let down. Futureal was the only good song

@Chaz4543

4 ай бұрын

I like Futureal, Lightning Strikes Twice, When Two Worlds Collide, and The Educated Fool.

@GenghisJohn82

4 ай бұрын

@@Chaz4543 Based on how good X-Factor was, I had higher hopes for this one. But Futureal is underrated

@user-ov9sg5bs3e

4 ай бұрын

@@GenghisJohn82 I like The Virtual XI more than The X Factor, they both are weak records but at least Virtual XI has some memorable songs, while X Factor is dull and boring for the most part.

Queensryche - Promised Land was a let down after Empire and Operation Mindcrime for me.

@Chaz4543

4 ай бұрын

Yup I dont agree with the praise it gets. Thought it was boring and dull.

The elephant in the room: The Elder is in the dark. I can't see him or anything he's trying to show to the screen. its way too distracting.

@TheElderofRock-dz4zg

4 ай бұрын

Yeah sorry I'll have better lighting next time

Motley Crue 94 surprised me because people now talk about how its some hidden gem and its the best thing they ever did so I was expecting it to be great when I listened to it. I dont agree at all and thought it was pretty terrible. It shouldnt have been called Motley Crue because it has nothing to do with what made Motley Crue popular and successful. The people who said it sucked and didnt buy it back it when it came out were right.

Great show fellas

Regarding the later Queen albums, I have to disagree. The Miracle is a very, strong album from 1-10 and that’s from 1989. “Forced” isn’t really the word for their later material. Definitely go back over “the works, a kind of magic” and you’ll find some goodly gems

I don't get the hate for Hot Space. Not the greatest Queen album but to me it's way better than The Miracle and Made In Heaven; only thing I would change is replacing g the programmed drums with real ones.

Anthrax - Worship Music is my pick for good surprises. With all the singer issues during the making of that album I had no idea what to expect. Was pleasantly surprised as it was a really good album. Metallica - Load for bad surprises. Though in hindsight I shouldn't have been surprised with that godawful Until It Sleeps music video. Was so disappointed in the album I just gave it to a buddy for nothing in exchange lol.

@TheElderofRock-dz4zg

4 ай бұрын

Yeah Worship music surprised me as well

Eat The Heat is a GREAT album.

Nice surprise…Styx Cyclorama. Good album. Disappointment…….Aerosmith Pump. No thank you. PS: Elder turn a light on bro.

@TheElderofRock-dz4zg

4 ай бұрын

I'll have better lighting next time lol

Now that Babymetal has been mentioned I continue to eagerly wait for someone to mention Band Maid. You want good hard rock/metal they provide it.

@TheElderofRock-dz4zg

4 ай бұрын

Yeah Band-Maid is awesome also check out Lovebites if you haven't all ready

@interstellardave

4 ай бұрын

@@TheElderofRock-dz4zgI like them too, but it’s more hit or miss as to liking their songs. Band Maid never disappoints me.

Regarding Van Halen 3, it is poor any way you slice it. A weak album with a Hagar-like vocal only not as good. I personally think Van Halen were at their best musically when Dave was the frontman. His presence made the compositions better, ballsier, and just more powerful. Listen to A Different Kind of Truth--the MUSICAL attitude missing since 1984 was back.

Good choices one i hated was Steve Miller in the 80s i think he went way boring abaracadba i wanna reach out and grab ya very tacky i didn't like stones in later 80s either but i was pleasantly surprised when i first herd inxs early 81ish like who is this??great subject

Pat Travers' aptly named Crash and Burn album really surprised me in a bad way. They used the rip roaring Snortin' Whiskey as the promo song and I couldn't wait to hear the rest. What a complete let down. Insipid, soft, garbage.

VH3 could have been even worse actually...

As usual Grant doesn't have a clue about heavy metal, I bet he's never heard anything from Accept or Dream Theater.

@keithleeuwen877

3 ай бұрын

huh

Frayle Sand and Sorrow was my end of year picks 2022 and after i purchased it and listening 🎧 to the Production i immediately bought 1637 and they both sold out on record and 🤍 White witch E.p. is rerecorded on both , also out of print and the best purchases i blindly ordered Cheers 🍺

@bryanmcfadden4071

4 ай бұрын

I bought them originally for the cover art