4 Disappointing Rock Albums From the 1990s That Let Fans Down

Putting out a good record, even as an established musician, is a daunting and difficult task. Sometimes, it’s just not possible. The following rock albums from the 1990s were, sadly, quite disappointing to a lot of listeners and fans. However, I don’t think these records are quite as bad as some detractors seemed to think at the turn of the millennium. Let’s take a look!

‘Balance’ by Van Halen

Well, we just had to add Van Halen’s divisive 90s record to this list. Released in 1995, some diehard Van Halen fans did not love this release. The album’s predecessor, For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge, was a solid collection of songs. 

I’m not sure where the band went wrong on this one. Maybe Eddie Van Halen was just at the end of his creative output. Either way, this is far from the band’s best album. Though, I do think “Amsterdam” is a pretty fun song.

‘One Hot Minute’ by Red Hot Chili Peppers

One Hot Minute came at an odd time for Red Hot Chili Peppers back in 1995. The year prior, Dave Navarro was band-less after the breakup of Jane’s Addiction. John Frusciante left a big guitar-shaped hole in RHCP. Navarro joining the band seemed like a great idea. However, he had to live up to the hype of both bands. That did not happen on One Hot Minute. 

It wasn’t wholly Navarro’s fault, either. Anthony Kiedis was in active addiction, sessions took up the better part of a year, and the resulting album lacked any real focus. However, I do think “Aeroplane” is a solid track.

‘Be Here Now’ by Oasis

This really might be a case of one album being so good that every subsequent release would never reach its predecessor’s hype. (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? is a classic. Everything Oasis released after that album, sadly, wouldn’t quite reach the level of that album. Be Here Now is just one example. The band had plenty of resources to make a solid record, but too much c*ke and in-band fighting led to a pretty disappointing release. However, I don’t think this album is that bad. “Stand By Me” slaps, and “All Around The World” is an excellent song, too.

‘Behind The Mask’ by Fleetwood Mac

Disappointing rock albums often follow solid releases, and that was the case for Fleetwood Mac. They had a pretty decent era in the 1980s, though it wasn’t as enormously successful as their run in the 1970s. However, the 1990s were rough for the band. Behind The Mask, released in 1990, came shortly after Lindsey Buckingham quit the band. Rick Vito and Billy Burnette were great musicians, but they lacked Buckingham’s songwriting power. Behind The Mask ended up being a pretty big letdown, though it does manage to still sound like a true Fleetwood Mac record.

Photo by Jim Steinfeldt/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

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