Uncool music that you love

[masterofsparks]

From my musical conversations with folks on this board, I've been very impressed with just what a hip bunch of people we are. However, a few of these conversations got me thinking there must be some skeletons in closets. I don't want to call them "guilty pleasures" because I'm not guilty about any of them, but I was wondering about some of the things that are considered bad or uncool that you really love.

I could compile a really long list, but I'll start with Elton John's Madman Across the Water LP. Despite some negative qualities (especially a tendency for excess that would only get worse with escalating fame and drug abuse and Bernie Taupin's awful, purple lyrics), I think the majority of his 70s output is pretty solid, with the best of it reaching the plateau of greatness. Madman Across the Water is my favorite LP by him. In addition to mega-hits Tiny Dancer and Levon and the minor hit title track, there's a trio of just-as-good album cuts to be had: Razor Face, Rotten Peaches, and Holiday Inn (my favorite EJ track). I like his voice and he has an undeniable knack for memorable melodies, and his songwriting chops are at their peak here.

So what's your ugly secret?

[Gilly]

Madman Across the Water is hands down the best Elton John album. I love it.

[Beth]

Speaking of Heart, I love love love their album "Dreamboat Annie" They're uncool right? See, I never really considered Elton John uncool, so my ideas of what's cool and what's not cool may be twisted.


I have a long list, which I'm sure I can't completely regurgitate here, but it includes:

Cher, no matter what era. Yes, that means I liked "Do You Belieeeeeve in Life After Love (after love after love after love")?
Meatloaf-Bat Out Of Hell
2 Avril Lavigne singles-"Girlfriend" and "I'm With You" (as in, I leave them on the radio when they come on)
Phil Collins, the singles.
Some Kelly Clarkson
Beyonce (is she uncool? Again, not sure)
Nine Inch Nails-Pretty Hate Machine. Plenty of cool people love this record but plenty don't, so I'm sticking it in here.
Tina Turner-Private Dancer
Christina Aguilera. I'm still not quite sure whether I like her music, or just her. Or neither. In any case, I'm intrigued.
Night Ranger
Some Rick Springfield
John "Couger" Mellancamp-the older singles.

Hmmm... After reading this list, I appear to have the musical taste of a time-travelling goth/gay biker who lives in Miami in the 1980's.

[courtney]

I'll start with Elton John's Madman Across the Water LP. Despite some negative qualities (especially a tendency for excess that would only get worse with escalating fame and drug abuse and Bernie Taupin's awful, purple lyrics), I think the majority of his 70s output is pretty solid, with the best of it reaching the plateau of greatness. Madman Across the Water is my favorite LP by him.

Dude - no shame. That's a great album.

Not nearly as bad as me still liking to give an occasional spin to Jackson Browne's Late For The Sky, in my opinion.

[Matt C]

Without this turning into a 70's Elton John thread my favorite has always been Tumbleweed Connection, maybe just because of Come Down In Time.  Honestly everything on my iPod would be considered embarrassing.

[Stupornaut]

I like me some Alan Parsons Project. Not all of it (that Edgar Allan Poe concept record is just blecch), but I enjoy a lot of I, Robot and a few of the singles ("Games People Play", "Eye in the Sky"... and, yeah, "Don't Answer Me"). And damned if "Mammagamma" isn't the blueprint for all the cool downtempo/balearic house stuff Lindstrom's been doing over the last three years.

[<<<<<]

Sludge and doom metal.  What can I say?  Its relationship with experimental and noise music goes back a decade at least now, if not as far back as no wave.

[gravy boat]

The Counting Crows.

[<<<<<]

Oh, I like Tatu as well, in a somewhat non-ironic way ~ but Ken Freedman is directly to blame for that.   

[masterofsparks]

I'll start with Elton John's Madman Across the Water LP. Despite some negative qualities (especially a tendency for excess that would only get worse with escalating fame and drug abuse and Bernie Taupin's awful, purple lyrics), I think the majority of his 70s output is pretty solid, with the best of it reaching the plateau of greatness. Madman Across the Water is my favorite LP by him.

Dude - no shame. That's a great album.

Not nearly as bad as me still liking to give an occasional spin to Jackson Browne's Late For The Sky, in my opinion.

I'm pretty much with Tom on Jackson Browne's awfulness, but I have a soft spot for the song Late for the Sky. I think it's because of its use in Taxi Driver - that scene really sticks with me.

[Gibby]

I really like 'Looking For Clues' by Robert Palmer and 'Kiss Me' by Sixpence None The Richer. Early Elton John is far from uncool; it's liking his Lion King jams that are truly the sign of a madman.

I also like Meatloaf, my mum is a huge fan so it got played in the car. Including Something Something The Road Something.

[Sarah]

I really like 'Looking For Clues' by Robert Palmer

That's the only Robert Palmer album I own.  I only bought it for "Johnny and Mary," which I still love despite its excessive popularity in the eighties.

[tomkaters]

I really like 'Looking For Clues' by Robert Palmer and 'Kiss Me' by Sixpence None The Richer. Early Elton John is far from uncool; it's liking his Lion King jams that are truly the sign of a madman.

I also like Meatloaf, my mum is a huge fan so it got played in the car. Including Something Something The Road Something.

I really like Meatloaf....and I actually own a Jim Steinman album: http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:fcfuxq95ldhe


I pretend to own it for irony, but I secretly really enjoy it.

[daveB from Oakland]

Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin' , by Journey , is an awesome song.

[Steve of Bloomington]

Steely Dan