10 Rock Albums So Bad, They Shockingly Came From Great Bands

Even Legends Can Miss the Mark

When a legendary rock band releases a new album, fans often expect greatness before hearing a single note. Most of the time, these acts deliver — their reputations were built on decades of powerful music. But sometimes, even the most iconic artists release a record that leaves fans disappointed. These albums remind us that no one, no matter how talented, is immune to a creative stumble.

Before we dive in, it’s worth remembering that every band here has released timeless music that shaped generations. These records, however, simply didn’t meet the same standard.

10. AC/DC – Blow Up Your Video (1988)

AC/DC has built a career on a familiar formula — pounding 4/4 beats, bluesy riffs, and cheeky lyrics. But Blow Up Your Video proved even rock’s most reliable band can sound flat. Aside from “Heatseeker,” the album felt out of place in a world ruled by Guns N’ Roses and Metallica. The songs lacked energy, and since 1991, AC/DC hasn’t performed a single track from it live.

9. Bruce Springsteen – Human Touch (1992)

Springsteen is known for writing heartfelt anthems, but Human Touch was the weakest album of his career. Following his move to Los Angeles and a difficult divorce, The Boss delivered a lifeless collection that lacked his usual fire. The title track shines, but the rest fades quickly. Released alongside Lucky Town the same year, both records remain low points in his storied career.

8. Foo Fighters – Medicine at Midnight (2021)

Dave Grohl’s band has thrilled arenas for decades, but Medicine at Midnight was a rare misfire. Instead of the explosive energy of “Everlong” or “Walk,” fans got sluggish, forgettable songs. Apart from 2011’s Wasting Light, the band’s recent albums have struggled to inspire — and this one felt like the least motivated of them all.

7. Def Leppard – Slang (1996)

Trying to fit into the grunge era, Def Leppard ditched their signature glam sound for something darker — and it didn’t work. Slang saw Joe Elliott nearly rapping on some tracks, and while the band tried to sound current, they only ended up sounding lost. Fans of Hysteria or Pyromania barely recognized the band that once ruled the airwaves.

6. Aerosmith – Just Push Play (2001)

Aerosmith’s mix of swagger and showmanship made them icons, but Just Push Play stripped away the band’s personality. With too many outside songwriters, the album felt overproduced and uninspired. Even Steven Tyler seemed disengaged. The result was a dull imitation of a once-great band.

5. Kings of Leon – Can We Please Have Fun (2024)

After years of playing it safe, Kings of Leon promised fun — but delivered the opposite. Can We Please Have Fun was dull and lifeless, a faint echo of their earlier hits like “The Bucket” and “Sex on Fire.” Instead of reinvention, fans got recycled sounds and none of the charm that made the Followill family famous.

4. Weezer – Pacific Daydream (2017)

Weezer’s catalog is famously inconsistent, but Pacific Daydream was particularly offbeat. The album’s overly bright pop melodies and repetitive cheer felt exhausting. Coming after two well-received records, it left fans wondering what went wrong. Even devoted fans struggled to defend it.

3. No Doubt – Push and Shove (2015)

After more than a decade away, No Doubt’s comeback fell flat. Push and Shove lacked the spark that made hits like “Just a Girl” timeless. The band seemed unsure how to evolve, and none of the songs made it into their 2024 Coachella reunion set. Gwen Stefani soon returned to solo work, leaving this album as a misstep best forgotten.

2. Red Hot Chili Peppers – Unlimited Love (2022)

Fans were thrilled when John Frusciante rejoined the Chili Peppers — but Unlimited Love didn’t live up to expectations. Despite the reunion hype, the songs felt bland and meandering. The album lacked the groove and personality that once defined the band, proving that even great chemistry can fall flat without inspiration.

1. U2 – Songs of Innocence (2014)

Few album releases caused more backlash than U2’s Songs of Innocence, which was automatically added to millions of iPhones. Beyond the intrusive rollout, the music itself was uninspired. Its attempt to honor punk legend Joey Ramone opened the record with one of the weakest songs in U2’s career. Instead of rekindling their legacy, it became a symbol of overconfidence gone wrong.