Bad Album Names

Because I loved Bruce's 2007 album Magic, I have been looking forward to hearing his next album. I think you can tell a lot about an artist by how they transition between works. A single great album is not nearly as interesting as a string of them, or a string of contrasting albums, whether strong to weak or demonstrating a variety of styles.

Working on a Dream is to be released next Tuesday. And I have to say that my enthusiasm is somewhat diminished by this title. Let's face it, this is a lame album title. It's trite as well as unimaginative. It evokes exactly the opposite emotion that is implied by the words; it doesn't feel like the title was the focus of much "work."

How many other good albums out there have really bad titles? Here's a few off the top of my head:

Nirvana, In Utero. Maybe this would be a good title for a demos collection, but you and your songs are no longer "in utero" when you're following up your #1 smash. Plus, this title was probably chosen in an effort to evoke the goriest aspects of childbirth as depicted on the back cover. What is this fascination with gore?

Spoon, Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga. Really, guys? Really?

Fiona Apple, WHEN THE PAWN hits the conflicts he thinks like a king / What he knows throws the blows when he goes to the fight / And he'll win the whole thing before he enters the ring / There's no body to batter when your mind is your might / So when you go solo, you hold your own hand / And remember that depth is the greatest of heights / And if you know where you stand, then you know where to land / And if you fall it won't matter, cuz you'll know that you're right. Um, get over yourself.

U2, All That You Can't Leave Behind. Even though it's a lyric from a song on the album, this sounds pretentious, even for U2.


Liz Phair, whitechocolatespaceegg. Hey Liz, they're called spaces. Try 'em.

Miracle Legion, Drenched. An uninspired title for a wildly eclectic and beautifully produced album.

Ani DiFranco, Up Up Up Up Up Up. What's better than an idea? Six of them!

Plus, any album named for a song on that album. This is just lame. Put a little thought into it, please.

Can you think of any other good albums with bad titles?