Musical evolution is a natural part of any artist’s journey. For many, the goal is to refine and mature their sound with each album. While this can lead to artistic growth, not every experiment lands successfully.
Some bands take risks by drastically changing their sound, hoping to capture a new audience or evolve their style. Unfortunately, these shifts don’t always pay off, and the results can be jarring for long-time fans.
In some cases, attempts at reinvention fall flat, leaving fans puzzled and critics unimpressed. From unexpected pop turns to strange genre experiments, these rock bands show that not all musical risks are worth taking.
Metallica – Load
Metallica’s attempt at reinvention with Load and Reload left many fans unimpressed. After the massive success of the Black Album, the band tried to branch out with more southern rock and country influences, which marked a sharp departure from their thrash metal roots.
Both albums, released in 1996 and 1997, failed to meet expectations. Rolling Stone described them as “stepping stones” in the band’s legacy, without offering much praise for either record.
Even James Hetfield admitted regret over the albums. He revealed that he felt pressured into compromising his vision to align with what Lars Ulrich and Kirk Hammett wanted.
U2 – Pop
U2’s 1997 album Pop marked a bold shift in sound for the band. Riding high from the success of their previous work, Achtung Baby, the group tried to blend electronic music with their signature rock style. However, the experiment didn’t resonate with many listeners.
Despite a massive stadium tour, Pop failed to meet sales expectations. The band themselves weren’t fully satisfied with the final product, and it was clear the new direction didn’t have the impact they hoped for.
Bono later admitted to his disappointment, wishing they’d had more time to perfect the album. He explained in a 2002 interview that with just another month, they could have refined it to better communicate their vision.
Starship – “We Built This City”
Jefferson Airplane evolved into Jefferson Starship, and then simply Starship, aiming to recapture their relevance. Their 1985 hit “We Built This City” was a bold attempt to reinvent the band, but it didn’t age well. Despite heavy promotion, the song’s initial success couldn’t protect it from becoming a pop culture punchline.
The song’s creation was a long process, with several songwriters contributing over time before it was finalized. Yet, despite its commercial success, “We Built This City” is now often considered one of the most misguided hits in rock history.
Grace Slick herself admitted her disdain for the track. Reflecting on its release, she called it “awful” and revealed how she was forced to smile through performances, despite feeling uncomfortable with the song.
Aerosmith – Just Push Play
Aerosmith’s 2001 album Just Push Play included the hit “Jaded,” but the rest of the album didn’t fare as well. While the single was successful, the overall reception was poor, and the album became a low point in the band’s career.
Critics noted that the album’s failure stemmed from Aerosmith’s attempt to experiment with a modern sound. The band’s decision to incorporate new stylistic elements was met with backlash from longtime fans, who felt the band had compromised their classic rock roots.
One of the biggest points of contention was Steven Tyler’s attempt at rapping. This unusual departure from their usual style led many to accuse the band of “selling out,” contributing to the album’s negative reception.
INXS – Switch
After the tragic death of Michael Hutchence, INXS sought to revive their career through the reality show Rockstar: INXS. The show introduced JD Fortune as their new lead singer, but stepping into such an iconic role proved to be an uphill battle for him.
Their 2005 album Switch was an attempt to re-establish themselves with a new lineup, but it didn’t quite work. The album struggled to capture the magic of their earlier years and failed to impress critics, many of whom offered only lukewarm reviews.
While the band’s new sound showed effort, it couldn’t fully convince fans or critics. The transition to a new frontman left a void that Switch couldn’t fill, with many feeling it lacked the spark of their former glory.
Guns N’ Roses – Chinese Democracy
After years of anticipation and massive investment, Guns N’ Roses finally released Chinese Democracy. Despite the enormous hype surrounding its release, the album received mixed critical reviews, even though it performed decently commercially.
One of the major issues with the album was the absence of key members, most notably guitarist Slash. With a completely new lineup aside from Axl Rose, the signature riffs that defined the band’s sound were missing, leaving fans and critics underwhelmed.
The new direction was a bold attempt, but it didn’t sit well with everyone. One review summed it up, stating that Axl Rose’s unchecked control over the band’s sound led to a product that didn’t feel like the Guns N’ Roses fans remembered.
Queen + Paul Rodgers – The Cosmos Rock
After Freddie Mercury’s death, Queen faced the challenge of continuing without their iconic frontman. They took a risk by recording The Cosmos Rocks with Paul Rodgers of Bad Company, but the result was far from successful.
The album struggled due to its failure to capture Queen’s signature sound. Instead, it leaned more towards Rodgers’ style of music, which lacked the uniqueness that fans expected from a Queen record.
Critics were quick to reject the reinvention, pointing out that the music lacked the playful grandeur that made Queen’s work so iconic. One review noted that the album might have fared better with a more self-aware, campy delivery, which Rodgers’ earnest approach couldn’t provide.
The Beach Boys – Still Cruisin’
The Beach Boys’ 1989 album Still Cruisin’ has been widely regarded as a low point in the band’s history. One review succinctly captured it as “rock bottom,” and it’s easy to see why. The album was largely a repackaging of previous songs, with little to offer in terms of new material.
While Still Cruisin’ did feature a few original tracks, including a version of “Wipe Out” with a rap group, it felt forced. The attempt to stay relevant was transparent, as the album included the overplayed “Kokomo” and the cringe-worthy “Still Cruisin’” from the Lethal Weapon 2 soundtrack.
The album’s lackluster effort to reinvent themselves came across as a cash grab rather than a genuine attempt at musical growth. It remains one of the more embarrassing chapters in the Beach Boys’ legacy.
Bon Jovi – Lost Highway
In 2007, Bon Jovi tried to capitalize on the success of their country-tinged duet “Who Says You Can’t Go Home” with Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles. The result was Lost Highway, an album that fully embraced country influences, including collaborations with Big & Rich and LeAnn Rimes.
The album’s attempt to merge rock and country was met with harsh criticism. One review described the Big & Rich collaboration “We Got It Going On” as “heinous musically, morally and spiritually,” citing its poor composition and recycled lyrics.
Although Lost Highway performed well commercially, Bon Jovi quickly returned to their rock roots for their next album, abandoning the country crossover experiment.
Fleetwood Mac – Time
By 1995, Fleetwood Mac had become a shadow of their former self. With Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham gone, the band’s lineup featured Christine McVie, Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, and new members like Dave Mason and Bekka Bramlett, creating an unfamiliar dynamic.
This new configuration recorded Time, which was a major misstep in the band’s musical evolution. The album tried to explore new territory but ended up being forgettable, with LA Weekly calling it “dull, overwrought, overlong and occasionally dire.”
Dave Mason later reflected on the album’s failure, attributing it to a lack of support from their label. He explained that Warner Bros. didn’t put much effort into promoting it, leading to the album’s quick demise.