Albums that were recorded during dysfunctional periods of time that actually turned out great

Simon and Garfunkel's Hearts and Bones.

The final album turned out great, solo by Simon, and he wiped a lot off - not just Artie's voice. Randy Newman's contribution to The Late Great Johnny Ace...

Jeff

 

As I recall, it was the tour that followed tht was filled with turmoil not so much the album.

 

Bringing in that horse to replace Crosby might have lightened the mood.

 

The back end would've been more fitting. Lol

 

John Martyn - Grace and Danger

Recorded while he was going through a divorce. Chris Blackwell Apparently refused to release it for a year as he found it too depressing as he was a friend of both John and Beverley.

 

Steve Swindells - Messages

It's a nice little album, but goodness, when you read the stuff that was happening behind the scenes, you get the impression that his producer/manager was evil incarnate (with Steve Swindells on the receiving end of it all).

 

Exile on Main Street was recorded in spurts, basically whenever Keith could get his **** together.

 

Yankee Hotel Foxtrot - Wilco. What an album.

 

St. Anger...

 

St. Anger turned out great?

 

The Black Crowes - Tall / Amorica

 

Very much the lost cousin of the classic Purple lineup, Who do We Think We Are! stands as testament to a band who even at their most dysfunctional are capable of generating music that should make others go back to their day jobs. - [The Highway Star Website]

 

R.E.M. -Fables Of The Reconstruction.

The band was in London, in the middle of a cold, snowy Winter, physically and mentally spent from 2 years of near constant touring and wondering if they really wanted to be continue to be in a band at all.

Despite that, they manage to produce their 3rd gem in a row (4th if you count the EP Chronic Town), the murkiness of the sound lending a nice mysterious air to the songs themselves which are as well crafted as previous.

 

1. Exile On Main Street
2. Abbey Road (truce was essentially called by the band)
3. The White Album
4. Band On The Run
5. Rumors (relationship breakdowns within the various couples in the band)
6. Smile (although it took decades for it to finally be realized)
7. Tonight's The Night

 

I like the album a lot but, great? Not quite. YMMV.

 

Sly and the Family Stone There's a Riot Goin' On

 

But they looked so happy?!?

 

It's hilarious how phil wanted to soften up their look by giving them color shirts and taking away the leather jackets. lol