The 1970s were an interesting decade for music, especially rock music. Just a decade prior, rock was beginning to make its bones with pop ditties. Then, later in the 1960s, albums became a more fulfilling way to listen to music.
This was, of course, good and bad. Longer works gave a musical artist the chance to show just how much talent they had. Some popular groups, though, churned out records that had a few hits, but the project lacked depth.
Such is the case with the albums that follow. At the time, listeners might have heard a deep cut and thought, "So cool this isn't on the radio!" Decades later, the records have not aged as well.
These overrated albums were made by overrated 1970s bands
The Eagles - Hotel California
The Eagles were massively popular in the 1970s in a way they certainly wouldn't be now. With a few tweaks, they might be your cooler older brother's third-favorite group. Unchanged, they would be your reclusive uncle's drug-induced listen. The Eagles were unimaginative and boring, but their sound fit well in the '70s.
There is no better example of this than 1976's Hotel California. Has it sold millions of units? Sure, but claiming an album is good simply because it sells well is a stretch. It's also a disservice to lesser-known or underground bands who don't make music intentionally for mass consumption.
The title track that opens the album is too long, but it has a decent moment or two. But singles such as "Life in the Fast Lane" are wastes. That track is ultimately a song about people living the good life who can afford not to have to work hard. At least album closer, "The Last Resort," means well.
Steely Dan - Countdown to Ecstasy
Many people love Steely Dan, and there is an argument that they could be respected because they tried to do something different. Or maybe the band attempted to do something that shouldn't be done. Soft rock and jazz fusion? Heck, at least the albums were engineered well.
But saying an album technically sounds good, such as 1973's Countdown to Ecstasy, and arguing it has long-lasting emotional resonance (which is a big part of what makes art great) are two different things. The production is fantastic here. It is the best high-level elevator music you will ever hear.
Aerosmith - Night in the Ruts
This wasn't the album where vocalist Steven Tyler learned he didn't have to sing as much as scream, but it's not far off. What the band learned on this 1979 mish-mash, however, even as guitarist Joe Perry was quitting the band for five years during the middle of the recording, was how to shine up their crazy diamonds.
Instead of bare bones, blues-y rock, we got the beginnings of a more pop sound.
Therein lies the biggest problem. We can forgive Tyler, to a degree, for his screeching, but the lazy singles the band delivered in the 1980s laid bare Aerosmith's true sins. They wanted to make a lot of money. If their output was not always of a good quality, they didn't care as much.
Doobie Brothers - The Captain and Me
The band has a bunch of fans, and they have made them by never truly stopping. One has to give some credit to a group that keeps pushing out records simply because they can and want to. This might be the case even if the listening public doesn't want them to. The last time the band had a record certified gold was in 1989.
Still, as stated before, selling a lot of records is not the real mark of a great musical artist. The question is how the Doobie Brothers ever reached their status. A couple of hits ("Long Train Runnin'" is fine)? Yeah, but overall, this album is a dull and flaccid project.