Ten incredibly disappointing albums from the 1990s

Billy Idol - Cyberpunk

The words concept album are often a warning. There are probably more bad than good concept albums. In terms of Cyperpunk many people struggled to understand what Billy Idol’s concept or linking theme was about. 

Cyberpunk was Idol’s fifth studio album, released in June 1993. Highly experimental, it drew on his love of technology. He adopted new digital techniques to create the album. Idol was also an early advocate of using the internet and digital media to promote the album. That may not sound ground-breaking now but was at that time. 

The album was highly criticized. The concept was questioned heavily. Perhaps the backdrop and cyber themes detracted and the musical style was too much of a move from his punk rock roots as a solo artist and with Generation X. Not one of his best moments. 

Human League - Romantic?

After the huge success of their Dare album in 1981 this was a real low point for Human League. Well, for what was left of them anyway. Disputes, line-up changes, and contract issues meant it was now Phil Oakley, Joanne Catherall, and Susan Ann Sulley remaining with other musicians brought in. 

Romantic? came out in September 1990. There was modest success for single “Heart Like A Wheel” from the album, numbers 29 in the UK and 32 in the US. But the album as a whole only reached 24 in the UK and had little if any impact elsewhere. 

There were a couple of decent other tracks “The Stars Are Going Out” seemingly highlighting the band's poor situation, and “Kiss The Future”. But the rest was seen as bland and mediocre at best. Not long afterward Virgin Records cut their contract short. The band made a comeback with Octopus in 1995, but may well wish this album Romantic? hadn’t raised its questions.