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Not every album is successful, as sad as that may be.  Here is a list of 25 albums that flopped COMMERCIALLY in 2017.

Commercial Flops 2017Albums don’t sell the way that they used to – understatement.  However, with a new, all-encompassing formula that calculates total album consumption, arguably, we’ve put a Band-Aid on how we report and analyze album success now.  Sometimes, however, Band-Aids can’t stop the bleeding, or rather, commercial mediocrity.  The albums that make this list are being judged in the context of their performance on the Billboard 200 as of yet.  They may be quality albums, but they haven’t or didn’t perform particularly well or up to expectations.  Also it should be noted, NOT EVERY ALBUM THAT UNDERFORMED IN 2017 IS INCLUDED.  There are far too many…

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1. All Time Low, Last Young Renegades

All Time Low, Last Young Renegade © Fueled By RamenChart Life: 1 week

Chart History:

Debuted at no. 9 on the June 24, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

Commentary: A bad run for Alex Gaskarth and company. After just one week on the Billboard 200, Last Young Renegades completely exited.


2. Bleachers, Gone Now

Bleachers, Gone Now © RCAChart Life: 1 week

Chart History:

Debuted at no. 44 on the June 24, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

Commentary: While Bleachers was never expected to sale handsomely, given the unexpected hit that was “I Wanna Get Better” (Stranger Desires), one would’ve thought more folks would’ve ‘come to the salad bar.’ They didn’t.  Gone Now lasted one week.


3. Snoop Dogg, Neva Left

Snoop Dogg, Neva Left © Doggystyle / EMPIREChart Life: 1 week

Chart History:

Debuted at no. 54 on the June 10, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

Commentary: Snoop Dogg hasn’t sold well for years. Neva Left is no different. One week only.


4. Dan Auerbach, Waiting on a Song

Dan Auerbach, Waiting on a Song © NonesuchChart Life: 1 week

Chart History:

Debuted at no. 41 on the June 24, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

Commentary: Frontmen of bands doing the solo thing only rarely works.  Fans of The Black Keys sure didn’t follow Dan Auerbach on Waiting on a Song.  He lasted one week on the June 24 edition of the Billboard 200.


5. Mali Music, The Transition of Mali

Mali Music, The Transition of Mali © RCAChart Life: 1 week

Chart History:

Debuted at no. 117 on the June 24, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

Commentary: Big sales were never expected of The Transition of Mali, BUT Mali Is (2014) performed much better, debuting at No. 16, a far cry from the tepid start for The Transition of Mali.

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6. HAIM, Something to Tell You

HAIM, Something to Tell You © ColumbiaChart Life: 2 weeks

Chart History:

Debuted at No. 7 on the July 29, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

Plummeted to No. 70 on the August 5, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

Commentary: There was plenty of hype behind the sophomore album by HAIM, Something to Tell You.  Despite the hype and critic’s thoughts, Something to Tell You spent just two weeks on the Billboard 200 all said and done.


7. 311, MOSAIC

311, Mosaic © BMG Rights ManagementChart Life: 2 weeks 

Chart History:

Debuted at No. 6 on the July 15 edition of the Billboard 200.

Plummets from no. 6 to no. 161 on the July 22 edition of the Billboard 200. 

Commentary: After a respectable start at no. 6, MOSAIC completely crashed and burned, mustering only one addition week on the Billboard 200.


8. Rise Against, Wolves

Rise Against, Wolves © VirginChart Life: 2 weeks

Chart History:

Debuted at no. 9 on the July 1, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

Plummeted 165 spots to no. 174 on the July 8, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

Commentary: Rise Against isn’t a band that expected to sell particularly well, but a two-week chart stay, particularly after starting in the top 10 is underwhelming.


9. Alt-J, Relaxer

alt-J, Relaxer © AtlanticChart Life: 2 weeks 

Chart History:

Debuted at no. 14 on the June 24, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

Plummets to no. 128 on the July 1, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

Commentary: No, alt-J isn’t a commercial juggernaut – they’re an alternative rock band.  Alternative rock bands don’t sell like pop artists or more mainstream rock bands. But, who expected Relaxer to bounce after two weeks?


10. Sheryl Crow, Be Myself

Sheryl Crow, Be Myself © Warner BrosChart Life: 2 weeks

Chart History:

Debuted at no. 22 on the May 13, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

Plummets from no. 22 to no. 150 in its second week, on the May 20, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

Commentary: Sheryl Crow hasn’t sold well for years.  Clearly, she’s past her lucrative peak. But, a mere two weeks on the Billboard 200 is shocking for the pop/rock vet.

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11. Stone Sour, Hydrograd

Stone Sour, Hydrograd © RoadrunnerChart Life: 3 weeks

Chart History:

Debuted at no. 8 on the July 22 edition of the Billboard 200.

Slides 66 spots to no. 74 on the July 29, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

Plummets 75 spots to no. 149 on the August 5, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200. 

Commentary: Stone Sour got off to a good start with Hydrograd, debuting at no. 8.  Unfortunately, it was all downhill from there.  From no. 8 to no. 74 to no. 149 to off the charts. Three short weeks.


12. Papa Roach, Crooked Teeth

Papa Roach, Crooked Teeth © Eleven SevenChart Life: 3 weeks

Chart History:

Debuted at no. 20 on the June 10, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

Falls 80 spots to no. 100 on the June 17, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

…No. 197 on the June 24, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200. 

Commentary: Papa Roach has seen better days.  We knew this before Crooked Teeth arrived. Still, a run from no. 20, to no. 100, to no. 197 is definitely uninspired AF.


13. Big Boi, Boomiverse

Big Boi, Boomiverse © EpicChart Life: 3 weeks

Debuted at No. 28 on the July 8, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

Slides to No. 79 on the July 15 edition of the Billboard 200.

Plummeted to no. 174 on the July 22 edition of the Billboard 200.

Commentary: The OutKast days are definitely over.  Big Boi has never sold well as a solo artist, but Boomiverse, his comeback album, marks a new low. 28, 79, and 174 doesn’t signify much ‘money in the bank.’


14. Fleet Foxes, Crack-Up

Fleet Foxes, Crack-Up © NonesuchChart Life: 3 weeks

Chart History:

Debuted at No. 9 on the July 8, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

Plummeted 78 spots to no. 87 on the July 15 edition of the Billboard 200.

Freefalls 112 spots to no. 199 on the July 22 edition of the Billboard 200.

Commentary: Fleet Foxes accomplished something big by taking Crack-Up to no. 9.  This definitely isn’t a ‘commercial’ album in the least.  Still, after such a rousing start, slipping to no. 87 and then no. 199 seems harsh.


15. Rascal Flatts, Back to Us

Rascal Flatts, Back to Us © Big MachineChart Life: 4 weeks

Chart History:

Debuted at no. 11 on the June 10, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

Slips 44 spots to no. 55 on the June 17, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

…No. 120 on the June 24, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

Commentary: Safe to say, Rascal Flatts have seen better days.  Not a good run: 11, 44, 120.

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16. Incubus, 8

Incubus, 8 © IslandChart Life: 5 weeks

Chart History:

Debuted at no. 4 on the May 13, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

Plummeted to no. 127 in its second week, the May 20, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

Rebounded from no. 127 to no. 53 on the May 27, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

Commentary: Brandon Boyd and company are not what they used to be – no wonder they chose to sing about some “Nimble Bastard.” Unfortunately, it did nothing for their sales.  8 underperformed to the nth degree.


17. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, The Nashville Sound

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, The Nashville Sound © SoutheasternChart Life: 5 weeks

Chart History:

Debuted at No. 4 on the July 8, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

Fell to no. 31 on the July 15 edition of the Billboard 200.

…No. 73 on the July 22 edition of the Billboard 200.

…No. 111 on the July 29, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

…No 171 on the August 5, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200. 

Commentary: No, Jason Isbell is not expected to put up big numbers.  Yet, The Nashville Sound starts as the 4th most impactful album on the Billboard 200 dated July 8, 2017.  Impressive.  Naturally, it “all falls down” after that.  From 4 to 31, 73, 111, and a final resting place of no. 171.


18. Brad Paisley, Love and War

Brad Paisley, Love and War © SonyChart Life: 5 weeks

Chart History:

Debuted at no. 13 on the May 13, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

Fell from no. 13 to no 42 in its second week on the May 20, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

Plummeted from no. 42 to no. 136 in its third week on the May 27, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

Slides from no. 136 to no. 176 on the June 3, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

Commentary: At one time, Brad Paisley was on a run.  Unfortunately, Love and War was nothing more than a run quickly off the charts.  The first bad sign was a modest debut at no. 13.


19. Arcade Fire, Everything Now

Arcade Fire, Everything Now © ColumbiaChart Life: 6 weeks

Chart History:

Debuted at No. 1 on the August 19, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

Slid to No. 38 on the August 26, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

Plummeted to No. 113 on the September 2, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

Commentary: Arcade Fire has a knack for no. 1 albums.  Everything Now was no different.  However, the only punch that the band has packed was in week one.  


20. Brett Eldredge, Brett Eldredge

Brett Eldridge © AtlanticChart Life: 6 weeks

Chart History:

Debuted at No. 2 on the August 26, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

Slid to No. 39 on the September 2, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

Commentary: Brett Eldredge has a lot going for him. Looks, voice, top ten albums.  Unfortunately, after a no. 2 bow, his self-titled third album fell flat, at least in regards to the Billboard 200.

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21. Nickelback, Feed the Machine

Nickelback, Feed the Machine © BMG Rights ManagementChart Life: 7 weeks

Chart History:

Debuted at No. 5 on the July 8, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

Slides to no. 40 on the July 15 edition of the Billboard 200.

…No 61 on the July 22 edition of the Billboard 200.

…No. 95 on the July 29, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

… No. 123 on the August 5, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

…No. 156 on the August 12, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

Commentary: It’s hard to believe so many years have passed since the Canadian band was singing about that photograph.  But alas, that many years have truly passed.  Feed the Machine started off okay at no. 5, but only mustered up 7 weeks on the Billboard 200.  Call it what it is – TEPID.


22. Wale, Shine

Wale, Shine © AtlanticChart Life: 7 weeks

Chart History:

Debuted at no. 16 on the May 20, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

Slides from no. 16 to no. 45 on the May 27, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

…No. 71 on the June 3, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

…No. 107 on the June 10, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

…No. 129 on the June 17, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

…No. 171 on the June 24, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

… No. 199 on the July 1, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200. 

Commentary: FLOP, FLOP, FLOP. Wale had three top-five albums to his credit ahead of Shine.  Two of those were no. 1 albums (The Gifted and The Album About Nothing). Shine, unfortunately had ‘no shine,’ starting modestly at no. 16.


23. Mary J. Blige, Strength of a Woman

Mary J. Blige, Strength of a Woman © CapitolChart Life: 8 weeks

Chart History:

Debuted at no. 3 on the May 20, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

Slips from no. 3 to no. 28 on the May 27, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

42 on the June 3, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

66, June 10, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

120, June 17, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

…No. 167 on the June 24, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

Reenters at No. 178 on the July 22 edition of the Billboard 200.

Commentary: Even the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul can experience a horrible run on the Billboard 200. Mary J. Blige already experienced hell with a nasty divorce.  Now to make things even worse, her triumphant post-divorce album Strength of a Woman underperforms.


24. Paramore, After Laughter

Paramore, After Laughter © Fueled By RamenChart Life: 13 weeks

Chart History:

Debuted at no. 6 on the June 3, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

Slipped 26 spots to no. 32 on the June 10, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

Dips 17 spots to no. 49 on the June 17, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

…No. 82 on the June 24, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

…No. 103 on the July 1, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

…No. 127 on the July 8, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

…No. 134 on the July 15 edition of the Billboard 200

Commentary: Paramore performs better than most of the acts on this list. Still, the run of After Laughter has been mediocre at best.


25. Machine Gun Kelly

Machine Gun Kelly, bloom © Bad Boy/InterscopeChart Life: 14 weeks

Chart History:

Debuted at no. 8 on the June 3, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

Slipped 16 spots to no. 24 on the June 10, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

Slides 21 spots to no. 45 on the June 17, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

…No. 73 on the June 24, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

…No. 81 on the July 1, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

…No. 97 on the July 8, 2017 edition of the Billboard 200.

…No. 108 on the July 15 edition of the Billboard 200.

Commentary: Machine Gun Kelly should’ve had a better run with bloom than he’s had.  “Bad Things” was a hit, yet, it didn’t really pay off for him.

Photo Credits: Fueled by Ramen, RCA, Doggystyle / EMPIRE, Nonesuch, Columbia, BMG Rights Management, Virgin, Atlantic, Warner Bros., Roadrunner, Eleven Seven Music, Epic, Big Machine, Island, Southeastern, Sony, Capitol, Interscope
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the musical hype

the musical hype aka Brent Faulkner has earned Bachelor and Masters degrees in music (music Education, music theory/composition respectively). A multi-instrumentalist, he plays piano, trombone, and organ among numerous other instruments. He's a certified music educator, composer, and a freelance music journalist. Faulkner cites music and writing as two of the most important parts of his life. Notably, he's blessed with a great ear, possessing perfect pitch.

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