Bands that lost you to change
 

I just listened to some all new Opeth songs today and found them surprisingly good. Usually, I don't like opeth, but I did like the previous album. Most old-school fans either like the new stuff or consider it a major disappointment.

This thread isn't about Opeth, but it made me think of all the other times I've heard similar reactions to a change in style.

So, what bands did you lose interest in not so much because they started sucking, but because you didn't like their change in style, feel or changes in singers/musicians that altered the sound of the band?

Can't really think of any myself. I tend to stick around no matter what a band does, as long as they don't lose their energy.

Sick Puppies. They were a great alternative rock band. But then they released connect. It was awful, they completely abandoned anything that made them cool and became pop band #21445369522869

I've been fortunate that no band I really like has ever really "sold out".

Or that's what I was about to say, then I remembered that Guano Apes got somewhat boring since they released Bel Air - pretty much a radio rock album. I don't hate them now, but aside from some catchy hooks, there's not much left there. Listening to a song like Pretty in Scarlet side by side with the new stuff is enough to make me a bit upset. All that musicality is just gone with the wind.

I would have mentioned No Doubt, but while I really do think they've become crap since Rocksteady, I have started disliking the old stuff too...

I don't like saying sold out. It has become another way of saying, "this band got big therefore I don't like them."

You're right. Whenever I say "sold out", what I really should be saying is "started sounding bland and safe".

Lol. There you go.

This is a good question, and it allows me to confess that my interest in David Bowie took a total nosedive after Aladdin Sane.
I agree too that "selling out" is an over-used accusation and in fact I have my own theory about the transitions that bands go through, which is like this:-

First album or two: they are still finding their feet or special sound so their music is a bit confused or generic
Albums #2, #3 or #4: they've worked out how they want to sound and are full of great ideas and enthusiasm. These are their classic albums.
Albums #5, #6 or #7: they've explored all their best ideas, but feel that they should progress in some way so they either change their style or try making their songs more sophisticated. If we are fans of albums 2, 3 and 4, we try to like these later efforts, but deep down inside we are kidding ourselves.
Albums #8 and above: just the upper echelons of the musical pantheon find a new creative high and keep going according to their own individual genius.

For me, Steely Dan, Yes, Neutral Milk Hotel, Paul Young and Bryan Ferry more or less follow this pattern, without quite reaching that new creative high.

I liked Slipknot for their first two albums but that could be because I was like 13 when I first heard them. Anyway, everything they've released since has been progressively less interesting and more pandering to their audience of Juggalo-esque fans.

And Norg presumably.

How do you think it's pandering to juggaloes?