(Note: unlike all other BOAP awards, this one is based solely on the number of Worst votes received.)
The nominees for Worst Al Album are, in alphabetical order:
Orange -- Al's 1970 release isn't exactly a rousing party album. Filled with emotional, powerful ballads and without an upbeat 'Apple Cider' in the bunch, the main complaint among those who dislike it (ahem) is not with the songs per se but their relentless monotony of pain and pathos. If you think John and Lorena Bobbitt are bad, how'd you like to date whomever Al was going out with when he recorded *this* album?
Russians and Americans -- While a lot of voters loved this album, many others would just as soon Al leave the political commentary to Jackson Browne and XTC. Significantly, the UK version featuring 'Gypsy' and 'Lori' -- two songs about as politically controversial as your average "Brady Bunch" episode -- fared much better among the electorate than did the US version. No voter owning only the UK version gave it a Worst vote. Anybody for a cold rubber chicken?
24 P/Carrots -- Carrots, parrots, tarots, lariats....whatever. Al graciously shared the billing on this disc with Shot In The Dark, though there are some who say SITD should have requested anonymity. Perhaps the closest Al has ever come to hard rock. And, like all of the Worst Album nominees, this one drew a lot of favorable comments as well. We for example happen to love it, but our musically incorrect taste in Al music has already been firmly established.
Year of the Cat -- "What?!", you cry. "Sacrilege!! Round up the posse, mount the horses, light the torches....we've got infidels in our midst!" But it's true. YOTC garnered a healthy share of Worst votes, some apologetic, some not. A few voters say it's been overplayed. Others claim they never liked it. Cripes, they'll be going after Mother Teresa next.... :-)
Tied with RUSSIANS AND AMERICANS (US) until the last ballot arrived, 24 P/CARROTS is a rather surprising winner of the Worst Album award, inasmuch as many of its cuts did quite well in the Song poll. Dishonorable mention to INDIAN SUMMER which tied for fifth despite having only 25% new music.
1994 ASML "BEST OF AL" POLL -- WORST ALBUMS # ALBUM VOTES 1. 24 P/Carrots 6 2. Russians And Americans 5 3t Orange 4 3t Year Of The Cat 4 5t Indian Summer 3 5t Last Days Of The Century 3 5t Love Chronicles 3
Pollster's notes: Interestingly, the only two studio albums to escape the wrath of the electorate entirely were ZERO SHE FLIES and PAST PRESENT AND FUTURE. No one voted for a greatest hits collection as Worst album, which would've been quite intriguing. Who were the four voters who cited YEAR OF THE CAT? We'll never tell. (And no, it wasn't us!) - NS
