Axl Rose of Guns 'N Roses, 2006
Smashing Pumpkins, 2000
Styx, 1981
Dream Theater, circa 1999
Yes, 1974
Genesis, 1975
Queensryche, 1991
Pete Townshend, 1999
Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull
The Moody Blues, 1967
Emerson, Lake & Palmer, 1967
Pink Floyd, 1971
Sting, 2005
King Crimson, 1970
Mos Def, 2004Self-Indulgent Albums | 13 of 15
Jo Hale/Getty Images Entertainment
STING: Songs from the Labyrinth (2006)
Self-Indulgent Albums
Self-indulgence is a rock rite of passage for many musicians. Every generation has a bunch of artists who decide to make an album (or two or three) that's nearly indecipherable to anyone except the band and their followers. Here is our FlipBook of some of the worst offenders.
Movie 1975 Tommy Cast
Movie Flipbook 1975 Tommy Cast
Lost in the Studio
It's a rite of passage for some auteurs to lose their mind in the studio...
Rock Jumpsuits
The jumpsuit started as a practical garment for auto mechanics, astronauts,...
Rock Brothers: Winners & Losers
There's always a black sheep in every family. It's inevitable, a law of...
Band Battles
Here are some of the most dysfunctional, volatile band relationships in rock...
Biggest Musical Tantrums
Musical tantrums are almost always born of desperation: for attention, for...
fed-up said "Chevy Chase was very funny when he was on SNL. That was a very funny show during the 70s, with the first set of comedians but, like Magic Johnson, Chevy Chase was a flop when he got his own show. And Alf was just too strange--he was just awful--a disaster! I really hated Alf, really did not like that character! Wasn't cute or adorable. Didn't like him at all. Still don't!"
Timo said "C'mon folks, the dude just a cool good actor. I don't care what kind of movie it is as long as Nicolas Cage or Denzel (my other obsession) are in it. His spending? I would buy all that shit especially the houses if I could afford it. Octopus and Cobra? NO. I laughed my ribs off from his admission ...."We come from a long lineage of robbers and highwaymen in Italy. Even killers." Go Nic just don't end up broke like Mike Tyson!"
majik said "eBay was made for people like this. Some of the things owned by Nicholas will go for huge money as long as it does not appear to be a firesale. I enjoy all of his movies and do hope that Mr. Cage can continue to provide the entertainment on and off screen for a very long time to come."
mickey_dees2009 said "It seems to me that some people are forgetting where we live. This is the United States of America! And as such we are entitled to freedoms. If we choose to spend our money on "weird" items, then so be it! Its our money and we can do with it as we wish. Put yourself in his shoes and you would more than likely buy what he is being criticized for. Would you like for the people or the government to tell you what you can and cannot buy or own? NO! Get off it! Nic Cage is a great actor. Period.And as far as 'helping charities , he does help by donating his time and money (money that he worked for) to charities and needy orginations. "Help the the children and people of Kenya"? For those of who still believe in God and doing what is morally right, Take care of what is in your own backyard. Clean up this country and then we will be in better shape to help others. Also, who was it that came up with the website godismichaeljackson, is a fool. Pure and simple.! That is blasphemy 100 % ! No human (dead or alive) can compare to God."
dwightmlee said "You failed to mention that he has one of the biggest egos on the planet! There’s the answer to all your questions. His financial problems – all attributable to his massive ego – but of course he blames them on others – like all the egotists always blame everything – on others!"
jeffreyw4 said "I've always been puzzled by this "brilliant actor" buzz. Nic Cage is a reasonably competent actor and has some emotional range. But he is a one character performer. That is, he ultimately only plays himself. And a lot of his delivery has a sort of monotone blandness to it. By contrast great actors like Philip Seymour Hoffman and Daniel Day Lewis not only can emote (much more convincingly, I would add) but can also take on truly diverse roles. "
BRUT said "Mr. Cage is a brilliant actor who has every right to spend his hard earned money any way he wants. Eccentric lifestyle adds to his box office appeal and I would feel honored to have met the man someday. You try making that much money and not being a little quirky with it. Carry on Nick - your fans will not think less of you no matter what weird things they say about you. You have provided hours of high quality entertainment for all of us and I thank you."
tweetysmom said "His only mistake was his financial adviser. As far as what they print and what we read and get out of it, that is up to us or is it up to what they want us to believe? The reason NC does not respond to any of this; his life and he did not ask us..."

Comments
Dolfantim
December 01, 2008 - 04:49 PM GMT
What about Tales from Topographic Oceans from Yes. I personally love this album, but it has to be one of the most self-indulgent albums ever made. And I agree with the comment earlier on Thick as a Brick. As is usually the case with lists like this, the person putting it together really doesn't understand or know much about what goes into their list.
Xalen Maru
December 01, 2008 - 03:47 PM GMT
What about Michael Jackson's HIStory album? The two disc set featuring songs like "They Don't Care About Us" and "Earth Song"?
Xalen Maru
December 01, 2008 - 03:47 PM GMT
What about Michael Jackson's HIStory album? The two disc set featuring songs like "They Don't Care About Us" and "Earth Song"?
lparsifal
December 01, 2008 - 09:56 AM GMT
Ah, excuse me Angus13. While the art of the guitar solo has faded over the past 10-15 years, they are thankfully re-emerging again. Most notably is the almost perfect solo's on 'Stadium Arcadium" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. John Frusciante awaking from his heroin coma is the main reason this album won the Grammy.
But to disparage music based on their perceived pretentious length is disingenuous at best. Was "2112" by Rush or "Dogs" by Pink Floyd self indulgent? What about the hour and a half Mahler's 3rd? I bet y'all couldn't write a GOOD two minute song if your life depended on it.
lparsifal
December 01, 2008 - 09:34 AM GMT
clrnr227
December 01, 2008 - 09:03 AM GMT
Hey jsc~
Did you graduate 6th grade yet? Spell check you fuck stick!!
tlittle_76
December 01, 2008 - 09:01 AM GMT
You "judges" missed the whole point of Tull's Thick As A Brick"...which was a satire of the whole "concept" album rage of early 70's prog rock. Your judgement notwithstanding, you also credited the authors of "Days of Future Passed" incorrectly.
Were you alive when these albums were released??
nefariousjay
November 30, 2008 - 08:40 AM GMT
Amen.
nefariousjay
November 30, 2008 - 08:39 AM GMT
You forgot the most self indulgent band of all time you dumbass - TOOL. Don't get me wrong, I love TOOL. They are my favorite band. But, in my opinion, they take the cake. Maynard is the biggest dousch on earth, but you gotta love the guy. He's a genious. He calls you a "dipshit" for buying his record and you still buy a ticket for the show. Every song on the past 3 albums are like 7 - 11 mins long and talk about cryptic lyricks and album covers. Just thought I'd point that out. Luv ya Maynard, ya dipshit.
Angus 13
November 30, 2008 - 07:51 AM GMT
Looking at this list, it makes me wish there were more "self indulgent" artists around today, because you seem to equate self indulgence with creativity. I miss music that you had to listen to a few times before you really "got it". When is the last time you heard a good guitar solo in a new song? Musicians have become something to look at, more than to listen to. Just as in pro sports, the collective talent level in popular music has dropped woefully. The cut-and-paste mentality of current music production is stifling the soul of the music. I'd take Keith Moon over a drum loop any day. And if Keith Emerson wants to play two keyboards at the same time to keep things live, I'm fine with that, too.