10 Rock Albums That Were Stuck In Development Hell
These albums all took a long time to come out - but were they worth the wait?
Wikipedia describes development hell as when "a project, concept, or idea that remains in a stage of early development for a long time."
We describe it as "one of the most annoying things to ever happen to anything ever."
Nothing is worse than hearing about an upcoming release, only for it to get delayed again, and again, and again. It's utterly soul-crushing as a fan, so imagine how much worse it must be when you're creatively involved?
Whilst the term is usually used in relation to film, music is no stranger to development hell either. Plenty of albums from bands big and small have started off with the best intentions, only to be ground to a halt by the oppresive mire of the production process.
For this list, we've focused solely on albums that did eventually get released. Albums that were cancelled or are still in production would make for an entirely separate topic, and we weren't going to deny ourselves those sweet sweet clicks.
So sit back, enjoy this list, and try not to get second-hand stress reading about some of the most frustrating scenarios in music history.
10. Hot Sauce Committee Part Two - Beastie Boys
Rap rock idols Beastie Boys may have had their heyday in the 80s and 90s, but they were still releasing albums well into the 21st century.
The trio have put out three new works post-2000 with the final one being Hot Sauce Committee Part Two. Now, you might be thinking that the album that proceeded this was called Hot Sauce Committee Part One.
You would be thinking wrong.
Material for the proposed two-part release was recorded between 2008 and 2009, but plans changed when member Adam "MCA" Yauch got diagnosed with cancer.
Part One was actually ready to go with artwork and everything. However, the news of Yauch's illness meant that its release date just kept getting pushed back.
In 2010, the band announced that Part One was going to be put on the shelf. Then, after almost three years of waiting, Part Two finally hit shelves in May 2011.
Unfortunately, Yauch passed away in 2012, meaning that this will likely be the final Beastie Boys album we'll ever hear.
Still, putting out an album titled "Part Two" without ever putting out Part One is a fitting legacy for one of rock's greatest groups of mischief makers.