10 Rock Music Albums That Divided Critics

Retrospect is a virtue, particularly in the case of how public opinion shifts over time. Things once remembered fondly are now seen as archaic, embarrassing even. The reverse is also true. There are a multitude of albums, now considered classics in their field, that were regarded far less favourably when they first hit shelves.

We have the gift of hindsight. To us, these records have always been considered monumental in the halls of music. To say otherwise would be the talk of madness. But whether because of differing social climates, or due to defying expectations, these records either divided opinion or were outright dismissed.

Some critics just get things wrong, it goes with the job, opinion of course is subjective. But in these cases, it seems almost inconceivable that these records weren't universally praised from the get go...

That's the beauty of rock, though, it takes controversy and uses it as fuel. If rock musicians aren't pissing someone off they're not doing their job...

With the news that Neil Young has recently removed his music from Spotify in protest of Joe Rogan, there's a buzz around the ageing folk rocker again. Young has never shied away from making his opinion known, and he's no stranger to dividing opinion. Indeed some of his most highly regarded records were once considered less than subpar.

Neil Young released a string of albums during the early '70s, all of which received a lukewarm reception. After the Gold Rush was initially seen as a tired interpretation of an America, Young seemed vaguely bemused by. It has since gone on to be considered one of the greatest commentaries of the country reeling after the Summer of Love.

Similarly, Harvest was given the cold shoulder by many critics. Even the corner stone of music journalism, Rolling Stone Magazine, slated Young's efforts. They thought the album lacked focus and was derivative of his earlier works. Taking fault specifically with the track Alabama, which they claimed was a lazy rehash of Young's earlier number, Southern Man.

But Young's scolding commentary on racism, his musings on drug culture and his yearning for salvation weathered the critics storm. This record had Heart of Gold, Needle and the Damage Done and Old Man on it, what were they thinking?