John Cougar - "American Fool" (1982)

Although I hate "Jack and Diane," I still attempted to listen to this record with an open mind. I even got a surprising amount of enjoyment from leadoff single "Hurts So Good," which although not exactly a masterpiece, has a memorable Stones-esque riff and a catchy chorus. In an alternate universe where I hadn't heard "Jack and Diane" so much on the radio, I could even imagine enjoying it, as the combination of single guitar chord and hand clap that opens the song is at least novel. But this isn't that alternate universe and I hate this song for those same obnoxious hand claps and the sub-level Springsteen lyrics about two kids growing up in the heartland.

Still, after two tracks, there was one hit and one miss, and I don't look for that high of a ratio when determining what I want to keep. But when after five tracks, there were three more misses, a series of rockers that failed to rock due to weak, strained vocals and boring riffs, I didn't even bother to listen to the second side. So sorry, John Cougar (Mellencamp), you mark the first blue bin record since I started this blog. But I will still try listening to your other record that I own, The Lonesome Jubilee, since it did get 4.5 stars on AllMusic.com, though I reserve the right to remain skeptical.