[Wolfstar]

It would not be the first time a for a producer and musician to miss the mark for a release.

Definitely. It seems there are constant strains between a record company's interest in putting out what it considers to be commercially viable material, and the singer's (or band's) interest in being taken seriously as an "artist." Way too many singers/bands get all caught up in whatever it is they consider "art," and they forget (or don't know how) to be entertaining.

[Captain Beyond]

Way too many singers/bands get all caught up in whatever it is they consider "art," and they forget (or don't know how) to be entertaining.

You nailed it right there. That is why so many records, movies, and books that have good potential end up on the cutting room floor or if released they end up in the resell bins.