failed (but interesting) attempts at pop

what I'm talking about is, acts the majors would waste millions developing and promoting in the past (or right now even) that just completely failed... i just want to focus on the ones that actually were making interesting music for whatever reason. Be it on purpose, by accident or because it was before it's time.
The Free Design, for instance or Jobriath.

Tiger

Brinsley Schwarz were famously sunk by a failed publicity stunt right at the start of their career. They still managed to release 6 albums and gave us Nick Lowe, but they never really made it as a group.

Carly Smithson from American Idol a few years ago....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZnQQF7ucdM

Mouse on Mars - Radical Connector

Did millions go into the Free Design? I thought they were on that funny little label known for Persuasive Percussion LPs and other odd stuff. I do think it's impressive that they released so many albums one after the other without having a hit with any of them.

Ah didn't realise you were talking about this from a marketing POV. Swap Mouse on Mars and add the late 90s 'electronica' push.

I think it's pretty rare for the majors to invest a big marketing push in a very forward-looking or unusual act. Aren't they usually pretty conservative about how they spend their money - sticking to proven formulas or jumping on indie-led bandwagons once they've already gained some momentum?

Fabulon comes to mind, as does the attempt to break this act in the U.S.:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7v5wBYitL0

Um, let's try that URL again:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7v5wBYitL0

Just can't get enuf, you know:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcJGGRyeLuQ

Scary that I still remember watching this when it originally aired:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NEOQYeahjE

Carly Smithson from American Idol a few years ago....

There was and is nothing interesting about Carly Smithson.