Ten Over-Rated "Rock" Acts for 2005
Sep 19 '05
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In a world dominated by Clear Channel (evil, heartless bastards), where MTV plays a 450th showing of the Real World rather than devoting that time to breaking a new act, and where concert ticket prices climb ever higher, it can be hard to separate the good from the bad.
No genre has become inundated with crappy, whiny acts more than the rock scene. All but gone are the blues rock based bands of yesteryear, replaced with emo groups who have no range or talent, and derivatives of the Seattle Scene from the 1990s. Bands that have stripped any soul, meaning, or talent from the works of those bands, and instead have come up with some of the most generic sounding rock songs this reviewer has ever heard (I'm looking at you 3 Doors Down, Nickelback, and Seether).
So who are the most over-rated bands in today's "rock" world? I put the "rock" in quotes because rock bands don't really rock anymore. Instead, in an attempt to become cool or different, fans are heading towards dreamier, more indie fare. So what follows are 10 bands who, for one reason or another, people and critics have fallen in love with, and I just don't understand why.
10.Radiohead: I like Radiohead. I still listen to both The Bends and OK Computer on a somewhat regular basis. But ever since they went completely avant garde on us, well, I've had trouble keeping interest. Kid A was a nice experiment, but I can't remember the last time I reached for it (except for the times when I need a National Anthem fix). Amnesiac was terrible. Hail to the Thief was better, but I found myself so utterly bored with it after about two months, and I don't think I've picked up since. This was literally a band that had greatness in the palm of their hand, and they've pretty much p*ssed it away since then. And this from a writer who gave both Kid A and Hail 4 star ratings (might be time for some re-writing).
9.Wilco: I, much like everyone else, fell in love with Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, though I admit it probably took me longer than most people. However, after listening to this band on A Ghost is Born, I can't help but wonder how exactly they've garnered the following that they have. Outside of YHF, their songs don't move me, and more times than not, they make me feel really numb inside. Never a good sign.
8.U2: As much as I've liked the last two records, there is something missing from them. All the great U2 records had an intensity to them (this is true from Boy up through Achtung Baby), and I just don't feel that intensity anymore on record from these guys (though they do get it in spots: Elevation's remix, City of Blinding Lights etc). And unfortunately, for a band with so many great songs, they insist on sticking to the same formulaic setlist night after night. I'm sorry, but the best band in the world mixes things up a bit more live, guys. Staying static shouldn't be rewarded with praise.
7.Franz Ferdinand: Another group who I liked and now am just sick of the hype. Their first record was enjoyable, though it did tend to get played out rather quickly (and I'm not just talking about Take Me Out either) And quite frankly, in just about any other musical climate, they probably would've been lost in the shuffle. They're merely an ok band that's being looked to to help save rock and roll.
6.Audioslave: Have you actually heard Chris Cornell sing live for these guys? He sounds awful, and this is coming from a pretty big Cornell worshipper. As much an improvement the second album was over the first one, I'm left with a sour taste in my mouth everytime I see Cornell trying to hit notes that he just can't hit anymore. It honestly makes me wonder how many takes or how much studio magic it took to get him to sound even decent on wax. Besides, any band with one trick pony Tom Morello is bound to be over-rated. See: Rage Against the Machine.
5.Oasis: This summer, this band was once again selling out 15-20 thousand seaters. Part of it was surely the fact they had Jet out with them (nevermind over-rated, that band just flat out sucks), but when did these guys become that big again? Their new album was decent, but essentially, this is a band with one really good album (their debut) and a bunch of mediocre ones. What's The Story Morning Glory may be the most over-rated album of all time. For a band who has written about 25-30 good songs total in their career, they seem to have much too much of a career for it.
4.The Killers: Since when did aping Duran Duran become cool? Did I miss something? Outside of one memorable single (Mr.Brightside), this band's debut record was like watching a train wreck: painful, known to induce much whincing, and just plain ugly. The Killers can't be killed off fast enough as far as I'm concerned.
3.Death Cab for Cutie: I don't hate these guys. I saw them live on consecutive nights last year, and they were ok. I didn't hate them, but I didn't fall in love with them either. Their songs sounded a lot alike to me, and rarely did the vocals ever seem to get above a whisper. I could chalk it up as "not my thing," but now they're selling albums. Note to America: any band that needs a crappy show like the O.C. in order to sell albums probably isn't that great.
2.The Strokes: I loathe this band. Let's get that out of the way. With that being said, at least they do play rock and roll, albeit the same songs over and over and over again. Their singer looks bored and or stoned everytime he's on stage. Quite frankly the whole band is about as exciting as Michael Bolton or Kenny G. It all sounds the same, and it didn't sound terrific to begin with.
1.Coldplay: Possibly the most over-rated act of all time, even moreso than the Beatles. Between Chris Martin's annoying falsetto (it's like listening to Bono sing the awful Lemon over and over again), and the band's dreamy (as in it will put you to sleep) music, it's hard to imagine how this band has been dubbed "good," nevermind rock's saviors. Perhaps the greatest thing about Coldplay is how they've been marketed as an "alternative" band, all while sounding rather adult contemporary to me.
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Member: Matt Aucoin
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