Best Bands Of All Time

[Ace]

(Before I go further, let me mention that as I read this thread I was listening to Eminem.  I will face head on your insults toward him in due time)

Before I go further, DIE DIE DIE DIE!! Ok, that's out of my system for the moment...

Good music, influential music accomplishes one of two things.


A)  It is the music that is the quintessence of a period and genre.  Music that defines a genre transcends that genre.

B)  It is the music that pushes the limits, creates something new.  Though  this type of music rarely does anything fundementally new, it mixes and matches aspects of different genres to sound different and innovative, and therefore, (as music is the art of sound) is different and innovative.

As for part A, I would say that it is defining a genre is what is most important. This is basically semantics, but when you say some music is the quintessential music of its genre, it may not define it. Ex: You could say that NOFX is quintessential punk, but you would make a better case for someone like Rancid as defining punk. (Note: This was a rough example of punk. Don't jump all over my back with "OMG OMG SEX PISTOLS DEFINE PUNK" or something. That is a whole other argument.) I think you are dead on with part B. You state accurately that the Beatles and Led Zeppelin fit these criteria. I feel Zeppelin gets the nod because they pushed the boundaries in a way that not even the Beatles could match. Virtually any type of rock today draws its roots from Zeppelin.

Nirvana is an amazing band.  They sure as hell created something new, and captured the hearts of the nation's youth.  However they do not define rock.  They even struggle to define Alternative Rock with bands like Smashing Pumpkins and Pearl Jam competing for the title.  Maybe in twenty years Nirvana can join the ranks of my other two bands named, but not until the dust settles so to speak, and Nirvana's music stands the test of time.

You need to pull your head out of your ass on this one. Nirvana WAS alternative rock before Cobain killed himself. Those are two great bands, but alternative starts and ends with Nirvana. While its difficult to judge Nirvana's place in history yet, you can certainly give them credit for the current state of rock.

And speaking of Eminem!  I take major offense to those comments.  

A)His lyrics are actually, genius.  He has biting and surprisingly insightful comments concerning the state of American society.

B)He simply can rap better than most.  He has 1337 skillz, undenialbly.

C)When he wants to be musical, he is.  "Stan" (Marshall Mathers E.P.) and "Hailie's Song" (The Eminem Show) are good examples.

D)Like it or not, Rap is Rock.  Led Zeppelin, Nirvana, Sublime, they led the way for this music.  you don't have to like it, but you should at least recognize it's merit.

::I lied, One last breathe, hopefully less deep::

I will admit, I do have a problem with rappers.  They have ceased to be performers, and are now just entertainers.  As so eloquently put by P-Funk, brother to me, friend to blackhand: "When rappers are on stage, they have to tell the crowd what to do 'put your hands in the air" et cetera.  When rock stars are on stage the crowd needs no prompting.  They just do it."

::Exhales.  Hyperventilates.  Passes Out::

Ugh, rap. Rap pretty much blows ass across the board. There are a rare few perfomers such as Beasties or Outkast who have actual musical talent, but the rest need a little less of the bling bling and a little more of the second grade english skills. And no, Rock != Rap. Rock (for the most part) is a complete band of guitar(s), bass, drums, and a non-rapping singer. Rap is a rapper or rappers with a beat being played in the background.






And on a somewhat random tanget, I went to Warped Tour a week ago. It was pretty fuckin sweet. I saw Flogging Molly for the first time, and I'm obsessed with them now. Any band that calls itself a "Guinness soaked musical body blow" rates high in my book.

[Precious_Roy]

Ace, you may be right about Nirvana, that is more a matter of opinion then fact, but I still think that Pearl Jam has done just as much for rock, but their is less of a nostalgic factor there.  The first alternative song that we both heard (3rd grade for me, 4th for you?  something like that) was "Smells Like Teen Spirit."  it has engraved itself into our memory.  yet from a purely objective point of view the albumn "Ten" did as much as "Nevermind" for the furthering of Rock and the creation of alternative/grunge.

I would never do such a disservice to Nirvana as saying they are to credit for the current state of rock.  the current state of rock is fucking POD, Papa Roach, amd System of a Down.  Ask the average radio-listening high schooler and they wouldn't know The Get Up Kids,  NoFX, New Found Glory, Flogging Molly, or Millencolin if the fell over them.

They may know Unwritten law or Rancid, but that's thanks to only one or two hits each. (And if you ask me, neither are what they are cracked up to be)

Rock as the populace knows it is shit.  And has been since '98

As for Eminem, I see there is no arguing with your C++ booleans.  I simply think your definition of Rock is too narrow.  It's pretty all-encompassing, and has been since the term was coined during the 50s with the song "Rock around the clock"

The Beatles undeniably developed and changed as a group. But I think that in the process they challeneged the genre.  (Bubble gum beatles to trippy beatles to later beatles)  I truly believe Led Zeppelin never would have been what they were without The Beatles setting the groundwork with songs like "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"

[Bondo]

Tell me roy, what is the genius behind the lyric "Wondering which of the Spice Girls' I'm going to impregnate"  Seems to me like he was just taking something popular at the time, taking something risque (sex) and putting them together to make a line that people would find wild.  That is what most of his lyrics are, they are just obscenity...violence...or sex put there because it will get people who just want to hear about bad things because it is "cool".  In the semester I spent in the dorms, there was a large amount of people there that listened to rap or metal of this lyrical quality.  And their combined intellect was probably less than mine.  I'm not saying there aren't smart people who listen to this type of music but it tends to be a escape for the mentally challenged.  If rap music could stop glorifying the problems of the underprivlidged and started talking to them to get out of their rut, then it would have my respect.

But I guess I'm just a softie because I listen to my music at low volumes and the lyrics talk about love, god, and other such unspectacular things.

[PsYcO aSsAsSiN]

Roy, Pearl Jam got their influence from Nirvana - Alt. Rock came into existance with the release of Nevermind and the playing of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" on the radio in 1991. Speaking of which, you havent listened to Nevermind unless you have heard tracks 1,3, and 5 multiple times. (Smells Like Teen Spirit, Come As You Are, Lithium)

Some people on here have been slamming System of a Down and quite frankly, reasonably so. When I bought their first album (A self-title), I was stoked about this band...songs like "Spiders" and "Sugar" made me think that this band had its best years ahead of it. But since the release of Toxicity, it appears that their main goal is to make money. The only song off of Toxicity (System's second album) that I like is Chop Suey! The rest is crap.

Third, when speaking of the worst musical band/group, I am surprised that no one said POD or any other "Christian Rockers." The words "Christian" and "Rocker" don't belong in the same phrase whatsoever. Also, no offense to Bondo, but pop - especially today's - is crap.

*choking on my last breath*

What is the general opinion of bands such as Rage Against the Machine, Korn, and Linkin Park on these forums? I haven't seen any of those bands mentioned as good or bad.

P.S.: Ace, by chance do you listen to Loveline? I saw that you used the phrase "recockulous" in an earlier post.

P.P.S.: Roy, Nirvana fits perfectly into both A and B.

[Ace]

So much to cover, where to start...

Nirvana/Alternative Rock. First, Assassin, I think you are correct. Some of my favorite songs from Nevermind never get any airplay. But back on topic. Nirvana really was the start of major exposure of alternative rock. I don't exactly remember the chronology of what came first, Ten or Nevermind, but Smells Like Teen Spirit really was what ushered in a change. This is not to say Ten isn't one of the greatest alternative rock (or any rock for that matter) records ever, just the single mass identification of Smells Like Teen Spirit with Alternative by the general populus is inescapable.

Rock as it is today. There are good and bad points to rock in its current state. I wouldn't say they are all negative. Yes, there may be "rock" bands like Bizkit, POD, and Staind that are little whores, but there are also some pretty sweet bands. These range from well known bands (Papa Roach, Godsmack, System of a Down) to lesser known bands (AFI, Flogging Molly). Honestly, I don't know why you guys are hating on System. I own Toxicity and have listened to their first album extensively and they are both kickass albums. As for those other bands that Asssassin mentioned, I would place Rage in a category of its own. Rage kicked ass, simply put. Korn has some awesome songs, but they miss occasionally. On the whole, I like them. Linkin Park is interesting. Some of their songs are good, but some of their shit songs and their pop-sold-out-mtv-whores aura brings them down.

Yes I listen to Loveline sometimes Assassin, but that was more just one of those things I picked up from who knows where. I know people who used it, and it rubbed off on me.


Finally...

But I guess I'm just a softie because I listen to my music at low volumes and the lyrics talk about love, god, and other such unspectacular things.

cough *pussy* cough

[PsYcO aSsAsSiN]

I would place Rage in a category of its own. Rage kicked ass, simply put.

Yeah, Rage did kick ass...I am stoked about what the new Rage might sound like, but I don't think that it will be as good as the old.

[Brain]

I am no way the new wordy bastard. ?Look back in the 9/11 threads, and you shall see that I am one of the originals. ?Loudnotes still outdoes me though.

yes, but grifter was the official wordy bastard due to the constant out put of high volume posts

you seem to be the heir apparent

[Bondo]

But the Spice Girls aren't current pop.  They pre-dated the current flood of pop that is boy bands and divas as they say.  Most pop is shit although I do make exception for NSYNC because it is good.  They tend to mix up styles pretty good and have good vocals, even if the lyrics sometimes aren't the best.

[Bondo]

Actually, another good Pop group is Savage Garden, much better than the crap that you speak of Sin.

[cookie]

ok, im starting on a clean slate here as i dont feel like quoting all that shit.

Best Ever: The Beatles, hands down.
Best Old Rock : beatles or pink floyd
Best New Rock : well, i personally think most of it bites but i guess you could fit deftones or something in here, maybe the queers..
Best Old Folk: Bob Dylan or Johnny cash
Best Trance: hrm... oakenfold
Best Techno: dunno much about techno
Best Old Punk: bad religion/ the ramones
Best New Punk: bad religion  and flogging molly
Best Emo: The Juliana Theory
Best Random Indy: White Stripes?
Best Pop: queen. always queen.
Best Band To Sellout: I'm going with RBF on this one, too
Worst Band : Limp Bizkit, as always
Best Rap/R&B: Run DMC!!!!!!!!!
BEST SKAAAAAAAAA: skatelites, the aquabats
best songwriter: bob dylan, forever.


ok first of all, i know there's gonna be hell to pay for this but i never really got into led zeppelin. I kinda like the screeching weasel song "i hate led zeppelin" too. heh. And Nirvana, i love them, but they aren't my absolute favorite nor do i consider them the best. Ok, onwards, WHERE THE HELL HAS PINK FLOYD been during all this?!! They're such a good band in my opinion. ANd this is all just my two cents.

some of my favorites:
deftones, nin, pink floyd, rolling stones, bikini kill, bob dylan, bad religion, dispatch, the juliana theory, nick cave and the bad seeds, the aquabats, flogging molly, our lady peace, elvis costello, weezer, bread and water, the beatles, conflict, primus, jets to brazil, devo, le tigre, NOFX, converge, tana'ri, the slackers, man.... or astroman?, the ghastly ones, charles bronson, poison the well, almost any and all classical and trance... and I'm not much for techno. I like a bunch of stuff.

and sorry if i sound like a broken record once again, im kinda sleepy.

[*NADS Capt. Anarchy]

SK, you bloody list-stealer! thumbs up, man, you got good taste.

90% of all bands around today are pure marketing crap. Pop music is a joke. Rap/Hip-Hop is no better. Country is... well.. i don't even touch country, so i wouldn't know. And sadly, rock is falling to the evil corporations as well. Even some punk is being sucked up by the giant corporate god.but for a moment, i must rant about modern rock.


[rant]

Modern rock as it is today is in pretty bad shape. Save a few bands (Tool, Deftones, umm, can't think of any other at the moment...), Modern rock is pretty much sellout BS like Linkin Park, who, by the way, are really a boy-band in disguise. Need proof? listen to "in the end". Towards the end. what do you call that? i call it shit.

And when a good band comes along, ie. System of a Down, all you get is one album before they too get bought out. pisses me off good. I gave up on rock on the radio around february of this year, when i heard some super BS crossover rap/rock song, and i finally decided "if this is what they call rock now, i'm not gonna listen". That shit pisses me off.

what we need is bands that make their own sound. Or more bands that sound real. bands that can soudn the same live without elaborate mixing and DJ's. Bands that actually play their instruments. bands that are really bands. Bands like.. like local bands that aren't yet sold out.

[/rant]

that's all, for now...

[Bondo]

A few more things, do the Dixie Chicks count as country?  Because if they do, I'd say they are one of the best country groups that I've heard.

Also, where exactly would Garbage fit in?  Best college-esqe band?  Also, No Doubt for best ska.

[*DAMN Mauti]

After seeing that so many guys are making lists I have to say that you can't nominate one group for the best band in a genre. You will see in a half year this list changed probably total(except some real old bands)

However there are so many great bands and artists. - Some bands ?I forgot to mention in my last post are Travis, Coldplay, Heather Nova, Die ?rzte, Die Toten Hosen, Billy Joel, Nine Inch Nails, Foo Fighters, John Lennon as solo artist, Placebo, Radiohead(Creep and Karma are wonderful songs), Smash Mouth, The Cure and thousands of others...

If you think about it you will discover so many songs you love. It just depends in what mood you are. So far I think you can't nominate a group as best band.

Hehe I know I posted the Pixies are the best band for myself and that is because they are the only band so far I can hear at any time - it doesn't matter in which mood I am. And thats outstanding ?

[Bondo]

Yeah, I forgot about Billy Joel (best ballad writer)

Scenes from an Italian resturant is close to my fav song ever.

[*NADS Capt. Anarchy]

hmm, some of my favorite bands/songs are those "lazy" ones. You know, the kinda slower ones that you can sit back on a lazy summer day and daydream too. The ones you can go right to sleep too. Examples:

Led Zeppelin - Stairway to Heaven/Ramble On
Crystal Method - Vegas Album
Nirvana - Man who Sold the World
Jimi Hendrix - All Along the Watchtower
System of a Down - Spiders
Stone Temple Pilots - Creep
Smashing Pumpkins, esp "Disarm" i think it's called..
Pink Floyd
Most of Staind's first CD (but this is more for depression the laziness)

you guys know any other good songs like these? i could use a few more.....

[*NADS Capt. Anarchy]

well poo on you all! i just remembered another band that kicks total major ass, but is gone now. And i can't believe they've only been mentioned once in this whole discussion.

Sublime wins "Best music to play when you're just hangin' out"

[*DAMN Mauti]

I listened to Sublime 4 - 5 years ago. I liked them very much but eventually I heard them to much. Btw Anarchy get Karma and Creep by Radiohead also TV Movie, Sylvia and This is hardcore by Pulp and last but not least Wave of Mutilation by Pixies(the version of the Pump up the Volume soundtrack is the best)

Now sit back and daydream Anarchy  

[Brain]

hmm day dreaming music

i think i would say that nights in white satin would be an excelent song for that.
infact they have a whole album where the songs take you throughout a day, although it's name escapes me right now. i'll have to look it up

it's not exactly rock and roll, but it is most definatly  day dreaming music

[Cow]

TOOL is the best band ever

[jn.loudnotes]

Has anyone ever heard Bander's band?  All I remember is one line of a song he posted on the forum - but I think it puts him along the lines of Eminem...

"Fm4 is der Schwul protected Tunten und ich scheiss darauf"

Anyway, I think the best bands are the ones no one has heard of.  Of course, no one would agree with me on any specific one, because they haven't heard of it.

But generally, a band or artist does much better work before they make the "big time" so to speak.  When they are overpopularized their music declines.  When you look at the Beatles, who in many respects were an amazing band, you also find a lot of songs that simply suck.  Many of the others have lost any creative feel to them and seem just like every other.

Why do you think so many of you included a category for "best sellout band"?  I think those bands that never catch on are quite possibly the best.  Of course, we'll never know because we don't hear them.

But I think it's kind of silly to debate different genres over another.  Who is to make any judgement over whether Led Zeppelin made better music than the London Symphony of 1800?  (random, but you get the point)

However...no one has mentioned Dire Straits...just thought I'd mention I thought they were pretty great.

And mort - thank you most kindly for acknowledging my longwindedness.  You are a worthy adversary  

And Brain...when you add it all up...I think I still may have more post content than you, despite my lesser number.  And there is certainly more substance