Most over-rated bands...

[Archae]

Over-hyped bands and singers that are no-talent.

My top three:

Guns n' Roses
Steve Miller Band
Bruce Springsteen

Oh and to the fans of these, bite me.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. The Eagles.

[Archae]

2. Them too!

I can't stand their insipid tunes.

[mr_lebowski]

14. Very few critics speak particularly highly of the Eagles aside from Hotel California album

I guess the question becomes how are we defining 'over-rated'.

By WHOM?

Is it just 'popularity', cause if that's the criteria I could make a list a mile long.

[wryter2000]

3. I won't have to bite you

[soothsayer]

4. I fell asleep at Bruce Springsteen concerts, twice

The crowd was super entertained by the shows and he was very very hard working and the shows were fine.

Drum solos did me in. Just drummed me to sleep.

[dawg day]

5. This reminds me of that Woody Allen movie moment where the "Yalie" blowhard -

starts naming "overrateds". Starts with Mahler.

Yale: (to Mary) "Gustav Mahler? Hmmm, I think he may be a candidate for the old Academy... " (to Isaac) "...Oh, we've invented the Academy of the Overrated - for such notables as Gustav Mahler..."

Mary: "And Isak Dinesen, Karl Jung."

Yale: "F. Scott Fitzgerald..."

Mary: "Lenny Bruce! We can't forget Lenny Bruce now, can we? And how about Norman Mailer?"

Isaac: (disgusted) "I think those people are all terrific, every one that you've mentioned. What about Mozart? You guys don't want to leave him out. I mean, while you're trashing people..."

Mary: (ignoring him) "Oh! What about Vincent van Gogh? Or Ingmar Bergman?"

Isaac: (outraged by now) "Bergman? Bergman? Bergman is the only genius in cinema today!"

Mary: (finally acknowledging him) "His view is so Scandinavian. It's, it's bleak. My God! Real adolescent! You know, 'fashionable pessimism.' I mean, 'The Silence.' God's silence. I mean, OK, OK! I loved it when I was at Radcliffe but, I mean, OK, you outgrow it. You ab-so-lutely outgrow it..."


---
(Of course, I think Woody Allen is greatly overrated as a director AND a human... but it's a great scene. )

[dubyadiprecession]

6. They had their hits, but I would still listen to them...

Over Ted Nugent.

[50 Shades Of Blue]

7. Adele.

[DBoon]

8. The Beatles

In retrospect, they were an excellent pop band but other bands from that era had more long term influence

[mr_lebowski]

10. No (nt)

[fleur-de-lisa]

16. The Beatles were so mediocre in terms of voice talent.

And song writing. I never understood the appeal. My older siblings loved them but I always thought they sucked.

[ZZenith]

24. Uh, yeah...

Grab any random musicians off the street and they’ll be able to nail this:

Sure.

And the idea that The Beatles are somehow over-rated is ludicrous. A thousand years from now their music will represent the zeitgeist of the last quarter of the twentieth century and for very good reason.

I can totally understand not vibing with them but to say that they were not as influential as other bands from the era is frankly absurd.

[unblock]

55. I get the vocal criticism. It was all about the blend, not the individual voices

But to trash the Beatles over songwriting is really hard to understand.

They were prodigious and amazing. Two of the best songwriters ever, and George was no slouch either. I'll grant you ringo, but how many bands even have a fourth songwriter?

[unblock]

53. Very wrong. They forged a path many others followed

It true that none of them were standout vocalists, and arguably none were standout guitarists (that says, George certainly had his moments, as did Paul).

But they were all about songwriting and composition. The band gelled in a way few others have been able to replicate. Most other bands rely too much on one great voice of one great guitarist or one particular style.

The Beatles seemingly could play anything in any style yet it was still clearly the Beatles and yet still this other style they played in.

Not like say, ZZ Top. A lot of fun, but they can't play anything that doesn't sound like the ZZ Top formula.


The Beatles showed the whole industry how to make hits, how to be musically creative yet still popular, how to use studio tools and tricks to create works of art, how to use different arrangements and instrumentation, etc.

Their catalog is the abcs of rock. Worth all the hype, certainly in terms of influence.

[ProfessorGAC]

75. The 90s Are Suing You For Infringement

It's a 25 year old, early internet meme. It's equally tired.
The Beatles were sine qua non. End of debate.

[mr_lebowski]

9. I don't really think any of those artists are especially overrated personally

Very few music critics speak highly of Steve Miller Band. I think they are fairly appropriately regarded.

G 'n R ... I guess maybe a bit. There fame has a lot to do with timing, changing the landscape away from hair bands to a more gritty rock and roll style. Appetite is one of the best albums ever, and the Use Your Illusions albums are flawed masterpieces. I don't think their longevity was enough for them to be regarded as 'great', but they do have 3 great albums.

I think regard for Bruce and E Street Band is totally deserved and appropriate.

My list would be:

1) Sex Pistols ... basically revered cause of the moment in time they happened, they were not actually good.
2) Radiohead ... great band, I quite like them, but they're overrated.
3) Nirvana ... they had 2 great albums, I'll give 'em that. But like the Pistols, it was mostly a timing thing. Had Kurt lived, there's a good chance he'd have made more great music, but no guarantee.

[ZZenith]

26. You are a good man, Mr. Lebowski!

Right on the money on every point, in my estimation.

There are bands that succeed more on their timing than their talent.

R.E.M. = Exhibit A

[mr_lebowski]

29. Thanks, but R.E.M. - I must entirely disagree.

If all they did was their first 5 (IRS Records) albums they'd still be one of the greatest bands of all time.

[ZZenith]

31. Shit, now I have to re-evaluate my opinion of them.

Actually liked them up until “Shiny Happy People,” which I understand was ironic, but I barely survived the constant barrage of it with sanity intact.

[mr_lebowski]

36. Alright, they do have a few songs that aren't great over their long career.

Even some whole albums in the later years.

But the early work on IRS records:

Chronic Town (EP)
Murmur
Reckoning
Fables of the Reconstruction
Lifes Rich Pageant
Document

is freaking stellar. I don't think they should be dinged for not maintaining that level of greatness. Hell even Dead Letter Office (IRS-era B-sides) is pretty damn good.

And two of their later albums:
Automatic for the People
New Adventures in Hi-Fi

Are also excellent.

[ZZenith]

39. I've been under-rating them, clearly.

We used to cover “Can’t Get There From Here” off of Fables, I believe, and it was always one of my favorite tunes of the set. Still have no idea what it’s about, though.

[mr_lebowski]

65. The fact that (people) don't know WTF they're about is a big reason I'm such a fan

Anyone can write a song that's 'about something'. It takes a special talent to write totally cryptic songs the way they did, where little snippets are understandable (sometimes after years of hearing them) and seem somehow profound in their vagueness.

[cemaphonic]

40. For annoying REM hits, Shiny Happy People has nothing on "Stand"

I hate that song, and I love REM.

The other thing about REM is their influence can't be denied. Take just about any critical darling indie band from the 90s until today, and there's a bit (or a lot) of REM in their DNA.

[ZZenith]

44. Had blocked that one from my mind.

It will now be on loop repeat in my head for the rest of the day, thank you very much.

[cemaphonic]

47. haha, yeah me too

...now face north!

At least there's this:

&ab_channel=UtilityProductionsLLC

[mr_lebowski]

67. I actually don't HATE either of those songs. I wouldn't put them on purposefully

but I wouldn't rush to change the station either. Crappy REM (from NAiHF and back) is better than a lot of bands best

[Yeehah]

62. Let me join you in your dissent

REM is a special band.

[Coventina]

80. REM? Don't make me go Skittles on your ass!!!

REM is / was fantastic!

Life's Rich Pageant is one of the greatest albums of all time.

[ZZenith]

81. Ooooh! A spanking!

This is what I just love about music. One person’s ceiling is another one’s floor.

[mr_lebowski]

89. And ... AFTER the spankings?

[ZZenith]

92. Hey!

This is a family show.

[mr_lebowski]

93. Well ... I guess I could stay for a bit (nt)

[ZZenith]

95. You may have a little bit of peril.

[mr_lebowski]

96. Let me stay, and face the peril!

[happybird]

98. Ever notice how pleased

the spankee in the emoji looks? He is definitely a happy camper. Cracks me up.

[ZZenith]

100. Ha! Hadn't ever noticed but now that you mention it...

They appear to be two consenting adults so... more power to them!

[mr_lebowski]

90. That was the first album I bought when I went 'off to college' in 1986 in SLO, CA.

Well, it was a cassette cause my car and walkman was all I had when I got to town AFA playing tunes went.

BTW, there's no apostrophe in the title

That is also my favorite REM album, by a tiny smidge over each of the 3 that came before it.

[happybird]

41. What are your feelings on Green Day?

I’ve always had an aversion to them, whether from annoyance at them being categorized as ‘punk’ or overplay on the radio when they first came out. Probably both.
But, I have been playing Song Pop like a maniac the past month and they come up a lot. I think I am gaining an appreciation for them? Still haven’t listened to an entire album. Need to do that before forming a full opinion. We seem to have similar musical taste so wondering what your take on them is?

[mr_lebowski]

94. For the style of music they play I think they're great at it.

American Idiot is a great album, only one of there's I've heard the whole thing of.

They're from the Bay Area so I have love for them no matter what. I think they're damn good musicians, esp. Billie Joe. His ability to play and sing at the same time is pretty friggin strong.

I tend to like their style of music in smaller doses though, I will say that. I can totally dig on songs of theirs when they come on, but I'm not 'into' them (or anyone else of their genre) I guess you might say.

[Cartoonist]

11. Guns and Rodents

All heavy metal bands.
AC/DC

[Goonch]

12. ;-{)

[samsingh]

13. Have you ever been to a Bruce Springsteen concert?

he's fantastic!

[Archae]

91. Springsteen mumbles too much.

[genxlib]

15. The Grateful Dead and The Doors

Just don't get it. Maybe I am too sober.

I don't think any band deserves the kind of devotion it takes to follow them around and see them dozens or even hundreds of times.

And the Doors...I can't get behind anyone that can't find a rhyme for "fire".

Come on baby, light my fire
Come on baby, light my fire
Try to set the night on fire

Come on!

Go ahead and hate on me.

[Lochloosa]

20. I didn't get the Dead till my first concert. You had to see them live to understand.

The problem with most peoples first live Dead show was they forgot to listen to the music with all the distractions.

[rsdsharp]

51. I've only been to one. Mother's day 1973 at the first Iowa Jam.

They were the only band. They had a huge speaker tower — 480 speakers or some damn thing. The problem was they mixed on stage. The vocals were so muddy they were unintelligible. You could hear drums, bass, and sort of lead guitar. It’s the only concert I ever walked out of — and I gave them two hours before I did.

[Lochloosa]

63. The Wall of Sound. It had its problems

[LuckyCharms]

82. Right on.

I used to tell people that seeing them live was a whole different animal. That the music, when experienced live, became something "different" than music, it became something bigger. Like their music was being squeezed through a tube or something, and when it came out of the other end of the tube, it was something other than music...but you had to actually listen to it to get that notion.

The Dead is not background music...you really have to listen to that stuff. When you get so many different backgrounds and styles playing in the same band, the result is really something that is difficult to convey to someone.

[Skittles]

66. definitely Grateful Dead

it's schlock

[Harker]

103. Funeral pyre. Liar. Higher. Mire.

Choir. Okay, I added that one.

[happybird]

17. KISS and Nirvana are the first two that spring to mind...

more will come to me, I’m sure.

Fully agree with the Eagles being on the list.

[Jeebo]

18. I'm not going to participate in this, because it's TOTALLY subjective.

I am thinking of any number of bands, and individual artists as well, who are hugely popular for some reason, but never yanked my chain (yawn, ho-hum). But I'm not going to mention any of them because it's just a matter of personal opinion and preference, which renders it meaningless. No matter who the band is, you can find people who love them, people who like them, people who are indifferent to them, people who hate them. I overheard a conversation at work a few years ago in which one guy claimed that the Beatles are one of the most over-rated bands ever. I bit my tongue, but REALLY wanted to argue with him. I just LOVE the Beatles, they really DO yank my chain. I think they are the greatest band EVER, nobody else is even close. Even now, more than a half century later, lots of their songs would be hits if released now, their albums still sell, you hear their music all over the place, you can't listen to elevator music for more than three selections without hearing an old Beatles tune, there's a whole Beatles channel on Sirius/XM satellite radio, there are Beatles categories on Jeopardy often ... I could go on and on. Yet there's that guy at work a few years ago, and one poster in this thread about most over-rated bands mentions the Beatles and claims there were other pop bands more influential from that era, I disagree profoundly, there is NOBODY from that era who was more influential and whose music and influence has been more lasting. I got off on a tangent there, but I repeat, the whole premise of this thread is rendered meaningless by the variety of responses it will get, and the total subjectivity of those responses and opinions.

-- Ron

[happybird]

21. My coworker swears The Beatles are overrated

It kills me. We have discussed (ahem, argued about) it many times. I think he might be too young to understand their impact, innovation, and influence? He claims you are either a Beatles person or a Stones person. I call BS on that, big time. I’ll win him over, eventually. It’s become a personal mission.

[ZZenith]

28. I know which side of the Stones/Beatles equation I'm on for sure.

And happy to be on the proper side!

[mr_lebowski]

69. Me too!

And the idea that you either like one or the other is ludicrous.

They're not like, say ... shrooms and acid.

[ZZenith]

71. Shrooms!

No contest.

[mr_lebowski]

74. See, I prefer acid ...

Not like I HATE shrooms but give me the choice ... gimme about 125 mikes of clean 'cid. Nothing crazy I don't like seeing shit that's not even there, not fun to me.

It's funny though almost everyone strongly prefers one to the other, even though REALLY? They're not THAT different lol.

[ZZenith]

77. True about the similarities

but I never once had a trip go south on me on ‘shrooms.

And it only took once on the lysergic to put me firmly in the psylocibin camp.

[TuxedoKat]

49. Did you

see the movie "Yesterday". You would like that.

[happybird]

97. Oh gawd

I cried like a baby in the theater when he met the fisherman. I don’t know why that hit me like a ton of bricks. I was trying to hide that I was crying but it was an ugly, sobby-breath, nose-runny cry. The lady sitting next to me was patting my hand, lol.

I’d like to watch it again but had forgotten all about it. Thanks for the reminder!

[TuxedoKat]

104. Such

a great premise for a movie. I really enjoyed it too. I'm sentimental too sometimes. Some movies will make me cry buckets too. Too bad it's too late for hearts, but I'll remember you for next year.

[mr_lebowski]

68. The Beatles are the greatest ever, and that's that ...

Esp. considering they did what they did in like 6 years. It's ridiculous.

It's not possible to overrate them.

[sweetloukillbot]

19. I know I'm in the minority, but the Ramones

I like their songs okay, but after 3 or 4 albums, they all bleed together. I don't find them nearly as interesting as other NYC acts like Richard Hell, Television or the Dead Boys.

[DBoon]

22. Here's how to find the most overrated bands

Get an issue of Rolling Stone that is 20, 30, 40 years old.

Find the list of the best bands of the year.

If you find yourself saying:
- Who were those guys
- How did THEY ever get on the list

You've found your overrated band

[ZZenith]

30. Would that happen if you saw The Beatles listed?

[DBoon]

32. honestly I'd say they were a pretty good band

A very good pop band in my opinion. Not as ground breaking or influential as Jimi Hendrix but very listenable.

Now if Peter Frampton were listed in the mid '70s...

[ZZenith]

42. Hmmm. It would take a better musicologist than I to determine who had the most influence

between The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix but I will say the former touched on quite a few more styles than the latter. And then there’s the whole “Introducing Eastern Philosophy to the Children of the West” thing. But you can’t swing a drumstick without hitting a guitarist who’s got a pocketful of Jimi licks.

Hmmm. I call a truce!

[Xipe Totec]

23. Spinal Tap

[happybird]

33. Gasp!

Big Bottom is a stone cold classic.

[Blue Owl]

38. Remember when they opened for Puppet Show?

[jmowreader]

102. At least they had a bigger dressing room

[blueinredohio]

25. You know what they say about opinions.......

[JimGinPA]

27. This Thread Is Ridiculous

Seriously.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

34. This is one of the Most over-rated threads .... nt

[ZZenith]

35. It's all in good fun.

“I’ll take Pointless Arguments for $500, Alex.”

[Bayard]

37. Careful....

The Eagles and Springsteen are two of my all time favorites. Hard to beat the lyrics writing on either one. And Eagles harmonies are still phenomenal. I've seen Bruce in concert and Don Henley. Both were great!

Ones to forget about: I would agree with Guns/Roses and Steve Miller. So many others that I've just tuned out.

[wryter2000]

43. In all honesty

Soul and Motown bands are far better musicians than any rock band out there.

I'll admit to my ignorance of rock. It doesn't do anything for me, so I don't listen to it. The Beatles were highly creative and extremely influential, but they leave me pretty cold.

Is there a single rock singer who can even approach Aretha Franklin? Have you ever seen the version of "Nessun Dorma" she performed one night when Pavarotti was sick? Is there a drummer in the same class as David Garibaldi? IMHO, Marvin Gaye was the equal of Sinatra, but of course, got only a fraction of the recognition.

The music may not be your cup of tea, but I dare you to show me a better band than Tower of Power. Ten virtuosi who play together like a well-oiled machine.

[ZZenith]

45. Can't show you a better band than TofP.

Won’t even try.

[wryter2000]

46. Thanks

[Mr.Bill]

52. If I base my opinion on how many times I've seen a band live,

the best would be Tower of Power. Seen them maybe 15 times, although I did live in the Bat Area. The only thing that could have made them better would be if early on if they had latched onto a really great singer. I mean it would never happen, but imagine if James Brown was their singer from the very beginning. Although James Brown's band was top notch also.

[ZZenith]

54. Vocals were never their strong suit, to be sure.

But when you’re bringing the funk that hard nobody will notice!

[Mr.Bill]

56. Exactly.

The singer was just an accessory in that band. I miss Lenny Picket, too. For those who don't know, he is currently the Musical Director and Bandleader on Saturday Night Live. Has been for years. You can see him sitting behind the guest host on the monologue.

[wryter2000]

58. Lenny Pickett was back for the 50th anniversary concert in Oakland

Also Chester Thompson. Needless to say, it was amazing.

[Mr.Bill]

59. I was watching some of that on YouTube the other night. n/t

[wryter2000]

57. They've been through so many singers

The one before last, Ray Greene, was one of their best. He's come back during the pandemic for "Concert in Your Car." But you're right that the singer is one of the musicians.

[ProfessorGAC]

76. The Answer To Your Question Is Yes

There have been rock singers that can hang with Aretha, and that's not a knock on her.
And while I'm a big Motown fan from way back, rock has had MANY musicians that were better players than anyone that played at Hittsville, Philly, Muscle Shoals, or Memphis. Again, not a knock on any of them, but they were not the epitome of popular music musicianship.
Excellent, but not easily the best.

[Tikki]

48. Led Zeppelin...

Van Halen, Blue Oyster Cult, Nirvana, and The Rolling Stones among others.

My opinion based on me.

Tikki

[mr_lebowski]

70. Van Halen and BOC are not revered by critics at all

Only Eddie's playing. Which is worthy.

Led Zeppelin are the 2nd or 3rd greatest rock band of all-time, after the Beatles, and possibly (I'd entertain) the Stones.

[happybird]

99. Personally, I'd put Pink Floyd above the Stones

Beatles, then Zep and the Floyd tie for 2nd.
It’s like picking a favorite cat or child. I can’t do it.

[mr_lebowski]

101. I would not strenuously argue against putting Floyd over the Stones ...

But I can't put 'em down as tied with Zep.

I mean, don't get me wrong, I LOVE both groups. I know every word to every Floyd song from DSOtM to Final Cut.

But the breadth of different styles Zep did puts them over the top for me.

[doc03]

50. The Eagles

[Kali]

60. polyfuckingphonicspree

(my answer pretty much anytime there is a "bands that suck" thread)

[Yeehah]

61. Aerosmith

They suck!

[mr_lebowski]

72. Bah ... they most certainly do not.

Not everything of theirs is great, I'll give you that.

Toys in the Attic and Rocks are 2 of the greatest rock albums of all time.

[yardwork]

64. Have you seen Springsteen in concert?

[ProfessorGAC]

73. I'm With You on 1 & 3

I don't have the negative reaction to Miller, though. Some of the early stuff was very catchy & fun.
Now, for the one that will get me trashed: The Stones. Sloppy, too many crappy tunes, and I don't like Mick's voice. Other than that...
Oh, and Keith Richards sucks on guitar. He's never even been the best guitar player in his own band.
And.....'...,
I LOATHE the Beach Boys.

[Orrex]

78. Genesis

The most consistently just-slightly-below-average band in the history of music.

Don't pester me about the Peter Gabriel days, either; that might as well have been an entirely different band.

[Coventina]

79. Rush.

Plus, their fans are the most annoying ever.

[ZZenith]

83. Where's Skittles?!

We need an ass kicking over here!

Now, I can see hating their music and their fans, but what the three of them did was extremely difficult. And they did it night after night after night for forty years.

[Coventina]

87. You made me laugh!

[ZZenith]

88. !!!

[Wolf Frankula]

84. Toilet Ted Nugent

Repeats himself. Plays the same three notes over and over again.

Wolf

[ironflange]

85. Taylor Swift

Like so many others, were it not for Autotune she'd be behind the counter at Dairy Queen where she belongs. Same goes for Katy Perry.

[Kaleva]

86. Depends on the criteria one is using.

Stardom and musical talent don't often go hand in hand.

I may be wrong but I don't believe your three picks, over the course of their careers, have ever been considered to be the talents that all others are compared to.

[Tanuki]

105. Your Favorite Band Sucks podcast:

https://www.yfbspod.com/episodes-a-z