So I was with some friends today and got into a discussion regarding the state of Rock in the US. Our criteria for coming up with some names was 1) a minimum of 2 albums, 2) An Album release within the last 3 years, 3) Some mainstream sucess, 4) No greatest hit albums have been released by the band. Being that we came of age in the mid nineties we disqualified bands that had were huge but fettered later through there carrers. ie Pearl Jam, Tool, Sonic Youth. We would have included Greenday and NIN but their lastest releases American Idiot and With Teeth have been suffeciently good to consider them. Also we we were stumped on bands made up of previous bands Such as Audioslave, Foo Fighters and Velvet Revolver. All three were disqualified on account that in comparison to their former bands they suck. And thus we came up with the list above. My personal Fav hands down goes to the White Stripes. Very Consistent over 5 albums and not the much of a flux in quality. Although a friend made the point that 2 people dont make a rock band. Although i agree i must give an excempt pass to The White Stripes on account that they sound like a full rockband. A testement i think to just how good they are. Queens of the Stone age come in second and probably are closer to a more traditional rockband. And coz they had Will Ferrell play the cowbell on SNL. Anayway these made the top ten. Just in case you wanna know what I think is the Best Rockband peroid.... Radiohead baby!!!!!
I would put my vote in for the Foo Fighters. I don't think it matters that Dave Grohl was in Nirvana. If you can include Queens of the Stoneage (Grohl played on the first record), you can include the Foo's. Someone told me recently that there isn't an ounce of fat on that band. They are pure rock muscle. I kinda see them that way as well. They are an example of what good rock bands are in general - good songs, good grooves, lots of energy. If I had to pick from the list, I'd probably be inclined to go with Green Day, but NIN should be on that list for sure. Some of the bands in the poll don't have nearly enough of a track record to qualify. To me, to be the best rock band in America, you have to have longevity, some degree of commercial success and be at the top of your game musically.
I voted for Sleater Kinney. They have a long and consistent record. Some of the other bands on there are good as well, but for a prolonged solid career I would go for Sleater Kinney
How American does the band have to be? Two members of Arcade Fire are originally from Houston, although the band was formed in and is based out of Montreal.
btw: i can't believe the White Stripes and Weezer could even be considered...just because they have never in any way proved to even be a top 20 band in the US of A. i like the stripes, but to me, they just put out 4 song CD's...and weezer, don't even go there.
My three favorite bands in order. Led Zeppelin, Stone Temple Pilots, Green Day, so GD gets my vote. It's hard to rank those bands after them. I'd say it goes Audioslave, Velvet Revolver, Weezer, The White Stripes, Queens of the Stone Age, System of a Down.
if your favorite rock band is Radiohead, why aren't they on the list? they fit every one of your criteria... and it's System of A Down
If I had to pick from the list, I would choose Green Day. To me, they have the most interesting original music that's at the top of the charts. If I were able to choose any American band, however, I would choose Wilco. They make the best records and have the most interesting band. For some reason, this thread makes me remember how great REM were back in the 1980s, and how completely crappy and uninspiring (IMHO) they have become today.
I agree with Jeff. Foo Fighters. You shouldn't penalize Grohl for being in Nirvana. The Foos are awesome. And if I had to pick from that list, I'd pick Green Day, because "American Idiot" is shockingly good. Wilco's latest album is unlistenable. What the heck happened to them?
