Music: Most Overrated and Most Underrated Rock Band in History

[TheGreenTBer]

Agreed on Foo Fighters. Although I feel like finding them overrated is so common that what they are is kind of widely acknowledged.

The best description I've ever heard of the Foo Fighters is "aggressively mediocre." I don't think any other band fits that description more than them.

 

[Shareefruck]

Overrated: Queen and Rush. Translation: They seem loved by many people and I find them both annoying for the most part. Some songs I enjoy but overall not much I like.

Same. I find the theatrics and melodrama of their acts really offputting and underwhelming, personally. Very "more is more" grand-standing sensibilities that I don't agree with. That said, I tend to feel that way about most arena rock type artists. How good you are isn't just how much talent you have to show off, IMO.

 

[Ceremony]

The Foo Fighters documentary was surprisingly interesting and worth watching whether you like the band or not. They have two good albums (Color and the Shape, Wasting Light) and then a remarkably low hit rate per album outside of that. The first one's decent but it's pretty repetitive.

 

[BertCorbeau]

The Foo Fighters documentary was surprisingly interesting and worth watching whether you like the band or not. They have two good albums (Color and the Shape, Wasting Light) and then a remarkably low hit rate per album outside of that. The first one's decent but it's pretty repetitive.

Are you talking about Back and Forth?

Dave Grohl has done some really good documentaries .. Sound City was really good, the TV series that accompanied the Sonic Highways album was really good as well. His latest From Cradle to Stage looks interesting.

Sound City involves the studio of the same name, and its history of all the big names that recorded there. Grohl collaborated with them all in the process releasing a good album

The Sonic Highways album saw each song recorded in and inspired by a different city in the US. The TV series profile the music history in that city which is really cool. From places like Seattle, NY, Nashville, LA.. It's really neat and makes me appreciate the album a lot more.

Crandle to Stage is about musicians and their relationship with their mothers through their career. If you don't know, Grohl's mom was a huge influence on him as a kid.

Admittedly I'm a Foo Fighters fan but watching these made me an even bigger fan of Grohl, the band, and their music.

 

[Ceremony]

Are you talking about Back and Forth?

Dave Grohl has done some really good documentaries .. Sound City was really good, the TV series that accompanied the Sonic Highways album was really good as well. His latest From Cradle to Stage looks interesting.

Sound City involves the studio of the same name, and its history of all the big names that recorded there. Grohl collaborated with them all in the process releasing a good album

The Sonic Highways album saw each song recorded in and inspired by a different city in the US. The TV series profile the music history in that city which is really cool. From places like Seattle, NY, Nashville, LA.. It's really neat and makes me appreciate the album a lot more.

Crandle to Stage is about musicians and their relationship with their mothers through their career. If you don't know, Grohl's mom was a huge influence on him as a kid.

Admittedly I'm a Foo Fighters fan but watching these made me an even bigger fan of Grohl, the band, and their music.

Yeah, I meant Back and Forth. I forgot there were others since.

 

[Roo Returns]

Are you talking about Back and Forth?

Dave Grohl has done some really good documentaries .. Sound City was really good, the TV series that accompanied the Sonic Highways album was really good as well. His latest From Cradle to Stage looks interesting.

Sound City involves the studio of the same name, and its history of all the big names that recorded there. Grohl collaborated with them all in the process releasing a good album

The Sonic Highways album saw each song recorded in and inspired by a different city in the US. The TV series profile the music history in that city which is really cool. From places like Seattle, NY, Nashville, LA.. It's really neat and makes me appreciate the album a lot more.

Crandle to Stage is about musicians and their relationship with their mothers through their career. If you don't know, Grohl's mom was a huge influence on him as a kid.

Admittedly I'm a Foo Fighters fan but watching these made me an even bigger fan of Grohl, the band, and their music.

Grohl does some really great stuff. The problem is he's in the media every day giving his opinion about everything and somehow the guardian of the entire history of rock music.

It's 1/3 the presses fault because they always default to him, 1/3 the industry's fault because they don't know how to make younger stars, and 1/3 he enjoys it.

 

[Roo Returns]

I think there are a few common denominators with Queen and Rush. Both bands were composed of members of extraordinary musical talent (including arguably the greatest frontman in Mercury and greatest drummer in Peart) but produced a lot of what I would call "filler" music in attempts at experimentation along the way. AC/DC has a lot of forgettable songs because they often sounded too similar from song to song, while both Rush and Queen have a lot of forgettable songs because each band has a lot of wtf-is-this-shit moments. Both bands at their best were simply legendary but they each have their fair share of nothing in their discography.

However, I will say that in my opinion, Queen is the best live rock band of all time. I don't think anyone else in the history of rock can really compare to Mercury when it comes to performing in front of a live audience.

Queen is great. They were underrated until that movie came out. Then they were shoved down everyone's throats for a year.

 

[tarheelhockey]

and 1/3 he enjoys it.

Who wouldn't enjoy being that guy? Dude is living the life.

 

[Spring in Fialta]

Who wouldn't enjoy being that guy? Dude is living the life.

The older I get, the more media becomes prevalent and accessible, the more the idea of fame/recognition becomes absolutely repulsive, IMO. There's something to say about separation between public figure and public.

 

[tarheelhockey]

The older I get, the more media becomes prevalent and accessible, the more the idea of fame/recognition becomes absolutely repulsive, IMO. There's something to say about separation between public figure and public.

I assume someone whose life ambition is to be a rock star would be naturally attracted to public attention. Normal folks aren't built that way.

Grohl is at a point where all he needs to do is livestream random thoughts and he'll go viral. Given that he's reached that point without being some tabloid tire-fire or awful human, I can't really hold it against him for enjoying it and using it for benign purposes.

 

[Know Your Enemy]

Bruce Springsteen is unlistenable.

 

[TheGreenTBer]

Queen is great. They were underrated until that movie came out. Then they were shoved down everyone's throats for a year.

Oh don't get me wrong, I love Queen. I do think their radio hits are overplayed, and that there is both a lot of other great tracks of theirs and other completely forgettable ones. For example, if you like Bohemian Rhapsody but are sick of hearing it, listen to Innuendo.

 

[K Fleur]

Dave Grohl is a fantastic drummer and an awful singer. His voice is the main reason I could never get into the Foo Fighters.

 

[BertCorbeau]

I think there are a few common denominators with Queen and Rush. Both bands were composed of members of extraordinary musical talent (including arguably the greatest frontman in Mercury and greatest drummer in Peart) but produced a lot of what I would call "filler" music in attempts at experimentation along the way. AC/DC has a lot of forgettable songs because they often sounded too similar from song to song, while both Rush and Queen have a lot of forgettable songs because each band has a lot of wtf-is-this-shit moments. Both bands at their best were simply legendary but they each have their fair share of nothing in their discography.

However, I will say that in my opinion, Queen is the best live rock band of all time. I don't think anyone else in the history of rock can really compare to Mercury when it comes to performing in front of a live audience.

That's one thing with Queen is that they've always been about experimenting different genres within their catalogue. They never wanted to lean on type of song. In their earlier days through the 70's and early 80's those non-rock type songs were really well done (just not everyone's taste). A lot of catchy, campy stuff between the rock music. Once they got into the 80's though, they got really into that decade's type of music which wasn't nearly as good as their older stuff. Still produced some hits but, even as a massive Queen fan, I can't get into. Then again a lot of 80's music just didn't age well

And 100% agree on their live performances.

 

[TheGreenTBer]

That's one thing with Queen is that they've always been about experimenting different genres within their catalogue. They never wanted to lean on type of song. In their earlier days through the 70's and early 80's those non-rock type songs were really well done (just not everyone's taste). A lot of catchy, campy stuff between the rock music. Once they got into the 80's though, they got really into that decade's type of music which wasn't nearly as good as their older stuff. Still produced some hits but, even as a massive Queen fan, I can't get into.

Hot Space was bad, no denying that. The Works was definitely better. I like a few of the songs on A Kind of Magic and I definitely like the album better than Hot Space. The Miracle is another mixed bag IMO, some good songs and some bad ones. However, Innuendo is easily Queen's most underrated album ever in my opinion. There's no way you can listen to that album and not be absolutely blown away that a dying man, who could barely move by the time the record was released, could crush a vocal track that viciously. The songwriting is also better on this album than on many of the others too.

Then again a lot of 80's music just didn't age well

Hold your tongue, mister. Don't tell me for a minute that when Brian May clones himself and shoots laser beams out of his guitar in the "Invisible Man" music video that it is not positively awesome.



Yeah, the song is forgettable, but IT'S BRIAN FREAKING MAY CLONING HIMSELF AND SHOOTING LASER BEAMS OUT OF A GUITAR.

And 100% agree on their live performances.

Live Aid, Montreal 1981, etc...can you imagine the feeling other musicians must have had to go on after or before Queen in their prime? I'd feel so inadequate.

 

[Roo Returns]

Oh don't get me wrong, I love Queen. I do think their radio hits are overplayed, and that there is both a lot of other great tracks of theirs and other completely forgettable ones. For example, if you like Bohemian Rhapsody but are sick of hearing it, listen to Innuendo.

The Prophet Song >>>>>>>> Bohemian Rhapsody

 

[Roo Returns]

Who wouldn't enjoy being that guy? Dude is living the life.

It's fine he enjoys it and he has a right to. There are so many other musicians from that era or previous eras who the media can go to for quotes and "advice".

What happens though is it causes over saturation. I literally cannot go one day on social media without Grohl talking about something. It's his daughter and The Misfits, it's Billie Eilesh is this generation's Kurt Cobain which is ridiculous on so many levels. I can go on.

It makes people not want to to listen to his music.

 

[Roo Returns]

Dave Grohl is a fantastic drummer and an awful singer. His voice is the main reason I could never get into the Foo Fighters.

He's a very good drummer. Not fantastic.

Billy Conham is a fantastic drummer. Mike Portnoy is a fantastic drummer. Brooks Wackerman is a fantastic drummer.

The height of absurdity to me was when the media went to Dave Grohl and asked him about playing with Rush to take over Neil Peart's role. He said the right thing.

Grohl is a charismatic drummer and plays loud. He sounds very good and has a very good feel, but his personality and being Mr. Media/Good Guy/Keeper of the History of Rock and always smiling and memeing elevates him to be thought of as an all-time great.

 

[tarheelhockey]

It makes people not want to to listen to his music.

That’s not a very good reason not to listen to someone’s music, tbh. Maybe log off social media before it gets to that point.

 

[Roo Returns]

That’s not a very good reason not to listen to someone’s music, tbh. Maybe log off social media before it gets to that point.

But then you log back on and he's right there.

Over saturation is never a good thing in any way, shape, or form. Need time to get away from each other in all relationships.

Also the new Foo Fighters album is not good.

 

[Shareefruck]

But then you log back on and he's right there.

Over saturation is never a good thing in any way, shape, or form. Need time to get away from each other in all relationships.

Also the new Foo Fighters album is not good.

It causes people to react that way, sure, but that reaction is unjust, irrational, and silly, as well as something that should ideally be corrected by people who should grow up.

You shouldn't reactionarily revolt against hype any more than you should blindly be swept away by it.

This is coming from someone who doesn't remotely have high opinion of Dave Grohl.

 

[Roo Returns]

It causes people to react that way, sure, but that reaction is unjust, irrational, and silly, as well as something that should ideally be corrected by people who should grow up.

You shouldn't reactionarily revolt against hype any more than you should blindly be swept away by it.

This is coming from someone who doesn't remotely have high opinion of Dave Grohl.

The music hasn't been good either. That's what ties it together. Wasted Light was probably the last decent to good full piece of music that band did and that was literally a decade ago.

 

[Shareefruck]

The music hasn't been good either. That's what ties it together. Wasted Light was probably the last decent to good full piece of music that band did and that was literally a decade ago.

While I agree and personally don't think he's ever done anything I find super good, this has always struck me as odd reasoning, yet I hear it all the time. Since when should how far removed someone is from doing something good change one's opinion of them? If someone's ever done anything good, they should be respect to that degree forever, IMO. Longevity barely ever exists for very long in music-- nearly everyone is doomed to have a relatively brief peak and then lose their touch after a bit, even many of the best.

 

[Roo Returns]

While I agree and personally don't think he's ever done anything I find super good, this has always struck me as odd reasoning, yet I hear it all the time. Since when should how far removed someone is from doing something good change one's opinion of them? If someone's ever done anything good, they should be respect to that degree forever, IMO. Longevity barely ever exists for very long in music-- nearly everyone is doomed to have a relatively brief peak and then lose their touch after a bit, even many of the best.

This is probably more of a convo for in person.

I never found Dave Grohl overrated. I even defended Nirvana if you look back at my earlier posts. I love that band and lumped them in with other early 90s bands like RHCP, Metallica, STP who drove the decade yet have had recent backlash due to the younger generation not liking that sound.

Foo Fighters aren't overrated, they've had three albums I really like and some songs I don't like that are all over rock radio. I find Grohl as a personality oversaturated. That's my issue.

 

[Shareefruck]

This is probably more of a convo for in person.

I never found Dave Grohl overrated. I even defended Nirvana if you look back at my earlier posts. I love that band and lumped them in with other early 90s bands like RHCP, Metallica, STP who drove the decade yet have had recent backlash due to the younger generation not liking that sound.

Foo Fighters aren't overrated, they've had three albums I really like and some songs I don't like that are all over rock radio. I find Grohl as a personality oversaturated. That's my issue.

Then that brings me back to my previous post and the thing that you're saying ties it altogether no longer applies, right?

It's a good reason for finding someone overrated, but "it makes people not want to to listen to his music" seems like the equivalent of having a lower opinion of a franchise for having obnoxious fans. Understandable, sure, but ultimately silly and unjust and putting too much weight on something that ideally should be irrelevant-- That's something to catch yourself being guilty of and realize "Oh, I should probably stop doing that", not something to embrace, IMO. Shouldn't let publicity sway you one way or the other.

Basically, I'm just agreeing with tarheelhockey's response to that.