And you thought this post was going to continue the American rock debate? What a gas! Actually, I am going to continue that debate. Not being aware of proper blogging etiquette, I am going to post my comments that respond to Matt and Josh's comments here in this post. Should I keep them up in the comments section? First of all, good discussion. I think we're raising some good questions..one of the more philosophical questions arises out of the concept of relevance and if the rest of the world finds a band particularly relevant, should that have any sort of effect on our decision on which band is the best American band. Both Josh and Matt don't seem to appreciate the Peppers, but Josh argues for their acceptance as potentially the great American band because they are critically acclaim. I do believe that critical acclaim should factor somewhere in the equation, but really...if the three of us haven't really been stunned by the Peppers latest album, then why should we bother including them? I haven't seen them live (their headlining performance at the Virgin festival here in DC was decent but no mind-blowing according to the Post) so I can't rate them higher because of that. I've never bought any of their albums because I find myself amused by them, but not captivated. Certainly not the best American band. I do think it's interesting that Matt dismissed them so casually, seeing how the Peps have been releasing some of their best stuff over their last three albums. I've heard people attribute this to Anthony taking over the songwriting duties from Flea. This should be a rule. If your lead songwriter is named after a blood-sucking insect, you probably should change songwriters. I can think of at least three other bands that this applies to.
So, with the Peppers in the ol' crapper, let's look at some of the other suggestions for greatest American band. I can't believe I forgot this one...The White Stripes! Yeah, seriously, I love the Stripes...but I'm getting the feeling that a) Jack's losing his mojo and b) that Jack is officially an Englishman. I'm sure he's been adopted by Tony Blair and Margaret Thatcher...oh gosh, I just imagined the spawn of Blair and Thatcher. It looks like Prince Charles. Kind of. More ghoulish. Anywho, if you had asked me right after Elephant if the Stripes were the best American band, I would have shouted "Hey ya" because at the time, Outkast was very popular. But, since then I was totally underwhelmed by a live album I heard that featured a whole lotta racket and a whole notta goodness and then Get Behind Me Satan was kind of an oozer of an album. Didn't really speak to me like the previous three. Still, their weak albums are vastly superior to other bands best albums. If I can't make a case for any other band though, I'm putting the Stripes at the top of the list.
What about the Standard? Criminally underrated. Just criminal. Wire Post to Wire is easily a top three album from 2004. Crazy? Yes. But the impact of Metropolitan and Even Numbers. Even Numbers is the greatest prog/post-rock song of our generation. I bet if Jay Putnam sent that cut to Peter Gabriel, Peter would burn all of his solo stuff (except for Solsbury Hill which is just a stand out track, just some great stuff from Mr. Gabriel) and would reform the lads (if he can get Phil to stop stuttering about Sussido or whatever he's saying) to release the next great Genesis album Ravens Ring the Bell of Westing. And then the commisarians would be at peace. Albatross wasn't as good as Wire Post to Wire, but it is still an incredible work. However, it would be a misnomer to call the Standard the Great American Band. They are the Great American Secret That is Too Art Rock to Be Rock. Too bad for them.
Okay, so I've carved through three bands and I could do this all night. But I won't. I'll leave some analysis for Red Scarf and Jaunty Hat. We'll figure this out, and it's going to be a glorious day. Like the Thomster said.
Blast, this post was supposed to be policy oriented, but I think I should create another post for that. No sense in muddying the two. Besides, I'm keeping this short. Like me.
WAIT!!! WHAT ABOUT THE MOUNTAIN GOATS???!!! Josh. This is on you. Make or break the case
4 comments:
You know, Run, I thought about the Mountain Goats based on your idea of the most underated bands who have put out X number of albums and people still don't love them. I think The Goats are too niche, though. J.D.'s voice doesn't have the necessary broad appeal. And the music is too homemade. Homemade will never have broad appeal. People will never get past thinking, "This sounds like a freak recording in his basement bedroom." I mean his music is definitely getting progressively more studio sounding, but still. It sounds homemade in a studio instead of a bedroom.
The problem we're dealing with, I think, is we all love indie music and love these unique, interesting bands, but to give a band the title of Greatest (Current) American Band they have to have a certain amount of general appeal--no matter how good they are. (That's why I threw in Pearl Jam and the Peppers.) I mean we could go full-on indie and say it doesn't matter how much general appeal they have. I'd love to see The Walkmen on the list but people (in general) don't know them so I didn't even mention them.
The White Stripes are such good contenders because they've been accepted into the general public but they're still indie. People know who they are without being able to recite a list of their songs/albums. I mean making it into a Simpsons episode? That's pretty large. Who are the other bands that have made it into a Simpsons episode? I just Googled a list and it's pretty interesting. I agree with Doug on the curious nature of Jack but I think I've always liked Get Behind Me more than Doug did. But I was later coming to The Stripes than Doug was so to me that album spoke more of diversifying than straying from who they are/were. For me the real test will be the next album.
That's about it for me for now.
Sounds like Yosh has it settled. Jack and Meg White, please step forward and collect your prize.
Although I'm positive that if either of you had the chance to see Jeff Tweedy and the boys... you'd be singing the Wilco tune all the way to the Greatest American Band award show.
And it's impossible to make a case for the Mountain Goats. Yosh is right... a guy recording tapes on a boombox on his porch will never have the mass appeal required by a "greatest" band.
I'm tired. You intellectuals wear me out.
Well, Run, you win again. I just made a CD for Dana and put fetchin "Chasing Cars" on it.
So, can I get in on this? Or is this Anderson only? I've been thinking about this a lot lately—and after watching The Coldplays on a rerun of their Austin City Limits performance after midnight last night—I'm gonna have to throw R.E.M. into the mix. Michael Stipe made a special appearance and I think that even though he personally hasn't been musically relavate for nearly a decade, his influence is undeniable. He is the Godfather of modern rock.
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