Big Star is a great but over-rated band. I also am still trying to warm to Parsons' solo work. I'm liking it more, but I still don't love it like most critics do. The Allman Brothers are not my favorite, but you really should give Velvet Underground and Husker Du more of a chance. I also dig Talking Heads, Yo La Tengo, and some Madonna, but not enough to wrestle anybody over.
Lester, I agree with you to a large extent. I don't dislike these artists at the same level; the common denominator is that I think they get a little overpraised. Big Star is the only artist here I actively loathe; the others I actually enjoy to varying degrees. For instance, Madonna is a decent artist, but I think she gets a lot of credit for having the ability to remake herself and stay ahead of the times. On the basis of the music alone, I doubt she deserves the accolades she receives.
I gotcha. Perhaps some comments on each entry would prevent others from making the wrong assumptions I did. It would also make the list a bit more fun.
SONIC YOUTH? C'mon, Johnny, Daydream Nation is easily one of the best 20 rock albums ever made! Good God, man, are you insane?
By the way, I have started work on a 100 Greatest Rock Albums Ever list I plan to begin posting next week. You'll have plenty of opportunities to moan and shoot holes through it beginning then. I have been deeply inspired by your excellent American Rock list.
big star? velvet underground? husker du? sounds like its a whole *genre* of experimental pop music you just don't like. ever hear elliott smith? stereolab? they're amazing musicians borrowing their ideas from these past great guys.
Snoozer
Actually, this list merely refers to artists I consider a bit overrated, not ones I dislike. I like The Velvet Underground and Husker Du, but I don't hold them in as high of esteem as many critics do. In the case of Big Star, I do genuinely dislike them and consider their conception of power pop anything but part of a "whole genre of experimental pop music." Innovative, yes. Experimental, no. There are quite a few experimental artists that I think are deserving of every bit of praise that comes their way, including Frank Zappa, Brian Eno, Eno-era Roxy Music, "Heroes"/Low-era Bowie, Pere Ubu, Suicide, and Pavement. Elliot Smith is also good, although Stereolab is a bit precious for me.
People are talking about the underground and I dont see them on this list. Anyway, husker Du, Madonna, Sonic Youth and the talking Heads dont belong here. I think anyway. Hey its your list Johnny.
Looking back at this list a year later, I see that little has changed. In respect to Sonic Youth and Parsons, its because I haven't had a chance to "relisten." However, although it must stay here a little longer, Big Star in the last year has miracuously come close to graduating from this list! I don't know how its happened, unless I managed to completely ignore Alex Chilton's foolish, infantile behaviour.
You know, I'm glad this list is here. I'm rather cynical, and I always wonder how many of people's opinions are their own and how many they have adopted from the critical mainstream. A list like this definitely marks you as an independent thinker (and, of course, your other lists prove you an independent thinker with loads of good taste). I really enjoy this list.
Thanks Mr. Bangs, of course the same could be said of your own overrated list. I believe the inclusion of Pink Floyd and Zep upset a few people, right? Self congratulations to us independents!
Trying to start fights already, eh?
Big Star is a great but over-rated band. I also am still trying to warm to Parsons' solo work. I'm liking it more, but I still don't love it like most critics do. The Allman Brothers are not my favorite, but you really should give Velvet Underground and Husker Du more of a chance. I also dig Talking Heads, Yo La Tengo, and some Madonna, but not enough to wrestle anybody over.
Great list.
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
Lester, I agree with you to a large extent. I don't dislike these artists at the same level; the common denominator is that I think they get a little overpraised. Big Star is the only artist here I actively loathe; the others I actually enjoy to varying degrees. For instance, Madonna is a decent artist, but I think she gets a lot of credit for having the ability to remake herself and stay ahead of the times. On the basis of the music alone, I doubt she deserves the accolades she receives.
Johnny Waco
I gotcha. Perhaps some comments on each entry would prevent others from making the wrong assumptions I did. It would also make the list a bit more fun.
Johnny, how about a film list or two?
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
SONIC YOUTH? C'mon, Johnny, Daydream Nation is easily one of the best 20 rock albums ever made! Good God, man, are you insane?
By the way, I have started work on a 100 Greatest Rock Albums Ever list I plan to begin posting next week. You'll have plenty of opportunities to moan and shoot holes through it beginning then. I have been deeply inspired by your excellent American Rock list.
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
big star? velvet underground? husker du? sounds like its a whole *genre* of experimental pop music you just don't like. ever hear elliott smith? stereolab? they're amazing musicians borrowing their ideas from these past great guys.
Snoozer
Actually, this list merely refers to artists I consider a bit overrated, not ones I dislike. I like The Velvet Underground and Husker Du, but I don't hold them in as high of esteem as many critics do. In the case of Big Star, I do genuinely dislike them and consider their conception of power pop anything but part of a "whole genre of experimental pop music." Innovative, yes. Experimental, no. There are quite a few experimental artists that I think are deserving of every bit of praise that comes their way, including Frank Zappa, Brian Eno, Eno-era Roxy Music, "Heroes"/Low-era Bowie, Pere Ubu, Suicide, and Pavement. Elliot Smith is also good, although Stereolab is a bit precious for me.
Johnny Waco
People are talking about the underground and I dont see them on this list. Anyway, husker Du, Madonna, Sonic Youth and the talking Heads dont belong here. I think anyway. Hey its your list Johnny.
Looking back at this list a year later, I see that little has changed. In respect to Sonic Youth and Parsons, its because I haven't had a chance to "relisten." However, although it must stay here a little longer, Big Star in the last year has miracuously come close to graduating from this list! I don't know how its happened, unless I managed to completely ignore Alex Chilton's foolish, infantile behaviour.
Johnny Waco
You know, I'm glad this list is here. I'm rather cynical, and I always wonder how many of people's opinions are their own and how many they have adopted from the critical mainstream. A list like this definitely marks you as an independent thinker (and, of course, your other lists prove you an independent thinker with loads of good taste). I really enjoy this list.
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
Thanks Mr. Bangs, of course the same could be said of your own overrated list. I believe the inclusion of Pink Floyd and Zep upset a few people, right? Self congratulations to us independents!
Johnny Waco
Of course I meant your list of overrated artists, not your "overrated list." All apologies.