# Acclaimed Bands You Can't Force Yourself To Like
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acclaimed-bands-you-cant-force-yourself-to-like/237106
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [March 29, 2004, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acclaimed-bands-you-cant-force-yourself-to-like/237106 "2004-03-29T16:50:55Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 3
### Author:  [@Gamaliel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gamaliel)
#### Post date: [March 29, 2004, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acclaimed-bands-you-cant-force-yourself-to-like/237106/41 "2004-03-29T22:14:15Z")
I don’t get **Joe Cocker** at all. wtf?
Add me to the list of those who aren’t moved by **U2**. They’re a decent band, but why all the fuss? Generic Rock Band, indeed.
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### Author:  [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)
#### Post date: [March 29, 2004, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acclaimed-bands-you-cant-force-yourself-to-like/237106/42 "2004-03-29T22:23:12Z")
Echoing:
U2. Never been good, never will be. A few good tracks, but they’re generally unlistenable.
Pink Floyd. Again, they have a few good tracks, but when 2 or more are played in a row - even the few I like, that’s a good way to get me to run screaming from the room, and most of their stuff, just one is enough to make me squirm in my seat.
Adding:
Jeff Buckley. His cover of Hallelujah is not great. It’s not even good. It’s lifeless and bland compared to ANY of the other versions. Just because Cohen’s voice sucks doesn’t mean you can walk through one of his songs. Rufus Wainwright did it right. His version of Farewell Angelina, too. (Repeat Cohen comment above, sub Dylan.)
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### Author:  [@Marlow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marlow)
#### Post date: [March 29, 2004, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acclaimed-bands-you-cant-force-yourself-to-like/237106/43 "2004-03-29T23:49:11Z")
I’ve never seen the appeal of Sigur Ros.
The Polyphonic Spree isn’t jesus in a can, but they’re really good every once in a while. Check them out again.
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### Author:  [@angelicate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/angelicate)
#### Post date: [March 29, 2004, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acclaimed-bands-you-cant-force-yourself-to-like/237106/44 "2004-03-29T23:56:41Z")
The first two that came to my mind have already been mentioned: **Rush** and **Radiohead**.
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### Author:  [@Mirror\_Image\_egamI\_rorriM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mirror_Image_egamI_rorriM)
#### Post date: [March 30, 2004, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acclaimed-bands-you-cant-force-yourself-to-like/237106/45 "2004-03-30T00:18:02Z")
Red Hot Chili Peppers. Just not that good.
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### Author:  [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)
#### Post date: [March 30, 2004, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acclaimed-bands-you-cant-force-yourself-to-like/237106/46 "2004-03-30T00:32:46Z")
> [@Dr. Rieux](#):
>
> **The Doors**.
>
> Three talented musicians hijacked and fronted by a pretetnious prettyboy would-be romantic poet and self-appointed voice of his generation who could never have made it as a solo act.
Mike Nelson said that Jim Morrison sounds like somebody’s dad singing in the shower. I love The Doors, but now every time I hear them I can’t help thinking he’s got a point.
Oh, and ditto everyone on Pink Floyd.
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### Author:  [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)
#### Post date: [March 30, 2004, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acclaimed-bands-you-cant-force-yourself-to-like/237106/47 "2004-03-30T00:43:10Z")
> [@koeeoaddi](#):
>
> Mike Nelson said that Jim Morrison sounds like somebody’s dad singing in the shower. I love The Doors, but now every time I hear them I can’t help thinking he’s got a point.
>
> Oh, and ditto everyone on Pink Floyd.
From the only funny thing ever to spew out of Denis Leary was his summation of Mr Mojo Risin:
“I’m drunk, I’m nobody.
I’m drunk, I’m famous.
I’m drunk, I’m dead.”
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### Author:  [@Auntie\_Social](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Auntie_Social)
#### Post date: [March 30, 2004, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acclaimed-bands-you-cant-force-yourself-to-like/237106/48 "2004-03-30T01:26:02Z")
Some of y’all have a very loose definition of “acclaimed.” Has there ever been a single critic who has written a kind word about Geddy Lee? Or Creed, for that matter?
Anyway, for me it’s **Van Morrison**.
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### Author:  [@Hyperelastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hyperelastic)
#### Post date: [March 30, 2004, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acclaimed-bands-you-cant-force-yourself-to-like/237106/49 "2004-03-30T01:36:32Z")
Glad to see others share my view of Radiohead. I bought one of their albums a couple of years ago, believing there must be some truth to all the hype, and couldn’t get through the first three songs. Haven’t gone near it since.
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### Author:  [@riserius1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/riserius1)
#### Post date: [March 30, 2004, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acclaimed-bands-you-cant-force-yourself-to-like/237106/50 "2004-03-30T01:50:36Z")
The OP never stated that the band(s) in question had to be acclaimed by critics; Geddy Lee may not be a critics darling, but ask almost anybody who is serious about rock bass playing and they will likely throw a few kudos to Mr. Lee.
Having said all that, I will say “Amen” to the Grateful Dead;not only can’t I bring myself to like them, but I don’t even subscribe to the conventional wisdom that they are talented.
Also, although they were the favorite band of my high school, I think Bad Company is by far one of the suckiest bands ever.
(The exception being “Silver, Blue and Gold”. THAT one I like.)
Chris W
BTW a pox on those who find the Beatles to be “caterwauling”!? Care to give an example of what you like so we have a refeerence point?
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### Author:  [@cheddarsnax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cheddarsnax)
#### Post date: [March 30, 2004, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acclaimed-bands-you-cant-force-yourself-to-like/237106/51 "2004-03-30T01:55:21Z")
**Hyperelastic** : Which album?
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### Author:  [@Bottle\_of\_Smoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bottle_of_Smoke)
#### Post date: [March 30, 2004, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acclaimed-bands-you-cant-force-yourself-to-like/237106/52 "2004-03-30T02:24:38Z")
Dave Matthews.
He does nothing for me. I can’t even listen to him. Which kind of sucks because the only radio station in town that I like plays his songs all the time.
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### Author:  [@widdershins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/widdershins)
#### Post date: [March 30, 2004, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acclaimed-bands-you-cant-force-yourself-to-like/237106/53 "2004-03-30T03:18:28Z")
There are plenty of “musical sacred cows” I can’t stand to listen to but who I might respect for their talent, originality, innovation or influence, like Prince, Bruce Springsteen or Lucinda Williams. But two acclaimed artists who I have no regard for:
Jimmy Dale Gilmore - I’ve never read a bad word about him or projects like the Flatlanders, but that “cat being tortured to death” voice of his destroys any attempt I make to appreciate his songwriting or music. He sounds like the country or singer/sonwriter version of William Hung to me.
The Strokes- Every review or article I read about them was defending them against “over hyped posers” label from the moment I heard of them. I know I’m not the hippest guy out there, but when you’re being defend from being over hyped when you first start to make noise in the mainstream, there maybe something too such accusations. A group of skinny, stylishly badly dressed and coifed no-talents who know how to strum their instruments just enough to claim a back-to-basics/neo-garage style. LIke a bad network sitcom’s idea of what a rock band should be like, straight out of central casting like they used to say. When I first saw the video for “Last Night” I thought it was a new promo or parody produced by MTV not a legit group. The more of their “music” I hear, the more I think they are some kind of prank a record company is pulling on the “hipper than thou” crowd
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### Author:  [@The\_Universe\_Lashes\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Universe_Lashes_Out)
#### Post date: [March 30, 2004, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acclaimed-bands-you-cant-force-yourself-to-like/237106/54 "2004-03-30T06:46:35Z")
Eminem and Jay-Z. I’ve lost all faith in critics ever since these two hit it big.
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### Author:  [@Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff)
#### Post date: [March 30, 2004, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acclaimed-bands-you-cant-force-yourself-to-like/237106/55 "2004-03-30T08:44:29Z")
Another vote for _Dave Matthews_. Ugh. Just bland. **widdershins** summed up my feelings on _The Strokes_ perfectly, though I must say I’m more turned off by their too-too manufactured image than by their music (though Reptilia is their only song I can say I really like).
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### Author:  [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)
#### Post date: [March 30, 2004, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acclaimed-bands-you-cant-force-yourself-to-like/237106/56 "2004-03-30T12:35:01Z")
Put me down for Dylan and Springsteen (granted I can tolerate a song here and there).
Actually you can toss in the White Stripes (I hear NOTHING original in their sound).
Oasis - because of that asshole who could use a good beating!
The Fugees (not sure if I’m spelling that correctly). So horrible that I want to buy their CD just so I can urinate on it!
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### Author:  [@marky33](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marky33)
#### Post date: [March 30, 2004, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acclaimed-bands-you-cant-force-yourself-to-like/237106/57 "2004-03-30T12:45:14Z")
**Pearl Jam** I know they do all the right things: keep prices down, support good causes, release 7 inch singles and bootlegs and all the rest but they just sound rubbish.
I’d like to also mention all those bands still trying to sound like Nirvana - and there are many
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### Author:  [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)
#### Post date: [March 30, 2004, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acclaimed-bands-you-cant-force-yourself-to-like/237106/58 "2004-03-30T13:50:00Z")
I have a such a hatred for Dave Matthews’ yodeling it can’t be expressed.
What I can’t beleive is nobody mentioned Norah Jones. With all the slams of AC/DC (an awesome blues-rock band) amid others, I assume the general feel of this thread is favorable to Jones. She won multiple Grammy’s while this album was just shit.
Gimme a crap ELO single over her shit anyday
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### Author:  [@unclviny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/unclviny)
#### Post date: [March 30, 2004, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acclaimed-bands-you-cant-force-yourself-to-like/237106/59 "2004-03-30T14:27:30Z")
U2, the (IMHO) crappiest, lamest thing ever, the Fudge has been milking the same guitar line since the beginning.
Dave Mathews, pop music for those who claim not to like pop music.
Black Sabbath (Burnt Cabbage), I just never “got it”.
John Mayer, a Tom Petty ripoff with marginal (at best) guitar skills, thinly veiled folk/pop.
Any version of rap (Hip Hop, Trip Hop, Metal Rap), call it what you want the vast majority of it is Casio handclaps and some idiot talking about his guns and his “bitches”.
It has been my policy to just ignore the Grateful Dead, too bland.
The Doors, just sucked.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers, were a real band but they sold out fast (BSSM is NOT an early record!).
Phish, Dead wannabe’s.
I will not address some of the blaspheming that has gone on in this thread (Reality Chuck, I’m looking at you!), to each his own.
Unclviny
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### Author:  [@punkkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/punkkid)
#### Post date: [March 30, 2004, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acclaimed-bands-you-cant-force-yourself-to-like/237106/60 "2004-03-30T19:53:01Z")
> [@unclviny](#):
>
> Any version of rap (Hip Hop, Trip Hop, Metal Rap), call it what you want the vast majority of it is Casio handclaps and some idiot talking about his guns and his “bitches”.
> Unclviny
Actually, hate to be a boring pedant, but Trip-Hop, at least the stuff I’ve heard, is far, far removed from the ‘bitches and ho’s’ gun-talk of popular rap. It’s often very subdued, sometimes with pretensiously deep lyrics, and an obsession with India and Eastern Music. It’s not at all bad. And I dislike rap.
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