Loki wrote:
Yes, you are. A light-year is a unit of distance, not a unit of time. 
Tracer: I know you’re being flippant and so forth, but isn’t it usual to say a band is the best by miles, or some other form of distance? No Han Solo here 
I realise one can’t argue about taste, but No Doubt?
Certainly, they weren’t the first to introduce ska-happy music to the mainstream public. Bands like that have popped up in various shapes and forms since the mid 70’s. Madness comes to mind. Plus, they have nowhere NEAR as big an effect on the mainstream public as had Cobain and Nirvana (effectively, the founders of Grunge, as you imply correctly). Furthermore, grunge did not really die when Cobain died. It merely lost a lot of its edge. And even if it DID die, I seriously doubt that (ex-) Nirvana fans are the same people swaying their Zippos to “Don’t Speak” (which, if you ask me, is No Doubt’s only song displaying some evidence of talent in songwriting).
Oh, and I will second the motion for Tool as Best New Band. Wholeheartedly, as a matter of fact. Tool, Foo Fighters, that’s gonna be a tough call for me, but Tool is definately up there.
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Madonna (She’s just done too much for the music industry, and has been original the whole time.)
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Don’t know, but I’ll say “Call Me” by Blondie, just cuz I like it and that’s all that really matters in the world,
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Sheryl Crow (One of the only bands/artists to come in the early 90’s and still be around, with the way the music industry is, that’s sort of a suprize.)
Now, I need to reply on a few of these here…
Blink 182: I know this is going to sound weird, but they are too new for this. If there around in 5 years, then maybe, but honestly, I don’t see them staying.
Limp Bizkit: Same as Blink 182, but I don’t ever hear any sort of rhythm. All I hear is scream a George Micheal song(Not critizing screaming in music), loud guitar, pause screaming, record scratching, continue screaming, finish screaming.
I guess that’s it
-PPKue
Best Band: Rush.
In terms of the ability to play their instruments there has simply never been any competition in the rock and roll world. I’ve been playing (drums and guitar) for years and still cheat on their stuff. I realize that this is a tough call but in terms of influencing new bands they’re tied with the Beatles. From Metallica to The Smashing Pumpkins, EVERY new band that actually tries to play and was teenaged in the early 80s admits to being influenced by Rush. Even if one of our local DJs remarked that the Pumpkins playing “Limelight” was a sign of the apocalypse.
Best Song: Variable.
That’s gonna change from day to day. I’ve gotta admit that for a Rushfan ™ I like my lyrics to be simple and straightforward. Let’s take the “I’m-So-Serious-And-Deep-Because-I’m-An-Arteest!” weenies and punch them in the face.
Best New Band: Cowboy Mouth.
I’ve been in the DC scene since Tommy Keene and Minor Threat and my older sister took me to my first All Ages show too long ago for me to not be embarassed about it. I’ve seen bands, played in bands, been disgusted by bands for a long time. Cowboy Mouth is, without a doubt, the greatest live band of all time. They give it up every night. And best of all very few people know about them so it’s not at the Enormo-Dome. Gimme the Nightclub 9:30 anyday.
I’m down with you Coldfire! Rushfan’s Unite!
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Well, strong cases have already been made for the Beatles and Bob Dylan (although I don’t believe many people mentioned that the Beatles pioneered feedback (“I Feel Fine”) and backwards vocals (“Rain”)). I feel I have to make a case for the Who, although it won’t be as strong I’m sure. I suppose I can only say that Pete Townsend was a brilliant songwriter and musician, and basically could out-rock anyone, even the Stones. Of course thats just opinion. As well, Keith Moon was probably one of the top drummers ever (I dare anyone to prove Ringo was better). Entwhistle and Daltrey did their parts well also. I believe Townsend once said in any other band Entwhistle would have been the lead guitar player (he played bass guitar in the Who, for those who don’t know). As well, Townsend invented the “rock opera”, although I don’t know if this was such a great innovation.
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Jeff Beck’s rendition of “A Day in the Life” on George Martin’s “In My Life” album. Purely opinion.
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Maybe I missed something, but hasn’t anyone heard of Pearl Jam? These guys have been around for likely a decade, and have a new album coming out this month (“Binaural”). I can’t say much about their drummer(s), since that position is far from fixed. But Ed Vedder is one of the most brilliant lyricists and an excellent singer (and a good ukelele player as well, I hear). Mike McCready is an amazing guitar player and a competent song writer, along with Ament (who plays bass guitar). Although most over looked is Stone Gossard, who I feel is one of the unsung heroes of music (right along with Robby Krieger of the Doors. I can’t understand why many of the greatest songwriters are unappreciated. Its always bugged me that people know a singer’s name, but never the guy who wrote the song). My point is they survived the grunge movement, and are a truly versatile band (not unlike the Beatles, Dylan, the Who, or the Doors for that matter). As well, all the old grand-daddy’s of rock respect them: they’re always hanging out with Neil Young (Bridge School Benefits, “Mirror Ball” and “Mirkin Ball”), Pete Townsend, they did the Bob Dylan 30th Anniversary concert, and more that I can’t think of.
<hijack> Didja know that Tom Morello, of Rage Against the Machine, graduate from Harvard with honors. <end hijack>
Best Band: Metallica
Best Song: The 9th
Best New Band: Pearl Jam, Rage, or Blackstar
That’s too funny to even think about. Moon kicks Ringo’s ass and redecorates. Moon also had the decency to die a good rock star death, while Ringo is still dragging the “All-Starr Band” to an amphitheatre near you every summer. A better argument might be John Bonham, but I still think Moon comes out on top.
Like I said before, I would have to give the Beatles and Dylan a tie for best band/artist. Best song would be entirely too tough to pick, especially since I tend to think of rock and roll in terms of albums.
For best new band, though, I’m cheating a bit on the years and saying Phish hands down. These guys create new music on the stage every night–it doesn’t always work, but when it does, it really works. (I just hope it works at the six shows I’m going to this summer. ) If you’re going to pin me down to the 90’s, I’ll have to say Beck.
Dr. J
Coldfire said:
First I’d like everyone to see that I finally learned how to quote properly!!
As for the question of best band and influence, I stand by No Doubt. I was 14 when they first made it big and that was the [bold]first[/bold] time I ever heard ska like that. I grew up being exposed to all sorts of music - when I was 8, I loved Cyndi Lauper and George Clinton and the P-Funk, and I was listening to rap way back in 1984. But I never heard ska (maybe it’s a location thing). I picked them because at the time, I recall having to choose between gangsta rap or grunge. Ska opened up a new route for me - happy music that was fun to listen to. I remember listening to grunge and gansta rap and thinking, I see this stuff on the news every night! I want my music to be different!
Also, as I said, Gwyn was a huge female role model. Much better than Britney Spears et al- at least she writes her own music.
And, they make me happy, so I stand by my answer.
First, Nacho thanks for posting twice. You made my day since I’m a newbie who nobody likes. Now on to Gwen(Gwen’s a babe). Well No Doubt is a good band, and the stuff from their new CD is good, but i wouldnt call them the best new band. I gotta stay with Tom Morello and Rage.
No problemo, Andy.
I have a bunch of friends who agree with you about Rage. However, I have never liked them that much. I’ve even been to a concert (friend had extra tickets) and although I moshed with the best of them, I didn’t like the actual music that much.
But I am willing to concede, in light of some other suggestions, that they might not be the BEST. Pearl Jam and Nirvana would probably get my vote.
Also, I agree that Limp Biscit (sp?) are to new to have made much impact. If not, I might nominate Eminem, who may not be a band exactly, but I still think his lyrics are so pop-culture-y and relevent and hell, he makes me laugh.
“She” being Christina Aguilari. Makes me crack up every time I listen!!
One of the best T Shirts I have ever seen simply read “Limp Bizkit is a Crime” on the back. S
Sorry to say, but Limpo Bizkit is not high quality music folks. I’d take Korn over them in a nanosecond.
Also New category possibility: Best in Concert.
I would have give it a three way tie between Rage/Pink Floyd/The Roots.
On this note…Where the hip hop/rap? I thought one person would have nominated it for at least one category.
I’m with Jonathan Chance (who got his name from a Styx album) and Coldfire—RUSH!
*Leave out the fiction - the fact is this friction
Will only be worn by persistence
Leave out conditions - courageous convictions
Will drag this dream to existence
Best Artist: Definitely The Cure. They can express both a depth and a breadth of emotion that I have not ecperienced with any other artist.
Best New Artist: Hard to tell early in a group’s career, so I’ll just add more nominations: NIN, The Offspring, Bad Religion.
Grendel: I was wondering when someone would mention Pink Floyd. Another category that should be created for them: best concept album maker.
Coldfire: does Tool have a website?
P.S. to CeeJayTee: They Might Be Giants isn’t exactly new, is it?
P.S. to tech guys: apparently I didn’t type my username in last time. When I pressed the “back” buttom to fix that, my post was gone. Mind putting this in the “stuff we should look into once we have time” file?
Here’s a link to the Official Tool Website.
And here are all the links for Tool at The Ultimate Band List.
Gotta be the Beatles, man! They were original then and their music still kicks ass today. The best thing is, every single song is unique. They sound different. LIsten to the boy bands today - N’Sync, the Backstreet Boys. Oh, God help us… They all sound the same. What must these teen girls have in their heads beside raging hormones. Brains are lacking, mates.
Not to bash the boy bands… Britney Spears is equally bad. Sounds like she’s singing into a damn tin can. And her new one, “Oops… I think I did it again” (something like that) is correct. She did it again… Made another song that sounds just like her others.
Wait. I’m off the subject.
Best song would be… That’s hard. I’ve always liked Hotel California. Anyone see the Y2K celebration with the Eagles. Wow… I’ll remember that just for the Hotel California they did that day. Super! But Satisfaction and some Beatles would be right up there.
Best new band… I’m not qualified to choose. I’m 20, but the new stuff just does not jive with me… Though I do like about 30% of it. I could not choose.
I dig Ottmar, too. I want to pluck a guitar.
Infamus
I don’t get it. Too new for best ‘new’ band. I thought that was the point. Hey, if they’ve been around for five years, they ain’t ‘new’.
I don’t think any Beatles fanatic would argue. No one in the Beatles was a standout musician (George Harrison the best lead guitarist? Over Jimmy Page, Eddie Van Halen, etc.?–not likely). It isn’t standout musicianship that made them so great; it was their originality, their songwriting, their band persona, the combination of talents, that made them great.
As for They Might Be Giants not being a new band–well, I’m old. Sue me.
I’d say that when discussing which band is thebest, we should focus on the quality of the musicianship, the singing, and the songwriting (if original).
If the question is who is the greatest, I’d say it’s a combination of the above, plus influence as well as sheer popularity. Hope that helps.