# Let's play Overrated/Underrated **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 7, 2009, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-play-overrated-underrated/484841 "2009-02-07T21:35:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-play-overrated-underrated/484841/21 "2009-02-08T15:51:13Z")
> [@OneCentStamp](#): > > Led Zeppelin Highly overrated. There \*was \*some talent there. Page was brilliant at layering guitars on top of guitars in the studio. And he and Plant seemed to sincerely love the early blues. But most of the material that holds up was the stuff they stole incredibly brazenly from people who did it better (Willie Dixon, Howling Wolf, et al.) The most telling thing I can say: my opinion of Led Zeppelin went down the more of their influences I became familiar with. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-play-overrated-underrated/484841/22 "2009-02-08T16:45:18Z")
> [@F.U.Shakespeare](#): > > Highly overrated. > > There \*was \*some talent there. Page was brilliant at layering guitars on top of guitars in the studio. And he and Plant seemed to sincerely love the early blues. But most of the material that holds up was the stuff they stole incredibly brazenly from people who did it better (Willie Dixon, Howling Wolf, et al.) > > The most telling thing I can say: my opinion of Led Zeppelin went down the more of their influences I became familiar with. Are you trying to kill the thread? What’s your followup? ---
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-play-overrated-underrated/484841/23 "2009-02-08T17:03:24Z")
All Apologies. Nirvana. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-play-overrated-underrated/484841/24 "2009-02-08T17:27:05Z")
> [@OneCentStamp](#): > > If it’s possible for “The Only Band That Matters” (according to Lester Bangs) to be underrated, The Clash are. > > In a short (only five years with the real lineup) career, they cranked out an incredible amount of great music - five albums, including a double LP and a triple LP. Coming from a genre, punk rock, that was musically rather conservative and reactionary in spite of its radical image, The Clash bucked the trend and were utterly fearless musically. They could and did experiment with almost any modern musical style imaginable, including rock, reggae, ska, funk, disco, dub, rap and even spoken word over ambient backing music. You would almost have to look as far as The Beatles to find another popular rock band as eclectic. > > [/end gush] > > Led Zeppelin Just bought my first Clash. I’m a slow starter. They rock. Led Zeppelin – Overrated. They just didn’t hold up. If you’re just going for a memory lane thing, they’re the bomb. Otherwise, they just bomb. **Santana.** ---
**Author:** ![HoboStew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f17d59/32.png) [@HoboStew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoboStew)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-play-overrated-underrated/484841/25 "2009-02-08T18:36:00Z")
> [@F.U.Shakespeare](#): > > All Apologies. > > Nirvana. LOL nice segue (that’s probably my favorite Nirvana song). Nirvana is overrated, but through no fault of their own. They broke through as alternative music was going mainstream and became the face of grunge and alternative itself. If you ignore the hype and history, you will find some solid music in their catalog, but if you go into it thinking you are listening to one of the top rock acts ever you will be disappointed. I’ll let someone else tackle Santana. ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-play-overrated-underrated/484841/26 "2009-02-08T18:36:20Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#): > > **Santana.** Grotesquely overrated. For a guy who claims Jimi Hendrix and Miles Davis and John Coltrane and Wes Montgomery as his idols, he sure spends a lot of time squeezing out the same five tired blues licks. And after a couple of legitimately great Woodstock-era albums, he spent a solid two and a half decades emitting forgettable tripe until he decided to start making albums of duets with people like Michelle Branch and Everlast, whereupon he and his string ties started harvesting Grammys on an annual basis. Next: **David Bowie** ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-play-overrated-underrated/484841/27 "2009-02-08T18:44:31Z")
> [@OneCentStamp](#): > > Grotesquely overrated. > > For a guy who claims Jimi Hendrix and Miles Davis and John Coltrane and Wes Montgomery as his idols, he sure spends a lot of time squeezing out the same five tired blues licks. And after a couple of legitimately great Woodstock-era albums, he spent a solid two and a half decades emitting forgettable tripe until he decided to start making albums of duets with people like Michelle Branch and Everlast, whereupon he and his string ties started harvesting Grammys on an annual basis. > > Next: **David Bowie** David Bowie is underrated, but just a little. His reputation is well deserved. He’s had a couple of dogs in his career, but his fearlessness and creativity make him one of the greats. **Eric Clapton.** ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-play-overrated-underrated/484841/28 "2009-02-08T19:39:47Z")
Eric Clapton Depends on how old you are. To my generation, Clapton was God. To young punks, he’s over-rated because he’s gotten older and what he does is…old. But he has grown older with some grace and dignity, unlike so many others. **Steely Dan** ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-play-overrated-underrated/484841/29 "2009-02-08T19:52:05Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Eric Clapton > Depends on how old you are. To my generation, Clapton was God. To young punks, he’s over-rated because he’s gotten older and what he does is…old. But he has grown older with some grace and dignity, unlike so many others. > **Steely Dan** Fucking underrated. I always name them in my “Five Desert Island” albums. They are a rich tapestry of sound and lyric. Just awesome. ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-play-overrated-underrated/484841/30 "2009-02-08T19:54:48Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#): > > Fucking underrated. I always name them in my “Five Desert Island” albums. They are a rich tapestry of sound and lyric. Just awesome. Don’t break the chain, **Kal**! Who’s next? ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-play-overrated-underrated/484841/31 "2009-02-08T19:55:38Z")
> [@OneCentStamp](#): > > Don’t break the chain, **Kal**! Who’s next? (sorry…I suck) ---
**Author:** ![HoboStew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f17d59/32.png) [@HoboStew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoboStew)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-play-overrated-underrated/484841/32 "2009-02-08T19:57:10Z")
Don’t apologize, fix it! ---
**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-play-overrated-underrated/484841/33 "2009-02-08T19:57:28Z")
How about The Band? ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-play-overrated-underrated/484841/34 "2009-02-08T20:00:53Z")
> [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](#): > > How about The Band? Underrated. The ultimate folksy, rootsy rock and roll band. I think Jerry Garcia put it well when he said something to the effect that The Band were what the Grateful Dead might have aspired to if not for the drug- and ego-fueled meltdowns. Fantastic playing, fantastic singing as individuals and in harmony. Next: **Mariah Carey** ---
**Author:** ![Jurph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/50afbb/32.png) [@Jurph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jurph)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-play-overrated-underrated/484841/35 "2009-02-08T20:02:33Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > **Steely Dan** Probably underrated by everyone except their huge fans. I had to thrash Wikipedia to find any songs I’d even heard of, let alone any albums I’d heard of. _Aja_ is probably well-known by drummers. If the Wikipedia article is on-target, and they were as innovative as it says, then I guess they must be underrated. Fun fact: I had the privilege to present a classified briefing about missile defense and ballistic missile design features to Jeff “Skunk” Baxter (formerly of Steely Dan). As a missile defense wonk known mostly for his guitar-playing, he was underrated as well - very sharp guy with some serious insights. I’ll go with **Kalhoun** ’s suggestion and toss out… Fleetwood Mac. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-play-overrated-underrated/484841/36 "2009-02-08T20:06:43Z")
**Fleetwood Mac** Underrated no matter which incarnation you chose. Well, strike that. Once Christine left they were nothing but a bunch of people trying to make a living. But the original Peter Green line-up was stunning as a blues band, but capable of so much more. With the addition of Lindsey and Stevie, of course, the trajectory of rock & roll changed. Truly awesome in their heyday(s). I’ll leave **Mariah Carey** on the table. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-play-overrated-underrated/484841/37 "2009-02-08T20:20:11Z")
> [@HoboStew](#): > > Don’t apologize, fix it! Ok, so I really suck. Next up: **Jeff Beck.** ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-play-overrated-underrated/484841/38 "2009-02-08T21:10:02Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#): > > Next up: **Jeff Beck.** Underrated. He’s mentioned in the same breath as Clapton and Page and Santana, but almost like the caboose of that train. But of all those guys, he’s the one who has really continued to develop as a musician over the decades, in a way that I imagine Hendrix would have, had he lived. He’s managed to stay abreast of the development of electric guitar music, working in jazz fusion in the 70s and shredding in the 80s, while still sounding utterly like himself. Big ups to Jeff Beck. Since nobody wants to tackle Mariah Carey, try: **Madonna**. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-play-overrated-underrated/484841/39 "2009-02-08T21:12:17Z")
Overrated as a singer, underrated as to her media savvy. Heath Ledger’s portrayal of The Joker. ---
**Author:** ![Rubystreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Rubystreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rubystreak)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2009, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-play-overrated-underrated/484841/40 "2009-02-08T21:48:45Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Heath Ledger’s portrayal of The Joker. Overrated, but only considering the enormous buzz the performance has gotten. I thought it was an interesting take, but derivative. He reminded me of Jack Nicholson in _The Shining_, Brad Dourif in _Exorcist 3_, and Brad Pitt in _12 Monkeys_, rolled into one. That said, in a lackluster Oscar year, he does look pretty good. Francis Ford Coppola. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-play-overrated-underrated/484841.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-play-overrated-underrated/484841.md?page=3)