The Five Most Overrated Rock Bands/Artists Of All-Time

landofpunt.com ^ | June 3, 2010 | Ryan Hogan

[Scythian]

We partied in their suite.

Well, I can't blame you for that. I do like LaGrange and some other stuff of thiers so I'll cut you some slack ...

[andy58-in-nh]

The last decent album Springsteen released was The River, and that was 30 years ago. Since then... bleccch. His lyrics prior to that time were rather good, and thoughtful, evocative of real life in a way that most artists feign because too many are spoiled children who don't know what real life is. Born to Run is an overrated song - commercial to the core - but almost every other song on that album is quite excellent and supported by a truly great band. Thunder Road is my favorite. It tells a story that came straight out of my own too-fast-driving, too-much-drinking, too-casual-about-love youth.

[dfwgator]

ZZ Top is good with the older stuff (again, good Blues

Just Got Paid, is the meanest, slide solo ever.

[mtg]

You forget, hip-hop does not qualify as music.

[beaversmom]

No mention of Billy Joel yet?

Yes, another one. Never cared for him or Springsteen.

[TheVitaminPress]

Sprinsteen was one of my dad’s all time favorites. When I was a kid he would tell me about how excellent his concerts were, how much energy they contained and the sheer control he had over his band and the audience. He always frequently told me about the time that he was at the public debut of one of his early albums at a tiny venue with no more than 200 people in attendance. Boy he loved Springsteen. And it broke his heart when the man started in with all his naive political nonsense.

As for me I think the Boss made some really fantastic albums (culminating with Nebraska) . . .but most every thing he’s done over the last thirty or so years has been horrific crap.

[Revolting cat!]

Most Overrated? Free Beer.

[TheVitaminPress]

I definitely agree with you on Waylon Jennings and Jerry Jeff Walker. I rather like Shooter Jennings as well.

As for Cash, I think he was always good . . . but the stuff he did with Rick Ruben is a in a whole other world of excellent.

[TheVitaminPress]

You have inspired me. I’m gonna put on “Heaven and Hell” right now!

[dfwgator]

Crank up some “Young Man Blues”.

[Revolting cat!]

Most underrated: And Many Others.

[Hat-Trick]

I doubt this will change your opinion, but if you have a few minutes, check this out:

http://www.milkandcookies.com/link/146174/detail/

From his 1989 Austin City Limits appearance.

[dfwgator]

No mention of Billy Joel yet?

One of the best concerts I've ever been to. His band was always killer, especially Liberty DeVito on the drums.

[GSWarrior]

No mention of REM yet either.

[Cboldt]

I don't dislike Billy Joel music. When it comes on the radio, I usually turn the volume up and sing along. I'm sure he puts on a good show.

And I suppose there is a case to be made that "rating" is a reflection of popularity, not creativity or musical talent.

[TheVitaminPress]

Awesome tune! For me that song spoke volumes about the The Who and what made them so great. Townshend was every bit as good on the guitar as say Alvin Lee or Jimmy Page or Jeff Beck or Eric Clapton. But he had something they did not (not that there was really anything wrong with those guys) . . . he had economy. For a man that once said “we’d never let the music get in the way of our stage act” he never let guitar wanking get in the way of the music.

[TheVitaminPress]

Thanks! I will watch.

[jps098]

Fleetwood Mac? 100 million and Rumors accouts for half that. Remove that and they still sold 50 million after the self-titled album line up.

[dfwgator]

Hearing that song makes me want to break stuff. ;)

Townshend was quite a sloppy player, but he made it work.

[boop]

I don’t think it was 75 when you saw Dave Matthews. He was born in 1967. Another group maybe? Or maybe ‘95?