So, I went to see The National and Arcade Fire last night, which was a blast. I'm not going to write a full review because I don't feel like I know enough about either band to give a full review, but I will say that it was the best non-Springsteen concert I've been to in years.*
*Even though, as I tweeted, I'm pretty sure I was one of the 12 oldest people at the show.
And I will say that while the National is a fun rock band -- Mr. November is a great song -- Arcade Fire is almost like something else. Arcade Fire has (and I'm only estimating here) about 493 members. And, best I can tell, all 493 play different instruments every song. So there's something almost magical about the band because there are so many things happening at once. You've got two drummers, two violinists, someone on piano, someone on organ, a ukelele, an accordion, four guitars, someone blowing into a Good 'N Plenty box, it's a free-for-all, and yet it sounds so together. Like I say, almost magical. The albums are really good. The live show was something beyond.
I went to the show with Pop Warner, my buddy who is a bigwig at Warner Music, and he is the most knowledgable music guy I know. After the show -- which he thought was fabulous -- I asked him the question: What is the greatest rock band in the world right now?
The world's greatest rock band -- like the heavyweight champion of the world -- used to be pretty well known. I mean, sure, there were massive disagreements. You would have people arguing between Led Zeppelin and the Who, between Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Allman Brothers, between the Stones and the Beatles, between U2 and the E-Street Band, between the Ramones and the Clash or whatever. But the players were pretty well established. And anyway, it didn't matter if you LIKED the World's Greatest Rock Band, you knew the accepted choices and acted accordingly.
But now ... I have no idea who are even the nominees. I am old and probably SHOULD have no idea. But I'm still curious. I asked Brian if Arcade Fire would be considered in the running for World's Greatest Rock Band. He said he thought so. He said Muse would probably be in the running. He said Wilco and the Flaming Lips and some others ... then he said: "And U2 is about to start another stadium tour." But U2, as much as I love them, is not in the running anymore. Neither is Springsteen or REM or anyone else who had their time. I'm curious about who is TODAY'S best rock band.
So I throw it open to nominations. Who do you think is the World's Greatest Rock Band? Throw your nomination below -- add a couple of sentences why if you feel like it. I'll put the nominations into a poll, and we'll try to have some fun with it.
Honestly, for buzz appeal, you probably have to look at Radiohead as one of the, if not the ONLY contenders. Massive fanbase, ridiculous live shows, critical appeal, established credentials--all things that Radiohead has (now I think Arcade Fire has a shot at overtaking them in a few years, but for RIGHT NOW, probably not)
ReplyDeleteFoo Fighters
ReplyDeleteFoo Fighters, hands down.
ReplyDeletePhish
ReplyDeleteThe issue is, of course, that people have so much more access to music than they used to, so there isn't as much cultural agreement on who are the 5-6 "great" bands at any given time. That being said, I would argue that Wilco right now is the greatest band in their ability to put together consistently superior and innovative records.
ReplyDeleteRadiohead or Arcade Fire for sure.
ReplyDeleteRadiohead
ReplyDeleteEven though they haven't released an album in a while, my vote would be for Red Hot Chili Peppers. I know very few people who don't know at least a few of their songs at the very least. Radiohead has a pretty good case as well.
ReplyDeleteAnamanaguchi. Perfect blend of rock and chiptunes. Best band ever.
ReplyDeleteOr Dave Matthews.
I'd say Weezer, but lately... downhill, yo.
I'll second APH for Radiohead, they've got 16 (not counting Pablo Honey) years of stellar albums to back it, and are truly great live.
ReplyDeleteI'd throw the others into the mix:
Drive By Truckers - As solid as they come. Wish they were more well known.
The Walkmen - Hovering around, just quietly producing great albums every two years. Genuinely unique sound.
The National - Great, but kind of a bit too intimate to be a rock band in the traditional sense.
Arcade Fire - They could be, but they need another great album. The all time bands have at least 3 five star albums.
Foo Fighters. They're last album is nearly a perfect rock album.
ReplyDeleteI'd vote for The Killers. They're on a little hiatus at the moment, but they're young, established (three fantastic studio albums), and definitely have U2's ability to combine a solid rock-music base with the easily accessible sound that's a byproduct of having a top-notch vocalist and writing catchy music.
ReplyDeleteGrace Potter & the Nocturnals have to be in the conversation as well, as a really excellent rising band with a mainstream, roots-rock sound and a tremendous female front-woman. But they're not really well-known enough to seize the title just yet.
My Morning Jacket is incredible and just reaching their peak. Their last 2 albums have been their biggest commercially, but they've been building up since 1999. They've got a string of headlining festivals this summer and could take over the world.
ReplyDeleteBut as mentioned above, Radiohead should probably be at the top of the list.
Wholly agree on Radiohead. Their 2003 Glastonbury concert is outstanding, particularly "Fake Plastic Trees," which just soars.
ReplyDeleteGreen Day also deserves a nomination. Their shows are almost three hours of pure rock and Billie Joe is a showman of almost Springsteen-esque proportions.
Drive-By Truckers, y'all.
ReplyDeleteI second MUSE. Fantastic band, on record and live.
ReplyDeleteWell, if I had to pick a band who has longevity, artistic vision (i.e. non-recycled sounds album to album, etc),... I would probably say Radiohead. They spawned so many copycats in the last dozen years or so, they are hard to ignore.
ReplyDeleteThat said, my personal, subjective choice would be Queens of The Stone Age. Not only are Josh Homme's offshoot bands awesome (Eagles of Death Metal, Them Crooked Vultures), but his songwriting and various collaborations are stellar, and his studio/tonal experimentation is a breath of fresh air while being honorific of whats come before. Also, I never think much of any new QOTSA album, but after a week of listening, I usually get completely sucked in. They are my vote.
I'm showing my own age here, but if Soundgarden never quit in the first place, I think they would also be on the list. THe fact that they recently reunited deserves an honorable mention.
Foo.
ReplyDeleteCircle me, Nickelback!
ReplyDeleteRadiohead could put on a show in the middle of the parking lots at the Truman Sports Complex and the place would be standing room only, with people filling the stadiums to the brim as well.
ReplyDeleteRight now (i.e. last two or three years), Arcade Fire. Their first three albums have to be among the strongest first three ever.
ReplyDeleteOver the last ten years, I agree that it's Radiohead.
Honourable mention: Dirty Projectors (too hit and miss to be considered great - yet - but when they are on, they are almost unbelievable).
Seriously though, it's the Foo's every day of the week and twice on Sunday.
ReplyDeleteRadiohead: Commercially and critically successful from album to album and has been doing it since the mid nineties. Essentially turned music on its head with Kid A. Concert experience is unlike any other i've ever been to.
ReplyDeleteI'll cast a vote for Spoon.
ReplyDeletein terms of live show: Les Savy Fav. their records are pretty awesome, too, though probably not widely-known enough to be a serious contender for the title.
ReplyDeleteI kinda thought Radiohead was on a bit of a downward trend. Great band, though.
ReplyDeleteI'd say Muse, though, for the combination of electric performance, broad popularity, and mainstream penetration. But, of course I'm biased, as they're my favorite current band anyhoo. (I have not been able to get into the Arcade Fire--and I've tried!)
Surprised I am the first ro mention them, but Pearl Jam puts on a fantastic show and then posts all their shows on their website. No gimmicks or theatrics, just awesome music for 2.5-3 hours. Highly recommend going if you ever have the chance.
ReplyDeleteRadiohead or Arcade Fire are probably my top picks...but I'll throw The Shins and Spoon out there as well.
ReplyDeleteThis is really so subjective, and while I should be able to separate my fandom from my objective view, I'm such a sucker for Radiohead (even with their mediocre new album), that it has to be them. Seeing them live is akin to a religious experience.
ReplyDeleteoh, and Sonic Youth keeps churning out pretty fantastic stuff, and with more regularity than the Flaming Lips, for example. if longevity is a factor, SY is on the shortlist.
ReplyDeleteThey are nowhere near my favorite band, but as a Rock and Roll Band, Foo Fighters really do have it all. I mean, they are such a rock and roll band that even when I don't feel like listening to them, if I see them playing on my TV it's like, 'Yeah, that's a Rock and Roll band'. If aliens came down and wanted to know why Joe asked the question, I'd probably show them the Foo Fighters.
ReplyDeleteBut me, I'd pick Spoon. Like, Spoon is the answer to the question, "What's the fewest ingredients you can possibly have, and still have it be Rock and Roll? If you boil it down to just the rock, what do you have?" It's rock and roll with absolutely nothing else. Just pure, distilled rocking.
And I'd throw out, having just been to the show, Girl Talk. I know, I know -- doesn't count, right? Go to the show. You'll see what I'm talking about. If rock and roll is about making people go insane and move around like lunatics, it's the real thing.
The Black Keys. Most folks I know love 'em (I more than love them), their shows sell out in a huge hurry, they're a staple on the late night shows, they just won a Grammy... I should also add that while I very much enjoy Radiohead... is "The King of Limbs" a rock record? With "In Rainbows" I'd say yes, but this latest? I feel like Radiohead is not so much a rock band now as they simply are "Radiohead".
ReplyDeleteIt really comes down to the definition of "Rock" doesn't it? When I think of what rock has traditionally meant, Foo Fighters have got to be on the top of the list, both in terms of music created and persona presented...and I'm not even a huge fan.
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ReplyDeleteI don't think you can consider Radiohead a rock band anymore.
ReplyDeleteWilco is in the running. Arcade Fire and Titus Andronicus should also be considered.
radiohead, wilco, the hold steady, drive-by truckers & arcade fire all have some pretty good cases
ReplyDeleteFor my personal taste, it's definitely the Hold Steady (also love Drive By Truckers), but they're nowhere close to famous enough to the the World's Greatest Anything.
ReplyDeleteRealistically, Arcade Fire is way up there, as well as other bands like Muse and the Foo Fighters that have been mentioned previously. Can't believe no one has said Green Day yet.
On the other hand, if you think about what the World's Greatest Band would have (platinum-selling albums, critical acclaim, huge stadium shows, ridiculous antics, competing armies of fans, haters, and copycats) ... I would argue that the World's Greatest Band is Kanye West.
Muse
ReplyDeleteShinedown
Arcade Fire
30 Seconds to Mars
Getting older, but still very big:
Coldplay
Foo Fighters (new album out)
The Black Eyed Peas (cant' stand them though)
Maroon 5
Linkin Park
Not sure how you can say Bruce and E Street dont count when they're still putting out new music. And Metallica put out their best CD in 20 years in 2009. Both acts are awesome live and should be considered.
ReplyDeleteThe Black Keys, if only because they've done all the things THE top band should do: record kick-ass albums, play great shows, do a hip-hop crossover album, make great videos, have their songs in approximately 1/3rd of all commercials on TV. The equivalent of a five-tool player.
ReplyDeleteI don't know exactly how we're defining 'rock,' but as much as I don't like them, I think Coldplay is definitely in the running. They're huge and have been for a while. Part of being the greatest rock band, you can't be just emerging like Arcade Fire or The Black Keys.
ReplyDeleteNow, I dunno if Coldplay fits everyone's definition of 'rock,' but if you fudge it, I think they have to be major contenders. And I don't even like them, which I think is a big + in their favor.
Muse? Uh no.
ReplyDeleteMuch like TV, music is much more fractured than it used to be. I would vote for Coldplay. But I'm not sure they could fill a football stadium, at least in the US. They have a little of everything - world famous frontman, wide appeal, a lot of good albums, a great live show. But they might not be dominant enough.
ReplyDeleteHow about Green Day? American Idiot might be the last great rock album to come out. If you would have told me 15 years ago that they'd be arguably the biggest band in the world, I would have been shocked. But they might be.
I would also agree that Foo Fighters is a pretty decent choice.
Most of the acts that people want to see are solo acts and also aren't that long lasting. Even though they're not nearly as relevant any more, the people I want to see on the Grammys or the MTV Music Awards are Lady Gaga, Eminem, Cee-Lo, Kelly Clarkson, etc.
Stokes or Red Hot Chili Peppers.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what you are defining as "rock," but in terms of name awareness you've got to go with Coldplay, right? Their last album was a commercial and critical success, and the next one should follow suit.
ReplyDeleteWeen
ReplyDeleteDid the definition of a rock band change? Somehow I don't see how Led Zeppelin & the Who played the same genre of music as Muse & Spoon do today.
ReplyDeleteAnother great rock band is Sevendust, amazing albums, incredible live shows and a cult following much like a lot of the bands being suggested in the comments.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI'm a fan of basically every band listed above, but I also believe that this exercise will lead you to conclude that we are living through by far the weakest period in rock history.
ReplyDeleteMake a list of the 20 best records of the last decade, then compare it to a similar list for the 60s, 70s, 80s, or 90s. The current era is badly outclassed.
My own vote would be for the New Pornographers. Just think their songs are more interesting and have better hooks than any of the other indie-ish candidates. And they have a far, far better singer in Neko Case than any of these bands.
Among bands that could fairly be called popular I'd say it's Green Day. They're the band I wish had been making records when I was 16.
Reading through the other comments, the one I like as a suggestion is The Killers. They are awesome live and make great albums.
ReplyDelete5 years ago I would have still voted for the E Street Band. But I think they've finally declined a little too much - the 4 hour shows are a thing of the past and the last album was just OK.
I'd have to go with the Killers, but I am not sure I can support this.
ReplyDeleteEveryone will say Foo Fighters because their album just came out, but if The Chili Peppers new album was coming out right now, it would at least match Foo Fighters' or overshadow it. The same applies to The Killers in a slightly lesser degree, they have proven themselves and have a dedicated following. I think the awesomeness/critical acclaim of The Suburbs and their phenomenal live performances has added Arcade Fire to the argument as well. Radiohead and DMB are no-brainers I think.
ReplyDeleteMuse and the Black Keys are awesome but I don't think they are on that level that Arcade Fire just recently reached. My Morning Jacket and Drive-By Truckers are great too, but don't have the name recognition yet. The Strokes I would have added without thinking a few years ago, but I'm not sure they are the same since they reformed (although their Coachella show was off the charts).
That said, I think the nominees goes like this (ordered by my personal preference):
Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Killers
Arcade Fire
Radiohead
Foo Fighters
Dave Matthews Band
I'm about the same age as Bono, so I have no idea. It's up to the kids now. But I enjoy the discussion, as I'm always looking for something new to listen to (by which I mean new to me).
ReplyDeleteLCD Soundsystem was until they retired 3 weeks ago. Sure, they obviously trend towards electronica, but I'm using the "big tent" definition of rock (anything in the pop classification so even hip hop or electronica) but anyone who saw them live was blown away.
ReplyDeleteJoe... go to YouTube and listen to the songs "Someone Great" and "All My Friends." Seriously do it now.
We're defining Rock & Roll as Klosterman does -- "whatever music young people listen to today."
ReplyDeleteAgree:
- Radiohead
- Coldplay (not my cup of tea, but in the discussion)
- Foo Fighters
- Chili Peppers
What about?
- White Stripes (I guess they're broken up, sad)
Great, but too small:
- Vampire Weekend
- Black Keys
- Spoon
- Temper Trap
I'll echo what many others have said:
ReplyDeleteWilco
The Hold Steady
Foo Fighters
Spoon
ReplyDeleteModest Mouse (probably a bit past their time)
Foo Fighters
TV on the Radio (personal fave, but probably not famous or "rock" enough)
Whoever said Nickelback needs their ears forcibly and painfully removed.
ReplyDeleteRUSH
Pearl Jam
ReplyDeleteRadiohead is #1.
ReplyDeleteI think you can make a case for Foo Fighters (and there album of cover songs I picked up on Record Store Day helps their case a great deal).
Arcade Fire is phenomenal. Wilco is a great band as well...
If you define it as a band at its creative and commercial peak, I think Arcade Fire is the right answer (I was there, too, and it was spectacular). Over the past five years, I think the other band who could make the best case was LCD Soundsystem, but they just played their last show. I favor a big tent definition of rock and roll, and with that in mind, I think The Roots have an argument.
ReplyDeleteMy heart says The Hold Steady, but my head says I can still see them in a bar, and bar bands don't rate in this discussion.
APH said it the best. Radiohead.
ReplyDeleteSince I'm the only one to mention them, I'll throw their name out there again: Metallica.
ReplyDeleteAlso: as others have written, Foo Fighters, The killers & Linkin Park should be in the discussion as well.
Foo Fighters are great. Radiohead is still great, but fading. My Morning Jacket is pretty amazing.
ReplyDeleteBut Muse tops them all. A Muse concert is the closest thing I've had to a religious experience. Just watch their concert DVD H.A.A.R.P. and you will believe.
Like dozens have already said, it has to be Foo Fighters.
ReplyDeleteAnother question is "Who is the greatest rock band in the world that no one knows about?" And the answer would be Marah.
Chili Peppers. For sure.
ReplyDeleteThe Killers
ReplyDeleteMy Morning Jacket
Arcade Fire
Coldplay
Radiohead
The landscape of the music industry has changed too radically over the last 10 years. It seems to me that U2 was probably the last of the mainstream megabands. An argument could be made, I suppose, for Radiohead, and along with Phish and Muse, they're probably among the only bands today that have the chops to play a stadium. And Phish is really of the previous generation and a jamband outlier. I think Ween is the best band today, but I suffer no illusion that they are anything more than a niche band. Same seems true of pretty much all the other contenders like Arcade Fire, My Morning Jacket, LCD Soundsystem and so on.
ReplyDeleteAlso, a contender for best rock band: anything involving Jack White.
It's Metallica. These guys have toured non-stop for nearly 30 years, and have the biggest fan base of any rock / metal band in the world.
ReplyDeleteI also cannot believe Iron Maiden hasn't been mentioned. They have put out 4 stellar releases since Bruce came back to the band in 2001, and have toured (and sold out shows) consistently, internationally, for the past 10 years. So, essentially, they have been the biggest metal band in the world throughout the 1980's, early 1990's, and the entirety of the 2000's.
I wish the folks here who rave about Arcade Fire would spend the time to see a Metallica or Iron Maiden show.
Too bad the White Stripes broke up a few months ago, or else they'd take the top spot
ReplyDeleteThe Pixies have been on tour for two years do they still count?
ReplyDelete"King of Limbs" was disappointing, but "In Rainbows" may be Radioheads best album. I'd have to say they're the best rock band out there.
Honorable Mention: Foo Fighters, Arcade Fire, Beck, Portishead
Listening to DMB is like watching paint dry.
I'm actually really surprised nobody has mentioned Kings of Leon. I think many of the comments here have been based more on personal taste and less on the actual question that Joe has posed. "Who is the greatest rock band in the world right now?" It has to be a band with mass appeal all over the world and I think that band right now is Kings of Leon. It doesn't mean you have to love their music, but you have to understand how popular they are all over the world. This will sound dumb, but take a look at the Facebook pages of these bands that have been mentioned and compare the number of followers for each. Kings of Leon has 7 million+ followers. They fit the bill - commercial appeal/success, heavy radio/TV exposure, and consistent sellouts for live performances over the course of the past three years. Right now is right now and Kings of Leon is the greatest rock band in the world RIGHT NOW.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who thought Public Enemy was the greatest rock band of the late-'80s/early-'90s, I'll throw out a couple names for argument's sake: TV on the Radio; and the Roots. I haven't heard much straight-ahead "rock" lately that's nearly as rich and expansive as their music.
ReplyDeleteIt's Radiohead and it's not even close. They have gravitas that none of the current bands do. They released their own album(and maybe their best) on the net, they continue to produce albums that cannot be categorized but expand where we're willing to go as an audience. They are rock'n'roll.
ReplyDeleteGreen Day.
ReplyDeleteMore I think about it, the less I care. I'm just excited to be going to see Prince tonight at the Fabulous Forum. It's going to be like the Showtime 80's all over again!
ReplyDeleteWas it you that wrote the list "The greatest commedian of year X"? For some reason in my head it was Simmons, but honestly that can't be right, right? Anyway, that was a nice format, and you could / should do the same with rock bands. For instance I'd say that Grohl had his year in, what, 2003? Foo Fighters still rock, but are they the pinnacle in 2011?
ReplyDeleteI'm not at all surprised to be the first (and likely only) to say this, but it has to be Phish. They are approaching 30 years together as an original unit, have released 11 major studio albums (six gold, one platinum), countless live recordings (of which some proceeds go to charity), and continue to crush the generated-revenues listings with ticket sales (all while having cheaper tickets than -- I'd imagine -- anyone else nominated). The music they produce is intelligent and original, and the acts they cover span the great rock spectrum. That is all.
ReplyDeleteRush. 'Nuff said.
ReplyDeleteI agree with DT up there. I still think it's Foo Fighters, but The Kings of Leon are definitely in the conversation.
ReplyDeleteMy Morning Jacket. If REM doesn't count, then I suppose Pearl Jam doesn't count, or they would be it.
ReplyDeleteRadiohead without question (if they're really even a rock band). Have yet to see the Arcade Fire and would agree with the comment above that more time needs to pass.
ReplyDeleteSpoon consistently puts out excellent albums. Their live show was a bit disappointing to me though.
second Aaron Bergstrom's analysis. The Hold Steady are incredible. Especially if you love Springsteen's combination of power and storytelling, there's no one better today. I've seen them with DBT -- what a doubleheader.
ReplyDeleteBut are they Great in the sense I think we mean here? No. Kayne is my vote for Greatest today, capital G.
Well, the best record of this year is by the Decemberists (Joe: I guarantee you'll love it - or your money back). And, I'm not sure you can rule out the E Street Band, U2 and Heartbreakers, but the contenders:
ReplyDelete- Drive-By Truckers - longevity and individuality.
- Arcade Fire
- Avett Brothers
craig finn will save rock n roll.
ReplyDeletethe hold steady but more people should know about son volt, centromatic, drive-by-truckers, and slobberbone
Right now? As of today?
ReplyDeleteThe allmighty, skullcrushing AMON AMARTH!
Though I suppose that since the crossover between Posnanski readers and death metal listeners is small I'll officially go with Foo Fighters.
I'll cast a vote for Tool.
ReplyDeleteDiehard fan base and devotion despite lack of radio airplay or iTunes presence. Concert sellouts. Innovative, thunderous, creative.
If Tool, Foo, RH, U2, PJ, AF, RHCP, Metallica and all other bands above released a new album on same day, Tool's album ends up selling most.
Pearl Jam or the Raconteurs. It's sad that so many people would name a band as generic as the foo fighters. People love them. I have no idea why.
ReplyDeletePrince isn't a band, but I saw him twice in MSG last month. Best show I've seen in years.
Green Day - best live band on the planet, followed by the Foo Fighters.
ReplyDelete@Brian
ReplyDeleteIf we are defining it as Klosterman does, I don't think young people listen to any of those bands today.
But I guess it depends on what you define as young people. I'm almost 30 and all 4 of the bands you mention would have been the answer to this question 5-10 years ago, back when I was a "young person".
The immediacy of new music makes it tough for any one band to stand out anymore. It seems like the next big thing comes faster and faster now. For example, a year ago I would have said Kings of Leon. They were all over the place, but now I hardly hear about them. Right now its Arcade Fire and the Black Keys that I hear the most about.
Got to go with TV On The Radio here.
ReplyDeleteBankmeister you were actually the thrid person to mention Phish, not the first. I suppose I will be the forth. Their shows are very epic and rock a lot. Out of the more standard choices I would pick Radiohead.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen Kings of Leon live but they surely fit my definition of a rock band. To me, a rock band operates in the vein as did Led Zeppelin back in the day. Not just a great stage presence but one specific to 'rock'.
ReplyDeleteSaw Foo Fighters open for RHCP 11 years ago and they completely blew the chilis away, wasn't even close. Best rock band I've seen since Jane's Addiction ten years earlier. Glad to see the Foo is still going strong.
Foo Fighters.
ReplyDeleteIndie work ethic + major label $$ (for touring) = music gold.
Plus, their latest album was recorded to analog tape in a studio in Dave Grohl's garage. And featured the great Bob Mould as a guest vocalist. (So awesome.)
Much as I like Phish, I wouldn't call them a rock band. While they go on some great jam streaks on stage and have a great following, they simply don't rock on stage. Very stiff, the instruments do all the work and at least half their songs are not rock songs.
ReplyDeleteI'd say it's a tie between Foo Fighters and Radiohead. Radiohead, because "Rock n Roll" is about stretching boundaries, raw emotion and a visceral connection with the audience. Foo Fighters because what they just did on Wasting Light is borderline ridiculous. it's a perfect album front to back and recorded on analog tape with Butch Vig (Nevermind) in a garage. It's raw, emotional, catchy and runs at breakneck pace until you get to "I Should Have Known", which in itself is equal parts haunting and cathartic. That record's straight rock n roll.
ReplyDeleteDT, i really don't want to be mean.. so all i will say is that Jonas Brothers has more followers on facebook.
ReplyDeletePearl Jam
ReplyDeleteThe Foo Fighters? Really? They're good, but I think the new album buzz is kind of overrating them in people's minds. Their consistent output has been very solid, if not particularly brilliant, and they haven't had an album in a while as good as Arcade Fire's first and last albums. Ask us in 20 years, I'd guess that Arcade Fire will be remembered as the greater band. That is assuming their next few albums approach the quality of their first three. "Funeral" is universally considered one of the best albums of its decade, regardless of genre, and "The Suburbs" is on track for this one.
ReplyDeleteAnother vote for Pearl Jam. Great show every time. Different set list every night. No nonsense, just great rock music.
ReplyDelete"I wish the folks here who rave about Arcade Fire would spend the time to see a Metallica or Iron Maiden show."
ReplyDeleteBecause the 80's and 90's have long since passed. No one is questioning their greatness as bands, but who's more relevant now? I think the same thing applies to the Foo Fighters; I honestly thought they peaked in the public's eyes about six or seven years ago. Arcade Fire are currently peaking.
Spoon, Drive-By Truckers, Hold Steady, Twilight Singers, Queens of the Stone Age, TV on the Radio...all bands that have consistently delivered excellent albums and live shows over the last decade.
ReplyDeleteIt's gotta be Radiohead. Nobody else is universally revered or praised like them. If we were talking about the "biggest" or most popular rock band, then maybe Foo Fighters, Green Day or some others mentioned would be in the discussion. But Radiohead is the greatest.
ReplyDelete"Another vote for Pearl Jam. Great show every time. Different set list every night. No nonsense, just great rock music."
ReplyDeleteI would agree if this was 1993, but I think the title for "Greatest Rock Band" requires more than quality of live shows. To be fair, Pearl Jam still put out very good material, but to be honest, when looking back at this era, will they be remembered as one of its top bands? Absolutely not. They were one of the top bands of the 90's, just as Arcade Fire, Foo Fighters, and Wilco will be remembered as top bands of today.
I wouldn't argue against either the Foo Fighters or Green Day, although I'd lean towards Green Day.
ReplyDeleteMy sentimental choice would be Superchunk. Or the Feelies, who just put out a fine new album.
The answer is U2, and here's why (by the way, I completely ripped this argument off from Mark Wheat (I think it was Wheat), a deejay for 89.3 The Current, which is Minnesota Public Radio's modern music station):
ReplyDeleteIf you believe that rock and roll can change the world -- like everyone did in the 60s, when the genre was essentially born -- than U2 has to be not only the greatest rock and roll band now, but of all time.
What other band has a lead singer that meets regularly with world leaders to push for social causes? What other band has spearheaded as many social initiatives and fundraisers?
You might find Bono egotistical and self-serving (and probably have a good argument to back it up), but you cannot deny U2's influence both on music and in the world.
And they're Irish, so they win.
I kind of can't stand either band, but I'd agree on Radiohead and Foo Fighters. Both have retained indie cred while breaking records both in selling albums and drawing fans to live shows.
ReplyDeletePhila...I was only attempting to prove Kings of Leon's worldwide commercial appeal (popularity/commercial appeal is part of being the greatest rock band in the world, is it not?). And for 2011 standards, Facebook is a pretty good indicator of that. That doesn't mean I love their music or have any way to prove they are MORE deserving of this "title" than the Foo Fighters, but I'm putting personal biases/affinities aside to let you know that Kings of Leon is in this argument. If your main goal is to pick apart someone's opinion, the least you could do is tell us why Kings of Leon, or any other band for that matter, should be or shouldn't be considered the greatest band in the world right now.
ReplyDeleteFuneral is a great record. No one takes that away from Arcade Fire. In 20 years you will remember the suspenders and all the nonsense as an indie band that was just that. In 20 years we will marvel at how Dave Grohl was in two of the greatest bands of all time.
ReplyDeleteBlack keys for me (they've been around for a decade and I've been going to their shows for five years - I wouldn't say they are "just emerging"). I could definitely see Arcade Fire in the running. I love Radiohead, but I think they reached their peak already. I just don't get the appeal of Foo Fighters, so maybe I'm biased.
ReplyDeleteI agree with a lot of the lists people have thrown out. I'm surprised that Dave Matthews isn't mentioned more.
ReplyDeleteAlso, what about Blink-182? Perhaps on the downslope as they've taken a hiatus and are just now recording again
I think you have to think about at what age musicians have their prime years. In terms of pure musicianship, I think it's quite a bit later than athletes, somewhere around 40. For instance, I love Wilco, and they put on a great show, but I feel they are still years away from the height of their powers. A good Phish show rocks way harder than a good Wilco show, and I think that's mostly due to experience. At the same time, younger songwriters can often tap into a vibrant kind of energy that's not always available to older generations. I love RHCP and Foo Fighters and have lots of respect for Radiohead--their songs are so intellectually interesting even though they don't really turn me on emotionally. For my money, Tea Leaf Green offers the best combo of current awesomeness and promise of future excellence.
ReplyDelete@ry420guy:
ReplyDeleteMy bad. Missed that Bobby Aguilera one-liner. The second one didn't whole-heartedly vote for them, thus what I said.
@mo_positive:
Interesting take. Disagree -- they most certainly are a rock band -- but interesting, nonetheless.
Its between Phish or Radiohead
ReplyDeleteComing from a person who grew up in the worst era for rock music, late 90's early aughts, Foo Fighters stand out because they make consitently good records, and they don't mimick whatever is currently "in"
ReplyDeleteAlso, i think Weezer should be considered honorable mention, they could've been on top but strayed away from the strait rock into a little more pop like sound.
As for bands that everyone should listen too but no one does, at least for those more inclined to the metal music would be Maylene and The Sons of Disaster.
I saw Arcade Fire in concert about 3 years ago. Found it the most contrived, whimsical (a perjorative), hash of a "show" I've seen since Doug Henning died.
ReplyDelete*** Henning was also Canadian. Coincidence?
I just kept thinking, "PLEASE settle down and just play the music. Enough with the court jester crap."
Anyhting by Dave Grohl or Jack White. No one else touches their quality or quantity, and with such a wide range. I personally would pick the Dropkick Murphy's though. Best combo of album's + live performances.
ReplyDeletePearl Jam and U2 are still great, but I guess "they are not in the running anymore"
The second they get back together in the studio, Nine Inch Nails will reclaim the crown as Greatest Rock Band In The World.
ReplyDeletePlus, they're from Cleveland.
Live I would have to say Arcade Fire. The first time I saw them at a campus hall in Calgary and they led a procession out of the hall and through the food court to end the show. Hilarious and fun pied piper type of drill.
ReplyDeleteI have always been and always will be a sucker for Pearl Jam live as well.
In terms of putting out studio material, anything done by Radiohead or Jack White get me excited.
Why is this a conversation? It's obviously the Foo Fighters.
ReplyDeleteArcade Fire is the best band in my opinion, but I'm not sure if they're popular enough. It seemed like most people didn't even know who they were when they won best album. Yet they play to huge crowds and just headlined Coachella and will headline Bonnaroo this summer.
ReplyDeleteSome of the other bands mentioned here fall into the same category.
Radiohead is a critical darling, but how popular is their post OK Computer stuff? And is it really rock?
Pearl Jam and Metallica are way past their prime. Foo Fighters may be by default, but that'd be a weak choice.
The answer is Pearl Jam...(or Arcade Fire) or Radiohead
ReplyDeleteThe answer is not Foo Fighters. Come on now! Foo has to be the most generic rock around, but that's why it's loved by so many people who don't wear sleeves on their T-Shirts.
If you are looking for nominees then I suggest the following:
ReplyDeleteNickelback
Coldplay
Creed
Linkin Park
Pink
Black Eyed Peas
Was Radiohead and/or Wilco, now probably Arcade Fire
ReplyDeleteMy nominees, in roughly the order I think I'd rank them, are...
ReplyDeleteTool
Radiohead
The Black Keys
Pearl Jam
Foo Fighters
Have to second the noms for the Killers and Kings of Leon.
ReplyDeleteAlso, in response to comparing Zepplin and the Who to Radiohead and Arcade Fire, you can't really compare Zepplin to Bill Haley and His Comets, but they're both still rock.
Do people really care about Radiohead? In the same way they care about most of these other bands? I always thought Radiohead to be an "admired, but not loved" type of band.
ReplyDeleteArcade Fire is incredible, both on their albums and (especially) live. I'm going to see them Sunday night and can hardly wait. I don't know that they're well known enough to be considered. They seem like 'The Wire' of rock bands.
ReplyDeleteI'm a huge Foo Fighters' fan too and they've been doing it for over fifteen years. Where does Dave Grohl rank on the "two great bands" list that may or may not exist?
I was majorly bummed to hear that the White Stripes were calling it quits. I'd be excited to listen to Jack White play with whomever though, I'm pretty sure he could put ME at a drum kit and get a good album out of it.
I second what "DT" said about Kings of Leon and I don't understand why people don't understand it. The epitomize "rock" concerts, they are popular, they have long hair, they (claim) to drink too much. Their songs are also built for concerts, especially their slightly older stuff because they all have catchy/unique intros that build up just right in person.
ReplyDeleteI'm not the biggest Foo Fighters fan but they fit the bill for the question Joe asked (albeit maybe a couple years past their prime in the "best rock band in the world sense.")
Radiohead might be my favorite band and they put on great concerts (for radiohead fans), but they definitely do not answer Joe's question.
Ive seen Muse too and they might put on the best concert of the bunch, but they arent big enough to answer Joes question.
A few years back I might have said The Hold Steady were the best rock band around, but their last few albums have been a bit downhill for me. The Drive By Truckers, however, are hands down the best working rock band right now. I'm thrilled to see them get some appreciation here. Living in New York City, it's difficult to find many music fans willing to give a southern rock band a chance.
ReplyDeleteWith all due respect to Radiohead, Wilco, Foo, etc... those were bands chasing the title (at least) 5-10 years ago. Much like the boxing, the title is usually only held for 5 years or so. For example, IF The Beatles held the title for the duration of their mainstream existence (64 to 70), they held it for 6 years.
ReplyDeleteCandidates for 2011:
Band of Horses
The Hold Steady
The National
Candidates for 2006:
The Shins
Death Cab
The Hold Steady
Candidates for 2001:
Radiohead
Wilco
The Strokes
@ Ben, did you see THS and DBT while they were on the "Rock and Roll Means Well" tour? I saw both shows they played in NYC and it was amazing--including the spectacularly cheesy cover of Blue Oyster Cult's "Burnin' for You."
ReplyDeleteMuse. They are the best live band I have seen. I've seen Radiohead, Foo Fighters, RHCP, Pearl Jam, and the Black Keys and Muse is light years ahead. A large part of rock and roll is showmanship, and their songs are beautiful on their albums but absolutely breath-taking live. And they've actually changed their sound and developed from just a hard rock band to prog-rock madness.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with Jimmy about The Hold Steady. They were the best thing going at the time of Boys And Girls In America. I think they maximized their potential right there and have never been able to figure out what to do for an encore.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely throw in a vote for Foo Fighters. They had their time but their new album brings them back to kickass best "ROCK BAND" in the world.
ReplyDeleteUmphrey's McGee
ReplyDeleteI'm shocked by the popularity of Foo Fighters in these comments. They're not bad, but I find them to be awfully generic. If it weren't for the Nirvana connection, I doubt they'd even rate.
ReplyDeleteRadiohead has clearly been the biggest band in the world for well over a decade now, and Arcade Fire has the wide ranging appeal to be kings in waiting.
No one else is close, although Green Day is a good suggestion. They just have never felt like a U2, Springsteen or Rolling Stones type of band. They're more like the Clash, lobbing spitballs at everyone else from the back of the class.
Mumford & Sons could be a dark horse in the coming years.
Joe,
ReplyDeleteThis is always a fun question to pose, but I think the reality is that the question is no longer applicable.
In the glory days of the 60s and 70s, it was almost a necessity to be huge to have any real success. Recording was expensive, production was expensive and the avenues of discovery (and reaching the masses) were pretty limited. If Jerry Wexler signed you to Atlantic or you had the privilege of recording in Muscle Shoals, sure, you would more than likely be set. It was an exclusive club, almost like being the top pick in the draft. Labels/management/etc. would do all it could to make talent successful. And make no mistake, it was talent. Think of all your favorites from that era: Dylan, Aretha, the Stones, Beatles, Who, Zep, Otis, go on and on. Yes, they were ungodly talented. But they had the full support of labels and piles of cash backing them up. And what were they competing against? Other musicians? Two or three TV channels? A few movies? I'll tell you what. "Desolation Row" would be a tough sell for today's YouTube generation.
That said, technology has also done wonders for today's music scene. Everyone can make music. Masterpieces are made in bedrooms with a laptop. It is so inexpensive to make music and market it to (albeit smaller) audiences that there is a true "middle class" now. You don't have to play MSG to be successful. Musicians who are passionate about art and song craft can now make a nice living doing what they love. Yes, the audience and crowds are smaller, but there are 100s of bands the general public hasn't heard of now who are doing just fine selling out 500-1,000 capacity venues across America.
So, contrary to one of the other commenters, we are living in a glory time for music. If anything, there is too much great music and too many avenues. Yes, you have to put in a little work to find it initially and sort it all out (which also means a bunch of it is terrible), but the quality is there. That is the reality we live in now. With satellite radio, smartphones, TV cable and satellites, game consoles, Internet, TV sports packages, Blu-Ray, iPads, there are too many distractions for a musician to have a global voice and speak for this generation, which is more diverse than in any time of our history. We are past the time when quality music is allowed to freely present itself to an audience. With today's decreasing attention span, it's all about a hook in five seconds or less.
The rise of hip-hop, plus multiple genres of country, pop and electronica have further altered the landscape. It's a lot like advance stats vs. the eye test. The old-school music veterans tell us this generation is terrible because there are no bands with artistic depth who sell out Lucas Oil Stadium and sell 20 million records a year. The new-school fans put in the work to find young bands, utilize social media and make the music cheap and available, but are told to stay in their basement and rejoice in their celebration of obscurity.
Bands exist today that are making albums on par with those legends of the 60s and 70s. It's just that fewer people are hearing them. Fewer people are looking at music as high art. Fewer people are prioritizing music above their other interests. But do you want proof that it is alive and well? Look at the music that Fortune 500 companies use to sell its goods and services in TV commericals. The Walkmen, Vampire Weekend, The Black Keys, Aloe Blacc, Modest Mouse, to name a few. Their music is not good enough for radio, but it is just fine to strike an emotional chord and sell billions of dollars of products.
As for my two cents, The Arcade Fire is probably the best band in the world right now. The Roots, The National, The Black Keys could also be considered, as well as most of the commenters' suggestions.
I think Kanye West is the best pure songwriter working today.
But bands are like athletes. The have a prime, and then there is another ready to take its place after a few years.
My God, talk about bringing them out of the woodwork! Sabermetrics + rock bands or whatever they want to be called nowadays and you've got more comments in a shorter amount of time than I have ever seen.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see lots of support for Drive By Truckers....great storytellers ....and when the 3 guitar attack cranks up - Ahhhh bliss! Also cast my vote for The Hold Steady....more great storytelling and tight playing....almost want to throw a vote out there for Dinosaur Jr but mostly from the perspective of J Mascis' otherworldly guitar playing ...
ReplyDeleteFoo Fighters - see above ...
ReplyDeleteIron Maiden - still strong, still dominating!
And everything Joe Bonamassa plays in!!!
Been a couple of years, but when I saw Ryan Adams and the Cardinals I had absolutely no doubt that they were the best bend I'd seen since Springsteen was in his prime. Ryan is so weird though that they as a band may never make another record or tour again.
ReplyDeletePearl Jam
ReplyDeleteGreen Day or the Foo Fighters. Rock sure ain't what it used to be.
ReplyDeleteInteresting, absolutely none of the bands mentioned that qualify for the title (this is assuming Metallica and U2 are out) touch the best selling albums list of all time.
ReplyDeleteBy no means should that be the end-all, be-all of the discussion, but interesting nonetheless -- and a strong indicator of how fragmented the music industry is today (note just two albums post-2000 -- and neither necessarily qualifies as rock).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_albums_worldwide
I hate pretty much every band mentioned here (and haven't heard anything by Arcade Fire since "Funeral"), but I'd have to say that based on critical acclaim and fan devotion, Dave Matthews and Radiohead are pretty high up there. Boring to me, but so many people LOVE them, both for their album work and live shows.
ReplyDeleteI would've suggested Frog Eyes after 2007's "Tears of the Valedictorian", but I wasn't too crazy about their most recent.
So might I suggest, since no one else has, Akron/Family? Great album stuff, amazing live shows, band members that play multiple instruments, a tongue-in-cheek religion, they've got it all. Here's a sampling (don't worry, the noise abates around the 0:50 second mark):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvmeTiswnyE
Radiohead. Arcade Fire deserves to be mentioned for sure though.
ReplyDeleteNothing like a great live show. By a happy accident, the New Pornographers booked the same venue on the same night as my wedding. My wife and I watched their show in our wedding clothes, after we got hitched. They graciously signed a concert poster for us after the show. So, I'll always have a soft spot for them.
ReplyDeleteLots of great suggestions on this thread, but I think there is a difference in interpretation driving some of the answers: the difference between the BIGGEST band and the GREATEST band. Rock n roll has moved a little bit more into the margins of pop culture, which has allowed for it to really flourish artistically. Really, last year was one of the best years for new releases in some time. So I disagree with whoever claimed the quality has declined. The popularity obviously has, but there's tons of great music being made.
As an example, I'll use REM. REM became world famous and sold a whole boatload of albums. but if you polled their fans, a majority would probably respond that their "greatest" period was the Reckoning/ Murmur/ Fables period before they were selling out stadiums. REM was greater when they were smaller. Not that the popular stuff wasn't really good, too.
I actually like that rock is at its current popularity level. I love live music, and I rarely enjoy shows in arenas and stadiums because the sound is awful. I'd far prefer to see a band in a concert hall or a club. Though I do wish my favorite bands were so popular they were able to live in mansions.
I'll second those who said the Hold Steady, Black Keys, and DBT. All great on record and all are terrific live.
As for the biggest? Green Day or Foo Fighters.
mo_positive there is an element of truth in what you're saying. When I think of a pure rock band I think of someone like Nirvana. Phish is not rock in that sense. But neither is U2 really. U2 and especially Coldplay (whom I don't really like) are basically pop bands to me. As for Radiohead, whom I like a lot, some of their songs can barely even be considered music, much less rock & roll.
ReplyDeleteARCADE FIRE. anybody who says otherwise has never been to an arcade fire gig.
ReplyDeletecritics were calling arcade fire the best band in the world four years ago: http://www.slate.com/id/2161645/. they've only gotten better.
I'd say your friend is pretty on target with some of his choices--Wilco, Arcade Fire--and I'll echo many here by saying Radiohead. But I would say it's a toss-up between AF and TV on the Radio. Check 'em out, Joe
ReplyDeleteAlso someone else brought this up, but ... Foo Fighters? Really? I was a little shocked they got even one nomination, much less multiple ones. That's like saying the best TV show in the world is Lopez Tonight.
ReplyDeleteMumford and Sons.
ReplyDeleteLike Joe, I'm old, and I fell off the musical bandwagon about 10 years ago. But I am slightly familiar with Radiohead and would barely consider them to be "rock"!
ReplyDeleteMy personal favorite rock band that seems to be still publishing music is probably Weezer, but I'm not sure they would qualify as the greatest band of the day.
Man, my iTunes library of songs from 2005-2011 is pretty empty.
Have to throw something out for Green Day. I've seen them a million times and each one has been fantastic, and since American Idiot (as others have pointed out) it's become a rock show and not just a punk show. Though they may almost be out of time for this list.
ReplyDeleteGreat post by Broderick Chesterfield, even though he singled me out for disagreement.
ReplyDeleteThe argument that proliferation of competition/distractions is keeping music from reaching a larger audience doesn't ring true for me. People are actually buying more units of music than ever, but of course much of that volume has shifted from full lengths to singles and much of what's being bought is back catalogue.
I don't think it's a matter of a changing media landscape or evolving popular tastes. I think that on pure artistic merit we are living in a weak era of pop music. The democratization of technology is resulting in more good records than were released 30-40 years ago but fewer great ones.
You clearly know a lot about music. I encourage you to take a few minutes to make a list of your ten best records of the last five years. Then pick any five year period from 1965-1995 and make a list of your ten best records of that period. Compare the two lists on nothing but artistic merit. I think that generally you'd find that the current era comes up short.
www.ls4lm.com
ReplyDeleteFoo Fighters
ReplyDeleteKings of Leon
Silversun Pickups
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteFor the complete live experience check out the Drive by Truckers.
ReplyDeleteDr. Dog (best live band)
ReplyDeleteEasily Green Day...
ReplyDeleteRadiohead and it isn't close.
ReplyDeleteIf you haven't read Tim Wu's MASTER SWITCH, now is a good time. Wu describes the history of various information technologies, and how they cycle between states of centralized and decentralized control.
ReplyDeleteI can't ask myself the question, "Who are the greatest rock band in the world?" without being struck, as many commenters have been, by the smallness of today's bands when compared to the giants of the 60s, 70s, and 80s. The Who, Beatles, Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, and Led Zeppelin were the first rank of these, with G'n'R and Metallica really closing out the golden age of arena rock. There were many others, of course, and these are not necessarily my personal favorites, but my point is that none of today's bands approach this level.
Back to Tim Wu: this is not a matter of quality. Arcade Fire, Radiohead, and the rest do not suffer in comparison to the classic rock gods. The difference is in the medium, the media, through which they are transmitted. In 1960 Hollywood was dominated by three studios, television by three networks, and telephony was wholly owned by Bell. Radio was the shared ward of Bell's transmission-line ownership and the NBC/CBS/ABC triumvirate's content and affiliate dominance.
By 1995, everything had changed. Bell was broken apart, the Hollywood studios had variously collapsed and been absorbed into media conglomerates, and cable had splintered the TV audience into 500 niches of polyglot crap.
Oh, and the internet.
In conclusion, the "greatness" differential at issue in a comparison between the bands of today and the bands of yesteryear is a function of the state of the various media which made them great. When The Beatles went on Ed Sullivan something like 80% of all American televisions were turned on and tuned in. When Radiohead goes on Letterman they get a half-dozen insomniac Gen-Xrs. This is a decentralized time, which leads to a diversity of opinion. A splintering of public consciousness is the result.
Addendum: Era-adjusted greatness would be a nice project for the statheads. Can we get an acronym?
If you want to go by biggest tours, you'd probably have to give it to the Dave Matthews Band (as long as you are ruling out acts from the 1970s and 1980s...DMB tours tend to make more money/have greater attendance than tours by anyone other than old bands like Bon Jovi and the Eagles). I like DMB, but I think their best albums/music all came out in the 1990s.
ReplyDeleteU2 still had an argument until just a couple of years ago. They still have MASSIVE tours (they outsell DMB as well, but I didn't mention them in the previous parenthetical since I was giving them their own paragraph). Almost all the albums they've released since 2000 have been excellent -- with the exception of the most recent one, which was horrible. And that takes them out of the running.
The best album released in 2010 was by Mumford & Sons, but I don't really think of them as rock -- if they are classified as such, then they could take the title in a few years.
The Avett Brothers are also incredible, and have been releasing good music for about 10 years now, but like Mumford I have a hard time classifying them as rock.
@Mikey: Great point.
ReplyDeleteBut my view of great records is a slightly different criteria. I view great records of any decade and genre as having the ability to sit comfortably next to landmark works of art. Nothing can ever beat the first to do it, which is why the Beach Boys, Beatles, the Stones, Acuff/Rose, Hank, Townes, Chuck Berry, Dylan, et. al, are so rightly revered. But when I look at the very best records of just last year -- The Suburbs, My Dark Twisted Beautiful Fantasy, High Violet, The ArchAndroid, Brothers, The Guitar Song -- they sit comfortably alongside Let It Bleed, I Never Loved A Man The Way I loved You, Country Life, Revolver, London Calling or What's Going On?
Are the best of 2010 better than those classics? No. I don't think anything can be better. It is an impossibility. Are they on par? For me, yes.
@TomRigid: Yes! Era-adjusted greatness!!! That's my point. And in that battle, Kanye West has a great shot at destroying history.
ReplyDeleteI'd say its a tossup between Radiohead and Muse, though I am leaning slightly to Radiohead.
ReplyDeleteQueens of the Stone Age, without question.
ReplyDeletePearl Jam is my favorite band, so I guess it follows that I think they're the best rock band in the world. I think they still have as strong a case as any, and it's largely due to their live shows. They have plenty of huge hits, but they mix in new material, rare songs, and covers. It all makes for an incredible concert, and each show is different from the last. I know that not everybody loves their recent studio work, but their last two albums are their best since their first three. I love some of the other bands mentioned, so I can't make a strong argument against a band like Arcade Fire; they're really good, and I haven't seen them live yet. However, while I enjoy the Foo Fighters, it's a huge stretch to say they are a better band than Pearl Jam, in terms or studio albums or live concerts.
ReplyDeletePhish!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI agree with all the people who said there isn't really an answer, in the sense that we believe you're asking the question. There isn't a successor to the Beatles/Stones/Who/Led Zep/Bruce/U2/REM behemouths. There's one reason that most people have missed though - the big money is still in those bands, even though they're past their prime, because their fans are the ones that can pay $300 per ticket. So Bruce or Sir Paul can get on their walkers, sell out Fenway Park, and gross a bazillion dollars, which means that space isn't available for Arcade Fire (or whoever).
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised there's as much consensus as there is.
ReplyDeleteI'm far more surprised by how few of the consensus bands I actually enjoy, though. Weird.
The other question is of course what is rock?
ReplyDeleteBecause I would say that Fleet Foxes might be the best out there today. They're first album was the consensus critical #1 two years ago and this year's album (so far, it's released May 3) sounds BETTER. But then you listen to Fleet Foxes and they are definitely not rock as we define it.
I'm also partial to the Decemberists but that's more personal preference than anything actual. (They're best album was Picaresque in 05)
Vampire Weekend probably has a shout, Los Campesinos! (they're on that Budweiser commercial) as well.
I only mentioned bands that really hadn't previously been mentioned Arcade Fire and Radiohead both are definite front runners.
Pearl Jam.
ReplyDeleteYou can't be the greatest without at least one must-have album under your belt, even in the iTunes age.
ReplyDeleteFoo ain't got one.
Lots of other bands mentioned have several.
Damn, my comment didn't post and now I have to rewrite it. Here it goes...
ReplyDeleteMy immediate answer to this question was My Morning Jacket. They are definitely rock and definitely awesome. But then I realized that was not answering the question posed. To meet Joe's standards the band has to be so respected that even if you don't like their music you accept that they are great. For example, I am not too impartial to the Stones, I like them well enough and love Beggars Banquet, but rarely listen to them. Even so, I will not argue if someone says they are the best ever. The consensus of nominations would suggest otherwise, but I think that is more of an issue of sample size. We are just finding out the most popular band among Joe's readers. Many of the bands listed either don't have the notoriety or just going off an early reputation. At one time Pearl Jam or the CHili Peppers probably was the greatest rock band, but not anymore. Other nominations such as Arcade Fire and Radiohead are more critical darlings then wildly popular. With all the bands listed I know at least one rock fan who thinks they are garbage and it seems to me (i am 23) that only people who were not fans of rock would say such things about the Stones or the Beatles.
So short answer is-no answer.
A lot of what I see here seems like they may have been the best at an earlier time, but are now resting lucratively on their past laurels. Hurts me to say, but I'd put Pearl Jam and Radiohead on that list along with a ton of what has been mentioned (Metallica, U2, Green Day, Foo Fighters, RHCP, DMB, etc.).
ReplyDeleteArcade Fire is probably the biggest thing that is still up and coming. I'd nominate Gaslight Anthem for their work (The '59 Sound did not leave my car stereo for a solid year), although they may never truly 'break through'. I'd judge Muse to be perilously close to the tipping point, but freely admit they are not my scene enough to accurately judge.
I also concur with the general feel of Broderick and Tom's comments. The modern standard of greatness is different than it used to be.
I would probably say Arcade Fire, Wilco or Radiohead. I have seen Arcade Fire twice. The first time they were in KC (2007) they were decent live, but the opening act was LCD Soundsystem and they blew Arcade Fire away. However, last night's concert in KC was one of the best concerts I have ever seen. They were so much more energetic and adventurous then last time. Four years of touring has really upped their game.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the best concert I have seen outside of Bob Dylan was Wilco. They played for almost three hours, worked the crowd into a frenzy, improvised, changed around lyrics and played their hearts out. They came out for three encores until Jeff Tweedy was too hoarse to sing. It was the only concert where I have seen the band play themselves to exhaustion.
Radiohead, is, well Radiohead. They are probably one of the greatest rock bands of all time, not just right now.
Pos has to be getting a kick out of this. He's perhaps the best sportswriter in America and it's a nerdy music discussion that makes his comments absolutely BLOW UP.
ReplyDeleteIt has to be Kings of Leon, and not just because of my own personal taste. They have global appeal and just have that rock band vibe about them. Plus heck... they even have a movie coming out about them: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7lfugRRHKI&feature=feedu
ReplyDeleteMuse is very under appreciated in America (I am American btw) and definitely should get at least a solid look by someone thinking of compiling a list of current contenders for the title.
ReplyDeleteMy personal choice, though they are still small would be MuteMath (they are currently working on their third album, but if anyone has a chance to see them live, goooo, they put on an incredible performance).
I would say Foo Fighters, Coldplay five years ago. I think ease with the advent of social media, bands and musicians have found it much, much easier to break into the scene and develop solid, faithful followings. As a result people have so much more access to music and it becomes very difficult to parse out who the "greatest in the world" is currently.
Black Keys.
ReplyDeleteWow I'm choked - wrong a long comment about my years working in a record store and how Bruce and U2 were never as big as people remember (Van Halen was #1)
ReplyDeleteMy current pick: Green Day
Future Prospect: Vampire Weekend
G-B-V!
ReplyDeleteJoe, the one and only answer is Dream Theater...progressive rock at its finest! http://youtu.be/cECmfwdAX7A
ReplyDeleteAmazing vocals, impeccable keyboard work, a deep bass, the best living guitarist...sadly, they're in the midst of replacing their drummer...
I'd go with Drive-By Truckers or The Hold Steady.
ReplyDeleteI listen to pretty much nothing but relatively obscure independent Canadian music, so I probably don't have the proper perspective to judge things like "greatest" and "biggest", but of the bands mentioned so far in this discussion, I'd go with The Black Keys or Mumford & Sons, with Kings of Leon deserving some consideration as well. Black Keys have been consistently awesome for quite some time now, and they're only getting better. Mumford & Sons only have one album under their belt, but it's a great one. Kings of Leon started off with an incredible debut, then gradually tapered off over a couple of albums, and then they've suddenly revived themselves over their last two albums. It's a toss-up, though I'd probably give it to KoL.
ReplyDeleteIf I'm defining "greatest" as bands I actually listen to on a regular basis...I'd have to say Parlovr, with either Born Ruffians or Young Galaxy coming in a close second. I don't think any of them have much of a chance in this discussion, though.
I also have to say I'm baffled that Arcade Fire are so popular now. Had they achieved this level of success and popularity immediately after they came out, I'd have understood -- I mean, Funeral was a classic, and seeing them inside of a small, cramped club was a near-religious experience for me. Since then, though, I've just found them more and more boring...Neon Bible was a great EP trapped inside of a mediocre full-length, and I just can't hear/understand why The Suburbs has taken off to the extent that it has. Good for them for making it so big, but I really wish they'd continued to make music that was as interesting/fun as their earlier stuff.
Joe said...
ReplyDeleteG-B-V!
I'm with ya, man. "Bee Thousand (Director's Cut)" is one of my favorite albums ever.
I also agree with @matthew//i(heart)music. As I said up there, I've barely heard anything past "Funeral", by Arcade Fire seems boring to me and I'm also surprised at their huge success. Same with Animal Collective after "Sung Tongs". It seemed like their output was blander with each album, yet they became hugely popular. Not trying to be contrarian, either; I did like "Strawberry Jam" a bit and loved the song "My Girls".
Further, can someone explain Muse to me? I've always found them bland and that was before they even put out that "Uprising" song, which is maybe the most boring single of all-time.
Foo Fighters or Chili Peppers.
ReplyDeleteMumford and Sons are incredible, but it's hard to put a band with one album in the discussion, even if it's the best album in years.
Also, if they ever get back together, System of a Down has it easy. Insanely talented, and they put on a hell of a show.
PUFFY AmiYumi. Really.
ReplyDeleteDeath Cab for Cutie
Bloc Party
The Hold Steady
Stars
Don't know if this was mentioned between comments 200 and 1800, but if you asked me two years ago I would have immediately said the White Stripes. I think Jack White still has the case as the Greatest Rocker right now. I'd love for the Hold Steady to be "in the conversation," but they haven't captured the world enough to really be the Greatest with a capital g.
ReplyDeleteI don't think they make my top 5, but, honest question, am I the only person who is at least thinking about liking Weezer's newer stuff MORE? I feel their early cult-building works were the kind of albums that you will prefer almost no matter what they do later, but I've really gotten into their last two.
Not completely hooked into the scene, but my pick for right now would be Arcade Fire. My personal pick is Why? Go listen to their album Elephant Eyelash. Still gives me chills.
Oh, and for the poster who said "Why not Bruce? He's still producing albums." Same reason as not Paul McCartney.
Pretty sure it's gotta be the Foo Fighters, if only because they're the only band with both momentum (new, big album) and enough cred to carry it through.
ReplyDeleteRadiohead would be up there if they weren't so polarizing - as many people hate and more important dismiss them as there are who love them. The Killers and Muse would be on the list if their most recent albums had been less lackluster, and the Black Keys and The Arcade Fire would be if they had more of a publicized back catalog.
Oh, and that said, while I respected his parameters I think Joe's wrong about U2 - they are still pertinent, and they are the biggest. Just as an athlete can have multiple peaks, so too can a band.
ReplyDeleteI'm gonna go with Radiohead as well, but to whoever said you need at least three great albums to be in the running, Arcade Fire does have that. Funeral, Neon Bible, and of course The Suburbs are all phenomenal.
ReplyDeleteIt says something about the readers of this blog that this discussion generates so many comments in a few short hours. I'm not sure what it says, but I'm pretty sure it's something I don't like.
ReplyDeleteIf you want a sports connection, the original name for Pearl Jam was Mookie Blaylock but it was changed due to licensing issues. Instead they named their first album Ten because it was Blaylock's jersey number. To me the greatest band in the world has to be old enough to have been around and young enough to still be in their prime. They have to be able to put on a great show that can reproduce or even improve their album sound. Gotta have truly global appeal and be able to fill stadiums and arenas around the world with fans who know the music. Pearl Jam gets a check mark on all counts.
ReplyDeleteI wish i could take the time to read all the comments but that would take forever.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all I think the age demographic for this site is a bit older than can speak with one clear voice on this issue, seriously radiohead is great but they faded from the discussion a few years ago.
Second this is an easy issue to resolve the major players in the greatest rock band in the world would have headlined bonnaroo or coachella at least once in the last three years. bonnaroo headliner last year Kings of leon this year arcade fire. that is the easiest way to see who is in the conversation.
Wilco
ReplyDeleteArcade Fire
My Morning Jacket
Vampire Weekend
Flaming Lips
If they count at this point, Pearl Jam has an argument. They still put material out, but I'm not sure how it compares to the 90s, more classic stuff.
ReplyDeleteFoo Fighters might still be relevant. I like seeing them so popular on the board.
I could imagine an argument for Muse, but I'm reluctant to put them in the company of the former two, though given the criteria, they might have a better argument than PJ. Like someone said, maybe if it were '93...