What are the most overrated rock bands of all time?

[jack the weed]

You don’t like songs about Tolkien novels??
I would say I like about 75% of Zeppelin’s catalog. Some of it took a while to grow on me. Physical Graffiti is like that. There are so many songs on that album that, because I listened to it on repeat in high school, I grew to love. But only a few that were instant likes such as Kashmir and Trampled Under Foot.

The top twenty or so truly great Zeppelin songs are so great that it overshadows some of there rougher obscure tracks that are not up to par with the others. Specifically, When the Levee Breaks is one that I had heard for decades and thought it was just ok. Then one day, I heard it in a movie soundtrack and it clicked for me. At that point I was like, “how did I not realize the greatness of this song the first time I heard it?!?!”

Interesting you say that. I had the same revelation listening to When the Levee Breaks some years back and more than any band I have experienced that rediscovery with Zeppelin. I suspect we started listening to some of that at such a young age with a much less critical ear and played it so much that some of the essence was cooked out of it. Those songs may have required another listen in another time and frame of mind. I had a similar experience with the Stones Worried about You.

Off target but here’s a great cover of one of the few and far between great Beatles song. Wicked bass work.

Phil Manzanera
801 Live
Tomorrow Never Knows
1976

 

[HToady]

I should have added The Beach Boys to my list. Other than Sloop John B, I could never hear the rest of their music and be ok with it. Their music seems like every song was the same song. I have likely just not heard Sloop John B enough to be tired of it also.

I agree that early Beach Boys we gimmicky West Coast surf music, No better than Jan and Dean, but the genius of Brian Wilson comes out in Pet Sounds, especially composition. Go back and listen to Caroline No. Also, If you like Sloop John B, you probably would also like Sail On Sailor....

 

[One Frog Nation]

I agree that early Beach Boys we gimmicky West Coast surf music, No better than Jan and Dean, but the genius of Brian Wilson comes out in Pet Sounds, especially composition. Go back and listen to Caroline No. Also, If you like Sloop John B, you probably would also like Sail On Sailor....

Or God Only Knows.

 

[OICU812]

That's a good start. I'm back and forth on Pink Floyd. As an aside, everyone debates Dark Side or The Wall as the greatest album options. I believe their two best songs, and maybe top 200 or so all time rock n roll songs, are Sheep and Pigs (three different one's) from an otherwise uninspiring Animals album so I'm all over the place there. Also, I'll take Ministry over Metallica all day.

If you haven’t done it already, need a deep dive into Meddle, and Ummagumma. . . “One of These Days,” from Meddle, is life-altering.

 

[OICU812]

I should have added The Beach Boys to my list. Other than Sloop John B, I could never hear the rest of their music and be ok with it. Their music seems like every song was the same song. I have likely just not heard Sloop John B enough to be tired of it also.
Jimmy Buffet was a bit that way as well. Both made a great living with their franchises. My favorite Jimmy Buffet song was from the Fast Times soundtrack (“I Don’t Know”). That is his only song that I could listen to on repeat and still love.

Look again, with more patience. In the structure of his compositions, Brian Wilson has been favorably compared to Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven, in that order. Not by some effete critic, but by great contemporary musicians: Tom Petty and Bob Dylan to name a couple.

 

[OICU812]

Interesting you say that. I had the same revelation listening to When the Levee Breaks some years back and more than any band I have experienced that rediscovery with Zeppelin. I suspect we started listening to some of that at such a young age with a much less critical ear and played it so much that some of the essence was cooked out of it. Those songs may have required another listen in another time and frame of mind. I had a similar experience with the Stones Worried about You.

Off target but here’s a great cover of one of the few and far between great Beatles song. Wicked bass work.

Phil Manzanera
801 Live
Tomorrow Never Knows
1976

The Stones song that falls into this category for me is, “Loving Cup.” From “Exile,” which most critics will tell you was their best. I must’ve heard that song 100 times, before I truly *heard* it. Now it inspires me to the point I tell my woman it’s for her, and mean it. It’s almost like a John Prine song, lyrically.

 

[jack the weed]

If you haven’t done it already, need a deep dive into Meddle, and Ummagumma. . . “One of These Days,” from Meddle, is life-altering.

Meddle is a favorite of mind too. Also enjoy Fearless.

 

[jack the weed]

The Stones song that falls into this category for me is, “Loving Cup.” From “Exile,” which most critics will tell you was their best. I must’ve heard that song 100 times, before I truly *heard* it. Now it inspires me to the point I tell my woman it’s for her, and mean it. It’s almost like a John Prine song, lyrically.

Need to revisit Exile. That was one of hundreds of my albums that made it to a dumpster during a bad girlfriend breakup 30 years ago and I never replaced it.

 

[OICU812]

Need to revisit Exile. That was one of hundreds of my albums that made it to a dumpster during a bad girlfriend breakup 30 years ago and I never replaced it.

Lol, I suspect we are both part of a very large club. I’m down close to 300 LPs because of a gf. Fwiw, stumbled onto some pretty good vinyl at the Benbrook antique mall a few weeks ago. Picked about 20 that I’m very happy with

 

[jack the weed]

You don’t like songs about Tolkien novels??
I would say I like about 75% of Zeppelin’s catalog. Some of it took a while to grow on me. Physical Graffiti is like that. There are so many songs on that album that, because I listened to it on repeat in high school, I grew to love. But only a few that were instant likes such as Kashmir and Trampled Under Foot.

The top twenty or so truly great Zeppelin songs are so great that it overshadows some of their rougher obscure tracks that are not up to par with the others. Specifically, When the Levee Breaks is one that I had heard for decades and thought it was just ok. Then one day, I heard it in a movie soundtrack and it clicked for me. At that point I was like, “how did I not realize the greatness of this song the first time I heard it?!?!”

Not quite a revelation but along these general lines I’m not sure why it took me 35 years to realize that Bonham is actually playing four drumsticks (two in each hand) on the song Four Sticks from IV. Figured that out in 2010 or so. Probably the last old school Zeppelin fan to figure that out.

 

[tcudoc]

Not quite a revelation but along these general lines I’m not sure why it took me 35 years to realize that Bonham is actually playing four drumsticks (two in each hand) on the song Four Sticks from IV. Figured that out in 2010 or so. Probably the last old school Zeppelin fan to figure that out.

Next to last. I was today years old when I figured it out.

 

[jack the weed]

Next to last. I was today years old when I figured it out.

I don’t feel as bad now. You know a lot about band histories.

 

[ftwfrog]

Most overrated bands:
Beastie Boys
Eagles
Bon Jovi

I know Beastie Boys aren’t considered “Rock”, but Brass Monkey, Intergallactic, Fight for Your Right, all make me want to turn the car into oncoming traffic.

 

[stbrab]

Beatles.

Like five good songs, tops.

Five good songs? Hell, I could name 50 great songs…but that’s the nice thing about these lists…everyone has their own opinion.

 

[jack the weed]

Next to last. I was today years old when I figured it out.

I know a lot of the air gets sucked out of the room with the Bonham/Peart argument but there sure are some other great drummers in that class imo. Came across this forgotten download. Danny Carey is a beast. Really great drum work. Might be a little heavy for some tastes.

Tool
Lateralus
Ticks & Leeches
2001

 

[lonestarfrog89]

Beatles.

Like five good songs, tops.

Beatles are the worst IMO

 

[Wexahu]

Beatles are the worst IMO

Not the worst, but highly overrated IMO.

I guess they were trailblazers but I'm not really old enough to get that part. And I'm not an "art" person, but it seems like some of the conventional opinions sort of take on a life of their own. Like, was Sgt Peppers REALLY maybe the greatest album ever recorded? Really?

 

[ftwfrog]

I know a lot of the air gets sucked out of the room with the Bonham/Peart argument but there sure are some other great drummers in that class imo. Came across this forgotten download. Danny Carey is a beast. Really great drum work. Might be a little heavy for some tastes.

Tool
Lateralus
Ticks & Leeches
2001

I’m a little younger than most classic rock experts, so I never got into Rush and wasn’t the biggest Zeppelin fan. When anyone asks who the best drummer of all time is, “Danny Carey” is my immediate reply.



Forward to minute 7 to watch a magician at work.