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Most over-rated and under-rated bands

Ditto on Clapton and Skynyrd.

Clapton... He makes me think of how *I* define 'overrated'. It seems that if an artist releases an album or two of solid material, particularly within a short time period (say, a year or three) that meets critical and popular acclaim, they can then coast on their laurels for the next 20 or 30 years. IMO, the last thing Clapton released that was worth more than a yawn was "Slowhand".

Skynyrd... In a way, I feel sorry for what little remains of this band. First, they're cut short by tragedy, then over time are idolized by and come to stand for trailer trash in wife beaters and rusty camaros everywhere. I'm sure they didn't envision that when the original band was together. And on the rare occasion that I can get past the confederate flag-waving Mullet Nation image, I still enjoy some of their music.

I'm sure none of these artists asked to be overrated or underrated. The rock press and buying public dictated that...
 
The Grateful Dead overrated? The band has had a long history, starting as a bluegrass band and receiving critical acclaim by the best of the day. They are the only rock band that improvises with the likes of John Coltrane and Miles Davis. Through every aspect of their careers they have been innovators. Their virtuosity is unmatched. Each member is venerated as the best at their instrument. For example Garcia at guitar, banjo and his soulful vocals are unmatched; he is universally respected among bluegrass, folk, blues, jazz and rock musicians as the best of the best. He had Mozart class impact on music. Classes are taught at Berkley on Phil Lesh's bass technique, Mickey Hart is an amazing drummer professor of drums etc. Their critical acclaim is universal among professional musicians, critics, artists and music students. There is a reason smart kids followed them around the country and it is not only to party with the hippy chicks. 17 year old kids still become addicted to their 30 year old songs there is a reason for that. I won't even discuss the development of live sound and the political and social change brought on by the Dead or their contributions to art, literature, culture, thought, there are whole books on the subject. The Dead are a lot more than Truckin.
 
Don't want this thread to turn into a "who is crap" argument. Bands like The Dead, Zep, Stones, Beatles, are obviously talented. What some are (hopefully) saying is the point of this, that maybe don't deserve the stardom. Ex being Led Zepplin, I can't really say they are a favorite of mine, but some of the earlier blues tinged worked I love. When The Levee Breaks is one of my all time faves. (They claimed they wrote it but did not, the original is a folk/blues tune from well before they were born.) The Dead is another band with loads of talent, but most people will never get into them due to their popular songs being duds. One note though, because Berkley has a course on Bob Weir does in no way make him any better than any other bass player. IMO. I happen to like the Dead, esp early stuff with Pig Pen on vocals. Over-rated? Not to me but it is OK to think so.
 
Grateful > I am with you brother, i kept my trap shut though since no matter who you put in the overrated category you are going to step on someones toes, this thread could easily go overboard with everybody bashing eachothers taste in music...
I bit my tongue when Skynyrd were mentioned also ;-)

They were one of a kind and there will never be anyone like the Dead again, musically or socially...
 
Phil Lesh by the way. Max Roach, Gary Burton, Buddy Rich, Pat Metheny, Art Blakey etc used to or currently teach at Berkley. I think where music students study they would want the best professors and the best styles to emulate. I think that is the point of a music college. I also love the Pigpen era dead. What duds are you talking about?
 
grillebilly said:
Remember to be nice. over-rated doesn't mean they stink, just they don't deserve the attention they get...
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Remember this isn't a bash, just performers that YOU think get more attention than they deserve.

No one's opinion is being assaulted here...........unless you think Britney Spears is underated! :sigh:
 
Grateful, my bad. What I meant by duds is that Truckin' and Casey Jones are pop tunes IMO and don't do them justice. I have been to countless Dead and Garcia Band shows and these are real yawners compared to the jams. I really liked Jerry when he used the girl singers (Maria Muldaur was one). I'm not bashing here, maybe defending them, but often bands get defined by their hits. Being a Dead fan you should know the songs that get airplay are never the best ones, usually the opposite. BTW, I have Bears Choice, Historic Dead, Terrapin Station and both Old and In The Way records, as well as live tapes, and find them all enjoyable.
 
One note though, because Berkley has a course on Bob Weir does in no way make him any better than any other bass player
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Bob Weir was the Dead's rhythm guitarist. Phil Lesh was their bassist and while not on the same level as guys like Entwistle, Bruce and Redding, was and is a pretty good bassist.

Anyway, these are of course folks' opinions and funny opinions some of them are. I cannot fathom bands that have created Revolver or the White Album or Sticky Fingers or Beggars' Banquet being termed overrated.
 
Come on Entwhistle is not even in the same class as Phil Lesh. None of the bass players you mention can improvise a lick. Now comparing him to Paul Chambers you might be on to something. Read downbeat and the surveys by bass players on who they admire most. You will see Phil coming up all the time.
 
70salesguy was right on the mark with his comment on rush. It seems like good rock musicians could find a vocalist that isn't annoying.

Clapton is overrated when you compare his work to some of the blues artists that came out of Chess Records. Muddy waters could do things with a guitar that would send shivers down your spine.

Similarly, Zepplin made a career on the backs of several unrecognized bluesmen.

Underrated: Ben Harper, Leonard Cohen
 
grateful said:
Come on Entwhistle is not even in the same class as Phil Lesh. None of the bass players you mention can improvise a lick. Read downbeat and the surveys by bass players on who they admire most. You wills see Phil coming up all the time.
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Hey, I love the Dead and Phil. But I would not rank him in the elite tier. But he's still better than most others.:thmbsp:
 
c'mon guys what happened to the topic?

Overrated: Toto

Underrated: Robin Trower

Just off the top of my head...
 
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I would say overated = The Police, MatchBox 20
Underated = The Flat Duo Jets, Tyler Keith & The Preachers Kids

I also echo the Butthole Surfers sentiment, and attended a few Chameleon shows while growing up in MN with them as a local band, their drummer had a rotating setup so he actually played while turning upside down!
 
Coming to the defense here again, Entwhistle was a monster on bass, "The Real Me" takes my breath away. Also Grateful, forgot to mention Kingfish, have a couple of theirs too, very easy to listen to. Right now Jorma Kaukonen is spinning "Quah" man this is one great acoustic guitar record. Seen him many times, also Hot Tuna, always amazed.
One thing to remember here folks, very few of us are accomplished musicians, and therefore have no right to question the talent of real musicians. We only know what we like, and that's cool. This thread isn't about knocking down people.
 
Noborigama said:
I would say overated = The Police, MatchBox 20
Underated = The Flat Duo Jets, Tyler Keith & The Preachers Kids

I also echo the Butthole Surfers sentiment, and attended a few Chameleon shows while growing up in MN with them as a local band, their drummer had a rotating setup so he actually played while turning upside down!
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I believe the Chameleons you are describing are a different band. That is why the other band had to call themselves Chameleons UK. (Manchester, England I think) If you grew up near Minneapolis you may have heard some of my favorite bands. Husker Du, (Saw Bob Mould last week in dc) The Replacements, and a killer R & B band named Lamont Cranston Band. Lots of horns, 2 or 3 guitars, swing influenced blues. Man I love those guys, have 3 copies of their first record on Shadow Records.
 
I'll borrow KeninDc's logic and suggest that Cake is overrated only because Soul Coughing is underrated. Overall, though, I think Cake is underrated.

Similarly, B.B.King is overrated only because John Lee Hooker is underrated.

Some more underrated artists: Bobbie Raitt as a guitarist; Frank Zappa as a musician and composer; Leon Russell, Roy Rogers (Chops not Chaps), Scrapper Blackwell, Sonny Landreth and Crash Test Dummies.

Van Morrison is sometimes overrated in his own mind (too many lyrical rants about the music industry), but underrated for his versatility.
 
Rochester, MN

grillebilly said:
I believe the Chameleons you are describing are a different band. That is why the other band had to call themselves Chameleons UK. (Manchester, England I think) If you grew up near Minneapolis you may have heard some of my favorite bands. Husker Du, (Saw Bob Mould last week in dc) The Replacements, and a killer R & B band named Lamont Cranston Band. Lots of horns, 2 or 3 guitars, swing influenced blues. Man I love those guys, have 3 copies of their first record on Shadow Records.
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Yes I attended many shows at First Ave, Goofy's Upper Deck, Uptown Theater, etc. I saw Husker Many Many Times, actually met and talked with Bob and Grant on more than a few occasions back in the day. I know La Mont Cranston Band but never saw them. My icon on AK is The Replacements and just listened to "Let it Be", love that album!. Did you ever hear The Urban Guerilla's? Oh and of course I saw Prince a couple of times with The Time. And yes The Chameleon I am talking about is not Chameleons UK. I believe Yanni was in the Chameleons I am talking about.

Underated= The Jam
Overated= Jack Johnson
 
Overrated: Prince - can't sing
Underrated: Moody Blues - most deserving of Hall of Fame consideration
 
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