Most overrated band

[germdoc]

This is guaranteed to generate some controversy. A recent drive across the midwest listening to a couple dozen oldies stations got me thinking about overrated groups. The 4th or 5th time I heard Van Halen I decided enough was enough and changed it to classical, at the risk of falling asleep at the wheel.

I know if you're a certain age and had a mullet at age 17 Van Halen might be of some sentimental interest, but IMO their music doesn't hold up well--sounds like random screeches, or perhaps cats mating. Of course their personal histories since their heyday haven't exactly made their reputation any more secure.

I would also put Journey in this category, and in fact most music from the 80's, except for REM, U2 and the Clash. And maybe the Pretenders and Elvis Costello. The 90's were lousy--Bon Jovi gets my nod for most overrated, in a dead heat with Bryan Adams.

There was a lot of a lot of great stuff from the 60's and 70's too, but I'd put the Doors in the overrated category. The Stones after Some Girls. Except for All Things Must Pass and Imagine, everything the Beatles did after they broke up. Even Dylan steadily declined after Blood on the Tracks.

Any thoughts or nominations?

[havighurst]

I saw a report that stated that Led Zeppelin had been "remaking" songs and calling them their own. While still a great group, it has changed my opinion of them.

[prlundberg]

Maybe I'm not old enough, but I've never understood the hype around the Stones.

I like Van Halen in small doses. After a while though all their songs start to sound the same. Which is good in some ways, many of today's bands don't really have a particular sound that makes them easily identifiable.

[Knottscott]

It all boils down to what "floats your boat", but U2 is fairly unpleasant to listen to for me. They've got to be the most successful of the monotone drone bands. They've got a very narrow range of styles and sounds, and I don't care much it.

Bruce Springsteen usually gets a yawn and a station flip from me too.

[Scottydont]

Keep in mind I am a musician and have many styles and genres that make up my taste palette right along with Dustmight and Ken Massingale int heir posts below. Without a doubt my vote would be for Bon Jovi! I am curious about everyones relative to their opinion? I am 46.

Here's a little video of Triumph the comic dog on the Conan O'Brien Show slamming ole Bon Jovi.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...53550156876585

[mschrank]

It all boils down to what "floats your boat", but U2 is fairly unpleasant to listen to for me. They've got to be the most successful of the monotone drone bands. They've got a very narrow range of styles and sounds, and I don't care much it.

Bruce Springsteen usually gets a yawn and a station flip from me too.

I'm with you on your vote...I know U2 has been and continues to be one of the most popular bands for the last 25 years, but I've just never understood all the fuss. And Springsteen....??!! Half the time it sounds like he's making up lyrics as he goes along. He was one of the first to come out with a "boxed set" of CD's back in the late 80's. I got one for Christmas, listened a few times, and finally "re-gifted" it a couple years later.

I'd also agree with the Jeff except on The Doors...they've alway been one of my favorites. Along with Journey, I'll add another of those other "big sound" bands; Boston. And I understand about Van Halen, but I'm of that "certain age" (never EVER had a mullet, though), and they hold sentimental value.

[JR]

... but I've never understood the hype around the Stones.

You are definitely not old enough. Paint it Black alone would put them in Pantheon of the Greats, IMO.

Overrated? How about Alanis Morisette? Has anyone ever understood one of her recorded lyrics?

Led Zeppelin. Never one of my favorites, but KLOS in LA has played one LZ song out of every five aired for 35 years. It's the most popular staion in LA and I don't have it on my presets for that reason alone.

[Cheeky]

Nickelback....they are just awful

[Knottscott]

How about The Partridge Family?! Remember Flock of Seagulls, Duran Duran, Billy Idol? ...what a waste of magnetic tape! ...and what about Cher?!

I don't mind Boston, The Doors, early VanHalen (hate Sammy Haggar's voice though), even the Pretenders at least had an interesting sound on some tunes. Love CCR, The Guess Who, Doobie Bros, SRV, Hendrix, 70's Floyd, the Kinks, Dire Straights, ZZ Top ....I'd even go as far as to say that ZZ Top was heavily underrated....those guys were just about as tight as a band gets rhythmically, and I loved their funkiness until the record labels limited their style. I like some of the one hit wonders too, like David Essex, Norman Greenbaum's Spirit in the Sky, the Hollie's Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress, Lou Reed's Take a Walk on the Wild Side, etc. Good stuff....

[BrunoJ]

I've never been able to get past Geddy Lee's vocals. Rush gets my vote for over-rated.

[Ken Massingale]

Love CCR, The Guess Who, Doobie Bros, SRV, Hendrix, 70's Floyd, the Kinks, Dire Straights, ZZ Top ....I'd even go as far as to say that ZZ Top was heavily underrated....those guys were just about as tight as a band gets rhythmically, and I loved their funkiness until the record labels limited their style. I like some of the one hit wonders too, like David Essex, Norman Greenbaum's Spirit in the Sky, the Hollie's Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress, Lou Reed's Take a Walk on the Wild Side, etc. Good stuff....




You nailed my preferences!

[coach]

Although not a band. Kenny Chesney wears me out.

I won't even listen to Elton John.

As far as overrated band, I think Foreigner.

[billwmeyer]

I have to disagree with the Stones. They were rather revolutionary for their time. I disagree about Cher also.

Overrated bands or singers for me would be Kiss, and Michael Jackson after he got older. I would say after he grew up, but he never did.

Bill

[messmaker]

I have to disagree with the Stones. They were rather revolutionary for their time. I disagree about Cher also.

Overrated bands or singers for me would be Kiss, and Michael Jackson after he got older. I would say after he grew up, but he never did.

Bill

I would agree that Kiss music has not held up to the test of time but a Kiss concert was in a league by themselves.

I am going to throw REM in there. I listened to them myself but other than an occasional shot of the greatest hits, they never make it to the CD player.

[Thom2]

While not a "band" ... my vote goes to Sting, I just can't see what has made him so popular. His music and voice is some of the most awful stuff I've ever heard.