Thanks to the wonders of satellite radio, I can convince myself I'm not that old. Case in point, I've actually heard of the majority of bands on Information Leafblower's list of the Top 40 Bands in American Today.
The list was compiled by a group of "music bloggers" (of whom Bol is the only one I actually read), so take it with whatever sized grain of salt you're accustomed.
Here's the list:
1 - Sufjan Stevens
2 - The National
3 - Kanye West
4 - LCD Soundsystem
5 - Sleater-Kinney
This is the first selection I actually agree with. "Entertain" is one of the best songs I heard this year.
6 - The Hold Steady
I don't do emo.
7 - Green Day
See above. The first song I heard off American Idiot was "Boulevard of Broken Dreams," which sent me into the fetal position, crying for mommy. "American Idiot" helped somehwat, and it's hard to argue against their inclusion, but man does that song suck.
8 - The Fiery Furnaces
9 - The Decemberists
10 - Spoon
It's not just the Tick's rallying cry any more.
11 - The Mountain Goats
12 - My Morning Jacket
I very much want to see MMJ live. They were one of the only bright spots in Cameron Crowe's latest movie.
13 - Fiona Apple
14 - Rogue Wave
15 - Bright Eyes
No offense to Rogue Wave, but the other two artists listed in this subgroup are among my least favorite. As such, I must consign them to eternal hellfire.
16 - Kelly Clarkson
As much as I want to hate the Original American Idol, she can wail. I hold out hope that she'll decide to pursue weightier material in the future.
17 - Death Cab For Cutie
18 - Animal Collective
19 - Ryan Adams
God damn Ryan Adams. God DAMN Ryan Adams. I had to begrudgingly acknowledge the talent behind Cold Roses, but I just downloaded Jacksonville City Nights, and wouldn't it have to be one of the best albums I've heard in 2005. If this guy showed a little restraint and only released an album a year, he'd be hailed as the greatest musician on the planet.
20 - Crooked Fingers
21 - Kings of Leon
I liked Youth and Young Manhood better, is all I'm saying.
22 - We Are Scientists
23 - Devendra Banhart
24) Okkervil River
25) MF Doom
Doom should've been higher than Kanye West. Then again, Ashlee Simpson should rank higher than Kanye West.
26 - Gwen Stefani
Please make another No Doubt album and shut up otherwise.
27 - Andrew Bird
28 - Black Keys
29 - Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin
30 - Two Gallants
31 - American Analog Set
32) Sunno)))
33) The Juan McLean
34) Giant Drag
35) Iron & Wine
36) Wilco
Jesus, I take back the "I am not old" comment. Who the hell are you people? When did you infiltrate my comfortable music scene? Why is Wilco only #36?
37 - Antony & the Johnsons
Tolerable, but that vibrato shit is incredibly annoying.
38 - Out Hud
39 - John Vanderslice
John Vanderslice is very good. I wanted to say "insanely awesome," but I wasn't quite drunk enough, and I wasn't sure everyone had heard this.
40 - Explosions In The Sky
Yeah, whatever.
What about you? Any opinions on our greatest bands?
That list blows....laves. Wilco is too far down! Bastards.
That was blows LEAVES by the way.
LCD Soundsystem is excellent. Been getting a lot of mileage out of that album.
And thank god the Killers isn't on the damn list. Oh, and if I hear someone refer to Green Day as punk again my head will fucking explode.
Next on Fox: WEHN POSEURS ATTACK!
I see a lot of acts on this list who'll be asking me if I want fries with that in five years.
And Kelly Clarkson??????!!!
Where's Richard Cheese and MC Frontalot?
Okay, I'm just being silly. But they're awesome.
Ugh. Lots and lots of boring "indie" crap. What the hell has happened to indie rock music? It's all strummy/noodley guitar, mid to slow tempo beats, whispery vocal delivery nonsense. It's like Rock and Roll has been neutered and I'm so frustrated that the next time I see someone get on stage with an acoustic guitar I'm going to smash it into a million freaking pieces and then strangle them with the strings (unless it's Neil Young). I just want to grab these people and shake them and yell "HEY! Grab that guitar and rock the fuck out already!"
Now that I've got that out of my system, of all the stuff on that list, the rockingest album was put out by the chicks in Sleater Kinney. Other than that, there's nothing that I care for that's up there.
Come back RFTC please!
Or Hot Snakes!
Or Superchunk!
Anyone please!
Who the hell are ANY of these bands? Everyone knows rock attained perfection in 1974 - it's a scientific fact!
Damn young whippersnappers thinking they know what good music is...
all i'll say is that i am very gratified to see okkervil river, crooked fingers, and devendra banhart on the list. spoon can suck it. as can ryan adams and goddamned bright eyes, whom i want to beat about the head with a mic stand.
Wow, you guys are passionate with your hate.
Wow, you guys are passionate with your hate.
Yeah, we tried to hate indifferently for a while, but it didn't really feel right.
Hows about some Flaming Fucking Lips? Damn that list sucks. Can anyone pinpoint exactly when we got old? Gwen Stefani rocks, with the sound off.
I like Sufjan Stevens but Wilco should be #1 and where the hell is Broken Social Scene on this list? Kelly Clarkson????
Had this been last year or say 2002 wilco may have been higher on the list but its 2005. A ghost is born pretty much sucked and I think they're lucky just to make the list this year. They most definitely shouldn't be number 1.. crackheads. I've heard some good things about there live album though.
The hold steady isn't emo btw. wtf are you thinking there?
The reason kelly clarkson's on the list is because all those indie rockers think since you've been gone is the best thing since sliced bread.
...and to brendon Broken Social Scene isn't on the list because this is for AMERICAN BANDS ONLY.
It's happened.
I'm finally, officially out of touch--all before I got to have a midlife crisis, even.
So much for scoring with all those nubile teens who think oral favors are no big deal.