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General Category => Off the Record => Topic started by: jimmy olsen on May 20, 2020, 10:40:33 PM

Title: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: jimmy olsen on May 20, 2020, 10:40:33 PM
I ask this, because as I was Wikipedia diving, I came across the Mainstream Rock Chart.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainstream_Rock_(chart)
QuoteMainstream Rock is a music chart in Billboard magazine that ranks the most-played songs on mainstream rock radio stations in the United States, a category that combines the formats of active rock and heritage rock. The chart was launched in March 1981, as Rock Albums and Top Tracks, after which the name changed first to Top Rock Tracks, then to Album Rock Tracks, and finally to its present title in 1996.

I was rather surprised at what I saw in the list of top performers, some were expected, some pleasant surprises, others were missing entirely. For example, I was shocked that Guns & Roses is not on any of these lists.

Artists with the most number one songs
Artists with the most cumulative weeks at number one
Artists with the most top 10 songs

I love Shinedown, but I would never have expected them to top list 1 and 3 and come in second for 2.

Who would you say is the best Rock Band to put out a new album since 1981?
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: Eddie Teach on May 20, 2020, 10:57:06 PM
Either the Rolling Stones or Led Zeppelin.

As for Shinedown, there's far less competition on the rock charts nowadays.
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: jimmy olsen on May 20, 2020, 11:04:56 PM
Quote from: Eddie Teach on May 20, 2020, 10:57:06 PM
Either the Rolling Stones or Led Zeppelin.

As for Shinedown, there's far less competition on the rock charts nowadays.

Rolling Stones did put out a highly rated album in 1981, but didn't Led Zeppelin break up in 1980?

No actual bands that had their heyday in the 80s or later pass muster for you?

As for the issue of competition, that's a fair comment.
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: Liep on May 20, 2020, 11:13:37 PM
We're #8! We're #8! :yeah:

Surprising though, I think I've only heard 2 Volbeat songs but maybe it's because they all sound the same to me. :(
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: Eddie Teach on May 20, 2020, 11:19:18 PM
Ok, strike LZ.

The Stones had an album in the 90s. Not a great album, but that's not the question you asked.

If you wish to limit the question to post-81 content, then I'd go with Soundgarden.
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: Admiral Yi on May 20, 2020, 11:51:45 PM
REM
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: PRC on May 20, 2020, 11:53:22 PM
Monster Magnet, evidence: Dopes to Infinity.
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: Barrister on May 21, 2020, 12:27:34 AM
Muse
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: celedhring on May 21, 2020, 02:51:02 AM
U2
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: jimmy olsen on May 21, 2020, 03:24:26 AM
Quote from: Eddie Teach on May 20, 2020, 11:19:18 PM
Ok, strike LZ.

The Stones had an album in the 90s. Not a great album, but that's not the question you asked.

If you wish to limit the question to post-81 content, then I'd go with Soundgarden.

Their '81 album was pretty great, I'd say it counts. Was just surprised you named them since the band was already 19 years old at that point.
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: Josquius on May 21, 2020, 03:26:51 AM
As much as they were a flash in the pan Guns and Roses have to stand out. Also to be considered but with key flaws White Stripes, Oasis, Nirvana, Radiohead, Greenday....

Longevity included perhaps Foo Fighters?
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: The Larch on May 21, 2020, 06:05:45 AM
Quote from: Tyr on May 21, 2020, 03:26:51 AMLongevity included perhaps Foo Fighters?

They were the first ones to come to my mind, actually.

Weird chart, I haven't even heard of most of the bands on it, yet the ones I know are world famous. American particularity?
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: jimmy olsen on May 21, 2020, 07:18:09 AM
Quote from: The Larch on May 21, 2020, 06:05:45 AM
Quote from: Tyr on May 21, 2020, 03:26:51 AMLongevity included perhaps Foo Fighters?

They were the first ones to come to my mind, actually.

Weird chart, I haven't even heard of most of the bands on it, yet the ones I know are world famous. American particularity?
Yeah, it's the U.S. rock chart. It's measured by what plays on US stations. So, most of the bands on it are American. Those that aren't are British or Canadian.

I assume if I looked at the Spanish charts they'd all be Spanish or Latin American acts. No?
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 21, 2020, 07:29:50 AM
Best Mainstream rock band is pretty damning for the true metalhead crowd so they might go for Metallica actually. :P
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: The Larch on May 21, 2020, 07:36:56 AM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on May 21, 2020, 07:18:09 AM
Quote from: The Larch on May 21, 2020, 06:05:45 AM
Quote from: Tyr on May 21, 2020, 03:26:51 AMLongevity included perhaps Foo Fighters?

They were the first ones to come to my mind, actually.

Weird chart, I haven't even heard of most of the bands on it, yet the ones I know are world famous. American particularity?
Yeah, it's the U.S. rock chart. It's measured by what plays on US stations. So, most of the bands on it are American. Those that aren't are British or Canadian.

I assume if I looked at the Spanish charts they'd all be Spanish or Latin American acts. No?

But there's some rather big disparity in those charts, it seems that it's either a massive global band (Van Halen, Aerosmith, Metallica amongst the classics, Linkin Park or Foo Fighters amongst the more recent ones) or bands that, sincerely, I've never even heard of, and checking the international performance of the two top ones (Shinedown and Three Days Grace, never heard of either before) it seems that their massive impact in the US and Canada doesn't really track internationally, they have gold and platinum records in both the US and Canada, but barely anything outside of them.
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: Grey Fox on May 21, 2020, 07:38:40 AM
I have never heard of Shinedown.

U2 is the right answer.
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: jimmy olsen on May 21, 2020, 08:30:22 AM
Quote from: The Larch on May 21, 2020, 07:36:56 AM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on May 21, 2020, 07:18:09 AM
Quote from: The Larch on May 21, 2020, 06:05:45 AM
Quote from: Tyr on May 21, 2020, 03:26:51 AMLongevity included perhaps Foo Fighters?

They were the first ones to come to my mind, actually.

Weird chart, I haven't even heard of most of the bands on it, yet the ones I know are world famous. American particularity?
Yeah, it's the U.S. rock chart. It's measured by what plays on US stations. So, most of the bands on it are American. Those that aren't are British or Canadian.

I assume if I looked at the Spanish charts they'd all be Spanish or Latin American acts. No?

But there's some rather big disparity in those charts, it seems that it's either a massive global band (Van Halen, Aerosmith, Metallica amongst the classics, Linkin Park or Foo Fighters amongst the more recent ones) or bands that, sincerely, I've never even heard of, and checking the international performance of the two top ones (Shinedown and Three Days Grace, never heard of either before) it seems that their massive impact in the US and Canada doesn't really track internationally, they have gold and platinum records in both the US and Canada, but barely anything outside of them.

Well, I'm just spit balling here and a little tipsy, but the rock scene internationally, and especially in Europe has remained much stronger than in the Anglosphere, is that not right?

I mean, I love Shinedown, but as Eddie indicated, it may simply be a big fish in a small pond situation where Shinedown and Three Days Grace effortlessly crushes the 21st century competition in the US while still finding it extremely difficult to crack into the European market against strong competition.
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: The Brain on May 21, 2020, 08:34:23 AM
Who or what is Shinedown?
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: jimmy olsen on May 21, 2020, 08:36:53 AM
Quote from: The Brain on May 21, 2020, 08:34:23 AM
Who or what is Shinedown?

A rock band

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlNAtRtLTHo
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: crazy canuck on May 21, 2020, 08:46:51 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on May 21, 2020, 07:38:40 AM
I have never heard of Shinedown.

U2 is the right answer.

Yep
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: celedhring on May 21, 2020, 09:01:36 AM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on May 21, 2020, 08:36:53 AM
Quote from: The Brain on May 21, 2020, 08:34:23 AM
Who or what is Shinedown?

A rock band

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlNAtRtLTHo

They sound like pretty generic 2000s alt-rock so I probably heard and then forgot them.
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: Eddie Teach on May 21, 2020, 09:25:51 AM
That video has only 1.3 million views, which is basically nothing for one released in YouTube era.
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: viper37 on May 21, 2020, 10:15:17 AM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on May 20, 2020, 10:40:33 PM
Who would you say is the best Rock Band to put out a new album since 1981?
I wouldn't count Metallica as a rock band in the 80s.  That was Metal, thrash metal until the Black Album which was only heavy metal, and then some rock albums with covers, than some hit&miss, mostly miss trying to redo their 80s sound.  But, rock?  Nope.

Now, if we exclude Metallica, I'll nominate Bon Jovi.  Personally, I preferred Def Leppard sound, but it is undeniable to me that the Bon Jovi sound & look defined the 80s.  I know it had started before that, but it marked the peak of that style, imho.  And the band is still touring nowadays, with moderate success.  You can hear Bon Jovi's songs as soundtracks of movies from the 80s & later, but not that many "hairband" did it.  GNR has had You could be mine in T2, but I don't think any other appeared in any movie I watched.

It ain't my favorite band, but it's the one that defines the 80s for me.
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: The Brain on May 21, 2020, 10:16:28 AM
Ghost!
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: viper37 on May 21, 2020, 10:20:37 AM
Quote from: Liep on May 20, 2020, 11:13:37 PM
We're #8! We're #8! :yeah:

Surprising though, I think I've only heard 2 Volbeat songs but maybe it's because they all sound the same to me. :(
?  :mellow: Lola Montez:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWOIDN-akrY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWOIDN-akrY)
Devil's Bleeding crown:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nb7DD7vdQ0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nb7DD7vdQ0)
Evelyn:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbDTMzSMfXk&list=PLW-e786IaZ12fdNDDfVzqBtQ-a-EyIs9m&index=203&t=0s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbDTMzSMfXk&list=PLW-e786IaZ12fdNDDfVzqBtQ-a-EyIs9m&index=203&t=0s)
How is this the same?
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: viper37 on May 21, 2020, 10:21:20 AM
Quote from: The Brain on May 21, 2020, 10:16:28 AM
Ghost!
:x :x :x :x :x :x
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: viper37 on May 21, 2020, 10:23:35 AM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on May 21, 2020, 07:29:50 AM
Best Mainstream rock band is pretty damning for the true metalhead crowd so they might go for Metallica actually. :P
Yeah, well, I would have a tough time nominate the best metal band since '81.So many good bands out there right now...
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: The Brain on May 21, 2020, 10:23:39 AM
Quote from: viper37 on May 21, 2020, 10:21:20 AM
Quote from: The Brain on May 21, 2020, 10:16:28 AM
Ghost!
:x :x :x :x :x :x

Them's fighting emojis!
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: Eddie Teach on May 21, 2020, 10:27:42 AM
Metal is a subgenre of rock. All metal bands are rock bands, though not all rock bands are metal bands.
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: Duque de Bragança on May 21, 2020, 10:32:18 AM
Quote from: viper37 on May 21, 2020, 10:15:17 AM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on May 20, 2020, 10:40:33 PM
Who would you say is the best Rock Band to put out a new album since 1981?
I wouldn't count Metallica as a rock band in the 80s.  That was Metal, thrash metal until the Black Album which was only heavy metal, and then some rock albums with covers, than some hit&miss, mostly miss trying to redo their 80s sound.  But, rock?  Nope.

Now, if we exclude Metallica, I'll nominate Bon Jovi.  Personally, I preferred Def Leppard sound, but it is undeniable to me that the Bon Jovi sound & look defined the 80s.  I know it had started before that, but it marked the peak of that style, imho.  And the band is still touring nowadays, with moderate success.  You can hear Bon Jovi's songs as soundtracks of movies from the 80s & later, but not that many "hairband" did it.  GNR has had You could be mine in T2, but I don't think any other appeared in any movie I watched.

It ain't my favorite band, but it's the one that defines the 80s for me.

The eternal category debate...

Metal is a state within the state of rock (no deep state chillax everybody!), see the sometimes blurry limit between Hard rock and Heavy Metal.
Hell, even Bonjovi either was claimed to be metal or even said in the very beginning of the '80s. Later on, he would say Cannibal Corpse gives a bad image of metal.  :P
I think of that, because in a record store I saw Bonjovi just on the left of Cannibal Corpse (alphabetic order from up to bottom then switch to another column).

Mind you, I obviously know what you mean, Metallica's Load cannot be considered as a Thrash Metal album, not even Heavy Metal.

PS: Eddie beat me to it.
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: 11B4V on May 21, 2020, 07:22:00 PM
Quote from: The Brain on May 21, 2020, 08:34:23 AM
Who or what is Shinedown?

They and 3DG suck.
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: viper37 on May 21, 2020, 07:51:21 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on May 21, 2020, 10:32:18 AM
The eternal category debate...

Metal is a state within the state of rock
and then we get into neo experimental norwegian black metal of type III of which there are approximately 50 fans worldwide :P

Yeah, I know.   But if we count metal as a subgenre of rock, than rock is a subgenre of rock'n'roll which is a subgenre of blues.

I prefer to see metal as an evolution of the style leading to a different type of music alltogether.
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: Caliga on May 21, 2020, 11:13:10 PM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on May 20, 2020, 10:40:33 PM
Who would you say is the best Rock Band to put out a new album since 1981?
If metal counts, then Iron Maiden.

If not, then AC/DC.
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: jimmy olsen on May 21, 2020, 11:34:46 PM
Quote from: Caliga on May 21, 2020, 11:13:10 PM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on May 20, 2020, 10:40:33 PM
Who would you say is the best Rock Band to put out a new album since 1981?
If metal counts, then Iron Maiden.

If not, then AC/DC.

Metal is a kind of rock, so it counts
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: PDH on May 22, 2020, 08:53:46 AM
Bad Brains
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: The Brain on May 22, 2020, 08:56:39 AM
:blink:
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: Threviel on May 22, 2020, 01:04:01 PM
Obviously Metallica. If metals doesn't count then Nirvana.
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: Malthus on May 22, 2020, 02:34:01 PM
Best middle of the road rock band?

Clearly, the correct answer is the Butthole Surfers.  :D
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: The Brain on May 22, 2020, 02:39:56 PM
Shitgoat.
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: Barrister on May 22, 2020, 02:40:59 PM
Quote from: Threviel on May 22, 2020, 01:04:01 PM
Obviously Metallica. If metals doesn't count then Nirvana.

About Nirvana though... they released 3 studio albums.  The first didn't sell all that much, the second was huge, and by the third sold well, but not nearly as much as Nevermind.  They were hugely influential, but "best band"?
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: crazy canuck on May 22, 2020, 03:35:05 PM
Quote from: Barrister on May 22, 2020, 02:40:59 PM
Quote from: Threviel on May 22, 2020, 01:04:01 PM
Obviously Metallica. If metals doesn't count then Nirvana.

About Nirvana though... they released 3 studio albums.  The first didn't sell all that much, the second was huge, and by the third sold well, but not nearly as much as Nevermind.  They were hugely influential, but "best band"?

I think probably best band if tragedy had not struck.
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: The Brain on May 22, 2020, 03:37:16 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on May 22, 2020, 03:35:05 PM
Quote from: Barrister on May 22, 2020, 02:40:59 PM
Quote from: Threviel on May 22, 2020, 01:04:01 PM
Obviously Metallica. If metals doesn't count then Nirvana.

About Nirvana though... they released 3 studio albums.  The first didn't sell all that much, the second was huge, and by the third sold well, but not nearly as much as Nevermind.  They were hugely influential, but "best band"?

I think probably best band if tragedy had not struck.

She has a name you know.
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: Barrister on May 22, 2020, 03:41:51 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on May 22, 2020, 03:35:05 PM
Quote from: Barrister on May 22, 2020, 02:40:59 PM
Quote from: Threviel on May 22, 2020, 01:04:01 PM
Obviously Metallica. If metals doesn't count then Nirvana.

About Nirvana though... they released 3 studio albums.  The first didn't sell all that much, the second was huge, and by the third sold well, but not nearly as much as Nevermind.  They were hugely influential, but "best band"?

I think probably best band if tragedy had not struck.

I dunno.  In Utero sounded an awful lot like Nevermind: they had probably gotten about as much as they could have out of their loud-soft-loud sound.  I think their fame actually grew because of Cobaine's suicide, much as it had for Jim Morrison or Jimi Hendrix.

The counterpoint to this of course is Foo Fighters.  But would an ongoing Nirvana have turned into something like Foo Fighters, which is a more traditional rock n roll band?
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: crazy canuck on May 22, 2020, 03:42:59 PM
Quote from: The Brain on May 22, 2020, 03:37:16 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on May 22, 2020, 03:35:05 PM
Quote from: Barrister on May 22, 2020, 02:40:59 PM
Quote from: Threviel on May 22, 2020, 01:04:01 PM
Obviously Metallica. If metals doesn't count then Nirvana.

About Nirvana though... they released 3 studio albums.  The first didn't sell all that much, the second was huge, and by the third sold well, but not nearly as much as Nevermind.  They were hugely influential, but "best band"?

I think probably best band if tragedy had not struck.

She has a name you know.

Exactly what I was thinking.  :cheers:
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: saskganesh on May 22, 2020, 05:27:21 PM
Discharge was hugely influential, changing punk and metal, but few have heard about them.

Operation Ivy was a revelation, but they only had one indy album. But again, extremely influential.

Nirvana was influential AND successful. If Nirvana sounds today like nothing special, that's because ten thousand bands over the past three decades decided to sound like them.

I haven't kept up with modern music seriously since about 1997-2000, so you may disqualify me. Rock and Roll is no longer the killer app: it's just another genre in a very crowded cultural field. # Shakes fists at clouds.

I'll plug Black Mountain though. They consciously draw on Zep, Floyd and Hawkwind to make their own transcendent, heavy, psychedelic sound.
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: viper37 on May 22, 2020, 05:55:07 PM
Quote from: The Brain on May 22, 2020, 02:39:56 PM
Shitgoat.
rock on!  :worthy: :ccr :punk:
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: viper37 on May 22, 2020, 06:00:33 PM
If we do include Metal, Amon Amarth is certainly among the best out there. Taking one concept and going so far with it.  Sabbaton has a more varied style, always linked to military history though.  Hard choice.

Iron Maiden was hugely influencial, so was Metallica, so was Black Sabbath. Every band builds upon what has been done before and go with their own direction, or fail&crash.

Arch Ennemy popularized a new genre, melodic death metal.  Death created death metal.

But pick the best among them... It's just too hard for me.  And "best" would be defined by my personal tastes, highly subjective.  Otherwise, we'd go by album sales, but we'd ignore smaller bands who often had as much if not more talent than more mainstream ones.  Kataclysm, the Agonist, Cryptopsy, Feels like Home, Karkaos, just in Quebec there a ton of great bands.  But none are truly influential.
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: Eddie Teach on May 22, 2020, 06:01:07 PM
So is it Ghost or Shitgoat? Make up your mind!
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: mongers on May 22, 2020, 07:07:54 PM
Quote from: saskganesh on May 22, 2020, 05:27:21 PM
Discharge was hugely influential, changing punk and metal, but few have heard about them.

Operation Ivy was a revelation, but they only had one indy album. But again, extremely influential.

Nirvana was influential AND successful. If Nirvana sounds today like nothing special, that's because ten thousand bands over the past three decades decided to sound like them.

I haven't kept up with modern music seriously since about 1997-2000, so you may disqualify me. Rock and Roll is no longer the killer app: it's just another genre in a very crowded cultural field. # Shakes fists at clouds.

I'll plug Black Mountain though. They consciously draw on Zep, Floyd and Hawkwind to make their own transcendent, heavy, psychedelic sound.

Thanks for the tip Sasks, I'll check them out.
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: The Brain on May 23, 2020, 01:13:22 AM
Quote from: Eddie Teach on May 22, 2020, 06:01:07 PM
So is it Ghost or Shitgoat? Make up your mind!

I can't. :weep:
Title: Re: Best Rockband Since 1981?
Post by: Threviel on May 23, 2020, 02:01:25 AM
Quote from: Barrister on May 22, 2020, 02:40:59 PM
Quote from: Threviel on May 22, 2020, 01:04:01 PM
Obviously Metallica. If metals doesn't count then Nirvana.

About Nirvana though... they released 3 studio albums.  The first didn't sell all that much, the second was huge, and by the third sold well, but not nearly as much as Nevermind.  They were hugely influential, but "best band"?

Well, the second most talented guy in the band went and formed Foo Fighters, another contender for best band. They could have, at least, continued with the same level of success as Foo Fighters. But who knows really. That one album is quite enough.