Ok, so this is my first post, and uh I'm gonna preface this by saying that this post is very music nerd-ish so I'm sorry if you don't undertsand what I'm saying. Also, this might be a good time capsule thing to look back at when I'm older so yeah.
Alright so music is great (duh). Singers are great. Bands are great. But which bands are the best? I feel like every music nerd has their list of favorite bands and I feel like I need to make mine. I also thought this would be a good idea because then I can look at this post in the future and see how my music taste has evolved (I don't think it will, but that's beside the point) So these bands aren't in any order, like least favorite to favorite. I just wanted to make a list of 'em. And I love talking anything music, so if you wanna discuss anything, just comment or whatever.
-The Smiths
So I kinda have a love-hate relationship with The Smiths. Not gonna lie, Morrissey is not the best person in the world. If you google "Morrissey", all of the news about him are about his opinion on British politics and how he forces it on people during concerts. (no joke) I personally think the fame got to him, you know what I mean? Aside from that, their music from the 80s is probably the best moody music. (before Radiohead, but we'll get to that) "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now" is a great song with wobbly guitars that just emphasize the dark tone even more. And the unforgettable riff on "This Charming Man" is just that: unforgettable. It honestly makes me wonder why they weren't as popular as Tears for Fears, because the production on both bands' albums are very similar. But as I was scrolling through their catalogue, I realized why I liked their music so much. The guitars. (I know, it took me a long time to realize) I was absolutely HOOKED on Johnny Marr's guitar. All of their hit songs have just the right amount of reverb and wobbly-ness. I went deeper into the band's history as I was very interested in them. The one thing I was questioning was the lyrics. You see, on all music streaming services, it says that Morrissey and Johnny Marr wrote the lyrics. But the interviews and TV appearances tell a different story. I have a theory. (what???? Niyam has a theory???? Never heard THAT before.) I think that Johnny Marr knew that he would end up as egotistical as Morrissey is now, so he stayed out of the spotlight and didn't take that much credit for his lyrics as he should've. I think he knew what fame could do to a person, so he decided to stay outta it. So yeah, Johnny Marr is the REAL leader of the Smiths for me.
-MGMT
You have that one song from the mid 2000s that was from MGMT. Whether it was "Kids", "Electric Feel", or "Time to Pretend", you know MGMT when you hear them. But why? Why do you know MGMT songs when you hear them, but you can't distinguish PINK from Katy Perry? (that's probably just me) The truth is their sound is just so synth-filled and unique that you can't mistake it for another indie electronic act. (*cough* M83 *cough*) And Andrew VanWyngarden's vocals just scream angsty middle aged man trying to make a living. And that's why we relate so much with them. When I heard their 2017 album, "Little Dark Age", (which was a BIG departure from their self-titled 2013 album) I was fascinated by how an 80s new wave sound could sound nostalgic to people like me. People started saying that they didn't like the direction the band was going in, but I fully supported it. Because in the end, it'll still sound like MGMT.
-Arctic Monkeys
I think it's funny how Arctic Monkeys got mainstream. Their first album was made in 2006, and the one single that got really popular on that album ("I Bet You Look Good on The Dancefloor") became the song that trivia people used to trip up music fans. The frantic strumming on the track turned me off, but many hardcore fans say it's their best song. They made like 3 albums after that, but none of the songs on em got as popular as "I Bet You Look Good on The Dancefloor". But all of a sudden in 2013, Arctic Monkeys popped up on the Billboard charts after the release of their new album titled "AM". I like to think that they earned their spot on the Billboard charts, but that's just not true. Well, at least half of it isn't. They did partly earn their spot, but 2013 is around the time rock started disappearing from mainstream pop radio. Rock fans needed something to satisfy that need for something with cool guitars and edgy lyrics. Then AM comes along and it suddenly the new Holy Grail of rock music. I took a listen a while back and I really had no complaints. It WAS the new age of British rock and all of us were watching them and waiting for their next big move. Fast forward 5 years and we get "Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino". I honestly prefer Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino (boy whatta mouthful) to AM. AM had more of this gritty guitar thing goin' on while Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino opted for a more contemporary jazz and groove style. I love my gritty guitars, don't get me wrong, but the songs on Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino are just better in my opinion. To this day, they are still the best new British band (I mean there is really no competition) and probably will continue to be for a while.
-Interpol
I love Paul Banks. Seriously. His Ian Curtis-like voice gives me the chills sometimes, but his lyrics are revelatory. "Turn on The Bright Lights" is the best debut album of all time (fight me). Daniel Kessler's guitar work is almost scissor-like, his riffs and solos permeate everything he touches and it's the most amazing thing. Banks himself was actually born in England surprisingly, and he actually graduated high school in Mexico. His dad was in the car industry, and they moved around a lot. I saw an interview where he said the Spanish language and style influences some of his lyrics too. And I've seen some reviews of this album saying "they didn't know the fame they were going to get", but I'd like to refute that. Judging by the way they were playing around in local clubs, been writing the album for 4 years (1998-2002), and Paul Banks' astonishing lyrics, I think they fully knew how good their album was. Anyways, they just released an EP, and they still got it. Sure, Carlos left the band to pursue a career in theater, but Paul took up the bass and it still is extremely good. I also love the songs "The Rover", "All The Rage Back Home", and "C'mere". On all of their records, Interpol embraces that grim feeling of a breakup, and runs with it. Be warned, don't listen to their music if you are in a happy mood (I made that mistake).
-Talking Heads
David Byrne is one of those few people who I would say has "done it all". His performance charisma is just so unique that nobody can even come close to copying it. He was the guy everybody wanted to be in the New York punk scene in the 70s. After "Psycho Killer", it was clear that Talking Heads wasn't just your average one-hit wonder. 1980's "Remain in Light" was a literal genre-bender. It defied the limits of punk and ventured into new territories. "Once In A Lifetime" perfectly exemplifies an actual drug trip (even though David Byrne denies that the song was about a drug trip) and it's chorus is just so catchy. It's surprising to see David Byrne still collaborating after Talking Heads' demise. (their last album wasn't really good) I just saw him on TV giving a speech about how he found out Radiohead named themselves after one of their songs when he inducted them into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. You just gotta admire the guy.
-Radiohead
Also called "The Band That I Go To When I Need To Cry". But in all seriousness, Radiohead is probably the defining sound of the late 90s-2000s. "Creep" was basically a worldwide phenomenon. (even though "Smells Like Teen Spirit" literally invented a new genre like the year before) The funny (and kinda sad) part is that Radiohead just got so sick of playing the song that they just stopped playing it live. Now, mind you, they hated the song. But, it is a HUGE move for ANY band to stop playing their #1 song live. (if you want another example, look at Paramore and how the stopped playing "Misery Business") I would rate every Radiohead album, but I know that's a touchy subject, so you can just go look up a video of it on YouTube. Radiohead has done a lot to the rock industry in particular because they just expanded the horizon for new, garage-rock-but-still-grunge type stuff to be made. "Kid A" is not one of my favorite albums from them, but I won't deny that it was industry-changing. I was so happy when I heard Radiohead was going into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I even told my mom. (I rarely talk to my mom about music) And they still got it. I just listened to their new single that came out in January and I was not disappointed. And if you wanted to know, my favorite album from them is "The Bends".
-Blur
Yes, it's another British band. But while Radiohead was innovative and Pink Floyd were pioneers, Blur started the 90s. Well to be more specific, they helped Britpop reach the top of the charts. And sure, while you could argue that Suede or Oasis started Britpop, Blur really defined it. Damon Albarn is just a musical genius and he seems to never stop working on new music. So yeah, I think Blur won the fight against Oasis because at least their lead singer doesn't have fights all the time and still works on new music. I honestly believe Graham Coxon is one of the best guitarists (and one of the most underrated ones) and I think the same can be said for Alex James. Sure they used drugs a lot and got drunk frequently, but it was the 90s and it didn't affect their music output. I actually think their last album "The Magic Whip" was pretty ok for a group of middle-aged men who survived the 90s. The track "Charmless Man" off of their 1996 album "The Great Escape" is a standout single for me because it describes the class divide in Britain as a joke. I'm hoping that somewhere in the future they start making new music together again.
-King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard
Yeah, that's their name. I know they sound like some weird college synth band made up of rejects but it's not. KGLW is an Australian band made up of 7 members. It's very sad that the mainstream radio and most people have never heard of 'em. They have their own record label, so that might be the cause of them being low-profile. They have about 14 studio albums and nobody (not even The Beatles or Frank Zappa) has released albums as quality and prolifically as KGLW. In 2017, they made good on their promise to release 5 ALBUMS. To put that into perspective, Taylor Swift has released every one of her albums within a 2-4 year span. And the 5 albums weren't bad at all. You might think that the quality might be lower because it looks like they put quantity over quality, but no. But with their most recent release, I was impressed. I liked about 1-2 singles off of all their albums but with their new album ("Fishing For Fishies") I liked almost all of the tracks. They seem to reinvent themselves with each album, which is a tough thing to pull off for a band.
-The Clash
I like to think that The Clash did for British politics what Green Day did for American politics. (except they did it 30 years earlier) Honestly, I have no complaints about The Clash, except that Joe Strummer died too early. The Clash's "London Calling" is one of my favorite albums. Every song has a unique riff and all the lyrics reference post-war problems in London. (hence the name of the album) I actually never really looked into The Clash until this year. I heard "Should I Stay or Should I Go" on the 80s radio station but that was my only exposure to them. I wish I'd heard of them sooner. Listening to The Clash is an experience and if you haven't checked 'em out yet, you REALLY should. I LOVE "Rock The Casbah" and the whole tracklist of London Calling.
-The Strokes
The Strokes was that one band that everyone listened and paid attention to after 9/11. The crunchy sound of their whole "Is This It" album invoked a feeling of recuperation and nostalgia about the past. I think the best song that demonstrates this is "Someday". "Last Nite" was their only hit from that time, but I you've been paying attention to them, they've released a handful of radio-worthy singles throughout the years. The one thing about The Strokes that I love is that every song has a guitar riff that gets stuck in your head for a long time. That's why "Under Cover or Darkness" and "Reptilia" are as catchy as they are. The lead singer, Julian Casablancas, was undoubtedly the leader of the New York rock resurgence in the 2000s. I'm hoping for a new Strokes album this year, seeing they debuted a new song live just very recently. It's been six years since their last studio album and three years since their last EP. I'm sorta in Strokes-withdrawal right now, so I NEED a new album from them.
Ok that's my TED talk. If you wanna check out my Spotify, there's a link at the bottom of this page.
Comments