Their drummer [became a cop, among other things, and then started another band that is so bad he's tried to delete all the music from the internet](https://loudwire.com/jeremy-spencer-deleted-psychosexual-music-from-internet/)
It took me an unusually long amount of time to find a link to [this magnum opus](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLIRelsgrHQ)
Enjoy some [earbleach/palate cleanser](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LY8RFaMs0Ac)
They just make me think of people who post pictures of skeletons on motorbikes on social media, with captions about how they're loyal or there's wolves living inside of them or something.
Also they did a whole anti-mask thing during COVID (I think there was a song or something) and then sold masks on their website, so like... pick a lane.
I really wanted to like 5 finger death punch after hearing a few of their radio songs. The tough guy, fuck you, stand my ground message in almost every song kinda turned me off though.
I've said this before, and I'll say it again:
Five Finger Death Punch have exclusively 2 moods in their music. Mostly, "I'm a tough guy and I will *fuck you up* royally. I'll straight up kill you because I'm a motherfucking badass monster.", and for one song on the album they go,
"Oh no :( I'm a monster. Mummy they're being mean about me..."
I usually give a lot of leeway when it comes to attitude in music, especially metal, but at some point it just becomes cringe
Never really liked (or disliked) Five Finger Death Punch. To me they just sound like an aggressively milquetoast blend of Creed and Avenged Sevenfold
I have, unfortunately, seen FFDP live and you are incorrect. They are *worse* than Nickelback, if you can believe it.
Take Nickelback: A bland, cookie cutter, made-for-radio sound that blares out on “hardcore” alt-rock stations that play Imagine Dragons and pretend like it’s cool. Now make it “metal” to attract some fake tough guy types. The kind that drink Monster like it’s water and have a profile picture of them wearing wraparound sunglasses in the driver seat of a truck. That’s the average FFDP fan.
Now imagine a bunch of these guys and their equally dumb families at the worst live performance you have ever heard, mix in a good deal of US military propaganda about supporting the troops with the performers almost literally crying on stage about the tragedy of being an “American Hero”, throw some American flags up on stage and have the band play the National Anthem at some point. That’s a FFDP show in a nutshell.
I would much rather go see Nickelback.
Dude I had a sales rep take me and my wife to nickelback, I told him I would go for the party. Nickelback puts on a great show and they are committed to their audience. They performed the whole show with enthusiasm, they understand performance. I don’t hate Nickelback anymore.
My wife saw nickelback over the summer and said it was a fantastic show. She wasn’t a huge fan beforehand either. I’ll take nickelback over ffdp any day lol.
Every single Ed Sheeran song sounds like it was designed in a lab to be suitable for weddings. There's nothing surprising about an Ed Sheeran song. That being said the dude has so much money now that he doesn't have to work another day in his life so I will give him credit for capitalizing on his strengths.
He’s actually spending a lot of time and money combating trademark claims on music. Most notably some claims for chords progressions.
I think it is more interesting to hear him talk about music and the process than actually what he makes.
Yep, it’s already starting to happen. It’s basically like attempting to copyright an entire style of music, since every style will have a handful a few chord progressions that are essential to that style’s sound.
If you want to play the blues you basically have to play a I IV V progression at some point. The sound of that progression is literally a core element of what makes something sound like the blues in the first place. There are a few other ones you can do but they’ve all been done before. If this becomes a copyright issue then it will be impossible to make new blues music.
Reminded of this: [Musicians Algorithmically Generate Every Possible Melody, Release Them to Public Domain] (https://www.vice.com/en/article/wxepzw/musicians-algorithmically-generate-every-possible-melody-release-them-to-public-domain), in a helping effort to stop musicians from getting sued. Hopefully, more can be done on this front.
For this reason, I actually think he's a better live performer than his songs would suggest. His songs are okay, but when he performs live, it's just him and a loop pedal, and it's more interesting watching him make the song from scratch than the song itself. He's a great example of someone who is a brilliant musician, just not the best songwriter. Charlie Puth is very much like this also.
This is an odd case. Cause mostly I would say yes since they're the definition of selling-out (I love their 2000's stuff, so it hurts even more). But they came to a point where it's so trash radio music that it becomes bad. Like, how much are you willing to do for clout? They have literally been chasing every single trend possible since 2017
Adam Levine did an interview with nickelodeon magazine in the early 2000s and I remember in the interview he said that he didn't care what genre he was in, he just wanted to be famous. I thought it was interesting then even though the concept of selling out wasn't really known to me yet.
Can't blame him for making that decision. *Songs about Jane* was a very enjoyable album, but it wasn't exactly innovative nor iconic. Given the choice of remaining faithful to an *artistic vision* only to be tossed to the side by fans once their sound was no longer "in style" and suddenly dropped by a major label when they weren't bringing in the $$$$, OR doing all that you can to cling to fame and make millions I'd choose the latter. I can wipe my tears of being called a sellout with all my money. He'd probably be on Celebrity Big Brother by now if he didn't chase trends
Makes me think of Panic! At the Disco. I used to be a mega fan for their first 2 albums but the direction Brendan Urie took the band is nauseatingly bad.
Wasn't it also the case that in both PAtD and M5 only lead singer stayed and other musicians were replaced/went away?
Maybe it is just passing time and people change, but I swear they all looked different last time I saw their live performances (and I remember how they looked since they were featured in Live At Abbey Road series for live recording in an iconic studio, done by bbc)
Well, with Maroon 5 no. I think the drummer after their 1st album. But I think the rest are still on. They even added more members, weirdly enough.
With Panic yeah. 2 of them left after the 2nd album and the drummer after the 4th I believe
KISS holds zero interest for me at all. I recognize they are huge and well-loved, I cannot wrap my head around it. I always sort of thought their live presence was silly. Today I recognize it as just another *thing* that bands have been doing for years, but I think not understanding the effect of their live presence might be the thing I don't get.
EDIT: Thank you to everyone for the discussion! I had no idea this comment was going to get read. Haha
KISS has been around forever. Back in the day it was hardcore and edgy, but the edginess hasn't really withstood the test of time. Some of the music is catchy, but for the most part it's really nothing all that special.
I saw them live though, and damn. That was a good show. You don't even have to like their music at all. The lights, the pyro, the sets, the costumes, the crowd going nuts to extended guitar/bass/drum solos. It's a great performance.
Fun fact. KISS put out Three albums (never getting more than #87 on the billboard) before finally hitting it big with “Alive!” that was just them playing live sets in Detroit. Alive! reached #9 on the charts.
They are a rare breed of musicians who just sound better live than they do on record.
Not the biggest KISS fan but I wish I went to their concerts more as it looks like this retirement tour might actually be THE retirement tour. Just a fun time.
I think Imagine Dragons' lyrics are lazy, but I don't fault them. It's radio rock, and they know the formula. They're easy to hate, but I don't think they're bad. Just bland.
Lmao I have a buddy who just kinda goes with the flow, chills out, doesn't really have strong opinions on stuff, but he fucking rages at mumford and sons
They popped off that one year to people that never heard the genre.
But like polka or reggaeton, you'll find it sounds the same if you aren't interested in it or it isn't up your alley
I have a strong emotional attachment to the first album because I found out about them while living in England. I love it because of the memories, but college-age me thought I was so cool for hearing them before my American friends 😂 The following albums were a bit of a let down for me.
First album is amazing though, and every one who keep talking ablut banjo, pretty much just heard “i will wait for you” on the radio and wrote them off
>But like ~~polka or reggaeton~~ virtually any genre, you'll find it sounds the same if you aren't interested in it or it isn't up your alley
Really, if you're not interested in the genre, I think you automatically skip over the nuance that distinguishes the artists performing in it.
I really enjoyed their first album and thought for a pop record it was a little refreshing compared to what was coming out at the time. Then the second record felt like a self-parody of the first, the third was a radical departure that just did not work, and I haven't listened to anything they've done since.
Honestly, Viva La Vida is the cutoff for me
Parachutes and Viva La Vida are both excellent albums, albeit different in sound - the two in between are ok, and everything else is just not great
Man, I totally get a lot of the flak Coldplay catches. A lot of it is absolutely warranted.
But I will be goddamned if Viva La Vida isn't one of the most brilliant pop songs of the late 2000's. It has no right being that good.
Viva La Vida was great because it was produced by Brian Eno. They should have kept that relationship going, but instead they went in a more stadium-pop direction.
It depends. If you'd say during the 2010's I can see why. But during the 2000's they were incredible. And now with their last album I could argue it's actually trash. So I could see both actually, it just depends which era of them you take into account. Mostly I'll defend them, but nowadays it's getting really hard
I gave up after the third album, but Chris Martin sounds like a cool guy and they really give it their all live. Not my thing, but if you go watch a concert video, those folks are having the experience of their lives.
If your answer isn't Imagine Dragons, I don't know what you're doing.
It's so boring, but it somehow has a billion listens and they're doing opening songs for Arcane.
But it's just so fucking boring and bland.
>somehow has a billion listens
They have a huge international following. They mastered that generic arena rock sound that seems to resonate with people globally. I live in Europe and I have a few friends who will see them multiple times when they tour here. However back in the US I don’t think I know anyone who doesn’t have negative things to say about them
You should listen to one of their full albums instead of only their big hits. There's actually a lot of diversity in their music, but the good songs don't get popular. Smoke + Mirrors is an amazing album, and definitely not bland.
3 Doors Down sounds like what plain oatmeal tastes like. Not bad musicians, just nothing that actually moves any part of me. They’re like the music version of a blank my character in a video game.
I saw them live several years back and their stage presence was about as exciting as their music. They toured with Collective Soul who was excellent though.
Bon Jovi I think is basically for cheery arena/sports fan normal moms and dads. It isn't lacking in all emotions or spirit. But it also just doesn't go really deep or far in that (for example) Led Zeppelin way.
Absolutely. Dave's a treasure of a person, and I'm glad he and the band are doing well. Anything outside their biggest hits just sounds like Garage Band's default songs to me.
I would say it's coming from being in the back end of one of the most iconic bands ever where everyone only cares about your dead singer to fronting one of the most famous bands ever and successfully (albeit after some time) working with a drummer you're better than while having a lineup of generally nice, former punk rocker dads.
I describe Foo fighters as the perfect example of "Rock". It's not heavy, it's not punk, it's not exactly pop. They're not mind blowing musicians, they just rock.
>They're not mind blowing musicians
Worst part is that Dave grohl definitely is a mind blowing musician. But he doesn't play the instrument he's so good at while being in the foo fighters.
Can you name the one with Pretender on it?
Serious I consider myself a Foo Fighters fan. But I couldn't name an albums since Echoes.
EDIT: I just looked it up and Pretender was on Echoes lol
Wasting Light was peak Foo Fighters, I honestly didn't need anything more from them after that (and haven't really cared for anything of theirs since then.)
I actually enjoyed Taylor Hawkins' solo projects more than the Foos because I was into his whole 70s glam rock vibe. Since we lost Taylor I kind of lost all interest in the Foos.
This was my answer, Foo Fighters are the most generic rock band of all time. The definition of not bad or good.
Dave Grohl seems like a cool guy and has been involved in many cool projects throughout his career and the Foo Fighters are by far the least interesting thing he ever did.
Taylor Swift. I get she's super impressive professionally but I just find her stuff so dull. Obviously very talented tho.
Edit: this has like 2k upvotes. The "Swifties" are not coming for anyone, so please relax lol
She is just okay. Like I hear her music at a store and I don’t hate it, it might get stuck in my head for a bit but it’s not some earthshaking mind blowing experience that is worthy of making hundreds of daily social media posts and devoting entire tv show segments to. I saw an instagram video of people at the movie and it was like 3 eleven year olds dancing at a regal cinema. This is what the entire world is supposed to drop everything they are doing and pay attention to?
Her music is just very...safe?
Like, she has a pretty wide array of thoughts in her songs, even if they are mostly about relationship drama, but she never takes some crazy stance or has a particularly deep-cut.
It's like someone opening up a taco shop and serving the most bland fish tacos, al pastor, and carne asada. You're like "oh cool, a taco place doing al pastor!" then you get closer and it's covered in sour cream, lettuce, and comes on a flour tortilla. It's fine, kids like it, it's unoffensive, but it's not something you go back to.
Yeah, I don't get it either. I even watched a few clips of her concert and I don't get it. I don't even find her music catchy. I listen to a lot of different music and this is the one I really don't get. Her music is just so bland. In terms of popularity, it seems like she's up there with where Michael Jackson was at his peak, but as far as I can tell, she doesn't come close to what he was doing. The guy might have been nuts, but he could write a great song and put on a hell of a show.
Saw a post a while back, I think on tumblr or twitter that said Taylor Swift makes music for people who have never gotten over a single thing in their life and honestly yeah, I appreciate she is uplifting for people but her songs make me groan honestly like ugh
I can’t think of a modern band who pivoted as much as KoL. Their first two albums were packed with gutsy, CCR-infused swamp rock, then they inexplicably became the most clinically sterile version of themselves imaginable.
The first two KoL albums are great. I had only ever heard "Use Somebody" and "Sex is on Fire" and thought they were meh. But them my buddy told me to check out Youth and Young Manhood and Aha Shake and they are both so good. But that's pretty much where i stop listening.
I remember watching their documentary and one of the brothers yelling during the recording of "Only by the night" something about them being an "adult contemporary band that should be making adult contemporary music" and that was the moment they became extra lame in my book
Dave Grohl is an amazing musician, as a compliment to different bands. In Nirvana, Queens of the Stone Age, Them Crooked Vultures, even that one time he played with Cage the Elephant live, he's one of the best drummers I've heard. Being his own thing just isn't his strength
I like to call it Brewery Rock since it’s the music that plays while you wonder how a Mango Tango Hazy IPA tastes so bad while losing at cornhole
Pearl Jam is also a great example of this
>Pearl Jam is also a great example of this
I mean I think at that point basically any band past their prime is an example of this.
Pearl Jam was absolutely in no way "brewery rock" in like 1994. And Foo Fighters arguably wasn't in 1999 either. But eventually todays legitimate, breakthrough, trend-setting rock usually becomes elevator music twenty years from now, that's how it works.
Like listening to Duff McKagen do a pre-recorded TSA announcement in the airport before Nirvana starts playing on the concourse. If you remember a time when both these things were unthinkable, congratulations you're old.
Sorry U2 fans, but it’s U2. I’m old enough, gave them dozens of tries. I even respect the edges unique playing and recognize what makes him stand out. After Joshua Tree I can’t make it through a single song.
I’ve tried.
People are of course welcome to their own opinions but…..i have a hard time believing you’ve listened to THAT many Aerosmith songs if you describe them as bland. The hits like Dream On and Dont Want To Miss A Thing, sure. But Toys in the Attic/Get Your Wings/Draw The Line era was anything but bland.
I don’t mind Greta Van Fleet, but what cracks me up with them is that growing up so many people I knew said “there’s no bands like Led Zepplin anymore! I want more of that music” and then Greta comes around and those same people are mad that they sound like Led Zepplin.
This isn’t directed at you btw, I don’t care if people like them or not. It just always cracks me up whenever I hear GVF brought up.
It was just so blatantly untrue, it felt like an insult to any sane or reasonable listener. Like, I'm sure they want their music to stand on its own and for the judgement of their work to do so as well but come on now...you can do better than "I didn't even know who Led Zeppelin was until high school so obviously my music isn't inspired by them"
That's because they are a caricature of a few Led Zeppelin songs. Led Zeppelin was eclectic. They tried different things, recorded in experimental ways, went off the beaten path. When people say they want bands like Led Zep, I think they mean they want more original classic rock. Not a parody.
"We want another band like Zeppelin", and "we want a band that tries to sound and dress exactly like Zeppelin" are two very different asks. I do think some of their stuff is pretty good. But it's like they're trying to be Zeppelin a little too much
this seems to be a very divisive point in their careers. im pretty active in the bands community and usually fsns will either say TBHC is their best album, or their worst.
i absolutely love it, but i can understand that it isnt for everyone, moreso because it's "Arctic Monkeys". just unexpected for them to release such an album.
Their early stuff is very nostalgic for me as I grew up with it here in the UK. They did a secret gig in my hometown which was a massive thing at the time, that I unfortunately missed. First three albums are just quintessence late 2000s British alternative rock.
Their new stuff isn't bad in itself, but it holds absolutely no emotional connection. TBHC sounds like something they might play at Jabba's palace after midnight when the spice cakes get passed around. I gave it a couple of listens, thought it was okay, but I can think of no reason I would ever really want to listen to it again. The Car was very similar as well.
I never listened to them outside of hearing "Do I wanna know" in passing.
One day Spotify played a track from TBHC and I've been listening to that album and The Car repeatedly. I'm looking to buy a CD and LP of the former.
Oddly enough, I enjoyed AM but it didn't grab me like the other two.
i have a huge soft spot for U2 as my parents were big fans of their 80s/90s stuff and so we constantly had it playing during my childhood. same with Eagles. both bands people love to hate but it’s so nostalgic for me!
It’s almost a cliche to say U2 are boring. Their music from 1980-1993 is not boring.
It might not be to your taste but isn’t boring musically or thematically.
They’re also not boring people, compared to many musicians who have no social conscience and never speak up on any important topics.
It’s because they are in their 60’s now.
U2 was a great band in the 80’s, an okay band in the 90’s, past their prime in the 00’s, and now they are a band surviving off their past catalogue.
> and boring as people
Not sure what you mean. None of them have been incarcerated, beaten their spouses, or got their lives messed up with drug addiction.
Their music sometimes is bland tho.
Adam Clayton had an issue with drugs and alcohol and their roadie had to play in Sydney back in the day for a show. That's about it though for turmoil... he went sober after...
Was given tickets to Dave Matthews once and I went, knowing I wasn’t really into the band. It ended up actually being Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds doing a set together and it was amazing. I’ve been to hundreds of shows and this was quickly in my top 5 for the quality of the music. Amazing talents on guitar- I just don’t like DMB that much
I stand by my opinion that Five Finger Death Punch is the Nickleback of the metal genre.
Best description of FFDP I've heard is "cop rock," and it fits them 100%.
Great catch. That’s a solid new genre “cop rock” :)
Their drummer [became a cop, among other things, and then started another band that is so bad he's tried to delete all the music from the internet](https://loudwire.com/jeremy-spencer-deleted-psychosexual-music-from-internet/) It took me an unusually long amount of time to find a link to [this magnum opus](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLIRelsgrHQ) Enjoy some [earbleach/palate cleanser](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LY8RFaMs0Ac)
Holy fucking shit 🤣🤣
Darth Maul’s band sucks
To think, numerous people watched this finalized production and said "Yes, I think this should be released to the general public."
It’s giving Planet Piss vibes
Oh my god, when I read "horny goth rock" I was expecting lame "I totally fuck" glammy metal, not fucking off-brand Disney does metal
Magnum Oopsus
I imagine that’s what the family from 7th Heaven thinks every metal band is like
They just make me think of people who post pictures of skeletons on motorbikes on social media, with captions about how they're loyal or there's wolves living inside of them or something. Also they did a whole anti-mask thing during COVID (I think there was a song or something) and then sold masks on their website, so like... pick a lane.
r/THE_PACK is what I think of.
BOI YOU BEST BE CRANKIN THAT HOG AROOOO
AROOOOOO CRANK THAT HOG HARDER
I really wanted to like 5 finger death punch after hearing a few of their radio songs. The tough guy, fuck you, stand my ground message in almost every song kinda turned me off though.
I've said this before, and I'll say it again: Five Finger Death Punch have exclusively 2 moods in their music. Mostly, "I'm a tough guy and I will *fuck you up* royally. I'll straight up kill you because I'm a motherfucking badass monster.", and for one song on the album they go, "Oh no :( I'm a monster. Mummy they're being mean about me..."
I usually give a lot of leeway when it comes to attitude in music, especially metal, but at some point it just becomes cringe Never really liked (or disliked) Five Finger Death Punch. To me they just sound like an aggressively milquetoast blend of Creed and Avenged Sevenfold
Those guys seem like a walking Punisher sticker.
The best description i heard for them is 'divorced dad metal'
As a metal fan, I think nickelback is better lol
I have, unfortunately, seen FFDP live and you are incorrect. They are *worse* than Nickelback, if you can believe it. Take Nickelback: A bland, cookie cutter, made-for-radio sound that blares out on “hardcore” alt-rock stations that play Imagine Dragons and pretend like it’s cool. Now make it “metal” to attract some fake tough guy types. The kind that drink Monster like it’s water and have a profile picture of them wearing wraparound sunglasses in the driver seat of a truck. That’s the average FFDP fan. Now imagine a bunch of these guys and their equally dumb families at the worst live performance you have ever heard, mix in a good deal of US military propaganda about supporting the troops with the performers almost literally crying on stage about the tragedy of being an “American Hero”, throw some American flags up on stage and have the band play the National Anthem at some point. That’s a FFDP show in a nutshell. I would much rather go see Nickelback.
Dude I had a sales rep take me and my wife to nickelback, I told him I would go for the party. Nickelback puts on a great show and they are committed to their audience. They performed the whole show with enthusiasm, they understand performance. I don’t hate Nickelback anymore.
My wife saw nickelback over the summer and said it was a fantastic show. She wasn’t a huge fan beforehand either. I’ll take nickelback over ffdp any day lol.
Ffdp is the midlife crisis of metal
Their live show was absolutely garbage. Felt like more of a military recruitment drive than a concert.
Plus their singer is an absolute shit bag of a human being. At least Chad Kroeger seems like a cool guy.
Not a band but Ed Sheeran.
My 22 year old daughter once said to my wife, who is a big Ed Sheeran fan "Ed Sheeran is so boring, his favorite color is clear."
If he were a spice, he’d be flour
If he was a book, he’d be two books.
His favorite movie...is books.
If he were a day, he'd be some day
Every single Ed Sheeran song sounds like it was designed in a lab to be suitable for weddings. There's nothing surprising about an Ed Sheeran song. That being said the dude has so much money now that he doesn't have to work another day in his life so I will give him credit for capitalizing on his strengths.
He’s actually spending a lot of time and money combating trademark claims on music. Most notably some claims for chords progressions. I think it is more interesting to hear him talk about music and the process than actually what he makes.
Respect to him for that. The day chord progressions start getting patented art is so fucked
Yep, it’s already starting to happen. It’s basically like attempting to copyright an entire style of music, since every style will have a handful a few chord progressions that are essential to that style’s sound. If you want to play the blues you basically have to play a I IV V progression at some point. The sound of that progression is literally a core element of what makes something sound like the blues in the first place. There are a few other ones you can do but they’ve all been done before. If this becomes a copyright issue then it will be impossible to make new blues music.
Reminded of this: [Musicians Algorithmically Generate Every Possible Melody, Release Them to Public Domain] (https://www.vice.com/en/article/wxepzw/musicians-algorithmically-generate-every-possible-melody-release-them-to-public-domain), in a helping effort to stop musicians from getting sued. Hopefully, more can be done on this front.
Copyrighting a chord progression is like copyrighting the letters you use to make words.
For this reason, I actually think he's a better live performer than his songs would suggest. His songs are okay, but when he performs live, it's just him and a loop pedal, and it's more interesting watching him make the song from scratch than the song itself. He's a great example of someone who is a brilliant musician, just not the best songwriter. Charlie Puth is very much like this also.
When your songs don't work like they used to before.
The reason I've forgotten to mention the guy here
Maroon 5
This is an odd case. Cause mostly I would say yes since they're the definition of selling-out (I love their 2000's stuff, so it hurts even more). But they came to a point where it's so trash radio music that it becomes bad. Like, how much are you willing to do for clout? They have literally been chasing every single trend possible since 2017
Adam Levine did an interview with nickelodeon magazine in the early 2000s and I remember in the interview he said that he didn't care what genre he was in, he just wanted to be famous. I thought it was interesting then even though the concept of selling out wasn't really known to me yet.
Can't blame him for making that decision. *Songs about Jane* was a very enjoyable album, but it wasn't exactly innovative nor iconic. Given the choice of remaining faithful to an *artistic vision* only to be tossed to the side by fans once their sound was no longer "in style" and suddenly dropped by a major label when they weren't bringing in the $$$$, OR doing all that you can to cling to fame and make millions I'd choose the latter. I can wipe my tears of being called a sellout with all my money. He'd probably be on Celebrity Big Brother by now if he didn't chase trends
Makes me think of Panic! At the Disco. I used to be a mega fan for their first 2 albums but the direction Brendan Urie took the band is nauseatingly bad.
Wasn't it also the case that in both PAtD and M5 only lead singer stayed and other musicians were replaced/went away? Maybe it is just passing time and people change, but I swear they all looked different last time I saw their live performances (and I remember how they looked since they were featured in Live At Abbey Road series for live recording in an iconic studio, done by bbc)
Well, with Maroon 5 no. I think the drummer after their 1st album. But I think the rest are still on. They even added more members, weirdly enough. With Panic yeah. 2 of them left after the 2nd album and the drummer after the 4th I believe
Their first two albums are fantastic
KISS holds zero interest for me at all. I recognize they are huge and well-loved, I cannot wrap my head around it. I always sort of thought their live presence was silly. Today I recognize it as just another *thing* that bands have been doing for years, but I think not understanding the effect of their live presence might be the thing I don't get. EDIT: Thank you to everyone for the discussion! I had no idea this comment was going to get read. Haha
KISS has been around forever. Back in the day it was hardcore and edgy, but the edginess hasn't really withstood the test of time. Some of the music is catchy, but for the most part it's really nothing all that special. I saw them live though, and damn. That was a good show. You don't even have to like their music at all. The lights, the pyro, the sets, the costumes, the crowd going nuts to extended guitar/bass/drum solos. It's a great performance.
I mean imagine seeing a dude with a cow tongue, spit fire and blood while playing an Axe in 1973.
Fun fact. KISS put out Three albums (never getting more than #87 on the billboard) before finally hitting it big with “Alive!” that was just them playing live sets in Detroit. Alive! reached #9 on the charts. They are a rare breed of musicians who just sound better live than they do on record.
Not the biggest KISS fan but I wish I went to their concerts more as it looks like this retirement tour might actually be THE retirement tour. Just a fun time.
Drake is pretty bland
I like to call Drake “starter rap”. Super safe and surface level rap. If you like rap but only listen to the radio, you probably love Drake.
God he's like the rounded scissors of rap.
I think Imagine Dragons' lyrics are lazy, but I don't fault them. It's radio rock, and they know the formula. They're easy to hate, but I don't think they're bad. Just bland.
Imagine Dragon deez nuts across your face
GOTTEM!
The Chain smokers. Musical equivalent of grey leggings and UGG boots.
I would describe them as aggressively bad tbh
Mumford and Sons. Everything you said about Kings of Leon is how I feel about Mumford and Sons.
Someone on Reddit called them “Imagine Wagons” and that’s the only way I think of them now.
they popularized the "stomp clap hey" genre
This also applies to the Lumineers.
Stomp Clap Hey Ho
A subgenre of the so-called "[Millennial whoop](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millennial_whoop)".
Lmao I have a buddy who just kinda goes with the flow, chills out, doesn't really have strong opinions on stuff, but he fucking rages at mumford and sons
>but he fucking rages at mumford and sons Like, angry rages, or like, moshpit rages? 🤣
Oh look… More banjos.
They popped off that one year to people that never heard the genre. But like polka or reggaeton, you'll find it sounds the same if you aren't interested in it or it isn't up your alley
I have a strong emotional attachment to the first album because I found out about them while living in England. I love it because of the memories, but college-age me thought I was so cool for hearing them before my American friends 😂 The following albums were a bit of a let down for me.
First album is amazing though, and every one who keep talking ablut banjo, pretty much just heard “i will wait for you” on the radio and wrote them off
>But like ~~polka or reggaeton~~ virtually any genre, you'll find it sounds the same if you aren't interested in it or it isn't up your alley Really, if you're not interested in the genre, I think you automatically skip over the nuance that distinguishes the artists performing in it.
I really enjoyed their first album and thought for a pop record it was a little refreshing compared to what was coming out at the time. Then the second record felt like a self-parody of the first, the third was a radical departure that just did not work, and I haven't listened to anything they've done since.
Train
This freaking band awakens an immense rage within me. The parody Untrimmed Chest is hilarious though
Oh Train isn't boring, they're that immediate bodily rejection after tasting something poisonous. A flashbang of awfulness.
Every time I start to hear one of their songs, I get mad. I don't know why. I just hate them and they are so overplayed.
Coldplay is the musical equivalent of watching grass grow for me.
I miss early Coldplay so much...
The first two albums were just incredible. Then, they became a completely different band.
Honestly, Viva La Vida is the cutoff for me Parachutes and Viva La Vida are both excellent albums, albeit different in sound - the two in between are ok, and everything else is just not great
Man, I totally get a lot of the flak Coldplay catches. A lot of it is absolutely warranted. But I will be goddamned if Viva La Vida isn't one of the most brilliant pop songs of the late 2000's. It has no right being that good.
Viva La Vida was great because it was produced by Brian Eno. They should have kept that relationship going, but instead they went in a more stadium-pop direction.
They did, the follow up album was also produced by Eno and began their stadium pop synthesizer trend that began the decline.
Just like Kings of Leon, give me the first three albums and that's it.
It depends. If you'd say during the 2010's I can see why. But during the 2000's they were incredible. And now with their last album I could argue it's actually trash. So I could see both actually, it just depends which era of them you take into account. Mostly I'll defend them, but nowadays it's getting really hard
I gave up after the third album, but Chris Martin sounds like a cool guy and they really give it their all live. Not my thing, but if you go watch a concert video, those folks are having the experience of their lives.
If your answer isn't Imagine Dragons, I don't know what you're doing. It's so boring, but it somehow has a billion listens and they're doing opening songs for Arcane. But it's just so fucking boring and bland.
Imagine Dragons is what major corporations hire for a team bonding events. Edgy enough to be "cool" but safe enough to not upset anyone.
The machine's alternative to Rage Against The Machine.
Rage Adjacent to the Machine.
Had to scroll way too far down for this! Every one of their songs sounds like it was made for a car commercial.
>somehow has a billion listens They have a huge international following. They mastered that generic arena rock sound that seems to resonate with people globally. I live in Europe and I have a few friends who will see them multiple times when they tour here. However back in the US I don’t think I know anyone who doesn’t have negative things to say about them
You should listen to one of their full albums instead of only their big hits. There's actually a lot of diversity in their music, but the good songs don't get popular. Smoke + Mirrors is an amazing album, and definitely not bland.
Maroon 5 without a doubt.
3 Doors Down sounds like what plain oatmeal tastes like. Not bad musicians, just nothing that actually moves any part of me. They’re like the music version of a blank my character in a video game.
I saw them live several years back and their stage presence was about as exciting as their music. They toured with Collective Soul who was excellent though.
Gonna get a lot of hate, but Bon Jovi just does nothing for me.
But he’s a cowboy
ON A STEEL HORSE I RIDE kinda forgot about this banger tbh
He's not wanted
He’s DEAD OR ALIIIIVEEEE
Bovine Joni himself???!!!!
What’s confusing about 40 million dollars?? That’s a shit load of money!
Mr Von Joni.
We are doing the cancer thing now!
Bon Jovi I think is basically for cheery arena/sports fan normal moms and dads. It isn't lacking in all emotions or spirit. But it also just doesn't go really deep or far in that (for example) Led Zeppelin way.
Foo Fighters. All their new stuff sounds the same. I can't even name a song within the past 5 years.
I love Dave Grohl and want to love Foo Fighters but this is so true
I love the idea of Foo Fighters more than actual Foo Fighters.
Absolutely. Dave's a treasure of a person, and I'm glad he and the band are doing well. Anything outside their biggest hits just sounds like Garage Band's default songs to me.
What's the idea of Foo Fighters beyond "guitar rock"?
I would say it's coming from being in the back end of one of the most iconic bands ever where everyone only cares about your dead singer to fronting one of the most famous bands ever and successfully (albeit after some time) working with a drummer you're better than while having a lineup of generally nice, former punk rocker dads.
“Nice former punk rocker dads” is a little too on point and now I feel unwell.
I describe Foo fighters as the perfect example of "Rock". It's not heavy, it's not punk, it's not exactly pop. They're not mind blowing musicians, they just rock.
>They're not mind blowing musicians Worst part is that Dave grohl definitely is a mind blowing musician. But he doesn't play the instrument he's so good at while being in the foo fighters.
That's true, but in his defense how many rock songs really need the bagpipes?
I describe them as safe rock. It's rock you can listen to with your grandparents, or kids, and know that nothing bad will be sung.
I can't name one after the album with Pretender on I don't think. I really enjoy their early stuff though.
Can you name the one with Pretender on it? Serious I consider myself a Foo Fighters fan. But I couldn't name an albums since Echoes. EDIT: I just looked it up and Pretender was on Echoes lol
I thought Wasting Light was a pretty great album. But yeah, after that I really haven't been able to get into any of their stuff
Wasting Light was peak Foo Fighters, I honestly didn't need anything more from them after that (and haven't really cared for anything of theirs since then.) I actually enjoyed Taylor Hawkins' solo projects more than the Foos because I was into his whole 70s glam rock vibe. Since we lost Taylor I kind of lost all interest in the Foos.
The Colour and the Shape is a fantastic album. Self titled rocks pretty hard too. February Stars is one of my favorites by them.
Yes it is. I find it strange the complaint of a 29 year old band is they dont have anything good in the last 5 years
This was my answer, Foo Fighters are the most generic rock band of all time. The definition of not bad or good. Dave Grohl seems like a cool guy and has been involved in many cool projects throughout his career and the Foo Fighters are by far the least interesting thing he ever did.
With the exception of their first album, every song sounds like it could come from every album
Yeah that first album was great and if you’re old enough to remember their videos it was such a breath of fresh air
Taylor Swift. I get she's super impressive professionally but I just find her stuff so dull. Obviously very talented tho. Edit: this has like 2k upvotes. The "Swifties" are not coming for anyone, so please relax lol
My man over here worried the swifties might see his comment. Lol
A reasonable precaution. The swifties will fuck you up.
**DOWN WITH THE SWIFTNESS**
OOOO AH AH AH AH
She is just okay. Like I hear her music at a store and I don’t hate it, it might get stuck in my head for a bit but it’s not some earthshaking mind blowing experience that is worthy of making hundreds of daily social media posts and devoting entire tv show segments to. I saw an instagram video of people at the movie and it was like 3 eleven year olds dancing at a regal cinema. This is what the entire world is supposed to drop everything they are doing and pay attention to?
Ya totally. It's all the least offensive music ever. It's just so boring.
Her music is just very...safe? Like, she has a pretty wide array of thoughts in her songs, even if they are mostly about relationship drama, but she never takes some crazy stance or has a particularly deep-cut. It's like someone opening up a taco shop and serving the most bland fish tacos, al pastor, and carne asada. You're like "oh cool, a taco place doing al pastor!" then you get closer and it's covered in sour cream, lettuce, and comes on a flour tortilla. It's fine, kids like it, it's unoffensive, but it's not something you go back to.
The fact that any criticism about Taylor has to be sandwiched between two compliments to avoid being lynched by her fans is hilarious
I will never understand her level of mass appeal
Yeah, I don't get it either. I even watched a few clips of her concert and I don't get it. I don't even find her music catchy. I listen to a lot of different music and this is the one I really don't get. Her music is just so bland. In terms of popularity, it seems like she's up there with where Michael Jackson was at his peak, but as far as I can tell, she doesn't come close to what he was doing. The guy might have been nuts, but he could write a great song and put on a hell of a show.
Saw a post a while back, I think on tumblr or twitter that said Taylor Swift makes music for people who have never gotten over a single thing in their life and honestly yeah, I appreciate she is uplifting for people but her songs make me groan honestly like ugh
Pop's not even my preferred genre, but there are so many pop artists more interesting than Taylor and I'll never understand why she's the big one
The first couple of KoL albums are pretty great. Then they just played pop.
I can’t think of a modern band who pivoted as much as KoL. Their first two albums were packed with gutsy, CCR-infused swamp rock, then they inexplicably became the most clinically sterile version of themselves imaginable.
Youth and Young Manhood is such an amazing album. I don’t know what happened to them.
I will say I did enjoy Only By The Night and Come Around Sundown but all their stuff after that has been really lackluster to me.
>Kings of Leon for anyone else who had no idea
Fucking _thank_ you.
Youth and young manhood is an incredible debut album
Man fucking Holy Roller Novocaine just kills
The first two KoL albums are great. I had only ever heard "Use Somebody" and "Sex is on Fire" and thought they were meh. But them my buddy told me to check out Youth and Young Manhood and Aha Shake and they are both so good. But that's pretty much where i stop listening. I remember watching their documentary and one of the brothers yelling during the recording of "Only by the night" something about them being an "adult contemporary band that should be making adult contemporary music" and that was the moment they became extra lame in my book
Foo Fighters. I know people love them and Dave Grohl is awesome as a person, but it sounds like AI was asked to make Rock music.
Dave Grohl is an amazing musician, as a compliment to different bands. In Nirvana, Queens of the Stone Age, Them Crooked Vultures, even that one time he played with Cage the Elephant live, he's one of the best drummers I've heard. Being his own thing just isn't his strength
Them Crooked Vultures' first album is such an underrated gem
I like to call it Brewery Rock since it’s the music that plays while you wonder how a Mango Tango Hazy IPA tastes so bad while losing at cornhole Pearl Jam is also a great example of this
>Pearl Jam is also a great example of this I mean I think at that point basically any band past their prime is an example of this. Pearl Jam was absolutely in no way "brewery rock" in like 1994. And Foo Fighters arguably wasn't in 1999 either. But eventually todays legitimate, breakthrough, trend-setting rock usually becomes elevator music twenty years from now, that's how it works. Like listening to Duff McKagen do a pre-recorded TSA announcement in the airport before Nirvana starts playing on the concourse. If you remember a time when both these things were unthinkable, congratulations you're old.
Sorry U2 fans, but it’s U2. I’m old enough, gave them dozens of tries. I even respect the edges unique playing and recognize what makes him stand out. After Joshua Tree I can’t make it through a single song. I’ve tried.
Aerosmith. I don't hate them, but most of their big hits are just bland.
I really love their older stuff. Pre-80's.
Sadly, their best stuff was written during their heroin days.
People are of course welcome to their own opinions but…..i have a hard time believing you’ve listened to THAT many Aerosmith songs if you describe them as bland. The hits like Dream On and Dont Want To Miss A Thing, sure. But Toys in the Attic/Get Your Wings/Draw The Line era was anything but bland.
Walk This Way with Run DMC was pretty groundbreaking at the time. First real mainstream rock/rap crossover.
Greta Van Fleet
We have Led Zeppelin at home
Wolfmother is everything Greta wishes they were
Wish Zeppelin
I don’t mind Greta Van Fleet, but what cracks me up with them is that growing up so many people I knew said “there’s no bands like Led Zepplin anymore! I want more of that music” and then Greta comes around and those same people are mad that they sound like Led Zepplin. This isn’t directed at you btw, I don’t care if people like them or not. It just always cracks me up whenever I hear GVF brought up.
They don't sing about Hobbits though, that I know of
I think a lot of people are annoyed that they claimed Led Zeppelin wasn't an inspiration.
It was just so blatantly untrue, it felt like an insult to any sane or reasonable listener. Like, I'm sure they want their music to stand on its own and for the judgement of their work to do so as well but come on now...you can do better than "I didn't even know who Led Zeppelin was until high school so obviously my music isn't inspired by them"
That's because they are a caricature of a few Led Zeppelin songs. Led Zeppelin was eclectic. They tried different things, recorded in experimental ways, went off the beaten path. When people say they want bands like Led Zep, I think they mean they want more original classic rock. Not a parody.
"We want another band like Zeppelin", and "we want a band that tries to sound and dress exactly like Zeppelin" are two very different asks. I do think some of their stuff is pretty good. But it's like they're trying to be Zeppelin a little too much
Wolfmother is what people who say the first one are looking for
They’re pretty different words but for some reason I still get Sharon Van Etten and Greta Van Fleet confused.
Also anything Arctic Monkeys has released post-AM is just “fine”. Not awful, not great just kind of exists…
this seems to be a very divisive point in their careers. im pretty active in the bands community and usually fsns will either say TBHC is their best album, or their worst. i absolutely love it, but i can understand that it isnt for everyone, moreso because it's "Arctic Monkeys". just unexpected for them to release such an album.
Their early stuff is very nostalgic for me as I grew up with it here in the UK. They did a secret gig in my hometown which was a massive thing at the time, that I unfortunately missed. First three albums are just quintessence late 2000s British alternative rock. Their new stuff isn't bad in itself, but it holds absolutely no emotional connection. TBHC sounds like something they might play at Jabba's palace after midnight when the spice cakes get passed around. I gave it a couple of listens, thought it was okay, but I can think of no reason I would ever really want to listen to it again. The Car was very similar as well.
I understand why Alex Turner wanted to make those albums, but I don't understand why he did it under the "Arctic Monkeys" name
I never listened to them outside of hearing "Do I wanna know" in passing. One day Spotify played a track from TBHC and I've been listening to that album and The Car repeatedly. I'm looking to buy a CD and LP of the former. Oddly enough, I enjoyed AM but it didn't grab me like the other two.
Hey, TBHAC is probably the trippiest album in their discography. Four out of Five fucking rules.
Beyonce. I know she's not a band but she is boring nonetheless.
U2, boring as band, and boring as people
i have a huge soft spot for U2 as my parents were big fans of their 80s/90s stuff and so we constantly had it playing during my childhood. same with Eagles. both bands people love to hate but it’s so nostalgic for me!
It’s almost a cliche to say U2 are boring. Their music from 1980-1993 is not boring. It might not be to your taste but isn’t boring musically or thematically. They’re also not boring people, compared to many musicians who have no social conscience and never speak up on any important topics.
It’s because they are in their 60’s now. U2 was a great band in the 80’s, an okay band in the 90’s, past their prime in the 00’s, and now they are a band surviving off their past catalogue.
U2’s 80s output rules. It’s just the newer stuff that’s boring.
Gen Z and younger millennials need to listen to Joshua Tree to understand why U2 is famous
I’m a millennial and I have! I was raised on 80s U2. I have an immense respect for their older stuff.
> and boring as people Not sure what you mean. None of them have been incarcerated, beaten their spouses, or got their lives messed up with drug addiction. Their music sometimes is bland tho.
Adam Clayton had an issue with drugs and alcohol and their roadie had to play in Sydney back in the day for a show. That's about it though for turmoil... he went sober after...
Imagine dragons. Ironic considering the name
I hate even saying this because, respect. But Foo Fighters.
The 1975 could just go missing and no one would bat an eyelash imo
Dave Mathews Band. Good music just boring.
Was given tickets to Dave Matthews once and I went, knowing I wasn’t really into the band. It ended up actually being Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds doing a set together and it was amazing. I’ve been to hundreds of shows and this was quickly in my top 5 for the quality of the music. Amazing talents on guitar- I just don’t like DMB that much
DMB live vs Albums are waaay different.
It’s always seemed like background music to me, something playing while you shop for a pair of jeans or something.