Who Is America's Greatest Active Band?

jglim0109 · « **Reply #120 on:** 26 Oct 2011, 02:30 pm »

It's hard to compare the big bands from the 60s/70s to bands today. There won't be another Beatles or Rolling Stones. Ever. Not based on talent, but because they came out at the perfect time in musical history. If they had come out 15 years later, would they have been as influential? Maybe, maybe not.

As far as greatest active bands, that's just personal opinion and how you define 'greatest'. Album sales, tour sales, longevity, consistently good albums, etc.

U2, Wilco, and Pearl Jam are good calls; there are only a few bands from the 90s that still maintain a large fan base and have a large body of work that many consider great. I don't know how Them Crooked Vultures can really be in the mix. Even though I enjoy their music, how can a band with one album be considered the 'greatest' of their time? Body of work and longevity should certainly be a consideration.

I would definitely toss My Morning Jacket into the discussion only because of their live show. Regardless of whether you enjoy their music, their concerts are one of the greatest things you will ever see. Reasonable ticket prices, 2 1/2 - 3 hour shows (how many bands do that for $50 tickets)...I took my dad to see them, and he placed them right along side the Rolling Stones as far as the best shows he's seen.

sts9fan · « **Reply #121 on:** 26 Oct 2011, 03:22 pm »

Quote from: Rclark on 26 Oct 2011, 04:47 am

I stand by that assesment! Wolfmother is awesome. Still my favorite of the recent crop. Their next album should be a monster. Due before year's end and I'll preorder and most definitely go see them on the next tour.

Different strokes. I find them boring and formulaic.

E4T · « **Reply #122 on:** 26 Oct 2011, 03:39 pm »

Quote from: nnck on 26 Oct 2011, 01:11 am

Yo La Tengo - Been around since the mid-80s. Have had over a dozen, consistently good LPs. Even their most current output is as good or better than anything else in their catalog. Plenty of hooks. Can go from completely shredding to endearingly sentimental at any given time. And an absolutely fantastic (and fun) live act. If they come near you, go see them. I've seen them 3 or 4 times, and their shows are consistently among the best I've seen (saw them about a year ago, and it cost me 20 bucks!)

Just started reading this thread, and was really wondering who else would name Yo La Tengo besides myself. Without a doubt, one of the best bands out there! So many great records!

Occam · « **Reply #123 on:** 26 Oct 2011, 03:52 pm »

Quote from: E4T on 26 Oct 2011, 03:39 pm

Just started reading this thread, and was really wondering who else would name Yo La Tengo besides myself. Without a doubt, one of the best bands out there! So many great records!

Hey, if you're going to go all obscure on us [LOOK UP!], my vote goes for Balkan Beat Box, that is if one considers Brooklyn to be part of America. I see them at least a couple of times a year, and they do a fantastic live show. Now for my funeral dirge, I definitely want Slavic Soul Party.*

edit: * That's not a slam on Slavic Soul Party. But at my funeral I really want a Balkan brass band. At the Grand Prospect Hall, for the Zlotney Juesty wingding, they rocked!

nnck · « **Reply #124 on:** 26 Oct 2011, 04:25 pm »

Quote from: Occam on 26 Oct 2011, 03:52 pm

Hey, if you're going to go all obscure on us [LOOK UP!]

I understand this is all relative. And they're no AC/DC or Rolling Stones. But I certainly wouldnt go so far as to call Yo La Tengo obscure. They even have several albums on the Billboard charts. Sure they're not in the Top 10 but hey, it isnt a popularity contest, is it?

Still thinking, but so far I still can't think of another band that has kept my interest level up for so many years.

martyo · « **Reply #125 on:** 26 Oct 2011, 04:27 pm »

Furthur.

Devil Doc · « **Reply #126 on:** 26 Oct 2011, 04:35 pm »

All amateurs. Est. in 1798, The President's own U.S Marine Corps Band.

Doc

sharpsuxx · « **Reply #127 on:** 26 Oct 2011, 04:39 pm »

I am probably a little younger than most ACers but my vote is for Radiohead - Although The Mars Volta, Red Hot Chili Peppers(whenever fruschante comes back again), Death Cab for Cutie, and Martin Sexton (although he is a singer songwriter) are all way up there in my book. I think the biggest thing that sets these artists apart from other active bands in the fact that they make complete albums not just compilations of songs.

ted_b · « **Reply #128 on:** 26 Oct 2011, 04:46 pm »

Quote from: sharpsuxx on 26 Oct 2011, 04:39 pm

I am probably a little younger than most ACers but my vote is for Radiohead - Although The Mars Volta, Red Hot Chili Peppers(whenever fruschante comes back again), Death Cab for Cutie, and Martin Sexton (although he is a singer songwriter) are all way up there in my book. I think the biggest thing that sets these artists apart from other active bands in the fact that they make complete albums not just compilations of songs.

No offense but we've brought this up several times.......this thread is about American bands (which makes it tougher). Radiohead is NOT an American band. They are from the UK.

elasticnorseman · « **Reply #129 on:** 26 Oct 2011, 06:19 pm »

How about Kronos Quartet ?

rajacat · « **Reply #130 on:** 26 Oct 2011, 06:34 pm »

Is this just about pop music or was it meant to include jazz and classical?

HalSF · « **Reply #131 on:** 26 Oct 2011, 07:05 pm »

I can see that y’all are having fun, but it’s a question that’s never been very fruitful or soulful. And even more now, when iTunes music folders and All Music Ever Recorded In My Pocket and Spotify trump any consensus or non-cult popularity. And it’s a question with a pretty disgraceful history as a marketing tool perpetrated by tools.

Phony Beatlemania has bitten the dust.

rlmacklin · « **Reply #132 on:** 26 Oct 2011, 07:08 pm »

Bela Fleck and the Flecktones (original lineup) for your consideration.

I first saw them at "EllaGuru's" night club in Knoxville's "Old City" (May 9, 1990 is indicated on the old ticket stub). The night club owner was Ashley Capps who now heads AC Entertainment, which promotes/runs shows all over the southeastern US and also puts on the Bonnaroo music festival in Manchester TN.

Recent show was Sunday night, October 16 at the Tennessee Theatre in Knoxville TN.

The original lineup is all together again --- consummate, virtuoso musicians,
with each a "genre-breaker" on his instrument(s).
They have been and are once again the "tightest" combo I have heard.

Bela Fleck - banjo
Victor Lamont Wooten - electric bass
Roy "FutureMan" Wooten - drumitar / percussion

and returning original member
Howard Levy on Steinway & Sons piano and harmonicas.

It is a joy to have Howard Levy back in the lineup.
His utter mastery of the harmonica was perhaps on best display
in his solo rendition of "Amazing Grace."
(Victor Wooten also has done a wonderful solo Amazing Grace"
totally on electric bass in years past).
His piano playing adds something special to the mix as well.

Roy "FutureMan" Wooten (near the close of the show) announced that Bela had been nominated for more Grammys and in more Grammy categories than any other musician and had recently debuted a 35-minute "Banjo Concerto" with the Nashville TN Symphony, and that we would next have a treat of five minutes of Bela solo on acoustic banjo.

The first encore had Bela bringing his wife, Abigail Washburn
(who just happened for once to be in the same town) on stage to sing.
[ I wish Abigail and Bela had played a banjo duet together as well,
but Abigail went off stage after the one song.]

The closing number was the crowd pleaser "Sinister Minister,"
started by Victor on bass, with Bela, "FutureMan," Howard, and
fiddler Casy Driessen all coming in,
which had the audience up on their feet and dancing.

Zero · « **Reply #133 on:** 26 Oct 2011, 07:17 pm »

How in the hell could I forget the Midnight Riders!!?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ApJ5NsM6CI

Diamond Dog · « **Reply #134 on:** 26 Oct 2011, 08:50 pm »

Quote from: HalSF on 26 Oct 2011, 07:05 pm

I can see that y’all are having fun, but it’s a question that’s never been very fruitful or soulful. And even more now, when iTunes music folders and All Music Ever Recorded In My Pocket and Spotify trump any consensus or non-cult popularity. And it’s a question with a pretty disgraceful history as a marketing tool perpetrated by tools.

Phony Beatlemania has bitten the dust.

I'll bet you're glad to get that off your chest...

I'll chalk that up as a vote for Public Enemy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zg2DiiJTjy8

D.D.

soundbitten1 · « **Reply #135 on:** 26 Oct 2011, 09:12 pm »

Social Distortion, they've been making consistently great albums for over 25 years.

sts9fan · « **Reply #136 on:** 26 Oct 2011, 09:54 pm »

Radiohead?

HalSF · « **Reply #137 on:** 26 Oct 2011, 10:52 pm »

Radiohead — Brits. Arcade Fire — hmm, mostly Canadian with a dash of Houston....

Equally great: Bob Dylan, My Morning Jacket, Kanye, Jay Z, Wilco, The Bad Plus, Jason Moran, Sonny Rollins, Pearl Jam, Neil Young and Crazy Horse, The Decemberists, Prince, Lucinda Williams, Drive-by Truckers, the Black Keys, Los Lobos, Beck, McCoy Tyner, Roy Hargrove, Flaming Lips, Ry Cooder, Tony Bennett, Wayne Shorter, Allman Brothers, Joe Lovano, Christian McBride, Ornette Coleman... etc.

There's one thing I tell you friend
I don't believe in supermen
Who fly thru the clouds above the rest
I don't believe in the best

jackman · « **Reply #138 on:** 27 Oct 2011, 01:39 am »

Neil Young = Canadian and washed up
Radiohead = British and awesome
Rush = Canadian and lame

This thread is very disappointing. I feel very sorry for all of the people who have never seen an awesome and transformational band at the height of their game. Let me give you a clue, these people would never choose Dave Matthews or Death Cab as vest band ever.

zybar · « **Reply #139 on:** 27 Oct 2011, 01:50 am »

Quote from: jackman on 27 Oct 2011, 01:39 am

Neil Young = Canadian and washed up
Radiohead = British and awesome
Rush = Canadian and lame

This thread is very disappointing. I feel very sorry for all of the people who have never seen an awesome and transformational band at the height of their game. Let me give you a clue, these people would never choose Dave Matthews or Death Cab as vest band ever.

Give it a rest Jman...we got your point 3 posts ago.

George