I know I'm gonna get a lot of criticism for this, but I think the Smiths earn the title of most overrated band of all time.

The Queen is Dead bores me. There. I said it.

Anyway, I love Sonic Youth (as you can probably tell from my member name). They are very harsh at first and it really requires a lot of listens to get into them. But once you do, man, the payoff is awesome. Daydream Nation is one of the coolest albums I've ever heard.

Daydream Nation AND The Queen is Dead are among my favorite albums of all time, and if you can't understand the melodramatic genius of Morrissey or the spiky, crystalline guitar work of what's-his-name, then I don't know where to put you.

Johnny Marr is one of my fave what's-his-names.

That what's-his-name from The Smiths was much better than that what's-his-name from Modest Mouse...

Maybe the Modest Mouse guy has arthritis.

quote:

Originally posted by TotalTrash:
I know I'm gonna get a lot of criticism for this, but I think the Smiths earn the title of most overrated band of all time.

The Queen is Dead bores me. There. I said it.

Anyway, I love Sonic Youth (as you can probably tell from my member name). They are very harsh at first and it really requires a lot of listens to get into them. But once you do, man, the payoff is awesome. Daydream Nation is one of the coolest albums I've ever heard.

I agree with every statement made above.

It's a shame I joined this party late.
The first time I listened to Daydream Nation about a year ago, I thought it was decent. Certainly not the "groundbreaking, revolutionary, awe-inspiring" work that every critic calls it. Then I listened to it a couple more times, realized it was incredible, and a Dirty, Sonic Nurse, Sister, and Rather Ripped later, now I'm a dedicated Youth fan.
Oh yes, and while I was at Coachella '07, some fool decided to have Interpol and Sonic Youth scheduled to play at the same time. I regret to say I saw Interpol (don't get me wrong, they're awesome, but the Youth blow their Gucci suits away).

C'mon guys we all know that the most overrated band is Radiohead

quote:

C'mon guys we all know that the most overrated band is Radiohead

or the Zep, or the Beatles, or repeat ad nauseum

quote:

Originally posted by ProfAmaretto:
Oh yes, and while I was at Coachella '07, some fool decided to have Interpol and Sonic Youth scheduled to play at the same time. I regret to say I saw Interpol (don't get me wrong, they're awesome, but the Youth blow their Gucci suits away).

Why the hell would you see a boring, broody band with one decent album over SONIC YOUTH?!!?!?! You are insane.

Frankly, I don't think I'd want to pay to see either. Understand that I love both bands, but what I've experienced and heard about from either bands live performance gives me some reservations. On the one hand, I've read reviews and heard from friends that Interpol plays it straight to the numbers as emotionless and ambivalent to the audience. I don't know if that impacts their sound, but it would make for a deflating show. Perhaps that's just my personality and preferences. As one of my sarcastic friends has put it, a concert is "performance art" and I like mine on the lively side (though Flaming Lips can over-do it - I'm a pain in the ass to please ).

When I saw Sonic Youth (opening for Flaming Lips oddly enough), it was way late in their career (like 2006?) so this might not be a fair representation of their 25+ years of touring. Anyways, it was more aimless jamming and meandering deconstruction of their songs than a coherent musical performance. An curiously entertaining spectacle but not something I'd want to see again.

quote:

When I saw Sonic Youth (opening for Flaming Lips oddly enough), it was way late in their career (like 2006?) so this might not be a fair representation of their 25+ years of touring. Anyways, it was more aimless jamming and meandering deconstruction of their songs than a coherent musical performance. An curiously entertaining spectacle but not something I'd want to see again.

I last saw Sonic Youth on their Sonic Nurse tour around 04 or 05. Jim O'Rourke was still playing with them, and they were amazing. They played most of Sonic Nurse as well as "Rain on Tin", "Skip Tracer", "Teenage Riot", "100%" and many other great oldies. Yes, there were some lengthy feedback and noise moments, but I love that stuff. I'm a huge fan, so perhaps I'm impartial, but I'd see them again in an instant.

quote:

Why the hell would you see a boring, broody band with one decent album over SONIC YOUTH?!!?!?! You are insane.

At that point in my life, I had only heard Daydream Nation a couple of times, and I had pretty much memorized the first two Interpol albums (the lesser third album wasn't out yet). Interpol was still really good, but as a whole, I still regret not seeing the Youth.

quote:

Frankly, I don't think I'd want to pay to see either. Understand that I love both bands, but what I've experienced and heard about from either bands live performance gives me some reservations. On the one hand, I've read reviews and heard from friends that Interpol plays it straight to the numbers as emotionless and ambivalent to the audience. I don't know if that impacts their sound, but it would make for a deflating show. Perhaps that's just my personality and preferences. As one of my sarcastic friends has put it, a concert is "performance art" and I like mine on the lively side (though Flaming Lips can over-do it - I'm a pain in the ass to please Smiler).

Well, since Coachella was a festival, I had already paid to get in so it was essentially up to me who I would see. Also, Interpol wasn't the most lively bunch, but they produced great atmosphere. Much better than a band like Queens of the Stone Age, who were lively, but absolutely sucked live.
The Question is, what bands have you been impressed with live, La La?

This whole thread seems like it was started just to incite a bunch of bickering and arguing over something so completely subjective. I think Sonic Youth is very hit and miss, but goddamn when they hit they knock your fucking head off. I my opinion their successes so heavily outweigh their misses that it's hard to call them anything but genius. And how the hell does a band stay together 25 years and still have relevance anyway? Oh, and have you seen them live? That's a whole 'nother story too. Amazing.

You on the other hand think they're the most overrated band ever.

OK.

quote:

Originally posted by ptownblazer:
Oh, and have you seen them live? That's a whole 'nother story too. Amazing.

Seconded. I saw them do Daydream Nation in full about a week ago. Best. Concert. Ever.

quote:

Originally posted by ProfAmaretto:
The Question is, what bands have you been impressed with live, La La?

The more I think about it now I remember that I actually showed up about 1/3 to half way through the Sonic Youth set and by that point the show largely consisted of feedback and noise ... antics. At one point in a long feedback session Thurston Moore jumped off the stage into the audience and walked around letting people touch his guitar for literally about 15+ minutes and then he and Lee Rando slammed their guitars together in a mock battle. Eventually they played some more songs and it was good, but my memory of the show was more about the disappointing feedback and expectations of what could have been. I guess I would see them again because they are one of my favorite bands, just not at an outdoor venue.

I can appreciate a band putting on a great sounding show and certainly wouldn't consider a lively band that sucked aurally to be capable of putting a great show either. Heh my favorite concerts would probably seem to contradict my preferences but since you asked: Andrew Bird, Arcade Fire, Nada Surf, Presidents of the United States of America, and some others I can't remember. I'm much more into a small indoor venues experience than the artist per se - I couldn't do a 'festival'. I'm too old for concerts now anyways.

quote:

I'm much more into a small indoor venues experience than the artist per se - I couldn't do a 'festival'. I'm too old for concerts now anyways.

I am also into small indoor venues, but alas, a number of great bands congregate at these festivals. Plus, living in Tucson sucks when it comes to concerts. Actually, I think I'll extend that and say Arizona sucks. The closest some of my fav bands, like Radiohead and R.E.M., have come to Arizona, is L.A.. C'mon Phoenix is at least as bad as there, right?

Haha. This thread is pretty good for a laugh.

Speaking of Sonic Youth live, I've seen them...ummm...three times. All within the last 4 years. I thought they were the best when I saw them back on their Sonic Nurse tour, but they've been extremely enjoyable to watch every time.

Oh. And for the record, the "noise jams" that they incorporate into their shows are my favorite part.

sonic youth over rated??? that opinion belongs in the sacrilege thread...

what is the point of this thread other than to make a blank statement without any back up or proof and create pointless debate...

so why are they over rated?

every band is over rated to some person out there....

how will sonic youth ever continue to exist without your support???

This has been brought up int he sacrilege thread I believe.