Overrated

Posted by: Kevin-W on 29 November 2002

Here's a question for all you music lovers?

Who's the most overrated artist/band in the musical firmament (they don't have to be shit, just overrated).

I have to say, for me it's:

1. REM - a very ordinary band with prentensions toward greatness. Why do people take Stipe & Co seriously?

2. The Jam - Why this bunch of Mod nostalgists were acclaimed best band in Britain in the late 70s/early 80s is a complete mystery. Why did anyone listen to retro-fluff like Setting Sons/All Mods con etc when there was stuff like Joy Division, Magazine and Throbbing Gristle around at the same time?

3. Van Morrison. He has a fine voice, that I grant, but he's rubbish! Astral Weeks is surely the most overrated LP ever!

4. Madonna. She's OK, has written some great pop songs ("Papa Don't Preach", "Like A Prayer"), but she hasn't got the talent or looks to make it as a cultural icon.

5. Bruce Springsteen. Sorry, but Broooce's attempts at sweaty authenticity leave me completely cold.

Anyone got suggestions of their own? Let's get a nice heated debate going on a boring Friday afternoon!

Kevin

Posted on: 05 December 2002 by seagull

I tend to agree with dozy here on both counts; Lambchop and about people who post here (or not in one case

)

Posted on: 05 December 2002 by the other nickc

I fell for the Lampchop hype, really overrated.
Although I do rather like 'up with people' for some reason.

Isn't it great to actually be talking about music on a hifi site?

To change the subject slightly; does anyone here think that Billy Bragg is underrated, i'm really getting into him at the moment, I think he's a superb songwriter (the english woody guthrie?!)

Posted on: 05 December 2002 by colin thomas

Straight out of the music hall tradition, joke band taken seriously.

Posted on: 06 December 2002 by Peter Litwack

Great vocal technique, but her delivery leaves me cold. I'll take Billie Holiday any day.

BTW, I'm in disbelief that I finally agree with Fred Simon about something. Bob Dylan is the single most important songwriter of the 20th century, and his singing is terrific. Check out "Visions of Johanna". Surely the Shakespeare (or Edward de Vere) of our time.

Posted on: 07 December 2002 by Wolf

Yep, Whether you like his singing, or not, he broke a lot of taboos about songwriting and rock music in general. Broke the time barrier regularly and made his songes personal and say something about our lives. The Beatles took note and changed as did a whole host of others. Then he went electric! ANd amazingly he's had two hot CD's in the last few years.