Past 20 Years: Any historically "great" rock bands?
I know this is subjective, but in the past 20 years have there been any rock bands that can even be put in the same league with Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Rolling Stones, Joplin, The Doors and Hendrix? Nirvana is the only one I can think of....Any other groups?
Seederman2011-07-10T17:15:12Z
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If we are going with a rockist viewpoint, I'd say the following bands from the last 20 years have proven influential enough and received enough critical attention that they belong on any canonical list of important rock groups. The only significant difference really is that most of them sold far fewer records than the ones you named. Each is responsible for multiple bands claiming them as influences and/or have received major strong reviews in the music press in the last 20 years.
My Bloody Valentine Happy Mondays Nirvana Slowdive Primal Scream Ride The Verve Spiritualized Massive Attack PJ Harvey Eliott Smith Brian Jonestown Massacre The White Stripes Sigur Ros Yeah Yeah Yeahs The Dandy Warhols Elephant 6 Collective (Neutral Milk Hotel, Olivia Tremor Control, etc.)
Radiohead for sure are you kidding me? They're the best band of the past 20 years hands down.
Most critics say OK Computer is the best album of the 90s, with The Bends not that far behind (top 20.) OK Computer is the DEFINITION of a Modern Masterpiece. OK Computer changed Rock n Roll forever- it was probably more genre defining and more cutting edge than any of Nirvana's works (not to say Nirvana isn't great.)
Then most critics agree that Kid A is the best album of the 2000s, with In Rainbows following close behind as well. Kid A is just a perfect example of Radiohead pushing boundaries, going out of their way and not sticking with the "same old same old". This album right here is my favorite of all time, it's absolutely fantastic.
Not to mention Radiohead has one of the best music videos of all time for their song "Just".
Other bands: The Strokes (very genre defining with "Is This It?") Arcade Fire maybe in a few years... The Flaming Lips maybe?
Arcade Fire Animal Collective Coldplay Elliott Smith Explosions In The Sky Fleet Foxes Godspeed You! Black Emperor Joanna Newsom The Mars Volta Muse Neutral Milk Hotel Radiohead The Strokes Sufjan Stevens The White Stripes