Overrated artists/albums

[Roger Ryan]

True, but Springsteen's early music is tailor-made for the optimism and romance of youth, something Springsteen himself "matured" out of to a degree. By comparison, I liked Neil Diamond when I was ten, but adored Springsteen at 19 (never cared much for Bread). Now, at nearly a half century along, I can appreciate the craftsmanship of both Diamond and Springsteen, but they are not favorites of mine. Oddly (perhaps?), the Beach Boys were the band for me when I was 12...and I still hold them in pretty high regard.

After forty years of collecting records, I now find that performers will cycle back around and their music may speak to me in a new way twenty or thirty years later.

[GreatUrduPoet]

Eric Clapton. That disgusting pissmidget should be exiled from any sensible nation on this planet. He can't play the blues, he can't write songs, he plays session guitar like the bored bank manager he looks like, and he hates black people.

If I genuinely hate any musician, it's Eric Clapton.

I've always thought that he went downhill after he quit The Yardbirds.

[GreatUrduPoet]

Most overrated artist: Bruce Springsteen/Madonna/Paul Simon/Lou Reed (solo)/Patti Smith/Eric Clapton/Jay-Z
Most overrated band: The Who/The Band/Black Sabbath/The Grateful Dead/Oasis/The Clash/U2/R.E.M./Wilco
Most overrated song: John Lennon 'Imagine' (nothing else even comes close)

[Newguy562]

Most overrated artist: Bruce Springsteen/Madonna/Paul Simon/Lou Reed (solo)/Patti Smith/Eric Clapton/Jay-Z
Most overrated band: The Who/The Band/Black Sabbath/The Grateful Dead/Oasis/The Clash/U2/R.E.M./Wilco
Most overrated song: John Lennon 'Imagine' (nothing else even comes close)

Paul Simon? One of the greatest songwriter's of all time..he deserves any praise that he gets...
Jay-Z? he's the most consistent/innovative rapper to ever come out.

The Who? please explain.

[GreatUrduPoet]

Most overrated artist: Bruce Springsteen/Madonna/Paul Simon/Lou Reed (solo)/Patti Smith/Eric Clapton/Jay-Z
Most overrated band: The Who/The Band/Black Sabbath/The Grateful Dead/Oasis/The Clash/U2/R.E.M./Wilco
Most overrated song: John Lennon 'Imagine' (nothing else even comes close)

Paul Simon? One of the greatest songwriter's of all time..he deserves any praise that he gets...
Jay-Z? he's the most consistent/innovative rapper to ever come out.

The Who? please explain.

It's all a matter of personal taste and media overexposure. I certainly own and enjoy records by Paul Simon, The Band, Black Sabbath etc. and I've seen fantastic live shows by Springsteen, Clapton, Oasis etc. over the years. I just find that the mainstream and rock press give these acts too much praise at the expense of equally talented and accomplished artists. JAY-Z is certainly an important and influential Hip-Hop artist, but I think other rappers are less pretentious and a lot more fun to listen to. And as far as The Who is concerned...I think that they peaked with SELL OUT. I'll take that LP and their classic early pop singles over TOMMY, WHO'S NEXT, etc. etc. any day. Again...all a matter of personal taste.

[Newguy562]

Most overrated artist: Bruce Springsteen/Madonna/Paul Simon/Lou Reed (solo)/Patti Smith/Eric Clapton/Jay-Z
Most overrated band: The Who/The Band/Black Sabbath/The Grateful Dead/Oasis/The Clash/U2/R.E.M./Wilco
Most overrated song: John Lennon 'Imagine' (nothing else even comes close)

Paul Simon? One of the greatest songwriter's of all time..he deserves any praise that he gets...
Jay-Z? he's the most consistent/innovative rapper to ever come out.

The Who? please explain.

It's all a matter of personal taste and media overexposure. I certainly own and enjoy records by Paul Simon, The Band, Black Sabbath etc. and I've seen fantastic live shows by Springsteen, Clapton, Oasis etc. over the years. I just find that the mainstream and rock press give these acts too much praise at the expense of equally talented and accomplished artists. JAY-Z is certainly an important and influential Hip-Hop artist, but I think other rappers are less pretentious and a lot more fun to listen to. And as far as The Who is concerned...I think that they peaked with SELL OUT. I'll take that LP and their classic early pop singles over TOMMY, WHO'S NEXT, etc. etc. any day. Again...all a matter of personal taste.

I agree with you on Sell Out that's my favorite album by them and i wish they did another psychedelic rock album after that but they moved on to rock opera..who's next is amazing but I'd listen to sell out before that anyday as well.

[MBE]

Most overrated artist: Bruce Springsteen/Madonna/Paul Simon/Lou Reed (solo)/Patti Smith/Eric Clapton/Jay-Z
Most overrated band: The Who/The Band/Black Sabbath/The Grateful Dead/Oasis/The Clash/U2/R.E.M./Wilco
Most overrated song: John Lennon 'Imagine' (nothing else even comes close)

Paul Simon? One of the greatest songwriter's of all time..he deserves any praise that he gets...
Jay-Z? he's the most consistent/innovative rapper to ever come out.

The Who? please explain.

It's all a matter of personal taste and media overexposure. I certainly own and enjoy records by Paul Simon, The Band, Black Sabbath etc. and I've seen fantastic live shows by Springsteen, Clapton, Oasis etc. over the years. I just find that the mainstream and rock press give these acts too much praise at the expense of equally talented and accomplished artists. JAY-Z is certainly an important and influential Hip-Hop artist, but I think other rappers are less pretentious and a lot more fun to listen to. And as far as The Who is concerned...I think that they peaked with SELL OUT. I'll take that LP and their classic early pop singles over TOMMY, WHO'S NEXT, etc. etc. any day. Again...all a matter of personal taste.

Agree about the Who. 1964-68 was so much cooler.

[bluesno1fann]

Most overrated artist: Bruce Springsteen/Madonna/Paul Simon/Lou Reed (solo)/Patti Smith/Eric Clapton/Jay-Z
Most overrated band: The Who/The Band/Black Sabbath/The Grateful Dead/Oasis/The Clash/U2/R.E.M./Wilco
Most overrated song: John Lennon 'Imagine' (nothing else even comes close)

Paul Simon? One of the greatest songwriter's of all time..he deserves any praise that he gets...
Jay-Z? he's the most consistent/innovative rapper to ever come out.

The Who? please explain.

It's all a matter of personal taste and media overexposure. I certainly own and enjoy records by Paul Simon, The Band, Black Sabbath etc. and I've seen fantastic live shows by Springsteen, Clapton, Oasis etc. over the years. I just find that the mainstream and rock press give these acts too much praise at the expense of equally talented and accomplished artists. JAY-Z is certainly an important and influential Hip-Hop artist, but I think other rappers are less pretentious and a lot more fun to listen to. And as far as The Who is concerned...I think that they peaked with SELL OUT. I'll take that LP and their classic early pop singles over TOMMY, WHO'S NEXT, etc. etc. any day. Again...all a matter of personal taste.

Agree about the Who. 1964-68 was so much cooler.

I second that!

[bluesno1fann]

Overrated Artists:
Elvis Presley - He was great, but: 1. He was NOT the King of Rock and Roll. 2. He pretty much sucked after he left the army.
Bob Dylan - Granted he's one of the greatest songwriters of the 20th Century, but he can't sing. At all. While his songs that are covered are classics, I find most of his actual records unlistenable.
Led Zeppelin - It's not so much they're bad - other than their plagiarisms, they're great - but the hardcore fans are intolerable. They're everywhere, and they arrogantly proclaim Zeppelin as the greatest band ever when somebody says so-and-so is the greatest. Plus I just don't think they're as good as a lot of people say anyway. Same with:
Black Sabbath.
KISS - They're all-right, but I never understood why they were as popular as they were.
AC/DC - Repetitive, and they pretty much sucked after Back In Black.
Nirvana - They're possibly the last great rock band. But face it, had it not been for Cobain's suicide, they wouldn't be half as popular as they are now.

[Ovi]

Bob Dylan - Granted he's one of the greatest songwriters of the 20th Century, but he can't sing. At all. While his songs that are covered are classics, I find most of his actual records unlistenable.

Listen to 'The House of Risin' Sun' from his debut album. Bob can not only sing, but he's also one of the most expressive and unique singers in rock 'n' roll, in my opinion. It's just that it's the details (the vocal tone adopted, the intonations etc.) that he's brilliant at, which can easily be overlooked. The greatness of his voice is not as in-your-face as say, Brian Wilson's or Sam Cooke's.

[Moon Dawg]

Overrated Artists:
Elvis Presley - He was great, but: 1. He was NOT the King of Rock and Roll. 2. He pretty much sucked after he left the army.
Bob Dylan - Granted he's one of the greatest songwriters of the 20th Century, but he can't sing. At all. While his songs that are covered are classics, I find most of his actual records unlistenable.
Led Zeppelin - It's not so much they're bad - other than their plagiarisms, they're great - but the hardcore fans are intolerable. They're everywhere, and they arrogantly proclaim Zeppelin as the greatest band ever when somebody says so-and-so is the greatest. Plus I just don't think they're as good as a lot of people say anyway. Same with:
Black Sabbath.
KISS - They're all-right, but I never understood why they were as popular as they were.
AC/DC - Repetitive, and they pretty much sucked after Back In Black.
Nirvana - They're possibly the last great rock band. But face it, had it not been for Cobain's suicide, they wouldn't be half as popular as they are now.

 Elvis continued to make some great singles and albums despite the uneven quality of the movie years. ELVIS IS BACK (1960) is one of his best albums. His 1968-70 comeback era includes some of his greatest stuff. The TV SPECIAL, FROM ELVIS IN MEMPHIS, etc.

  As far as singles go, 1968-72 gave us "Guitar Man", "U.S. Male", "A Little Less Conversation", "If I Can Dream", "In the Ghetto", "Suspicious Minds", "Don't Cry Daddy/Rubberneckin", "Kentucky Rain", "The Wonder of You", "I've Lost You", "I'm Leavin", "American Trilogy" AND "Burning Love"!

[RangeRoverA1]

Listen to 'The House of Risin' Sun' from his debut album. Bob can not only sing, but he's also one of the most expressive and unique singers in rock 'n' roll, in my opinion. It's just that it's the details (the vocal tone adopted, the intonations etc.) that he's brilliant at, which can easily be overlooked. The greatness of his voice is not as in-your-face as say, Brian Wilson's or Sam Cooke's.

Tastes differ, I for one think it's hopelessly bad. Give me The Animals' TERRIFIC version any day!

[Ovi]

Listen to 'The House of Risin' Sun' from his debut album. Bob can not only sing, but he's also one of the most expressive and unique singers in rock 'n' roll, in my opinion. It's just that it's the details (the vocal tone adopted, the intonations etc.) that he's brilliant at, which can easily be overlooked. The greatness of his voice is not as in-your-face as say, Brian Wilson's or Sam Cooke's.

Tastes differ, I for one think it's hopelessly bad. Give me The Animals' TERRIFIC version any day!

Yup, tastes differ in the sense that mine are good and yours are bad. 

[Ovi]

A band that I really wanted to like and have given them many chances is Van Halen. I own the first album and have listened to some other songs on YouTube as well, but they just don't do it for me. At all. So I guess I could call them 'overrated', as much as I dislike the term.

[RangeRoverA1]

Yup, tastes differ in the sense that mine are good and yours are bad. 

Nope, MINE are good & yours bad. Seriously though, have you known that there's no such thing as bad or good taste? You're just defending your favorite artist, which is no necessary because Dylan already has huge fan-club of his followers.

[rab2591]

Listen to 'The House of Risin' Sun' from his debut album. Bob can not only sing, but he's also one of the most expressive and unique singers in rock 'n' roll, in my opinion. It's just that it's the details (the vocal tone adopted, the intonations etc.) that he's brilliant at, which can easily be overlooked. The greatness of his voice is not as in-your-face as say, Brian Wilson's or Sam Cooke's.

Agreed! Especially on Highway 61 and Blonde On Blonde - his tone and annunciations work so well with that music.

For anyone with doubts about Dylan's voice, listen to Girl From The North Country (the Freewheelin' version). I used to hate his voice, but it really grew on me.

[Ovi]

Listen to 'The House of Risin' Sun' from his debut album. Bob can not only sing, but he's also one of the most expressive and unique singers in rock 'n' roll, in my opinion. It's just that it's the details (the vocal tone adopted, the intonations etc.) that he's brilliant at, which can easily be overlooked. The greatness of his voice is not as in-your-face as say, Brian Wilson's or Sam Cooke's.

Agreed! Especially on Highway 61 and Blonde On Blonde - his tone and annunciations work so well with that music.

For anyone with doubts about Dylan's voice, listen to Girl From The North Country (the Freewheelin' version). I used to hate his voice, but it really grew on me.

I love the fact that more and more words out of my post get highlighted with each new quote. 

I agree on both accounts rab -  'Girl From North Country' is one of my very favourite Dylan songs. Excellent delivery, lyrics and mood. I also love the contrast with Masters of War within the context of the album.

I even dig the 1969 re-work with Johnny Cash. Kinda sloppy, but very passionate. What do you think about that one?

[Disney Boy (1985)]

I loathe - and I mean loathe - Radiohead.

Some of their backing tracks are nice, however....

Thom Yorke's voice is like fingernails down a f**king blackboard. I mean, it is just an absolutely detestable sound! I hate everything about it: the whiny reediness, the deliberate mispronunciation of 'r's (a speech impediment he curiously doesn't have when talking)...

And have you seen him on stage when he sings? Wobbling his head and pulling endless pained expressions? What a horrible little prick.

And those stupid pretentious lyrics - "Oh yes, when I sang 'the monkeys are sucking lemons/the monkeys are sucking lemons/take the money and run/take the money and run/Hannah and her sisters' it was a comment on the fall of the Roman Empire'' etc.

"Ooh, wow, look at us letting the public choose how much they want to pay for our album - aren't we so anti-establishment!" Yeah? Try letting the public choose how much they want to pay for your album before making millions and millions releasing albums through Sony and we'll all be a little more impressed, you quintet of bell-ends!

(The only song of theirs that I actually like - and I've had a lot of friends try to convince me of their greatness, so I've had the misfortune of listening to it all i can assure you - is an instrumental: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=On8ajxxQNJI)

[rab2591]

Listen to 'The House of Risin' Sun' from his debut album. Bob can not only sing, but he's also one of the most expressive and unique singers in rock 'n' roll, in my opinion. It's just that it's the details (the vocal tone adopted, the intonations etc.) that he's brilliant at, which can easily be overlooked. The greatness of his voice is not as in-your-face as say, Brian Wilson's or Sam Cooke's.

Agreed! Especially on Highway 61 and Blonde On Blonde - his tone and annunciations work so well with that music.

For anyone with doubts about Dylan's voice, listen to Girl From The North Country (the Freewheelin' version). I used to hate his voice, but it really grew on me.

I love the fact that more and more words out of my post get highlighted with each new quote. 

I agree on both accounts rab -  'Girl From North Country' is one of my very favourite Dylan songs. Excellent delivery, lyrics and mood. I also love the contrast with Masters of War within the context of the album.

I even dig the 1969 re-work with Johnny Cash. Kinda sloppy, but very passionate. What do you think about that one?

It has it's own charm - not as good as the original, but I really dig Cash's vocal in it.

Here's another that shows how great Dylan's voice was (With God On Our Side feat. Joan Baez at Newport): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KTkRAzxppY

[Gabo]

Neil Young? I haven't listened to much of him, but I've always seen him as a bland Dylan impersonator.

[Gabo]

I loathe - and I mean loathe - Radiohead.

Some of their backing tracks are nice, however....

Thom Yorke's voice is like fingernails down a f**king blackboard. I mean, it is just an absolutely detestable sound! I hate everything about it: the whiny reediness, the deliberate mispronunciation of 'r's (a speech impediment he curiously doesn't have when talking)...

And have you seen him on stage when he sings? Wobbling his head and pulling endless pained expressions? What a horrible little prick.

And those stupid pretentious lyrics - "Oh yes, when I sang 'the monkeys are sucking lemons/the monkeys are sucking lemons/take the money and run/take the money and run/Hannah and her sisters' it was a comment on the fall of the Roman Empire'' etc.

"Ooh, wow, look at us letting the public choose how much they want to pay for our album - aren't we so anti-establishment!" Yeah? Try letting the public choose how much they want to pay for your album before making millions and millions releasing albums through Sony and we'll all be a little more impressed, you quintet of bell-ends!

(The only song of theirs that I actually like - and I've had a lot of friends try to convince me of their greatness, so I've had the misfortune of listening to it all i can assure you - is an instrumental: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=On8ajxxQNJI)

I also hate Radiohead. I dislike their cold, detached sound and their general lack of melody.

[the captain]

I don't think being overrated has anything to do with the artist himself, so it is no criticism to him. If some idiot overvalues something, that's the idiot's fault. And that begs the question, since what we're taking from art is enjoyment, is that even possible? Probably not unless you're trying to project the value you take from the artist onto what other people should take from the artist. Again, that's your stupidity, not the artist's. My sure-to-be-popular two cents.

[Ron]

I've probably already responded to this years ago, but one of the most overrated ever was Bruce Springsteen.  He's got two or three decent songs the rest is just average trash.  "The Boss" of hypocrisy

Gotta unfortunately agree with the Who too.  Boring as hell, can't really say I like 1 of their songs.  I'm sure they have a couple I'd like, but not many.

I actually like "You Better you Bet".  I was pissed when I found out it was the Who.... but that kind of proves the rule.  If I've heard so much Who music that I know You Better You Bet, and that's the only one I like, that proves that to me they're sh*t.

[Ron]

I don't think being overrated has anything to do with the artist himself, so it is no criticism to him. If some idiot overvalues something, that's the idiot's fault. And that begs the question, since what we're taking from art is enjoyment, is that even possible? Probably not unless you're trying to project the value you take from the artist onto what other people should take from the artist. Again, that's your stupidity, not the artist's. My sure-to-be-popular two cents.

That would be true If I were talking to Bruce Springsteen... it would be unfair for me to tell him he's overvaluing himself.  I'm just talking to fans, though, who do overstate his greatness.  So it's valid to say somebody's overrated since you're talking to other fans. 

[Ron]

Newguy, one day you'll notice that music isn't always as blunt and as obvious as you're used to.  All the artists and music you don't "get" now you will most likely "get" later in your life.  Music comes around at the right time and place in your life for it to really work, if you're not ready for Springsteen or Dylan right now...you will be later...if you allow him to be.  You may know what you want in music now but all that changes with age.  It's no accident that these dudes are legends. 

Wow my dad always tells me that...there's a lot of music i just don't get ....I'm glad you put it like that instead of clowning me for not understanding and dismissing Bruce's music..
maybe most of my friends don't like or know his music because well they mostly listen to rap..dubstep..punk

They're right, you do 'get' more music as you get older, for instance when I was a kid, I loved the Oakridge boys and didn't like the Statler Brothers.  Now it's the other way around. 

They're wrong about Bruce though, he'll suck as long as you're alive.