A while ago I wrote that the Smiths wouldn't make my top 10 all-time bands, and ever since I've wondered what that list would look like. After pondering my collection and reminiscing about various musical crushes I've had ("Hello, Zwan!") I think my list would look something like this:
1. Television...only two proper studio albums in their heyday, but Marquee Moon is still my favorite album of all time. And to think that I hated it the first twenty times I listened to it.
2. R.E.M...I think I've said enough about these guys.
3. The Replacements...drunken romantics with their hearts on their sleeves. It's no stretch to say that I patterned a large chunk of my life after them.
4. The Beatles...when I was young and stupid I said they sucked, but I don't think it's an overstatement to call them the musical equivalent of Shakespeare in the sense that huge chunks of our culture don't exist without them.
5. The Rolling Stones...it's funny: twenty years ago I thought they were pretty old, but now looking back on those days, they seem kinda young.
6. Sonic Youth...I don't think I have anything of theirs after Dirty and that was 1992. So how can they be a favorite band if I don't follow them anymore? Good question. Here's the answer: Sister and Daydream Nation were so far beyond the cool threshold and rocked my socks so much, that they earn the band an unending reservoir of affection which totally overrides the fact that I'm not that interested in the new stuff.
7. The Clash...I'm shocked that I have them this low. If you ever meet me in a bar, don't get me started on these guys. I'll never stop talking.
8. The Pixies...I wasn't sure if they were gonna make it, but considering how much they rocked at a time when rock was in short supply, I guess I'd be a fool to leave them off.
9. Versus...I'll never convince you of their greatness, so let's just leave it at that.
10. Creedence Clearwater Revival...My mom played Chronicle endlessly when I was a kid and that's why I love my mom.
Honorable mention goes to the following bands without whom I'd simply be ectoplasm: New York Dolls, Buffalo Tom, The Stooges (how did they not make Top Ten?!?), Husker Du, Sex Pistols, Nirvana, Pavement, and They Might Be Giants.
1. Television...only two proper studio albums in their heyday, but Marquee Moon is still my favorite album of all time. And to think that I hated it the first twenty times I listened to it.
2. R.E.M...I think I've said enough about these guys.
3. The Replacements...drunken romantics with their hearts on their sleeves. It's no stretch to say that I patterned a large chunk of my life after them.
4. The Beatles...when I was young and stupid I said they sucked, but I don't think it's an overstatement to call them the musical equivalent of Shakespeare in the sense that huge chunks of our culture don't exist without them.
5. The Rolling Stones...it's funny: twenty years ago I thought they were pretty old, but now looking back on those days, they seem kinda young.
6. Sonic Youth...I don't think I have anything of theirs after Dirty and that was 1992. So how can they be a favorite band if I don't follow them anymore? Good question. Here's the answer: Sister and Daydream Nation were so far beyond the cool threshold and rocked my socks so much, that they earn the band an unending reservoir of affection which totally overrides the fact that I'm not that interested in the new stuff.
7. The Clash...I'm shocked that I have them this low. If you ever meet me in a bar, don't get me started on these guys. I'll never stop talking.
8. The Pixies...I wasn't sure if they were gonna make it, but considering how much they rocked at a time when rock was in short supply, I guess I'd be a fool to leave them off.
9. Versus...I'll never convince you of their greatness, so let's just leave it at that.
10. Creedence Clearwater Revival...My mom played Chronicle endlessly when I was a kid and that's why I love my mom.
Honorable mention goes to the following bands without whom I'd simply be ectoplasm: New York Dolls, Buffalo Tom, The Stooges (how did they not make Top Ten?!?), Husker Du, Sex Pistols, Nirvana, Pavement, and They Might Be Giants.
No comments:
Post a Comment