Rolling Stones are a DISGRACE!!!

[Maxym]

Idk, depends how good they are. I'll take them over Taylor Swift any day.

So I give them a try, listened to half of a Foo Fighters greatest hits today and then half of each of their first two albums.

To me they sound like many feel-good-possibly-romantic-punk bands... Band that I know of an had in mind while listening to them: Millencolin, Down By Law, Lagwagon, No Use For A Name, ... and there are more ...

Now, these bands existed before the Foo Fighters but some also had changes in their styles, so it cannot be excluded that the Foo Fighters may have brought some influence... But how I see it right now is like they are one of many bands who had shared influences and possibly influenced others... I don't see real genius originality there...
Good band: yes. But I don't really feel compelled to listen to them now in 2023 and I wouldn't included them in a wide scope top 200.

 

[filmandmusic]

The entire grunge scene and the stuff that came out of it has passed me by.

About Nirvana I will tell you how big they were. My sister as a kid was into Madonna, in the 90s she moved on to the eurodance scene which was enormous in Europe. She went to clubs and all the music she liked had fat beats. You know techno and house etc but then Smells like teen spirit came around and my sister bought that album on the basis of that song. It was literally the only rock single and album in her collection of hundreds of dance records and compilations.
Kurt Cobain literally conquered his opposition (back then you were put in boxes regarding music, you couldn’t like both). He not only conquered the dance scene and fans he also beat the pop and rap scenes of the day. It was massive.
Thanks to my sister my musical horizon got widened because I too listened to Nirvana which eventually turned out to be the basis of becoming an obsessive music fan in general. If you get stimulated at the right age then a lot of alternative paths open up. Without that particular moment I would not have had the interest of getting to know Bob Dylan and without Bob I wouldn’t get into Joni Mitchell and so on and so on.

It is basically the exact same thing MJ accomplished with thriller and beat it. Michael Jackson got airplay on Belgians nr 1 alternative station, a station that played Nirvana, pearl jam, alice in chains, metallica, radiohead etc. This didn’t last of course but during the 80s he did what Kurt Cobain did with Nevermind and that is where Kurt’s status comes from. Obviously his early death reinforced the legend. Had MJ died in 1985 he would be seen as a God still.

 

[Nite Line]

I'm not really a Taylor Swift fan. Though we are peers, age wise, and I'm definitely within her target demographic, her music always felt immature for me and my life circumstances at the time she really blew up. I couldn't relate to it even though I was sort of told that I should. I never had any interest in her work. But then she released two albums in 2020 and I decided to check them out. I fell in love with her album Folklore. Listened to it like crazy and genuinely liked almost every song. It's a good album. For real

Funny you say that, because I absolutely don't like Folklore and any of Taylor Swift's recent albums. I actually like most of the songs from her first five albums, but after 1989, she declined, in my opinion. But because she has a dedicated fanbase and a lot of the support from the music journalists, she is still a critically and commercially successful artist.

 

[Nite Line]

I never got the hype with grunge and Nirvana. Smells Like Teen Spirit sounds like complete gibberish to me.

 

[DuranDuran]

Garth Brooks has 9 diamond albums. Nirvana & Foo Fighters put together can't claim that, and neither can anyone else, including The Beatles. When Nevermind knocked Dangerous out of the top spot, the following week Garth had the #1 album and also had 3 different albums in the top 20 during the same week. The popularity of grunge only lasted around 2 years, but country music is still popular today in the USA. It's 2nd in mainstream popularity after hip hop. As far as rock goes, grunge was replaced by nu-metal, which didn't last that long in popularity either. Rock in itself fell out of mainstream favor long ago. Unless you count Maroon 5.

 

[Mister_Jay_Tee]

I never got the hype with grunge and Nirvana. Smells Like Teen Spirit sounds like complete gibberish to me.

The riff of it is great. Something in the Way is the better song. Thanks Batman.

 

[zinniabooklover]

I never got the hype with grunge and Nirvana. Smells Like Teen Spirit sounds like complete gibberish to me.

I love it so much. I think it's intelligent, articulate, eloquent, wild, exciting - that bass line, Kurt's anguished howl, the lyrics ...

It's one of my songs.

Just to be clear - not having a go. Just sending my adoration of the song out into the universe!

 

[DangerousGal91]

I'm not really a Taylor Swift fan. Though we are peers, age wise, and I'm definitely within her target demographic, her music always felt immature for me and my life circumstances at the time she really blew up. I couldn't relate to it even though I was sort of told that I should. I never had any interest in her work. But then she released two albums in 2020 and I decided to check them out. I fell in love with her album Folklore. Listened to it like crazy and genuinely liked almost every song. It's a good album. For real.

Not too keen on Taylor Swift either; back in the day, she created one of my least favorite songs ever (You Belong With Me Hard agree regarding supposed "relatability", blegh!!). I also think she's rather weak as a vocalist; would much rather listen to Carrie Underwood, LeAnn Rimes or good ol' Dolly Parton when it comes to female country-pop artists.

Not familiar with Folklore at all, but also not too interested in checking it out, lol. Glad you enjoy it though!

 

[DangerousGal91]

Garth Brooks has 9 diamond albums. Nirvana & Foo Fighters put together can't claim that, and neither can anyone else, including The Beatles. When Nevermind knocked Dangerous out of the top spot, the following week Garth had the #1 album and also had 3 different albums in the top 20 during the same week. The popularity of grunge only lasted around 2 years, but country music is still popular today in the USA. It's 2nd in mainstream popularity after hip hop. As far as rock goes, grunge was replaced by nu-metal, which didn't last that long in popularity either. Rock in itself fell out of mainstream favor long ago. Unless you count Maroon 5.

It should be noted that nobody outside the US knows who Garth Brooks is, lol. I know he makes country music, but his songs never get played here and nobody buys any of his music. I can't name a single song of his as a result. It's already a miracle I love Carrie Underwood so much, given the fact she's not known over here at all. Country music is fairly underground outside the US and Australia, I know this is probably surprising to most Americans (and possibly Australians).

 

[DangerousGal91]

I think vocal performances on songs like Smooth Criminal, Shout, This time around, tabloid junkie, can't let her get away etc aren't helping much. Call me deluded but I am convinced a lot of people really don't like his voice.

But this is how MJ wanted to sing from the 90s onwards, people have forgotten how good he could sing when he didn't distort his voice.

I actually love that anger in his voice, especially when he does rock. Such raw, emotional power... It doesn't matter in what style he sang, he was always stellar at emoting while singing. Not many other artists could do that like he could, in my opinion.

 

[filmandmusic]

I actually love that anger in his voice, especially when he does rock. Such raw, emotional power... It doesn't matter in what style he sang, he was always stellar at emoting while singing. Not many other artists could do that like he could, in my opinion.

I like it too but when he sings softly it is instantly stress releasing. I have been in this fase for about 3 years now, I think I’m stuck in it.

 

[zinniabooklover]

It should be noted that nobody outside the US knows who Garth Brooks is, lol.

Mm, not quite true. He's pretty popular in the UK and in Ireland. I don't have stats for that bc I don't care about him, myself. But he's big.

I know he makes country music, but his songs never get played here and nobody buys any of his music.

He crops up a lot on Bob Harris' Country Show. How much radio play he gets outside of that I couldn't say. He gets decent coverage in the MSM.

I can't name a single song of his as a result.

Me neither but that's bc country is not for me.

Country music is fairly underground outside the US and Australia,

Country doesn't seem huge in the UK, as far as I can tell, but I wouldn't say it's underground. Not at all.

 

[Mister_Jay_Tee]

I think vocal performances on songs like Smooth Criminal, Shout, This time around, tabloid junkie, can't let her get away etc aren't helping much. Call me deluded but I am convinced a lot of people really don't like his voice.

But this is how MJ wanted to sing from the 90s onwards, people have forgotten how good he could sing when he didn't distort his voice.

That's like saying James Brown was a bad singer. Or Bruno Mars. Their voices are way raspier than MJ's. And where do they rank?

 

[zinniabooklover]

That's like saying James Brown was a bad singer. Or Bruno Mars. Their voices are way raspier than MJ's. And where do they rank?

Really don't wanna get into this stupid RS list. But I did notice that Little Richard is at No.11 and James Brown is not in the Top 20. I don't know if he's in the list at all but how LR could be placed above JB beggars belief. LR was a great artist, I love him to bits and he was fabulously influential. But the ranking is laughable if you place LR above JB. But that's already been well-established so my comment is already redundant, lol.

Still think it's stupid!

 

[filmandmusic]

I don’t think JB was in it but of course he should be. He is a great balladeer as well as funk singer. Like MJ he is probably cursed for being known as a dancer first

 

[zinniabooklover]

I don’t think JB was in it

 

[DuranDuran]

Country doesn't seem huge in the UK, as far as I can tell, but I wouldn't say it's underground. Not at all.

Believe it or not, but country music has a following in Jamaica & a few countries in Africa. And I don't mean South Africa, lol. It's not huge like reggae or other local music, but it has fans. The Beatles, Rolling Stones, and other British Invasion acts have done country flavored songs.

Mm, not quite true. He's pretty popular in the UK and in Ireland.

That might be because country & western is partly based on traditional folk music from Europe mixed with blues & Hawaiian music from the USA. Not modern mainstream "bro-country" but the early years of country & bluegrass

 

[zinniabooklover]

Believe it or not, but country music has a following in Jamaica & a few countries in Africa.

This doesn't surprise me at all.

And I don't mean South Africa, lol. It's not huge like reggae or other local music, but it has fans.

Yep, that's what I would expect.

The Beatles, Rolling Stones, and other British Invasion acts have done country flavored songs.

Yep. I wasn't really trying to track the popularity and / or influence of country outside of America, just pointing out that Garth Brooks is indeed popular and his name is well known.

That might be because country & western is partly based on traditional folk music from Europe mixed with blues & Hawaiian music from the USA. Not modern mainstream "bro-country" but the early years of country & bluegrass

Yep.

 

[fraroc04]

Put it to you this way, I'm a metalhead through and through, I love singers like Bruce Dickinson, Geoff Tate, James LaBrie, Rob Halford, Ronnie James Dio....Michael Jackson is still in my personal top 15 if not my top 10.

 

[DangerousGal91]

I don’t think JB was in it but of course he should be. He is a great balladeer as well as funk singer. Like MJ he is probably cursed for being known as a dancer first

My insomnia-fueled brain all like "...wait, Justin Bieber isn't on the list? He makes funk since when??... OH, right..."

Cue @zinniabooklover probably whacking me on the head with a chair, lol. I've probably committed the greatest music-related sin ever.

 

[Mister_Jay_Tee]

My insomnia-fueled brain all like "...wait, Justin Bieber isn't on the list? He makes funk since when??... OH, right..."

Cue @zinniabooklover probably whacking me on the head with a chair, lol. I've probably committed the greatest music-related sin ever.

Yeah we all Finna jump you for that lol

 

[zinniabooklover]

My insomnia-fueled brain all like "...wait, Justin Bieber isn't on the list? He makes funk since when??... OH, right..."

Cue @zinniabooklover probably whacking me on the head with a chair, lol. I've probably committed the greatest music-related sin ever.

Well, your Garth Brooks comment was fairly entertaining, I'll say that, lol.

As for JB, no, the worst one was on another thread a while back. Someone was slagging off John Branca and, as a way of being dismissive of him, they called him JB. I was horrified. I mean, proper horrified.

There is only one JB. Call John Branca by his surname or ... I dunno, I don't care. Just don't call him JB.

Even James Brown's backing band from 1970 onwards was called The JB's. I rest my case!

 

[Nite Line]

It should be noted that nobody outside the US knows who Garth Brooks is, lol. I know he makes country music, but his songs never get played here and nobody buys any of his music. I can't name a single song of his as a result. It's already a miracle I love Carrie Underwood so much, given the fact she's not known over here at all. Country music is fairly underground outside the US and Australia, I know this is probably surprising to most Americans (and possibly Australians).

I love me some Carrie Underwood too.

 

[zinniabooklover]

Cue @zinniabooklover probably whacking me on the head with a chair, lol. I've probably committed the greatest music-related sin ever.

Forgot to say, this would involve me being violent and anti-social. I would oppose such a move!

Peace, always and at all times, lol.

 

[DangerousGal91]

Well, your Garth Brooks comment was fairly entertaining, I'll say that, lol.

As for JB, no, the worst one was on another thread a while back. Someone was slagging off John Branca and, as a way of being dismissive of him, they called him JB. I was horrified. I mean, proper horrified.

There is only one JB. Call John Branca by his surname or ... I dunno, I don't care. Just don't call him JB.

Even James Brown's backing band from 1970 onwards was called The JB's. I rest my case!

Well surprisingly, perhaps, I legitimately don't think Garth Brooks is well known in continental Europe. I was mostly basing my comment off of that. I guess Anglophone countries love him, though.

Also, I... tend to think of Justin Bieber when I see "JB"... I do prefer to think of James Brown though, lol. Not even a Bieber-hater really, just not on the same level.

Staying far away from the Branca thing LOL.

Forgot to say, this would involve me being violent and anti-social. I would oppose such a move!

Peace, always and at all times, lol.

Love is our message!

 

[chris123678]

This may have already been touched on, but from what I can tell, the charges that were leveled against him factored in their rating given what they wrote.
"What we now know about his life makes his music harder to enjoy, and it’s been argued that as his world darkened his voice devolved into a parodic arsenal of tics."

In my mind, it's very very difficult to be one of the greatest entertainers on earth, and have a voice ranked at 86.

 

[filmandmusic]

@DangerousGal91 you’re 100% right, Garth Brooks is unknown in Belgium so probably also in Holland.
@chris123678 of course the allegations played a huge factor some people just don’t want to see or believe it. He was nr 25 in 2008, if 1993 never happened it could well have been top 10. I remember 1993 very clearly despite being fairly young, the world didn’t talk about anything else, you can’t escape such allegations without having suffered huge damage in the public eye.
It’s simple you have to factor it in when it comes to popularity lists.

 

[zinniabooklover]

Well surprisingly, perhaps, I legitimately don't think Garth Brooks is well known in continental Europe.

Oh, I'm sure he isn't *hugely* well-known over there. Country is bigger in the UK, afaik, bc we are so freakin' influenced by America, lol.

I was mostly basing my comment off of that. I guess Anglophone countries love him, though.

That's what it is. It always comes down to language.

Also, I... tend to think of Justin Bieber when I see "JB"...

oh god

I do prefer to think of James Brown though, lol.

Yay!!

Staying far away from the Branca thing LOL.

Yeah, I don't get into myself. It was only that they used 'JB' to refer to him and that freaked me out. There is only one JB and it ain't Branca, lol.

Love is our message!

Always.

@DangerousGal91 you’re 100% right, Garth Brooks is unknown in Belgium so probably also in Holland.

She is 100% right but, in my defence, I would just point out that DGal's original statement was that Garth Brooks isn't known outside of the US or Australia. I beg to differ. But, of course, I don't imagine his European fan base - if he has one - is as big as his UK fan base. I'm just guessing now but that sounds about right.

god, I feel like I need to go and check out Garth Brooks now. I must have heard him on the Bob Harris Country Show on R2 but have no memory of what he sounds like. If he's country rock I might be OK but if he's trad it won't fly.

 

[Maxym]

Yeah, I don't get into myself. It was only that they used 'JB' to refer to him and that freaked me out. There is only one JB and it ain't Branca, lol.

Joan Baez?
Jackson Browne?
Josephine Baker?
Jacques Brel? (<- By the way, if it wasn't a stricly English speaking ranking, he should be in the top 200...)

 

[zinniabooklover]

Joan Baez?
Jackson Browne?
Josephine Baker?

Noted.

All of these are awesome. Actually, I'm not fond of Jackson Browne, tbh. He has never rocked my world although loads of people do rate him very highly. Plus, I was being slightly facetious - but then again, no. No-one, afaik, has ever referred to any of these peeps as 'JB'. It's the standard way of talking about James Brown and has been for decades.

Unless you are being jokey and I just didn't pick up on that, lol.

Jacques Brel? (<- By the way, if it wasn't a stricly English speaking ranking, he should be in the top 200...)

I haven't looked at the RS list so don't know how English language-centric it is. These things usually are but I'd hope by now we'd have moved beyond that. If that is not the case that is disheartening.

But Jacques Brel for sure has been massively influential. Bowie loved his work.