In your opinion
Which band / musical act do you consider overrated?

I'm going to have to say the Beatles. To me they were average, a few decent tunes, but I just don't see what the hysteria and adulation is all about.

I'm considering taking bets on how many people say U2...
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Thu 7 May 2009, 12:40, 59 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

Coldplay, U2, Kylie, The woman off Britain's got talent...

( fuck shit up the best you never had, Thu 7 May 2009, 12:43, Reply)

Susan Boyle?
I agree, she's got a good voice, but nothing spectacular.
( Agnostic Antichrist Baltimora, Thu 7 May 2009, 12:44, Reply)

I'll be the first (and possibly the only one)
But I think it's Nirvana.

Their music bores me, and while I appreciate that they are responsible for a lot of bands I listen to, it's doesn't stop their music sounding like some whiny junkie moaning into a microphone.

Oh wait...
( Agnostic Antichrist Baltimora, Thu 7 May 2009, 12:43, Reply)

Not the only one,
I agree.

Soundgarden, Pearl Jam and Alice In Chains = far superior.

EDIT: Replied to this before I read the rest of the thread. Seems AA isn't the only one anyway.
(Applebite Uh! A cow!, Thu 7 May 2009, 18:40, Reply)

Radiohead
I just don't get it. They are average.
(porkylips looks better as the sun goes down., Thu 7 May 2009, 12:44, Reply)

Saying the Beatles is unfair
You have to consider them in the context of the time, and think about how influential they were. Plus the white album and Revolver still stand the test of time imo, bloody good albums. They certainly weren't average, anyway!

A small list:
U2 (since you said :D)
Coldplay
The Smiths, and particularly Morrissey (CUNT)
Depeche Mode
Nirvana
Madonna
ANY indie band a la Kasabian, Kaiser Chiefs, Razorlight etc (all the same band, basically)
Bob Dylan post 1971

I could go on for hours, but it's lunchtime...!
(username1, Thu 7 May 2009, 12:44, Reply)

Nirvana
EDIT DAMN AA said the same thing.

cockfuckshitbollocks
(Bert's other profile wants to wear your balls on a necklace, Thu 7 May 2009, 12:47, Reply)

ABBA
I mean, honestly, what the fuck?
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Thu 7 May 2009, 12:47, Reply)

Have to agree with U2, The Beatles, Nirvana and Coldplay
And add to that Oasis, Kasabian and Snow Patrol.
( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Thu 7 May 2009, 12:48, Reply)

U2 ARE massively over rated though!
And I am going to anger everyone by saying Metallica
( TGB checking Off Topic is still shit at, Thu 7 May 2009, 12:50, Reply)

Can't agree with Depeche Mode username1
If anything, I think they're severley underrated. But then, they are my favourite band so I'm biased :)

I stand by the Beatles, though.
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Thu 7 May 2009, 12:51, Reply)

Riiiiiiiggghhhhht................*deep breath*
Bowie (the Laughing Gnome? Do see me laughing, you Stooges-album-ruining COCK)
T Rex (poor man's Quo)
Beatles
The Clash (sorry Weeker)
Coldplay
Radiohead
Oasis
U2
Smiths
Cure
INXS (the dude was a good-looking frontman, their records were truly awful)
Any and all modern indie bollocks
Bob fucking Dylan
Bruce Springsteen (you're not MY fucking boss you mediocrity)
Elvis Presley
Depeche Mode
Nirvana (forgot them)
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Thu 7 May 2009, 12:55, Reply)

Amen to Porky, have to agree about Radiohead
More:

Avenged Sevenfold
Paramour
Dragonforce
( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Thu 7 May 2009, 12:56, Reply)

U2, the vast majority of the "rappers", the Aztecs, Men at Work...
while they put out a few good songs each (except the rappers - they're total trollops), most of their music was utter piss. Oh and Madonna. And Kylie. I denounce Kylie as my Australian kin. She can get right to fuck.
(Poppet some assembly required., Thu 7 May 2009, 12:57, Reply)

@VC
Nanana-nananana-nanana-nananana

Nananana-nanananana-nananana-nananana

Someone should give that Kylie a banana, she's been asking for ages.
(Bert's other profile wants to wear your balls on a necklace, Thu 7 May 2009, 12:59, Reply)

Thought I was the only one
I'm with The Grammar Badger, Metallica.

Kylie and Madonna are also stupidly overrated, neither can sing particularly well.
(lei, Thu 7 May 2009, 13:01, Reply)

bert I'll scratch you in a minute
Kylie and madonna only got famous cos they got most of their clothes off and pranced around like hookers.
(Poppet some assembly required., Thu 7 May 2009, 13:04, Reply)

Can't believe I forgot
The Beautiful Fucking South!

Truly the most twee, aggravatingly annoying bucket of wank ever committed to (insert musical format of choice) EVER.
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Thu 7 May 2009, 13:05, Reply)

Billy Ray Cyrus
and his "wanky achey fucking breaky heart" can go take a long walk off a short pier as well.
(Poppet some assembly required., Thu 7 May 2009, 13:07, Reply)

I have to say
U2.
The Beatles.
Wham/George Michael.
The Prodigy, although I do like some of their stuff.
Nirvana.
Guns n Roses.
Roger Waters, post The Wall, whiney get!
Phil Collins.
Bob Dylan post early 70's
Jimi Hendrix.
The Rolling Stones.
(Herr Doktor Lemminge Is bored, so cheer me up!, Thu 7 May 2009, 13:07, Reply)

I would have to agree with you on the Beatles, DG.
I just... Can't... think... they're... good. It has to be said, though, that a lot of the reason I don't like the Beatles is because of Paul McArtney.

Anyway, a lot of bands are overrated. Pretty much anything that is reviewed with the words "Album of the Decade!!" or "NME *****".

But I REALLY hate:

Pete Doherty/Libertines/Babyshambles
Amy Winehouse
50p
The Streets
Ini Kamoze
( Devil_In_Tights the *real* DiT!, Thu 7 May 2009, 13:12, Reply)

U2 seem to be winning so far
I agree they're overrated, however I do quite like some of their earlier stuff. It doesn't make me go running for the off switch on the radio in the same way that the Beautiful South do!
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Thu 7 May 2009, 13:14, Reply)

Good to know
That everybody else thinks Coldplay are a big bag of crap.
( The Light in Chains don't touch the Pope's boner, Thu 7 May 2009, 13:16, Reply)

Oh come now DG
Any band that has the lyric "It's hard to get by, when your arse is as wide, as a small country" can't be all that bad!

Oh I forgot to agree on Metallica.
(Herr Doktor Lemminge Is bored, so cheer me up!, Thu 7 May 2009, 13:17, Reply)

Dok
That was the Divine Comedy, and it is the best lyric in any song ever. FACT!
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Thu 7 May 2009, 13:22, Reply)

Shit
I'm going mad!

You're right yes it was DG, sorry.
(Herr Doktor Lemminge Is bored, so cheer me up!, Thu 7 May 2009, 13:24, Reply)

Well you are quite old now
Dok :p
( TGB checking Off Topic is still shit at, Thu 7 May 2009, 13:25, Reply)

*Eyes Monty*
Of all the bands that I haven't quite got, it's Bob Dylan.

Believe me I've tried! I've *ahem* acquired all of his albums, and even studied that "How to Listen to Bob Dylan.com" website. There are some cracking tunes, but for me some songs, and I know this is a cliché but they sound like a screeching car. As in it sends shivers up your spine for all the wrong reasons.
( whenanimalsattackhumans clad in global hypercolour, Thu 7 May 2009, 13:27, Reply)

Not yet Badger
Not till next Tuesday!
(Herr Doktor Lemminge Is bored, so cheer me up!, Thu 7 May 2009, 13:27, Reply)

Pink Floyd for sure
If they'd all died in a plane crash in, say '69, they'd be in my top ten all time greats but the Wall is truly the most overblown self-indulgent pile of wank ever. Dark Side of the Moon is no where near as good as people seem to think, either.

Dok - I'm genuinely fascinated to hear your argument against Hendrix though; I can understand that long wailing solos aren't everyone's cup of tea but there was so much more to the chap than that...
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Thu 7 May 2009, 13:31, Reply)

I understand and appreciate most of these
but Metallica are the fucking business. In their genre, no one else comes close. Yes, they are penises and up their own arses, but they are so good that doesn't matter.

unlike U2 or Coldplay. Fucking piles of shit.

The thing with the Beatles is that you have to appreciate all the shit that was around at the time. By the standards of the last 30 years they seem average, they can play their instruments and have a few decent songs, but when they first showed up they blew everyone else away.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Thu 7 May 2009, 13:32, Reply)

@DiT
couldn't agree more re The Streets - what the fuck are people on about?

Guardian readers' idea of gritty/urban/ironic chavvery.

What a steaming mound of arseclap.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Thu 7 May 2009, 13:34, Reply)

Funny, isn't it
This personal taste malarkey!

Hmm, Pink Floyd - never really got it. A few tracks are OK, but they're not the outstanding band people make out.

Coldplay churn out the same middle of the road, mid tempo crap that they've always done.

Amy Whinehouse has a really terrible voice, having heard her try to sing live. Awful. Does not justify the hype at all.

There's probably loads more.
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Thu 7 May 2009, 13:37, Reply)

You do realise people, that it's all subjective.
The Beatles didn't get to where they are today in the history of poplular music by fooling a few followers of fashion that they could carry a tune.
( girlinthehole, Thu 7 May 2009, 13:39, Reply)

Monty
I absolutely cannot agree with you about Pink Floyd.

Dark Side isn't among my favourites of their stuff, but the Wall, while definitely self-indulgent, has such good music and lyrics that is one of my all time favourite albums.

For definitive Pink Floyd though, you cannot beat Wish you were here (the album)
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Thu 7 May 2009, 13:40, Reply)

couple more....
The Police
Elvis Costello

*EDIT*
Barrett-era Floyd were simply incredible - I think perhaps my problem with later stuff is that I love the first LP and the singles so much they were only ever going to disappoint me after he left. Relics is my favourite LP of theirs by a long chalk, but then I'm a psychedelia nut...
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Thu 7 May 2009, 13:41, Reply)

Perhaps, BGB
But I still don't see what all the fuss was about. But, yeah, it's all subjective.

That's not to say I hate them - I don't - but I still think they were average.
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Thu 7 May 2009, 13:45, Reply)

Like Monty
Early Floyd is the dogs bollocks, the later stuff, self indulgent claptrap. They did the right thing by getting rid of Waters.

Hendrix, was a product of his time, yes he was a good guitarist, but if he had of stayed away from the drugs he would have been great, if not the greatest. The most widely known song of his (All along the watchtower) was pinched from Dylan, and the original can be heard on the John Wesley Harding album. He was self indulgent, over the top, and unoriginal, but it's only my opinion.
(Herr Doktor Lemminge Is bored, so cheer me up!, Thu 7 May 2009, 13:46, Reply)

Are you actually me Monty?
Agreed on Floyd, the first two albums are pretty much all I listen to. Dark Side sometimes, although that was the last good album they made. Ummagumma as well, purely for Several Species. My main problem with them is that Nick Mason can't play the drums to save his life, and I like bands with amazing drummers!

Agreed on most of your above list, although the Clash did have their moments (& I know Paul, so I can't completely slag them off), and I like Radiohead, particularly The Bends & OK Computer.

Have to disagree with Dok re. Hendrix, although I definitely preferred him as a bluesman to the psych stuff. I've got a bootleg of him & BB King playing in New York in 68 and it's brilliant.

DG I have to disagree on Amy Winehouse as well, she may be a crackhead but she has got a superb voice on her day. Have seen her live a few times and even when she couldn't walk she could still sing. One of the only modern soul singers that comes close to holding a candle to who they're trying to imitate.

Definitely agreed on Metallica, the first album is the only one even worth considering listening to.
(username1, Thu 7 May 2009, 13:56, Reply)

Don't let the Loon catch you slagging off Pink Floyd.
He'll come over here and pulverize the lot of you.

You've been warned.
( girlinthehole, Thu 7 May 2009, 14:00, Reply)

username
Fair enough on the Whineyhouse creature - the only times I've heard her sing live (on radio and TV, not as part of the audience) she was possibly having off days, as she was truly diabolical.
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Thu 7 May 2009, 14:03, Reply)

The Doors
Moon...june...liar...mire....fire...fuck off. I've heard better poetry from retarded 13 year olds.
(Tugnut Ex of this parish, Thu 7 May 2009, 14:05, Reply)

How could I forget
Frank Zappa?

(We've had that conversation before, haven't we?)
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Thu 7 May 2009, 14:09, Reply)

I think you're mistaking overrated for underrated there No 31
And yes, we have had this conversation before :D
(username1, Thu 7 May 2009, 14:12, Reply)

Deep breath....
...phew.

...Eric Clapton, Genesis, Guns and Roses, Metallica, Paul Weller, Beyonce, The Pixies, Wu Tang Clan, The Kinks, Elvis Costello, Grateful Dead, Phish, Craig David, Mighty Boosh, Bob 'wifebeater' Marley, Eminem, Depeche Mode, Devo, John Lennon, Basement Jaxx, Fatboy Slim, Frank Sinatra, The Kooks, Ting Tings, Manic Street Preachers, Oasis....
(Tugnut Ex of this parish, Thu 7 May 2009, 14:17, Reply)

Tugnut
GREAT list there mate - some I clean forgot.

The appeal of the Pixies completely mystifies me. Call me shallow but part of the appeal to me of rock bands is some form of coolness: something fat, whiny-voiced helmet Frank Black just does not have.

I know I should like them, but I also think Sonic Youth are overrated. They're alright, but a bit *shrug* if you ask me. I also don't like the Velvet Underground half as much as I'm meant to.

as for Lou Reed's solo stuff - fuck me he's shit.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Thu 7 May 2009, 14:28, Reply)

Pixies
Like them, not all of there stuff, but 'Where is My Mind' blew me away when I first heard it. Doolittle is a pretty consistent album.

Sonic Youth - have to agree.

Velvet Underground - again, some stuff OK (about half of Velvet Underground and Nico) but the rest doesn't do much for me.
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Thu 7 May 2009, 14:38, Reply)

Monty is the anti-me
The Pixies are my second favourite band after The Clash.

What is going on?
( whenanimalsattackhumans clad in global hypercolour, Thu 7 May 2009, 14:40, Reply)

@Weeker
I think you'll find that was Marvin Gaye.

*sides split*
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Thu 7 May 2009, 14:42, Reply)

Oooh, got another one!
New Order.

A more inspid, bland, middle-of-the-road dance/pop act you will struggle to find.

Neither the Happy Mondays nor the Stone Roses deserve the praise they get, either.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Thu 7 May 2009, 14:46, Reply)

Aaaarggg!
Totally forgot Sonic Youth!

Anyway....The Gossip, Aretha Franklin, Simply Red, Tom Jones, Glasvegas, Vampire Weekend, nearly everything ever on Stiff Records especially Nick Lowe, Van Morrison, Television, Broooooce Springstein, Frank Zappa, REM, Pearl Jam, Beck, Air, Travis, Red Hot Chilli Peppers....
(Tugnut Ex of this parish, Thu 7 May 2009, 14:48, Reply)

I like Sonic Youth, but I'm not a huge fan like some of my mates are
Agreed on the Pixies.

The Dead are superb but you have to know which albums to go for, I'm sure Monty will back me up there :D

Velvet Underground & Nico is about the only VU album I listen to as well.

And New Order are execrable, especially considering the band they came out of. Pretty obvious who had all the talent in Joy Division eh?
(username1, Thu 7 May 2009, 15:00, Reply)

Early New Order
Post Joy Division - Not bad

Post Blue Monday - Generally shite.

Live - I'd rather be locked in a room full of monkeys and forced to listen to them scraping their monkey nails repeatedly down a blackboard for two hours. It would be infinitely more tuneful than Sumner's live 'singing'.
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Thu 7 May 2009, 15:05, Reply)

Monty et all...
'Lou Reed over rated' - fuck off. You should listen to Metal Machine Music!

(Which is actually better than anything he did 77-89 or in the last 15 years.)
(Tugnut Ex of this parish, Thu 7 May 2009, 15:14, Reply)

UN1
The Dead are indeed fucking brilliant (but admittedly released some rubbish in their long old career, but I forgive 'em). Aoxmoxoa, Live Dead and Anthem of the Sun are superb. American Beauty and Workingman's Dead are also v good, my favourite though is Bear's Choice.


EDIT Europe 72 is another goodie.
EDIT2 I'd rather listen to Metal Machine Music than Transformer. Mind you I'd rather listen to someone playing a double bass strung with own sinews than Transformer, so not the endorsement it seems, there.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Thu 7 May 2009, 15:15, Reply)

Hahaha!
My recommendations for anyone getting into the Dead would be Live Dead, Workingman's Dead and Aoxomoxoa, so spot on again!

Metal Machine Music is good Tugnut, I'll give you that.
(username1, Thu 7 May 2009, 15:21, Reply)

^Transformer
How could you deny the greatness of the lyrics?

"But if you think that you get kicks
From flirting with danger, danger ooh-ooh
Just kick her in head and rearrange her"
(Tugnut Ex of this parish, Thu 7 May 2009, 15:33, Reply)

@Tuggers
I've said it before and I'll say it again: if it's tranny-rock I'm after I'll choose the NY Dolls every time...
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Thu 7 May 2009, 15:37, Reply)

Oasis
And U2.
(Captain Placid 24/7 ball gags, brownie mix and clown porn, Thu 7 May 2009, 16:51, Reply)