My thoughts (because I KNOW everyone has been waiting):
- Surprised to see Phoenix on here. I thoroughly enjoyed the record and it will be making my personal list but I thought the general reaction was sort of "Yeah...it's what we expected"
- Haim, CHRVCHES, fucking Sky Ferreira ahead of The National?!?!?! You trippin fools....
- I was about to say "thank you for making the list DIIV-free" but then I realized they didn't release anything this year (thankfully). I would also like to take this time to recommend that everyone's LIFE be DIIV-free as well.
- My other favorites from this year include: AFI, Sigur Ros, Portugal The Main, Lorde, Fall Out Boy, Jimmy Eat World, Foals, Bastille, Depeche Mode, Jagwar Ma, The Neighbourhood, Fitz and the Tantrums, Queens Of The Stone Age, Franz Ferdinand, Mazzy Star, Bad Religion, The 1975. Anyone else dig those records? No? Ok, just thought I'd ask.
Hopefully that annoying kid with the swoop haircut comments on this with some idiotic post.
Glynis still ranks as one of my all time favorite Pumpkins songs. I remember being psyched to find a tab of it on OLGA (what, you guys remember the Online Guitar Archive right?) so I could play it on my Squire Strat.
I've always enjoyed Fall Out Boy and am happy to hear this. However, I'm sure below me will be a bunch of whiny Stereogum posters complaining that it's not "indie rock" or "respected Pitchfork-approved pop" being discussed. Bring it on...
It should be noted that the "official" music video was actually (at first) not official and was created by Meathead (who hosted the hilarious "Meathead Perspective" NIN fansite).
I'm a huge NIN fan but their draw probably isn't what it used to be (even if this is their big "comeback" tour). I know Biffy Clyro is huge in the UK (though almost nobody in the Us) so them headlining isn't that surprising. However, it seems that the promoter wasn't very clear on what was possible from a production standpoint.
I never understood how Kings Of Leon fans claimed the "early stuff" was so good. The first album has about, oh, one listenable song ("Molly's Chambers") and the rest is some of the most hook-less rock I've ever had the displeasure of listening to. The second album has some minor (and I do mean minor) improvements. By the third, they at least were not so self-conscious to avoid hooks. The next were perfectly pleasant arena-rock records. Someone please explain.
I like this series a lot. Would love to see some of the biggest alt/indie/rock acts covered that haven't already as I feel that would invoke interesting discussion: Depeche Mode, U2, Coldplay, The National, Nine Inch Nails, Soundgarden, Green Day, Queens Of The Stone Age, etc.
I'm actually curious as to why Pearl Jam or Green Day has never headlined a Coachella. I know there would be a ton of outcry from the Coachella snobs (their message board is insufferable) but I think it would work quite well for both those bands.
I echo the sentiments of many and really enjoyed reading this. My music nerd friends and I have always wondered who will be able to headline festivals in, say, 2025. Phoenix is one of those bands that I still don't feel will REALLY cross over to arena-status across the country (unlike, say, Black Keys and Muse). Sure, they're great and living in NYC city, I seem to think everyone loves them but as you probably know, this city isn't always a very accurate depiction of the coutnry's tastes (something that the SNL bookers might out of think about as well). I think you nailed it when you essentially said that many of these festivals are now a brand themselves. I know so many people who "REALLY want" to go to Coachella yet could probably only recognize 2-3 bands on the lineup. It's about the experience which is also the reason I feel the NYC-area (and, basically, Northeast) has yet to build up a successful festival. Each one of them just feel like a generic all day concert with no special vibe about them. Governor's Ball might be the one to break the mold (3-day passes are sold out) but Randalls Island here just isn't the same as it probably is seeing festivals in other areas.
I wasn't aware I was not supposed to like Mumford? Oh well, seeing them in Brooklyn (of all places next week). They write much, much better songs than those dorks in Wavves, Girls, etc.
I loved this record because Tom Morello actually plays some rippin solos. Nowadays, whenever there's a guitar break in a song, he usually just goes "Alright, guess I'll step on the whammy pedal and flip the toggle switch back and forth a bit while palm muting some open notes."
I might be in the minority but I think both sides were correct (Wilco and said major label). It's their best work but I think you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who listened to it in 2002 who could find any potential "hits".
Crazy that most of the bands on this list are still actively touring (and draw crowds). In fact, in 1997, I wouldn't have believed anyone who said "Hey man, so in 15 years, Third Eye Blind, Smash Mouth, Marcy Playground and Sugar Ray will still be touring. Oasis? Not a fucking chance."
Gotta say, Metals grows more and more enjoyable each time I listen to it. Looking forward to seeing her again at Radio City. Totally fine that she doesn't play "1,2,3,4" anymore as well.
the Wavves EP, are you fucking kidding me? THAT makes this list. Also, if the King Of Limbs was done by a band not named Radiohead, it wouldn't be on ANY year-end lists.
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