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Modern Rock for the Classic Rocker?

Alabaster — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 00:41:44 -0800

Best modern bands for a classic rock fan and musician who wants to hear some genius? Who are the best *musicians'* bands out there today?

I'm a big classic rock fan, especially Led Zeppelin (for sheer awesomeness), and The Beatles (for variety, creativity, and brilliant songwriting).

I tend to like interesting music with variety in harmony, structure, and arrangement. But I also like a good 3-chord jam if it's got some real grit and groove to it, especially if there are genuine soloists. (Lynyrd Skynyrd's 3 chords, yes; Limp Bizkit's 3 chords, not so much).

Current bands I do like:
Radiohead
The White Stripes
The Mars Volta

I'm NOT a stylistic purist -- it doesn't have to sound like classic rock. Hip hop elements are fine, electronic elements are fine (I like System of a Down), metal is fine, genre-crossing is fine. Also, when I ask for musicians, I don't necessarily mean progressive/virtuosos -- I'll take brilliant songwriting, clever arranging, etc. Basically, who are the really, objectively, *great* bands out there today?

Bonus question: What did I miss in the 90s when I was listening to my Zeppelin box set instead of joining the grunge era? I like Radiohead and NIN, and I'm prepared to take a dip in the Nirvana pool to catch myself up -- what other worthwhile 90s bands should I seek out?

Anywhere you go, I'll follow you down. Anyplace but those I know by heart.

ND¢ — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 18:36:55 -0800

I would like to make a mix of "post grunge" modern rock type music. Gin Blossoms, Toad the Wet Sprocket etc. It wasn't this cut and dried, but for simplicity's sake lets say that it happened like this: Nirvana breaks, along with Pearl Jam and Soundgarden, etc. Then, six months later, the poseurs swarmed in. I am looking to make a mix with the poseurs. These would be bands of dubious quality that weren't huge, but were mainstays of modern rock radio during those post grunge years. The sissier the better, but they can be a little bit rocking. Examples that I have in mind include The Gin Blossoms, Better than Ezra, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Collective Soul, that song that goes "She don't eat meat, but she sure likes the bone" that kind of thing. Songs that might have been on the soundtrack to a movie starring Ethan Hawk and Winona Rider. Songs that I would have heard driving around in my '86 Oldsmobile Cutlass Sierra when I was in high school and gone "This sucks" but would have known by heart anyway. Quality is less important than whether or not it was a song that everybody would have heard at that time, but quality is good too. I would prefer song and band name suggestions if at all possible, and I know about Last FM and Pandora. Thanks. Rock on everybody.