Perhaps the media is to blame for this, but certain musicians are simply over commercialized and the only thing they manage to do is annoy you whenever you hear their songs. Sure, the bands/musicians are amazing, creative and innovative. How else would their songs be able to make such a strong impression on their fans? Nonetheless, music is a field where the saying “too much of a good thing is not a good thing anymore” applies very well. Let’s review the musicians that have become outworn.
1. Nirvana
Even though nobody can deny the genius of Kurt Cobain and can easily forgive the repetitiveness of the genre, the constant abuse of the band’s hits is enough to get on the nerves of even the biggest Nirvana fan. In addition to hearing the same Nirvana hits in most pubs and bars, there is another reason why people grew tired of the band. With Cobain’s death, the band became what the lead singer hated most: a corporate enterprise that inspired other punk rock bands to sell out and transform into commodities.
2. AC/DC
All critics admit the level of creativity AC/DC brought to the music world with just three chords and the famous bludgeoning riffs. On the other hand, this is also the precise reason why these rock kings made it in the top of the bands everyone grew weary of. Some rock fans will even go so far as to state that AC/DC represents the last pulse of classic rock music, let’s just say that they do not deserve to be on the pedestal media gave them. Especially not after agreeing to have avatars in Guitar Heroes!
3. Nickelback
In all honesty, Nickelback is the most disturbing example of a band that is out for the money and not for the music and fans. Even though they started as a grunge, they soon transformed into a pop band with extremely low standards even for this genre. True, their terrible pop album sold around 8 billion copies in just two years. On the other hand, the overwhelming attention from the media and their inexplicable success in the LA clubs is one of the biggest music mysteries.
4. Metallica
The simple fact that there is not a person on this planet who hasn’t heard of Metallica nowadays is the living proof that rock fans no longer appreciate them. Despite the common belief, Metallica did not reinvent thrash metal and are not that major creative influence they are advertised to be. While nobody contests the genius of their first albums, the last ones are hollow both lyrically and musically to say the least.
5. The Beach Boys
Yes, they practically invented California rock, yes, they made Smile and yes, they managed to create the catchiest songs the music world has witnessed. But all that happened in the 1960s! Listening closer, you will discover that the catchy songs and rhythms are indistinguishable among each other and that their influence in music has long ceased to exist.
6. Guns N’ Roses
If you want an example of the overrated hair metal band vocal, then you do not need to look further than Guns N’ Roses. Axl Rose distinguished himself with his crankiness and flashiness and many have mistaken that attitude for ambition. However, how you get from that to “the greatest influence in rock nowadays” is simply beyond me.
At the same time, do not forget Slash, a great guitarist with incredible creativity and genius. Without contesting his indisputable talent, let’s just say that his amazing solos do not compensate for songs. Overall, Guns N’ Roses are an amazing guitar band, but looking in perspective, you have to admit they leave much to be desired.
7. U2
Back in the 1980s, U2 was a highly influential, imaginative powerhouse and perhaps the greatest stadium band the world got to see. On the other hand, the band’s music these days seems to have lost its meditative appeal and the notorious vamping guitar appears plainer. Still, even with the mediocre songs, Bono’s voice is as astounding as ever and very able to make it to the major airplay.
8. Green Day
Similarly to Metallica, Green Day ceased to be a great, fresh and innovative band with the release of the American Idiot track. After that, Green Day practically became a franchise and does not have that young band appeal able to crank out delicious and pure punk songs. In short, from the great band it was before 2004, Green Day became the ultimate example of how to sell stadium concert tickets in three easy steps. What is truly sad for the rock community is that their tremendous selling success inspired many bands afterwards to follow this path to success. From this point of view, punk rock fans have Green Day to blame for the death of this music genre.
9. Bon Jovi
The poster boys of the 1980s, Bon Jovi band members stated in an interview that they will never try to make an experimental album or change their style in any way, so they do not disappoint their fans. Perhaps they should, as fans these days are simply unable to distinguish the repetitive clones that are their singles. In addition, as time has proven over and over again, experimenting and being selfish are both important elements when you make art. At this point, the Bon Jovi tracks are the kind of songs that nobody criticizes, mostly because they are too bland and can be easily ignored.
10. Red Hot Chili Peppers
RHCP are actually an enjoyable band with nice tracks that can be best described as a combination of incendiary funk with a little intrusion of grunge. Therefore, they are not even near the primordial musicians or as influential as the critics made them appear. In the past 20 years, RHCP has remained faithful to this formula and it is true that sometimes it worked. However, in the vast majority of cases, this style proves to be rather tedious. Ironically, their biggest hits are the ones involving the annoying, sappy sentimentality.
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