Who is the defining artist of this generation?

[Giuseppe Zangara 0]

Now you're claiming that no knows who Radiohead is—which is obviously ignorance on your part—and basing your argument on that. A quick bit of googling shows they have at least four platinum albums (whether any went multi-platinum I do not know, nor care to look).

 

And what does album sales have to do whether people are still going to care about you years from now? Alanis Morrissette, someone obviously awful and completely irrelevant to today, sold nearly 15 million copies of Jagged Little Pill. No, I'm not comparing her talentwise to Eminem, but, much like Eminem five, six years ago, there was time where she was this huge cultural event. And now, almost nothing. You're equating sales with automatic generation-defining avatars.

[Giuseppe Zangara 0]

I think I'm going to put on Hail to the Thief when I get home tonight. It'll be the first time since 2003.

[naiwf 0]

Now you're claiming that no knows who Radiohead is—which is obviously ignorance on your part—and basing your argument on that. A quick bit of googling shows they have at least four platinum albums (whether any went multi-platinum I do not know, nor care to look).

 

And what does album sales have to do whether people are still going to care about you years from now? Alanis Morrissette, someone obviously awful and completely irrelevant to today, sold nearly 15 million copies of Jagged Little Pill. No, I'm not comparing her talentwise to Eminem, but, much like Eminem five, six years ago, there was time where she was this huge cultural event. And now, almost nothing. You're equating sales with automatic generation-defining avatars.

 

The site I looked at has Radiohead with 3 platinum albums, 3 gold ones, and 2 that didn't sell even 500,000 copies. What other generation defining artists had sales as abysmally low as Radiohead? When you can find one, then I'll agree with you that they're that important to the musical landscape.

 

When about 1 million people buy your best work, and that's the extent of the audience you've reached in a career dating back to 1993, you are quite simply put, NOT defining anything to anyone but that miniscule group of people who like your music. To counter your Alanis argument, if comparatively speaking no one has cared about Radiohead for the last 13 years, what does it matter where they'll be in 5 years?

 

And again, where is the "cultural resonance" Radiohead has? I can't recall anything they've done that entered the public consciousness. It's OK to be a fan of a group, but you're grossly overstating their impact on anyone outside of yourself and other fans of the band at this point.

[Giuseppe Zangara 0]

Is this because you, personally, do not know any Radiohead fans? Did you know that no one I know cares about Eminem? Do you think I think that matters?

 

As for Radiohead's importance, I'd rather let someone like Czech field that one. Not that I think you'll be convinced by anything he says.

[snuffbox 0]

The Grateful Dead never sold too many albums...would anyone argue (like them or not) that they didnt define a generation?

[Guest Felonies!]

The site I looked at has Radiohead with 3 platinum albums, 3 gold ones, and 2 that didn't sell even 500,000 copies. What other generation defining artists had sales as abysmally low as Radiohead? When you can find one, then I'll agree with you that they're that important to the musical landscape.

The Velvet Underground was important to the musical landscape, didn't sell at all.

[snuffbox 0]

Robert Johnson probably sold 3 records in his lifetime.

[Giuseppe Zangara 0]

Grateful Dead is a better example than VU.

[Giuseppe Zangara 0]

The biggest problem with this thread is that no one agrees on what it means to "define." Yes, sales play a part, as well as influence. But all together it needs to be something that's a long-last cultural institution. Pink Floyd, for example.

[naiwf 0]

The Grateful Dead never sold too many albums...would anyone argue (like them or not) that they didnt define a generation?

 

No, but everyone out there at least knows about the Grateful Dead. Everyone would have recognized Jerry Garcia if they saw him on the street while he was alive. I can't name a song the Dead performed, but they made an impact on the culture for hippies and non hippies alike. In essence, they made a dent outside of their niche. Radiohead most definitely doesn't have that kind of cache. But, that was a good example so kudos.

 

I'm still waiting for someone to explain why Radiohead is even in this discussion. Seriously.

[Giuseppe Zangara 0]

Is this because you, personally, do not know any Radiohead fans?

[Giuseppe Zangara 0]

And I'm pretty sure Jerry Garcia, were he alive, would get about as much attention in public as Thom Yorke. It's increasingly clear that you, naiwf, are saying what you're saying because you know little-to-nothing about this band.

[naiwf 0]

And I'm pretty sure Jerry Garcia, were he alive, would get about as much attention in public as Thom Yorke. It's increasingly clear that you, naiwf, are saying what you're saying because you know little-to-nothing about this band.

 

That's a ridiculous statement. Had I ever seen Jerry Garcia I would have at least known who he was and that's as someone who doesn't listen to GD music. He was a cultural icon. Thom Yorke on the other hand could be sitting next to me on the train on any day or night, and I might not recognize him. The reason I claim Radiohead is overrated by fans is because I know too many of them who claim that were it not for Radiohead then surely the music would have died.

[snuffbox 0]

Eminem did something that very few artists have ever done...like Elvis, Beatles, and Garth Brooks he became somebody who almost everyone knows. People in cities and suburbs listened just like people in small towns and farms. He moved a ton of cds, rode controversy to huge mainstream notoriety, had a hand in developing new stars, headlined successful tours and had 3 good-classic albums. He was definitly talented, like him or not.

 

Radiohead is alot like the Dead....doesnt move millions of cds but is still so popular that they can headline festivals and their tours are always succesful. Worldwide, they have probably been THE rock band of this generation going back to 1998. Their Grammy nomination for OK Computer was a pretty big deal at the time. Anyone who doesnt get their music 100% from mainstream radio (and still then maybe) are at least familiar with the name Radiohead. They already have more chart hits than the Grateful Dead. In a few weeks they will have headlined the two biggest American music festivals and, Im not sure, but presumably most of the European.

 

Kanye West has had to very successful, critic-approved albums so far. He is a much sought after producer. He has the mainstream notoriety of the Grammys and the Bush comment. He has been successful on the road, a rarity in hiphop. He isnt now, but with another cd and a couple years he could be a serious contender for defining artist.

 

Bright Eyes is the defining artist for a niche, but not for this entire generation.

 

Modest Mouse could be a defining artist in a few years. They became much more consistent on the road in '04/05 and found some mainstream popularity without cheesing up the music too much. They are becoming very popular on the festival scene. Plus, theres the chance of a total Issac Brock meltdown to garner some of the old Kurt Cobain mystique.

[Giuseppe Zangara 0]

And I'm pretty sure Jerry Garcia, were he alive, would get about as much attention in public as Thom Yorke. It's increasingly clear that you, naiwf, are saying what you're saying because you know little-to-nothing about this band.

 

That's a ridiculous statement. Had I ever seen Jerry Garcia I would have at least known who he was and that's as someone who doesn't listen to GD music. He was a cultural icon. Thom Yorke on the other hand could be sitting next to me on the train on any day or night, and I might not recognize him. The reason I claim Radiohead is overrated by fans is because I know too many of them who claim that were it not for Radiohead then surely the music would have died.

Quit being narcissistic. Did I say whether you would recognize him? You assume this band isn't important to anyone just because they aren't important to you. snuffbox just illustrated that they are important to a lot of people.

[Lt. Al Giardello 0]

People will care about 50 though.

I strongely dissagree

 

Fans are starting to backlash againest 50, similar to Ja Rule.

[Hawk 34 0]

All I've learned in this thread is that naiwf is totally unaware of what cultural and musical impact even means.

 

His arguement is that no one would know it Thom Yorke if he was sitting on the bus across you. That's his arguement against Radiohead's impact and status on this proverbial "generational defining" critera.

 

I'm far from a Radiohead fan, and in fact I've been bored with them for the last two albums and they are severely over-rated as live acts but that doesn't mean Radiohead are just another band. They do mean something, even if you don't like them. Czech, loathes rap but he'll credit Eminem to an extent. As should you.

 

Radiohead, however is still a niche band as Eminem is a niche performer. Eminem nor Radiohead are popular and influencial across the board, massive album sales doesn't prove anything except they are able to promote to a general market.

 

A better move would be looking at concert sales in the IGeneration.

 

Speaking of which, why wasn't Madonna and Bruce Springsteen included with Jackson, Nirvana, U2, Floyd, Zepp, Stones and Beatles? I think they easily fit the critera.

[Guest DaGoodz]

Ok let me throw 2 out there - what about Tool or Nine Inch Nails?

[Guest Felonies!]

Naiwf, have you even listened to OKC? Just wondering. Not that it's directly relevant, but it seems like just about everyone has at least heard that one.

 

It won't be Tool. Metal is a niche too.

[FroGG_NeaL 0]

I give up on this thread. It's fucked beyond repair at this point.

 

Our defining artists will be whoever MTV says they are, anyway, because the next generation will look to MTV, MTV2 and VH1 as music's bible.

 

Stupid fuckin' kids.

[Murmuring Beast 0]

The Spice Girls, seriously.

[Hawk 34 0]

You are aware that MTV hasn't been remotely meaningful or influencial to anyone over 15 in the last 5 years as far as music is concerned, correct?

 

That statement might work in 1999. MTV's influence was completely erased by the blog nation.

 

Our generation might still see MTV as something important but the next generation, a generation that will be completely raised on IPods and blogs (as well as the next technological innovations that we haven't seen yet) won't even realize what MTV is.

[naiwf 0]

Naiwf, have you even listened to OKC? Just wondering. Not that it's directly relevant, but it seems like just about everyone has at least heard that one.

 

It won't be Tool. Metal is a niche too.

 

Yes I have. I owned it for a while, but it was one of a handful of CDs that got destroyed when I moved. I actually don't mind Radiohead and think they're a very good group. I just grow tired of the people who proclaim them as one of those handful of essential groups in the history of music. To be fair though, I feel that same way about the Stones, Springsteen, the Beatles etc. I probably gave off the wrong edge, but I'm just curious WHY people think that Radiohead is on that level because no one ever answers that question. The assumption is that if I don't understand it when the statement is made, then clearly there's no reason trying to explain it. I also think Eminem is overrated, but I can at least see WHY certain people say that he made a huge impact on the culture and music industry over a period of a few years.

[snuffbox 0]

I already answered your question.

[Murmuring Beast 0]

Our generation might still see MTV as something important but the next generation, a generation that will be completely raised on IPods and blogs (as well as the next technological innovations that we haven't seen yet) won't even realize what MTV is.

 

Ha, ha, redickulous.

[naiwf 0]

I already answered your question.

 

I didn't see that post in particular. Fair enough. I don't really follow touring/festivals so I wouldn't know the impact that anyone has there except for U2, Springsteen, Madonna and the Stones who always have monster gates everywhere they go.

[FroGG_NeaL 0]

To the kids, MTV is still relevant.

 

TRL is nowhere near what it used to be with teens, but overall, they dictate what gets huge more then the radio or whatever some dude on a blog says.

[Guest Felonies!]

I actually don't mind Radiohead and think they're a very good group. I just grow tired of the people who proclaim them as one of those handful of essential groups in the history of music. To be fair though, I feel that same way about the Stones, Springsteen, the Beatles etc.

If you don't see how the Beatles influenced rock and popular music, I don't know what to tell you.

 

I probably gave off the wrong edge, but I'm just curious WHY people think that Radiohead is on that level because no one ever answers that question.

Part of the reason is that there's not anyone better. From the outset I acknowledged that though they have a claim to this generation, it's not as strong as the aforementioned bands' claims to theirs. In terms of being a Band of The Nineties, they do a good job of representing the zeitgeist on OKC. Overeducated rich kids with useless degrees afraid of being doomed to a useless suburban existence due to the rapid advances of society in which technology has made so many things redundant, all that jazz. "Fitter Happier" explains it better than I can. Plus, the music itself is really really good. Sometimes that's all it takes.

[FroGG_NeaL 0]

I'll just say that Radiohead are fucking brilliant, and I'm really gonna try to stay away from this thread now.

[Murmuring Beast 0]

Overeducated rich kids with useless degrees afraid of being doomed to a useless suburban existence due to the rapid advances of society in which technology has made so many things redundant, all that jazz.

 

Ugh.