In no way is this list complete. But these are what I feel are the top 11 bands whose sound is so distinct that a few seconds into a song you know who it is. And this list is based on more criteria than a band with a distinctive singers voice. It has to have a guitar sound or drums or bass that you know who it is on the first chord. The bands also obviously need to have more than 1 album.
AC/DC-
No matter if it's Bon Scott or Brian Johnson singing you will recognize their sound right off the bat. I list them first because while I stopped buying their albums at "For Those About To Rock" I can still quickly know it is them from even one of their brand new songs.
Rush-
That voice, the bass, the drums and the guitar. Ever little thing about them is all them and sounds like no one else.
Led Zeppelin-
WHile they had songs that branched out a bit from each other once again you have 4 guys who sang and played their instruments so distinct that you know it's them no matter what.
Tool-
I'm not really a fan of this band. I don't dislike them but never listened to much of it, but when I would hear any song I knew who it was.
Rage Against the Machine-
Nobody plays a guitar that has that sound and the voice is like no other.
The Cars-
Even with having two singers, and the new wave keyboards, they still manage to stand out immediately.
The Grateful Dead-
Love them or hate them, you know when you hear them.
Helmet-
They created a style of rock that stood out. The guitar crunch, the screaming yet still melodic vocals and the choppy perfectly timed rhythm section.
Jon Spencer Blues Explosion-
More than just his howl. It has a guitar sound that you can place right away.
The Police-
So much more than just stings voice. HEaring him play a police song without stewart copeland and andy summers just doesn't sound like the police. That easily puts them on this list.
Van Halen-
They have a rock sound like no other.
And then there were some bands that I was on the fence about as some friends and I were discussing this topic. Some might be too much just the voice or I might be too familiar to be objective:
The Doors
Beastie Boys
The Flaming Lips
Green Day
Husker Du
Janes Addiction
Jesus Lizard
Jimi Hendrix
The Misfits
Minus The Bear
Mission of Burma
The Replacements
Rocket From The Crypt
Thin Lizzy
The Who
So I know this is not a complete list. So who would you add to the list and why? And are there any of these bands on the Fence list that should be moved up? And are there any bands on the list that you completely disagree with?
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9 comments:
Off the top of my head ...
ZZ Top.
The Band.
I meant to add ZZ Top to the list. Good call.
Good list. I'm actually seeing a few of these artists this year. Here's some more bands/artists off the top of my head that I think fit:
Devo
Joy Division - a lot of imitators later on
I know you and Nancy are not fans but The Smiths
Bjork
The Jam
The Ramones
T-Rex/Tyrannosaurus Rex
I was on the fence about Devo and The Jam. While they have a sound it does vary a little. And I would say The Smiths and Bjork are all in the vocals.
I would definitely add The Ramones.
Ramones?
Maybe Queen - especially if you have heard Queen+Paul Rodgers
off the top of my phone (sorry, i know it's lame/long but once I started I had to finish)
electric light orchestra
B-52's
Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti
Bad Brains
Beach Boys
The Buzzcocks
Daft Punk
Joanna Newsom
Morrissey/Smiths
Neil Diamond
Roy Orbison
Scott Walker
Sparks
Steve Miller Band
Violent Femmes
X
Willie Nelson
Some might only apply to my ears and some might be maybes but I tried to stay as unbiased as I could.
DoeHands,
electric light orchestra- Was on my mind but I think they vary in sound too much from time to time.
B-52's- I think it's more vocals than music.
Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti- NEver heard of them.
Bad Brains- I was on the fence about this one. Couldn't be objective enough.
Beach Boys- Yes.
The Buzzcocks- Some of their later stuff strays from their most well known sound.
Daft Punk- You'd have to be a fan to identify them.
Joanna Newsom- Too much about vocals.
Morrissey/Smiths- Too much about vocals.
Neil Diamond- all vocals.
Roy Orbison-all vocals.
Scott Walker
Sparks- Would have to be a fan. Too many new wave era bands blend together.
Steve Miller Band- maybe.
Violent Femmes- Also too much about vocals to me.
X- maybe. I couldn't be objective enough. I think they vary too much.
Willie Nelson- vocals.
I think i may have been drinking when I commented there. My apologies Jeff. Will you be attending The Prom?
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