By: Megan Krol

What constitutes the title of America’s greatest band? Is it the number of platinum records? Is it the number of years the band stays in the studio to record music? Is it an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Or is it the fact that the record label couldn’t think of a better marketing tool? The Eagles recently “snagged” such a title, and I am confused as to why. The label of America’s Greatest Band became more and more bothersome to me each time I heard it. The more it bothered me, the more I began to think. Who is America’s Greatest Band? Although the Eagles make for a great contestant, I do not think a 28-year hiatus and a new record puts them at the top of the list. In fact, some critics rank the band at 18. Here are ten bands that make for a tight running for the title of America’s Greatest Band. They, of course, are listed in no particular order.

1. The Beach Boys
2. The Doors
3. The Grateful Dead
4. The Ramones
5. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
6. Aerosmith
7. Guns-n-Roses
8. Creedence Clearwater Revival
9. R.E.M.
10. The Jimi Hendrix Experience

The next question becomes what makes these bands so revered as to put them on this list. Some of these bands have been on hiatuses longer than the Eagles. In fact some of these bands have broken up or important band members have died. Other bands have reformed, continuing their careers. You could compare record sales, but a high volume of sales is only indicative of a high volume of sales. Sales are not necessarily reflective of a band’s cultural significance. Someone can walk into a record store, buy an album, listen to it, and hate it. Record sales fail to account for this. Since I have so much time on my hands, I intended to make a spreadsheet factoring in cultural significance, record sales, time on the road, time in the recording studio, number of awards and induction into the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame, and anything else I could think of. Then I remembered that even if I had the time, I am just too lazy. But I think you get my point.

Obadiah Parker, Obadiah Parker Live, Released April 2, 2007; distributed by Mudhut.co.uk

I first became aware of Obadiah Parker back in 2006 when I heard singer Mat Weddle’s acoustic version of Outkast’s “Hey Ya”. At the time, I couldn’t hunt the song down nor could I find any album. Months went by, I quit checking for it, and now, seven months after the release of the album, I finally found it. The band is unsigned and hails from Scotsdale, Arizona. Their sound is a combination of funk, folk, and pop creating sounds reminiscent of Jack Johnson and Rusted Root. Mat Weddle’s vocals border the edge of Jason Moranz without being too “poppy”. This trio is strictly acoustic, keeping their choice of instrumentation to piano, trumpet, and guitar. It is apparent that this band has a hodgepodge of influences stemming from blues to funk to folk with about everything else in between. Moreover, the band knows how to incorporate these influences into a smooth sound. The vocals and lyrics compliment the music, with no one element overpowering one over the other. This album for the most part is very mellow with a couple funky tracks but makes for great listening.

Silversun Pickups, Carnavas Released  July 26, 2006; Dangerbird [Go To]

Although this album has been out for a while, the Silversun Pickups recently are receiving a lot of air play, thus creating the need for me to check this band out. The first time I heard the track “Lazy Eye”, I mistook the band for Liz Phair due to singer’s strong yet raspy vocals. This trio’s sound seems as if the band missed the nineties. Not to be taken in a negative context, this band embodies a garage-band sound reminiscent of the grunge-era nineties. This band has been referred to by some critics as L.A.’s version of The Smashing Pumpkins, but I wouldn’t go so far to agree with that. Many of the songs are quite lengthy, without much variety. Most of the songs are distorted and spacey.  Although their style goes against the grain of most bands currently on the radio, this album is somewhat stagnant leaving me to hope that this band’s next album will showcase some true potential.

Serge Gainsbourg, Initials B BReleased 1968; Mercury (France)[Go To]

Serge Gainsbourg falls into two categories: jazz and French pop. Look him up and you will find over 20 albums spanning over the course of the last forty years. “Initials B.B.” makes for an excellent jumping off point if you can’t decide which album to pick first. Most of the music is very “sixties” exhibiting similar sounds to American and British music from the era. There are, however, two things that make this album quite interesting. First, the lyrics are in French (which makes sense since he is French). The lyrics have a catchy vibe causing you to want to sing along. As I have previously stated, the lyrics are in French. With this said, you don’t need to know the language to enjoy it. Second, even if you can’t catch onto the French lyrics, many of the songs contain a handful of English words. If anything, you can sing the English words and make up the rest. When Serge Gainsbourg recorded this album, he and Brigitte Bardot were quite involved. She actually collaborated with him on this album (and is probably why the album is not entitled “Initials S.G.”).