The state of rock

Try putting Coldplay in the same category as the Foo Fighters. 

Then you’ll begin to understand the dilemma of the rock genre. This could be why with students, and even within this very publication, rock gets the short end of the stick.

With WEEKEND’s own Bracketology, rock was a broad fifth category left out of the four regions. I pointed out that both U2 and Bruce Springsteen put out albums in this past year, and they are both good.

Some critics said U2’s “No Line on the Horizon” was their best since “Achtung Baby,” but in the last 10 years, we’ve gotten as many great singles out of Bono and the gang as we did in the ’80s, and their new album is no exception.

And they are certainly not alone. R.E.M.’s “Accelerate” was a raw return to form after more than a decade of more experimental attempts. Pearl Jam’s “Backspacer” was a significant improvement in comparison to their previous, self-titled album, and it benefitted from Eddie Vedder taking pages from his solo work. 

And with these groups, rock is beginning to develop a collection of auteur musicians defining the genre. Look no further than Jack White. The White Stripes were one of the top artists of the decade, and White has participated in some great collaborations with bands including The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather.
 
Beyond that is Dave Grohl, who returned to his roots as a drummer in Them Crooked Vultures, a group that also includes Queens of the Stone Age’s Josh Homme and Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones. Their debut album is classically original as each legend toys with his own style. 

I think there is a bias that says certain rock isn’t fun. At parties I begin to wonder, “Where are The Killers? Where’s Phoenix? What about Kaiser Chiefs?” All three bands’ blend of electronica rock is as infectious as the ’80s New Wave that inspired it.  
It’s not all great, though. Oasis is gone. The Red Hot Chili Peppers are gone. The Smashing Pumpkins are a sadly different band in their pitiful reunion, and Wolfmother is suffering from the same problem. 

Alas, maybe one day I’ll get the opportunity to hear “Viva la Vida” in a club. And maybe on that same day I’ll start listening to Justin Bieber.