Diamonds in the Rough 04.26.09: Top Ten Modern Rock Bands PT. 1

Posted by Leo Rivera on 04.26.2009

Defining the best of the best isn't easy, but somebody's got to do it.

Last week I covered the Classic Rockers that are still doing their thing. These next two weeks I want to focus on the more current bands making a name for themselves in the modern rock scene. At first I was just going to list off a few bands that are doing well for themselves out there, but I decided to have fun with it this week and list off my version of: The Top Ten Modern Rock Bands Today!

Now first a disclaimer: Because I know many might disagree with my list (doesn't that always happen with top ten lists?) this is a modern rock list! Not a metal core list, so do not expect to see Avenged Sevenfold, Atreyu, or Bullet for My Valentine (now I love Bullet and Avenged but this is not their category). Also don't expect to see bands that have only one record (for example : Flyleaf) as I feel one hit record does not warrant being on this list. The main criteria for this list is bands that have made the most impact on the mainstream rock charts and have the potential to continue to do so for the next decade and beyond. So without further ado, let's get to numbers 10-6.

10) Staind: These modern day has-beens just barely make my list, and they make it based off of the success and influence of their first two albums. Dysfunctional (which featured the breakthrough hits "Home" and "Mudshovel") and Breaking the Cycle (an album where pretty much every song was a hit). 14 Shades of Grey was iffy at best, but I must admit Chapter V had its moments of bad assness ("Runaway" was cool and "Fallen" and "Cross to Bear" had integrity). But The Illusion of Progress? Let's not even go there; it's all in the name of the record. Staind continue to try (unsuccessfully) re-inventing a burnt out wheel with their sappy and predictable ballads. On their latest record, Staind sound exactly the same (listen to "Right Here" and then "Believe in Me" back to back and you will see what I am saying: it's the exact same song….only with cheesier lyrics). Staind are doing exactly what their album suggests, they are living off an illusion that they are progressing musically and unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth. They can consider making this list a favor based of their past accomplishments which seem more distant with each passing year.



9) Deftones: Another band that unfortunately has not been able to live up to its past accomplishment, but I would be remiss if I did not give them the credit that they deserve for practically helping to invent a genre (even if it turned out to be nu-metal) so they land comfortably at #9. At one point in the late 1990's the Deftones were considered cutting edge mixing hard rock with digital effects helped create a hybrid of metal that would be copied by everyone from Limp Bizkit to Linkin Park. Early albums like Around The Fur and White Pony featured sonic master pieces like "Digital Bath", "Change" and "Shove It", which are songs that became staples in rock radio during the beginning of the new millennium and served as an appropriate soundtrack for the times. Unfortunately their latest efforts have not past the mustard. Sure there have been shining moments like the song "Minerva" but even the hardcore Deftones fan will admit that it pales in comparison to their older stuff. The Deftones continue to plow through adversity, most recently having to endure seeing their brother (bassist) Chi Cheng in a coma for well over three months fighting for his life, the Deftones are dedicating their ongoing journey to him so we wish them the best of luck. It is also rumored that their new album (due out later this year) will be badass, let's see what happens.



8) Three Days Grace: I know I may get heat for putting them ahead of the Deftones, but I mentioned on the top of my column that I was basing these on not just past achievements but also the potential to continue to improve and get better with each record. These cannucks first appeared in the mainstream in 2003 with the song "I Hate Everything about You" off their self titled major label debut. The catchy song immediately made a splash on modern rock radio throughout the US and followed that up with the rocker "Just like You" which was also a hit on radio and MTV, and eventually "Home" which blew "Just like You" out of the water. Three Days Grace in many ways was the perfect modern rock record, it was an album chalk full of catchy hard rock songs that are simple yet extremely effective. From the first track "Burn" (which is badass) to track # 12 "Overrated" Three Days Grace found the perfect blend of dark methodical songs and head banging sing along rock anthems that rock fans simply could not resist. The band followed the success of their debut with One X which proved to be even more successful and turned Three Days Grace into a household name (for rock fans) and a headlining tour act.

Songs like "Pain", "The Animal in Me", "Riot" and "Never Too Late" helped Three Days Grace pick up right where there debut left off, they seem to have fit in comfortably into a catchy sound, which is good but can also be there down fall. The one negative thing that I would say about Three Days Grace is that they tend to play it too safe with their sound and have adopted a "if aint broke don't fix it" approach to their songwriting, and that can be dangerous in the world of music and soon every song sounds them same (i.e. Staind). But then again changing for the sake of changing isn't also a good thing either, so I think I am just going to adopt a "wait and see" approach when it comes to their new record (due out later this year).



7) Seether: These South African post grunge rockers can write a hit as good as anyone these days. Seether are currently enjoying a two year run a top the modern rock heap thanks to the crossover success of their hit album Finding Beauty in Negative Spaces. The album has spawned the hits "Fake It", "Rise Above", and "Breakdown." But I must admit it is kind of weird for me to see Seether treading into the shallowness that is pop-rock. While I am happy that they are selling but loads of records and touring arenas around the world, I'd prefer the grunge influenced Seether that burst on the scene in 2002 with Disclaimer. Songs like "Needles", "Gasoline", "Cigarettes", "Sold Me" and "Your Bore" definitely carried a lot more integrity and were badass as hell and showcased the bands raw intensity that has been sorely missed in this latest album... I also have to admit that Seether can write one hell of a ballad, just look at the success of songs like "Fine Again", "Driven Under", "Broken" and "The Gift." If you want to know what Seether is all about, I recommend listening to Disclaimer II that album alone earns them a spot on my top ten.



6) Breaking Benjamin: A band that in my estimation is on the cusp of breaking (no pun intended) into the top echelon of the modern rock realm and possibly becoming the powerhouse band in the genre. Breaking Benjamin is highly underrated (and underappreciated) bands that have steadily progressed behind the shadow of their bigger more established peers. They first got noticed with 2002's Saturate, and while not as polish record, the album showed glimpses of the bands knack for songwriting and became a minor hit off the strength of singles "Skin", "Medicate" and "Polyramous", "Wish I May" was also awesome if I say so myself. Saturate if anything else was a very good debut album and set the band on track to become an eventual force to be reckoned with.

The band followed that up with 2004's We Are Not Alone which continued their ascension as song writers, the album was much more serious and focused that their first and featured standout tracks like "Cold", "Firefly" and "Sooner or Later." Other notable tracks include the sing along "Follow Me", the nu-metal influenced "Believe" and the abrasive "Simple Design." As good as We Are Not Alone, it would pale in comparison to 2006's Phobia. Phobia was to Breaking Benjamin what Silverside Up had been to Nickelback, an album that finally defined the band and captured their true magic in twelve trial blazing tracks. "Diary of Jane", "Evil Angel", "Breathe", and "Dance with the Devil" are just a few of the breath taking songs that encapsulate these awesome album. Breaking Benjamin have been smart about taking their time with their follow up record as they have big shoes to fill, but I for one cannot wait to hear what these Pennsylvania boys have cooked for us this time. They have also proven to be quite the proven commodity on the road, headlining arenas as headliners and taking other bands on this list (Three Days Grace and Seether) along for the ride. They are THE future of the genre.