We're arguing about what the 'last great rock album' was.
By @codylol · Music
My friends and I were talking about how rock music just doesn't hit the same way it did in the 90s/2000s. We're trying to pinpoint the final, undisputed classic album of that era, and the group chat is a warzone.
The full story
My buddies and I have a running group chat for fantasy football, but it's mostly just for arguing about sports and music. The other night, someone said there hasn't been a truly massive, culture-shaking rock album in over a decade, and that kicked things off. One guy is making a stand for The Killers' 'Hot Fuss'. I'm arguing for 'Is This It' by The Strokes as the real last perfect front-to-back album. Another guy is saying Green Day's 'American Idiot' was bigger than both. It's gotten surprisingly heated. We're talking Super Bowl-level passion here, but for early 2000s indie rock. We've got spreadsheets, we're pulling up old Pitchfork reviews, it's completely out of hand. Someone tried to argue for a Muse album and got virtually booed out of the chat. I feel like this is more important than our actual fantasy league. Is there a definitive answer here? What was the last album that EVERYONE agreed was a 10/10 rock classic?
How people voted
- Totally Cooked — 30% (14 votes)
- It’s Complicated — 52% (24 votes)
- You’re Fine — 17% (8 votes)
Readers say “It’s Complicated” (52%) — 46 votes and 5 comments so far.
What people are saying
@gusliterally — Reminds me of my friends arguing if 'In Rainbows' by Radiohead counts as a rock album or not. Almost ended friendships.
@zanemm — The fact that no one is saying Arctic Monkeys is a crime. 'Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not' clears all of these.
@huhokay — This is the most wholesome argument I've ever heard of. I love that you guys are so passionate about this! My vote is for Hot Fuss.
@gimmieasec — Is This It. No debate.
@marakinda — Rock isn't dead, you just stopped paying attention.
Keep reading
- I still buy CDs and my kids think it's the funniest thing in the world.
- Hot take: putting on a full playlist isn't 'DJing' and my friends need to get over it.
- Liking a band before they were cool doesn't make you better than everyone else.
- Listening to music on shuffle is just wrong.
- People don't appreciate a good 'no-skip' album anymore.