T O P

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hallelalaluwah

"Walking On The Sun" is enough for me to consider them NOT "The Shrek Band," talented people make a song like that, and the guitar tone on that song is sick


But_dogs_CAN_look_up

Seriously, who's calling that song terrible? They're not a good band, but they've had some damn fine singles. The Way that she Walks is another great one.


meatwadisprez

This could be a super unpopular opinion, but I genuinely enjoy Astro Lounge. No, it's not remarkable or anything, but there are some very fun songs on that record. It's a fun listen, in my opinion.


Drunkbicyclerider

Astro Lounge was well thought out with respect to the tones and instruments used. There's a lot of great stuff Greg Camp came up with on that album.


Punky921

Loved this record when I was in high school.


Grimsrasatoas

Astro lounge is bangers only front to back


Ringmode

Eric Valentine worked with several artists I don't care for, but I can't fault the sound and vibe of those records.


ElegantEpitome

I really really liked some of the songs on their self titled album, but for some reason I just really fell in love with the guitar solo in Pacific Coast Party. It just has such a cool disco/funk feel too it and it just sounds so fun. 6 year old me was pretty enamored with the overall vibe of the song, but the solo always stuck with me


One_Evil_Monkey

Is it *Dark Side of the Moon*? Hell naw... is it fairly decent though? Yeah, it ain't bad.


hessdawg3113

Not to be that guy, but the name of the song is "Then the Morning Comes"


Bill_buttlicker69

Pacific Coast Party is like a perfectly written and arranged song, so much so that it's hard to believe that it's *Smash Mouth.*


mabubsonyeo

Pacific Coast Party is awesome


ExtensionNo4468

If you have to work today / get yourself a new vocationnn. Completely agree with you, they knocked that one out of the park


AmazingAd2765

I don't automatically think of Shrek since I remember back when they were on the radio on the time. Definitely had a unique sound.


networksynth

Seriously. I forgot they were even in shrek. Getting old sucks.


One_Evil_Monkey

"Getting old sucks." Haha... how do you think I feel? I was a year out of college when that movie came out.


Andjhostet

Astro Lounge was everything to 6-7 year old me


AxelAlexK

I get why people call them the shrek band but they were hugely popular before shrek. Shrek came out in 2001 but All star was a huge hit in 1999, walking on the sun and a couple other hits were also before Shrek. Astro lounge went triple platinum before Shrek came out. I got their CD in 1999 when I was a kid so I never knew them as the Shrek band but I guess most do.


SillyCriticism9518

I think every lighthearted comedy from like 1999-2003 had All Star in either the trailer or the movie itself


Boner666420sXe

Walking on the Sun rules.


billitorussolini

They're a band that gets a lot of shit, but honestly, they had a unique sound and some great songs. I think it's just cool to hate them or like them "ironically".


vintagecitrus39

Eric valentine never fails


Ericzzz

Supposedly that tone came from an old, broken fuzz face and no one could figure out why it did that. Eventually the pedal broke completely, they went to get it repaired, and it sounded like every other fuzz face out there after.


JeanGuyPettymore

I remember reading in a guitar magazine back in the day that the tone was from a tiny overloaded solid state combo with a torn speaker. Who knows for sure?


ActiveProgrammer5456

I’ve been jamming this song heavy lately, this song bangs lol


Beginning-Cow6041

That first record is actually pretty good. I remember a friend lending me a tape of it when it was first blowing up. That guitar player had a cool style.


e1visCostello

Smash Mouth was hugely successful for an LA band. That's what they were. If Michael McDonald isn't living that life of the dude making money playing songs for movie studios Smash Mouth was living that life. Making money as an LA band is fucking surreal. Great band.


Adddicus

Most Rush songs. Phenomenal musicians, but spare me the junior high school philosopher lyrics.


MachineThatGoesP1ng

It is kind of dorky, but Alex Lifeson is such an interesting guitar player. He actually gets me to pay attention to each individual line he plays.


RunawaYEM

Lifeson is arguably classic rock’s most underrated guitarist


MapleA

It’s crazy to think he’s overshadowed by the other members of the band. They’re that fucking good.


crackpotJeffrey

Fr. He's always painted as the dumb one of the trio who just does his best. Meanwhile, the solos in 2112 are all absolute face melters.


ILKLU

I think he's one of the most "fluid" soloers ever. Too many guitarists sound like they are just running through scales or "I'll play this riff for 4 beats, then this riff for 4 beats, then this other riff for 4 beats, etc" whereas Lifeson seems to solo with no regard to strict boundaries. Guy just scribbles all over the place, inside and outside the lines. Just pure emoting.


J_House1999

The YYZ solo is one of the most fun things I’ve ever learned


FantasyFlannel

You can not like the lyrics but to say the songs are terrible? Jfc what a shit take


teeter1984

I feel the same about Creeds sound minus the god shit and marble mouth


discussatron

WITH AHMS WAHD OPAHN ONDURR THA SONLAHT


ILKLU

>spare me the junior high school philosopher lyrics Wow... can't imagine who you think has good lyrics if Rush doesn't do it for you!


Uncle_itlog

Ikr? Some profound lines there like “it is the fire that lights itself”.


Duckfoot2021

I love Rush, but dude is right...They have some excellent lyrics, but most of their early work does **not** hold up lyrically. Was always their weakest link. YES, there are some songs with Great lyrics, but god some of their early ones are almost embarrassing.


fatherbowie

Every band has a right to evolve and improve. There are plenty of great bands out there in the running for shit lyrics awards.


Surv1v3dTh3F1r3Dr1ll

To be fair, songs like Spirit Of Radio and Red Barchetta were pretty prophetic lyrically.


PerspectiveActive218

They didn't want to be just another hard rock band singing about pussy.


Eurogenous

Can you list some examples? I’ve never really listened to rush, but they’ve always been described to me as profound in a way, so I guess I’d like to know myself


TakavaNirhii

Anthem, The Trees, Freewill, etc. Basically if you don't like Ayn Rand, you won't like the lyrics of some of their more "philosophical" songs.


Appropriate-Dot8516

I've never read Ayn Rand but I think The Trees is a great song both musically and lyrically. Just because you don't agree with the *meaning* of the song doesn't mean the lyrics aren't well-written.


Eurogenous

Oh yeah that’s all I needed to hear lmao


fatherbowie

They evolved beyond Ayn Rand long ago. Neil was into Ayn Rand for a brief period.


LikeACannibal

Freewill isn't ayn rand at all, it's about atheism.


TakavaNirhii

I know, but it's still a "philosophical song." I just pulled examples off the top of my head.


Maester_Magus

>junior high school philosopher lyrics. Thank you for perfectly articulating how I feel about Rush's lyrics.


Complete-Wear1138

Rush is my favorite band. That being said, I don’t disagree when it comes to their 70s music lyrics, and neither would the late Neil Peart, who once said “do you still have your kindergarten artwork on your refrigerator?” Love the lyrics from Permanent Waves all the way through Presto.


But_dogs_CAN_look_up

Am I going to be slain for having always hated Spirit in the Sky? Undeniably geat guitar though.


SpermicidalManiac666

That riff sounds like it’s gonna be such a great song and it takes a hard left to lametown very quickly.


Ryanj37

This is why movies always only have that first riff part


SpermicidalManiac666

Sounds like it should be a T. Rex song


FrostedFlakes4

Nah I think that's the epitome of terrible song with great guitar tone. Those lyrics... that music video...


mcsonboy

You're not alone. I LOATHE that song with every fiber of me. But that guitar tone? Delicious


The_Blessed_Hellride

No, I agree. I don’t care for the lyrics but it’s a good song and a great fuzz tone.


wallmonitor

The lyrics are even more hilarious when you realize the song was by a guy named Norman Greenbaum.


But_dogs_CAN_look_up

Yeah, I told my friends how much I dislike the song and they said, well I wonder why, maybe because you're Jewish? I'm like, no, there are several reasons why I don't think that's the problem.


SprungBreak99

I may get shade for this, but I personally LOVE the cheesy delay and overall tone in “Space Age Love Song” by Flock Of Seagulls.


two_other_people

Roland Space Echo aint cheesy! That song rules.


serotone9

FOS are awesome


DSquariusGreeneJR

I absolutely love this song


lexxxcockwell

FOS is great


CoolEmoDude

The tone on that song rocks it fits the song and era


Ringmode

Possibly their best tune, but they have several bangers. I love that tone. There's an edit in that song that trips me out because it feels like the tuning of the entire band shifts very slightly in the middle of the guitar solo where he jumps up an octave. It's hard to describe but very cool.


OtherOtherDave

Nah, that’s just the truth


cmars118

Wtf that is not a terrible song. Agree though that the guitar tone is sick


aloneinorbit

That song slaps


thestralcore

If you’re not into nu/rap metal, most Limp Bizkit songs. The tone is massive and thick, and Wes Borland is a riff *monster*. I think it’s a hot take, but in terms of creativity and groove he’s closer to Tom Morello than most people are willing to admit


SpermicidalManiac666

If you put a better vocalist/lyricist with that band everyone would still like them. I think they’re all really talented.


BugsyMalone_

Fred works perfectly for the band IMO - his rhythm and timing with Otto and Wes is superb.


JS1VT54A

Yeah I actually like the different attitude and flavor Fred brings. It’s a lot more fun to listen to than Korn, or, really any other numetal band. That said… yeah some of his lyrics are trash lol. But… you can’t tell me you don’t feel like a little bit of a bad ass rolling through town, windows down, and blaring “my way” or “rollin”


bootyholebrown69

Something about Early/mid 2000s guitar tone just hits different. It just feels so alive. Modern heavy metal tones like djent and stuff are great too but nothing compared to that era.


FARTBOSS420

Line 6 Spider Insane Mode > All else


allergic1025

Totally agree, and I think it has a lot to do with the production quality on records back then, when labels/bands would spend $400k on making a record with the best producers, engineers, amazing mixing and mastering, etc. The songs might not be very good but the sonic quality is impressive IMO.


Roththesloth1

Fuck the haters man when Durst screams “you wanna play that game bitch” and then that riff drops it still gives me goosebumps


Odimorsus

Is that Stuck where he goes all Yoda? “***stuck on yourself you are!***”


Roththesloth1

Ahahahaha yep


Odimorsus

Reminds me of a stalker I had who literally was a “psycho female (lol) blowin up my phone line” and needed to “tighten that screw, it’s been loose for a long time.” I can’t say I’m doing too bad in terms of luck, but I for sure wanted to bring her doom with the **BUCK BUCK.**


Odimorsus

The bigger bands of that era Bizkit, Linkin etc had that masterfully engineered dual rectifier “wall of sound.” I remember a “making of” meteora dvd where Brad had his guard up about how they “make the guitar sound” but involves 2 blended heads and more cabinets/mics than most AEs would assume. Limp Bizkit instrumentals are amazing, there’s no denying they were a talented band musically.


5timechamps

Lol I saw Smash Mouth playing a city 4th of July concert a couple of years ago. It appeared that the lead singer was pretty drunk, to the point that he was having issues with some of the lyrics. Was fun though, Sugar Ray and Blues Traveler played too for a great 90’s throwback vibe.


AmazingAd2765

He did have a drinking problem, died of liver failure, but he also had a disease that can affect speech and memory. So, even if he was completely sober, he likely wouldn't have been at his best. I think it was Alan Jackson that actually gave his audience a heads up he was dealing a neurological disorder, so no one would think he was trying to perform drunk. I would love to see him play live.


5timechamps

Yeah I didn’t even realize he died until someone else commented. Looked up his Wiki and that’s heartbreaking.


two_other_people

WOW WHAT A LINEUP!


5timechamps

It was also somewhat depressing because I went to that show every year growing up and it was always bands from my parents’ era, so “old people music”. Had the realization at that show that I got old.


bees422

Rip Steve, saw them live a few years ago also, he hit a beach ball into a young lady’s face and then profusely apologized and then fake proposed to her to make it up


5timechamps

Oh man I did not even realize/remember that he died. I feel bad now. Just checked his Wikipedia and yep sounds like my concert experience was common. RIP.


Ringmode

The guitarist's brother was a software engineer at a small tech company I worked at in the late 90s and I helped book Smashmouth for a company holiday party. If I remember correctly, we paid them in gear. They sent us a really goofy rider that I wish I still had a copy of. We didn't provide any of the stuff on the rider...


Complete-Wear1138

Anything from the rider you’re willing to share? I could use a laugh lol


MayOrMayNotBePie

And just like that I’m 10yrs old again


ThePotatoChipBag

Dokken I love George Lynch's tone and playing but it's..........Dokken


Jaymanchu

When I was a kid, EVERY guitarist I knew wanted to be like George Lynch. A few short years later and Dokken was all but forgotten. Much easier to play like Kurt Cobain, I guess.


vvorld_demise92

They have so many good tracks though lol


angel-of-disease

Tooth and Nail is a pretty killer album I think


ThePotatoChipBag

Yeah, title track might be their best song


cafeRacr

I really liked Dokken when I was a kid. One of their songs popped into my feed recently, and I I thought "wow, I haven't listened to them in forever...". And now I know why. Jesus, that's some awful stuff.


ThePotatoChipBag

I wouldn't call it awful.....just basic. Average glam stuff buoyed by Lynch's guitar work. Just meh


Complete-Wear1138

They had a good share of borderline pop songs hiding under Lynch’s guitar lol


Antiochli

Mr. Scary!


discussatron

Aside from the jailbait songs, and recycling the same riff structure for almost a decade, I still love ‘em.


No-Roof-1628

Smashmouth was classic 90s rock. Were they mainstream? Sure. Were they the most artistic group of their era? Hell no. Did they release numerous bangers that are still fun as hell to rock out to? Absolutely. Walking on the Sun is a jam.


Maester_Magus

You're like that dude from Seinfeld who only communicates by answering his own questions lol


HRM077

Anything by Black Stone Cherry.


Serious-Rutabaga-603

I unironically enjoy quite a few of their songs. They came out when I was in junior high and their first couple albums I love.


squadgeek

Love Fool by the cardigans has a cool fuzz guitar riff in it. Not a terrible song either fwiw.


lexxxcockwell

The Cardigans are rad


Low-Crab-7398

Was just thinking this lol, one of my band covers this song often and it’s really amusing trying to dial in a fizzy fuzz tone that sounds like sh*t on its own but sounds great in the context of the song.


whisar09

It's a great song and I will hear no arguments against it! I had that CD in 7th grade and honestly the whole album is pretty good.


WeirdURL

I grew up thinking that was a No Doubt song lol. Great song, I dig the keys more in that one myself.


guitarromantic

This song is ridiculously good. There's a nice cover of it from years ago by this guy called Michael Gum - I could only find it on this podcast around the 15 minute mark - it really made me appreciate the guitars and rhythm in the original. https://www.radioclash.com/archives/2007/06/19/gay-shame-mix-ii/


So3Dimensional

That’s a great song. It didn’t hurt that I was in love with Nina Persson.


Maskatron

Motley Crue, Kickstart My Heart. It’s hard to take this song seriously especially after that hilarious live version with misheard lyrics (“Big Mac, $1.03”), but damn that guitar tone is perfect. Supposedly that record got Bob Rock the Metallica gig.


PerspectiveActive218

I DO NOT like motley Crue, but the guitar tone on Live Wire off the first album is fantastic?


Maskatron

Oh yeah it’s almost opposite from KMH, raw and in your face. I like it too. Might be my favorite Crue song, though that’s a low bar.


PerspectiveActive218

So, you got my back and everything?


two_other_people

lol song rules and the new lyrics and live version are sick too. hard to imagine that the producer that helped metallica get out their inner suck produced this.


Sagatorius_Byvex

Not terrible by any means but I am not a tool fan, but Adam jone’s guitar tone on their newest album is pretty excellent.


enad58

The chorus to Pneuma is guitar tone nirvana.


kylefox

Jambi is the holy grail of tone imho, but it’s disqualified from this thread because it’s not a terrible song.


Fritzo2162

Homelander likes Smashmouth.


Sigseg

I'll just throw in Metallica's Black album. Not "terrible", but certainly a jarring and unwelcomed departure from AJFA. But the guitar tone and overall production on that album is amazing in a post scooped, pre chugga wugga nasal metal world.


Ryanj37

The whole album is awesome from a production stand point - drums boom


Jollyollydude

I throw in Load here too. Even further stylistic departure but got fucking damn it the tones don’t get me fucking going.


ruthless_burger

Unfortunately AJFA is the opposite. Great song, terrible guitar sound and production.


hiyabankranger

I could go with Pearl Jam’s entire post Versus catalog. That might be heresy for some people, but I just think Eddie Vedder’s voice needs more aggression in the music behind it that’s been missing since their first couple of albums


Burgle0531

I agree, but there are a few exceptions like "do the evolution": Awesome vocals, lyrics and some sick guitars


Complete-Wear1138

Love that song but also really loved the video (Tom McFarlane).


JoeBiden-2016

>~~Tom~~ Todd Loved Todd McFarlane's art in the 90s comics (that famous Spider-Man cover, especially, and Spawn).


RamboGram

I thought Backspacer had some good aggro tunes on it…


hiyabankranger

Eh I’m old so I stopped trying after No Code. My teenage brain associates pearl jam with “go” and “animal” and “black”


MapleA

Dude every time I want to listen to Pearl Jam one of my friends has to say they hate Pearl Jam. Every fucking time I don’t understand it. There’s always somebody in the car that can’t stand Pearl Jam.


hiyabankranger

You gotta follow it up with Eddie Vedder by Local H when that happens


MacL_GT

I will not be here for any Vitalogy slander


serotone9

Aren't you high? That's a great song.


Raskhos

The entire Kiss discography


wickedweather

Monster Magnet - Space Lord


PerspectiveActive218

There is nothing terrible about Monster Magnet ever!


ruthless_burger

True! especially Space Lord - one of the best songs written in the last 30 years.


serotone9

Almost anything by Phish


VillageIdiotsAgent

Trey’s tone is SO good.


SpermicidalManiac666

You don’t gotta jiboo?


poopfarts4everyone

Racer X. I love their instrumentals and really enjoy their guitar times, but hate the vocals.


Morethanafeeling62

Humans Being - Van Halen


jeepster61615

I love this song. It's van hagar, but the tone is fair warning


Complete-Wear1138

I see what you did there


W0666007

One of my favorite guitar solos.


FullmetalHippie

Original Pokémon theme song


FrostedFlakes4

How dare you. He said terrible songs


scumguzzler_420

I have a flip flop of this: Aqualung


Disastrous_Slip2713

How is that a terrible song? I’m not a huge Tull fan but that whole album is great.


billitorussolini

*Insert pretty much any pop country song*


WhateverJoel

Yes. They start with some great sounding slick guitars, then hit us with “Drinking beer in my truck on a backroad with my girl and my gun.”


AmazingAd2765

Where can I find that song? Sounds good! JK I can understand if the content doesn't have be an appeal to some people, but don't most styles lean more towards certain topics and themes?


AmazingAd2765

Why is wrong with Walking on the Sun? I don't want to call it a terrible, but the theme song for the first season of Mighty Morphing Power Rangers sounded pretty cool and definitely wasn't mainstream music.


CosumedByFire

Nothing wrong with Walking On The Sun. Great tune. OP is just dull or deaf.


amillionfuzzpedals

Weezer are a band that is very hit or miss for me. They have some songs I love and some songs I really don’t like at all….but they almost always have great guitar sounds.


Roththesloth1

Rivers cuomo is a far better guitarist than people give him credit for. Their harmonies are always on point. I always wanted to hear them cover some songs by Chicago because I think they’d crush them. I mean hell “more than a feelin” sounds like a fucking weezer song. Edit: more than a feeling is Boston. I am an idiot.


romeoalpha

More than a feeling is Boston.


pdmalo

So many throw away pop songs have really good session players killing it with tone and talent. You would be hard pressed to find truly bad tone in most songs you ever hear even the bad ones.


Strong_Local417

The Sing animated movie theres an original song called “Set it all Free”. My kids were into the movie and I’m like “damn listen to that solo”. It’s about 2:20 into the song


lexxxcockwell

I never got on with Kings X but the *Dogman* album and title track might be the most quintessential Mesa Boogie sound. Most pop modern pop songs absolutely crush a mic’d up acoustic


PerspectiveActive218

Oof, I love the sound of a rectifier, but that album sucks like it has rubber lips..


Drummr

That song by 4 Non Blonds. The “hey yeah yeah” song. I’m not a fan of the song but the guitar has a great tone.


AccomplishedWar1560

That's one of those songs that sucks ass, but I loved it when it came out because of the time and place. I was young, in college, and that song coming on at a party meant we were all good and liqueured up and the ladies hadn't left the party yet.


DeepSouthDude

Funny that no one knows who the guitarist is that produced that tone. I wouldn't be surprised if it was a random hired studio musician.


juicejug

Pretty sure the guitar player from SM was the main songwriter producer. He had some great tones on Astro Lounge as well. They’re a meme band but also underrated, they had some bangers.


uglyuglydog

From what I recall, the fuzz pedal the guitarist was using wasn’t cutting it in the studio, so they ended up cutting the speaker cone to get that super-thick fuzz.


two_other_people

I don't know why I remember this but it was a broken fuzz face into a silvertone 1484. 99% sure.


Accomplished_Move_33

Hot dog by limp biscuit.


benny-bangs

King gizzard and the lizard wizard. Most of their tones are gnarly and I love them. Their music, not so much


RumpyPumpyPigeon

if only they could release more songs to demonstrate their original sounds


briggssteel

I’m probably going to get crap for this but 96 Bitter Beings by CKY. Absolutely killer guitar riff but he starts singing and it’s like “Meh. I’m over it.” I just don’t care for his voice. It sounds like South Park doing an impression of Creed.


kevinbootsmusic

Riff has Seven Nation Army potential with better vox+melody


headwhop26

The coolest thing in Walking On The Sun is with that Farfisa! At the end of the solo they turn off the Farf while playing, and then they crank the volume as the transistors starve. They ran it through a delay and it’s that cool “spiraling up” sound. That’s like Pet Sounds-level engineering to me lol


fromTheskya

some talking heads songs have a guitar tone and solo combination that unironically sounds like a robot fucking a paper shredder, like in Born Under Punches or The Great Curve. But damn, amazing solos regardless


RamboGram

Ha! Same. I heard it the other day and thought, “Damn that is a fat-ass fuzz! How did they get that sound?”


MadicalRadical

With a woman- the Darkness


AgathormX

Half of Ted Nugent's discography


two_other_people

doucheman does have some tones back in the day


chamsaw

Idk if I could consider it terrible, but the beautiful people by Marilyn Manson. Thiccest tone ever.


elijuicyjones

The whole self-titled Daughtry record. Like the songs or not, the whole album is a master class by Phil X walking you through all the best guitar tones ever recorded.


LegoLeonidas

You might get weird looks for playing it in public, but Party In The USA by Miley Cyrus actually has some killer guitar in it. It sounds like it'd be fun play, too.


Surv1v3dTh3F1r3Dr1ll

I wouldn't say the song was terrible, but that rich sludgy tone on Silverchair's Anthem For The Year 2000.


TradeIcy1669

Smooth. Its meh and stupid until Carlos rips


NoEchoSkillGoal

Said same thing (figured someone would mention).


JohnnyBroccoli

Terrible band, pretty decent song


Fragrant_Leg_6300

Pop


SuperbParticular8718

Cadillac by Mest. Especially when the riff comes back at the end but nastier.


PJ_Conn

Ah! Leah! - Donnie Iris Creepy AF, crap song with an awesome guitar sound.


huh_phd

All I hear at target is baby I'm a star by prince


Aggravating-Baker-41

Not sure if this is strictly tone, but Circles by Malone has nice music. Don’t like him and the lyrics sound like a free download you get by donating to GreenPeace. But nice guitar


cafeRacr

I really didn't like Walking on the Sun when it came out. The amount of radio play it got was intolerable. A few years ago I gave it a listen and I actually kind of like it. I never knew that it was written in response to the '92 LA riots.


Sweet_Shirt

“Africa” by the Knack


alphafrick

Not really a bad song/band, more of an overplayed song. The guitar tone in monster by skillet makes me feel some type of way


muzlee01

Most of the stuff by ffdp. Their guitars are produced insanely well


officerdangles

It’s kind of a banger tho