The Greatest American Rock Band Bracket!
Second Round, Indie/Grunge/New Wave Division
R.E.M. (1) vs. Blondie (9)
College rock pioneers versus New Wave vanguards
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R.E.M.:
"R.E.M. marked the point when post-punk turned into alternative rock [and] sparked a back-to-the-garage movement in the American underground. Combining ringing guitar hooks with mumbled, cryptic lyrics and a D.I.Y. aesthetic… the band simultaneously sounded traditional and modern. R.E.M. had an identity and sense of purpose that transformed the American underground. Throughout the '80s, they worked relentlessly, releasing records every year and touring constantly, playing both theaters and backwoods dives. Along the way, they inspired countless bands, from the legions of jangle pop groups in the mid-'80s to scores of alternative pop groups in the '90s, who admired their slow climb to stardom." --AllMusic.com Popularity
Influence:
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Blondie:
"Blondie is perhaps the quintessential new wave band: An art-pop group who made the leap from punk to the Top 40, polishing their spiky curves while simultaneously broadening their musical purview beyond trashy AM pop to encompass disco, reggae, and hip-hop. They brought underground sounds into the mainstream with a sly, knowing wink and the incandescent star power of Debbie Harry, the lead singer who co-led the group with guitarist Chris Stein. Blondie's blend of girl-group pop and garage rock first took hold in the U.K, but when the group collaborated with glam producer Mike Chapman, they crafted Parallel Lines, a sleek modernist masterpiece. " --AllMusic.com Popularity
Influence:
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