"Overrated" Rock and Roll Giants

I came across an article by MSNBC contributor Dave White, wherein he gives his takes on the abundance of overrated acts throughout the canals of rock and roll history. His list of unjustly deified, over-haled artists looks like this:

U2
Metallica
Nirvana
The Doors
The Clash
Bob Dylan
The Beatles
Sonic Youth

A pretty bold list, no? I actually do agree with White on a couple of those bands, namely U2 and Nirvana. Both great bands, but both are treated with way too much reverence. U2 carries a swagger like it's their birthright to be the "greatest band in the world." Meanwhile, Bono trots the globe making bids to become the paitron saint of sunglasses. Not to mention that damn "Vertigo" song from that inescapable ipod ad with its half-baked spanglish lyrics ("uno, does, tres, catorse" translates to "one, two, three, fourteen"). These guys were far more likable before they got all smug and preachy, but that was a long time ago. Nirvana, on the other hand, has justifiably reserved its place in rock history by almost singlehandedly plunging the knife into the bloated gut of the hair-metal scene. However, does the class of generic crap-rock which they spawned produce music which is any less irritating? After all, they are the ones responsible for bands like Nickelback and Puddle of Mudd. Besides, with the benefit of hindsight, maybe Pearl Jam was a better band than Nirvana anyway.

With those things being said, I do take exception to some Dave White's other assertions. Specifically, his statements about The Beatles, The Clash, and Bob Dylan. Sure, it's exciting trying to take to task cultural icons, but if that's the territory where you ant to go, you had better make some sound arguments to back up your points. Dave White fails in this regard. All he does when discussing these three artists is talk about how much love they get. He doesn't once attempt to explain why so much respect is undue. A memo to Mr. White: being highly-rated is not synonymous with being overrated. There has to be an underlying downside which is often overlooked and obscured by popular opinion for something to be called overrated. The fact is, The Beatles, The Clash and Bob Dylan not only pioneered their respective genres (Pop-Rock, Punk, and Singer-Songwriter), but they are still the best examples within those genres today. The Beatles were pop geniuses, incapable of making a bad record. The Clash were called "the only band that matters" with good reason; they made angsty, political music that was more than just fun tunes to rock out to, it was truth. And of course, with apologies to Bruce Springsteen and Bright Eyes, a hundred-thousand singer-songwriters later and there still is no one who can justly carry the moniker of the "Next Dylan." These three artists define the phrase "often imitated, never duplicated." That is why they get so much respect and that is why so much respect is due.