The Next Great American Band: Tres Bien! Leads The Rankings
By Matt C.
October 29, 2007
This week on Next Great American Band, The bands were forced to sing two songs: one original piece and a cover by rock legend Bob Dylan.
What was simply amazing about the bands this week was how they were (mostly) able to adapt their unique styles to the Bob Dylan classics.
The original pieces were hit and miss for me to be honest. Sometimes, the bands were able to knock their own stuff out of the park, while some bands should've probably just stuck with their covers.
Now, since the first band only goes home next week, here is how I rank the bands going into the elimination:
Tres Bien
Current Ranking: 1 - Previous Ranking: None
This band of nerds can seriously rock! Of all the bands on the show, Tres Bien! has the best shot at mainstream success once the curtain falls on the show. They're cute in that awkward indie way, and they can sing the heck out of anything. There isn't a weak link in the group, and I expect to see this quartet make it far.
Franklin Bridge
Current Ranking: 2 - Previous Ranking: None
They're my personal favorites, and apparently Sheila's favorites as well, since she has already proclaimed them the winners of the competition. Of course, she doesn't realize that more often than not that statement is the kiss of death, but these guys combine all genres and make one sick slick band. Keep it up.
The Clark Brothers
Current Ranking: 2 - Previous Ranking: None
They have their missteps (rapid strumming, way too often) but these boys are playing like their cute teens goofing around, and that's what'll catch the female demographic of this show. Once they clean up their act, they'll be serious competition.
Sixwire
Current Ranking: 4 - Previous Ranking: None
I think these men are the most technically skilled in this group, but I'm not sure that they will find a solid fan base and audience so quickly. All the judges love them this week, and they got the final slot of all the performers, so the producers must like them, but in the end, I'm not betting these boys are going to get to the finish line.
Cliff Wagner and the Old #7
Current Ranking: 5 - Previous Ranking: None
Bluegrass is back! I love the lead singer, and this music rocks, but it's time to get realistic: bluegrass is not the record-selling genre, nor is it the choice genre for most audience members. They'll need to do some conversions.
Light of Doom
Current Ranking: 6 - Previous Ranking: None
They're a joke. Flat out. They aren't original, they're in middle school, and they are the Vote For The Worst pick. Now, I usually wouldn't promote the afformentioned website, however these boys will be getting a lot of support because of it, and they will definitely be around for a while, much to my chagrin.
Rocket
Current Ranking: 7 - Previous Ranking: None
They aren't all that great, even for punk. However, they are an all girl band, and I have a feeling that the producers are letting the harsh comments about them slide for now so that they can keep some ratings.
The Muggs
Current Ranking: 8 - Previous Ranking: None
The sob story is becoming old. I don't see them as really dimensional as a band, and their lead singer is their weakest member, and that's a problem in a band.
The Hatch
Current Ranking: 9 - Previous Ranking: None
As the judges put it, their playing had no hook. This band just strikes me as generic and the band strikes me as filler for the better bands. However, if any of the bottom few bands is gonna pull out something interesting, I have a feeling these guys will be the ones to do it.
Denver And The Mile High Orchestra
Current Ranking: 10 - Previous Ranking: None
When it comes down to it, these guys can take anything and make it into swing music. Who wants that though? These guys are playing to a very unique market. As Simon Cowell might put it, they are the best Wedding Band in America.
Dot Dot Dot
Current Ranking: 11 - Previous Ranking: None
They are the worst band, hands down. That means that there is no way they are going home the first week.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Likes of You
Current Ranking: 12 - Previous Ranking: None
Somebody has to go home and I have a sinking feeling it's gonna be these guys. They are the least known, weren't incredibly strong Friday night, and falsetto isn't exactly a constant crowd pleaser. Mediocrity is the worst place to be, especially in a competition with twelve options, and you feel bad only for the really bad ones. By the end of the night, this band was invisible.
Here we have it. I love these bands, but most of them need some serious work. Either they need skills on their technical work, or they must adapt their style to a more mainstream audience. Both qualities are important in a band, and that's why I feel as though the first band to go will be "The Likes Of You", since they primarily failed in both of the two aspects. Let's see what happens next week!
Matthew C. is a Reality TVv junkie who probably listens to too much P!nk and Jo Dee Messina for his own good. You probably haven't heard of the latter, but you should google her now. If you want to throw something at him after reading what he wrote, too bad, because he wont tell you because he wont tell you where he lives. If you want to e-mail him with either gripes or praise, e-mail him at matthewchisling@hotmail.com.
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