post script - grunge

i'm coming off the tailend of my grunge trip.. listened to lots, and still lots to go.. most importantly Mad Season & Temple Of The Dog. i did this little review in my head, of what grunge would sound like today, in 2005. so i listened out for the following bands that are new(ish) on the scene, who became contenders for 'The Next Big Modern Grunge Band'

Alter Bridge - still sound too much like the old Creed, even the lyrics sound like they were written by scott stapp!
Nonpoint - too gadget-oriented, but their drummer can kick hell for leather!! pretty good otherwise, but lack of any real depth in the album.
Breaking Benjamin - again another band relying too much on gadgets, lyrics a little too formally edited and penned, but otherwise another victim of an album containing two- three good songs, and very cliched filler for the rest of the CD.
Mudvayne - very angry, in word and voice, and in their youth they feel that they have 'to go somewhere' with every song. the melodic bass interludes are almost a relief.
Chevelle - very unique sound, one of the better vocalists in this bunch gathered here.. another band that came close, but their writing doesn't show any evolution, and they're flogging a dead horse.
Three Days Grace - freakin' insane lead guitarist!! scary bloke! dysfunctional, almost vengeful lyrics, shows in their music. but lack of album depth and too much aggression let them down.
Theory Of A Dead Man - in their new avtar, having dropped the 'Nickelback-clone' label.. sound better, but gadgetry, lack of depth.. you could throw all the sell-out accusations you want on them.
Seether - another one of the favourites, but beaten in the end by a bit of repetitiveness, and for want of a good drummer, a title was lost. still, i expect good things from this band.
Cold - came very, very close.. with a sound cultivated by Staind, and nourished by bootlegs from seattle gigs.. but internal wranglings tore the band apart. a shame, really.
Shinedown - are probably the band! driving, thump-bass that shows evolution.. abrupt, torn from inside lyrics.. jarring, but still harmonic riffs.. controlled aggression fuelled voice. come closest to what grunge would sound like now, a few years on.

in the end, this was not such a good idea, cos none of this is really that grunge, greater bands than these have tried and failed! most bands try too hard to make the lyrics well-rounded and complete.. like it was some grammar class. i guess no one wants to leave anything to imagination anymore. and believers like kurt cobain and layne staley would probably be glad to not be here and see this glossy, fake exterior we see all around us. i wanna break out.