I like drummers, hence, I am a drummer. Today as I drove to "work" I began to think about drummers. However, I realized that not many people think that drummers now are as good as drummers used to be. But that's not entirely true. Though its true that there will never be another John Bonham or Keith Moon (either technically or substance abuse-ally), there is still a wealth of formidable drummers that have played on albums released from 2000 on. Here are my 5 favorites:
5) Meg White (White Stripes) -- True, she may technically play drums like a fifth grader who doesn't know how to play the drums. But Meg has an uncanny knack for playing what sounds perfect with Jack's music. Maybe this is because she is possibly a robot.
Classic Rock equivalent: Mo Tucker (Velvet Underground)
4) Matt Barrick (the Walkmen) -- One of the fastest non-metal drummers around. He's real quick and relentless, and just powerful enough to fit the music. Tons of rolls and high-hat/cymbal flourishes.
Classic Rock equivalent: Billy Ficca (Television)
3) Matt Tong (Bloc Party) -- Very similar to Barrick, but Tong plays a slightly dancier style, very reminiscent of New Order era Stephen Morris. However, he has a little bit of a jazz influence as well.
Classic Rock equivalent: Mitch Mitchell (Jimi Hendrix Experience)
2) Fabrizio Moretti (the Strokes) -- Easily my favorite "regular" drummer (see below) to listen to. Another master of minimalism. You can tell that he could do so much more, but realizes that what he does fits the music. Deceptively quick with both hands and feet, also very steady.
Classic Rock equivalent: Ringo Starr (the Beatles)
1) Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Queens of the Stone Age, Tenacious D, Probot, etc.) -- One of the unspoken downfalls of Kurt Cobain's suicide is the loss of Dave Grohl on the drums. Obviously too talented to not front his own band, Grohl now only drums as a guest. And when he does it is predictably awesome. Definitely the most powerful drummer currently, Dave can fit in any situation and always makes that band sound better. Is it any wonder that Nirvana took off after he joined? Or that the best QOTSA record is the one that he played on?
Classic Rock equivalent: John Bonham (Led Zeppelin)
Not counting the use in this footnote, the word "drummer" was used 10 times in the above posting.
