Put a monkey at a typewriter long enough and eventually he'll come up with MacBeth. Hmm. That's what they say. I keep thinking - no matter how long - the little fella is gonna miss a comma.

Mediocre/less-than bands that somehow put out a winner!?!

Mine:
Van Halen - s/t debut
The Stooges - Raw Power (ok, the earlier ones have some classic songs, but as a whole... not sa good.)

I can't think of any newer bands. But I'll bet a band that begins with an 'L' is about to fall outta half a yer mouths. ;-)