Is the current music scene on it's way back to matching its halcyon days of the 60s 70s, 80s early-mid 90s?

Why have the noughties been shit for music so far (if indeed you believe they have)?

Who was the last truly great band/artist?

In my humble opinion, I'd say the music scene is getting a little bit better but there are no mainstream bands with the potential to become greats and the current or recently deceased rock giants/dinosaurs are not producing music of the same vibrant calibre that they used to (U2, Radiohead, Manics, Suede, Oasis etc).

The current biggest band in the world are probably Coldplay, and, while they're music holds some merit, they'll never hold a candle to some of the greats and in some respects are merely Echo and the Bunnymen fantasists (Ian Mac gave them a lot of uncredited help with their last album- official rock 'secret', apparrently). And then there's the Darkness- the less said about those loathsome cunts the better.

There are a lot of 'good' new bands out there now but no true greats. Franz Ferdinand, White Stripes, Coral, Libertines etc are all 'good' but just 'good'.

The only bands I'm aware of at the moment, and that immediately spring to mind, who could have any potential to be true greats (if they fulfil it) are Razorlight and FlyGarricks.

In the case of Razorlight, I own more or less all their material so far (cds 1 and 2 in all cases) and think that their singer Jonny Burrell has an amazing lyrical dexterity and can write lyrics that are insightful and strike chords with people. I also think the band have an amazing capacity for writing pop songs and that their B sides ('Spirit', 'Yes, you should know' and 'Yeah, Yeah Yeah' etc) demonstrate that more than their A sides. Things are very promising for them if they continue their current rate of progress.

In the case of FlyGarricks, I could well be accused of being biased because their bassist Rye is a very good pal of mine from uni and I'm one of only a select few folk at the moment with any of their recorded material. They also haven't got a deal yet, cos their singer's gotta finish uni first (not very rocknroll, I know, but anyway)... They have, however got management, which is a start and they gig in London when they can find the time. Anyway, all that aside, I consider myself to be a pretty good judge of good music of all genres, and I think they've got an unparralleled amount of potential and I rate their demos that I have up their with my all time favourite cds now, I simply couldn't live without them. I mean that sincerely and without any bombast...

Anyone else got any opinions on anything to do with this thread?