Yeah I am definitely not saying they are the most experimental band I've heard. Far from it, so I agree, but I think it's definitely a part of their style. Just saying I don't think that defines a band's greatness. You keep saying that's not important in defining how good a band is, but then you just keep going back to 'groundbreaking' and 'experimental'. The most defining point, IMO, is the fact that they are a 2 person band (except for Brothers).
To me, their greatness is that they are a 'breath of fresh air' in a stale music industry (also my opinion. Haven't been that interested in much that's come out in recent years). I think that's where a lot of their acclaim is coming from, tbh. IMO, the best band to come out of the last decade. Not in a "Wow I've never heard this before, this is mindblowing" sort of way, but in a "Damn, I'm really fucking glad this music exists" way. To the genres you are interested in, you have probably heard a lot of good music in recent years. Stuff that I just wouldn't find interesting. So that's where my love and opinion of 'greatness' comes from with this band, and I think that's probably where a lot of their attention is coming from. I just plain haven't heard much recently that I would consider that good, or that hooked me for more than a month or so. I have listened to this band consistently for over a year and a half now and I'm still not tired of them in the least bit.
Think you have a different opinion of what a mainstream sound is too. Because I just don't think they sound even remotely similar to mainstream, and in my experience with trying to turn people on to this band, people seem to not think they are very accessible of a sound. Too 'rough' of a sound for most people or something. Seems more like your criteria for that is that it be 'rock and roll' or something. Dunno, just what I'm getting. You don't think it sounds that different from mainstream rock, but in the past 10 years, I haven't heard anything remotely close to the sound they put out. Just this crazy, overdriven/distorted guitar, howling/soulful vocals with real pain and sick drum beats that HAVE to be good to keep up with the rest of the music.
In case you haven't noticed, I am pretty much in love with this band. Over the past however many years, I have distanced myself from practically every musician I grew up listening to because I started realizing how much more there was to music, and how actual talent was far and between, and how everything was so overpolished that it all sounded the same and that the lyrics didn't even really mean anything because it's like they were written to sell, and not because the artist felt they meant anything. So to me, The Black Keys are shockingly fresh in that they don't shy away from doing whatever they want.
Have enjoyed this conversation. Thanks.
Don't think we're really arguing here. Just have differing opinions on how to classify a sound.