Depressing music

[purple monk]

Who are the most depressing bands?

[Vinny Ramone]

I get depressed whenever I see/hear anything by any of the popstar/pop idol contestants. However, I've always found Joy Divsion to be pleasantly depressing.

[rja211077]

Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park et al for similar reasons to Hearsay, Steps etc

[mikewith]

Radiohead. Professionally depressed (and like previous answers, their success makes me miserable too).

[WaldoMcFroog]

Agree with everyone who suggested soulless chart rhart pap such as hearsay, but for a band that write melancholic classics, may I suggest Porcupine Tree? Here's a snippet from their sublime 'Buying New Soul' (a song about trying to make good music in the face of the aforementioned chart rubbish... "Dried up, a guitar upon my knee, I should have sold out when the devil came for me, Dig a hole and throw it out to sea, Break the code, how happy I could be... I still wave at the dots on the shore, And I still beat my head against the door, I still rage and wage my little war, I'm a shade and easy to ignore." http://www.porcupinetree.com/ if you're interested.

[LynneMcF]

Most depressing soloist - no contest. Got to be Leonard Cohen. Makes the Smiths sound positively jolly.

[andy hughes]

I don't think there is any such thing as a 'depressing' band -only bands who's music can maybe add to your existing low mood, or reflect its depth at a particular time. Music is an experience that you select to suit your mood, so artists like Leonard Cohen are not 'depressing' merely melancholy, but the songs can shift your mood downwards if you choose to listen at a bad time. As for bands like Hear'Say, the argument seems to be that their output or perceived lack of talent is 'depressing' but why? They appeal to a certain market, I, and the previous correspondents do not belong to it, so why not let it pass you by? I find the closure of Napster depressing, but not the music to which I had access through it, that gave me nothing but pleasure.

[beenee]

David Gray's pretty goddamn miserable.

[tiggerbounce]

The Cure album "Pornography" would beat most amateurish attempts at depressing music. 40 minutes of intense spiritually bleak soundscapes.... and I love it !!

[bored_cat]

I'm sure many people would think Joy Division are the most depressing band ever, but they're fantastic.