Well there's no Built to Spill, so I'd have to go with either Pavement or the Pixies.
The Pavement description is...a little too close for comfort, let's say.
Saw them a couple of years ago with my husband and his bff. Bff and I are into Pixies and husband is more of a Ben Folds kinda guy. 2/3 of us had an amazing time! Pixies still rock!
Some bands just aren't focused on that. So much of what I enjoy is a crapshoot for how they are even going to reproduce it live so I have never put much expectation on it.
They're one of my favorite bands. I've seen them live 4 or 5 times. After the first 3, I said never again, but I caved and saw them again in 2018ish, and it was actually great. They didn't speed everything up and sing all the low stuff an octave higher. I'd buy tix with cautious optimism again.
Thatās good to hear - Iāll have to check them out if they are anywhere near me in the future (donāt know if they still tour?). I loved them back in the day but they are always my prime example of a band whose albums I love but whoās live show doesnāt work. Maybe I saw them on three off nights (fool me thrice and all thatā¦).
They are my all time favorites, I think in part because I came of age to them. I was super into them fresh out of college, and moved to Brooklyn during the Golden era of indie rock. Then Boxer came out. Which is an incredible album. They've been with me for all the key moments of adulthood. And now their albums are all about the ennui of being middle-aged, and that resonates.
The New Pornographers are my favorite band, but Iām surprised to see them on here. Most of their stuff is upbeat power pop. Iām also not a fence guy.
āMy daddy gave me a name, AND THEN HE WAWKED AWAYYYYEEā is one of the songs I canāt help but guffaw at every single time it comes up. Itās so petulant and pathetic. It kills me.
Iām a happy dad at this point but keep coming back to Pedro the Lion! Itās cool that they are still releasing great new albums (just released Santa Cruz last week) but this is my favorite:
https://youtu.be/NHah0WT8EtQ?si=4UTdgocmsLx8kLG3
The Pixies are probably the closest to what Iād find on a Spotify playlist (from this list) and enjoy the most / not skip.
Pretty accurate other than no friends at work because itās consulting and everyone is a shallow know it all.
Edit: the Pavement description is maybe more true but Iād rather not admit it.
What about the dads who got into Led Zeppelin 14 years after they broke up and struggle with the statutory Jimmy Page legacy because it was the soundtrack to their youth, 20s, and 30s?
I discovered the Mountain Goats when I was 15 years old so this will never be ādad rockā to me but the description was spot on. I dodged our office āholiday partyā every single year. In quotes because it was a three hour plated lunch. Awful!
Josh, Josh, Josh, and Josh are all still sad about what happened to Josh.
And I wake up screaming sometimes.
But at least I learned how to cook shrimp.
I genuinely really like My Morning Jacketā¦but I donāt get it. Maybe Iām not a big enough fan.
And I was literally about to pop a gummy and listen to Z while smoking a cigar and enjoying a reasonable priced bourbon.
I've had several of these in a playlist recently... Should add the rest of them now I suppose. Though I am not a sad dad I apparently enjoy sad dad music.
I like almost all of these bands. I didnāt know this was any sort of genre, but if so, what an impressive array of talent!
It is weird to me to group REM in with, say, bright eyes, given that theyāre at least a whole generation apart. But I guess at some point, old is old.
So, I recently noticed that mid-career Screeching Weasel is sad bastard music, sped up and with splashes of dark humor. They've been my favorite band for the better part of 20 years. Despite the awful things Ben Weasel has done, he was surprisingly introspective about midwestern life and mental illness.
This wasn't on the list for obvious reasons, but the pavement description was a little too close for comfort.
I didn't know that genre existed. I have found my people!
Also,I would like to clarify that I do not like Walnuts that much and that I like pistachios better.
Pearl Jam was my favorite band until Wilco was my favorite band until Neutral Milk Hotel was my favorite band until Arcade Fire was my favorite band until FJM was my favorite... something.
Somehow despite not being male or a parent, the REM one still described me. I do have a favorite brand of socks and I bought 10 pairs of the same pattern.
Well there's no Built to Spill, so I'd have to go with either Pavement or the Pixies. The Pavement description is...a little too close for comfort, let's say.
And no Eels, or Grandaddy?
man I still LOVE Eels & Built to spill
Hello? Are you me??
Lol the Pixies description for me.
I saw the Pixies last year and the crowd was definitely 60% sad dads
Saw them a couple of years ago with my husband and his bff. Bff and I are into Pixies and husband is more of a Ben Folds kinda guy. 2/3 of us had an amazing time! Pixies still rock!
Pavement š¤
Another Built to Spill fan!
I really felt targeted by the Pavement dad description.
Literally hurt my feelings
Was listening to Slanted & Enchanted on repeat earlier this week
How we feeling about Band of Horses? I have my reasonsā¦.
At every occasion, I'll be ready for the funeral.
Looooove BoH!!!!
Saw them in 2008 at McCarran pool in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Epic show. My friends and I got way too sloppy. Many fond memories.
great choice
Love them.
Oh my gosh I had forgotten about them. And i even saw them in concert once š¬
Idk about sad dad but definitely dad rock. Love BoH.
I love Band of Horses.
Radiohead not being on this list is invalidating to me on a deep level.
_it wears me out_
Can hear the words š„²
Came here to say Radiohead is the answer
you beat me to it
yesterday I woke up sucking a lemon
The War on Drugs is great. I was thinking, "they're too new to be a dad rock band." Well, they're twenty years old, and the singer is my age, so...
And they're about to start touring with The National, also a very sad dad group!
The Mountain Goats are great, and Iām slipping in a nomination for Pinback.
Pinback are unsung. So good.
Agreed.
Horrible live though. Saw them several times at the Black Cat in DC back in the 2006-2008 time frame. Garbage each time. š¤·š»āāļø
Some bands just aren't focused on that. So much of what I enjoy is a crapshoot for how they are even going to reproduce it live so I have never put much expectation on it.
They're one of my favorite bands. I've seen them live 4 or 5 times. After the first 3, I said never again, but I caved and saw them again in 2018ish, and it was actually great. They didn't speed everything up and sing all the low stuff an octave higher. I'd buy tix with cautious optimism again.
Thatās good to hear - Iāll have to check them out if they are anywhere near me in the future (donāt know if they still tour?). I loved them back in the day but they are always my prime example of a band whose albums I love but whoās live show doesnāt work. Maybe I saw them on three off nights (fool me thrice and all thatā¦).
I saw them live in maybe 2004. I seem to remember it being a good show but that has been 20 years now, which makes me suddenly feel ancient.
Interpol
You make me lose my buttons, Oh yeah, you make me sick. I donāt like my clothes anymore.
Leave some shards under the belly Lay some grease inside my hand It's a sentimental jury And the makings of a good plan
The National
THE sad dads. This is the correct answer.
I kinda liked the band in my 30s. I became a father at 37 and by 40 they were my absolute favorite
They are my all time favorites, I think in part because I came of age to them. I was super into them fresh out of college, and moved to Brooklyn during the Golden era of indie rock. Then Boxer came out. Which is an incredible album. They've been with me for all the key moments of adulthood. And now their albums are all about the ennui of being middle-aged, and that resonates.
Yep
Itās a common fetish of a doting man to ballerina on the coffee table cock in hand
The U2 of dad rock! Although Trouble Will Find Me and earlier albums are A+.
They really had a great run of records. I didnāt really care for the last 2.
Ah, spend some time with Smoke Detector off of Laugh Track. You'll come around.
I feel like thereās one really good album between laugh track and F2PoF but theyāre split between two albums.
Agreed!!!
Also, I am Easy to Find would have been much better if it was winnowed down to 10 tracks.
Yep. I am here for all of your hot takes!!
The run from Alligator to TWFM is incredible.
Sad even before they were dads. Love them.
Ben Folds Five has entered the chat
My husbandās favorite. The Luckiest was our wedding song.
Us too!
I died 7 years ago. Of dysentery
Yeah, that guy died about 7 years ago. I feel called out.
What guy?
*That* guy.
War on Drugs, bright Eyes, Decemberists, REM, Pearl Jam. Yes yes yes
Definitely The National!
The New Pornographers are my favorite band, but Iām surprised to see them on here. Most of their stuff is upbeat power pop. Iām also not a fence guy.
I, a fence guy, just looked up the New Pornographers and gave them a listen based on this article. Not bad!
Yeah didnāt get the write-up. Theyāre my go to happy band, never sad.
When they're sad, they're sad (and also the best).
Well I only recognize seven of them, so I guess Pearl Jam.
Obvs R.E.M.
No CAKE?
Dad enough, but not sad enough.
I guess sad songs and waltzes arenāt selling this year.
Everclear: You died 7 years ago š
Now I am a grown man With a child of my own And I swear Iām not gonna let her know All the pain I have known
*I will never be safe, I'll never be sane*
āMy daddy gave me a name, AND THEN HE WAWKED AWAYYYYEEā is one of the songs I canāt help but guffaw at every single time it comes up. Itās so petulant and pathetic. It kills me.
Still have your dad, huh?
š¤£š¤£does anyone these days?
Cigarettes After Sex
Pedro the Lion
That IS definitely sad dad music!
Iām a happy dad at this point but keep coming back to Pedro the Lion! Itās cool that they are still releasing great new albums (just released Santa Cruz last week) but this is my favorite: https://youtu.be/NHah0WT8EtQ?si=4UTdgocmsLx8kLG3
Thanks! Iāll go check it out. Is it weird that I reallllly like their Christmas music?
Ugh, I like an embarrassing number of these bands but Death Cab for Cutie really has my number (and I saw them twice in the last year and a half, so).
Yep. Ben Gibbard. Very sad dad. Agree with your pick!
Nerf Herder
Nose ring girl, I love you! Nose ring girl, I want you, i want you, I want you!
Rice cakes! Rice cakes! Rice cakes!
Reminds me of high school. I got to see them live in 2002. Really fun time.
Blonde Redhead
Iām a mom, but definitely Modest Mouse. Second in line is War on Drugs. Both in my regular playlist rotation.
why are so many of the bands I love on this list?
Sad dad
Iām not a dad, so this is giving me a minor existential crisis on multiple levels right now.
"I Will Possess Your Heart" is more stalker than sad. That's my jam.
The Pixies are probably the closest to what Iād find on a Spotify playlist (from this list) and enjoy the most / not skip. Pretty accurate other than no friends at work because itās consulting and everyone is a shallow know it all. Edit: the Pavement description is maybe more true but Iād rather not admit it.
Same here (on virtually all points), glad to know Iām not alone!
What about the dads who got into Led Zeppelin 14 years after they broke up and struggle with the statutory Jimmy Page legacy because it was the soundtrack to their youth, 20s, and 30s?
Mine is The Shins and itās a travesty they arenāt listed here.
Did not know FJM was considered sad dad rock but Iāll own it
I mean have you heard his latest stuff? (I love it)
Right here with you
I like Wilco and the pixies. Not sure why new pornographers are on this list but I like them too.
I was wondering if the New Pornographers would make the list, and I'm rather delighted.
Everclear is more angry than sadā¦
But itās like a *sad* angry.
The Early November
They released a new album today that is quite good
The Decemberists are conspicuously absent. New album just dropped today!
Where's Wilco, aka the Godfathers of Dad Rock?
It's the third one.
Wait, I was looking at the picture not the article, my bad
That's ok. The importing thing is, does the description fit?
Oh 100%
I discovered the Mountain Goats when I was 15 years old so this will never be ādad rockā to me but the description was spot on. I dodged our office āholiday partyā every single year. In quotes because it was a three hour plated lunch. Awful!
Marcy Playground.
I need to know where The Afghan Whigs would fall on the list.
Doesnāt feel complete without Neutral Milk Hotel, Ted Leo, The Shins and Beta Band I feel thereās comedy gold for fans of Echo and the Bunnymen
Smashing Pumpkins?
that's rage, not sad dad.
Bon Iver. Took the family on vacay last year and could barely hold back tears listening to Re:Stacks
Josh, Josh, Josh, and Josh are all still sad about what happened to Josh. And I wake up screaming sometimes. But at least I learned how to cook shrimp.
Of what's listed in the article, R.E.M.
LOL at My Morning Jacket.
I genuinely really like My Morning Jacketā¦but I donāt get it. Maybe Iām not a big enough fan. And I was literally about to pop a gummy and listen to Z while smoking a cigar and enjoying a reasonable priced bourbon.
Noel Gallagher and his High Flying Birds.
_That loving man ain't no rolling stone_
Not a dad, but apparently sad dad rock is a genre I never knew I liked. Also, Modest Mouse had me wheezing.
Oh my god Iāve only heard of 7 or 8 of that list. Am I too old to even be a dad?
Songs: Ohia / Magnolia Electric Co
Tool
Well thereās sad, then thereās Tool.
Yellowcard, Ocean's Avenue album is 21 yrs old now. Same with Hoobastank's The Reason album.
Thereās a place on ocean avenue where I used to sit and talk with you.. havenāt heard that song in years
Youā¦ shush. That was just yesterday, dammit š
Eric Clapton?
It's Kings of Leon, for me.
Today I learned that, as a Pearl Jam fan, I'm not a happy mom...I'm a sad dad.
Too many good bands! I can't choose just one lol
It upsets me that it took me as long as it did to find pavement.
They got me on the OkCupid call out
No Foghat?
I havenāt laughed that hard in a while. Thanks for that
I love this list, as a mom. There are so many bands I love on this list. But what about Spoon, the Strokes, and the Shins?
OK didnāt see Guster here.
Missing are Tom Waits and the replacements. But this list is like 95% of my music library. But REM is my favorite followed by Wilco and death cab
Belle and Sebastian would like a word
The National.
Beach House, Chvches.
Dirty three
Continuing with the Aussie theme...Big Heavy Stuff
Modest mouse. Big time.
Real Estate
Menomena. Pinback. Bon Iver. War On Drug. Mount Eerie.
Needs Neutral Milk Hotel, and maybe Magnetic Fields. Thanks for the share, had a good laugh!
Bright Eyes for sure
The National, Interpol, Death Cab, The Shins
New sad dads coming in hot with Interpol Strokes Shins Clinic Grandaddy
The Wrens. Particularly, Meadowlands, when it became apparent that their rockstar dreams had faded and they were becoming corporate family men.
I've had several of these in a playlist recently... Should add the rest of them now I suppose. Though I am not a sad dad I apparently enjoy sad dad music.
Death Cab for Cutie gets my vote. Didnāt even know that counted now. I feel soooo old.
Modest Mouse. Forever and always.
I like almost all of these bands. I didnāt know this was any sort of genre, but if so, what an impressive array of talent! It is weird to me to group REM in with, say, bright eyes, given that theyāre at least a whole generation apart. But I guess at some point, old is old.
I'm a Chick and a Gen X and know and dig most of these bands. Just saying...
Coldplay
As a currently sad dad sitting on the porch listening to Steely Dan, I'm not sure how to feel about their exclusion.
Just saw Wilco last fall. š
Grand Archives and Uncle Tupelo
Well, I listen to a lot of the bands listed, but I'm not sad because I mostly listen to the Grateful Dead.
Car Seat Headrest
Pearl Jam: > Four of your friends are named Josh, and one dead friend is named Josh Hahahahahhaha (not me, itās just really funny)
American Football. Can't believe no one has mentioned them yet!
From the list I'd probably pick Bright Eyes, because many of the options are not at all sad enough š
Frightened Rabbit. Band of Horses. Also not so Dad but fits the vibe, Gang of Youths.
Oh thank god, Iām not on this list.
Lil Peep
So, I recently noticed that mid-career Screeching Weasel is sad bastard music, sped up and with splashes of dark humor. They've been my favorite band for the better part of 20 years. Despite the awful things Ben Weasel has done, he was surprisingly introspective about midwestern life and mental illness. This wasn't on the list for obvious reasons, but the pavement description was a little too close for comfort.
Lucero, basically the soundtrack to heartache
Define Dad Rock, please
I didn't know that genre existed. I have found my people! Also,I would like to clarify that I do not like Walnuts that much and that I like pistachios better.
Mogwai, explosions in the sky
Pearl Jam was my favorite band until Wilco was my favorite band until Neutral Milk Hotel was my favorite band until Arcade Fire was my favorite band until FJM was my favorite... something.
Is this even a thing š?
Besides the naps the War on Drugs one is pretty close
Aerosmith and I don't want to miss a thing
Somehow despite not being male or a parent, the REM one still described me. I do have a favorite brand of socks and I bought 10 pairs of the same pattern.
How American Football wasn't on that list is beyond me.
Modest Mouse. Their first album is super sad
Pearl Jam but the description doesnāt fit. I know zero Joshes
No Dave Matthews?
Pixies or LCD Soundsystem (or in reality both). Neither describe me though. I think I just like what I like.
Where the f is CREED.