The issue is, that subjectivity always plays a place. I mean unless you go by album sales, but best =/= best sales. I wouldn't put the Foos in the mix, I think they're a better example of a longevity band who consistently put out quality tracks with no obvious peak. For me as a fan I think Pearl Jam had an obvious peak and that was their first 3 albums, I would personally put them over Nirvana because while Nevermind was the icebreaker, Ten sold just as well, Vs. and/or Vitology were in every shape way and form (IMO) superior to In Utero.
Re-thinking it I would probably slightly amend my 2000s and late 90s. Throw in Chili Peppers for like 99-03 then White Stripes for 03-07. I mean the White Stripes still rocked and you're removing White Blood Cells by putting them in that range, but replacing it with Icky Thump which isn't a terrible move. Elephant is still in the mix. Still would have RATM in that late 90s range. You lose Renegades, but I will still count Battle for LA and you still have Evil Empire. While it's easy to say their songs soudn the same (which some do, but they're probably also the people who think AC/DC songs sound the same but Bob Dylan songs sound different, aka people who don't dig heavy distortion) Rage effectively created a popular genre for better or worse, and did it while putting out exceptional tracks. Without Rage you dont' see the Rap/Rock crazy of the late 90s early 2000s. Which I' msure some people would jump for joy and I admit, I have a debate about it, but I wouldn't trade Battle for Los Angeles to wipe out Limp Bizkit. They'll be collectively erased from the populaces subconscious in no time.
And yes I know there's some blurred lines, but you started it, as you have Pink Floyd as "late 70s" which I believe you're including the Wall in that and that came out at the end of November 1979. So it's blurring lines with the 80s. Same thing with Zeppelin since their first 3 albums were released between 69-70 in the same time frame the Beatles released Yellow Submarine, Abbey Road, and Let it Be.
Personally I like to look at bands and what I consider their peaks.
Start with the Beatles. I'm not a huge Beatles fan, but for me their peak was like 68-70 as I like their later year stuff way more than their early stuff. Some bands don't have real peaks, like JHE was just constant excellence then the band dies. Back to the discussion though.
Pink FLoyd was about 73-80 which takes you from Darkside to the Wall. Zeppelin was about 69-76 which is first album through Presence. I don't think In Through the Out Door is worth it personally. Nirvana was the 91-93. I agree with you on the peak for Smashing Pumpkins as they did nothing worthwhile (IMO) after Mellon Collie. Alice in Chains I go 90-95 though I did like Black Gives way to Blue a whole lot. just too long of a break for me. Pearl Jam I'd say is one of those bands who's both peak and longevity, kind of like the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen or Neil Young. While there's a time early in their career you can point at as the pinnacle they keep releasing quality stuff later on. For me I'd say their peak was 91-95 that was Ten, Vs. Vitalogy and Merkinball. but with the exception of Binaural, I own all their albums so I'm still liking them 20 years past my listed peak. Rush's peak I'd say is about 76-82. While I really like Fly by Night and Rush, Caress of Steel is very meh. But 2112, A Farewell to Kings, Hemispheres, Permanent Waves, Moving Pictures and Signals all rock. Iron Maiden was 81-84 maybe 86. I flip on my opinion of Somewhere in Time. Metallica is 83-88. While I like some songs off of the Black Album, as a whole, kinda dumps. U2 I have a tough time considering a start, as songs Sunday Bloody Sunday and Pride are my 2 favorite U2 songs, but I don't really care for too much else on War or The Unforgettable Fire. It certainly at the latest starts in 87 with the Joshua Tree and ends in 91 with Achtung Baby. I know they had commercial success after that, but Zooropa and everything after sucks aside from a few songs. Bon Jovi has a clear peak then a weird bounce back into popularity. Say you start with Slippery When Wet, things clearly take a turn for the worse after Keep the Faith. Then in the 2000s you have Crush where things kidn of pick up, then Bounce which sucked, and then some random massive hits. The Boss I'd say his peak was his first album through probably Tunnel of Love which was the classic period, then you have the post-The Rising period which has also featured many commercial and critical successes. I'd consider probably Neil Young's peak 70-79 which is After the Gold Rush to Rust Never Sleeps. That being said, still amazing albums to come out after, Freedom, Harvest Moon, Ragged Glory, and Mirror Ball.
I'm trying to think of who else I'd consider having a strong enough peak to discuss. GNR has the worlds most obvious peak it's not even worth discussing. Some bands are the same way like Skynyrd, Doors, Hendrix, and Cream who weren't even around long enough to develop a peak worth talking about.
