The Rat (rock) - Love this one so much and it almost made my list. At one point I was debating between it and We've Been Had and in not wanting to make the call, didn't pick either.
I generally pick "They're Winning" for The Walkmen, but wanted to switch it up a bit because other drafters probably know I pick it often. "They're Winning" really isn't the best introduction to the band, either, as it's hazy and slurry, but for me, that is the essence of The Walkmen. A little bit Dylan-y on the vox, very tight on drum and bass, but slurry everywhere else.
The Rat -- The Walkmen (Rockaction). I'm not sure if I've heard it before or not. In the GP4 thread I told the story of randomly being invited to a frat party at Penn (by the same guy who introduced me to My Morning Jacket) where these guys were playing. I stood by the side of the stage, slackjawed, staring at the drummer the whole time. He was incredible. I have no idea if this song was played at that show or even existed at the time, but it reminds me of that day.
If it existed, they likely played it. It would be tough to remember given that setting, though. I've been famously wasted at some shows by them and done some nefarious things afterwards.
but otherwise I think of Boston as the most generic of all generic classic rock bands
I didn't pick them at all, but this strikes me as the wrong way to look at it. Instead of striking me as generic, I would say they helped
define the AOR genre. Big difference in that and I think that my take would be more accurate. Ready to listen to counterpoints, as it's not my area of expertise. But if you can't show your significant other two tickets to paradise (Welcome to the gun show!) while the riff from "More Than A Feeling" is playing in a moving car, you're doing something wrong with music.
And also insert a thanks to k4's comment about "The Rat" today, which I can't find right now and don't want to lose all that I've typed here.