First off - I think Appetite for Desturction was one of the best Rock albums ever recorded - GnR just did it right - but I was VERY sick of that album in short order. Axl self destructed after a while anyway, so it doesn't really matter...
As for Linkin Park, I am not a fan, but I will give them credit for being good at what they do. They do write very catchy melodies that work well in their songs, even though there's all sorts of other stuff going on. The other thing I give them credit for as a band is that they do just about everything themeslves besides the music. They do all their own graphics and promotion, direct a lot of their videos and come up with all the concepts and shit. They do their own marketing, they have their friends running their street team and all that as well. Anyway, like I said, I am NOT a fan, but I do respect their ability to be self contained and keep things the way they want them, whether I like their ideas or not.
Now, for a band that never should have gotten any play, let alone made it:
Il Nino - Absolutely horrible-no talent bullshit