One thing todays "derivitive" have done is take blueprints that are very raw and not particularly accessible and polished them into something new and perhaps more socially well-adjusted. Joy Division has catchy songs, but bottom line is a lot of it is deep, emotional, and depressing, limiting accessability. Interpol borrows a lot of that sound (and many others!) but spins it in a different, shallower direction, but you can play it at a party without worrying about someone jumping out a window. Same with the Strokes. A lot of people say they're derivitive of VU. But the Strokes made an upbeat, fun album that you can listen to over and over. I love VU, but I'm exhausted and emotionally damaged after listening to any of their albums in their entirety. I guess what I'm trying to say is these "derivitive" bands are providing some evolutionary function by updating the sounds of these classic old bands into something more accessible. I think its worth the effort to put a modern take on classic vibes/sounds if the new songs themselves are strong, which both Interpol's and the Strokes' are.
