List of artists that have never lost quality throughout entire career


One of the brightest on my list is 

1. Depeche Mode. I'm big fan started listening and enjoying them from their very first album "Speak and Spell". I am devoted to their perfection of every song they create in terms of sound, melody, harmony and incredible intelligence. Their music may seem simple, but in reality much more complex than seems. I believe that they're somewhat commercialized, but also believe that they deserve their incredible success. They're indeed Kings of electronic rock!

2. Can (The Can). Every album they released is a journey to their creativity. What are they rock? Jazz? Prog? Their music often can cover all styles of music in one song. It's a blend of jazz-trained drummer Jaki Libezeit, classically trained keyboardist Irmin Schmidt(also conductor and neo-classical composer and film score composer), multi-instrumentalist bassist Holger Czukai and classically trained guitarist and electric violinist Michael Caroli (RIP). It's a unique blend of musicians with extraordinary skills and creativity

3. Dead Can Dance. This artist has plenty of praises and each and every of their album is a unique blend of electronics and earth bound instruments. Lisa Gerrard is known to be a part of Gladiator Motion Picture Soundtrack.

4. Tom Waits. Many would criticize Tom for not singing his own voice, but I'm amused the way he does it with spirit of Louis Armstrong! Yes indeed with spirit instead of just imitating. Embracing the spirit of inspired artist is different and Tom is clear example to that!
czarivey
Buds - Can only speak for myself.  EC wouldn't be on my personal list of such artists but not because of a lack of "esoterica" (Metheny's not exactly esoteric).  While I consider myself a fan, I don't find his output at a consistently high level to qualify.  Thinking of some of the solo albums he put out as the main "disqualifiers".   That's just me though.  Is he immensely talented and one heck of a fine blues/rock guitar player?  Yes.  One of the best, if not THE best, in my O-pinion.  Watching the DVD of the Cream Reunion at Royal Albert Hall renewed my esteem for EC.  FWIW - Neil Young would not be on my list, either...and with way more prejudice than against EC.    

i agree with ghosthouse on ec--i personally don't find much since layla to sink my teeth into, and layla came out in 1971. as a guitarist, i'm cognizant of skill, but don't rank him as high as those painting outside the lines.  neil young, on the other hand, has great stuff sprinkled throughout his career--to me his 1989/90 records like ragged glory are as worthy as his early 70s classics,  and he' s still cranking out good-to-great stuff like psychedelic pill and harvest moon well into this decade. granted, he needs an editor--there's a lot of dross in there, but his muse hasn't flown off.
+ for Kings of Convenience. I have been listening to their songs for many years. A year ago, i see their live concert and its so much better than their album version.