Dec 082009
Listen, I know that technically the first decade of the 21st century doesn’t come to a close until December 31, 2010, but if we get hung up on such technicalities we’ll forget to examine this topic next year. Over the course of a decade that I cannot put my finger on musically, I’m curious to know what your favorite rock-related releases/moments have been since 2000. I am asking for your favorite choices in the following category rather than best, because I think the latter term pressures us to “think critically” and make sure that we’re taking into account stuff that we know will top every major music outlet’s coming Best of the Decade issue. So think about it:
- Favorite album of the decade:
- Favorite song of the decade:
- Favorite artist of the decade (even artists who may have died prior to the decade, count):
- Favorite live show of the decade:
- Favorite music-related technological innovation of the decade:
- Favorite Look of the decade:
- Favorite music-themed movie of the decade (fictional, documentary, whatever):
- Favorite music-themed book of the decade (fiction, biography, etc):
- Favorite music-related change of heart you experienced this decade:
- Favorite [add your own music-related topic] of the decade:
I look forward to hearing about your FAVORITES!
Favorite album of the decade:
-Lovers – The Sleepy Jackson
Favorite song of the decade:
-Tribulations – LCD Soundsystem
Favorite artist of the decade:
-Amy Winehouse
Favorite live show of the decade:
-Super Furry Animals – TLA Philadelphia
Favorite music-related technological innovation of the decade:
-non linear digital audio editing
Favorite Look of the decade:
-Aerobic Rock (ie. Sweatheart, Darren Finizio, Club Lifestyle)
Favorite music-themed movie of the decade :
-End Of The Century – Ramones documentary
Favorite music-themed book of the decade:
-Passion is a Fashion – The Real Story Of The Clash
Favorite music-related change of heart you experienced this decade:
-I’ve stopped hating everything
Favorite IN YO FACE! of the decade:
-buying Is This It? by The Strokes just so I could tear it apart, then actually really liking it.
This is a tough one. I’ll give it a go…
Favorite album of the decade: I keep going back to Love and Theft by Dylan. I adore that record and it’s the first one that sprung into my mind. I also have a lasting fondness for Brian Wilson’s finished SMiLE record, although I don’t think it should count.
Favorite song of the decade: I have no idea. “New Partner” by Will Oldham? Was it written this decade? I don’t know.
Favorite artist of the decade (even artists who may have died prior to the decade, count):
Another tough one for me. The New Pornographers? I’m trying to think of a band that’s blown me away who was prominent to the 00s. I like what Jack White does.
Favorite live show of the decade:
Bob Dylan. Even though I have to give extra honorable mention for The Reigning Sound for delivering what will I imagine seeing The Beatles in Hamburg must have been like.
Favorite music-related technological innovation of the decade:
I still buy CDs, but since my band is now available on iTunes (shameless plug), I will give a shout out to the iPod. I don’t own one, but I can appreciate it’s importance to the progression of music and how it’s heard.
Favorite Look of the decade:
Katy Perry. Just Katy Perry.
Favorite music-themed movie of the decade (fictional, documentary, whatever):
I’m Not There
Favorite music-themed book of the decade (fiction, biography, etc):
When did Guralnick’s books on Elvis come out? 1994…Hmmm…I really enjoyed De Capo’s Best Music Writing collections. I’m generally not a fan of most music writing, but these were pretty GREAT.
Favorite music-related change of heart you experienced this decade:
I warmed up to alot of rap. I still can’t say that I’m a fan, but I can see its importance.
Favorite surprise of the decade:
I liked Sean Lennon’s last solo record. I still enjoy it. The kid’s got the genes.
TB
Man, this is tough! I mean, how do you remember how a particular track hit you in 2002 — when you might have loved it, in the moment, much more than you love it now? Surely the degree to which we like things at the end of the decade is biased by stuff we’re not sick of yet, or has stopped tingling our new-and-amazing ear bone?
I guess I can go this far: the artists from the oughts who I believe were my biggest discoveries — i.e., who most made the ought-music worth my time — were the following. (Note that I may have inadvertently included bands who had a minor release or two in the 90s, but whose main body of work takes place in this decade):
The Upper Crust
The Pernice Brothers
Supagroup
Sloan
Komeda
Fave songs by bands from the oughts:
Point — Cornelius
The Stoop — Jackie somebody or other
I Believe In a Thing Called Love — The Darkness
Dust — Van Hunt
No Worries — Hepcat
Sister Surround — Soundtrack Of Our Lives
Blue Side — Rooney
More later.
New Partner is from the mid-90s
Great fuckin tune!
great album!
* Favorite album of the decade: Tough to decide, but for now I’m going with Emma Pollock’s Watch the Fireworks
* Favorite song of the decade: “Good Weekend,” Art Brut
* Favorite artist of the decade: Wussy, even if I only discovered them about six months ago
* Favorite live show of the decade: Rilo Kiley, First Unitarian Church, March 4, 2003
* Favorite music-related technological innovation of the decade: iPod, he said boringly
* Favorite Look of the decade: Jarvis Cocker’s evolution into a geography professor.
* Favorite music-themed movie of the decade: End of the Century
* Favorite music-themed book of the decade: Chronicles, Vol. 1 by Bob Dylan
* Favorite music-related change of heart you experienced this decade: Developed more of an appreciation for messy sounds.
* Favorite band for me to hate irrationally of the decade: The Hold Steady!
Favorite album of the decade: Wilco- Sky Blue Sky
Favorite song of the decade: Lonesome Day – Bruce Springsteen / When You Were Young – The Killers
Favorite artist of the decade (even artists who may have died prior to the decade, count):
Favorite live show of the decade: 5 Springsteen Shows. but I may have to go with AC/DC in 2008
Favorite music-related technological innovation of the decade: Ipod or Cubase (computer recording…like ProTools)
Favorite Look of the decade: Skinny Jeans (on the ladies)
Favorite music-themed movie of the decade (fictional, documentary, whatever): Almost Famous gets me every time
Favorite music-themed book of the decade (fiction, biography, etc): Adventures of Mixerman
Favorite music-related change of heart you experienced this decade: Metal… I became a fan of Motorhead, Ozzy, KISS and Judas Priest (and a bigger AC/CD fan)in my late 30’s…never cared for metal much before.
Favorite [add your own music-related topic] of the decade: Music Blogging / music websites..of course!
Updates…
Concert – Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Festival 2007 in Chicago (with Jeff Beck, Los Lobos, Steve Windwood, BB King, Buddy Guy)
Artist of The Decade (I skipped by accident) Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
Song of the Decade
“We Can’t Make It Here”
Sums up the shit storm of the past 10 years pretty well.
Was this the “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Undead” thing? I bumped into Oats at a record store and we both saw that up on the shelf and were thunderstruck by the name/album cover. I thought about putting up a post here with just a picture of that cover and “???” under it.
What’s it actually sound like? I enjoyed his first album and never really heard much of anything by him after that, and that new album cover and name seem like hurdles too high for me to ever get over.
Friendly Fire is the record I’m talking about. Is there something new? I think it came out on ’07 or ’08. Either way, I really dig it.
TB
Favorite live show of the decade:
Gotta be Hank Williams III. He was astonishing — downright revelatory. I recommend his live act, in the strongest possible terms.
For favorite artist of the decade, I think it’s someone I wouldn’t have guessed until I actually sat down and thought about it: Josh Homme.
From 2000 to now, he’s put out four Queens of the Stone Age albums, all of which I really liked and one of them (Songs For The Deaf) would be in contention for my favorite album of the decade.
In the same time period, there were three albums under the Eagles of Death Metal name that ended up being enjoyable side projects after I got over some initial resistance, and this year’s Them Crooked Vultures album with Dave Grohl and John Paul Jones, which I’m surprised hasn’t been mentioned on this site yet if just for general discussion purposes. That ended up working a lot better than it had any right to, as well.
I think that ends up covering something like seven of ten years where he’s put out a record I at least liked on some level and definitely one where it was my favorite record of that year. That’s a solid decade for me, as a listener and I’m pretty surprised, looking back on it.
Favorite album of the decade:
I think my favorite one is The Dexateens – Red Dust Rising. I think the best one is Sleater/Kinney’s The Woods, but I listen to The Dexateens more. Both are great.
Favorite song of the decade:
That will change every day. Today it’s Take a Ride by Reigning Sound.
Favorite artist of the decade (even artists who may have died prior to the decade, count):
Lucero. I love The Dexateens and Reigning Sound, too. But Lucero has just been consistently awesome in my book.
Favorite live show of the decade:
Rocket From the Tombs. The first time they played the Beachland. Watching Dave reading the lyrics, sitting in a chair – just wondering if Cheetah Chrome wasn’t an utter basket case, and then just getting blown away. I’d go see them every day if I could.
Favorite music-related technological innovation of the decade:
Rega P1 turntable. Amazing sound at a realistic price.
Favorite Look of the decade:
Britney Spears at the Burger King Drive Thru window.
Favorite music-themed movie of the decade (fictional, documentary, whatever):
High Fidelity, I guess. I like that movie enough to watch it whenever it’s on, even in spite of Jack Black.
Favorite music-themed book of the decade (fiction, biography, etc):
Exile on Main St. 33 1/3 series – Bill Janovitz. He likes it as much as me, and he can articulate it. It’s cheap, too.
Favorite music-related change of heart you experienced this decade:
Lynyrd Skynyrd. Definitely. I’ve been liking them a lot.
Favorite [add your own music-related topic] of the decade: I think I’ll throw in my favorite Record Store. Music Saves in Cleveland. Great selection, they order me stuff and let me pay when I get it and every ten albums I buy, they give me one for free! They also have great suggestions for new albums. I’m really glad I have a store to like so much near enough to go to.
Friendly Fire came out in ’06.
I have Death By Sexy but I have not tread the waters of Homme. However, I have heard nothing but good things about him. Maybe I’ll check it out.
TB
That’s too many questions I can’t answer. My favorite album of the decade is
Weezer (2001)
To northvancoveman and all, feel free to take your time on these answers. I’m trying to figure it out myself. Future generations will likely search the web for our opinions on these matters.
1. Favorite album of the decade:
Weezer (2001)
2. Favorite song of the decade:
Steve Earle “I Can Wait”, Weezer “Pork and Beans” Bruce Springsteen “The Rising”
3. Favorite artist of the decade (even artists who may have died prior to the decade, count): Weezer
4. Favorite live show of the decade: Warren Zevon, Commodore Ballroom July, 2001. Not because it was anywhere near what it would have been like seeing him in the 70’s but because he was at the top of my list and died soon after.
5. Favorite music-related technological innovation of the decade: Not just the iPod, but the Bose docking station for the iPod, which means I can have 5000 of my favorite songs with excellent sound in any hotel room I stay in.
6. Favorite Look of the decade: Women dressed sluttier for the 8th decade in a row. Chris Rock: “What does a woman have to do now to distinguish herself visually as a prostitute”?
7. Favorite music-themed movie of the decade (fictional, documentary, whatever):
I am sure there are better, I have seen some documentaries that I can’t quite remember, but seeing Dewie Cox in a hotel room was a pleasant surprise. If anyone mentions that depressing Townes Van Zandt documentary….
8. Favorite music-themed book of the decade (fiction, biography, etc): The only one I can remember reading is “I’ll sleep when I’m Dead” by Warren Zevon’s ex. I’m sure there is better..
9. Favorite music-related change of heart you experienced this decade: Actually got into some blooz, courtesy the first few ZZ Top records..
* Favorite album of the decade:
Wire, Send
* Favorite song of the decade:
LCD Soundsystem, Losing My Edge
* Favorite artist of the decade
Burnt Friedmann
* Favorite live show of the decade:
Both times I saw Caribou.
* Favorite music-related technological innovation of the decade:
Reasonably priced hard-drive storage.
* Favorite Look of the decade:
Buzzed hair + grey beard (what are you looking at?).
* Favorite music-themed movie of the decade (fictional, documentary, whatever):
I’m Not There
* Favorite music-themed book of the decade (fiction, biography, etc):
Chronicles Vol. 1
* Favorite music-related change of heart you experienced this decade:
I discovered alternative rap, so I don’t have to listen to music that’s actually, you know, popular. I’m much more intere3sted in the music influenced by hiphop/R&B and their methodology than the originals.
* Favorite [add your own music-related topic] of the decade:
Trend — the only contemporary music from the UK that I listen to is stuff like dubstep, nothing guitar-based. Britain has lost its rock mojo. In general I’m much more likely to listen to European music than British.
I’ll have to say, these are some tough questions for me to answer. I learned a lot through the oughts about music I didn’t like entering the decade, but not a lot of new stuff has jumped out at me over the last few years. Maybe the first half of the decade will give me some of the answers I seek…
Favorite album of the decade:
The first one that definitively comes to mind as a NEW album by an artist I’d previously given little attention to that excited me when I first heard it and still excites me today is Stephen Malkmus’ Face the Truth. My apologies to any other album from this decade that I may hold in higher esteem but have forgotten about.
Favorite song of the decade:
Nick Lowe’s “Hope for Us All” most often runs through my mind and means a lot to me. Beulah’s “Gene Autry” runs a close second.
Favorite artist of the decade (even artists who may have died prior to the decade, count):
Nick Lowe. Although he rarely reaches the giddy highs of his heyday, he’s become so SOLID, the way I hope I’ve become more solid as a person at my age.
Favorite live show of the decade:
The record release show Groove Disques organized for our Stiff Generation compilation was pretty amazing for me, from planning through execution. About a dozen bands gathered at Maxwell’s in Hoboken for it, a few from far away. Musicians are more generous and cooperative than they’re typically portrayed in works of fiction and rock star biographies.
Favorite music-related technological innovation of the decade:
The iPod. I resisted for a long time – and I’m still not an “iPod guy,” but it’s handy and enjoyable to be able to carry a few thousand songs with me in the palm of my hand.
Favorite Look of the decade:
Man, thats a tough one. A lot of bad Looks immediately spring to mind. The singer from The Soundtrack of Our Lives, with a blond beard, cape, and walking stick while performing the excellent “Sister Surround” on Conan’s old Late Night show is the best Look that comes to mind!
Favorite music-themed movie of the decade (fictional, documentary, whatever):
That Joe Strummer doc wasn’t perfect, but it was emotionally satisfying. Closer to perfect, fictional, and totally surpassing my low expectations, however, was that movie Once. For me, it was a rare, fictional music film that captured some of the small moments of music making and personal dynamics.
Favorite music-themed book of the decade (fiction, biography, etc):
The only music book I liked better than Dylan’s Chronicles, vol. 1 was that Geoff Emerick book on his time with The Beatles.
Favorite music-related change of heart you experienced this decade:
Bob Marley made one tremendous album, Burnin’, no matter how many super white folks may crank up “Get Up, Stand Up” after they’ve had one too many mango martinis at their summer barbeque with other Jimmy Buffet-loving friends.
Favorite [add your own music-related topic] of the decade:
My favorite musical instrument acquisition of the decade is my Telecaster.
It’s late so I’ll just mention my Artist of the Decade: Bobby Bare Jr. And I’m always worried he’s going to give up the ghost for lack of any interest.
I dunno geo…
Mr. Bare always seems to sell-out the Tractor here in Seattle when he comes through. He’s been doing at least two shows a year here for some time now.
Favorite band from the 90s who are still around:
Weezer. Those folks at Pitchfork have raked Rivers and company over the coals for not making Pinkerton over and over (Get over it, guys…), but I’m glad they still make records that make me smile.
TB
Favorite album of the decade:
Isolation Drills – Guided by Voices, or
The second disc of Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards by Tom Waits
Favorite song of the decade:
Glad Girls by Guided by Voices
Favorite live show of the decade:
Tom Waits at the Ryman Auditorium, or
Magic Christian at Johnny Brendas
Favorite music-related technological innovation of the decade:
Affordable and easy to use recording software like Mixcraft. It costs $65 and is simple to use, even though it has some pc related limitations. It has single handedly made the Rock Town Hall Recording Society the smashing success that it is.
Also, the iPod; even though I only listen to about 10 songs over and over again, I have 14,000 with me at all times.
Favorite music-themed movie of the decade (fictional, documentary, whatever):
The Filth and the Fury or the End of the Century. Also, Transatlantic Feedback, the Story of the Monks was excellent.
Favorite music-themed book of the decade (fiction, biography, etc):
Instead of a book, I’ll say Mojo Magazine. I was late to discovering Mojo, having only subscribed about 5 years ago. Even articles about bands that I don’t like are interesting.
Favorite music-related change of heart you experienced this decade:
The ukulele. I bought it on a whim and was surprised by how much I like playing it.
Favorite Trojan Horse of the decade: Rolling Stone Magazine.
A while back, Rolling Stone offered a lifetime subscription for $50. I signed up (although at the time I didn’t realize that the fine print said that it was only for 50 years so I kind of get screwed over by them if I live to be 88 or so). Over the years the quality of the magazine has always been hit or miss, but lately they’ve had a pattern of putting some flavor of the month pop fluff on the cover (Lady Ga Ga or some guy from a Twilight movie) and then inside they have articles about Merle Haggard, Kris Kristofferson etc, and some investigative reporting and occasionally an interesting political piece. The Kids don’t even know that it’s somewhat good for them.
* Favorite album of the decade:
I guess I’ll be boring and say Yankee Hotel Foxtrot by Wilco because that occured to me first.
* Favorite song of the decade:
Marathon Man – Cotton Mather
* Favorite artist of the decade (even artists who may have died prior to the decade, count):
The Shazam
* Favorite live show of the decade:
The Hives at the Black Cat in DC
* Favorite music-related technological innovation of the decade:
I guess Ipods
* Favorite Look of the decade:
The Hives suits.
* Favorite music-themed movie of the decade (fictional, documentary, whatever):
We Jam Econo
* Favorite music-themed book of the decade (fiction, biography, etc):
Beatles Anthology (I believe published in 2000).
* Favorite music-related change of heart you experienced this decade:
If it weren’t for Morrissey, I would probably like the Smiths.
* Assuming I can use the 2000 release date – favorite song from a townsman – If I Could Only Get Out Of This Chair by the Trolleyvox
* Favorite album of the decade:
Who buys albums anymore 😉
* Favorite song of the decade:
This one’s too hard. How about ten:
Formed A Band – Art Brut
Dirty Knife – Neko Case
I’m a Wheel – Wilco
Percussion Gun – What Rabbits
Don’t Make Me A Target – Spoon
Don’t Take My Sunshine Away – Sparklehorse
Young Pilgrims – Shins
Florida – Modest Mouse
Autonomy Boy – The Long Blondes
Skylarking – Kathy McCarty
* Favorite artist of the decade (even artists who may have died prior to the decade, count):
Art Brut – the first LP they released was a breath of fresh air to me. I loved it immediately.
* Favorite live show of the decade:
Besides my own band’s recent gigs… Robyn Hitchcock and the Venus 3 at Johnny Brenda’s. Amazing to stand just a foot away from Mr. H and Peter Buck and watch the fine guitar playing.
* Favorite music-related technological innovation of the decade:
That decent, good sounding recording equipment is more widely available and at pretty reasonable prices. Its easier for DIY projects now to sound good.
* Favorite Look of the decade:
St. Vincent
* Favorite music-themed movie of the decade (fictional, documentary, whatever):
The Ramones documentary was good…I also just watched a great documentary in online YouTube segments: Synth Britania – http://audiovisionbcn.blogspot.com/2009/11/synth-brittania-un-documental-de-la-bbc.html
* Favorite music-themed book of the decade (fiction, biography, etc):
“Rip It Up and Start Again: Post Punk 1978-1984” by Simon Reynolds
* Favorite music-related change of heart you experienced this decade:
I can now appreciate Dylan. The Bootleg Series, Vol. 4: Bob Dylan Live, 1966: The “Royal Albert Hall Concert” was my entry point.
* Favorite piece of gear of the decade:
My 72 Custom Tele (reissue)
hmmm…that should be “White Rabbits”
And yeah – the “We Jam Econo” documentary was great too…
Inspired by mockcarr’s
…and because sat seems to have gone dormant, so I’ll feel less self-conscious about it: Photon Band’s “Disillusion” is from 2000 and I’m certain it would make a Ten Favorite Songs of The Decade list if I put one together.
Been a while then, I had to deal w/a family situation, but here goes:
Favorite album of the decade:
Summer Tamarind by Martin Newell
Favorite song of the decade:
“If You Can’t Give Me Everything” by the Reining Sound which appeared on the It Came From Memphis comp. I should pick up some of their albums
Favorite artist of the decade (even artists who may have died prior to the decade, count):
(tie) Barrence Whitfield & Martin Newell
the heck w/superstars
Favorite live show of the decade:
Ray Davies 2006
Brian Wilson doing Smile in Bosstown 2004
Barrence Whitfield at my local Knights of Columbus several months ago
Favorite music-related technological innovation of the decade:
Pass
Favorite Look of the decade:
All I’m going to say that people who prefer to look at pictures of the latest glamour divas over vintage Francoise Hardy snaps are like people who would rather eat fleas than steak.
Favorite music-themed movie of the decade (fictional, documentary, whatever):
New York Doll about Arthur Kane
Favorite music-themed book of the decade (fiction, biography, etc):
I would say the three books that I contributed the research to & got thanked in, but I’m going to say TV A-Go-Go, by Jake Austin of Rocotober fame, a great book about the interaction between rock/pop & TV. Ritchie Unterberger’s books about folk-rock (Turn, Turn, Turn & Eight Miles High) were also pretty gincy.
Favorite music-related change of heart you experienced this decade:
Appreciating the 60s Bee Gees via the reissues. I always liked their singles, but their Deep Cuts have many gems, although I still scratch my head on some of the lyrics.
Favorite [add your own music-related topic] of the decade:
I think the above covers it all.
diskojoe, If You Can’t Give Me Everything is also on The Reigning Sound’s Too Much Guitar album. The day I bought that album, John Doe walked into Music Saves and asked for it, and I had bought the last copy. He said, that was okay and he’d pick something else, which it turned out was the other cd I bought earlier that afternoon. Next time I was in the store, they told me I had frustrated poor John a little, but he found some other albums to make him happy. I told them, “John Doe wants my record collection!”
That’s neither here nor there, but I think it’s cool. If you’re looking for a Reigning Sound album and you like that song, that may be the way to go. It’s a pretty brash, non stop, loud garage rock album. I love it. Time Bomb High School may be their overall best, though. Hell, they’re all good. I think Greg Cartwright is trying to single handedly save rock n roll, and I think he’s succeeding, for the most part.