2000
Radiohead- Kid A
At this point, Radiohead had already enjoyed massive success as an alternative rock band in the 90's with highly acclaimed albums such as Ok Computer and The Bends, plus their huge hit song "Creep". As the new millennium hit, Radiohead took a massive artistic risk by completely changing their sound and style that made them such a favorite of so many music fans. They ditched the rock persona and presented a record that incorporated electronic influences with jazz, classical, krautrock, trip hop, and basically anything else you wouldn't expect to find from a platinum selling artist. Here's the thing, it worked. Birthed was Kid A, one of the most mesmerizing yet challenging albums you'll ever encounter. It would inspire a wave of cerebral music full of forward thinking and new artistic boundaries. Kid A would go on to be one of, if not the most adored Radiohead works and one of the most influential albums of the 21st century.
Song to know: Idioteque
2nd place album: Eminem- The Marshall Mathers LP
2001
The Stokes- Is This It
In 2001, we saw a new band hit the market known as The Strokes. These guys brought with them a fresh melodic rock sound that really resonated with a large audience. The use of melodies combined with a youthful energy and infectious rhythms really struck a chord with their fans and would find their contributions to the music world showing up in the sounds of many bands to follow them. With lyrics dealing with modern youth and their relationship to urban society, it's no wonder this album was so huge and related so well to a new generation. Although The Strokes have never really been able to match the quality of their debut record, these 11 songs have also never lost their charm.
Song to know: Last Nite
2nd Place Album: Daft Punk- Discovery
2002
Wilco- Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Perhaps inspired by what Radiohead did a back in 2000 with Kid A, Wilco is another act who decided to abandon the formula that brought them success in exchange for experimentation. These guys had already built up a fan base with the folk and americana sounding records they have previously created. However with Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, they ditched those sounds and brought meddled with karutrock, psychedelia, electronic music, and electric guitar delays and feedback. This was not the same band, so much that their label refused to put this album out convinced it would never sell. Reprise Records dropped Wilco from their label. In response, the band streamed the entire thing on their website, and gaining attention by not only fans but also Nonesuch Records, which decided to take a chance on this album. This chance paid off and it became the band's all time highest selling record. This new creative sound, mixed with frontman Jeff Tweedy's simplistic yet marvelously poetic lyrics and delivery make Yankee Hotel Foxtrot an instant classic.
Song to know: Jesus Etc.
2nd Place Album: Queens of the Stone Age- Songs for the Deaf
2003
The White Stripes- Elephant
This staple record of the 2000's garage rock revival opens up with one of the most recognizable riffs of all time on the opening track "Seven Nation Army." The rest of this album never loses it's ferocity and energy as Jack White carries Elephant with his unpolished voice; and skillful and energetic guitar playing. Meg White's drumming has been criticized in the past, with people questioning her technical ability. However on these songs, her simplistic style provides the perfect backdrop for Jack's fuzzy and distorted guitar jams. This record is dirty, aggressive, barbaric, and primitive. It's beautiful music to our ears.
Song to know: Seven Nation Army
2nd place album: OutKast- Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
2004
Arcade Fire- Rebellion
Canadian artist Arcade Fire has become one of the biggest bands in the world. They have already built themselves up to legendary status and cemented their legacy among some of the greatest artists of all time. However, their greatest contribution to music's history comes from their humble beginnings on Funeral. Lyrically, this album commentates on the isolation and detachment that has become a reality in this generation, while providing a message of hope and restoration. These songs are catchy, anthemic, and flourishing with an unrestricted artistry. Heard on this record is flawless orchestration, and songwriting abilities that have not been so perfectly tapped into since the Beatles. If I was just to say this album tugs on the emotions of the listener, I would be doing this record an injustice. These are the kind of songs that send shivers down your spine and bring the goosebumps out on your arms.
Song to know: Rebellion (Lies)
2nd place album: Kanye West- The College Dropout
2005
Sufjan Stevens- Illinois
Illinois is definitely an interesting gem of a record. You can't really talk about this album without mentioning it's unique instrumentation. Sufjan Stevens never seems to favor the traditional drums, guitar, and bass set-up that has been so prevalent in the popular music world since the very beginning. Instead we hear banjos, trumpets, glockenspiels, sleigh bells, accordions, and really anything else you could possibly think of. Lyrically, Stevens paints a picture of the state's history and culture, as well as singing about his Christian faith. The music has playful quirkiness to it, as well as moments of somber reflection, often on the same track. I think what has really elevated this to be one of the most respected records of the past 10 years is it's rare tender sincerity and honesty that is lacking in a vast majority of today's music.
Song to know: Chicago
2nd place album: Antony and the Johnsons- I Am a Bird Now
2006
Arctic Monkeys- Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
Pure rock n' roll. There's not a lot of it anymore, but with their debut record, the Arctic Monkeys looked to change that up a bit. These guys from England found a way to put together some of the tightest, catchiest, and plain freaking awesome rock tracks you're ever going to hear. This isn't mindless party rock music either. Drawing inspiration from many of the great punk acts of old, the Arctic Monkeys do a great job of creating anthems that analyze the youth culture at the time. This is the perfect album for blaring in your car with the windows rolled down or to headbang to in your room when no one else is home.
Song to Know: I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor
2nd Place Album- Joanna Newsom- Ys
2007
LCD Soundsystem- Sound of Silver
James Murphy is a legendary producer, and he is best known for his work under the moniker, LCD Soundsystem. Citing some of his main influences as Daft Punk, The Velvet Underground, Talking Heads, B52's and Brian Eno, Murphy brings together characteristics of punk, new-wave, and dance music together into this electro-punk classic. On "All My Friends," the album's centerpiece, Murphy sings about reaching adulthood and reflecting on the scene and lifestyle him and friends left behind. "I wouldn't trade one stupid decision, for another five years of life." With spacious textures, and thought out melodies, this album take electronic production to new heights. Although it's mainly an electronic based record, it doesn't try to be too modern. In fact it feels as if you're spinning a classic record from the 70's and getting lost in the nostalgia.
Song to Know: All My Friends
2nd Place Album: Radiohead- In Rainbows
2008
TV on the Radio- Dear Science
Following up the success of their 2006 LP Return to Cookie Monster, these art-rockers return with their best record yet. The band does a marvelous job of fusing funk textures and afrobeat influences to their sound. Dear Science is an extremely social conscious and politically fused album. Never has funk music sounded so cerebral. "DLZ", one of the record's standout tracks, is one of the most danceable and catchiest war-protest songs you're going to hear.
Song to know: Golden Age
2nd Place Album: Vampire Weekend- Vampire Weekend
2009:
Animal Collective- Merriweather Post Pavillon
This psychedelic music act had built up a cult following to this point. Music lovers found a sense of joy in their early experimental and pleasantly strange compositions. However, in 2009 Animal Collective was able to release their most commercial and critical success yet. Their earlier work may not be for everyone, as their musical ideas were often very left-field and foreign to the casual ear. With Merriweather Post Pavillon, they were able to capture the essence of their sound, while presenting it in an accessibly structured format. In this instance, getting "poppier" was not a bad thing at all. These tracks are full of musical integrity while being happy and containing a playful energy. This album contains very unique electronic sounds with drones, shoe gaze elements, and just really trippy textures. It's really hard to not find yourself dancing or tapping your foot to some of the more built up choruses on this record, such as on "My Girls" or "Brother Sport".
Song to know: My Girls
2nd place album: The xx-xx
2010
Kanye West- My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
A year ago, Kanye had pulled off his infamous antics with Taylor Swift at the VMA's. This was the tipping point for most people with him. With other regrettable media antics under his belt, he was really beginning to be labeled as an enemy of society, a douchebag, and someone nobody really wanted to like. In response, Kanye wanted to show the world how much he really doesn't care. His introspective lyrics deal with his relationship to the media as well his roll in society. "Screams from the haters, has a nice ring to it. I guess every superhero needs his theme music." We always knew Kanye was extremely talented with the studio, getting his start producing classic hip-hop records such as Jay-Z's The Blueprint. However, we did not know how much of his talent he had been holding back unto he leashed it all out on this grandiose record of sonic maximalism. Kanye brings in marching bands; progressive rock samples; and guest appearances from acts like Bon Iver, Elton John, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Jay-Z and more. Simply put, this is the most well-engineered and ambitious hip-hop records ever made, and the biggest artistic statement the genre has ever seen.
Song to know: Power
2nd place album: Arcade Fire- The Suburbs
2011
PJ Harvey- Let England Shake
PJ Harvey has had her fair share of stellar albums such as Rid of Me (1993) , To Bring You My Love (1995), and Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea (2000). However, she had been fairly quiet since than. No one really expected her to reach a new artistic prime like this in 2011. With this album, PJ Harvey sings about her loyalty to England, but seeks to highlights the disturbing reality that the nation has faced due to war and social injustice. Musically, it often sounds as if she is borrowing from old English folk tunes to make this a very "English" sounding record. Definitely a concept record, this is a complete artistic package, and not a collection of songs, although their are definitely some standout tracks. Known for her more abrasive and primitive sound, Harvey actually shows how polished her voice can be, and how beautiful and gentle she can make music at times. On the more politically charged tracks, she still displays how in-your-face she can be.
Song to know: The Words that Maketh Murder
2nd Place album: Bon Iver- Bon Iver, Bon Iver
2012
Frank Ocean- Channel Orange
There's been a lot of buzz about this guy, and respectably show. Already making a name for himself, with his guest appearances, he was not completely unheard of when he released his major label debut. This R&B album experiments with dark post-dub like textures and lo-fi sounds. This record is so uniquely engineered, we may have found a glimpse of the future of popular music. R&B can be a somewhat predictable genre, but Frank Ocean looks to break the cliches. Lyrically, he deals with topics such as unrequited love, religion, and the impact of drugs on today's culture. This is a new artistic level for R&B music, a genre that has never been so adventurous as this.
Song to know: Thinkin Bout You
2nd place album: Kendrick Lamar- good kid, m.A.A.d. city
No comments:
Post a Comment