Here is my two pennies about music in the 2000's...I know nobody cares.
Click on the links and follow the instructions to download any of the mp3's that take your fancy from megaupload, all the links are kosher.
BEST INDIE:
1. The Walkmen - The Rat. 2004. We all know it, we all love it. Intense. http://www.megaupload.com/?d=4QOTYFG2
2. The Libertines- Don’t Look Back Into The Sun. 2003. Yes Pete Doherty is a twat, the other one is also a bit of a twat, the bassist and drummer are probably twats as well, the second album was pretty shit, the first one wasn’t that great anyway and the production is terrible. But come on…what a tune.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=M8YG4RIQ
3. Interpol - PDA. 2002. Loads of bands have essentially tried to rip off this song but there's only one original.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=ZSSOJ73Y
4. The Stills - Still in Love Song. 2003. Such a good, complex song. Good lyrics especially for anyone that got dumped and didn’t take it well.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=E3599P0E
5. Belle and Sebastian – I’m a Cuckoo, 2003. A fucking delight. A nice witty, intelligent piece of music.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=CG17EVWF
6. British Sea Power – Please Stand Up. 2005. Anthemic stuff from maybe the best English band of the decade.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=Z22JELEV
7. Band of Horses – The Funeral. 2006. Ambitious.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=I0F8CZTK
8. Rilo Kiley – Portions For Foxes. 2004. Very well produced pop. http://www.megaupload.com/?d=SFK3DDK9
9. The Raveonettes - That Great Love Sound. 2003. Best singalong Indie Pop tune of the decade.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=GCCPEVA0
10. Camera Obscura – Lloyd, I’m ready to be Heartbroken. 2006. Crystal clear vocals, tight song.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=WAVB84OV
Honourable mention:
Grizzly Bear, Asobi Seksu.
Two amazing bands. Veckatimest and Citrus are two of the best albums of the decade, but I couldn’t quite seem to squeeze a song from either onto my list.
Grizzly Bear - While You Wait For The Others. 2009.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=LRS6T9OI
Asobi Seksu - Goodbye. 2006.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=Q1C4SD3X
BEST ELECTRONIC/DANCE
1. Ladytron – Destroy Everything You Touch. 2005. Very dramatic, very cool, very banging, just a belter.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=1M18JXTU
2. Felix Da Housecat – Silver Screen Shower Scene. 2003. This slick electro/house mashup sounded like nothing that had comne before and still sounds as cool as it did seven years ago. http://www.megaupload.com/?d=E2YZ9K0R
3. Bent – Always. 2001. The best downtemo/chillout anthem of the decade. http://www.megaupload.com/?d=LCOUSM9C
4. Alter Ego – Rocker (Erol Alkan remix). 2005. The quintessential version of one of the best floorfillers ever.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=U8A0POZN
5. Chromeo – Fancy Footwork. 2007. The coolest band of the decade. http://www.megaupload.com/?d=H8DIFX3C
6. Daft Punk –Aerodynamic 2001. Heard it so many times you forget just how fucking good it is. http://www.megaupload.com/?d=YYRZJOW9
7. Air – Electronic Performers. 2001. Expansive cut from the most musically assured and ambitious act of the last 10 years.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=IJ5S2VS5
8. Soulwax – E Talking. 2004. One of the best dance acts of the decade.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=TV9ZD7WT
9. Way Out West – Mindcircus. 2001. This is how you do cheesy female-vocal dance. http://www.megaupload.com/?d=ES7JE14T
10. Trentemoller – Moan (Trentemoller mix). 2007. Dark, brooding epic from the Dane.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=F0NZ50QA
Hon. mentions:
Boards of Canada – Dayvan Cowboy, 2005. http://www.megaupload.com/?d=V4EGHIVC
Fischerspooner - Emerge, 2005. http://www.megaupload.com/?d=F2XT3PZ5
LCD Soundsystem – Someone Great, 2007. http://www.megaupload.com/?d=XZDAQY5Z
Passion Pit – Sleepyhead, 2008. http://www.megaupload.com/?d=COEL78IF
The Knife – Heartbeats, 2004. http://www.megaupload.com/?d=N4CWM2L9
Blue States - Allies, 2006. http://www.megaupload.com/?d=PSZLC1OM
BEST HIP HOP:
1. El-P – Flyentology. 2007. New York MC and Def Jux label head El Producto crowned an amazing decade with this lyrically provocative masterpiece.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=PMSX19AW
2. Cadence Weapon – Turning On Your Sign. 2005. The dramatic style of the man who bought us some of the most progressively produced hip hop of the decade is exemplified on this unbelievable cut.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=0Z6I7WIY
3. Lyrics Born – Do That There. 2003. The most unashamedly funky and vocally dextrous hip hop party tune of the decade.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=RQWEDOK4
4. Buck 65 – 463. 2003. Hip-Hop’s innovator of the decade at his verbose best. http://www.megaupload.com/?d=A6BNISNJ
5. Danger Mouse and Jemini – The Only One. 2003. Ridiculously catchy cut from prolific artist of the decade candidate DM.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=XACS9LUO
Hon. Mentions:
Jay-Z – 99 Problems, 2003.
DMX – Lose My Mind, 2000.
Roots Manuva – Witness (1 Hope), 2001.
Blackalicious – Release (Parts 1, 2 & 3), 2002. http://www.megaupload.com/?d=8BJC7L2E
Eminem – Without Me, 2002.
Tribalistas – Ja Sei Nomorar, 2002. http://www.megaupload.com/?d=2A0ZGZ6S
Lil’ Wayne – A Milli, 2008.
Wale – W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E, 2007. http://www.megaupload.com/?d=H4NM1TKB
Army of The Pharaoh’s – Dump The Clip. 2007. http://www.megaupload.com/?d=UNRD467W
HEARTBREAKERS:
1. Elliot Smith – A Fond Farewell, 2004. It’ll bring a tear to your eye. http://www.megaupload.com/?d=PAOQ1YCW
2. Wilco – At Least That’s What You Said. 2004. Any Wilco song really could have gone here. Emotional Stuff.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=7H1GCRH1
3. Mojave 3 – Bluebird of Happiness. 2004. A bit long-winded, but this tale of love, loss, and hope grabs hold of your heartstrings for 544 seconds and doesn’t let go. http://www.megaupload.com/?d=4HWJGA4R
4. James Yorkston – Shipwreckers. 2004. Master storyteller Yorkston had a brilliant decade and this atmospheric folk lament was the jewel in his crown.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=AKMH933M
5. Mercury Rev – The Dark is Rising. 2001. Sweeping Love/Loss epic from one of the best bands of the last 20 years.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=YNSACT49
Hon. Mentions:
Trespassers William – Vapour Trail, 2003. http://www.megaupload.com/?d=ETV5QBYL
Joseph Arthur - Can't Exist, 2005. http://www.megaupload.com/?d=674EJO2Y
BEST CHART HITS:
1. Outkast – Hey Ya! 2003. What can I say that hasn’t been said before. This tune has been everywhere for the last 7 years and why not? Truly great song from one of the acts of the decade.
2. Beyonce & Jay-Z. 2003. The Noughties Queen of Pop title surely goes to Beyonce, and she truly announced herself with this banger. Sick tune.
3. MGMT – Kids. 2007. Pop anthem. Mental lyrics + amazing pop sensibilities = irresistible.
4. Junior Senior – Move Your Feet, 2002. The most unashamedly cheesy pop/dance tune of the decade also happens to be one of the best. Joyous.
5. The Dandy Warhols – Bohemian Like You. 2000. Insanely catchy. Destined to become a 00’s nostalgia anthem.
Hon. mentions: Justice – D.A.N.C.E, 2006. Enrique Iglesias – Hero. 2002. Shaggy – It Wasn’t Me, 2000. Katy Perry – Hot N Cold, 2008. Gwen Stefani – The Sweet Escape, 2006. The Bravery – An Honest Mistake, 2005. Peter, Bjorn and John – Young Folks, 2006. Scissor Sisters – I Don’t Feel Like Dancing, 2006. Mini Viva – Left My Heart In Tokyo, 2009.
BEST ONES YOU MISSED:
1. The Go-Betweens – Stone. 2005. Absolutely beautiful song. Criminally overlooked, even by the band themselves, who used it as a b-side.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=WGNQJWIQ
2. Birdmonster – Born to be Your Man. 2007. Such great pop strum that got completely overlooked. Should have been a massive hit.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=MLPF5477
3. Stellastarr* - Sweet Troubled Soul. 2005. You can be forgiven for passing over this one (the title is terrible) but it was an absolutely barnstorming slice of power pop that deserved to be massive.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=T7KE30F3
4. Cousteau – Talking to Myself. 2002. Perfect pop song. Belting harmonies etc. – didn’t really get anywhere, shame. Apparently it was a hit in Italy.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=8Y52V5UL
5. The Organ - Memorize the City. 2004. Such a slick, cool tune. The Organ burst onto the scene like a ready-made 21st Blondie and no-one gave a shit…idiots.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=NS5JJK75
Hon. mentions:
Envelopes – Sister In Love, 2005. http://www.megaupload.com/?d=TOK9NLHN
Rubicks – I See You, 2006. http://www.megaupload.com/?d=UTXDPZ41
Why? Fatalist Palmistry, 2008. http://www.megaupload.com/?d=CY8BGB6L
WORST BANDS OF THE DECADE:
Rather than just write a few lines slagging these chumps off, I’ve decided to articulate my anger in Haiku form:
THE PIGEON DETECTIVES
Turn on stereo
What the fuck is this bullshit?
Oh no – worse than AIDS.
MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE
If one day you get very unlucky.
You may be forced to listen. But don’t worry.
Close eyes and pray for sweet embrace of death
MCFLY
The envoys of hell.
Sent to the earth by Satan.
Hate. War. Anger. Death.
WORST BREAKUPS –
GUIDED BY VOICES, 2004.
All good things have to come to an end, and GBV were a very good thing indeed. Robert Pollard’s mob had a prolific career and, admittedly turned out their fair share of shit along the way, but songs like Hold on Hope are fucking life-affirming.
Guided By Voices - Cheyenne, 2002. http://www.megaupload.com/?d=IT7BNWHW
Guided By Voices - Non-Absorbing http://www.megaupload.com/?d=FBVDC70J
ARAB STRAP. 2006.
When the Strap were still going, you knew that however bad things got, you could always whack on the stereo and be reminded that your depression could only pale in comparison what these two miserable bastards were going through. Music that is so relentlessly despondent shouldn’t be good, but they turned it into a fucking artform. Sadly missed. Fun fact: The Strap’s 1996 classic The First Big Weekend was named song of the decade by Radio 1 back in 1999.
Arab Strap - Who Named The Days, 2003. http://www.megaupload.com/?d=JRNQHDCI
Arab Strap - The First Big Weekend http://www.megaupload.com/?d=93DNIKIB
OTHERS: The Beta Band, Superdrag, Jurassic 5. Sad that we said goodbye to all of these, there were loads more.
SADDEST LOSS-
GRANT MCLENNAN, 2006.
In a decade that saw an inordinate outpouring of grief over the death of a plastic paedophile, there were some genuinely sad losses in the music world, none more so than Go-Betweens founder McLennan, who died of a heart attack aged 48. A top musician and person, the world is a worse place without him.
Hon. mentions:
Syd Barrett - The former Pink Floyd man died of pancreatic cancer in 2006.
Elliot Smith – Cult singer-songwriter stabbed himself in the stomach in 2003 after an argument with his girlfriend.
Ol’ Dirty Bastard – One of the most innovative MCs of modern times, ODB died of an accidental drug overdose in 2004. http://www.megaupload.com/?d=6RMF08MH
Ian Dury – The eccentric Blockheads frontman lost his battle with liver cancer in 2000.
RIP All
BANDS WHO CONTINUED TO BE EXCELLENT–
SONIC YOUTH
The seminal US Indie Rockers had a quiet decade, releasing just the 4 seminal albums. Still your favourite band’s favourite band, SY will still be banging out great tunes when nobody can even remember who the likes of the Kaiser Chiefs etc are. We won’t mention NYC Ghosts and Flowers.
Sonic Youth - Reena, 2006. http://www.megaupload.com/?d=VJGXOFSJ
THE BEASTIE BOYS
Hip Hop’s clown princes had a great decade, releasing some varied and experimental output and headlining festivals around the world. Long may they continue to do so.
Beastie Boys - Ch-Check it Out, 2003. http://www.megaupload.com/?d=7T9JK6Q3
SUPER FURRY ANIMALS AWARD FOR BEING THE SUPER FURRY ANIMALS-
SUPER FURRY ANIMALS.
No doubt where this one was heading.
Frequency, 2005. http://www.megaupload.com/?d=VDTQH6A5
Lazer Beam, 2005. http://www.megaupload.com/?d=5184C9MQ
Juxtaposed With U, 2001. http://www.megaupload.com/?d=JW4DV8ZB
BEST ALBUM – THE AVANLACHES – SINCE I LEFT YOU. 2000.
Hard to believe this was ten years ago. They set the bar high early on and not one band surpassed them for the whole decade. Amazing album, just sounds like going home. Still no sign of the follow up though…
The Avalanches - Ray of Zdarlight, 2006. http://www.megaupload.com/?d=FPBL36MG
AND THE BEST SONG OF THE DECADE WAS…
RUNNER UP-
M83 – RUN INTO FLOWERS. 2003. Just listen to it.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=3XBZD3KG
WINNER –
GUI BORATTO – BEAUTIFUL LIFE 2007. If you disagree, you haven't heard it. This song will change your life for the better.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=UML3AFCJ
