BEST OF 2000
Radiohead – Arguably the most contemplated and discussed album of the year with even more of the band’s spaced-out rock, filled with lyrics of aliens and high-tech computers. As most of the nation gasped during their first listen to “Kid A,” a few more passes through the record proved the concept album to be growing on its listeners like a fungus. Debuting at number one on the U.S. charts and remaining there for over 10 weeks, “Kid A” did very well for an album with very few radio-friendly singles.At The Drive-In – Topping both Rolling Stone’s and CMJ’s “2000’s Best” lists, these Texas, punk rockers catapulted into the music scene with MC5 guitars, Zack de la Rocha (formerly of Rage Against the Machine) vocals and an album that truly captures the band’s energy and intensity on stage. Stripped down to the core of the music with no political statements or dance moves to learn, ATDI provided a refreshing spark amidst a year filled with rap-metal and boy bands and have received well-deserved acclaim for their newest album and non-stop touring lifestyle.Outkast – The Atlanta duo, Big Boi and Dre (Andre 3000) exploded in 2000 with their fourth and most phenomenal hip-hop album to date, “Stankonia.” Outkast has improved 150 percent lyrically, putting a new emphasis on wordsmithing for other hip-hop artists in the future. For example, apologizing to the mother of an ex-girlfriend in “Ms. Jackson” and later bumping to “We Luv Deez Hoez.” Only Outkast could pull off the transition, adding new jungle beats to their southern hip-hop style and making it all sound like a match made in heaven; or “Stankonia,” whichever you prefer.Faith Hill – VH1’s Woman of the Year and Star, Mississippi’s sweetheart has been everywhere this year, and we do mean everywhere. She toured with country singer-husband, Tim McGraw on the Soul2Soul tour, she filled in at the Academy Awards for Whitney Houston, and she appeared in several magazines and on television with her music videos and in Pepsi and ALLTEL cellular phone commercials. This woman’s beautiful voice and stunning good looks have skyrocketed her to the top of the country and top 40 charts, leaving her with the enthusiastic problem of adding another room to the McGraw-Hill home to make space for all of her awards.David Gray – The Welsh lad finally broke into the U.S. music scene this year with the release of his fourth album, “White Ladder,” that has gone 14 times platinum in Ireland since its early 1999 release there. Gray has recently experienced opening for Radiohead and Dave Matthews and has slowly built a fan base in the United States with his “Babylon” single climbing the charts and video in regular rotation on VH1 and MTV. He’s been called the Bob Dylan of the 90s with raspy yet piercing vocals and lyrics that can make you smile or shed tears on the spot.NOFX – This bunch of old-school punks proves that “Punk’s not dead!” Despite groups like Blink-182 softening up for the 14-year-old girls and Green Day taking to the acoustic, NOFX’s 2000 release “Pump Up the Valuum,” is hard-core, get drunk, slam dancing punk. These guys have been a band since 83 had their first full-length, major label record in 89, and released albums in 90, 91, two in 92, 94, 96, and 97. NOFX has been punk longer than some of you have been alive. OI! The Dandy Warhols – With the release of “Thirteen Tales from Urban Bohemia” featuring the hit single Bohemian like you, the Warhols had a tremendous impact on music in 2000. Their single peaked at number three on the CMJ Core Radio 200 charts and remained on the charts for an unheard of 25 weeks, and also featured in countless movies, including Adam Sandler`s “Little Nicky,” and “The Replacements” with Keaneu ReevesMoby – Although his album “Play” was released in 1999, Moby has really come into his own in 2000. His unique blend of lyrics, electronic beats and elements of classical music have earned him respect in all musical circles. Most recently he collaborated with Gwen Stephani of No Doubt on “Southside,” from “Play,” producing the latest single from the album. Moby&rsquos talent truly earns him the title of musician. Eminem – Like him or hate him, Eminem is one of the most talented artists in rap music these days. His release “The Marshall Mathers LP” features unique music and inventive, humorous, and sometimes upsetting lyrics making Eminem possibly the last talented performer in a boring, lifeless genre. The Red Hot Chili Peppers – They regained their orginal line-up and sound with the return of guitarist John Frusciante on their record “Californication” in 1999, but their tour and continued release of singles has made them among the best acts in 2000. The reunion has resurrected a tremendous, high-energy band; a blessing for music fans everywhere.
WORST OF 2000
Pop princesses – You can probably name at least four teenage bombshells that have taken over television, pop radio and teenage male bedrooms with their catchy dance tunes and youthful looks. Dare we name them? Britney, Christina, Jessica and Mandy. Sure, they can move and shake like nothing we’ve seen since Paula Abdul, but something is still lacking. Sure, maybe one or two of them sound OK on a fully edited, mixed and re-mastered studio record, but that leaves much to be desired. What are Tiffany and Debbie Gibson doing these days? Maybe it’s time to start thinking about a day job before you hit adulthood girls.Whitney Houston – “Waiting to Exhale” star and pop diva, Whitney Houston was busted this year on charges of marijuana possession in a Hawaii airport. Security officers found fifteen grams of “Kona Gold” marijuana in her pocketbook. Houston left her purse and pot with officers and boarded her flight to San Francisco, with bad-news hubby Bobby Brown. She canceled appearances on “The Rosie O’Donnell Show” as well as missing her performance during the Academy Awards claiming a sore throat. Yeah, right.Digital Music – This year we’ve seen the boys from Metallica and Dr. Dre, among other big-name musicians, all over television and in the newspapers with their lawsuits against Napster over copyright infringement. Napster has been useful to many unsigned and independent bands, helping them get their music out to the masses, similar to what Metallica did with their free tape-trading groups back when they were trying to make a name for themselves. The idea hasn’t changed, just the mode of communication. Instead of through the U.S. Postal Service, music fans can trade music via the Internet with programs like Napster. When push comes to shove, let’s hope they will just hurry up and make a reasonable and fair decision for all parties included so we don’t have to hear about the Napster battles every week.Boy Bands – Whether you are hot for 98 degrees, batty for the Backstreet Boys, or tuned in to N’Sync, you have to admit the influx of harmonizing boy-bands has been ridiculous. Whether live marionettes or costume-clad boys make up your favorite singing, dancing group, the incessant coverage and TRL fanaticism has taken over the station that once hailed itself as being at the forefront of new music. Let’s not even mention the fact that there are now N’Sync action figures and enough boy-band merchandise to max out any parent’s credit card. One last memory that these reigning men of TRL should take into consideration: New Kids on the Block. Enough said.Mystikal – This No Limit renegade came out with his fourth album, “Let’s Get Ready” this year, earning his moment in the spotlight with yet another tribute to the female anatomy. We’ll radio edit and call it “Shake Ya Thing” for profanity’s sake. This year was filled with ‘butt songs’ including Sisqo’s “Thong Song” and “Back That Azz Up,” by Juvenile. Mystikal provided enough bumping and grinding to last an entire evening of booty-shaking insanity. Thank goodness Juvenile and Sisqo were there to fill the rest of the weekend.Who let the dogs out? – Who cares? This horribly repetitive song was inescapable this past year. The song consists of five words: guess what they are. The album is entitled “Who Let the Dogs Out: the Album.” This song has died, and hopefully it stays dead. For some reason the Baha Men had their 15 minutes of fame, which were way too many.Creed – Christian rock at its worst. Creed’s music was another thing that was constantly on the radio and television. Mediocre singing, songwriting and musicianship have spawned an army of indistinguishable sound alikes. Even worse, lead singer Scott Stapp challenged Fred Durst to a boxing match. What happened to turn the other cheek?Limp Bizkit and Rap-metal – Speaking of Fred Durst, 2000 has seen way too much of him and his rap-metal. Having been only mildly original back in 1997 with “Three Dollar Bill Ya’ll,” this whole genre is full of artists who couldn’t make it with their original style and decided to hop on the proverbial bandwagon. (sayhi Kid Rock) Bad rap, less than three chords, and violent lyrics coupled with a washed up DJ are something we can do without. (Durst turned down the fight, claiming he doesn’t advocate violence, then he sang “Break Stuff.”)The Thong Song – This horrendous tribute to an article of swim clothing gave a talentless, sliver-haired artist named Sisqo fame, a dance show on Beach MTV, and scads of money. No one knows why. Ridiculous lyrics, less than average club music, bad dancing, and girls in thongs. Hmm, girls in thongs. Never mind.Pink – Color co-ordinated artist Pink released “Can’t Take Me Home,” in 2000, showing that talent isn’t necessary if you can accessorize. Get a gimmick and somebody to help you write cookie-cutter R&B songs and you can make it big. If Pink ever had her own style, Babyface saw to it that she sounds just like everyone else.
Compiled by Jessica Faller and Eric Harrelson