2000-2009: the return of the musician

music review

2000-2009: the return of the musician

Erika Wilkins

Spectrum Editor

Y2K came and went, Harry Potter found the sorcerer’s stone, the prisoner of Azkaban and the half-blood prince. All the while google became a verb, former President George W. Bush launched a “War on Terror” and President Barack Obama gave a nation hope. The 10-year span that launched the Xbox and low-ride jeans also rocked the faces of politics, technology and world relations. It will undoubtedly be remembered as a decade of change. As entire populations were shaken by their roots, like it so often does, art imitated life. Acting as a mirror to society, music experienced a radical transformation from the “anything goes” boy bands, grunge groups and experimental emcees of the 1990s.

The first 10 years of the 2000s brought the return of the musician. Yes, Lil’ Jon and American Idols managed to muddy the decade’s musical waters, but there was an impressive showing of musical talent from legends and newcomers alike. The upsurge of alternative music, contemplative, political rap and “indie” rockers might not have been as insurgent as the rise of rockers in decades past; nevertheless it has provided the listening audience with songs that will stand the test of time.

From the decade of political scandal and reality television emerged the now legendary arbitrator of “The Blueprint,” Mr. Jay-Z. The album has yet to be duplicated or succeeded. It is his magnum opus, and as such has solidified his standing as the most accomplished (not to mention the wealthiest) hip-hop entertainer alive.

Though his accolades are apparent, the achievements of Hova’s sometimes collaborator are not to be forgotten. The year 2008 brought a refined model of the Lil Wayne that once belonged to the Cash Money Millionaires. The upgraded version, which raps sans script, gripped his alien-like hooks into the masses. Dubbing himself the “Best Rapper Alive,” he hungrily sought justification for the title, dropping one of rap’s most acclaimed albums in 2008’s “Tha Carter III.”  Wayne is most assuredly the strangest, most innovative rapper of the decade, rivaled in peculiarity only by another of the time’s super-freaks: Karen O.

O’s screaming, moaning and crooning propelled the Yeah Yeah Yeahs to surprising success in 2003. Her stage persona might be completely unhinged, but the albums she and her band have produced are succinct gifts from alternative heaven.

Acts like The Shins and Coldplay are among the 2000s alt-elite. Adding to the “Garden State” soundtrack, performing at Live 8 and composing the most memorable songs of a generation are just some of their many achievements.

And who can forget Virginia’s own pelvic wonder, the sexy and soulful songster D’Angelo. His 2000 album “Voodoo” and single “How Does it Feel” sent women and critics alike into an R&B induced frenzy. Laden with a sweat-covered stomach, sumptuous braids and an extraterrestrial voice, he began the decade’s endeavor in excellence.

Furthering R&B and soul’s bore into genius were Amy Winehouse and Alicia Keys. The beehive-topped Londoner and incomparable New Yorker served raw soul to society—and we ate it up.

Other standouts included well-known acts whose names have long been associated with preeminence. U2, Bob Dylan, and the late Johnny Cash didn’t disappoint, but then again they never do. As we head into 2010, with Owl City’s “Fireflies” dominating the radio, we can only hope this decade produces musicians as exceptional as the last.

Decade recount: the top 20 best albums

20. Alicia Keys – “As I Am” 2007

19. Robert Plant and Alison Krauss – “Raising Sand” 2007

18. The Postal Service – “Give Up” 2003

17. Kings of Leon – “Only by the Night” 2008

16. Johnny Cash – “American Solitary Man” 2000

15. The Shins – “Oh, Inverted World” 2001

14. Lil Wayne – “Tha Carter III” 2008

13. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – “Fever to Tell” 2003

12. D’Angelo – “Voodoo” 2000

11. Amy Winehouse – “Back to Black” 2007

10. Outkast – “Stankonia” 2000

9. Kanye West – “The College Dropout” 2004

8. M.I.A. – “Kala” 2007

7. Bob Dylan – “Modern Times” 2006

6. Eminem – “The Marshall Mathers LP” 2000

5. The White Stripes – “Elephant” 2003

4. U2 – “All That You Can’t Leave Behind” 2002

3. The Strokes – “Is This It” – 2001

2. Coldplay – “A Rush of Blood to the Head” 2002

1. Jay-Z – “The Blueprint” 2001