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Listening to the music of the first five years of this century, I wondered about 9/11, and what effect it might have on hit music. There was definitely something there. A lot more Country music hit the charts: patriotic songs or ones about soldiers or family. 9/11 was a national (and world) event that meant something different - and very personal - to each of us. One common thing I saw in music was appreciation: for those who lost their lives; for the people fighting for our country; for family; for love, and for life.
This was a seriously good time for music. The further I looked, the more really good songs I found that I'd never heard before (for this decade, be sure not to miss the bonus tracks). I added more new songs to my own music collection from this era than from any before. I especially appreciate the renewed focus on lyrics and song construction. I never knew there would be so many new songs I cared about learning the words to. The best music of the time is more introspective. You might be surprised, but a lot of this music is Hip-hop.
Before the year 2000, Hip-hop had already been around for at least 20 years, but it was often panned, or scorned. This wasn't all deserved. Certainly some of the critics of Hip-hop weren't giving it a fair shake. The typical complaint against it is that it's misogynistic and anti-social: all about gratuitous sex, guns, and "bling." All that is there, but focusing on that in spite of so much extraordinary music that's NOT like that anymore is really short-sighted (and maybe a little racist...)
By the turn of the century, the quality of Hip-hop had improved by leaps and bounds. You can hear better rhythms, better lyrics, more personality, more musicality. In the 90s and earlier, some Hip-hop songs had these qualities, but by the 2000s, it was easy to find an excellent song.
Hip-hop is here to stay, but it's already being melded into Pop - and everything else. I expect in 20 years, we'll see Hip-hop the way we see Funk: a sound that permeates all kinds of music, but few "pure" songs of the genre. This is why we should appreciate the time, and one day tell our grandchildren about Eminem, OutKast, and Kanye.
The songs you're about to enjoy aren't nearly all Hip-hop. Rock-n-Roll, R&B and Pop all survived just fine. If anything, Hip-hop made them better, too.
Alright, dig in:
Kryptonite - 3 Doors Down (2000)
Maria Maria - Santana Featuring The Product G&B (2000)
Ms. Jackson - Outkast (2001)
It's Been a While - Staind (2001)
Turn Off The Light - Nelly Furtado (2001)
Drops Of Jupiter (Tell Me) - Train (2001)
Family Affair - Mary J. Blige (2002)
Lose Yourself - Eminem (2003)
Baby Boy - Beyoncé Feat. Sean Paul (2003)
Air Force Ones - Nelly Feat. Kyjuan, Ali & Murphy Lee (2003)
Bring me to Life - Evanescence Feat. Paul McCoy (2003)
Jesus Walks - Kanye West (2004)
100 Years - Five For Fighting (2004)
Spotify: ipodimprovement.blogspot.com: 2000-2004
October 18, 2011
October 16, 2011
Baby Boy - Beyoncé Feat. Sean Paul (2003)
I know what you're thinking: "It took me three years to get this song out of my head!"
Yes, they played Baby Boy on the radio every 12 seconds of every day from 2003 to 2005. It probably caused some brain damage.
Over the long term, it has staying power. Beyoncé brings her Pop brilliance and her intoxicating voice; Sean Paul is the master of Jamaican Hip-hop (there's a name for it - Dutty?), and the Middle-eastern rhythms offset a chorus that is actually *too* catchy.
Mostly it's a fun song that you can finally add back to your party mix without inducing seizures.
It's Been a While - Staind (2001)
It's reassuring to still hear genuine Rock-n-Roll: a big drum beat, an acoustic guitar, an electric guitar, a booming, powerful chorus. It's Been a While follows a classic formula in the hard rock genre, but it still sounds modern - think The Eagles meet Nirvana. Just as important is this great lyric - here's a sample:
It's been a while since I could hold my head up high
And it's been a while since I first saw you
And it's been a while since I could stand on my own two feet again
And it's been a while since I could call you
And everything I can remember
As f**ked up as it all may seem
The consequences that I've rendered
I stretched myself beyond my means
Turn Off The Light - Nelly Furtado (2001)
Every great song is not all driving beats and jamming guitar, nor is it super-fast Hip-hop lyrics or giant pop hooks. Sometimes a song sneaks up on you: quirky, catchy, ethereal. In the same way that a guy might appreciate a well-made "chick movie," this is a really good "chick song." Nelly's voice is soulful, a little sweet, a little sexy, and a lot of passionate.
Turn Off The Light has an earthy sound. The strings (is that a sitar?) and sampled sounds feel like the theme music of a misty marsh: wet, lush and green. Whether that marsh is in the Bayou, the jungles of Central America, or somewhere in Southeast Asia, who knows?
Kryptonite - 3 Doors Down (2000)
[2000-2004 Best Songs]
Billboard Top 100, 2000: #15
I was watching the movie Apollo 13 a few weeks ago, and it occurred to me that this song is kind of like Tom Hanks. If you're channel surfing, and a movie with Tom Hanks shows up on your screen - doesn't matter which one - you stop and watch. You've seen The Da Vinci Code, Catch Me If You Can, The Green Mile, or even Joe vs. The Volcano a hundred times before and still, you stop and watch. Why?
Kryptonite is that kind of song. You know every word, every sound, and it's not going to sound any different this time, but you listen, you sing along, you bang your steering wheel... Like Tom, it's got that familiarity, that connection, like an old friend. Still, it's got enough power and pace to get your blood pumping and make you feel good.
Tom Hanks should've played Superman. That would have really made this comparison work.
Ms. Jackson - Outkast (2001)
[2000-2004 Best Songs]
Billboard Top 100, 2001, #25
In 2001, Big Boi and Andre 3000, aka Outkast, had the super-massive hit Hey-Ya! It was catchy, mainstream Pop that you couldn't escape on any radio station anywhere in America. A fun song which belied their true talent as a couple of the best rappers of their time.
This is why you need to know about Ms. Jackson. This isn't any "old-school" Hip-hop. The lyrics are clever, funny, poignant. The pace is frenetic, the beat is off-kilter, the chorus is bluesy. It's sophisticated, thoughtful music. The song really needs five or six listens before you can fully appreciate it.
Side note: I love this video.
Billboard Top 100, 2001, #25
In 2001, Big Boi and Andre 3000, aka Outkast, had the super-massive hit Hey-Ya! It was catchy, mainstream Pop that you couldn't escape on any radio station anywhere in America. A fun song which belied their true talent as a couple of the best rappers of their time.
This is why you need to know about Ms. Jackson. This isn't any "old-school" Hip-hop. The lyrics are clever, funny, poignant. The pace is frenetic, the beat is off-kilter, the chorus is bluesy. It's sophisticated, thoughtful music. The song really needs five or six listens before you can fully appreciate it.
Side note: I love this video.
October 05, 2011
Steve Jobs (1955-2011)
I can't even remotely imagine my life had Steve Jobs not come along and brought us the Macintosh computer, the iPod, iTunes, and the iPhone. I got my first Mac in 1988 - freshman year of college. I was an Apple devotee for over a decade. It led to every job I've had since.
The iPod and iTunes are why this blog exists. Way beyond that, they're the tools we use to express our love for music. A lot of technology enhances our lives; not a lot of it enriches.
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