Top 10 Bands of 2000:
OK, this is one reviewer's opinion of the past year's mentionables; those that fill one with hope for the next time they release an album, and the impact that they had personally through such a tumultous year where styles and fashions came in and out faster than (insert Iain Lee penis joke here).
As is so often done with these things, the list will be in reverse:
10. Phoenix
The only credible French band this year, despite Mirwais working on Madonna's album, and Daft Punk always threatening something wonderful, but never really matching the video with the humanised dog. Air were working on the 'Virgin Suicides' Soundtrack, which left Phoenix, with their discontinental sound encouraging us to stay at home and go retro, rather than go to clubs this year. It worked.
9. JJ72
The best thing to come out of Ireland since Thin Lizzy (or British Troops depending on your current affairs interests). Falsetto angst at its finest; a promising future provided they blossom as an act in the years to come. 'October Swimmer', 'Oxygen' and 'Snow' were the highlights of their eponymous release.
8. Coldplay
3 top singles, and a successful year touring and festivaling can ensure this the initial 'new Radiohead' tag will disintegrate once desperate media classifiers suddenly realise these are actually a decent band in their own right.
7. Green Day
One of the few remaining punk bands to retain credibility as Warning, was their respective version of the Foos 'There is Nothing Left to Lose' - more mainstream, radio-friendly, and comfortable. Comparisons with the levellers abound, but they were still rocking!
6. Kirsty MacColl
Tragically killed at the end of year whilst saving her son, her "Tropical Brainstorm" album proved she had tremendous songwriting ability, and a great talent for music. Fantastic at Fleadh; 'In these shoes' and 'Mambo de la luna' were the oustanding tracks. She will be sadly missed.
5. The Bluetones
Survivors of the Britpop era, and they still know how to construct perfect indie-pop songs. 'Keep the Home Fires Burning' and 'Autophillia' were the highlights. "Science and Nature" was one of the most under-rated albums of the past year.
4. A Perfect Circle
Part of the resurgence of rock was due to At the Drive-In, Limp Bizkit, and these guys, whose two tracks "Judith" and "3 Libras" were encouraging signs from a project which is supposedly a spin-off of Tool.
3. Doves
A guitar graduation for the Pre Sub-Sub boys who mixed serenity with unashamed raucousness to deliver a superb debut in "Lost Souls"; 'Here It Comes', 'Catch the Sun', 'The Man who told everything', and 'The Cedar Room' were the highlights.
2. Soulwax
This Belgian outfit proved they were the pass-masters of vocoder, whilst Messrs Bowers, Beckham, and Britney had voice effects of some description, but just didn't captivate as much. Heavy praise for bringing shape-throwing back on stage, and for blending remixes with unabashed all-out nihilistic rock.
And the No. 1 is:
Queens of the Stone Age
For bringing out one of the most innovative, original and well constructed rock albums in a long time. They brought with them their own descriptor, and an uncompromising attitude to music, other than, just PLAY IT LOUD!!!!!
For all the acclaim heaped on 'Feel Good Hit of the Summer', and 'The Lost art of Keeping a Secret', it is 'Leg of Lamb' and 'Tension Head' that are well worth a listen.
Congratulations to Josh Homme, Nick Oliveri et al.
The Top10 Disappointments of 2000
As with mentionables, come the un-mentionables; those who didn't measure up to previous form, or simply had not moved on whilst everyone else had.
10.Mansun
Don't get me wrong. Little Kix wasn't a bad album, but it wasn't "SIX", and it wasn't "Attack of the Grey Lantern". Wasn't that the whole point, you may be thinking? However, the first two albums clearly had dark overtones, and although contrasting in sound, they both shared a common element which made them compulsive listening. Little Kix just seemed comfortable, and became uninteresting after several listens.
9. Elastica
Again, whilst "The Menace" wasn't bad, it wasn't particularly good; 'Mad Dog' and 'Generator' being the only good tracks on the album. As an aside, don't leave it as long next time Justine!
8. Echobelly
The comeback single fizzled, and the band that were once fleeting with stardom seem doomed to disappear into relative obscurity.
Considering fellow Britpoppers Sleeper had an outstanding 1998 album but made little impact, suggests some bands just don't get deserved success no matter how hard they try, at least Sleeper made a good comeback album.
7. Maxim
Thus far, Carmen Queasy turned out to be Skin featuring Maxim rather than the intended vice-versa. Not promising stuff from the Prodigy man.
6. Dum Dums
Were they a candypunk band or a boy band with guitars? The former seems less insulting, but amidst the emergence of bands like Crashland, and even Feeder retaining some strong punk elements despite polishing their sound, it is understandable that 'punk band' is not the accurate descriptor for Josh Doyle and the boys without some proviso or addendum.
5. Blink 182
Over the atlantic, these boys developed Carry-On Punk, and while some songs are less infuriating than others, "What's my age again?" is actually a good song, and better than "All the small things", the one-joke innuendo that continues through to the follow-up album is losing its novelty.
4. The Offspring
This band also are not too bad, but "Original Prankster" showed signs of being quirky to the point of being boring, but is a listenable tune, even if the lyrics don't always match in quality.
3. Richard Ashcroft
Solo album promised much, but delivered little. Headlined V2000 but was not as inspiring as Moby, and with a more limited repertoire. Given it was his first solo effort, he found himself turning to Verve hits, which was great but also highlighted the weak songs from his solo outing. Hopefully the follow-up album will give Mr. Ashcroft more room to manuever.
2. Texas
'In Demand' was not in demand as much as the "White On Blonde" album, which is arguably their best album, and the new video where Sharleen is Elvis sounds less soulful and more constructed.
1. Oasis
It was a close-run affair between these and Texas, but as a supposedly storming Rock and Roll outfit, "Standing on the Shoulder of Giants" didn't seem to have the impetus of "Definitely Maybe" which is the group's finest record thus far. In fact, acoustic performances sounded much better than the LP's offerings. Cancelling gigs in Europe and not appeasing their fans in the US was not the brightest, or most professional thing they could have done in the year. Despite the patriotism giving them a heroes' welcome at Wembley, it masked a complete lack of energy not seen since the first album, and in many cases, the band needs to stick to international commitments more, after all it is their job.
Craig Aston.
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