Music of the 2000's

by Chuck Norton - Updated 01.21.2009
Editors Note: Check the (almost) daily blog for the most additions to this series as they will appear there before they are added to this page.

For all of '09, DJdc will be featuring songs, artists or albums that we liked, loved, hated or made an impression on us this decade.

Rogue Wave - Out of the Shadow (2004)

I'll be honest, when I set out on my own personal chronicle of the music of this decade, I didn't do so thinking that I'd write about Rogue Wave. But the whole reason I wanted to do it was to feature bands like Rogue Wave.

In 2004, Rogue Wave released their first album, Out of the Shadow. I don't remember buying it, but more than likely it was on one of my Amazon binges (I checked, it was) when I'd order bunches of CDs by bands I hadn't hear of in hopes of finding a few gems. Likewise, I don't remember putting this CD in my car after getting it. But I do remember that it stayed in my changer for quite a while.

So a few weeks ago, when I began going through CDs looking for something to play, I grabbed Out of the Shadow. It had been several years since I last listened to the album and figured this whole chronicle thing I was doing was a good reason to pop it in my trusty 15 year-old CD player. Two songs in I was reminded why I've spent thousands of hard-earned dollars in CDs/Records/Tapes/etc. - to remember, to recall and to refresh.

Out of the Shadow is a marvelous debut album from the Oakland-based band. Wonderful lyrics with a number of memorable lines like, "if music was my lover, you are just a tease" and, "in this postage stamp world, you can get in line, and lick my behind" are a credit to the band's founder and songwriter Zach Schwartz (aka Zach Rogue). More than a few kitschy lyrics, the album is beautifully melodic, with a minimal production value that holds up well five years after its release. As a matter of fact, their sound compares nicely to DeVotchka and Fleet Foxes.

Songs of note from the album include, "Postage Stamp World", "Kicking the Heart Out" and "Every Moment". With only five of the 12 album tracks longer than three minutes, it is a complete album that only takes about 35 minutes to listen to in its entirety.

Out of the Shadow belies the problem of any retrospective; for every album that deserves more praise and recognition, there are a dozen more that are overlooked and under-appreciated.

Recommended if you like:
The Shins, DeVotchka, Fleet Foxes

 

Lucero - That Much Further West (2003)

In the midst of the indie-pop revolution came Lucero's legendary country-punk album, That Much Further West.

For me, the album struck like lightening on a clear summer night. I had been a Steve Earle fan since my early teens and this album - this band - made me feel like I did when I'd listed to early Earle records. Ben Nichols raw, stressed and strained vocals resonated throughout the album with songs was full of piss and vinegar, angst and destitution, and of course, women troubles and bottles of whiskey, That Much Further West was the album that I'd listen to when I needed to relate to music that was closer to my gravel-road up-bringing.

There are albums we love because there are a few songs we know by heart but there are relatively few albums in which each song is cherished. That Much Further West is one of those albums. I can put a time and place with almost every song from "That Much Further West" and "Hate and Jealousy" to "Tears Don't Matter Much" and "When You Decided To Leave" Lucero created a brilliant album that was not only one of the best of 2003 but the decade.

That Much Further West is one of my all-time favorite albums of any genre and any decade.

Recommended if you like:
Social Distortion, Steve Earle, Cory Branan, Jason and the Scorchers

 

Death Cab for Cutie - Transatlanticism (2003)

In the Fall of 2003, Death Cab for Cutie released their fourth LP, Transatlanticism. I'll be honest, at that point, the band seemed to be everywhere in the world 'o indie and I wasn't interested in buying an album that everyone else already owned to hear songs that were popping up on TV and in the movies. I'd played Ben Gibbard's The Postal Service project for the majority of 2003 and figured I'd only be let down since, in my opinion, nothing could hold a candle to the holy-grail of one-album wonders.

But in 2004, I finally broke down and bought the album because I thought I'd probably be glad I owned in when I was 50. I let it sit around and collect dust for a few weeks before I finally cracked open the CD case and popped it in the CD player one fateful night. For months after Transatlanticism was in my regular rotation. Like The Cure's Disintegration, it was an album I could put on when I was feeling like a depressed teenager and somehow feel worse and better at the same time. Despite the melancholy tone of the album it did produce one song, "The Sound of Settling", that found its way into my set lists while deejaying.

The album is highlighted by the songs "Title and Registration" and "Transatlanticism" but frankly, the flow and consistency of the album showed the maturity of the band and its success entrenched the band as indie-pop superstars with crossover appeal. The future success of the band's follow-up LP, Plans, solidified Death Cab for Cutie as one of top bands of the decade.

Recommended if you like:
Snow Patrol, Starsailor, The Shins, All-Time Quarterback

 

Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins - Rabbit Fur Coat (2006)

This will be the first of many appearances by Jenny Lewis on this decade's recap of music. Lewis' first solo album was quite the success, popping up on most best of lists for '06. This album not only raised Lewis' profile and musical standing but it also pushed Rilo Kiley to the top of the indie stratosphere and ever closer to cross-over success.

With Rabbit Fur Coat, Lewis was able to step far enough outside of the the Rilo Kiley framework to make a name for herself while not alienating fans of Rilo Kiley or inhibiting their future success. That's not an easy line to walk.

The album was a fantastic listen cover to cover with high-points throughout. Best known songs from the album include, "Rise Up With Fists!" and "You Are What You Love".

A turning point in career and in genre, this is defiantly one of the need-to-own albums of the decade.

Recommended if you like:
Neko Case, Rilo Kiley, Sam Phillips, Amiee Mann

 

The Stills - Logic Will Break Your Heart (2003)

2003 yielded a litany of fantastic albums, many of which will find their way on this decade retrospective. The Stills released one of my favorite albums of the decade with Logic Will Break Your Heart. Songs like "Lola Starts and Stripes", "Allison Krausse" and "Gender Bombs" headlined an album that optimized the resurgence of indie-pop early in the decade.

While The Stills recently released a new album, they have performed more under the radar that some of their peers. Logic Will Break Your Heart remains a quality album that I recommend.

Recommended if you like:
Interpol, Nada Surf, The Killers

 

Turin Brakes - The Optimist LP (2001)

From London, this singer-songwriter duo released The Optimist LP in 2001 which spent at least eight straight months in my disc changer in my car in '02.

With a sound and lyrics that reminded me of Hayden's early LPs, I found myself blasting songs like "Underdog (save me)" and "Emergency 72" over-and-over.

Recommend if your like:
Hayden, Placebo, Nick Cave, Morrissey

 

Pete Yorn - musicforthemorningafter (2001)

Pete Yorn seemed to be every hipster's dirty little secret. No one wanted to admit that they actually liked him and his raspy voice, but every time a song from musicforthemorningafter would be on the radio, jukebox, TV or club speakers, you'd find half the room nodding or singing along.

Because of Pete Yorn, no one had to worry about admitting that maybe, possibly, they liked John Meyer's first album.

Recommended if you like:
Ryan Adams, Old '97's