00's Superlatives

[HoyaSaxa03]

The thing is, it?s hard to gauge the band of the decade because are we talking mainstream, indie, critical/cred, popular, classic, etc. ?

Yeah, that was my disclaimer in the OP...

You could have bands of the decade for all of those categories.  I think "Band of the Decade" encompasses little bits of all of those.  It has to capture the zeitgeist in some crucial way, while also being widely listened to and appreciated.

[BookerT]

i really haven't done too much whining, just about muse, who i have an admittedly strong adverse reaction to.

if the criteria calls for big popularity as part of the equation then probably radiohead, white stripes, kanye are near the top, as predictable as that may be.

if you want to go down a tier then i could make varyingly successful arguments for the hold steady, my morning jacket, the new pornographers/destroyer/ac newman crew, spoon. and jay reatard, obvs.

[HoyaSaxa03]

some more bands/artists that would be in the conversation:

Beck
Wilco
The Flaming Lips
The Killers
Outkast (but more like 95-05)
The Roots

Death Cab for Cutie
The Decemberists
The Shins
The National
Broken Social Scene (and crew, including Feist, Kevin Drew, etc.)
LCD Soundsystem/DFA/James Murphy
Of Montreal
Daft Punk
TV on the Radio
Animal Collective (+ Panda Bear)
Okkervil River
Neko Case
Conor Oberst / Bright Eyes (vomit)

[Arthwys]

I rather agree with the idea that Muse have a shot at band of the decade, given their rise to popularity and the quality of their albums and live show.  BookerT, I can sympathize, I was a slow convert to Muse, because their bombastic-ness (even a word?) was almost too over the top for me.  But if you take it a little less seriously and just approach them as a balls to the wall rock show, then you gotta admit they do that amazingly well. 

Decemberists could be considered for a lot of the same reasons.  Their debut EP came out in '01 I believe, and with each album have steadily gained followers and embraced new ideas, yet remained fairly true to their schtick and their vision.  Last I heard they hope to release their next album this March.  If it is a wild success, then that would pretty much cap off a heck of a decade for them. 

[Firebutt McGee]

I'm curious who you guys would nominate as the most relevant male and female musicians of the 2000's?

I guess my criteria for this would be someone who has managed to maintain a steady stream of influence and buzz around them, primarily for their music.

I *would* nominate Amy Winehouse, but it's really no longer about her music, is it?

[Julian, Alleged Computer F**kface]

I think for Best Pop/Rock Songwriters of the Decade you've got to include Gibbard. The guy writes pop music in the truest sense of the word.

[Vas Deferens]

Bjork & PJ Harvey

I'm curious who you guys would nominate as the most relevant male and female musicians of the 2000's?

I guess my criteria for this would be someone who has managed to maintain a steady stream of influence and buzz around them, primarily for their music.

I *would* nominate Amy Winehouse, but it's really no longer about her music, is it?

[Relaxer]

I'm curious who you guys would nominate as the most relevant male and female musicians of the 2000's?

I guess my criteria for this would be someone who has managed to maintain a steady stream of influence and buzz around them, primarily for their music.

I *would* nominate Amy Winehouse, but it's really no longer about her music, is it?

To me, Amy Winehouse is the Katy Perry of 2 years ago. She came out with a nice-sounding single and then became a celebrity. It's hard to call "Frank" a significant release, so all she's got going for her is one album. PJ Harvey and Bjork peaked in the 90s and while they still command respect, they're not part of this discussion. I don't know which female artists you could slot in for this decade. Not Feist, Cat Power, Joanna Newsome. That's a tough one.

For men, I'd have to agree that Kanye is part of the discussion. Cannot stand him or his music, but motherscratcher has released all his records this decade and they've all been notable and successful with nary a flop or much of a (musical) stumble.

[sweetcell]

Bjork & PJ Harvey

the question was "the most relevant male and female musicians of the 2000's", not "most likely to be part of a threesome in the average hipster's fantasy"

for the ladies, bjork, maybe... but no way PJ is on the list.  how about madonna?  yes, she's been around forever but her music still sells and she's hugely influential.  not selling quite as well but definitely influential is britney.  before the pitchfork nazis jump all over the above: i can't stand any of the artists mentioned above other than PJ.  i'm not saying they're any good, i'm saying they are influential.

but since the question is "relevance", we probably need to talk about beyonce and mary j blige.

[Julian, Alleged Computer F**kface]

As vomit inducing as it is for me to type this: Gwen Stefani.

[Firebutt McGee]

but since the question is "relevance", we probably need to talk about beyonce and mary j blige.

I was thinking about this. Beyonce might be a clear forerunner for this.

She's one of few that managed to sell, remain relevant, and be wildly influential in the culture of the 2000s. Even with Destiny's Child, really.

[eltee]

I'm curious who you guys would nominate as the most relevant male and female musicians of the 2000's?

Kanye West would nom Kayne West.

[eltee]

I think for Best Pop/Rock Songwriters of the Decade you've got to include Gibbard. The guy writes pop music in the truest sense of the word.

I'd vote for DCFC and Gibbard in the writer / male category. At the very least as a humble HM.
Death Cab infiltrated the mainstream, while maintaining their indie cred & original sound. Kids, adults all seem to love them and/or know of them. Plus, lyrics are innocent, basic, yet poetic. And, an album about death on a major label - and sold plenty still - is something. Give 'em one more album that does well and they'll secure a spot on this list, imo.

[Relaxer]

How are they different from Modest Mouse? Even MM had an actual sorta radio hit.

[Sage 703]

Couple of additions....

Songwriters: Ryan Adams has to be in the conversation, given that every album he released in his solo career came in the '00s.

Artist: Jay-Z has to be in the discussion, if not towards the top of the list.  Kanye doesn't go anywhere without him. Released this decade: The Dynasty (2000), Unplugged (2001), The Blueprint (2001), The Blueprint 2 (2002), The Blueprint 2.1 (2003), The Black Album (2003), Collision Course (2004), Kingdom Come (2006), American Gangster (2007) - not to mention the countless unofficial mashup releases and appearances on other albums/songs.


Rick Rubin, Marc Ronson, Danger Mouse, and Brian Eno should also be in the discussion, thinking along the lines of producers.