• Top 10 Bands of the New Century

  

  Written by Zeromage 22 Comments
  Last Updated:: April 4, 2008

  The passing into the new century was a landmark event for the popular arts. Critical reviews of their past forms became common place in their information mediums. Pop music specifically saw itself in need of a transformation into minimalized modes of execution. This insistence combined with the diminution of the major label as that which defined quality, led to more open ideas of what quality was. The two-edged sword of this phenomena created some great bands in the new century, along with bands who equated this new found freedom for an “anything-goes” attitude. This lack for a formal understanding of quality could lead bands into new sonic frontiers while at the same time leading these bands into below-average songwriting. As expression for the sake of itself became the only grounds for quality, anything and everything was fair game in being recognized as good. There were bands though who superseded this flexibility of quality by recognizing the power of songwriting, purely in itself. These bands who were able to combine the sonic territories of the new century with the invariable aspects of good songwriting are given a rank in this list. These next bands have the signature of the new century written all over them, although still imbued with the sense of traditional songwriting that leads to memorable melodies. With these next bands in mind, we will see that the sonic flow of history need not forget it’s invariable characteristics from the past.

  10. The Raveonettes

  The Raveonettes never fail to stop impressing us with their nostalgic 1950’s ice cream parlor jukebox meets rabid psychedelic garage band harmony. Having released four albums since 2002, the Raveonettes are making their mark on the world with their unique electro-vintage sound. It’s their curious ability to make nostalgia sound both breathtakingly innocuous and delectably wanton that gives this band flavour and earns them distinction. I mean, who else but the Raveonettes could sing racy lyrics like “My girl is a little animal, she always wants to fuck” as innocently and dreamy eyed as a schoolboy staring at the stars. But making harmony out of contrariety is part of what makes them great. They are like punks with pink jackets who kick ass nonetheless. By integrating a dirty chaos of revved up sounds with clean candy coated melodies, The Raveonettes somehow manage to create music that’s both dreamy and unrefined at the same time. I guess you could say, it’s that great love sound.. So..“Lets rave on cuz you know that you wanna.”

  9. Panda Bear

  It would be hard to make a list of the best bands of the new century without including Panda Bear. Well worthy of his placement, you have respect Panda Bear’s music for being the perfect blend of originality and ingenuity. As many know, Panda Bear is the side project of Animal Collective member Noah Lennox. But don’t let that dissuade you folks, unlike many ‘side projects’, Panda Bear’s greatness stretches far beyond the vanity of your average back burner band member out for a quick fix of limelight. Exemplified by his third album Person Pitch, Panda Bear’s greatness is unmistakable. His songwriting is simple yet highly profound. With lyrics like “ Sticks and stones can break my bones but words will never hurt me, all I need to know I knew so early”, “coolness is having courage, courage to do what’s right,” and “winning is what you want to, winning what you’re scared to go for,” we are reminded of the inherent wisdom we had when we were still kids hopping scotch and jumping rope. Listening to Person Pitch is like falling into a dream that’s both pure pop and transcendental at the same time. With just the right amalgamation of sound effects and Brian Wilsonesque vocal style, it would seem that Panda Bear has somehow managed to tap into some otherworldly realm of inspiration, taking music to a whole new level; a level not only to be appreciated but to also be truly thankful for. In essence, Panda Bear is musical alchemy that transcends far beyond the typical, enchanting us into a sort of melodious and magical dream spell filled with reverb, animal sounds, tribal drums, thoughtful lyrics and a sound which plain and simply kicks ass. Being of the utmost musical excellence, Panda bear has truly achieved distinction in the 21st century and it is our prediction that Panda Bear will continue to do nothing short of blowing our minds in the days to come.

  8. Sam Roberts

  The year 2000 saw rock’s first great single in Sam Roberts “Brother Down” that was a penetrating foray into the bohemian despair that only the musician knew. His debut album “We Were Born in a Flame” continued the deluge of heartfelt songwriting that only Sam Roberts could execute so perfectly. “Hard Road” was the type of song perfectly reserved for long road trips through the country. It was Chemical City though in 2006 which saw the power of Sam Roberts at his apex. The first song and single from the album “The Gate” is quite possibly the best rock song of the new century. The unabashed power in the delivery was something that was on the way towards being forgotten by bands who were more interested in wearing their self-modesty on their sleeve. “Bridge to Nowhere” exemplified the best of traditional songwriting cashing in a chorus as strong as any rock song before it. The handclap rhythm was smooth and solid creating an irresistible groove that took the listener out of his seat. Chemical City was not limited to these two songs though. The third track “Bullets” showed the passion of Sam Roberts’s delivery. “The Resistance” was yet another vigorous song that delivered on an enviable chorus. The energy and afflatus that went into this album was staggering. If there was ever a band would hadn’t forgotten what firstly makes a song great in the new century, it was The Sam Roberts Band. Beyond their records, their live show has been known for the type of intensity only reserved for the most loved of bands. Sam Roberts has shown that no matter where art and music may go in its perennially moving time, it will hold up first and foremost because of it’s passionate delivery.

  7. Camera Obscura

  Camera Obscura was first called an average version of Belle and Sebastian. Little did anyone know that this band would shake the chains of their Scottish counterparts and create some of the sweetest sounding psychedelic music of the new decade, specifically with their “Lets Get Out of This Country” album. The beauty of Tracyanne Campbell’s vocal delivery was unmatched by any other vocalist. “Lloyd I’m Ready to be Heartbroken” sounded like something from the past, but one was never exactly sure what. It had the classiness of a 50’s ballad but the mammoth sonic production of an Owen Morris produced record. “If Looks Could Kill” was The Beach Boys on overdrive epitomizing the best quality’s of summer sounding songs. One could mention every song off this record as the best. Their sense of what makes a great single was fully realized in this album. Their 2004 outing “Underachievers Please Try Harder” was more in the mode of early Belle and Sebastian which was never a bad thing. “Keep it Clean” was a fine example of where pop music had come since it’s antiquity. Camera Obscura is a perfect example of a band who had been influenced by the past, but never submissively guided by it. When one listens to Camera Obscura, one feels a sense of having heard these songs before, but no matter how hard they look back in their record collection, they can’t find what they think they were hearing. This quality that Camera Obscura embodies shows their love for song that they found from their 50’s and 60’s influences, but only unconsciously. Their ears guided the creation of their songs. What they loved is what they loved to make, but it was never a conscious process of mimicking the music they loved most.

  6. Richard Hawley

  Richard Hawley first found some success in the 3^rd rate Britpop band “The Longpigs” who were known for their modern rock staple “On and On”. After a stint with Pulp, Richard Hawley went on to create some of the most classic pop music of the new century. His major success came from his 2005 solo album “Coles Corner” which opened up with the palpable euphony of “Coles Corner”. One was reminded of Sinatra’s best days but beleaguered with the cleanest of modern production. “Born Under a Bad Sign” further showed the quality of Richard Hawley by highlighting the relaxed sit-by-the-fire feeling ones has in the snowiest of winters. Hawley embodied this feeling better than anyone in the 00’s. His 2007 album “Lady’s Bridge” was as good as Coles Corner taking the same type of themes of the later and making them larger. “Tonight The Streets Are Ours” reflected the best moments of Suede without the sometimes overwrought gloss of the later. “Roll Over River” was as comfy sounding as an isolated night by the ocean. Much like Coles Corner, Lady’s Bridge showed the classiness of 50’s music in a modern time where that value had been forgotten for unadulterated expression. Hawley’s deep bellow strikes at all listeners and reminds them of how fine music can sound when not focused on cacophonous execution. The clean shining production helped take these more older sounding songs into new realms of sophistication. The musicianship was tight and the lyrics were even tighter as Hawley reflected on the most honest of love affairs. Richard Hawley is one of the best examples of an artist who need not focus on pure “uniqueness” in order to sound bucolic.

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22 Comments

1. #1 Furry Apple the Pear Tree says:
   November 20th, 2009 at 2:26 pm

   I like your list, although I’ would’ve included Belle and Sebastian and Animal Collective.
2. #2 Goat Boy says:
   November 20th, 2009 at 9:23 pm

   Um, hello, White Stripes?
3. #3 Mr X says:
   November 20th, 2009 at 3:59 pm

   What about COLDPLAY!! Woooooo!!

   ALBUMS:
   2000 Parachutes
   2002 A Rush Of Blood To The Head
   2005 X&Y
   2008 Viva La Vida

   SINGLES:
   1998: Ode To Deodorant, Brothers And Sisters
   2000: Trouble, Yellow, Shiver, Don’t Panic
   2002: Clocks, God Put A Smile, In My Place, The Scientist
   2005: Speed Of Sound, Talk, Fix You, Hardest Part, White Shadows, What If
   2008: Violet Hill (so far)
4. #4 Bobby says:
   November 20th, 2009 at 8:01 pm

   Who the hell is The Thrills?
5. #5 Noel's Nose says:
   November 20th, 2009 at 11:43 pm

   Unfortunately, I think The Strokes lost their spot on this list by becoming one of the worst bands in history! I put all my faith in them during 2001-2002. They were my life. Look at them now…biggest disappointment of my life.
6. #6 Bobby says:
   November 20th, 2009 at 12:58 am

   “It wouldn’t be just to make a best bands of the new century list without including Panda Bear.” Actually, you can, considering the fact that Panda Bear IS NOT EVEN A BAND!
7. #7 George says:
   November 20th, 2009 at 8:45 pm

   The White Stripes are a 90’s band you idiot.
8. #8 s says:
   November 20th, 2009 at 1:07 pm

   thank you for recognizing the raveonettes and beachhouse- both do fresh reinterpretations of past styles.

   disagree about the strokes, however. they had their moment in ‘01, and now it is over…
9. #9 Jared says:
   November 20th, 2009 at 1:31 am

   Oh….and even though they released some singles in the late 90’s, “Oh Inverted World” hit in 2001. I would say that qualifies The Shins.
10. #10 Jared says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 1:50 am

    You also left out The Postal service, and Mr. X is right….Where is Coldplay? All in all I think this list is pretty poor. The Shins, Arcade Fire, and Coldplay as top 3 in my opinion.
11. #11 Where's Coldplay? says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 3:32 pm

    Didn’t the Thrills get dropped from their label because they only sold like 600 copies of their last album? Nice list, jackass.
12. #12 andrewB says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 4:00 am

    Coldplay is shit…and the only bands I know from this list are The Strokes and The New Pornographers and they aren’t even that good, so yea crap list.
13. #13 cody floyd says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 5:49 am

    Disturbed and linkin park are the top bands of the new century!
14. #14 coldday says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 4:15 pm

    Where the fuck are the White Stripes?????
15. #15 MissBrightside says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 4:34 pm

    WHERE ARE THE KILlERS?!?! HOW COULD YOU NOT PUT THEM ON THE DAMN LIST?!?!?!
16. #16 Zach says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 7:21 am

    Where are The Shins? Or Of Montreal? Where’s Wilco? Also The Thrills are whiny shits.
17. #17 avi says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 11:58 am

    um Zach, Wilco was a 90’s band.
    coldday and Goat Boy, White Stripes were also a 90’s band.
    and furry apple, Belle and Sebastian was another 90’s band
18. #18 Zach says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 6:22 am

    Yes but you see, Avi, this is something else that you are wrong about. Wilco was a totally different band in the 90’s. They have lost a lot of their founding members, and most of the time that they have existed has been in the new century. They are 10 times better about most of these bands. Also Zeromage is totally wrong about The Raveonettes, I love them but they are nowhere near original sounding – ever heard of The Jesus and Mary Chain? He praises them, and hates Lou Reed who invented that genre of music (noise rock)
19. #19 avi says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 11:02 am

    They’re still a 90’s band.
20. #20 John says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 11:16 am

    Are you a professional journalist? You write very well.
21. #21 Zach says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 7:37 am

    Hmmm… Yeah just the same way that Camera Obscura and The New Pornographers are 90’s bands, and Richard Hawley has been producing music since 1989. Most of the bands on this list have been around since the 90’s. Jesus.