THE TOP 13 GREATEST
RECORDS OF THE 2000s
I've written extensively
this year — looking back
and revisiting events,
movies and music of
the '60s, '70s, '80s and
'90s. But today, it's all
about the iGeneration.
_____________________________
I recall having a conversation with a particular famous rock star while driving up the Florida coast several years ago. As we headed to our favorite beachside Mexican restaurant, we discussed the various changes taking place in the music business in those days. At one point, he commented that in the not too distant future, we'd no longer be buying music in any hardcopy format — that we'd all soon be carrying our entire music libraries with us everywhere — inside of tiny pocket-sized digital devices. I thought he was nuts.
Years later, the rock star has been proven right. In 2014, we consume music in an entirely different manner than we did even just ten years ago. In fact, I recently handed a CD to a teenage girl at church — to which she replied, "What am I supposed to do with this?" Out of the mouths of babes. But be sure, whether you're downloading from iTunes, shuffling old school CDs, or spinning archaic LPs, the term "record" merely implies a collection of recorded songs — regardless of the format. Hence, this list reflects some the best new millennium "record" releases. You may notice that my personal taste leans toward crunchy pop / rock, created by humans who sing (with their own voices). And they play authentic instruments, and write songs that hook ya from the first chorus.
Years later, the rock star has been proven right. In 2014, we consume music in an entirely different manner than we did even just ten years ago. In fact, I recently handed a CD to a teenage girl at church — to which she replied, "What am I supposed to do with this?" Out of the mouths of babes. But be sure, whether you're downloading from iTunes, shuffling old school CDs, or spinning archaic LPs, the term "record" merely implies a collection of recorded songs — regardless of the format. Hence, this list reflects some the best new millennium "record" releases. You may notice that my personal taste leans toward crunchy pop / rock, created by humans who sing (with their own voices). And they play authentic instruments, and write songs that hook ya from the first chorus.
13.
Focus
(2012)
"the perfect pop record." And I still
stand behind that assessment.
stand behind that assessment.
12.
(2003)
From the opening notes of "Blueside,"
this So-Cal combo immediately
harnessed the stylistic songwriting
genius of Brian Wilson and fully
this So-Cal combo immediately
harnessed the stylistic songwriting
genius of Brian Wilson and fully
captured the pure magic of the
The Beach Boys — at a time
when I'd all but given up on pop
music. Other highlights include
"Stay Away" and "I'm Shakin'."
The Beach Boys — at a time
when I'd all but given up on pop
music. Other highlights include
"Stay Away" and "I'm Shakin'."
11.
(2002)
At first, I was nearly duped
by Good Charlotte's tattoos,
by Good Charlotte's tattoos,
piercings, guy liner and snarly
attitude. But be sure, this ain't
no punk record. In fact, with
hooks large enough to reel
in Buicks, this record is as
poppy and appealing as any
10.
(2005)
Not since The Knack hit in 1979
had I crunched on such a tasty treat.
Featuring the hooky hits "Just the
Girl" and "Catch Your Wave," this
treasure landed in the Top 20.
Co-written by KISS frontman,
Paul Stanley, "Angel to You
(Devil to Me)" is another of
the record's many highlights.
had I crunched on such a tasty treat.
Featuring the hooky hits "Just the
Girl" and "Catch Your Wave," this
treasure landed in the Top 20.
Co-written by KISS frontman,
Paul Stanley, "Angel to You
(Devil to Me)" is another of
the record's many highlights.
(2006)
When a band has been around for
so long, and has ingested so much
that its members have died, it gets
a pass for not having its original
line-up intact. Co-founders David
Johansen and Sylvain Sylvain
returned after a 30-year hiatus and
delivered a record that's closer
stylistically to Appetite for Destruction
than to the Dolls' previous efforts.
A crazy girl turned me on to this
one in '08. Check it out for yourself.
If "Set Phasers to the Sun" and
"New American Classic" can't
convince you that it's one of the
greatest rock records ever, you
may wanna check your pulse.
so long, and has ingested so much
that its members have died, it gets
a pass for not having its original
line-up intact. Co-founders David
Johansen and Sylvain Sylvain
returned after a 30-year hiatus and
delivered a record that's closer
stylistically to Appetite for Destruction
than to the Dolls' previous efforts.
8.
(2008)
With his fourth solo effort, singer /
songwriter / producer Butch Walker
recreated the modern day equivalent
of Born to Run. It's the crowning
jewel of his impressive career-
spanning catalog.
songwriter / producer Butch Walker
recreated the modern day equivalent
of Born to Run. It's the crowning
jewel of his impressive career-
spanning catalog.
7.
(2004)
A crazy girl turned me on to this
one in '08. Check it out for yourself.
If "Set Phasers to the Sun" and
"New American Classic" can't
convince you that it's one of the
greatest rock records ever, you
may wanna check your pulse.
6.
(2003)
A record that's packed with such
amazing hooks, "Stacey's Mom"
isn't even the best of the batch!
amazing hooks, "Stacey's Mom"
isn't even the best of the batch!
5.
This Is Love
(2012)
A well-crafted, heartfelt and life-
changing collection created by a gifted
group of singers, musicians and
changing collection created by a gifted
group of singers, musicians and
4.
Volume 3
(2013)
3.
(2006)
Simply put, Justin Furstenfeld
is a total genius. These songs
are so unique — so brilliantly
beautiful that it still hurts my
soul to listen to the record —
nearly a decade following its
release. The perfect testament
to the power of music. Bravo!
beautiful that it still hurts my
soul to listen to the record —
nearly a decade following its
release. The perfect testament
to the power of music. Bravo!
2.
(2009)
These lil' stankers first hooked me with
"The Reason" back in 2004. Then,
this record hit in 2009. To this day, I
still wet myself every time I hear it.
"I Don't Think I Love You," "So Close,
So Far," "All About You," "The
Letter," "Tears of Yesterday,"
"You're the One" — Fornever sure
makes me happy not to be dead.
"The Reason" back in 2004. Then,
this record hit in 2009. To this day, I
still wet myself every time I hear it.
"I Don't Think I Love You," "So Close,
So Far," "All About You," "The
Letter," "Tears of Yesterday,"
"You're the One" — Fornever sure
makes me happy not to be dead.
1.
Wake Me
(2010)
Snappy and happy. Catchy and crunchy.
THE greatest record EVER!
THE greatest record EVER!
(That is all.)
I hope that you've had fun with this feature. I sure had fun putting it together. I also hope that you may have discovered some great new music.
-Christopher Long
(August 2014)
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