The National. Courtesy of Matt Benton

When the folks at All Songs Considered congregated to discuss the defining music of the 00s (also known as “The Noughties,” “The Aughts,” or other unspeakable titles), a couple of trends stuck out in my mind that are worth highlighting. First, in the digital age of i-pods and downloading mp3s, there has been an “end of nostalgia” in music because we no longer have to yearn for music that we once knew or owned. These days, everything is available in the palm of our hand or the click of a mouse. Second, the “blurring of sounds” between genres is an incredible progression in music that has allowed for fascinating developments. The music created during this past decade by Outkast, M.I.A., and Radiohead are incredibly complex and impossible to explain in one word.

The 00s were a transformative decade, politically, technologically, and personally. For me, our nation’s political development definitely shares a commonality with music. Both have helped me realize that I dig this country and I’m happy to have experienced more of its offerings. In 2001-02, I would not have said the same. But as I’ve grown older, discovered more jazz, Americana, and hip-hop, as well as traveled to Oregon, New Mexico, Massachusetts, and Colorado, I can wholeheartedly say that I appreciate American culture. That being said, there is an immense wealth of music that was churned out of other countries, but only Norway and U.K. are represented on this compilation. Next weeks podcast shall be more global, I promise.

But anyway, here it is. This is what I conjured up. Enjoy.

Best Pop Music of the Decade [00s] (mp3)

Kings of Convenience - I Don’t Know What I Can Save You From (remix)
The Postal Service - Such Great Heights
Stars - Elevator Love Letter
The National - Secret Meeting
Wilco - Heavy Metal Drummer
The Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
The Strokes - Is this It
Modest Mouse - Float On
M. Ward - Chinese Translation
Eels - Fresh Feeling
Coldplay - Clocks
Death Cab for Cutie - Soul Meets Body
Broken Social Scene - Pacific Theme
Pinback - Fortress
The Shins - New Slang
The Clientele - Since K Got Over Me
Band of Horses - The Funeral
Radiohead - Morning Bell
Beirut - Postcards for Italy
Sun Kil Moon - Trucker’s Atlas

 

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Categories: Visine for the ears