Most important musician or band of the 2000's?

musicismylife78

my point is this reguarding the arcade fire:

you knowhow soundgarden and mudhoney were established bands way before grunge came onto the national scene, and how by 1991, 1992, these bands and others like them were the biggest bands in the world? The same follows for indie rock in the 2000's.

And yes, you are right death cab became popular, in this decade at least in large part because of The OC's use of them, and because of the fact that Give Up is basically a classic album, but I do think there was something in the water in 2004/2005 that sort of pushed indie rock from being this niche thing, to being where it is now, when we have phoenix soundtracking a car commercial, and vampire weekend soundtracking a Hewlett Packard commercial, or Joanna Newsom on Victoria Secret commercial.

What brought indie rock to this point? Obviously lots of things, but as I said, Funeral just was this sort of opening of the gate, crashing of the gate. It was a huge deal. This band of 7 people or whatever, band members who play violins and glockenspiels and 4 songs called Neighborhood. it was weird. But the album blew people away. Its a perfect record. I think the album is one of those albums that introduces people to other music. Like people bought Funeral, and then sought out other indie rock bands that I listed above

jimed14

Again, I agree with their importance. When they played Coachella in 2005, and 4/5 of the festival attendees were at the second stage watching them instead of at the main stage watching Gang of Four and New Order, it was evident how huge they had become.

On a side note ... what the fuck is going on with them? Album in 2010 or what?

Lifted

while i can appreciate the discussion, personally being the "most important" musician of the decade means nothing to me. however, if we are talking about the most consistent artist, i'd have to give the title to neko case. just look at her body of work from this decade....

furnace room lullaby
blacklisted
fox confessor brings the flood
middle cyclone

she also released two live albums, the tigers have spoken and austin city limits

and lets not forget her work with the new pornographers...

electric version
mass romantic
twin cinema
challengers

facepollution

I'm not sure how anyone could really quantify how 'important' a band has been. But in terms of a band or artist who's pushed the boundaries and had major mainstream success, I don't think there is any question that Radiohead take that crown.

Digital Twilight

facepollution wrote:

I'm not sure how anyone could really quantify how 'important' a band has been. But in terms of a band or artist who's pushed the boundaries and had major mainstream success, I don't think there is any question that Radiohead take that crown.

'Pushed boundaries AND major mainstream success' is the key thing here and i agree. But there are by FAR a hell of a lot of indie little bands, musicians ect who pushed the envolope further then Radiohead ever did or could.

Im not really sure there is an all 'important' band or anything or anyone who deserves such a title. Music would have gotten along just fine with or without Radiohead.

drew0

Radiohead
The Strokes
The White Stripes
Arcade Fire
Muse

My two personal favorites would be Wilco and My Morning Jacket, followed by the Strokes.

eeriepadave

Newch91 wrote:

Jack White.

I agree. White Stripes, Raconteurs, Dead Weather.

Others:
Dave Grohl
Josh Homme
Radiohead
Strokes
Kings Of Leon

South of Seattle

musicismylife78 wrote:

my point is this reguarding the arcade fire:

you knowhow soundgarden and mudhoney were established bands way before grunge came onto the national scene, and how by 1991, 1992, these bands and others like them were the biggest bands in the world? The same follows for indie rock in the 2000's.

And yes, you are right death cab became popular, in this decade at least in large part because of The OC's use of them, and because of the fact that Give Up is basically a classic album, but I do think there was something in the water in 2004/2005 that sort of pushed indie rock from being this niche thing, to being where it is now, when we have phoenix soundtracking a car commercial, and vampire weekend soundtracking a Hewlett Packard commercial, or Joanna Newsom on Victoria Secret commercial.

What brought indie rock to this point? Obviously lots of things, but as I said, Funeral just was this sort of opening of the gate, crashing of the gate. It was a huge deal. This band of 7 people or whatever, band members who play violins and glockenspiels and 4 songs called Neighborhood. it was weird. But the album blew people away. Its a perfect record. I think the album is one of those albums that introduces people to other music. Like people bought Funeral, and then sought out other indie rock bands that I listed above

I hear what you're saying there. But those bands became popular because of Nirvana and Pearl Jam. They made a much much larger impact than the Arcade Fire ever did. I don't think alot of people really know the Arcade Fire or much less any of their songs.

Modest Mouse I think had way more of an impact on the indie scene than AF. People can relate on the mainstream to Modest Mouse, Death Cab, Shins etc . . due to the exposure they have, which IMO makes them much more important than Arcade Fire.

Newch91

eeriepadave wrote:

Newch91 wrote:

Jack White.

I agree. White Stripes, Raconteurs, Dead Weather.

Others:
Dave Grohl
Josh Homme
Radiohead
Strokes
Kings Of Leon

Three great bands he's made. The man is a genius!

I couldn't agree with you more on the list you made. Dave Grohl has the best scream in rock. Haven't heard much of Josh Homme. Radiohead is Radiohead...genius. Strokes are just fantastic. Kings of Leon are great.

Benzor

Radiohead has got to be number 1. Others in no particular order:

Arcade Fire
Wilco
Kings of Leon
Modest Mouse
Nine Inch Nails

South of Seattle

What about Eminem?

I think he may merit a few votes.

Leathe?ma?

Radiohead? Because their music became worser?

facepollution

Digital Twilight wrote:

'Pushed boundaries AND major mainstream success' is the key thing here and i agree. But there are by FAR a hell of a lot of indie little bands, musicians ect who pushed the envolope further then Radiohead ever did or could.

Im not really sure there is an all 'important' band or anything or anyone who deserves such a title. Music would have gotten along just fine with or without Radiohead.

Yeah I totally see your point, I'm not a Radiohead obsessive by any stretch, but there's no denying how impressive it is that they can seemingly put anything out and it still has massive mainstream appeal. I guess that makes them important in some way because it encourages the idea that other artists don't have to dumb down their music to be successful. That said, Radiohead first developed that huge fan base with their earlier, far more accessible records.

morocka

The most consistantly relevant bands for me this decade...

Radiohead
Jack White
Josh Homme
Wilco
My Morning Jacket
Modest Mouse
The Mars Volta

musicismylife78

facepollution wrote:

Digital Twilight wrote:

'Pushed bound
aries AND major mainstream success' is the key thing here and i agree. But there are by FAR a hell of a lot of indie little bands, musicians ect who pushed the envolope further then Radiohead ever did or could.

Im not really sure there is an all 'important' band or anything or anyone who deserves such a title. Music would have gotten along just fine with or without Radiohead.

Yeah I totally see your point, I'm not a Radiohead obsessive by any stretch, but there's no denying how impressive it is that they can seemingly put anything out and it still has massive mainstream appeal. I guess that makes them important in some way because it encourages the idea that other artists don't have to dumb down their music to be successful. That said, Radiohead first developed that huge fan base with their earlier, far more accessible records.

Your point here is key. The big lie of our generation and its portrayed in all the "americas got talent" "britains got talent" "american idol" etc... is this myth that to be a successful and important musician you have to write formulaic verse chorus verse songs that appeal to people like Paula Abdul or Simon Cowell or whoever. This is a belief that seems frighteningly common place in our society. What Radiohead did, which was, completely do a 180, is important. I know this was last decade in terms of the change, but its important. Creep is a great song. But it was no different than 100 other grunge tunes during that era. What was so interesting about Radiohead was the fact you are right, they became huge when Creep came out, and then that audience stuck with them, they added new fans too, and their fan base became really rabid. They did all this all the while releasing completely out there and esoteric and experimental pieces of art. If nothing else it shows the public does want art that is challenging and non traditional.

Radiohead should be honored and admired for their constant willingness to give a middle finger to anyone who questions their path. Can you imagine the look on Capitol's face when they played KId A the first time. How about when they heard Pulk Pull Revolving Doors? They must have thought the band had lost their minds.

The big lie that record labels continue to promote is that being experimental, non conformist and non traditional where music is concerned means a drop in sales and fan base. What Radiohead proves is that the reality is exactly the opposite.

For me, Radioheads rebelliousness will forever be something I feel graditude about. They could have easily played the game after Creep came out. They could still, fifteen years later be churning out the same post grunge music, but they took a risk.

ledvedderman

Ryan Adams...hands down

craigb

Newch91 wrote:

Jack White.

Exactly!

DewieCox

I'd say itsa dead heat between Radiohead and Jack White.

The Stripes/Raconteurs have been more consistent than Radiohead, but Radiohead is takin way more chances. All involved are pretty amazing live. Pretty similar level of popularity.

goldrush

Jack White
Ryan Adams
Wilco
John Butler

No offence intended to anyone who chose them but I don't get the Radiohead fascination. I can never escape the feeling that they are just trying too hard to impress. It's like they're saying "Hey look at us, we're too cool for guitars now, we're taking risks with our music" when all I want them to say is "Actually we used to write really good rock songs, let's try that again!"

It's the same as Neil Young in the 80s - stop dicking around with electronic nonsense and plug your guitars back in!

pjfan021

my vote would have to go to josh homme