Decade in Review : Leftfield
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A lot can change in 10 years.
A lot can change in 10 years. And a hell of a lot changed in the last decade. For the last three weeks, Bodytonic’s team has been flicking through vinyl, scrolling through MP3s, dusting off CDs, digging out flyers, asking friends, frantically googling and generally trying to thread together their thoughts on the music of the decade. They are now finished. And over the next week, we’ll bring you their words. First up, The Irish Times’ Jim Carroll on leftfield.
Well, at least that's the teenage years done and dusted. The 00s were a decade when clubland and dance music dealt with its own version of acne, angst and alienation. The euphoria of earlier years receded a bit and reality took over. The party didn't end, but it was a damn different sort of party for a few years.
Some paid stupid money for parties which were as flat as yesterday's champagne
Case in point: New Year's Eve 1999. Do you remember it? Probably not, but it's worth recalling nevertheless, if only for the memory of every club promoter on the planet rubbing their hands together with glee at the thought of making out like bandits. Millennium Eve was going to be biggest payday of 'em all.
It didn't turn out like that. People walked on by, saw the scores on the doors and kept their money in their pockets. Sure, some paid stupid money for parties which were as flat as yesterday's champagne, but you'll always get that. That's why Tiesto has a career, innit.
There was a lengthy hangover and an almighty sulk after that fiasco. Promoters who really should have slung their hooks did the clubland version of bed-blocking and prevented the younger guns, the ones who really did know the score, from moving onwards and upwards. Eventually, the old guard headed back to the missus and kids in suburbia and the new bucks took over. That, naturally, is when things began to get swinging again in clubland.
Next : more thoughts from Jim, plus his top five albums and singles...
Musically, the 00s were the best of times. Sure, you will have the pointyheaded arguments about minimal this and maximal that, but that's for young fellows who're still hankering to finish their media studies thesis. The rest of us feasted at a banquet table which was overflowing with different tastes and sensations.
There were just too many producers living in Berlin, Barcelona and Ballyhaunis.
Inevitably, you took the rough with the smooth. Every new movement has its camp followers who think they've found the perfect formula to turn a track into The Best Thing Ever. Memo to self: formulas don't work. The easy-peasy democracy of technology meant electronic music fans had laptops cluttered with piss-poor MP3s from wannabes and nevergonnabes. There were just too many producers living in Berlin, Barcelona and Ballyhaunis.
But, hey, let's accentuate the positive. The 00s proved that catholic tastes are not just for the clergy. House heads, bass boys and techno Toms can get on up and get on down together. Clubs which mix different strands of music (as well as a bit of the aul' art, live music and visual how's-your-sister) are not going to scare the dogs. And best of all, there's still only two types of music - good music and bad music.
Next: Jim's top five albums, singles and more...
Five Albums
LCD Soundsystem 'Sound Of Silver' [DFA]
This was a whopper. Gigantic, shiny, shimmering grooves. Huge songs which shows that James Murphy actually had a soft, sensitive side. An album which engaged you on every level.
The Avalanches 'Since I Left You' [XL]
Bet you've forgotten about this one. Released when the decade was just a pup, it was a road trip into pop culture. The best club night you'll ever experience on your stereo.
Panda Bear 'Person Pitch' [Paw Tracks]
A beautifully warped vision of what 23rd century pop should, could and would sound like if you left the arrangements, orchestrations and melodies to a space cadet. Goes well with fluffy pink marshmallows.
Burial 'Untrue' [Hyperdub]
Broody and moody, this is as much the sound of traipsing down London streets after you missed your night bus home as Soul II Soul was in the '80s or Goldie tried to be in the '90s. Dastardly.
Jay-Z 'The Blueprint' [Roc-A-Fella]
There had to be a hip-hop album. It could have been Outkast back when they were seeing stars. Or maybe Ghostface when he was on fire. Perhaps even Kanye before the ego took over. But let's stick with Jigga. Big and bold and brash, he was the king of New York when this one landed. Contains some of the best diss lines ever committed to wax.
Next : Jim's top five tracks and more...
Five Tracks
Missy Elliot 'Get UR Freak On' [Elektra]
It started with a bump, ended with a bump and, what do you know, kept bumping all the way through. A tune and a half.
Audion 'Mouth to Mouth' [Ghostly International]
A sleazy bad boy which still oozes smoke and goo. The sound of some nights out I still can't quite piece together.
Animal Collective 'My Girls' [Domino]
Indie's most contrary and wayward sons hit the electronic motherlode. The most spinetingling love song of the 00s.
Battles 'Atlas' [Warp]
Still does the job every time. A mad rush of blood to the head with all guns blazing as Battles head into the great unknown.
Clipse 'Grindin'' [Star Trak]
When the Neptunes actually still had their shit goin' on. Nasty hip-hop minimalism from Pharrell and The Other Fellow as if Philip Glass was hired to score Pusha T and Malice's tales of a hard-knock life.
Next : Jim's Hero and Villain of the decade...
HERO
Sonar. Nothing beats a weekend of premier league electronic music, sunshine and good times in Catalonia.
VILLAIN
The stupid fucker who re-introduced coke to clubland. He probably also invented superclubs. And yeah, I’m sure it was a ‘he’.
Jim Carroll writes for The Irish Times
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