Grammy Who? Get Our Top Picks Of 2000
See What The Amateur Critics (People Just Like You) Are Buying
But you're probably not one of them. You're probably just a music fan, like most of us. And if that's the case, you might not have much in common with those people who decide the recipients of these awards.
That's why we here at Internet Broadcasting Systems, the people behind the scenes of your favorite hometown Web site, compiled these lists. In the spirit of the year's finest movie about music, "High Fidelity," we asked people around the network to come up with a top five of 2000. Some could only think of two or three, while others couldn't limit themselves to five, but the spirit remained the same.
Think of it as our own little People's Choice Awards, from regular, everyday music fans, just like you. Read, enjoy, and compare them to your own lists.
Mike Biglin, Sports Editor (Boston)
1. Geddy Lee: My Favorite Headache
The first solo album by the Rush bassist/lead singer, which means his first solo excursion after 25 years in the music business, and it's simply top shelf. Not only has it stoked the fires of devoted Rush fans everywhere, it has also garnered critical acclaim, and was picked as top album of the year by JAM! website -- over U2. Lee is usually the musical genius (along with Alex Lifeson) for Rush, with Neil Peart writing the lyrics. But Lee put words to paper, joining up with longtime Rush collaborator Ben Mink (who plays guitars) to craft 11 fantastic tracks. The final three -- "Slipping", "Still", and "Grace To Grace" -- are absolute stunners. By far, the finest disc of the year.
2. U2: All That You Can't Leave Behind
The boys from Dublin are back with a vengeance. Some are calling it their finest work since "Joshua Tree" -- even better than "Achtung Baby." It's simply unbeatable. And, on most lists, it's probably No. 1 for the year.
3. Foo Fighters: There Is Nothing Left To Lose
This was late '99, but works for this year; and it's another spell-binding, rollicking disc from the Dave Grohl-led bunch. Every tune is good at the worst.
4. Joan Osborne: Righteous Love
The crooner with the raspy voice and sexy moves posts her first studio work in five years, the long wait after her breakout debut, "Relish." It's amazing, with some Indian-sound influences, as well as a killer Bob Dylan cover to close. Some great stuff.
5. Madonna: Music
A fantastic follow to the finest album of her career, "Ray Of Light." Lots of good tunes, while she delves more into the techno-euro sound she loves, thanks to compilation with new French producer Mirwais.
Maria Buckley, Managing Editor (Boston)
1. The Wallflowers: Breach
Marcy Cromie, News Editor (Detroit)
1. Limp Bizkit: Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water
2. Creed: Human Clay
3. Bon Jovi: Crush
4. Eminem: The Marshall Mathers LP
5. Three Doors Down: The Better Life
Ayesha Dawley, Account Executive (Minneapolis)
1. Madonna: Music
2. Moby: Play
3. Lenny Kravitz: Greatest Hits
4. Macy Gray: On How Life Is
5. Sting: Brand New Day
Patrick Donnelly, National Sports Editor
1. Neko Case and Her Boyfriends: Furnace Room Lullaby
Artists have been telling audiences for centuries that love can be about as fun as a kick in the stomach. Few have done it in such sublime fashion as this honey-voiced beauty from the Pacific Northwest.
2. U2: All That You Can't Leave Behind
All the self-conscious, self-referential irony of their past two CDs has been stripped away, and we're left with music that's all about making music. How refreshing.
3. Slobberbone: Everything You Thought Was Right Was Wrong Today
Great band with a bad name. The boys from Denton, Texas, can twang and bang with the best of them, but their mantra is, "Remember, it's rock." One listen to "Placemat Blues," their ode to The Replacements and the sad state of radio today, and you would understand.
4. The Jayhawks: Smile
The critics love 'em but that doesn't mean you can't too. The alt-country pioneers from Minneapolis branch out with more pop elements and even a touch of drum-machine dance beats. It adds up to their most rewarding work yet.
5. Billy Bragg & Wilco: Mermaid Avenue II
Round two of their dazzling collection of Woody Guthrie-penned lyrics and Bragg-Wilco tunes is just as satisfying as the first.
Ed Dykhuizen, National Features Producer
1. Eminem: The Marshall Mathers LP
You all know the controversial rapper -- I was surprised to discover that his gleefully, mind-blowingly offensive material contained real wit and brutally honest anguish.
2. Radiohead: Kid A
The greatest rock group in the world at the moment puts out a difficult, spacey, but darkly resonant experiment.
3. MC Paul Barman: It's Very Stimulating
A one-joke underground rapper whose one joke is very funny, and whose incredibly nimble rhyming skills make it enjoyable even after the novelty wears off.
4. OutKast: Stankonia
Rap's artistic marvels put out another fascinating, creative, multi-variant album -- perhaps not in the same league as 1998's "Aquemini," but worthwhile nonetheless.
5. De La Soul: Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump
A disappointing album by the standards of these veterans of "alternative rap," but by any universal standard, a solid, if unspectacular, effort.
Melissa Gaugert, HTML programmer
1. Limp Bizkit: Chocolate Starfish & the Hot Dog Flavored Water
2. Kittie: Spit
3. NIN: Issues
4. Disturbed: Sickness
5. Deftones: White Pony
Dan Johnson, HTML programmer
1. Medeski Martin & Wood: Tonic
I love live albums. Especially MMW live albums.
2. John Scofield: Bump
Solid grooves.
3. The Big Wu: Folktales
Great album from a local band who are on their way up.
4. Isotope 217: Who Stole The I Walkman?
Strange indy funk-jazz-fusion. I like it.
5. Yo La Tengo: And Then Nothing Turned Itself...
Great indy rock stuff.
Andy Kruse, Regional News Editor
1. The Roots: The Roots Come Alive
I typically leave live music to all of the obsessed Dave Matthews heads who quest their entire lives to uncover that last remaining bootleg, but this is far better than someone's pocket recorder. In fact, it's of The Roots' high-standard show quality and is a virtual best-of -- as if such a thing would fit on one disc. They made the mistake of subbing Jill Scott for Erykah Badu on "You Got Me," but the rest is gold. Recorded at several different venues, the album is blended to sound like a continuous concert, with a few bonus tracks from the studio at the end for a kicker.
2. Jurassic 5: Quality Control
So good, you'd think it's from the East Coast. Somehow, these guys managed to escape the mold of early-90s Dre (or whatever the last good rap was that came from L.A.) and turn back the clock -- trading lines over jazz cuts and swing beats. Their EP from a few years ago was littered with filler tracks, but somehow the few songs were enough to make it worth the money and provide a decent preview for this full-length album.
3. Black Eyed Peas: Bridging The Gap
I bought their debut album in 1998 on a whim, and it made buying this follow-up a formality. In an era where I'm missing the defunct Tribe and the good old De La, this will fill the void. It's a little bit rock and a lotta bit rap, and it even reminds you that, among its many guest artists (Macy Gray, Les Nubians, Mos Def, De La Soul), Wyclef is still doing something productive.
4. Dilated Peoples: The Platform
OK, it's another California-based disc I like. But this is it, I promise. I'm strictly a fan of the East, otherwise. Like Jurassic 5, Dilated started in the Los Angeles underground and is finally hitting mainstream, but of course, I wasn't hip enough to know who they were back in the day. I'm catching on now, and this debut is good enough for me to jump on board.
5 (tie). Jungle Brothers: V.I.P.
If you can overlook the techno garbage that pops up for two or three tracks, this disc is good. If you can't, you're not as quick on the remote as I am. The remainder is still nothing that fits into one category, but it's all acceptable.
5 (tie). De La Soul: Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump
Why is "Oooh (feat. Redman)" nominated for a Grammy in best rap performance? Had anyone asked me, I surely would have told them that it's no better than the fourth or fifth best song on this disc. The group's break from diced-up sampling and tendency to use digitized music has been evident in the last couple albums and is not preferred. But again, no one asked me. Still, De La Soul is De La Soul, and as a tribute to their earlier works, I will continue to buy anything they produce. (Mosaic Thump is the first in a promised three-part series, so I'm on the hook for at least two more.) Final thought: Why did Trugoy change his name to Dave? There's nothing cool about the name Dave.
5 (tie). Q-Tip: Amplified
The members of A Tribe Called Quest were a powerhouse when together, but their breakup left little doubt as to who would succeed in a solo career. I bought Phife's album with low expectations and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone -- not even Phife himself. Ali: I'm not interested in this Lucy Pearl project. So while I don't want to say that Q-Tip carried the group all those years, Q-Tip carried the group all those years. Sure, if they do a reunion, I'll welcome the other two back, but this is the only third that I'm concerned with now. Jarobi, where are you?
Karl Laun, Graphic Designer
1. PJ Harvey: Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea
Excellent range of songs from start to finish. Diverse.
2. Radiohead: Kid A
It's artsy and it sounds like Radiohead took the control of this CD away from the record execs. No pop songs here.
3. Coldplay: Parachutes
Like a mixture of Tom Waits and Radiohead.
4. David Gray: White Ladder
Very soulful. Let's just hope that "Babylon" doesn't get so much airplay that it will ruin this.
5. U2: All That You Can't Leave Behind
U2 makes the list just for putting out an album this year. Not one of my favorite U2's but good nonetheless.
Brett Lehr, Sales Assistant (Kansas City)
1. Pearl Jam: Binaural
You have to give it to the best rock band in the world right now. And we need rockers like this when there are just too many boy bands out there.
2. Radiohead: Kid A
This is the most innovative band out there, pushing the concepts of sanity much like Pink Floyd did. Plus this album is wonderful to get you depressed.
3. Sade: Lover's Rock
Sade has had the sexiest voice for years. Too bad it took "Indecent Proposal" to bring her to light.
4. Rage Against the Machine: Renegades
It's all cover songs, but their energy brings new life to them. Rage truly rocks; too bad they broke up.
5 (tie). Pearl Jam: Bootlegs
I had to give PJ their props once again. To put out 25 live CDs that have very different set lists is amazing. It also gives PJ fans more to listen to and hope for a new day that won't be watered down with teen-pop.
5 (tie). U2: All That You Can't Leave Behind.
They prove that even the simplest songs can be masterpieces.
Eric Lodahl, HTML programmer
1. Lambchop: Nixon
2. Do Make Say Think: Goodbye Enemy Airship The Landlord Is Dead
3. Joe Pernice: Big Tobacco
4. Broadcast: The Noise Made By People
5. The Delgados: The Great Eastern
Steve Mormon, Senior Software Engineer
1. Ekova: Heaven's Dust
2. Godspeed You Black Emperor!: Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven
3. PJ Harvey: Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea
4. Sigur Ros: Agaetis Byrjun
5. Amon Tobin: Supermodified
Christine Morrison, Associate Producer
1. No Doubt: Return of Saturn
2. Creed: Human Clay
3. Watermark: All Things New
4. Avalon: In A Different Light
Lisa Morrison, Managing Editor (Portland)
1. Bruce Cockburn: Breakfast In New Orleans, Dinner In Timbuktu
OK, so it was actually released in 1999, but he toured to promote it in 2000. Does that count? The man's voice gets better with age, like a fine wine. And he plays the guitar better than just about anybody. A true poet.
2. Los Hombres Calientes: Vol. 2
The Hot Boys (and girl) can mix Latino funk and New Orleans jazz better than anybody. One of the best live shows I saw all year.
3. David Gray: White Ladder
The most textural CD I've heard in years. You can actually feel the music.
4. Jerry Joseph and the Jackmormons: Everything Was Beautiful
Portland-based musician/songwriter who musicians everywhere admire.
5 (tie). Widespread Panic: Another Joyous Occasion Featuring The Dirty Dozen Brass Band
Two great bands that go great together. 'Nuff said.
5 (tie). Galactic: Late For The Future
More New Orleans fun and another one of the best live shows I saw all year.
Denise Nelson, General Sales Manager (Greenville, S.C.)
1. No Doubt: Return to Saturn
Gwen Stefani's lyrics about those crossroads in life hit the nail on the head; granted it might be more of a "chick" CD but since males dominate the rock scene, it's only fair.
2. Red Hot Chili Peppers: Californication
Just when you thought they'd lost their edge, they come out with this original CD blending the sounds that they do best.
3. Ricki Lee Jones: It's Like This
One of the most underrated singer/songwriters of our time.
4. Wallflowers: Breach
5. Creed: Human Clay
Marcia Lynx Qualey, Director Of Sales Operations
1. Orishas: A Lo Cubano
There are two songs in the world that make me happy, no matter what. One is Angelique Kidjo's "Wombo Lombo" (on her album, Fifa). The other is Orishas' "Retention." Their Cuban hip-hop fusion makes me cheer every time "Cuba!" comes around.
2. Various Artists: O Brother, Where Art Thou? Soundtrack
This CD makes me sing. It was worth making a Coen Bros. movie around it, and taps into the sources of American country, blues, bluegrass, folk and gospel.
3. Jill Scott: Who Is Jill Scott? Words & Sounds Vol. 1
This is for a smoooooth Sunday afternoon. Beautiful R&B, great songwriting, voluptuous voice.
4. Shoki Shoki: Femi Kuti
Nope, I don't mean Fela Kuti. I mean Femi Kuti, his son ... whose subtler-than-dad Afrogroove is great for a quiet night.
5. Guy Davis: Butt Naked Free
Blues at its best: Sandpaper vocals, acoustic guitar and political poetry. Great for the car.
Marcus Riley, Managing Editor (Louisville)
1. D'Angelo: Voodoo
After a successful first effort, D'Angelo could have ridden the commercial wave and immediately come out with a lackluster second effort. But he waited a few years and released a CD that is anything but commercially-oriented. Smooth as butter from start to finish, you have to have patience to appreciate this one.
2. Jazzanova: The Remixes 1997-2000
For those who don't believe hip-hop has any redeeming qualities, check this album out. It gives you a sense of how hip-hop has managed to branch out and create other interesting forms of music. Take a subtle hip-hop beat, add a beautiful female's voice, a dash of horns and you've got love baby.
3. Eminem: The Marshall Mathers LP
When I first saw this kid, I immediately dismissed him. With all the noise behind hip-hop these days it's not hard to do. Then I heard the lyrics to "Stan." Say what you want about him, but what this kid has done to the rap world is akin to some pasty-faced kid from Iowa dunking on Jordan in a game of one-on-one. He's homophobic, misogynistic and talented. You can sing or rap about puppy dogs and hummingbirds all day long, but if you don't have skills, it's not worth listening to.
4. Jill Scott: The World According To Jill Scott
One of the most promising newcomers of the year. I didn't enjoy the whole CD, but the tracks where she integrated spoken word poetry into the song were excellent.
5. Sade: Lover's Rock
Lover's Rock is an enchanting, mesmerizing mix of sensual grooves, designed to enhance whatever mood you may be in. If you're in love, this album will speak to you. If you're in the throes of relationship turmoil, the haunting lyrics will send you deeper into the abyss of mental purgatory. But whatever state you may be in, it's Sade's voice that comes through. At once elegantly cool and understated, you'd be well-advised to handle this CD with care.
Jesse Sarles, News Editor (Madison)
1. Black Eyed Peas: Bridging the Gap
This is a hip-hop album that a lot of hard-core rap fans like to take stabs at. While the message may be positive, that doesn't mean that the rapping skills go downhill, as is the case with some other groups. The production quality is excellent, resulting in a very danceable, upbeat album.
2. Deltron 3030
Producer Dan the Automator has made an album that truly sounds as if it was created on a different planet. Del the Funky Homosapien, rapping under the guise of "Deltron Zero," deserves huge amounts of credit for writing enough futuristic raps to fill a long-running album -- not an easy task. This is a very worthy follow to Automator's groundbreaking rap project with Kool Keith, "Dr. Octagon."
3. De La Soul: Art Official Intelligence
These guys have definitely lost their touch. De La Soul has been breaking barriers for a long time in the land of rap, and while they might not be breaking as many barriers nowadays with their sound, their lyrical flow is still topnotch and their raps are very clever. The album is one of what will be a three-part rap project, and it leaves one very eager to hear what's next. Props to the group for also including a cameo with Phife Dawg from Tribe Called Quest, who just recently put out a formidable solo album.
4. U2: All That You Can't Leave Behind
Unlike a lot of fans of this megagroup, I like everything U2 does. Most people seem to like either their electronic influenced "Zoo" period or their more traditional "Joshua Tree" period. I like both, and I like this album in part because it incorporates aspects of both. Bono is also singing like a real pro these days.
5. Radiohead: Kid A
This album has already been selected on almost all of the year's-best lists. It is supposedly a representation of what the life of the first human clone will be like, and appropriately has a very bizarre sounding backdrop for a rock album. The album didn't groove with me at first, but the grandiosity of it began to sink in after multiple listens.
Mark Sheldon, News Editor (Cincinnati)
1. Radiohead: Kid A
In era where we are besieged with either bubblegum boy bands or allegedly alternative hard rockers that are more noise that music, this is a breath of fresh air. Every sound is an original one, not heard on any album of any genre in years, if ever. This album is anti-commercial, and almost flows like a rock opera. It can't be judged by one single for continual airplay that Casey Kasem or some top 40 schlock DJ would play....the body of work here as a whole is superb.
2. U2: All That You Can't Leave Behind
Although I liked 90's U2....the U2 of the mid-to-late 80s was the golden era. This album does a fine job of channeling the old-school sound, mixed with some elements of recent work to create a magnificent modern rock album.
3. Bela Fleck and the Flecktones: Outbound
The guy makes magic with a banjo, without being a dumb hillbilly. Excellent cameos from guest vocalists.
4. Lenny Kravitz: Greatest Hits
I've always admired him from afar, and even saw him live once, but never bought an album. This has all the best stuff on one disc, plus a great new song, "Again" which is deep and soulful.
5. Various Artists: Magnolia Soundtrack
Mostly Aimee Mann songs. Even though I liked when she was with 'Til Tuesday, she has evolved into one of the world's leading yet under-appreciated female singer/songwriters.
Josh Shellman, HTML Programmer
1. Marilyn Manson: Holy Wood
A great all-around album, many good tracks to choose from.
2. Catatonia: Equally Cursed and Blessed
Awesome vocals match the instrumentals in a seemless blend.
3. R. L. Burnside: I Wish I Was In Heaven Sitting Down
Original blues with a Moby style twist.
4. NIN: Things Falling Apart
Good new mixes with a solid overall sound.
5. Godspeed You Black Emperor: Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven
Amazing ambiance.
Ryan Sirvio, Traffic Coordinator
1. Radiohead: Kid A
Radiohead continues to redefine themselves with each album. Anyone who still associates the band with their first hit "Creep" has completely missed the band's best work.
2. Ticklepenny Corner: From The Porch
This is the folk quartet's first full-length album. If you can appreciate simple, catchy and intelligent songs, you will be hooked listen after listen.
3. Cush: The New Sound
Cush is fronted by one of the greater rock stars and songwriters no one has heard of, Michael Knott. The New Sound is full of great, dreamy pop guitars with no filler content from start to finish.
4. U2: All That You Can't Leave Behind
A couple of misconceptions need to be corrected: U2's last album POP was not even close to being techno as erroneously declared time and time again, and "Beautiful Day" is not the only song on the new disc. I prefer "Elevation" and "Wild Honey" much more and believe it is only a matter of time before those songs get heavy radio rotation.
5. Rage Against The Machine: Renegades
Old-school hip-hop covers dominate lead vocalist Zack de la Rocha's final Rage album, but there is also room for songs of Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan and Rolling Stones.
Amy Smith, Director of Site Design
1. Youssou N'Dour: Joko
2. Fatboy Slim: Halfway Between the Gutter and the Stars
Michelle Solomon, Managing Editor (Detroit)
1. Patti Smith: Gung Ho
2. Aimee Mann: Music From The Movie Magnolia
3. Macy Gray: On How Life Is
4. Joni Mitchell: Both Sides Now
5. Madonna: Music
Cynthia Uhlenkamp, Sales Assistant (Milwaukee)
1. The Charlatans UK: Us & Only Us
The Charlatans are little known in the US, but in my opinion one of the better British bands to come out of the Manchester scene. If you like the Stone Roses or Blur, you may want to check them out.
2. Blur: The Best Of
Blur has been around for years and this album sums up their long musical history and there is still more to come. I believe they have a new album coming out in 2001.
3. U2: All That You Can't Leave Behind
Some believe this album is too similar to their first stuff, but isn't that want made us love them.
4. Gladiator Soundtrack
Modern composition at its best.
5. John Denver & The Muppets: The Muppets Christmas Together
This was re-released in 2000, or at least I think it was cause I could never find it before. If you are old enough to remember the '80s, this album will bring you back to a time when the Muppets made you laugh and you couldn't wait for the next John Hughes movie to come out.
Lynn Walko, Sales Assistant (Cleveland)
1. Phish: Farm House
Great new music, new movement/style for Phish, very upbeat and likable songs for the public (even got some radio play), but still enough jams and the odd melodic/dissonant tune to keep the Phish kids content.
2. Kid Rock: History of Rock
Hard-hitting but still innovative, intense industrial beats, tells a great story while still keeping the core group of thrashers happy.
3. Lenny Kravitz: Greatest Hits
A CD that should be in every music lovers collection, has all the hits, old and new, all-around great music, for the car, the home or the party.
