Tracks Of The Decade - Part One -  2000/2003

OK, where to start? Well I've started in the year 2000, you can argue amongst yourselves about whether that's the start of the decade or not, but it's a nice round number so it'll do me nicely. I've broken the decade down to 3 parts; 2000 /2003 - 2004 / 2006 and 2007 / 2009 - here's the first part for your pleasure.
In short I'll just say that it's been an amazing ten years for music, as I was reminded when I began this process, we've gone from the hell that was the post-rock late 90s to a glorious world where the golden rules of rock'n'roll were rediscovered (flash, bang and, of course, wallop), largely by the ladies...bless 'em for showing us all the way.

2000 - 2003

Clinic - The Rerturn Of Evil Bill (2000)
Clinic had signposted a return to simpler rock and roll at the end of the century with tracks like Monkey On My Back and Evil Bill. If there was one British band that inspired the next decade then it was Clinic, here they catch up with the doings of Evil Bill



The Hives - Hate To Say I told You So (2000-01)
The Hives - Main Offender (2000-01)
Both tracks originally released in 2000, but it wasn't 'til Alan Mcgee compiled Your New Favourite Band in 2001 that the sheer force of The Hives was released onto this country. The Hives gave us all a timely reminder about performance and relating to an audience rather than simply ignoring them. I have so many Hives stories...but I'll save them for the book.



The Strokes - Modern Age (2001)
The Strokes - Last Night (2001)
We got early notice of The Strokes from Geoff Travis at Rough Trade, listening to Modern Age at full volume in his little office told us that things would never be the same again (thank God).

LIARS - Mr Your'e On Fire Mr (2001)
Funky as hell, they'd never be as funky again. Track 2 on the They Threw Us All in a Trench and Stuck a Monument on Top album, a DJing favourite of mine.



Eraser Errata - Tongue Tied (2001)
Came over and blew our minds...simple as that.

Roots Manuva - Witness (2001)
Re-defining Hip Hop for the noughties, a true original.



Moldy Peaches - Whos' Got The Crack (2001)
Simply hilarious.



Bang - YYYs (2002)
What can I say? Amazing.

mclusky - To Hell With Good Intentions (2002)
Anger at it's best.



The Rapture - House Of Jealous Lovers (2002)
How to get the room jumping in 2002...and 2010 for that matter. Their finest hour.



The Strokes - Reptilia (2003)
Can you resist that guitar line? I cant.

Dizzee Rascal - Fix Up Look Sharp (2003)
Yes, he did used to be original and inspiring, now he just makes money.



Beyonce - Crazy In Love (2003)
When the beer takes over so does Beyonce.

Beach Buggy - Killer B (2003)
Much missed pioneers of the new rock and roll.



The Rocks - Everybody In The Place (2003)
And everybody in the place went nuts...



Kelis - Milkshake (2003)
Can't argue with that backing track.

Jay-Z - 99 Problems (2003)
No surprises here.



Outkast - Hey Ya (2003)
See Beyonce.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Maps (2003)
YYYs get thoughtful.