Rockmusicwas in an interesting artistic position by the early 2000s. The initial peak of ’90s grunge (good for any playlist) had all but faded out as the decade turned over. Meanwhile, the latter half of the ’90s had been largely dominated by pop music, like boy bands (boththe greatestandthe underrated) as well as solo female acts. But significant rock music continued to live between the margins during this time, and by the beginning of the 2000s,the genre decided it was time for another revival.
This wasn’t done simply through the power of a massive cultural shift or a pioneering new microscope to present the music through. Instead, rock in the early 2000s may have come back with a few new tricks up its metaphorical sleeve (and a few old ones as well), but it relied on the same basic mission statement as country music through the years (essentially):three chords and the truth. Not to mention, having an eager audience ready to soak up the message.
10Maroon 5, Harder To Breathe (Songs About Jane, 2002)
A Pressure Cooker Type Of Rock Track
“Harder to Breathe” was the debut single from pop-rock group Maroon 5, and was the initial song off of their first album (2002’sSongs About Jane). On the surface, “Breathe” appears to be lyrically referencing the difficult irritations of being in a mentally/physically trying romantic relationship, though the band later admittedthe track was frustration directed at their then-record label, which was pushing them to create more material for this album.
Unfortunately, while Maroon 5 wouldn’t fully dip their toes into more pop, bluesy-edged alt-rock waters like this one in their otherJane/future material, “Harder to Breathe” was a brief tease showing that they were at least capable (and could do it well to boot). However, it seems as though listeners won’t be seeing Maroon 5 pulling out aTrain Does Led Zeppelin IItype of LP anytime soon.
9Pearl Jam, Marker In The Sand (Pearl Jam, 2006)
An Observance On Religion
Pearl Jam’s self-titled 2006 studio LP (their first in four years at that point) promised a basic return to the roots of the pioneering Seattle grunge rockers, right down to the album’s lone avocado-sporting blue cover. This largely turned out to be true, as both the band’s thrashing and melodic sides were put on display here, as well asthe group’s stances on social and political viewsthat were going on in the United States at the time.
All of these elements are on bright display on the track “Marker in the Sand,” which pairs aggressive guitar lines in the verses with more melodic figures in the choruses, while PJ’s lead singer, Eddie Vedder, navigates through the twists and turns of his observations on the basis and issues of religion. Pearl Jam’s 2006 self-titled record may have divisive opinions, but it’s an underrated piecethat deserves more of the early 2000s rock conversation.
8The National, Mr. November (Alligator, 2005)
Pressures In The Highest Office
Indie-rock group the National has found its popularity steadily climbing in the years since debuting with the band’s self-titled album in 2001. While the National may not have found as many indie credentials as they did on their 2007 LPBoxer, it was the 2005 albumAlligatorwhere the Nationalbegan to see their fame (and critical acclaim) start rising.
While it wasn’t issued as a single fromAlligator, the record’s closing song, “Mr. November,” has become a well-deserved fan favoritethrough the track’s pure outburst of rafter-high rock flavor. Written about the anxiety and pressures of being someone running for President of the United States, “Mr. November” feels partially like the subject’s nervousness as well as frontman Matt Berninger’s own insecurities he lyrically stitches so well into the National’s music. “Mr. November” has a rocker’s heartbeat, but doesn’t miss on painting some other heart-racing emotions, either.
7Bon Jovi, It’s My Life (Crush, 2000)
An Anthem For The Populace
“It’s My Life” was the lead song (and single) from the rock band Bon Jovi’s 2000 album (entitledCrush), and their first record in five years at that point. The group was in an interesting place in their career by 2000, having gone through their ’80s peak and having had various members of Bon Jovi recently come off of their own solo outputs. What could be next for the New Jersey rock iconsat this latter stage of their output?
As it turns out, not only a high-charting LP withCrush, but alsoa dyed-in-the-wool, certified rock-muscled, Bon Jovi-style anthem hitin “It’s My Life.” With references to Bon Jovi’s old material, as well as that familiar fire of individuality and living life to the fullest in its belly, “In My Life” could again apply to every fan, from the tallest penthouse to the most blue-collar shop. Jon Bon Jovi said he’d written this song about his own experiences in life, but in his talented way, made a song for everyone.
6Kings Of Leon, Use Somebody (Only By The Night, 2008)
The Sadness Of A Song
“Use Somebody” was the second single off Kings of Leon’s fourth studio album (entitledOnly by the Night), released in 2008. The record wasone of the most commercially successful from the Tennessee-based band, led by singles (in addition to “Use Somebody”) like “Sex on Fire,” “Crawl,” and “Closer.”
Despite some weariness from the sheer amount of radio airplay that “Use Somebody” received on the radio at the time, it’s always hadan undeniable rock hook that fits the initial 2000s quite well. The music is big, the choruses bigger, with lead singer Caleb Followill holding the spaces between with his blues-rock vocal hoarseness. Followill describes writing the song during a time when he was sad following medication and alcohol usage after surgery, and that longing feels immediately apparent.
Ironing Out The Breakages
Alt-rock group Matchbox 20 did their part to define the history of early 2000s rock with the 2000 release of the band’s LPMad Season. This was the second album from Matchbox 20, and saw the straight-ahead rock sound of their debut switched into more pop-leaning and experimental lanes of thought. “Bent” was the first single dropped fromMad Seasonandproved to be the most commercially successful of the band’s career.
The rock ballad was also Grammy-nominated, and for good reason. Matchbox 20 not only capitalized on the smoother rock sound of the time, but also showed off lead man Rob Thomas’eloquently understated skills as a singer/songwriter. The lyrics of “Bent” demonstrate a narrator who’s vulnerable and needs the help of the person they’re with so they can both get through their experiences together, without bending so far that everything breaks apart. “Bent” softly shows off the desperation that comes with being in the openness of a human relationship and wanting to maintain it.
4Bruce Springsteen, The Rising (The Rising, 2002)
A Song Of Hope From Darkness
“The Rising” was the title track from Bruce Springsteen’s 12th studio album, one of the most powerful creations in the veteran New Jersey rocker’s discography. The LPwas largely written as a response to the tragic terrorist attacks in New York City on September 11th, 2001, with “The Rising” song acting as an anthem rising out of the worst moments of that terrible day (and the days that followed).
Much like Pearl Jam with “Marker in the Sand,” the track alternates between the darkest moments of self-introspection on the sights and sounds of tragedy and horror with softness, before rearing back upinto a tried-and-true Springsteen pump-up rock anthem of the resilience of home and flying out of the ashes, reborn. “The Rising” demonstrates the sadness, loss, and bloodshed, but also rises again, resurrected and resilient, to continue on fighting.
3The Killers, Mr. Brightside (Hot Fuss, 2004)
A Rocker’s Tidal Wave Of Fury And Emotion
Nevada rockers the Killers came out swinging on their 2004 debut albumHot Fusswith the single “Mr. Brightside.” The song (one of the first written by the band) was initially put out in 2003, but upon its 2004 re-recorded re-release, it not only charted in the top 10 in the United States, but became the Killers' best-selling song in the country. “Mr. Brightside” is also one of the highest-streamed songs from the 2000s on Spotify, and has massive popularity in the UK as well.
There’s something that’s inescapably charming about “Mr. Brightside,” from the song’s anthemic, head-nodding beat tothe track’s lyrical themes of jealousy, paranoia, and angerat a partner cheating in a relationship. “Mr. Brightside” feels like the type of song to not only exorcise the demons of sad/bad feelings, but to yell them out in unison at a club or an arena with hundreds of voices feeling the same emotions in tow. There’s still fun even amidst the uneven ground “Mr. Brightside” is living upon.
2Foo Fighters, Best Of You (In Your Honor, 2005)
Breaking Away To Open Freedom
“Best of You” emerged as a top-tier single from the Foo Fighters' fifth studio album (calledIn Your Honor), which was a double-disc of half rock and half more acoustic-based material. Lead man Dave Grohl wrote “Best of You” shortly after being on the campaign trail for 2004 presidential candidate John Kerry,but the band initially discarded the track, feeling that it wasn’t up to their creative standards.Their manager was ultimately responsible for having the Foo Fighters bring back “Best of You” and give it another attempt.
Primarily writtenabout breaking away from things that are confining, as well as resisting what holds you down, “Best of You” is a song intended to be a show of resistance and fighting back. The track also feels like getting out of a relationship that’s been too negative and detrimental to the narrator, and it’s time not to let them keep taking “the best of you.” Getting some trademark Dave Grohl screaming vocals throughout is just a bonus bit of firepower on “Best of You.”
1Linkin Park, In The End (Hybrid Theory, 2000)
A Debut Depth Of Rap-Rock
Much like the Killers on their debut album with “Mr. Brightside,” nu-metal rockers Linkin Park created an immediately iconic track in their musical catalog (and for the rock genre itself) with the single “In The End,” off of their 2000 debut record,Hybrid Theory. “In The End” has since become a critical and commercial success for Linkin Park, usually being recognizedas the group’s signature song as well as their most-recognized hit.
Vocalists Mike Shinoda and Chester Bennington create a fluid mixture together on the song over looping piano and guitars, with Shinoda alternating between singing and rapping while Bennington uses his powerful voice to send “In The End” into the stratosphere. Lyrically, the track isan odyssey of life, time, fears, and the worry that everything is always meant to fall apart. The song is a troubled anthem, but an anthem of existence all the same, that has found many ears that can relate to the message.
