The '00s... what did they mean to you?

[louielouie2000]

So with the recent dawn of a new decade, I've been looking back a lot at the passage of 2000-2009. I've been trying to pull out common themes and define the decade. Looking back the '50s, '60s, '70s, and '80s were all such distinct decades. Distinct in style, music, movies, architecture, everything. The '90s to me were far less definable than the decades that preceded, and the '00s are even more so to me. Perhaps that's just because they're more recent and fresh? When you look back at 2000-2009, what stands out for you? Was there a common thread in fashion? Music? Architecture? Movies? What made the '00s the '00s to you?

For instance, when I think of the '70s I think of epic horror movies, bright happy colors, singer-songwriter musicians, and very organic architecture. The '80s makes me think of big hair and shoulder pads, electronic/new wave music, teen and escapist movies, buildings with lots of glass and brass.

The '00s are just so tough to nail down for me. Musically, we started out the decade with boy bands and teeny bopper girls ruling the charts... and finished with a much more indie music scene. Movies have contained a lot of escapists themes, mainly magic: Lord Of The Rings, Harry Potter, stuff like that. TV has kinda been the opposite... "reality" shows are the name of the game. In regards to fashion and architecture, the '00s seems to be scavenging past decades a great deal: everything is 'retro' or 'upscale.' Did anything truly new emerge from this past decade? Is there a definable theme to you? I'd love to hear what everyone thinks!

[greendaze5]

I think your assessment is pretty accurate. Once we get more into the 2010’s, the telltale signs will become even more obvious.

About the 90’s, my impression was that they were kind of a throwback to the 70’s. The 1980’s were defined by materialism, over consumption, and a general optimism as everything was ‘big’ – big hair, big baggy clothes, etc. TV reflected that with shows and soap operas about the rich – Falcon Crest, Dallas, Dynasty, Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. Anyways, I think the 90’s (at least the mid to later part) definitely went against the 80’s. I remember it was chic to dress down and be ‘granola’ – straight hair for girls, scruffy goatees for guys, flannel shirts, Birkenstocks, etc. Music was definitely more down to earth than the 80’s. No more drum machines and synthesizers. Everyone was going back to guitars (think of Street Angel vs OSOTM), and doing the unplugged thing. Lots of cool singer-songwriter female artists doing introspective ‘angst’ music too (think of Alanis Morrisette, Lisa Loeb, and the rest of the Lilith Fair roster).

In contrast, I think about how music in the 2000’s was a throwback to 80’s escapist, commercial friendly music in general. Maybe it was the mood of the times (following Sept. 11) but people wanted optimistic non controversial music. Thus, boy bands and girl bands doing ‘safe’ pop music. About the indie music scene, that’s true. I would say it was because of the malaise in the music business. Since the labels are hesitant to sign new artists (or even established older ones) or to nurture their careers long-term, most are forced to sign with smaller indie labels.

The 2000’s was definitely about gig budget escapist fare, thanks no doubt to innovations in CGI. You can make movies now (yes, like Lord of the Rings) that would have been impossible to before, or would have looked really crappy. There’s only so much you can do with matte paintings, stop motion animation, and puppets (think Yoda back in 1982).

Hmm, maybe the 2010’s will be look back at the early 60’s. Thank you Don Draper.

Roland (newbie Ledgie)

[Ghost_Tracker]

Well Sonny . . . WAAAAAaaay back in ought-three, Fleetwood Mac came out with "Say You Will" - - - and there was DANCIN' and partyin' and we all had a good time! There was no such animal as Facebook and "tweeting" was what a BIRD did. And no one had ever gone gaga over GaGa..... But these days everyone's just a damn whippersnapper.

[mylittledemon]

Originally Posted by greendaze5

The 2000’s was definitely about gig budget escapist fare, thanks no doubt to innovations in CGI. You can make movies now (yes, like Lord of the Rings) that would have been impossible to before, or would have looked really crappy. There’s only so much you can do with matte paintings, stop motion animation, and puppets (think Yoda back in 1982).

I agree but for the part about Yoda.... I still think the puppet Yoda looks way better than any of the CGI things they did with him.

[LukeA]

Originally Posted by louielouie2000

The '00s are just so tough to nail down for me. Musically, we started out the decade with boy bands and teeny bopper girls ruling the charts... and finished with a much more indie music scene.

Really? Do tell...

[TrueFaith77]

Answer: 9/11 changed everything.

My ranking of art experiences (movies and albums) in the 00s is listed here:

http://johndemetry.blogspot.com/2010_01_01_archive.html