In 2000 America rocked with Limp Bizkit, Slipknot and At The Drive In, while Britain got all soppy and introverted with Richard Ashcroft, Coldplay and Belle & Sebastian. As for Japan, I have mixed feelings. It was great that Melt-Banana, Audio Active and 54 Nude Honeys (my favorite Japanese bands) all delivered brilliant albums. Apart from that, there was little cool plastic around. But the live houses were as exciting as ever, and the bands more eclectic as there was no dominant scene.
And the best albums of last year are:
1. Godspeed You Black Emperor -- "Lift yr. skinny fists like antennas to heaven!" (Kranky) The guitars speak in tongues, rendering vocals unnecessary, and the chords build in intensity until they can't hold their own weight and crash over you like an electronic avalanche, crushing your ego and leaving you helpless and in dire need of a spliff -- and then they give it to you. Horns and strings add to the epic intensity. Acres of blank, gray nihilist fuzz are there to let you know what life is all about. Play it at parties and the room falls silent. All you can do is look out of your window, raise your skinny fists, and wait for frogs to fall from heaven. This is your reality.