It is hard to believe that 2000 was 25 years ago. It was the new millennium, and while people were worried about Y2K, I was concerned about girls liking me.
One thing I know from 2000 was I was listening to some good music. Here are 10 albums that turn 25 this year:
- Born To Do It – Craig David
The debut album for Britain’s own Craig David, which mixed the UK Garage sound and soulful R&B. David wasn’t a stranger on the music scene as he featured on the Artful Dodger song ‘Re-Rewind (The Crowd Say Bo Selecta). Themes throughout the album include forbidden love (Fill Me In), the start of a new relationship (7 Days) and the end of one (Walking Away). In Australia, ‘Born To Do It’ debuted at number eight on the ARIA album charts. It would peak at number two.
All Music rating: Four stars.
- Oops!… I Did It Again – Britney Spears
It is hard to believe Britney Spears’ sophomore album ‘Oops!… I Did It Again’ came out 25 years ago. It feels like it was only yesterday that I was bopping along to the single, which shares the same name as the album. The album contains certified bangers, including ‘Stronger,’ ‘Lucky’ and ‘Don’t Let Me Be the Last to Know.’ Released in May 2000, the album would peak in the ARIA charts at number two.
All Music Rating: Four stars
The Marshall Mathers LP – Eminem
Eminem has long been considered one of the best rappers in the world. It is easy to see why when you listen to The Marshall Mathers LP. Taking the Dido song ‘White Flag’ and turning it into a story of fandom was a masterstroke. Having Dido and 90s hear-throb Devon Sawa star in the music video, pure Genius. Also, songs such as ‘The Real Slim Shady’ and ‘The Way I Am’ are songs everyone knows and can recite word for word (if not, there’s also Genius)—Australian fans like the album, which peaked at number one on the ARIA charts.
All Music Rating: Five stars
- Light Years – Kylie Minogue
The Princess of Australian pop music made a big splash in 2000 with the release of her seventh studio album, ‘Light Years.’ After ‘Impossible Princess,’ which saw Minogue change direction, didn’t perform well, Minogue returned to her pop roots for this album. The music video for the first single, ‘Spinning Around,’ is iconic due to the gold hotpants Minogue wears, but it is also a good song. British pop star Robbie Williams is credited as a co-writer on the album and even stars on the song ‘Kids.’ Overall, Minogue came screaming back into the hearts of Aussie (and British) pop fans. The album would peak at number one in Australia, number two in Australia, and number two in Britain.
All Music Rating: Four Stars
- Can’t Take Me Home – Pink
She has become one of the biggest pop stars in the world, but Pink’s evolution from her first album until now should be studied. A who’s who of R & B produced this album (Kandi Burruss, Babyface and Kevin ‘She’kspere’ Briggs, to name a few). Obviously, Pink’s style over the years has changed and she now considered Pop/Rock, but hearing the R& B sound of this first album just transports you back to 2000. The three singles released from the album were ‘There You Go,’ ‘Most Girls’ and ‘You Make Me Sick.’ Both ‘There You Go'(number two) and ‘Most Girls’ (number one) charted well in Australia, while ‘You Make Me Sick’ made inside the top 30 (number 25).
All Music Rating: Four stars
- Stankonia – Outkast
As a hip-hop fan in 2000, Stankonia is an album that was in my CD collection. Like everyone one else , it’s because of Outkast that I started to Southern Hip Hop seriously. When I first heard ‘I’m Sorry, Miss Jackson,’ I became an instant fan of the duo. However, I would mess up the lyrics for five years. ‘So Fresh and So Clean’ and ‘B.O.B’ were the other singles released from the album. ‘I’m Sorry Miss Jackson’ would peak at number two on the Aria Charts, while ‘So Fresh and So Clean would peak at 46.
All Music Rating: Five stars
Odyssey Number Five – Powderfinger
Picture this: the local PCYC in Gurwood Street, Wagga Wagga, was the scene. It was the night of our school dance. A young lady in our friend group had shown interest in me, so we decided to start going out that night. But I remember that night mainly because we slow danced and made out to “My Happiness” by Powderfinger. Odyssey Number Five is a classic Australian album, and when hearing any of the songs from the album it transports me back to the 2000s. ‘My Happiness’ peaked at number four on the Aria charts.
All Music Rating: One and a half stars
Black & Blue -Backstreet Boys
During the late 90s, pop music saw the rise of the boy band. It was something to behold and something magnificent to watch at the time. The Backstreet Boys became one of the biggest boy bands in the world, with other groups trying to emulate them. Leading up until 2000, I had kept my love of pop music a secret. However, I decided I didn’t care who knew I enjoyed songs like ‘Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)’ and ‘I Want It That Way.’ The lead single from the album was ‘The Call’ which peaked at number 19 on the Aria Charts. “Shape of My Heart’ was the third single released, and it chat=rted better peaking at number five.
All Music Rating: Three and a half stars
No Strings Attached – NSYNC
I couldn’t have the Backstreet Boys here without mentioning their rival, NSYNC. I think NSYNC pips Backstreet Boys, but I know that for many people, it’s the other way around. I remember the first time I heard ‘Bye, Bye, Bye’ and I was hooked on the group’s sound. My friends made fun of me because I bought the single, but I was happy enough not to care. ‘Bye, Bye, Bye’ Would peak on the Aria Charts at number one, while ‘It’s Gonna Be Me’ would peak at number 11.
All Music Rating: Four stars
Reflector – Killing Heidi
Finishing off this list with an Aussie album. It’s hard to believe that Reflector is 25 years old. I remember having a crush on Ella Hooper when Killing Heidi first came out. The late 90s, early 2000s was a time when Australian music thrived, with bands such as Silverchair, Regurgitator, and Spiderbait on the charts. The band’s debut single ‘Weir’ peaked at number six, the second single ‘Mascara’ (featuring ‘Leave me Alone on the b-side) would peak at number one.
All Music Rating: Two stars
There you have it, ten albums that will turn 25 this year. Hopefully, after reading this, you won’t feel too old. It’s time to sign off, as I need to eat more fibre.