It is no wonder the music world is so eagerly awaiting the release of the new Coldplay album. Coldplay may very well be the last of the super acts.
The release of 'Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends' is without a doubt the most anticipated release on the planet in some time. Maybe that is because Coldplay is the last of the great groups.Here is a scary thought. The 21st Century has so far failed to produce one superstar act. Think about it. Coldplay released their first EP in 1998. Who has come out of the 21st Century and captured the world musically since Coldplay? I can't think of one.
In 8 years, the music industry has given us nothing but disposable acts. All of the really big acts were developed prior to 2000. Even the world's three biggest pop stars, Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears came from the 90s. Timberlake in NSync, Aguilera debut album came out in 1999. Spears 'Baby One More Time' was released in 1999.
Has there been one rock band so far this century that can demand sell-out shows in the major music regions of the world and a Top 10 album with every release? I see you scratching your heads.
Here's a wild card. What about Michael Buble? He is hardly rock or pop but he does deliver hit albums and sold-out shows. Is that it? A guy who does crooner covers is the best the century can deliver?
What about rappers? Eminem's 'The Slim Shady LP' came out in 1999. Jay-Z was 90s, Diddy was 90s. Are we still left with a list of one ... Buble?
Look at a sample of past decades and what they delivered:
The 60s gave us The Beatles, Rolling Stones, The Who, The Kinks, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, Sly and the Family Stone, Janis Joplin, Joe Cocker, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross & The Supremes
The 70s had The Eagles, AC/DC, Ramones, Sex Pistols, Blondie, Talking Heads, The Clash, Bob Marley, Split Enz, Midnight Oil, Queen, Michael Jackson, Aerosmith, Billy Joel, Elton John, Phil Collins, Van Halen, Joy Division/New Order,The Police, Dire Straits.
The 80s features Duran Duran, Bon Jovi, U2, Motley Crue, Guns 'n' Roses, Eurythmics, George Michael, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Metallica
The 90s had Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Soundgarden, Foo Fighters, Oasis, Blur, Stone Temple Pilots, Pearl Jam, Matchbox Twenty, Radiohead, Alanis Morissette, Backstreet Boys.
Not one act of the 21st Century can fit alongside any of those names.
If you can think of one act that you think qualifies as a bona-fide 21st century star, let me know. Email me at paul@undercover.com.au
We are just 18 months away from the end of this decade. What a pathetic music period it has been. Maybe the Y2K bug was real. Maybe it only turned off the music industry.
