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Big Hurt

The Big Hurt: 10-year glitch

Although the '00s weren't exactly a total waste, I suspect they'll be remembered more for the technology than for the music. We moved from the Discman to the iPod, from Napster to iTunes and Lala, from Kid A to — well, nowhere, really. (Funny that I should hold that lugubrious beepfest up as the pinnacle of rock's progress — I didn't even like it. I preferred Radiohead with tunes.)

But let me cast aside my lovable trademark pessimism and offer a hopeful glimpse of the future: the fall of the music industry is already leading to greater independence for artists. Big acts like Nine Inch Nails are free to release records beholden to no label, and some acts — like the nose-thumbingly illegal Girl Talk — have fully realized that they can do whatever the fuck they want. For now, we just wait for the message to catch up to the medium. The new order of pop is soon to come into its rebellious teenage years, and I hope it goes apeshit.

DAVID THORPE |dthorpe@phx.com