The Year In Music: From Britney‘s Wedding to... er... Britney‘s Wedding...

Dec. 29, 2004

Ah, what a year it was.  But we say that every year, don‘t we? 
Nevertheless, each year holds its own quirky moments in the popular
music world - and 2004 was no exception.  This year featured several
big comebacks, plenty of pop accomplishments, almost as many pop
flub-ups, and one... er... pop-out (thanks to Miss Jackson.)  So, as
the Black Eyed Peas - one of this year‘s breakout bands - would say,
let‘s get it started...
  The beginning of the year saw all eyes on Las Vegas as ruling pop
diva Britney Spears was “taken over“ by the excitement of the gamblin‘
city, and married childhood friend Jason Alexander in an all-night
chapel.  The “marraige“ was over 55 hours later.  What a start to the
year in music - and what good press for Brit‘s conveniently-timed new
single, “Toxic.“  Hmm.  Also in January, Gary Jules saw his version of
Tears For Fears‘ old hit, “Mad World,“ hit the charts;  Detroit‘s own
Jack White got in a bit of a scuffle with the Von Bondies‘ Jason
Stollsteimer;  “Posh Spice“ - otherwise known as Victoria Beckham - hit
the UK charts with her single; and singer-songwriter Ryan Adams broke
his wrist falling from a stage during a concert in England.
Another pair of pop divas took the spotlight in February, as the
fallout from Janet Jackson‘s “wardrobe malfunction“ during her Super
Bowl performance with Justin Timberlake causes an All-American media
crisis while the rest of the world gives it all a big “so what“ - and
Beyonce takes the high road by simply snagging five awards at the
Grammy Awards for her solo work.  She also opened the show by sharing
the stage with a returned and just as on-top-of-his-game Prince.  Other
award winners at the Grammys included Outkast, the White Stripes,
Coldplay, Kylie Minogue, Pink, Dave Matthews, Evanescence, No Doubt,
Metallica, and the aforementioned Justin Timberlake; only about half of
these artists would stay in the press throughout the year.  At the UK‘s
Brit Awards, Justin Timberlake made yet another splash, along with
fellow award winners The Darkness, Dido, Duran Duran (who would see
their spotlight get even brighter as the year went on) and Basement
Jaxx.

SPRING SEASON
  Springtime saw more honors for The Darkness, who saw a street in
their hometown renamed “Hawkins Way“ after their lead singer.  In other
UK news, Brian McFadden left Westlife;  Robbie Williams‘ bed is sold
for charity on ebay; and Will Young wins the year‘s Ivor Novello
songwriting award.  In April, tickets for the upcoming Glastonbury
Festival, although it‘s not happening until June, are sold out, with
concertgoers snapping up tix to see Paul McCartney, Oasis, Muse, and
more.   In Minnesota, the reformed Pixies made a long-awaited return at
the first show of what will be a lengthy reunion tour for the
alternative rock heroes.  As summer begins, tunes from modern rockers
old and new are on the charts, including tracks from Jet and The
Beastie Boys.
  Glastonbury goes off beautifully in June, with sets from Orbital,
Franz Ferdinand, Scissor Sisters, and dozens more in addition to the
headliners. Bonnaroo Festival saw a stage full of acts, including Dave
Matthews, Mike Doughty, Wilco, Beth Orton, Damien Rice, David Byrne,
Guster, Maroon 5, and Cracker. Michigan‘s own Madonna adopts a new
Kabbalah name - Esther - and this move gets almost as much press as her
music, children‘s books, and tour.  itunes finally launches in Europe,
to the delight of European music fans;  and Sony Music and BMG merge to
make for one of the biggest record companies in the world.  Summer
continues with plenty of happenings, including Madonna smashing records
with her “Re-Invention“ tour, David Bowie going through several medical
mishaps (including a shoulder injury, heart surgery, and a lollipop in
the eye), The Hives and Bjork both releasing new albums, and U2 losing
a crucial disc containing music for their upcoming new album, which
they‘ve spent most of the year recording.  Summer tours, in spite of a
slow CD market (and in spite of the crashing-and-burning of this year‘s
Lollapalooza festival), rake in the bucks.  And the MTV Video Music
Awards give out moonmen to the likes of Outkast, No Doubt, Jet,
Yellowcard, Maroon 5, and Franz Ferdinand.

FALL COLORS
  Fall hits with a bit of trouble - Elton John gets in an altercation
with overly-aggressive paparazzi, and Cat Stevens is barred from
entering the US for alleged terrorist connections. The World Music
Awards see Outkast once again snag top honors.  And the world loses
Johnny Ramone.  In October, Apple releases a U2-branded black and
red ipod to go along with the band‘s now-recovered and completed new
album, which quickly becomes the vehicle for U2‘s resurgence back into
popularity.  Green Day release their American Idiot album to great fan
and critical acclaim.  Fatboy Slim takes a trip to Palookaville with
his latest release.  And even Kylie Minogue is having a good fall, with
her “Showgirl“ tour selling out in less than 2 hours.  And as for
Britney - oops, she did it again, this time marrying backup dancer
Kevin Federline in September in a private ceremony, a marraige that‘s
still going strong - well, as of press time, anyway. 
  As the year winds to a close, most of the big events for 2004 have
come and gone, but there are still a few surprises in store.  The
long-awaited Nirvana box set, “With the Lights Out,“ is finally
released.  The Beta Band disbands.  Gwen Stefani‘s first solo album
hits stores, and her entourage of Harajuku girls begins following her
around.  An ailing Dick Clark passes - temporarily, we hope - the
Rockin‘ New Year‘s Eve torch to Regis Philbin for this year.  And soon
enough, an entire new year of great new music moments will begin.