Ranking The Genres
Well, a ranking of the best Top 40 songs wouldn't be complete if I didn't rank the genres they came out of: yes, I do like all kinds of music when they're done well, but, over the years, certain genres have stood out as better than others. That's because those styles utilized their artistic qualities more as a whole than other ones, but this is not to say that a particular style is always better because every genre has what it needs to be artistic. Although Top 40 has many different styles, they can all be categorized in one of seven different categories: rap, hip-hop, R & B, dance, pop, rock and alternative. Also, with each genre I'll give you why it earned their ranking and some of the best and worst artists and/or songs that have come out of the genre. NOTE: I count artists whose styles fit more than one genre only in the genre that they fit the most in to avoid confusion (well, at least mine).
1. Alternative
I define anything "alternative" as an easy-listening, lighter guitar sound, even if electric guitars are used, because this genre puts more an emphasis on the overall sound as opposed to the electric guitar sound found in rock, as well as more "adult" Top 40 content like Vanessa Carlton. Technically, because of this definition, country artists that have made it to Top 40 radio- like Shania Twain, Lonestar and Faith Hill- also fall into this category, but they're few and far between to really make much of a difference. Anyway, the placement of this genre up here shouldn't surprise you at all, as artists like Michelle Branch, Sarah MacLachlan, Shawn Mullins, the Goo Goo Dolls and Eagle-Eye Cherry are found in this category. What makes alternative great is the fact that, as an overall sound, it can be romantic, using the softer sounds to make some of the most beautiful music ever done, and probably is the most poetic form of music today. Over the past five years, this genre has always been able to deliver, producing countless amazing acts that it's so hard to keep track of. Branch, the new leader in Top 40 music today, has been the most successful of all of them, writing some of the deepest, most emotional, spiritual and soulful poems that have come across in a while, stunning everyone with the sheer beauty of her disc, "The Spirit Room". What makes it even better is the fact she's only 19, and yet she can better artists twice her age with her work. Not to be forgotten are the Dolls, led by songwriter John Rzeznik's straightforward, in-your-face style that often leaves you thinking, all the while using the Dolls' fine-tuned driving soft rock sound. Others, like Adam Gregory, Mullins, MacLachlan and the Counting Crows have also provided amazing work in this genre, adding their fine bit of poetry in a genre chalk full of it. Not so impressive are artists like the Dave Matthews Band, Nelly Furtado, newcomer Sarah Slean's "Sweet Ones", and Jewel, who I often find a tad too dry. Still, the good heavily outweighs the bad, and that's what puts this genre on top.
Best Artists/Songs: Michelle Branch, Lene Marlin's "Unforgiveable Sinner", Goo Goo Dolls.
Worst Artists/Songs: Nelly Furtado, Dave Matthews Band, Shania Twain.
2. Rock
Ah yes, who can't fall in love with the sweet sounds of an electric guitar? I certainly can, and, thankfully for me, good ol' rock and roll has always been up to the task of providing some excellent music. Artists like Nickelback and newcomers Linkin Park are the current leaders, using their sounds to create rock the way that it should be: dark, very hard, spiritual and very entrancing, creating vivid imagery in your head. That's not to say rock can never be fun or silly, as one look at great punk rockers like Sum 41 and -blink-182- will tell you that it can, or softer, as Everclear proved with their amazing "Wonderful" in the summer of 2000. Still, what drags the genre down is the idea of making it radio-friendly, meaning that the harder rock sounds have to go, and, while it can be done well (just look at Nickelback, for one), it rarely ever is, instead churning out too many sound-alikes (Creed, Default). Also, the existence of many sub-genres also rock has its fair share of less-than-impressive sounds, anywhere from horrible indie rockers like The Vines and The Hives, to death metal (like Korn), to kiddy rockers who still haven't escaped the basement in terms of quality (New Found Glory, The Calling). Still, rock has wound up producing more hits than misses, and, despite the plentiful drawbacks, there's always a Nickelback or an Everclear to set things right.
Best Artists/Songs: Nickelback, Linkin Park, Creed's "My Own Prison".
Worst Artists/Songs: New Found Glory, Korn, The Vines
3. Dance
Don't be surprised dance beats out rap, hip-hop, pop and R & B: as a genre, dance has the potential to be the most artistic of them all: the only problem is that too few dance artists ever seem to comply. Using computers, synthesizers and the like, dance- which, for all practical purposes, also includes house- has the ability to produce sounds normal instruments can only dream of making, able to transcend the soul in countless different ways. Using that definition, "world" artists like Enya, Moby and newcomers 1 Giant Leap fall into this category as well, but their sound is more akin to adult contemporary than a dance club. Still, their styles match up better here, and that's where they'll be counted. Anyway, even then, I'm very hard pressed to find artists who are compelling, as far too often dance artists repeat themselves or change their style too much to have anything likeable after one song. There are plenty of good songs coming out of the genre, like Eiffel 65's "Too Much Of Heaven" and Moby's "Porcelain", but not enough artists. Maybe the trend will fix itself eventually, but, until then, dance is where you'll find the most one-hit wonders.
Best Artists/Songs: 1 Giant Leap, Eiffel 65's "Too Much Of Heaven", Faithless
Worst Artists/Songs: Holland vs. Opus' "Life Is Great", Groove Armada's "I See You Baby", Basement Jaxx
4. Rap
Probably music's youngest art form is rap, as the genre started to split itself into it's own distinctive genre in the 1990s. What separates rap and hip-hop is the flow: in rap, it's much faster, as the rhymes and beats are laid down quickly and chrouses- if they're used- tend to blend in with the raps, and vice versa with hip-hop. When done right, rap can be a dark, deep and reflective experience, as rappers use their improvisation to deliver absolutely stunning poems at a breakneck speed. Over the years, rappers like Eminem, 2 PAC, Nas and Dr. Dre have nailed this concept down to a tee, using it to shake music's foundations time and time again. Eminem is probably the most well-known, as his biting lyrics often attack a continent that he feels misunderstands him, but the truth is that he's not the only one harbouring a grudge. Nas' "Rule", a 2002 track, exhibits the rapper's frustrations with society today, exquisitely and sophistically laying down rhymes that attack North America's very core and questions its establishment, done better than Eminem has ever done. Still, if you ask me, Eminem is the best rapper in the music industry today, as his lyrical prowess and delivery are second to none except the late 2 PAC, as, whenever he steps up to the microphone, he always gets under your skin. His D 12 troupe was forgettable, but that's a different matter. Nas would be my pick for second, with Method Man, Pharaoe Monch, Maestro Fresh Wes and Michee Mee not that far behind. Far too often, though there are too many rappers that can deliver great but fail to ever say anything, like Ja Rule and Nelly, or only decide to say the same thing, like Eve and the Swollen Members. Still, rap has, more often than not, produced some stunning tracks, which is why that genre leads the urban crowd over the past five years.
Best Artists/Songs: Eminem, Nas, Maestro Fresh Wes.
Worst Artists/Songs: Nelly, Ja Rule, Eve
5. R & B
Coming in at No. 5 is rhythm and blues, the foundations of soul and the place where greats like Barry White, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder made their names. Over the past five years, there have been several artists in this category- like Brian McKnight and Brandy- have made their cases to be included in the elite, tapping into the genre's overtly soulful tendencies in order to get great hits. There's songs like McKnight's "Back At One", Brandy's "Have You Ever?" and Mary Mary's "Shackles (Praise You)" that have been staples in the genre, continuing to be some of the best tracks the genre's produced in recent years. Still, what drags this genre down is the fact that too many of them try a "club beat", and, outside of a few songs, it never works. Also, this genre has a tendency to get too sappy or dry far too often, as what makes this genre great- the soulful, reflective, deep side- has little room for error. However, if you ask me, there's nothing wrong with the genre- every genre has the potential to be as artistic as the other one- it's just that too few R & B acts ever get the sound just right.
Best Artists/Songs: Mary Mary's "Shackles (Praise You)", Craig David, Mary J. Blige's "Family Affair"
Worst Artists/Songs: Carl Henry, Monica's "All Eyez On Me", Ashanti
No. 6: Pop
Okay, so you may be wondering how I separate R & B, alternative and pop. Well, it's simple: pop uses a very cheery and cheeky sound, often times sounding like bubble gum popping- hence, "pop". R & B and alternative are both more elaborate, while in R & B's case it is smoother and in alternative's case, it is harder. Pop is where you'll find the most upbeat of tracks and any other song that just doesn't fit anywhere else, as almost all the sounds that come out of it only allow for upbeat lyrics. It makes sense- anything else would be contradictory- but this is not to say that pop hasn't at least tried the soulful, more reflective route, although outside of Mandy Moore's "Cry" it's rarely ever done well. As a whole, pop tends to be one of the least creative of the genres, as far too often pop acts often reuse the same material because most are manufactured by record companies hoping for a quick profit. Still, that isn't to say pop doesn't have its gems- McMaster & James have proven to be the genre's more energetic and most artistic act, and songs like Wave's "California" continue to be the genre's standards. As for the newcomers, Avril Lavigne shows the most potential at being the genre's brightest act, as, by far her work has been the best of any band outside fellow nationals McMaster & James in the category, and newcomer to the spotlight Pink continues to shine every day. Despite all this, there are far too many blunders- like Willa Ford, Britney Spears, 5ive, and Jordan Knight- that the genre's potential as the "upbeat alternative" always falls flat more than it should.
Best Artists/Songs: Avril Lavigne, McMaster & James, Wave's "California"
Worst Artists/Songs: Britney Spears, Aqua, Take 5
No. 7: Hip-Hop
Surprised? Don't be. Hip-hop- a slower, much catchier form of rap- continues to be music's least creative genre and has been that way for the duration of the past five years. Hip-hop is usually at its best as a simple party vibe, something you tune in to and just let loose, but because the room for error is small, there are many who fail to hit the chords. Over the years, I've found hip-hop rhymes are surprisingly simpler than rap's when technically it should be the other way around (since rappers talk faster), but this is not to say hip-hop cannot have its fair share of smart, reflective tunes. There's P. Diddy's "I'll Be Missing You" (recorded in 1997 when he was Puff Daddy), Ghetto Concept's "Rest In Peace" and DMX's "Who We Be", but the band that truly takes the cake are Vancouver's The Rascalz. The hip-hop crew has dynamically changed the face of hip-hop- and the pop world in general- many times, providing party beats that are still well ahead of the pack, and, with "Reloaded", proved a hip-hop release can actually be just as smart as it is danceable (though there are times�). Easily Red-1 is hip-hop's leading emcee followed by his bandmate Fit (formerly Misfit), as both go as fast as the music allows them to, but equally important is the innovative DJ Kemo, whose beats have always differed from the pack. Plus, The Rascalz have always been keen on exposing new talent, and, most of the time, they're successful: almost every one of the artists featured in their 1998 smash "Northern Touch" now has a major-label deal, and K-OS, exposed in 2000's "Top Of The World", is also getting some looks. Some of hip-hop's best artists came from The Rascalz's discoveries, like Choclair ("Northern Touch") and K-OS (although he's more of a rap artist now), but there are others like Fat Joe and the clever Big Tymers who have also managed to flourish. However, there's still too many uncreative hip-hoppers, like Ludacris and Cam'ron, whose only rhymes seem to be what positions they like in bed or how many swear words they can roll, dragging down considerably a genre that's been down on its luck far too many times. In time, hopefully hip-hop can be to rap like pop is to alternative- an upbeat alternative- but, for now they'll have to settle for music's cellar.
Best Artists/Songs: The Rascalz, Fat Joe, Choclair.
Worst Artists/Songs: Ludacris, Cam'ron, P. Diddy
-DG
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