It's February, which means it's finally time to say goodbye to the last decade. For the rest of the top 50, click HERE.
10) Spoon: Kill the Moonlight (2002 on Merge) – The second Spoon album on my list. Probably the most consistent band of the decade - Girls Can Tell, Kill the Moonlight and [editor: fixed this]Gimme Fiction all get mixed up in my head.
9) The New Pornographers: Electric Version (2003 on Matador) – Still a go-to record when I want to hear something upbeat and fun. The New Pornographers are another contender for band of the decade.
8) Beck: Sea Change (released in 2002 on Geffen) – This was Beck’s last really consistent album. Hopefully the record club thing and the production work with Charlotte Gainsbourg will re-invigorate him. You know there’s another mind-blowing album in there.
7) The White Stripes: White Blood Cells (2001 on Sympathy for the Record Industry) – I can count my friends who like Jack White on one hand, but he was a big part of six really strong records this decade (De Stijl, White Blood Cells, Elephant, Van Lear Rose, Broken Boy Soldiers and Consolers of the Lonely). Impressive.
6) Pernice Brothers: The World Won’t End (2001 on Ashmont) – I enjoy pretty much everything Joe Pernice does, but this one’s his masterpiece.
5) Sufjan Stevens: Illinoise (2005 on Asthmatic Kitty) – This record holds up surprisingly well. I like an indie artist with some ambition.
4) Brian Wilson: Smile (2004 on Nonesuch) – Darian Sahanaja did an amazing job getting this out to the public. After listening to bootlegs for years, it’s great to hear a final product that stays true to the era. Some of the versions don't quite live up the originals, but seeing this performed live was one of the live music highlights of the decade.
3) The Shins: Oh, Inverted World (2001 on Sub Pop) – Chutes Too Narrow might be a little bit catchier, but it didn’t “change my life” the way this one did. This digs way deeper than the rest of the music labeled indie pop.
2) Wilco: Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (2002 on Nonesuch) – I’m still more of a Summerteeth guy, but this one’s fantastic too.
1) Arcade Fire: Funeral (released in 2004 on Merge Records) – This one was a game changer. Unfortunately, we’ve all had to endure five years of overwrought indie bands with similar ambition, but far less talent.
Showing posts with label Best of the Decade. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Best of the Decade. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Best of the Decade: #20 - #11
I know what you're thinking: "Are you really still counting down your best of the decade?" Yes, yes I am. I've been busy. Previously #30 - #21 and #40-31 and #50-#41.
20) Kelley Stoltz: Below the Branches (2006 on Sub Pop) – My girl and I went mad for this one when it came out. It makes me happy every time I hear one of his songs in a commercial because I know he’s getting paid.
MP3: Memory Collector
19) Radar Bros.: And the Surrounding Mountains (2002 on Merge) – I’d like to hear a band like Mastodon or Baroness do a tribute to this album. This has been my favorite LA band since I moved here in 1996 (although they were unseated for brief periods of time by Beck, Wiskey Biscuit and Elliott Smith).
18) Outkast: Stankonia (2000 on La Face) – Obviously I’m not a huge hip-hop fan. I love a lot of singles, but there just aren’t that many albums that hold my attention. This album, while still overstaying its welcome, is one of the exceptions. “B.O.B.” might even be the song of the decade. “We Luv Deez Hoez” is pretty hilarious too.
17) Iron & Wine: The Creek Drank the Cradle (2002 on Sub Pop) – I like these spare, acoustic records. This filled the void left while Elliott Smith was on his unfortunate decline. I enjoy all of his stuff, but this one made the strongest impression.
MP3: Lion's Mane
16) Okkervil River: The Stage Names (2007 on Jagjaguwar) – These guys are still my pick to be the next big indie crossover act. All it’s going to take is one high profile song placement (if that’s what they want).
MP3: Our Life Is Not a Movie Or Maybe
15) Dr. Dog: We All Belong (2007 on Park the Van) – Dr. Dog could be exhibit A for an imaginary essay entitled “Pitchfork – Culturally Relevant? Or Download Guide for 12-Year-Olds?”
MP3: My Old Ways
14) Jay-Z: The Blueprint (2001 on Roc-A-Fella) – One of the only hip hop albums of the last 15 years that I can just put on and let it play all the way through.
13) Grandaddy: The Sophtware Slump (2000 on V2 Records) – Indie rock done right. This is a classic. They got tagged the American Radiohead after this one.
12) Elliott Smith: Figure 8 (2000 on Dreamworks) – Not as strong as Either/Or or XO, but still very inspired. I still can’t go into the Roost without thinking about this record.
11) The Strokes: Is This It? (2001 on RCA) - Pretty, pretty, pretty good. I still think I’m going to hear Tom Petty’s “American Girl” every time I hear the intro to “Last Nite.” Tom Petty’s cool with it, so I guess we should be too.
20) Kelley Stoltz: Below the Branches (2006 on Sub Pop) – My girl and I went mad for this one when it came out. It makes me happy every time I hear one of his songs in a commercial because I know he’s getting paid.
MP3: Memory Collector
19) Radar Bros.: And the Surrounding Mountains (2002 on Merge) – I’d like to hear a band like Mastodon or Baroness do a tribute to this album. This has been my favorite LA band since I moved here in 1996 (although they were unseated for brief periods of time by Beck, Wiskey Biscuit and Elliott Smith).
18) Outkast: Stankonia (2000 on La Face) – Obviously I’m not a huge hip-hop fan. I love a lot of singles, but there just aren’t that many albums that hold my attention. This album, while still overstaying its welcome, is one of the exceptions. “B.O.B.” might even be the song of the decade. “We Luv Deez Hoez” is pretty hilarious too.
17) Iron & Wine: The Creek Drank the Cradle (2002 on Sub Pop) – I like these spare, acoustic records. This filled the void left while Elliott Smith was on his unfortunate decline. I enjoy all of his stuff, but this one made the strongest impression.
MP3: Lion's Mane
16) Okkervil River: The Stage Names (2007 on Jagjaguwar) – These guys are still my pick to be the next big indie crossover act. All it’s going to take is one high profile song placement (if that’s what they want).
MP3: Our Life Is Not a Movie Or Maybe
15) Dr. Dog: We All Belong (2007 on Park the Van) – Dr. Dog could be exhibit A for an imaginary essay entitled “Pitchfork – Culturally Relevant? Or Download Guide for 12-Year-Olds?”
MP3: My Old Ways
14) Jay-Z: The Blueprint (2001 on Roc-A-Fella) – One of the only hip hop albums of the last 15 years that I can just put on and let it play all the way through.
13) Grandaddy: The Sophtware Slump (2000 on V2 Records) – Indie rock done right. This is a classic. They got tagged the American Radiohead after this one.
12) Elliott Smith: Figure 8 (2000 on Dreamworks) – Not as strong as Either/Or or XO, but still very inspired. I still can’t go into the Roost without thinking about this record.
11) The Strokes: Is This It? (2001 on RCA) - Pretty, pretty, pretty good. I still think I’m going to hear Tom Petty’s “American Girl” every time I hear the intro to “Last Nite.” Tom Petty’s cool with it, so I guess we should be too.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Best Albums of the Decade: #30 - #21
The countdown continues. For #50 - #41 click HERE and for #40 - #31 click HERE:
30) Secret Machines: Now Here Is Nowhere (2004 on Reprise) – It was seeing these guys live a bunch that made me a believer. There aren’t enough bombastic drummers in the world.
29) Dungen: Ta Det Lugnt (2004 on Subliminal Sounds) – Such strange Swedish psych music. Still sounds so unique.
28) Pernice Brothers: Yours, Mine & Ours (2003 on Ashmont) – No surprise that Joe Pernice is a huge Morrissey fan. His ability to write downer and/or biting lyrics over upbeat ditties makes him a favorite of mine.
27) Fleet Foxes: Fleet Foxes (2008 on Sub Pop) – I’m still surprised how well this record did commercially. I mean, I love it, but this type of thing is right up my alley. The kid’s so young, I’m curious to see where his songwriting goes.
26) My Morning Jacket: Z (2005 on ATO Records) – This is their most consistent set of songs. It broadens their sound, but doesn’t stray too far from their earlier records.
25) Blonde Redhead: 23 (2007 on 4AD) – I honestly like all their albums from the decade, but this one stands out as my favorite. Pitchfork seemed to think it was a sellout record, but who gives a shit?
24) Loretta Lynn: Van Lear Rose (2004 on Interscope) – This one proved that Loretta’s still got her voice (both literally and as a songwriter). Nashville’s so dysfunctional that all the legends have to step away from it to make a good record.
23) Sigur Ros: Agaetis Byrjun (2001 on Fat Cat) – They create a musical world that you can get completely lost in. Pretty remarkable stuff.
22) Ryan Adams: Heartbreaker (2000 on Bloodshot) – How can a guy make such a phenomenal record and then annoy me for the rest of his life? He’s put out some good songs here and there, but nothing that connected with me like “Come Pick Me Up.”
21) The Shins: Chutes Too Narrow (2003 on Sub Pop) – There’s not a dud on it. James Mercer is underrated as a lyricist.
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Best Albums of the Decade: #40 - #31
Here's part two of my best albums of the decade. For #50 - #41 click HERE....
40) Belle & Sebastian: The Life Pursuit (released in 2006 on Matador) – Not as important to me as their early music, but the record has a looser vibe that makes it fun to listen to. We’re still waiting for the proper follow-up.
39) The Avalanches: Since I Left You (released in 2000 on XL) – Infinitely more interesting than Girl Talk. According to their Wikipedia page it contains 3,500 samples. Still no follow-up, but supposedly their working on clearing samples.
38) TV on the Radio: Dear Science (2008 on Interscope) – One of those rare bands that gets better with each release (so hopefully their hiatus does go on indefinitely). Like most bands with multiple songwriters there can be a little inconsistency at times.
37) Peter Bjorn and John: Writer’s Block (2006 on Wichita) – I feel like a lot of folks still dismiss these guys as a one hit wonder. But this record’s solid all the way through (and the one before it, Falling Out, might even be a little better).
36) Everest: Ghost Notes (2008 on Vapor) – These guys toured with Neil Young and Wilco and still didn’t get a whole lot of attention for this record. While most bloggers were scouring the internet to find musicians who just learned to play guitar last week and record straight to ghetto blaster, I was listening to this.
35) Aloha: Some Echoes (2006 on Polyvinyl) – Indie prog? I’m not really sure why I got so into it, but I probably listened to this record more than their moms and girlfriends.
34) David Vandervelde: The Moonstation House Band (2007 on Secretly Canadian) – Another artist where I feel like I’m his biggest fan. There are some definite Bolan/T. Rex-isms but that’s fine and dandy with me.
33) Spoon: Girls Can Tell (2001 on Merge) – It was great living in Austin when Spoon was at its peak. Britt Daniel seems to hate LA so much, they never seem to put on an interesting show here, but I saw some good ones in Austin. Possibly the most consistent band of the decade.
32) The New Pornographers: Mass Romantic (2001 on Mint) – With so many mediocre bands out there why don’t more singers/songwriters put their egos aside and join together? They were my go to band of the decade for uplifting music.
31) The Flaming Lips: Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots (2002 on Warner Bros.) – This was the beginning of the end of one of my favorite bands. The best songs have been licensed in so much crap, it’s hard to hear them objectively anymore. Hopefully they find their way again.
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
Best Albums of the Decade: #50 - #41
Now that you're all completely sick of these lists, here's the bottom ten in my top 50....
50) Radiohead: Kid A (2000 on Capitol) – After seeing this at the top both Pitchfork and Rolling Stone’s best of the decade I went back and re-listened to it. Being a fan of melodic guitar rock, I only enjoy listening to four of these songs. They were still a great live band around this time though.
49) Interpol: Turn on the Bright Lights (2002 on Matador) – I haven’t listened to this in about six years, but it holds up a lot better than I was expecting. It’s still a little uneven, but an intense listen overall.
48) Elliott Smith: From a Basement on the Hill (2004 on Anti) – Like all posthumous records, this one was mired in controversy after his family brought in Rob Schnapf and Joanna Bolme to finish it even though they weren’t involved in the recording. Smith’s most inconsistent work but plenty of gems.
50) Radiohead: Kid A (2000 on Capitol) – After seeing this at the top both Pitchfork and Rolling Stone’s best of the decade I went back and re-listened to it. Being a fan of melodic guitar rock, I only enjoy listening to four of these songs. They were still a great live band around this time though.
49) Interpol: Turn on the Bright Lights (2002 on Matador) – I haven’t listened to this in about six years, but it holds up a lot better than I was expecting. It’s still a little uneven, but an intense listen overall.
48) Elliott Smith: From a Basement on the Hill (2004 on Anti) – Like all posthumous records, this one was mired in controversy after his family brought in Rob Schnapf and Joanna Bolme to finish it even though they weren’t involved in the recording. Smith’s most inconsistent work but plenty of gems.
47) Soundtrack of Our Lives: Behind the Music (2002 on Republic) – This is timeless psychedelic rock ‘n’ roll done extremely well (and holds up better than some of the stuff on this list). After being a little too weird and proggy before, the band hit its peak on this record. They got the entire audience at the Troubadour down on the ground, which is an impressive feat in LA.
46) The Postal Service: Give Up (2003 on Sub Pop) – Almost seven years after its release, and you still can’t turn on your TV for five minutes without hearing one of these songs. After Ben Gibbard moved to LA (Jimmy Tamborello has always lived here), I’m sure Sub Pop’s Jonathan Poneman was hoping he’d finally get his follow-up, but the world’s still waiting (and sadly, settling for Owl City instead).
45) Fugazi: The Argument (2001 on Dischord) – In all honestly, this is the least listened to of anything on this list. I still prefer their early stuff, but it’s still Fugazi. Imagine the money they could make if they went off hiatus and did the festival circuit. I mean you know, they could donate it to charity or whatever…
44) Bon Iver: For Emma, Forever Ago (2008 on Jagjaguwar) – I’m a sucker for a really well done strummy, sensitive guy album. This might be the best one since Iron & Wine came on the scene.
43) Fruit Bats: Spelled in Bones (2005 on Sub Pop) – This record came around at the perfect time for me; it was the summer of 2005 and a few months into a great new relationship.
42) Broken Social Scene: You Forgot It In People (2003 on Arts & Crafts) – The band that launched Feist, Metric, Jason Collett, et al. I saw one of their first US shows at the Silverlake Lounge. I remember ordering the original pressing directly from Canada before it got released here.
41) The Raconteurs: Consolers of the Lonely (2008 on WB/Third Man) – The appearance of this record on the list is a statement of just how hard (or rare?) it is for a band to make a straight ahead rock ‘n’ roll record these days. From top to bottom, this is just a fun record to listen to.
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