Best Albums of 2011: 21-30 December 20, 2011
Posted by Matt in Best of 2011.Tags: Beastie Boys, Best of 2011, Dawes, Girls, Jason Isbell, Lykke Li, music, Okkervil River, PJ Harvey, The Decemberists, Those Darlins
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Yesterday we began our look back at this stellar year for music, looking at the albums I ranked 31-40 on my list. Today we continue with the next ten.
30. Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit – Here We Rest
I was always a big fan of Jason Isbell’s songwriting during his tenure with the Drive-By Truckers, with great songs like “Outfit” and “Decoration Day” to his credit, and I’ve followed his solo career pretty closely as well, enjoying each of his two prior releases (Sirens of the Ditch and Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit) a good deal. In my humble opinion, Here We Rest hits a new level of excellence for the young country-rock artist. Opening with the aching homesickness of “Alabama Pines,” Isbell seems to have found his solo career groove, but it is the country-infused drug lament, “Codeine” that stands as the centerpiece of the work. With his characteristically great writing and cohesive music, Jason Isbell is a true treasure in the world of southern rock.
29. Lykke Li – Wounded Rhymes
From the opening pounding drum beat of “Youth Knows No Pain,” it quickly becomes apparent that this sophomore release from Sweden’s Lykke Li is a work that begs to be listened to. This is a pop album, make no doubt about it, but it is not mindless fluff, not just a momentary diversion from the trials of everyday life. Her voice is hypnotic in songs like “I Follow Rivers” when she says, “Oh, I beg you, can I follow? / Oh, I ask you, wanna always / Be the ocean, where I unravel / Be my only, be the water where I’m wading / You’re my river running high, run deep, run wild.” It’s catchy as hell, so much so that it even makes this goofy white guy in his mid-30’s want to dance. The subject matter remains pretty dark throughout the album, and though that seems to be at odds with the irresistible beats, it works together superbly.
28. Thurston Moore – Demolished Thoughts
While I have listened to Sonic Youth for many years, I had never quite felt the urge in indulge in side projects from the band. And though was no particular reason behind this bit of negligence, I pretty much ignored those works amid the glut of releases each year. Then my friend Lynn posted a tweet in which he called this work from guitarist Thurston Moore the “best album of the year,” and I knew I had to check it out. Once again, I found that he and I were on the same page. If, like me, you are accustomed to the chaotic noise of Moore’s work with Sonic Youth, this Beck-produced collection of acoustic numbers by the elder statesman of alt-rock guitarists is a wonderful surprise. With strings a-plenty and lyrics bending to the abstract, this is a truly wonderful work. One cannot help but wonder at the prophetic nature of lines like, “With benediction in her eyes / Our dearest gods are not surprised,” with the breakup of Moore and Kim Gordon’s longstanding relationship and the apparent demise of their groundbreaking band. Regardless of the motivating factors for the work, Moore’s plaintive vocals over a gently strummed guitar make clear that this is another stellar work from an amazing artist. Whether or not you like the experimental noise of Sonic Youth, this is something you must hear.
27. PJ Harvey – Let England Shake
English singer-songwriter has been in the business for some 20 years, but I’ve rarely given her work more than just a passing glance. There’s no obvious reason for this, but for some reason, I’ve never taken the time to enjoy her music. Thankfully, I finally got around to really listening to her. Let England Shake is a wonderfully affective album, one that sticks with you as she travels the worn and bloody path of the human condition, as seen through the lens of war. This is no “anti-war” record, though, as thought of in the common sense, rather it is more of a haunting meditation on the toll it takes on humanity. In the title song, she sings “England’s dancing days are done / Another day, Bobby, for you to come / Home and tell me indifference / Is won, won, won.” This is an album that bemoans the carnage of life, that offers despair alongside beauty. This is dark stuff, but perhaps it is needed amid the fluff and plastic happiness of everyday life, the blind eye turned away, choosing instead to focus on things that make them forget.
26. Dawes – Nothing is Wrong
With great bands like the Avett Brothers and Mumford & Sons breaking into the mainstream, it’s a good time to be an indie folk band, but at the same time, that dynamic lends itself to coattail riders. Many might look at Dawes in that manner, as a band that merely wants to grasp at fame from the shoulders of their contemporaries. Well, those people are dead wrong. Dawes have become one of the most impressive finds for me in the past calendar year, with catchy tunes and Eagles-esque harmonies that stick to your brain like glue and put a smile on your face. In the song “Time Spent in Los Angeles,” which also happens to be their hometown, they sing “But you got that special kind of sadness / You got that tragic set of charms / That only comes from time spent in Los Angeles / Makes me wanna wrap you in my arms,” with a sincerity and beauty that reminds me of great bands like The Jayhawks. “If I Wanted Someone” blends influences like the aforementioned Eagles with Tom Petty to form an unforgettable whole. It’s a great album and by putting a bit of a twist on the current indie folk boom, they’ve carved their own wonderful niche.
25. Beastie Boys – Hot Sauce Committee, Part 2
The Beasties have been doing this a long time and, after listening to their latest release, it’s obvious that there is still plenty of gas left in the proverbial tank. Originally set to be a two part album, Hot Sauce Committee, Part 1 was to be released two years ago, but after Ad-Rock’s cancer diagnosis, his bandmates (Mike D and MCA) put the project on hold until his treatment was complete. With a joking nod, they kept with the original release schedule and entitled their latest Part 2. Hot Sauce is full of the old school jams you would expect from the band, with record scratching, loads of samples, and those long familiar voices belting out song after song of danceable fun. Album opener “Make Some Noise” is a joyful blast from the past, with both the best music video in years and a great nod to their 25 year old hit, “Fight for Your Right to Party.” Their collaboration with rapper Nas on “Too Many Rappers” shines as well, and even though they acknowledge their veteran status, “Grandpa been rappin’ since ’83,” they more than hold their own and show once again that they are and have always been a force to be reckoned with in the rap community. With another eye on their pre-Party, punk rock past, the Boys blast through “Lee Majors Come Around” with a ferocity that belies their age. The Beasties are just pure, rocking fun. Turn up the volume and, as they would say, it’s time to get ill!
24. Okkervil River – I Am Very Far
Austin’s Okkervil River is another band that has been on my radar for several years now and I have quickly scooped up each of their releases with glee and anticipation. I Am Very Far presents a bit of a different path taken by Will Sheff’s group, away from the literate, rock music mythology of past work and towards something darker, deeper, and at times even psychedelic. The arrangements range from fairly simple to huge (according to Wikipedia, the band employed 45 classical guitars on one song), yet the album remains incredibly cohesive. Opener “The Valley” combines a driving drum beat and Sheff’s cadence-like vocals “We watch the sun in the sky, off and on, where are friend stands / Bleeding on the late summer lawn, a slicked back bloody black / gunshot to the head. He has fallen in the valley of the rock and roll dead.” For me, though, the highlight of this album and perhaps my favorite song of the year is “We Need a Myth,” a testimony to humankind’s need for stories, for narratives to understand the insanity of the world around us. When Sheff sings, “We need a myth / I feel my heart’s like a fist / I want words spilling out / From the blessed lips of any prophet or goddess” it makes so much sense to me and my oft-questioning mind. It’s another great work from a great band.
23. Girls – Father, Son, Holy Ghost
On their second full length release, Girls have really set a strong standard, transforming themselves from precocious indie newcomers to a true force to be reckoned with. The release kicks off with the strong and bouncy, “Honey Bunny,” a song reminiscent of Memphis’s own indie pop darlings, Magic Kids. At other times, particularly in songs like “Alex” and “How Can I Say I Love You,” they take on a more psychedelic pop sound, something along the lines of the 60’s era flower children or, to use a more recent example, something akin to MGMT. The centerpiece of the album to me is the unfortunately named tune “Vomit,” with its Cure-like (think Love Song) beginning that transforms over the course of more than six minutes to include exploding loud distorted guitars before climaxing with a lush, Pink Floyd-like ending as vocalist Christopher Owens repeatedly intones, “Come into my heart.” It’s a strong work from a great band who no doubt have a big future ahead of them.
22. Those Darlins – Screws Get Loose
I had never listened to Those Darlins before this Fall when I checked them out online prior to seeing them open for the Drive-By Truckers. After the show, I was firmly in their stable as a fan. This female-led band carries itself with a self-assured swagger, blending a sound that is clearly Southern with strong riot grrrl influences to create one of the best indie pop/garage rock albums of the year. They’re loud and brash, having no intention of taking a backseat to anyone with songs like “Be Your Bro” where they say, “I just wanna be your brother / You just wanna be my boyfriend / I just wanna run and play in the dirt with you / You just wanna stick it in.” The songs sometimes explode with feminist angst, as they rip through song after song with a Ramones-like fury(the three women in the band have also adopted the surname “Darlin,” further exhibiting the Ramones influence). The title track is a rocking start and the chorus, “Can’t blame me for what I choose / Whoa, screws get loose” will etch itself into your brain and follow you around for a long time after the song ends. Make sure you give this one a good listen.
21. The Decemberists – The King is Dead
The Decemberists are a true oddity in today’s music world. Defying all notions of commonly held public perception, they have created a niche for themselves and their strangely beautiful and wonderful works. The King is Dead represents what may be seen as a step away from their more recent conceptual works, The Crane Wife and The Hazards of Love, and back to the more normal song structures found in their earlier albums. To this loyal fan, it is a welcome change, because Hazards, I regret to say, was bordering on being an overwrought mess. So, as vocalist Collin Melloy says in the opening track “Don’t Carry it All,” let’s “Raise a glass to the turning of the seasons,” for this highly literate band, sit back and enjoy. I like the folk rock sounds of “January Hymn” and “Rise to Me” a great deal as well. If you’ve ever been interested in The Decemberists, but were perhaps thrown off by the weirdness of an album built around a Japanese folk tale of a man who falls in love with a bird, this is probably the album for you. While it may not include a sure-fire single like “O Valencia,” it is their most immediate work in years. Now if only they would make a stop in Memphis…
Thoughts?
Best of 2011 … So Far, Part 1 June 28, 2011
Posted by Matt in Best of 2011.Tags: Best of 2011, Cults, drive-by truckers, music, Okkervil River, The Decemberists, tUnE-yArDs
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As we reach the halfway point of Earth’s journey around the sun, it is again time to look back on the first part of the year and count those albums that have inspired and moved us so far in 2011. So far this year I’ve picked up 35 new albums, most of which have been very good. My list will include five honorable mentions today, and a top ten to be posted either tomorrow or Thursday. Let me know what you think.
Best of 2011: Honorable Mentions
Drive-By Truckers – Go-Go Boots
It’s no secret that I’ve had a longstanding love, going back some ten years, of the Drive-By Truckers, but because I hold their earlier albums (Southern Rock Opera, Decoration Day, and The Dirty South) in such high regard, it affects my view of their more recent works. This was especially true with 2009’s The Big To-Do, which I really liked from the first time I heard it, but it took time and a few shows for that to grow into a true appreciation for it. I have a feeling that is how my view of Go-Go Boots will be as well because I must admit I was not particularly impressed with it at first. Over time, though, it has blossomed in my eyes and ears and I’m sure that by the end of the year it will warrant a higher spot on the list. At this point, my favorite song from Go-Go Boots is probably the most uncharacteristic one on the album, an R&B-tinged cover of the late Eddie Hinton’s “Everybody Needs Love.” Others to check out are the dark title track, a very DBT-esque tale of an adulterous, murderous Southern preacher, and “Used to Be a Cop” with its bass line made to be played live and its story of a mentally disturbed former police officer. It’s definitely an album worth checking out, especially for fans of DBT and southern rock.
The Decemberists – The King is Dead
The Decemberists are a true oddity in today’s music world. Defying all notions of commonly held public perception, they have created a niche for themselves and their strangely beautiful and wonderful works. The King is Dead represents what may be seen as a step away from their more recent conceptual works, The Crane Wife and The Hazards of Love, and back to the more normal song structures found in their earlier albums. To this loyal fan, it is a welcome change, because Hazards, I regret to say, was bordering on being an overwrought mess. So, as vocalist Collin Melloy says in the opening track “Don’t Carry it All,” let’s “Raise a glass to the turning of the seasons,” for this highly literate band, sit back and enjoy. I like the folk rock sounds of “January Hymn” and “Rise to Me” a great deal as well. If you’ve ever been interested in The Decemberists, but were perhaps thrown off by the weirdness of an album built around a Japanese folk tale of a man who falls in love with a bird, this is probably the album for you. While it may not include a sure-fire single like “O Valencia,” it is their most accessible work in years. Now if only they would make a stop in Memphis…
tUnE-yArDs – whokill
The tUnE-yArDs are an interesting and strange experimental music project from Merrill Garbus, a former puppeteer and member of a band called Sister Suvi. This is she and partner Nate Brenner’s second release as tUnE-yArDs, and it is quite an eclectic feat, with layers of drum loops, ukulele, bass, saxophones, and vocals all stacked upon each other into a brilliant, noisy whole. The best comparison I think of for their sound would be a group like Animal Collective, though the music tUnE-yArDs is structured in a more traditional song format than AC, making it, in my opinion, much more listenable and enjoyable. With strong, danceable beats and Garbus’s incredible vocals, this group will be one to reckon with for some time. The intonations of “Don’t take my life away,” on lead single “Bizness,” will burrow their way into your brain and haunt you with their repetitive awesomeness for days afterward, and the almost reggae-ish vocals on gangsta (What’s a boy to do if he’ll never be a gangsta / Anger in his heart, but he’ll never be a gangsta) will have you moving to the beat. This type of music is certainly not for everyone, but if you are willing and ready to have your sensibilities challenged and changed, check out the tUnE-yArDs. They are one of a kind.
Okkervil River – I Am Very Far
Austin’s Okkervil River is another band that has been on my radar for several years now and I have quickly scooped up each of their releases with glee and anticipation. I Am Very Far presents a bit of a different path taken by Will Sheff’s group, away from the literate, rock music mythology of past work and towards something darker, deeper, and at times even psychedelic. The arrangements range from fairly simple to huge (according to Wikipedia, the band employed 45 classical guitars on one song), yet the album remains incredibly cohesive. Opener “The Valley” combines a driving drum beat and Sheff’s cadence-like vocals “We watch the sun in the sky, off and on, where are friend stands / Bleeding on the late summer lawn, a slicked back bloody black / gunshot to the head. He has fallen in the valley of the rock and roll dead.” For me, though, the highlight of this album and perhaps my favorite song of the year is “We Need a Myth,” a testimony to humankind’s need for stories, for narratives to understand the insanity of the world around us. When Sheff sings, “We need a myth / I feel my heart’s like a fist / I want words spilling out / From the blessed lips of any prophet or goddess” it makes so much sense to me and my oft-questioning mind. It’s another great work from a great band.
Cults – Cults
Not all of the music I enjoy is gloom and doom, with intricate intellectual themes weaved through the notes and words. No, sometimes there are bands like Cults who blow the entire dark-hued obelisk to bits, the type of band who can act as the lone sunbeam on an otherwise dreary day. Much like other recent bands like Camera Obscura, Brooklyn’s Cults reach back to 1960’s pop for their influence, dispensing rays of upbeat happiness like a lighthouse in the dark. This is an album full of pop gems, of innocence and puppy love that are sure to put a smile on your face and skip in your step. The catchy sing-along lines of “Go Outside” (I really want to go out / I really want to go outside / And stop to see your day) will ingrain themselves in your brain and it’s borderline impossible to not tap your foot along to the nostalgic beats of “Most Wanted.” Just put this one on and enjoy yourself. It’s worth it.
Coming Soon: The Top Ten
Ten for Tuesday: 2006 May 31, 2011
Posted by Matt in top ten.Tags: 2006, Amy Winehouse, Beck, Belle and Sebastian, Bob Dylan, Mark Knopfler & Emmylou Harris, Matisyahu, neko case, The Decemberists, The Hold Steady, Thom Yorke, top 10
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Last year I began delving back in time to look at the sources of entertainment, particularly music and movies, from years in the past. Today we will continue that by traveling a mere five years back in time using our top ten time machine, to the year 2006.
It was a good year for music, with some releases that ranked among the better ones of the decade and as a then-29 year old with a voracious appetite for good albums, I collected quite a bit of them. Looking back, these are probably my 10 favorites.
10. Matisyahu – Youth
I first picked this release up because of its novelty – I mean, how often to do you find a reggae album by a Hasidic Jew? – I came back to it because of its quality, both in musicianship and in lyrics dealing with issues of social justice. Matisyahu does an excellent job of crossing genres while never giving up his reggae core and that is one reason why this stands as one of the few post-Marley albums of the genre that I actually own.
Download: Youth, Jerusalem
9. Belle and Sebastian – The Life Pursuit
Belle and Sebastian have long been the lead purveyors of sunshiny, twee pop, a genre that evokes visions of sunbeams and rainbows and all of that stuff that I usually can’t stand, but in this context it works remarkably well. A listen to this will undoubtedly lift the spirits of even the most dour person. Download: Another Sunny Day, The Blues are Still Blue
8. Thom Yorke – The Eraser
The genius of Yorke and his band (who are perhaps the most important band of the past two decades) Radiohead has been scoped and probed from every possible angle, and yet they continue to astound. Though this solo release may not be on the level of modern masterpieces like OK Computer or Kid A, it is still quite good and certainly deserves its spot in the holy canon.
Download: The Eraser, Atoms for Peace
7. Mark Knopfler & Emmylou Harris – All the Roadrunning
The idea of teaming former Dire Straits guitarist Knopfler with folk siren Harris may seem strange upon first hearing of it, but a listen will soon dispel all misgivings. On this set the two artists meld perfectly, their voices intertwining in such a way that they seem as though they were always meant to be this way.
Download: Beachocombing, This is Us
6. Beck – The Information
I’m a longtime Beck fan who eagerly awaits each release from our generation’s lead troubadour and this work does not disappoint in the least. If songs like Elevator Music don’t have you dancing around the room, then I regretfully have to inform you that there is no hope for you.
Download: Elevator Music, Cellphone’s Dead
5. The Decemberists – The Crane Wife
I first started listening to The Decemberists with their release prior to this one, Picaresque, but this album was the one that truly made me a fan of their weird, hyper-literate tales that seemed to be beamed in from some time past. This strange retelling of a Japanese folk tale is probably their best work to date and definitely a must-own.
Download: O Valencia, The Crane Wife 1 and 2
4. Neko Case – Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
If the powerful voice of Neko Case does not give you chills, then let me suggest that you may need some professional help. I fell in love with her vocals on this album and it has remained one of my favorites ever since then. After seeing her twice live, once solo and once with The New Pornographers, my devotion has never yet waned.
Download: Hold On, Hold On, That Teenage Feeling, Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
3. Bob Dylan – Modern Times
Dylan was a spry 65 year old when this late career gem was released and it quickly became one of my favorites of that year. He sounds incredible, from the rollicking Thunder on the Mountain to the crooning Spirit on the Water, and this deserves several listens.
Download: Thunder on the Mountain, The Levee’s Gonna Break
2. Amy Winehouse – Back to Black
Her personal life may be a wreck, but this strong-voiced testament to hard-living is one of my favorite recordings of the past ten years. She comes across as the bad girl that guys want to date, but who you’d never want to take home to your parents, and it suits her sultry, soulful vocals perfectly. This is the rare albums that has no weak tracks, the kind that begs to be listened to from beginning to end and leave you wishing for more.
Download: You Know I’m No Good, Back to Black, Some Unholy War
1. The Hold Steady – Boys and Girls in America
Back in 2006 I had not yet come around to the Springsteen-fronting-a bar band sound of The Hold Steady, so I came back to this album later after becoming a huge fan of their next release, Stay Positive. These tales of massive nights with girls and drugs and music are masterful in the art of storytelling while the music just plain rocks. I had the chance to see them live last year and let me tell you, the energy of their live show is almost beyond compare.
Download: Stuck Between Stations, Hot Soft Light, Massive Nights, Citrus
Thoughts?
Free Music Friday: The Decemberists February 4, 2011
Posted by Matt in free music friday.Tags: Down by the Water, The Decemberists
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2011 is already shaping up as an excellent year for new music with upcoming releases by Bright Eyes (now streaming on NPR) and the Drive-By Truckers, as well as the new album from eccentric indie band The Decemberists. I’ve been a fan of The Decemberists for several years now, dating back to Picaresque, and I believe this new work is as good if not better than anything they’ve done in the past. If you like music, you need to pick this up. Check out “Down by the Water” below. Enjoy.
Random Five: Upcoming Music Releases January 13, 2011
Posted by Matt in Random Five.Tags: 2011, Bright Eyes, drive-by truckers, J Mascis, Okkervil River, The Decemberists, upcoming album releases
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You all know that I collect a good deal of music each year, including some 50 new albums in 2010 of a wide variety of genres, so I always look with interest at the upcoming album releases. According to Metacritic, here are five albums with release dates over the next few months that I am particularly looking forward to.
5. Jan 18: The Decemberists – The King is Dead
The Decemberists last two releases were huge, bombastic concept albums with a myriad of instruments and a storylines meant to hold the works together, and both of them were largely successful in my opinion. I’ve streamed their latest, The King is Dead, on NPR and really enjoyed it. This album is similar to their earlier releases, in that it is an excellent collection of individual songs rather than a longrunning tale, in which the individual parts make little sense apart from each other. This one is a definite winner from the hyper-literate band.
4. Feb 15: Bright Eyes – The People’s Key
I’ve been a big fan of Coner Oberst’s quavering voice since I first heard him several years ago and I have always been quick to pick up his works, whether they be solo or through Bright Eyes. I look forward to seeing the direction he takes the band in this time.
3. Feb 15: Drive-By Truckers – Go-Go Boots
It goes without saying for semi-regular readers of this blog that I love the Drive-By Truckers. They are probably my favorite band of the past decade and every release is met with a huge sense of anticipation from me. This one is, of course, no different. I’ve heard a few of the new songs and they are great. Later on this month I’m planning on traveling over to Oxford with some friends to catch them and I’m sure I’ll have an even better idea of what to expect from the new release after that.
2. Mar 15: J Mascis – Several Shades of Why
Dinosaur Jr.’s guitarist/singer has been a force in indie/alternative music for more than two decades and I expect more of what he does best on this latest work – loud, fuzzy guitars and his trademark groaning vocals. It’ll be a must-hear.
1. May 10: Okkervil River – I Am Very Far
I’ve been a big fan of Austin’s Okkervil River ever since I first heard their 2007 release, The Stage Names, and 2008’s The Stand Ins continued their tradition of greatness. I expect this one to again shine in the intelligent, quirky manner that their past works have.
*Bonus*
These releases have dates that will most likely hold firm, but there are several more upcoming albums that are expected in the next few months. Here are a few of those that I am particularly interested in:
Beastie Boys – Hot Sauce Committee
Sure, they may be getting a little old for their shtick, but come on they’re still the Beastie Boys!
Blakroc – Blakroc 2
The collaboration of blues/rock duo The Black Keys with various hip-hop artists worked fairly well on their initial release, so I look forward to seeing what they have in store for us this time.
Jay-Z/Kanye West – Watch the Throne
I don’t know anything about this other than the fact that Jay-Z and Kanye will be working together. Awesome.
R.E.M. – Collapse Into Now
I’ve been a fan of R.E.M. for a very long time and it was nice to see them return to form on 2008’s Accelerate. Hopefully they’ll keep the momentum going on this latest work.
Fleet Foxes – TBA
There were few things more soothing than the harmonies on their self-titled 2009 release.
My Morning Jacket – TBA
I’ve loved MMJ for years and their last work, 2008’s Evil Urges, totally blew me away, so I’m sure this will become a staple for me as well.
Outkast – TBA
Nobody knows if this will actually happen, but after Big Boi’s solo work in 2010, I’m more pumped than ever to hear what these guys from the ATL have in store for us.
Radiohead – TBA
Every Radiohead release is an event of which you must be a part.
Wilco – TBA
Over the last 15 years or so, Jeff Tweedy’s band has proven themselves to be among the greatest working today.
Amy Winehouse – TBA
Please? Please don’t kill yourself and please do treat us to your soulful voice again…
What are you looking forward to?
Ten for Tuesday: 2005 August 3, 2010
Posted by Matt in top ten.Tags: 2005, Beck, Bright Eyes, Gorillaz, Kanye West, music, My Morning Jacket, Spoon, Sufjan Stevens, The Decemberists, the new pornographers, The White Stripes, top ten
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Over the past few weeks, we’ve taken trips in our top ten time machine to 1980, 1990, and 2000. Today we will be taking a short hop to five years ago, 2005. In ’05, I was 28 years old, we had been living in the Memphis area for a year, and our second child was born. Needless to say, it was a busy and exciting time. There was also a great deal of excellent music and movies being released and that is what we will look at today.
Top 10 Albums of 2005
10. The Decemberists – Picaresque
Picaresque was my introduction to The Decemberists, a Portland-based indie band known for its use of unusual instruments and hyper-literate lyrics. I was quickly taken by their lush arrangements and Collin Meloy’s storytelling, particularly on great songs like “We Both Go Down Together” and “16 Military Wives.”
9. The New Pornographers – Twin Cinema
This was around the time that I first became aware of one of The New Pornographers, one of indie rock’s great supergroups, and soon their brand of power-pop drew me in. The combination of Dan Bejar, AC Newman, Neko Case (one of my personal favorites) and others is a winning one on this fantastic collection.
8. Bright Eyes – I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning
I can understand how Conor Oberst’s earnest, quavering voice rubs some people the wrong way, but I’m certainly not one of them. To me he exudes confusion and doubt in way that seems so real and normal.
7. Beck – Guero
I’ve been a huge fan of Beck since his breakthrough back in the 90’s and over the years I’ve collected all of his albums. While this one is not his best (a distinction that goes to either Odelay or Sea Change), it is a nice swerve back to the “two turntables and a microphone” style of alternative dance-rock, complete with random Spanish phrases and great beats, that he popularized a decade earlier.
6. Gorillaz – Demon Days
It was an interesting concept to say the least when Damon Albarn from the band Blur teamed with cartoonist Jamie Hewlett to form a new sort of project, one involving an animated alternative rock/hip-hop act, but it was this incredible second release, with unavoidable hits like “Feel Good, Inc.” and “Dirty Harry,” that they truly became a force to be reckoned with.
5. Spoon – Gimme Fiction
For 15 years, the Austin-based band Spoon has lurked just below the level of stardom, slowly building up their name and garnering attention without ever truly breaking through to the big time. Gimme Fiction shows the band doing what they do best, creating great danceable alternative rock numbers like “I Turn my Camera On” and “My Mathematical Mind” for their growing legion of fans.
4. The White Stripes – Get Behind Me Satan
The duo of Jack and Meg White were on top of the world at this time following the hugely successful lo-fi albums White Blood Cells and Elephant, but with Get Behind Me Satan, they decided to swerve from the blues-rock path they were blazing. Their more experimental style may have confounded some, but I loved it, particularly on great songs like “My Doorbell” and “I’m Lonely (But I Ain’t That Lonely Yet).”
3. My Morning Jacket – Z
I was first introduced to MMJ’s spacey, retro-70’s style on the incredible album preceding this one, It Still Moves, but I think I can safely say that I believe Z is even better. Jim James’ band is on fire this time around, employing their Southern sensibilities through a psychedelic haze to produce a truly great work. Check out songs like “Gideon” and “Off the Record” and you’ll agree.
2. Kanye West – Registration
Back before he was a headline-grabbing bad guy, interrupting the acceptance speeches of teenage award winners, Kanye West was one of the most important forces in hip-hop and this is probably his masterpiece. How can you not like “Gold Digger” and “Diamonds from Sierra Leone?”
1. Sufjan Stevens
Illinois marked the second in Sufjan Stevens’ now seemingly-stalled 50 state series of albums, but this work is so incredible, so varied and interesting, that it seems almost impossible to top. Stevens employs a childlike uncertainty to his vocals against a lush instrumental background to tell stories from the great state, including songs like “John Wayne Gacy, Jr.,” “Decatur, Or, Round of Applause for Your Step-Mother!,” and “Chicago.” This is a must-have from 2005.
Thoughts?
Best of the Decade – Music Artists February 9, 2010
Posted by Matt in Top 100 of the Decade.Tags: 2000s, Arcade Fire, Beck, Bob Dylan, Bright Eyes, Bruce Springsteen, Coldplay, drive-by truckers, Green Day, Interpol, Jay-Z, Johnny Cash, josh ritter, Kanye West, Kings of Leon, Modest Mouse, My Morning Jacket, neko case, Outkast, Pearl Jam, Radiohead, Ryan Adams, Spoon, Sufjan Stevens, The Avett Brothers, The Black Keys, The Decemberists, The Flaming Lips, The Hold Steady, The White Stripes, top artists of the decade, Wilco
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Over the past few months we’ve taken a look at the music from the past decade in my ranking of the top 100 albums released during that time period. To arrive at this list, I considered more than 400 releases from those ten years, the majority of which I actually own. But, this undertaking led me to yet another question – if these are the top albums, who are the top artists? So, using these 400 albums and my rankings as a guide, I have compiled a listing of my 30 top artists of the time period stretching from 2000-2009. Let me know what you think.
30. Bright Eyes – Between his solo work and that with Bright Eyes, Conor Oberst is one of the most prolific artists on my list. Though he can be a bit over-earnest at times, I’m still a big fan of his unsure, wavering voice.
Notable Albums: Lifted or The Story is in the Soul, Keep Your Ear to the Ground (2002), Digital Ash in a Digital Urn (2005), Cassadega (2007)
29. The Avett Brothers – I became an instant fan of The Avett Brothers after hearing 2007’s alt-grass classic Emotionalism, a feeling which has only grown stronger through 2009’s piano ballad-driven I and Love and You.
Notable Albums: Mignonette (2004), Emotionalism (2007), I and Love and You (2009)
28. Modest Mouse – Modest Mouse had been around in indie rock circles for several years, but it was 2004’s unavoidable catchy “Float On” that propelled them to stardom.
Notable Albums: The Moon & Antarctica (2000), Good News for People Who Love Bad News (2004), We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank (2007)
27. Interpol – Downbeat and depressing, Interpol brought back everything that was good about the early 80’s post-punk movement.
Notable Albums: Turn on the Bright Lights (2002), Antics (2004), Our Love to Admire (2007)
26. Ryan Adams – Another prolific artist, Adams released the equivalent of 10 studio albums over the past decade. Though most of his work is hit and miss, when he is on, he’s among the best working today.
Notable Albums: Heartbreaker (2000), Gold (2001), Love is Hell (2004), Easy Tiger (2007)
25. Johnny Cash – The Man in Black may have passed away in 2002, but that didn’t stop him from being among the highest rated artists of the decade. His final series of works with Rick Rubin are some of the most poignant to be found anywhere.
Notable Albums: American III: Solitary Man (2000), American IV: The Man Comes Around (2002), American V: A Hundred Highways (2006)
24. Jay-Z – There are few hip-hop artists who reach stardom that continue produce top-notch albums. Though Jay-Z has had his fair share of misses, he continues to be one of the best in the game.
Notable Albums: The Blueprint (2001), The Black Album (2003)
23. Neko Case – I fell in love with Neko Case’s soaring voice following her stellar ’06 release, Fox Confessor Brings the Flood, and she has yet to disappoint me.
Notable Albums: Blacklisted (2002), Fox Confessor Brings the Flood (2006), Middle Cyclone (2009)
22. Arcade Fire – With a huge sound and a big Springsteen influence, Canada’s Arcade Fire burst onto the scene in a big way with their 2004 debut Funeral. They have a great deal of energy and passion that translates well in their stadium-ready songs.
Notable Albums: Funeral (2004), Neon Bible (2007)
21. Wilco – Though 2002’s Yankee Hotel Foxtrot may be the creative pinnacle of their career thus far, in my opinion, the 1990’s were a far better decade overall for Jeff Tweedy’s band. Nevertheless, they did produce some enjoyable and inventive fare over the past ten years.
Notable Albums: Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (2002), Sky Blue Sky (2007), Wilco (The Album) (2009)
20. The Decemberists – As I have mentioned in the past, there is probably no success story that is more unlikely than that of The Decemberists, with their obscure lyrical references and use of uncommon instruments (accordions, Wurlitzer organs, etc.).
Notable Albums: Picaresque (2005), The Crane Wife (2006), The Hazards of Love (2009)
19. Outkast – Given the fact that they have released two of the all-time quintessential hip hop albums over the past ten years, I wanted to place Big Boi and Andre 3000 higher then this. But, their lack of quality output since 2003’s double album extravaganza hurt them in the long run.
Notable Albums: Stankonia (2000), Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (2003)
18. The Flaming Lips – Trippy and weird, these Oklahomans have been cranking out alt-rock oddities for more than two decades. The past decade from the Lips brought us pink robots, politics, and a penchant for sonic insanity. Really, what else do you need?
Notable Albums: Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots (2000), At War with the Mystics (2006), Embryonic (2009)
17. The Black Keys – This is down and dirty blues-rock done right – by a couple of hippy-ish white guys from Akron, Ohio. The Keys have put together work after work of irresistible riff-rock that needs to be heard.
Notable albums: Thickfreakness (2003), Rubber Factory 92004), Attack & Release (2008)
16. Coldplay – Sure, their sound may be a bit contrived and safe, but this band, which is certainly among the most popular groups of the decade, know how to make stadium-ready rock.
Notable albums: Parachutes (2000), A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002), Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends (2008)
15. Kanye West – With the kind of talent Kanye has who cares if he’s not a nice guy. If there is a single hip hop artist to be identified with this decade, it must be him. He is creative, fun, and a definite risk-taker across all four of his excellent releases.
Notable Albums: The College Dropout (2004), Late Registration (2005), 808s & Heartbreak (2008)
14. The Hold Steady – The band once proclaimed to be the “best bar band in America” has become one of the best bands period in America. Openly wielding a love for Springsteen, the band tears through song after song about the dead end people and towns.
Notable Albums: Separation Sunday (2005), Boys and Girls in America (2005), Stay Positive (2008)
13. Bob Dylan – Dylan’s career resurgence following 1997’s Time Out of Mind carried through the first decade of the millennium, a time in which his releases went from incredible to strange (whoever guessed we’d have Dylan Christmas album?), but never boring.
Notable Albums: Love & Theft (2001), Modern Times (2006), Together Through Life (2009)
12. Kings of Leon – KoL began the decade as little-known Southern rockers, the sons of a Tennessee preacher, and ended it as one of the biggest bands in America.
Notable Albums: Youth and Young Manhood (2003), Aha Shake Heartbreak (2004), Only By Night (2008)
11. Beck – Eschewing his “two turntables and a microphone” persona, alternative rock’s Dylan began the decade with a sad and darn near perfect collection of acoustic laments before carrying on with a return to the fun-loving and danceable tunes that propelled him to stardom in the 90’s.
Notable Albums: Sea Change (2002), The Information (2006), Modern Guilty (2008)
10. Sufjan Stevens – Earnest and uncertain, singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens chose to do things his way over the past decade, releasing entire albums devoted to the states of Michigan and Illinois, producing a collection of Christmas EPs and wearing his spiritual side on his sleeve.
Notable Albums: Greetings from Michigan (2003), Seven Swans (2004), Illinois (2005)
9. Pearl Jam – The majority of Pearl Jam’s releases this decade were good, but lacking a bit when compared to their work from the 1990’s – or course, that was prior to 2009’s Backspacer, which ranked as one of my very favorite albums of the entire decade.
Notable Albums: Binaural (2000), Riot Act (2002), Backspacer (2009)
8. Green Day – This decade marked the evolution of Green Day from juvenile pop-punkers to worldwide fame and renown. Their newfound maturity and political themes turned Billy Joe’s band into one of the most important ones in America today.
Notable Albums: American Idiot (2004), 21st Century Breakdown (2009)
7. Spoon – Though Spoon had been around in the 90’s, it was not until the early 2000’s that I came in contact with their infectious, danceable tunes and I loved it. There are few bands that have been as consistently good as Spoon over the past 10 years.
Notable Albums: Kill the Moonlight (2002), Girls Can Tell (2001), Gimme Fiction (2005)
6. My Morning Jacket – Jim James’ band burst through their reverb-soaked haze early in the decade to claim a piece of the 2000’s Southern rock crown. Though their sound can veer from Neil Young to Prince, the overall product is a distinctly Southern one and not to be missed.
Notable Albums: It Still Moves (2003), Z (2005), Evil Urges (2008)
5. Josh Ritter – Ritter is quite possibly the best songwriter of my generation, and that’s really saying something. He could be the next Springsteen or the next Dylan, or maybe sometime in the future we’ll be calling another young singer-songwriter the next Ritter.
Notable Albums: Hello Starling (2003), The Animal Years (2006), The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter (2007)
4. Drive-By Truckers – There are few artists that I have followed as intently over the past ten years as DBT. There is just something about their stories of the dark side of the South that I find appealing and they have a killer live show.
Notable Albums: Southern Rock Opera (2001), Decoration Day (2003), Brighter than Creation’s Dark (2008)
3. Radiohead – If my generation has an answer to The Beatles, it is Radiohead. Thom Yorke’s band has continually pushed boundaries for the past 15 years and, in so doing, have produced some of the most creative and incredible pieces of work to be found in the music business today.
Notable Albums: Kid A (2000), Hail to the Thief (2003), In Rainbows (2007)
2. The White Stripes – I’m an unabashed worshipper of the power of Jack White and his guitar. The guy can pull incredible solos out of nowhere and make them look easy. This duo’s five albums of blues-rock are among the best of anybody for the entire decade.
Notable Albums: White Blood Cells (2001), Elephant (2003), Icky Thump (2007)
1. Bruce Springsteen – Who cares if the Boss topped 60 last year? The guy can still bring it like no other. The 2000’s have proven to be his most fruitful time since the early-mid ‘80’s, with 5 great albums released over the course of ten years. All hail the Boss, he’s still the man!
Notable Albums: The Rising (2002), Magic (2007), Working on a Dream (2009)
Best of the Decade – Music Edition (21-30) January 20, 2010
Posted by Matt in Uncategorized.Tags: 2000s, Arcade Fire, Bob Dylan, Coldplay, Green Day, Jay-Z, Johnny Cash, Kings of Leon, music, Radiohead, The Black Keys, The Decemberists, top 100
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Today we return to our look back at the top 100 albums of the past decade. In case you missed the previous entries, you can get to them through the following links:
31-40
41-50
51-60
61-70
71-80
81-90
91-100
30. The Decemberists – The Crane Wife (2006)
Leave it to The Decemberists, one of the most unique and unlikely success stories of the decade, to make a incredible concept album based on an old and relatively unknown Japanese folk tale. The songs flow from beginning to end in such a way that the listener becomes completely enraptured in the story and the music. This is a real and true work of art from the hyper-literate Colin Meloy and his bandmates. “O Valencia” was a big hit for a reason, it’s a great and catchy song. In addition to that, check out “Shankill Butchers.”
29. Jay-Z – The Blueprint (2001)
Employing a multitude of soul samples and an almost unmatched charisma, the man also known as Shawn Carter created one of the best rap albums of the decade with The Blueprint. If you ever wonder why people make such a big deal out of Jay-Z, this is why.
Check out songs like “Izzo (H.O.V.A.)” and “Girls, Girls, Girls” and enjoy.
28. Coldplay – A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002)
Coldplay makes the kind of music whose sole purpose is to fill arenas and earn massive amounts of money, a combination that can oftentimes backfire among the more jaded listeners. Regardless, this album is truly great from beginning to end, a trait seen in the fact that, despite being terribly overplayed, it is still quite enjoyable. Listen to “In My Place” and “The Scientist,” or even “Clocks” if you haven’t heard it 100 times too many over the past 8 years.
27. The Black Keys – Rubber Factory (2004)
The Black Keys rock, plain and simple. I first came into contact with this great blues/rock duo in the great film Black Snake Moan, which featured the incredible opening cut from this album, “When the Lights Go Out,” in one of its first scenes. After that I was hooked and I’ve been a huge fan ever since. You should also check out “!0 A.M. Automatic” and “Girl is on my Mind,” to truly get a fee for this excellent release. Also, if you ever have the chance to see them live, do it. They are awesome.
26. Green Day – 21st Century Breakdown (2009)
Green Day have come a long way since they first burst on the scene in the mid-90’s with songs of youthful angst and umm… self-induced euphoria. This follow up to 2004’s critically lauded and hugely successful concept album, American Idiot,” almost matches its predecessor in terms of excellence. This time the story deals with people struggling in post-Bush America and, though it is a bit hard to follow at times, the fact that the album rocks makes up for it. My favorite tunes are probably “Viva la Gloria!” with its piano balladry leading into classic Green Day punk, the hard-hitting “East Jesus Nowhere,” and the ode to the “Last of the American Girls.”
25. Johnny Cash – American III: Solitary Man (2000)
There are few artists who can pull off the kind of late-career surge that Cash, with the help of producer Rick Rubin, did from 1994 until his death in 2003. This album, like all of those from the period, was stark and dark, dealing with mortality in such a poignant way that it is sure to touch even the most hard-hearted among us. Cash weaves together covers and originals into an incredible commentary on life and death. Included on this album are Cash’s covers of tunes like U2’s “One” and Nick Cave’s “The Mercy Seat,” that you need to hear.
24. Kings of Leon – Aha Shake Heartbreak (2004)
One of the few sophomore releases to outdo the original, Aha Shake Heartbreak is a rocking and soulful trip through the American south that is not to be missed. It is, without a doubt, my favorite Kings’ album. It’s young and hungry and loud, the things that make rock music great. Check out songs like “Taper Jean Girl,” and “Slow Night, So Long.”
23. Bob Dylan – Love & Theft (2001)
Beginning with 1997’s classic Time Out of Mind and going through the first decade of the millennium, Dylan enjoyed quite the late career resurgence as he seemed to recapture a creative energy that had been missing for some time. On 2001’s Love and Theft, the 60 year old poet proved that he had plenty to offer the world and re-established himself as the poet laureate of rock and roll. My favorite tracks include “Mississippi” and the crooning “Moonlight.”
22. Radiohead – In Rainbows (2007)
So, you are a band that is 15 years into your career, you have worldwide popularity and are among the most critically lauded groups in recent times: what do you do next? If you’re Radiohead; you take another step into the future and place their entire album online, telling downloaders to pay whatever amount they would like. The gimmick was almost as ingenious as the album itself, which stands up well against anything else in their unparalleled catalogue. You need to hear the entire album, but, if you are hesitant to get the whole thing, check out songs like “Bodysnatchers,” and “House or Cards,” be amazed, and then buy the entire work.
21. Arcade Fire – Funeral (2004)
Dramatic and sincere, with a huge, arena-filling sound behind it, this album blew everyone away upon its 2004 release. Frontman Win Butler has a real dangerous quality to his voice as the band blasts through tales of the broken and beaten down and sometimes triumphant. Listen to “Rebellion (Lies)” and “Wake Up,” then pick up the entire album. It is well worth it.
Best of 2009 in Music – The First Ten December 29, 2009
Posted by Matt in Best of 2009.Tags: Blakroc, Dave Matthews Band, Jason Isbell, Metric, neko case, Sonic Youth, The Decemberists, The Raveonettes, U2, Wilco
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2009 was quite a year in the music world, one that was filled with superb high profile releases and great recordings by artists toiling under the radar. I purchased somewhere in the neighborhood of 50 new albums over the past year, most from either emusic or Amazon, and I have whittled that list down to 25 that I will present now as the best of the year. Yesterday we looked at five honorable mentions and today we will delve into the first 10 albums, those ranked 11-20 on our list.
20. Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit – Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit
I first came into contact with Jason Isbell’s music during his tenure with one of my favorite bands of the past decade, the Drive-By Truckers, so it goes without saying that I have also followed his solo career closely. This time around Isbell ratchets up the southern rock another notch, to a level that almost rivals his former band. It’s another great work from a real up-and-comer on the scene.
Download: Seven-Mile Island, However Long
19. The Raveonettes – In and Out of Control
The last album from The Raveonettes, 2007’s Lust Lust Lust, seemed to make the female-lead band an heir apparent to the shoegazing movement, that genre best defined by bands like Jesus and Mary Chain and My Bloody Valentine. Like the aforementioned bands, their sound was an atmospheric blend of loud guitars and ethereal vocals that worked well and was a bit nostalgic to those of us who came of age in the 90’s. For their latest release, the band has taken a slightly different turn, making songs that can stand alone and do not need the album context to be recognized as good. To me this album sounds more like the band Garbage than it does pure shoegazing, and that’s a good thing.
Download: Bang!, Last Dance
18. Sonic Youth – The Eternal
These legends of noisy alternative rock have been relatively quiet over the past decade or so. Long gone are the halcyon days of the 80’s with their wild musical experimentation and the 90’s with their MTV video rotation, but after nearly 30 years Thurston Moore and Kim Gordon continue to plug away. This album marks a remarkable return to form for these oft-lauded figures, now well into middle age, and we are all better for it.
Download: Sacred Trickster, Leaky Lifeboat
17. Dave Matthews Band – Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King
Throughout the decade, DMB continued to be one of the greatest live acts around, regularly performing to sold-out crowds around the world, but, despite this popularity, the quality of their studio recordings took a hit. It seemed as though they would never again capture the magic of their albums from the 1990’s, at least it did until they released this gem. Big Whiskey was recorded following the death of longtime saxophonist Leroi Moore and though that cloud of sorrow hung over the band, their creativity must have been rejuvenated because this is, without a doubt, their best album in a decade.
Download: Shake Me Like a Monkey, Why I Am
16. The Decemberists – The Hazards of Love
If there is a more unlikely success story than that of the Decemberists, I don’t know what it is. Their style is nothing like most mainstream artists and they have just released a second consecutive concept album telling a very strange story. Their last work, 2006’s The Crane Wife, was one of my favorites of that year and this later work, while not quite as good as Crane, is still very interesting and different. The Hazards of Love tells the story of a woman named Margaret who falls in love with a shape-shifting forest creature named William. It should also be mentioned that the best song on the album, “The Rake’s Song” is probably the catchiest song ever written about infanticide.
Download: The Rake’s Song, Won’t Want for Love (Margaret in the Taiga)
15. Neko Case – Middle Cyclone
I know it is cliché to say that you could listen to someone sing the phone book, but I truly feel as though I could listen to Neko Case, with her soaring vocals, take on anything and love it. I first began listening to her following the release of 2006’s Fox Confessor Brings the Flood and quickly fell completely in love with her voice. This album continues in the tradition of her other solo albums, telling dark tales with a Southern kick while employing her huge, room-filling voice. I had the chance to see her earlier this year at a show here in Memphis and let me tell you, this woman is amazing.
Download: This Tornado Loves You, People Got a Lotta Nerve
14. U2 – No Line on the Horizon
I’ve been listening to U2 for a long time now and I would definitely count myself a fan of their songs. But while I love several of their individual songs, I have usually found their complete albums lacking. I mean, even The Joshua Tree is terribly front-loaded. Now that that is out of the way, No Line on the Horizon is, without a doubt, their finest work since 1991’s Achtung Baby. There are some truly great songs on here, some that nearly rival the best of their past works.
Download: Magnificent, Moment of Surrender
13. Blakroc – Blakroc
The collaboration of rap and rock music has a spotty history. On one hand, you have a great genre-bending band like Rage Against the Machine or an inspired team-up like Anthrax and Public Enemy or an accomplished rapper like Jay-Z who seamlessly blends rock guitar into his compositions. On the other hand you have Limp Bizkit. Blackrock continues the tradition in a good way, this time teaming blues-rock aficionados The Black Keys with an assortment of rappers, including Mos Def, Q-Tip (from A Tribe Called Quest), Ludacris, and an assortment of Wu-Tang Clan members like ODB, Raekwon, and RZA. Some of the tracks may be better than others, but the great ones are truly great.
Download: Ain’t Nothing Like You (Hoochie Coo), Hope You’re Happy
12. Wilco – Wilco (The Album)
With their latest release Wilco continues to hold their position as one of the best and most interesting bands in the music world today. There has been no greater voice in the alt-country world over the past 15 years than that of Jeff Tweedy and Wilco. This latest release harkens back to their first few albums, with happier, more joyful sounding songs than any we’ve heard since the release of their magnum opus, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.
Download: You and I, You Never Know
11. Metric – Fantasies
This Canadian indie rock band made a few waves this year with songs that ended up on the soundtracks of various television shows and movies. Their synthesizer-driven rhythms and danceable beats mix with vocalist Emily Haines in such a way that their music is irresistible. You definitely need to check them out. Between this band and government-run health care, Canada has a lot going for it.
Download: Help I’m Alive, Sick Muse
Stay tuned for the top ten…
Best of the Decade – Music Edition (71-80) December 2, 2009
Posted by Matt in Top 100 of the Decade.Tags: 2000s, Bonnie Prince Billy, Bright Eyes, decade, M. Ward, Mark Knopfler & Emmylou Harris, My Morning Jacket, O Brother Where Art Thou, The Decemberists, The Raconteurs, The Shins, The White Stripes, top 100
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Over the past two weeks we’ve been navigating our way through the best music of the past decade. So, far we’ve looked at the albums ranked 91-100 and 81-90. Today we will focus on the next ten.
80. Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy – Master and Everyone (2003)
Will Oldham, the artist also known as Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, has been a fixture on the folk music scene for over 15 years, releasing slice after slice of dark Americana while never quite breaking through to the mainstream. This album was my introduction to his acoustic styling, which sounds simultaneously wistful and sad, several years ago and I have been a fan ever since. Songs like “The Way” and “Ain’t You Wealthy, Ain’t You Wise?” are great additions to the alt-country canon.
79. My Morning Jacket – It Still Moves (2003)
It Still Moves was my introduction to the decidedly Southern, reverb-drenched sounds of MMJ and I’ve been a big fan ever since. Taking a cue from Crazy Horse, Jim James and company have put together a sound that is simultaneously mired in the stoned-out 70’s and distinctly modern. Take my word for it, songs like “Mahgeetah” and “One Big Holiday” will have you dancing and leave you wanting more.
78. Bright Eyes – Cassadega (2007)
You can count me among the people who like Conor Oberst’s trembling, perhaps overly-earnest vocal styling and, though they have been quite prolific over the past decade, this is probably the Bright Eyes album that I listened to the most. The cryptic lyrics are a bit Dylanesque and the heavily reverbed music oftentimes sounds like the aforementioned MMJ, but Bright Eyes have constructed an interesting sound all their own in today’s music landscape. Check out “Four Winds” and “If the Brakeman Turns My Way” for a taste of what these guys are all about.
77. Various Artists – O Brother Where Art Thou (2000)
Both among the best movies and soundtracks of the decade, O Brother reintroduced many Americans to the almost forgotten styles of folk music. This album of songs taken from the Coen brothers’ great film turns to artists like the legendary Ralph Stanley and a great trio of Americana songbirds – Gillian Welch, Allison Krauss, and Emmylou Harris. In addition, the soundtrack also employs the fictitious Soggy Bottom Boys (played in the film by George Clooney, Tim Blake Nelson, and John Turturro), who are credited with two of the more memorable songs from the film, “I am a Man of Constant Sorrow,” and “In the Jailhouse Now.”
76. The Raconteurs – Consolers of the Lonely (2008)
This project of the 2000’s greatest guitar god, Jack White, may not be on the same level as his work with The White Stripes, but it still rocks like few others can. Consolers of the Lonely does a great job in showing that White’s blues-rock guitar works well in a full band context as well as in a duo. Turn on songs like “Salute Your Solution” or “Many Shades of Black,” crank up the volume and enjoy.
75. Mark Knopfler & Emmylou Harris – All the Roadrunning (2006)
Guitar maestro Knopfler, of Dire Straits fame, and Americana songstress Harris may seem like a strange pairing on the surface, but this work is one of the best in recent folk music. The combination of styles makes for a nice, easy-to-listen-to album, and their familiar voices blend together on songs like “I Dug up a Diamond” and “This is Us,” to form a near-perfect union.
74. The White Stripes – Elephant (2003)
This was the album that first turned me on to the White Stripes and the incredible Jack White, so it holds a special place in my music collection. The running bass line at the beginning of the “Seven Nation Army” is one of the most inescapable pieces of the past decade, which is actually a good thing, and songs like “Ball and Biscuit” display White’s proficiency in the blues. While its not my favorite work of the Stripes, it is an excellent album and definitely a must-have.
73. The Shins – Oh, Inverted World (2001)
The Shins may not have changed my life like Natalie Portman promised they would, but I do really like their brand of indie pop. Their subsequent albums have not grabbed me like this one from the early part of the decade, but Oh, Inverted World is a release that everyone interested in the music of the decade needs. The collection contains a number of excellent catchy songs, from the best-known ones like “Caring is Creepy” and “New Slang,” to those that are perhaps less played like “Know Your Onion!” and all of them are very good.
72. The Decemberists – Picaresque (2005)
I first heard The Decemberists on Radio Paradise, following the release of this album in 2005 and quickly became a fan. Their style is unusual and original, sounding often like a relic from some past time. Though vocalist Colin Melloy can sometimes be a bit over-earnest, his tales of barrow boys and other strange characters are quite appealing to me. The song “16 Military Wives” was their breakthrough hit from this release and it is great, but I think my favorite is “We Both Go Down Together.” Overall, it’s definitely an interesting work that deserves to be heard.
71. M. Ward – The Transfiguration of Vincent (2003)
Nostalgia is a powerful driving force in the world of music, but there are few artists whose works would sound at home on a transistor radio like M. Ward. This album is soothing, comforting in a familiar way. Just put on songs like “Vincent O’Brien” and “Undertaker,” and be transported back to another time. Take it from me, it’s worth the ride.
