I would first like to say that I hate you guys.
By you guys I mean, Frass, MC and TD5 in no particular order with no varying degrees of boring. (I apologise, it slipped that I am to use "boring" instead of the "H" word).
Why? Because I am hateful (it's okay to use it if there are other sensible letters attached as shown by example). But not just because I am hateful, but really because you three made me undertake a somewhat difficult and painstakingly arduous task.
To make matters worse, just when I finished reviewing all the albums I needed to for the past 10 years, I boring myself for leaving my trusty notebook with all of my review notes on my desk, with no chance to retrieve until 4 1/2 days from now.
With that in mind, and my not-so solid memory as I rated every song out of 5 from the dozens of albums I chose and cannot possibly sit here and do that again, I present to you my top 15 albums of the 00's (are we calling this decade the 'Noughties'?) with the difficult decision of choosing 1 album out of many for a number of bands listed here.
Re-listening to albums I have not heard in about a decade (bwahaha, I crack me up) really tests the lasting quality of a song. Memories from those periods of my life definitely play a factor in how many of these albums make the list too. Some albums I was surprised to hear, did not make my final cut and others I 'almost' forgot how much I loved.
15.
System of a Down -
Toxicity (2001)
System of a Down's Toxicity was forced upon me by a friend way back when I was in college. This is unrelated but I find it scary that with the start of 2010 I can almost put a decade of schooling behind me.
Politically charged lyrics, a bit of silliness, pounding guitar work with some notably heavy bass and the greatness that is Serj Tankian's very unique vocals ( let me not forget that I had a new found respect for a band that put The Legend of Zelda theme into lyrics hailing Link as the Master that he is) makes this album one of the greats of the last10 years.
Memory to Share: I used the track "Prison Song" from this album as part of a presentation I had for Professor Garcia's Prison Literature class. Listening to that song today made me realise why I was getting such dirty looks from the idiotic girls who only took that class thinking Mr. Garcia was hot, only to boring me even more later when I informed them he was gay.
I proudly may have made some ears bleed that day what with the growling vocals on that song but Professor Garcia loved it, loved me and gave me an "A". He also made me a bit of a Professor's Pet but I forgive him. I was the only other brown in the class and he was probably bonding over that. Not to mention I was smart. Ha. (Keyword:
was)
Noteworthy Tracks: all of it? Pretty much! "Toxicity", "Prison Song", "Needles".
Song War: 5 or 6?: No. 6. A Winner is Me.
"X" vs "Chop Suey".
Person to Thank for the Introduction: Sicky
14.
The Strokes -
Is This It? (2001)
The album can be a little bit sing-songy but musically and lyrically this album manages to capture a lot of NYC for me. I'm not sure why but is this it? Is it the coolness of the songs of how they're strung together? There are few bands as cool sounding as they are. With this first album, The Strokes show their immediate iconic status they should and have been elevated too. There's undenial sleazy charm in every song along with the deadpan delivery of Julian Casablancas even on those tracks that are more upbeat. You would not even think it possible but they pull it off.
Memory to Share: The day I frantically asked TD5 if "Take it or Leave it" was on the album and why he did not give it to me because I heard the fantastic cover by Arctic Monkeys. As it turns out, I missed converting it for some reason. That made 6 years of embarrassingly not knowing a great song.
Noteworthy Tracks: "Trying Your Luck", "Hard to Explain", "Last Nite", and "Take It or Leave It"
Person to Thank for the Introduction: TD5
Song War: 5 or 6?: No. 5. A Winner is H1.
"Someday" vs "Alone, Together"
13.
Interpol -
Turn on the Bright Lights (2002)
Another NYC band that's not really one... well, two members are from the U.K. Is this why I heart them so much? Maybe that's the hidden factor but I'm fairly certain it has everything to do with the dirty, amazing lyrics and dirty, amazing vocals of Paul Banks. Interpol's
Turn on the Bright Lights is a fairly dark sounding album. Bright Lights? Where? Even when sung in the song "NYC", the bright lights just showcased everything crazy and underground about the city. They're masters of cruelty, this band. They've lived it and then try to shove it down our ears and make us feel cheap too! Thanks, guys for the great album but not so much the pain we feel for you.
Memory to Share: Oh, it's not a great one but I missed them in concert @ MSG making this one of H1's biggest regrets and mine. Though, I think she can feel okay now knowing they did not play 'Leif Erikson'. And really, what's the point if that didn't go down?
Noteworthy Tracks: "Obstacle 1", "Say Hello to Angels", "PDA", and "Obstacle 2"
Person to Thank for the Introduction: TD5
Song War: 5 or 6?: No. 5. A Winner is H1.
"Say Hello to Angels" vs "Hands Away"
12.
Hot Hot Heat - Elevator (2005)
It's a bit of an odd selection like many of the albums I chose for this list, but this one I did not think I would put here. As I listened, there's no song that's below a 4 out of 5 stars. They're not the most serious of bands but you don't have to be serious to put out a great album, right? Come now, I am not smug! There's some sadness to this album but the real sadness might be that they're Canadian and I like them so much.
Fun, depressing and Canadian. Possible? Yes. You get all on this album of non-offending and often thoughtful lyrics, catchy tunes and a slightly offensive voice from the land of the Maple Leaf.
Memory to Share: The 2005 Foozer concert was one of the top 5 the Hochies attended in our short concert going career. Weezer nailed it, and Dave Grohl shows why he's a rock star and didn't need Nirvana, with a set of lungs that screamed clear for 2 hours. And the unknown-to-us opening act Hot Hot Heat immediately garnered my attention. I bought their albums soon after and have loved them since.
Noteworthy Tracks: "Jingle Jangle", "Dirty Mouth" , "Elevator", "Shame on You", and "Island of The Honest Man".
Person(s) to Thank for the Introduction: HHH and well, myself. Maybe mostly H1 for insisting to go to NJ to see Foo Fighters.
Song War: 5 or 6?: No. 5. A Winner is H1.
"You owe me an I.O.U." vs "No Jokes - Fact"
11.
Gorillaz -
Demon Days (2005)
I hesitated one summer during the now defunct Virgin Megastore's in Times Square $10.00 clearance event. Some Saturday later, H1 and Luuuuiiiisssss went back and H1 asked if to pick up a copy because I was on the fence. Thank goodness I responded with a yes. I do not like to buy albums unless there are 3 songs or more that I like and on this, I heard 2 but so great were those 2 that I decided for $10.00 I could take that chance. I only recently read the sordid history of the characters behind Gorillaz created by Damon Albarn who I think a genius, and the
Tank Girl comic creator Jamie Hewlett.
The animated band, with the strange words and born of a strange creation, experimental sounds including but not limited to a fusion of alternative hip-hop and alternative rock makes this one bad-assed album I am proud to own. I look forward to their new release in 2010.
Memory to Share: "Dare" must have been played so much everywhere but it's the one song I remember being played as part of the pre-setlist ahead of U2's Vertigo Tour. It was just H1 and I, and we were 'raving The Cheat style' happily when it came on.
Noteworthy Tracks: "El Manana", "Dare", "All Alone", "Feel Good, Inc.", "Last Living Souls" and "Fire Coming Out of the Monkey's Head"
Person to Thank for the Introduction: Myself
Song War: 5 or 6?: No. 6. A Winner is Me.
"Dirty Harry" vs "Feel Good, Inc."
10.
Bloc Party -
Silent Alarm (2005)
A party indeed! Give me any album with lots of heavy, fast-paced drumming and I will love you. But that's not what makes great alone - other than the catchiness there are a few slower tracks that are also down-to-earth.
Silent Alarm can be best described by me as an album that defines this whole culture of troubled kids (who are not emo, I might add). The album progresses from stories of messed up youth to their building relationships as time goes on and to global issues in need of addressing.
It's tough being alive in our times and that is exactly what this album is about. It's about the Noughties: what we are doing, and what we are not doing.
Noteworthy Tracks: "Pioneers", "This Modern Love", "Like Eating Glass", and "Helicopter".
Memory to Share: Nothing in particular - I listen to all my albums primarily on the train. But this one reminds of just being on the train, listening and observing people on the daily. It's what the album calls for, really.
Person to Thank for the Introduction: TD5
Song War: 5 or 6?: No. 6. A Winner is Me.
"Blue Light" vs "She's Hearing Voices"
09.
Keane -
Under the Iron Sea (2007)
The second attempt from Keane has yet to be defeated by anything they put forth. Quite frankly, I am unsure if it is possible. Their first album
Hopes and Fears was incredibly promising and probably made lots of best of lists. I for one, while I enjoyed it immensely thought I could gauge what was to follow - another safe album that would appeal to the same old kind - not crazy but light listening. How wrong was that assessment? I was completely blown away when
Under the Iron Sea came out.
Tim Rice-Oxley's still having a blast on his keyboard, and Tom goes on drugs to craft one of the best albums this decade. The lyrics are sweet, harsh and sung ever so perfectly and are in sync musically as well. This album also has one of the most strong openers that screams attention and leaves you anticipating greatness. The rest of the album does not disappoint.
Memory to Share: Tim Rice-Oxley on keyboard, dancing, kicking up his legs and flailing like a muppet to what song he was hearing? I will never know but H1 and I witnessed it when they opened for U2 @ MSG in 2005. Wow, that was some good times. I'm sad I missed them in concert for this album but was really glad I did not get tickets after Keane cancelled their North American Tour thanks to Tom entering rehab.
Noteworthy Tracks: "Nothing in My Way", "Leaving So Soon?", "Atlantic", "Broken Toy" and "A Bad Dream"
Person to Thank for the Introduction: H1 and myself. She loved "Somewhere Only We Know"and I took the chance and bought the first album.
Song War: 5 or 6?: No. 5. A Winner is H1.
"A Bad Dream" vs "Hamburg Song"
08.
Cold War Kids -
Robbers & Cowards (2007)
I don't remember what I said in 2007 when I reviewed this album but it must have along the lines of "it is brilliant". It still is and whatever I said back then, I echo. Incredibly intelligent lyrics and a full interesting sound keeps this album strong after 2 years and for years to come.
Memory to Share: What a fun time with drums, trumpets and masks these boys had at MSG. H1 and I appreciated it and we were the only one singing enthusiastically to every song - both annoying and impressing those around us.
Noteworthy Tracks: "Robbers", "Passing the Hat", "We Used to Vacation" and "God Make Up Your Mind"
Person(s) to Thank for the Introduction: The radio, H1, Muse and myself.
Song War: 5 or 6?: No. 5. A Winner is H1.
"Passing the Hat" vs "Saint John"
07.
Kenna -
New Sacred Cow (2003)
As H1 knows, this used to be the best $9.99 I ever spent (as opposed to the best $11.99 spent on my black jacket with the now pin-adorned strap that goes across the front). The claymation video impressed me during a time when MTV2 still showed music videos and I still felt compelled to watch them. An electronica, alternative rock album with melodic vocals that invoked a certain happy calmness while instilling sadness everytime I hear "Hell Bent" - this album will always be one of my most memorable.
Memory to Share: I remember feeling a certain amount of guilt buying this album. I had not yet started working but really wanted it. I must have had a little bit of money to spare and decided to purchase. So in that sense, I suppose this was my second album bought with my 'own' money. The first was R.E.M.'s
Automatic for the People which I bought in Trinidad for $125 TT. H1 was mad when I did that but it was okay. R.E.M. definitely veered me away from the route of Sir-Mix-A-Lot, my first album owned for which I make no apologies though. Do not judge me, H1 and others!
Noteworthy Tracks: "Vexed and Glorious", "Man Fading", "Sunday After You", "Hell Bent" and "Love/Hate Sensation"
Person to Thank for the Introduction: Myself. I refuse to thank MTV for anything.
Song War: 5 or 6?: No. 5. A Winner is H1.
"Vexed and Glorious" vs "A Better Control"
06.
Radiohead -
Hail to the Thief (2003)
If I were to consider all the albums Radiohead made this decade, they'd all be on here cluttering the list. As is I had a hard time choosing one and ultimately went with 2003's
Hail to the Thief. Not a favourite choice of many review lists you may find for this decade but always a favourite of mine. While
Amnesiac and
Kid A delved heavily on the experimental which I commend, and
In Rainbows was a more traditional rock sound and an amazing album for me,
Hail to the Thief successfully blended the experimental with the traditional. Always with the haunting vocals as mumbled by Thom Yorke and always a dynamically engineered sound masterfully composed by the genius members of Radiohead (Jonny Greenwood, Colin Greenwood, Ed O'Brien and Phil Selway) - this album is one of nearly all that make this band hailed as the greatest of all time.
Memory to Share: What the heck is Myxamatosis? Ohhhh.... You learn something new with Radiohead every time. Also, I can never get tickets to see this band. It's probably why I still go to concerts...to keep me feeling like going for that day I finally score tix to see them. Really, my concert going will be complete at that point.
Noteworthy Tracks: "Sit Down, Stand Up", "2+2 = 5", "A Punch-Up at a Wedding", "Myxamatosis" and "Scatterbrain".
Person to Thank for the Introduction: Myself.
Song War: 5 or 6? I think it's a tie, honestly. A Winner is Us.
"Go to Sleep" vs "Where I End and You Begin"
05.
The Streets -
A Grand Don't Come For Free (2004)
Well this was tough having to decide to choose the first album or this. As great as
Original Pirate Material is - the album that was quick on wit with garage beats and an Englishman who talked through his lyrics and singing, I chose the second. I love that this album is a concept album. I love the ridiculous story of a man's misadventures in a short span of time (maybe a week?) - going through losing money, not meeting Mum for tea, falling in love, getting kicked out of the gf's house, finding out his best friend is cheating with said girl and leaving the ending open for a choose your own adventure route. What the heck! It is brilliant to me. Who doesn't love a good, plain story about stuff that happens every day? Ha.
Memory to Share: White Plains. I was excited when this came out and rushed to buy it while I was at one of my many dentist's visits. I got picked up after by H1, Luuuuiiisssss and me own Mum and like I said, I was incredibly excited to get my hands on this and taking a moment to wonder the strangeness of the album and an hour later, loving it.
Noteworthy Tracks: "It Was Supposed To Be So Easy", "What Is He Thinking?", "Blinded by the Lights", and "Get Out of My House"
Person to Thank for the Introduction: Myself.
Song War: 5 or 6?: No. 6. A Winner is Me.
"Wouldn't Have it Any Other Way" vs "Get Out of my House"
04.
The Killers -
Hot Fuss (2004)
I do not think I ever listened to an album so much on my own in addition to so much heavy rotation on the radio that I actually had a bit of an OD experience until I met
Hot Fuss. Everyone went The Killers crazy when this album came out. Songs about girls who are boys and a string of videos making Eric Roberts into a star had all listening, talking and remembering the 80's. I got hit with the fever too and joined in the madness. What a fun couple of singles with stupid lyrics that all could enjoy and not question. No one cared! It was catchy to have everyone singing along. If you got past the singles and took a listen, the album is a collection of the same but dazzled x10 even down to the The Killers logo on the sleeve.
Six years later, I'm still believing in Natalie and trying to find my last chance to find a go-go dance to disco.
Yes, I had to say that. And yes, it still makes no sense but yes, I still love it and will forever, probably.
Memory to Share: None, other than I could not listen to The Killers until this year (I actually tried to forget them!) after having them on...wait for it...overKill.
Noteworthy Tracks: "Believe Me Natalie", "Andy, You're a Star", "Change Your Mind", "Smile Like You Mean It", and "On Top"
Person to Boring (Thank) for the Introduction: TD5
Song War: 5 or 6?: No. 6. A Winner is Me.
"All These Things That I've Done" vs "Andy, You're a Star"
03.
Mindless Self Indulgence -
You'll Rebel to Anything (2005)
I was in college when I first heard the insanity that is MSI. Since 2000 this band has been one of my favourites. They usually can do no wrong for me and probably the only frenemie of mine who can accept this band as amazing is Beetchie. We're of a cult, MSI followers who like to take verbal abuse from the members but we all know our place as a bunch of misfits.
While Frankenstein Girls Will Seem Strangely Sexy, will always hail for me the fond memory of when I entered this crazy adventure that is this band, I chose YRTA for its tighter lyrics. It has insults to the mainstream to those who blindly follow whatever, while dealing with the insults thrown back at the sub-culture and all the while still maintaining the unique sound as ONLY Jimmy Urine and MSI can create. I still don't know what "Jungle Rock" is but I subscribe to it hardcore. Oh, and no worries - they didn't get so serious on this as to not still make you laugh really hard. But they do continue to make anthems you can sing to the haters and stupids.
Memory to Share: The Avalon - it was the first pit I experienced and I lasted all of 20 seconds before being pushed to a comfortable zone to watch the show and not have to watch my back. Beetchie tore it up as she likes to do and Jess was on guard duty making sure no one got to me and tried to rough me up. I am forever grateful to her and B. for looking out for me. I sang every lyric to "Bring The Pain" that had B. impressed and when they played "What Do They Know?", I was the happiest person there. I met the members of MSI afterwards and had one of the best nights ever.
Noteworthy Tracks: "What Do They Know?", "You'll Rebel to Anything (As Long as it's Not Challenging), "Stupid MF", "Tom Sawyer", and "Shut Me Up".
Pokemon to Thank for the Introduction: Pikachu.
Song War: 5 or 6?: No. 6. A Winner is Me.
"You'll Rebel to Anything (As Long As It's Not Challenging)" vs "What Do They Know?"
02.
Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare (2007)
When H1 presented her list of albums of the decade, this made her number one spot. TD5 wanted to know if recency of attending a concert had any influence on her decision but I assured him that was not the case because as we should all just make clear - Arctic Monkeys is one of the best bands to form this decade and will be one of the best ever.
All the more impressive was that the lads when first on the scene were teenagers at 17 or so. This was backed by the sharp insight, wit and ability to mosaic lyrics into a masterpiece with cheek and delivery that Alex Turner lay down so fierce it had you reeling.
If ever you needed to know what it was like to grow up in Sheffield in the recent Noughties, look to
Whatever People Say I am, That's What I'm Not. While a stellar album in its own right, deserving of having a place on this list even in the stead of this album, I chose
Favourite Worst Nightmare because I did not think I could like anything more than the first. This album comes out and I am floored - the boys grew up, they experienced the world while on tour and all in the short span of a whirlwind year.
The stories were never jaded, still clever and a new powerhouse emerged in the form of Matthew Helders who commanded you stop, listen and then look to see how he could possibly have the skills to drum the way he does.
Breakups, a Brianstorm and a lot of crazy behind the scene celebrity follies were felt, seen and observed - and AM spilt the beans on it all.
Memory to Share: How unknowingly sad my life would be had I not boarded that plane to the U.K. in 2006. My stubbornness to listen to bands that have been over-hyped can sometimes lead me to miss on great things as the case with AM. The good thing is, AM are not at all over-hyped and deserve every accolade they have ever received. There are lots of memories I have from my 2006 trip to the U.K. but this had to be the best. I finally listened to their first album and came home anxious to spread the wealth of knowledge to TD5 and H1 (Frass and MC won't listen to me but that's okay, they suck).
Noteworthy Tracks: "If You Were There, Beware", "Do Me a Favour", "Teddy Picker", "Brianstorm" and "This House is a Circus". Really the entire album but if anyone cares, start with those and pick up a copy of WPSIATWIAN while you're at it.
Person(s) to Thank for the Introduction: Virgin Atlantic and myself.
Song War: 5 or 6? 5 is better unfortunately. A winner is H1.
"Fluorescent Adolescent" vs "Only Ones Who Know"
01.
MUSE - Origin of Symmetry (2001)
Before you eye-roll though I suspect the lot of you did that from the start, I really struggled with this. I did not want to rank any of these albums at all for fear of persecution when Muse made my top. But since this is my list and I can say whatever I want, I shall.
I am always the first to admit that Bells is not always the best lyricist and if there is a crappy song by them, it's crappy and let us not sugar coat it.
If you all are still eye-rolling, or have even bothered to read this far, you can all thank H1 for doing you all an unkindness by not only making me listening to "Time is Running Out" but then going ahead and purchasing
Absolution for me back in 2004.
That began my MUSE obsession and I set forth to gather every album I could get my hands on and all great to me from this decade including
Absolution, Black Holes and Revelations and
The Resistance (maybe this one not as much as the others). The one I chose is one I had to acquire from overseas and is my favourite of the 5 studio releases.
It's got everything I love about them - falsetto, grandiose sounds, moving lyrics and biting riffs.
Memory to Share: I almost cried the two times I heard "Citizen Erased" in concert (because it's so frickin' sad!) and will always treasure when I heard my favourite song "Micro Cuts" at Wembley Stadium in 2007.
Noteworthy Tracks: "Micro Cuts", "Citizen Erased", "Space Dementia" and "New Born".
Person to Thank for the Introduction: H1. The person you all curse.
Song War: 5 or 6? 6 is better. A Winner is Me.
"Plug in Baby" vs "Citizen Erased"
The albums from other bands that did not quite make it but made lasting impressions:
Honourable Mention :
The National -
Boxer
Franz Ferdinand -
You Could Have It So Much Better; Franz Ferdinand
TV on the Radio -
Dear Science
Tokyo Police Club -
A Lesson in Crime EP
Death Cab for Cutie -
Plans
Audioslave -
Audioslave
The Horrors -
Strange House
U2 -
How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
Yeah Yeah Yeahs -
Is Is EP
Menomena -
Friend and Foe
Illinois -
What The Hell Do I Know? EP
The Shins -
Wincing Away The Night
Green Day -
American Idiot
The Best Anime Soundtrack of the Decade: goes to
X Tv Series Original Soundtrack by Naoki Sato. Sometimes I think we should import Japanese composers to film American movie scores and I wonder when they'll get the recognition over here.
The Best Movie Soundtrack of the Decade:
Kill Bill Original Soundtrack (Vols. 1 & 2). Quentin certainly knows how to choose his music to fit the zaniness of his movies and it's always an excitement when a movie of his is released not only for the movie's content but the music content as well.
Honourable Mention: The
Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham Original Soundtrack. That movie was good times too.
