The Indiana Music Archive and Online Community
Best Albums of the Decade
Just what will we call this soon to be passing decade? The "Os"? Like O-9? That's what I usually call it- "back in O-6...."
So with the decade closing out I wanted to send out a request for Best Albums of the Decade. I realize just trying to think of that might give you a headache, but just start by listing any that come to mind, it doesn't have to be a top ten list or anything like that. Here's some of mine and I will add some later.
as you may note, this list is decidedly "Indie" rock.
TV On The Radio- "Return To Cookie Mountain"and "Dear Science"- a fascinating band that is really pushing boundaries without forgetting to rock, an American Radiohead if you will.
The National "Boxer"- an album with surprising depth despite sounding very one dimensional at first. They were channeling something with this one.
Deerhunter- "Microcastle"- what pop music should be in the "Os" if the radio stations played anything worth listening to. This band was my favorite discovery of the past 2 years. Check out the sister band Atlas Sound as well.
The Shins- "Wincing The Night Away"- this album didn't get as much love as "Chutes Too Narrow" but in my book it has much more depth and finds it way to my turntable twice as often.
Yo La Tengo- "And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside-Out"- this album just barely made the decade but it deserves to be on this list. It took me a while to get into it but I now see it as the band's high water mark and probably the best album made by a married couple around the theme of their relationship.
Amy Winehouse "Back To Black"- a classic despite the hype
Dirty Projectors- "Bitte Orca"- I usually don't go for "weird" stuff like this but this is such a great record I really had to add it to the list.
Spoon- "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga"- really changed how I think about recording
Sufjan Stevens- "Illinois"- a masterpiece all around
Bright Eyes- "I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning"- emo grows up and writes great songs.
Radiohead- "Hail To The Thief" and "In Rainbows"- they were really the band of the decade in my eyes
Fleet Foxes- "Fleet Foxes"- I think this album will endure and grow in respect over time, timeless stuff.
The Strokes- "Is This It"- an undeniable classic, every song should have been a hit.
Of Montreal- "Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?" - This is probably my favorite record from the decade at this point.
So with the decade closing out I wanted to send out a request for Best Albums of the Decade. I realize just trying to think of that might give you a headache, but just start by listing any that come to mind, it doesn't have to be a top ten list or anything like that. Here's some of mine and I will add some later.
as you may note, this list is decidedly "Indie" rock.
TV On The Radio- "Return To Cookie Mountain"and "Dear Science"- a fascinating band that is really pushing boundaries without forgetting to rock, an American Radiohead if you will.
The National "Boxer"- an album with surprising depth despite sounding very one dimensional at first. They were channeling something with this one.
Deerhunter- "Microcastle"- what pop music should be in the "Os" if the radio stations played anything worth listening to. This band was my favorite discovery of the past 2 years. Check out the sister band Atlas Sound as well.
The Shins- "Wincing The Night Away"- this album didn't get as much love as "Chutes Too Narrow" but in my book it has much more depth and finds it way to my turntable twice as often.
Yo La Tengo- "And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside-Out"- this album just barely made the decade but it deserves to be on this list. It took me a while to get into it but I now see it as the band's high water mark and probably the best album made by a married couple around the theme of their relationship.
Amy Winehouse "Back To Black"- a classic despite the hype
Dirty Projectors- "Bitte Orca"- I usually don't go for "weird" stuff like this but this is such a great record I really had to add it to the list.
Spoon- "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga"- really changed how I think about recording
Sufjan Stevens- "Illinois"- a masterpiece all around
Bright Eyes- "I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning"- emo grows up and writes great songs.
Radiohead- "Hail To The Thief" and "In Rainbows"- they were really the band of the decade in my eyes
Fleet Foxes- "Fleet Foxes"- I think this album will endure and grow in respect over time, timeless stuff.
The Strokes- "Is This It"- an undeniable classic, every song should have been a hit.
Of Montreal- "Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?" - This is probably my favorite record from the decade at this point.
Comment
-
Comment by Jack Shepler on December 18, 2009 at 3:15pm - That must be a different kind of "DJing" ;]
-
Comment by Jeb Banner on December 18, 2009 at 3:10pm - yeah, my kids love Circle Jerks' "Group Sex". A real party starter! :)
-
Comment by John P. Strohm on December 18, 2009 at 2:44pm -
Of course - if you're playing DJ at a party, you're going to play stuff that's not going to end up on your "best of the decade" list. It's like, when I'm DJ'ing at a party, I'll put on the first Seven Seconds album, but only when I'm home with the family do I put on the second TSOL album. And similarly, the Circle Jerks' Group Sex is great for a club night, but the Wild in the Streets album is more introspective - I play that with the shades drawn, preferably on a rainy morning...
Okay, I'm really done picking on hardcore fanatics now! Promise!
-
Comment by Jeb Banner on December 18, 2009 at 11:14am
- I think those bands are utility bands- meaning they are good for certain instances. I have been listening to side one of the Bee Gees Greatest Hits on an almost daily basis this past year since my kids love it. I have to admit it continues to impress me as well although I would never put it on without their insistence. They also love The Black Eyed Peas, Justin Timberlake, Gwen Stefani and other stuff like that. To be honest I think it's perfectly fine stuff, it's fun to dance around to and works well for the purpose of getting the kids moving around instead of watching TV.
-
Comment by John P. Strohm on December 18, 2009 at 11:00am
- Yukki bit his tongue as long as he could stand it...or until it fell off. Ears are broken, ha!
-
Comment by Kurt/Yukki on December 18, 2009 at 10:07am - While my list shares some titles with Burd and Liza, I think if you like Horrorpops, Tiger Army, Scissor Sisters or My Chemical Romance, your ears are broken. Also, Aquabats are cute and fun, but isn't that for, like, 14 year olds?
-
Comment by Michael Eugene Henry on December 18, 2009 at 12:28am -
Hey,
If you like Cat Power check out Tiny Vipers. It's almost wrist slashingly happy!
-
Comment by Derren Hermann on December 17, 2009 at 11:05pm -
A few I listened to a lot...
Cat Power, "You Are Free"
White Stripes, "Icky Thump" bring back the Zep riffs
Steve Earle, "Transcendental Blues" great title song
Wilco, "Ghost Is Born"
The "I'm Not There" soundtrack has some great covers. Stephen Malkmus "Ballad of a Thin Man" & Black Keys "Wicked Messenger" stand out.
Jeff Tweedy's solo concerts were exceptional. If you can get a hold of a copy. I have the one from Columbus, Ohio and listened to it quite a lot. "Sunken Treasure" version is haunting.
Best album title "I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass"....just relax to "Pass The Hatchet, I Think I'm Goodkind"
-
Comment by Jack Shepler on December 17, 2009 at 1:06pm
-
BURD: Nice list! I totalled missed Peaches, NIN, and White Stripes on my list. And I have to admit, I was wayyy into Sum 41 when I was in high school (2001)!
I'm also missing Thievery Corporation, Massive Attack and Portishead....
-
Comment by Editor B on December 17, 2009 at 12:55pm -
As I tried to think of my favorite album of the past decade, I immediately thought of Axxess & Ace by Songs: Ohia. Then I checked and found it was released May of 99 — last decade. Last century. Last millennium! So I guess that doesn't count but I was only turned on to it (thanks WTUL) well after its release. I've probably listened to that album more than any over the last decade, and if you haven't checked it out I personally give it my highest recommendation. It's a perfectly heartbreaking record.
I'm sorting through my lists of music actually released in the last ten years and will post up once I've cut that down to a manageable size. I started with 300+ albums and have now got it down to fifty....
Here doggy!
New Music
Latest Activity
This is Mars Needs Women's, first band name. We got our flyers torn down Kirkwood by some Jaycee guy I remember, wearing his little red vest.
hahahaha Calvert. that's hilarious
I'm all for MFT and the artists both making some money whether it's NP or not. I'm glad there is another way of getting us out there.
If I would have sold an album in the 80s, I remember most little labels and artists would be happy to sell their t…
PJ- I thought of that too! I could use a new Ping hat.
We aren't too far down the road of the NP thing to turn back. But John is right, if we can find a way to funnel money to artists then I'm all about having MFT make some of that transaction. It…
I tried to watch 100 Ways but I could feel my life force draining. Haven't the Japanese made some horror films about this video?
MFT Friends
Musical Family Tree is brought to you by the good people at
Mastering by Mahern Audio
Stone Coasters
Party Supplies
Indianapolis Realtors
Above Ground Swimming Pools
Quality Painting by Chris Duggan Indianapolis
Indianapolis Locksmiths
Lake Art
Mastering by Mahern Audio
Stone Coasters
Party Supplies
Indianapolis Realtors
Above Ground Swimming Pools
Quality Painting by Chris Duggan Indianapolis
Indianapolis Locksmiths
Lake Art
© 2010 Musical Family Tree is brought to you by Small Box Web Design & SEO Indianapolis
Powered by 
.
You need to be a member of Musical Family Tree to add comments!
Join Musical Family Tree