They are not listed in any order as they are all great in their own right. I am sure several of these albums are also in your collection....let me know what you think...
The Streets - A Grand Don't Come for Free
Mike Skinner followed up Original Pirate Material with this 11 track offering in which a thousand quid was lost and then found. Along the way heartbreak was suffered and blurred nights were encountered. Personal favorite track was also his most successful single...Dry Your Eyes
The Arcade Fire - Funeral
Montreal's Arcade Fire released this album in September of 2004 and showed the world that Canadians can be the darlings of the indie music scene. With live shows that bordered on complete chaos and an immediate praise from the likes of David Bowie, The Arcade Fire's Funeral is from start to finish an epic first album that provoked both hope and despair.
Standout tracks for myself include "Wake up", "Rebellion", and neighborhood #1
Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I am Thats what Im Not
Who knew industrial england could rock so hard! I bet you look good on the dancefloor...hell ya i do!!!
Blackalicious - Nia
The first full length album to be released from California MC The Gift of Gab and producer / beat genius Chief Excel finds us on a journey back in time to when hip hop was important and had a conscious. Old school thoughts combined with new school technology brought us this record which refused to leave my home stereo for a solid year after first purchasing. Try and keep up with Gab on "A to G" or sit back and listen to the story on "Shallow Days". Without a doubt Nia is an important record that too many Little Wayne fans don't know exists.
Bloc Party - Silent Alarm
A sense of urgency bordering on panic brought on by upbeat tempos and drumming that even the best air drummer could not duplicate was what "Silent Alarm" was to me. I anticipated this release after hearing a few singles and was not disappointed in the least. They have yet to recapture the vibe or essence of this album on future recordings but continue to put out music that heralds some great remixes! For me this albums opener "Like eating Glass" and the self realizing "here we are" are my fav tracks.
Coldplay - X and Y
What can i say i like Chris Martin and his band plus "Fix You" is a pretty darn good song.
Daft Punk - Discovery
Welcome to what house music would sound like if you lived in space or spent quality time hanging out with aliens or Tron like figures. Try and sit still while playing this album and i will reckon you have issues. Kanye thought harder faster...was good enough to fool people years later into thinking it was his song.
Death Cab For Cutie - Plans
After the success of Transatlanticism the boys in Death Cab signed onto the majors and released "Plans". From the opening track of "Marching Bands of Manhattan" I was hooked. Chris Walla is both a great musician and a very talented producer, guiding the way on this record as well as the rest of their discography. Check out "Someday You Will Be Loved" and you too will have hope!
Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
Brian Wilson's "Pet Sounds" lives on within this Portland Oregon outfit entitled "Fleet Foxes". The harmonies and rich soundscape type songs are instantly captivating. I for one am loving what is going on throughout the Portland area with this group as well as Blitzen Trapper.
Hot Chip - The Warning
I am still unable to accurately describe the feeling that came over me the first time i heard "Over and Over", but it was goooooooood. I love this album. I do I do I do. "Boy from School", "The Warning", "No Fit State" all still regularly find themselves on my playlists.
The Killers - Hot Fuss
What the hell do you mean you have a boyfriend that looks like a girlfriend i had in February??? All of a sudden its 1983 and synth rock is back with a vengeance! Only we are not in Europe or the UK we are in Las Vegas Nevada and its cool to be into Duran Duran again. Tell me you dont find yourself singing "i got soul but im not a soldier from time to time for no reason at all.
Radiohead - Kid A
This record came out in the first part of 2000 and it took me about five years to understand it. I think i was afraid at first that this was the new direction of music and i didnt quite understand it. Now having come to my senses i think it may just be the most important album of the last ten years. Thank you Radiohead for being ahead of all of us.
Interpol - Antics
I know what you are thinking right now...what the f**k is this doing on your list. I am not afraid to admit that i still listen to this album quite frequently. Its our generations Joy Division, and we all need a little depressed shoe gazing music in our lives. "Not Even Jail" is my goto track on this album for sure!
The Strokes - Is This It
Hey look at us! We are all magically transported to the east village of NYC and are hanging out in our skinny jeans and black shirts listening to Julian Casablancas mumble his way through potential legendary tracks like "Last Night" or "Someday".
Radiohead - In Rainbows
Pay what you want and stick your middle finger up to the major label thank you very much. Listen to Thom Yorke's voice on "Your all I Need", or when he says " i dont want to be your friend i only want to be your lover" on "House Of Cards". Its pretty damn close to being genius i would say.
Jay Z - The Blueprint
The ruler is back folks and its H to the IZZO. Even if you are a rock dude or a metal man you are grooving to the jigga we know as Jay Z. This record is a classic and a staple in your hip hop diet. Afterwards we had retirements , or the threat of a retirement that never really happened. Listen to "Girls Girls Girls" and then sit back and think that he has Beyonce on his arm. The ruler indeed!
Johnny Cash - American IV The Man Comes Around
Thanks to Rick Ruben and his pyjama wearing production guidance we were blessed with several new recordings from the man they call Cash. Trent Reznor has said that "Hurt" is no longer his song and if you listen to Johnny Cash barely make it through singing this song without breaking down you will no why.
The Kings Of Leon - Only By The Night
Is my sex on fire? It sure is when i am singing this song at the top of my lungs in the shower. Caleb and his family hit the nail on the head with this record. To me its a commercial success without selling out. I anticipate how they plan on following this one up.
The Streets - Original Pirate Material
I remember my good friend Juice introducing me to this record and i was instantly hooked! Still i am unable to recite the lyrics with the same timing as Mr. Skinner, even though i know all the words. Its dark, its real, its gritty, and its not optimistic, but it is a classic in my library.
Ratatat - Classics
Who needs vocals when we have layered guitars like these! Maybe throw in a lion growl from time to time, but thats it!
Appropriately named , this record is a classic
The Killers - Sam's Town
Brandon Flowers may have shot himself in the foot by saying this record is one of the best of all time. Perhaps that was a little grand in thought, but it is in my books one of the better ones in the last ten years. "When we were YOung" is a rocker that gets you thinking about what is it thats going to save you? "For Reasons Unknown" still gives me shivers everytime i listen to it. Thank you Killers for putting out great records while not sticking to the formula of your initial success.
Tegan and Sara - The Con
In my eyes this is a masterpiece, and although i may be a tad biased, I strongly feel in my heart that this album is in a league of its own. Listen to the frantic tone in Tegan's voice on the title track, or relate a personal situation to album closer "Call it Off". Thank you Tegan and Sara for creating this record, we needed it in JUly of 2007 when you gave it to us.
Eminem - The Eminem Show
Dear Eminem or Mr.Mathers you scare the crap out of me! With a sharp tongue and unmatched wit and lyricism you have been able to get under the skin of celebrities, politicians, housewives, moms, and the rest of us. Unsure if you are crazy or just pretending we have no idea what you are capable of. We are however thankful for your insight into pop culture and all things relevant to us...now just please dont kill me and stuff in the trunk of a car.
The Magic Numbers - The Magic Numbers
Heartache and love gone wrong brought to us by Romeo Stodart his sister MIchelle and the Ganon siblings Angela and Sean. This record is so poppy in parts it hurts, and so full of heartache it makes us wonder if love is ever worth it. "I see you you see me" is tough to listen to at the best of times. "Love me like you" has a bassline that will make you want to learn how to play the bass. "Hymn for Her" brought the glockenspiel back to the masses and although it is the album closer is arguably one of my favorites on this the debut record from The Magic Numbers.
The White Stripes - White Blood Cells
Who needs a bass player when you play guitar with this much passion, and sing with this much intensity. "Dead Leaves..." the opening track has me hooked thank you very much! Now Jack has 1000 bands and Meg is nowhere to be seen but this record still rocks out harder than most five piece acts of the past decade.
Wolfmother - Wolfmother
Everyone devil horns in the air and bang your head in unison please. Classic rock for the future is now upon us.
The Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz!
Karen O should scare you because she could easily kick your ass. New York's Yeah Yeah Yeahs deliver on all cylinders with this the follow up to "Fever to Tell". They blew me away at Bonnaroo this year and "its Blitz" continues to be in my most played playlist.
Silverchair - Young Modern
No longer Silverchair really and more like the Daniel Johns band, we have been fortunate to watch him grow, to suffer, to learn, and to release his epic orchestral musical offerings. "Straight lines" makes me feel optimistic and hopeful and should be required listening on a daily basis.
Band Of Horses - Cease To Begin
How much reverb is too much reverb?? who cares when it comes to this record. I friggen love all of it! "Is there a Ghost" and "The General Specific" are two of my favs on this 10 track record.
Wintersleep - Welcome to the Night Sky
Canadian and proud of it! This east coast band lived up to its hype and repuation with this full length release put out in 2007. I can safely say that i only listen to this album in its entirety from start to finish and i do so at least once a week. Closing track "Miasmal Smoke and the Yellow Bellied Freaks" is an audio visceral movie that plays out in my mind with scenes bigger than any hollywood blockbuster ever produced. Watch out for the follow up to this album as i hold no doubt it will be epic in its own right
Agree to disagree , its just my opinion. There is so much amazing music out there we are fortunate in this day and age to not have to sit around and see what the major labels are going to present to us.
As I continued to scroll down, I was alarmed at how much I agreed with this list.. from having just bought "A Grand Don't Come For Free" (found it in a sale bin, their loss!); to seeing Will Butler at Zellers recently (!); to learning "Sam Hall" and relearning "Fix You" on guitar; to having "Wheels on Fire" constantly in my head (makes me think of you, of course. Remember that birthday you spent with them?)
ReplyDelete....
I could go on.
Now, get out of my brain!!
xxxK