For 90-81 (Part 2), click HERE.
For 80-71 (Part 3), click HERE.
For 70-61 (Part 4), click HERE.
For 60-51 (Part 5), click HERE.
For 50-41 (Part 6), click HERE.
For 40-31 (Part 7), click HERE.
For 30-21 (Part 8), click HERE.
For 20-11 (Part 9), click HERE.
10) Radiohead - Kid A (2000)
As far as I'm concerned, Radiohead's career can be defined by two parts: the mainstream, melodic Bends era, and the beautifully chaotic Kid A era. Although many will argue that OK Computer was the turning point in this band's legendary career, Kid A was the album that really showed this band's balls. There aren't many bands that would even attempt to mess around winning formula, but Thom Yorke and gang decided putting the band's reputation on the line was a more than worthwhile bet. And let's just say it paid off in a very big way. Everything Radiohead has done since this landmark album has garnered universal acclaim. Even Kid A's throwaway tracks -- 2001's modest Amnesiac -- is better than 98% of the drivel we're served by the countless imitators. And the best part is that I'm pretty confident the best is yet to come. Last year's brilliant In Rainbows is nothing to sneeze at.
9) The White Stripes - Elephant (2003)
We're finally in the single digits here, folks. I can't think of a better band in which to celebrate this milestone than The White Stripes. Considering how this is a countdown of the best albums since 2000, The White Stripes are the poster children of what it means to kick ass in the new millennium. Aside from being one of the most prolific bands of this new era, these guys couldn't make bad music if they tried. I've been contemplating which album of theirs to include in the top ten, and it should come to no surprise that I've chosen none other than Elephant -- the album that launched this duo into superstardom. If there's any modern guitarist that can carry on that blues/rock legacy of say a Clapton or a Hendrix, it's unquestionably Jack White. And it doesn't hurt his case that he happens to do a spot-on Elvis impersonation in the underrated Walk Hard.
8) Sigur Rós - Ágætis byrjun (2001)
Technically, this album was released in 1999 in the band's native Iceland. But it didn't emerge stateside until 2001, so yes, this one earns a coveted top 10 spot due to technicality. Translated into English, Ágætis byrjun literally means "an alright start". Indeed. Whether you see this as being arrogance or modesty, there's no doubting how influential this band has been for the better part of the decade. They've singlehandedly made ambient music acceptable once again. And oddly enough, they seem to be doing the exact opposite of Radiohead -- their most recent material is as mainstream and radio-friendly as they have ever been. I saw this band at the MoMA earlier this summer and was absolutely blown away. Not too many bands can pull off the bow/guitar combo as well as these guys can.
7) The Shins - Chutes Too Narrow (2003)
It's an undeniable fact that New Mexico's best band hit it big thanks to Zach Braff. Despite Garden State's 2004 theatrical release, oddly enough, none of the songs included in movie happened to be from 2003's Chutes Too Narrow. Braff opted to pick and choose from the band's 2001 release, Oh, Inverted World -- which is an equally amazing album. This exposure boost helped out The Shins tremendously, and soon enough CTN was on critics' and hipsters' minds alike. Hell, even my college recruited this band to play our annual spring carnival. I don't know how Sub-Pop does it, but their roster is a virtual all-star team of indie rockers. Holding true to this sports metaphor, I'm guessing The Shins would bat cleanup between the Fleet Foxes and Band of Horses.
6) Sonic Youth - Rather Ripped (2006)
I couldn't be more thrilled about the Sonic Youth revival that is currently taking place. This band has consistently rocked it out for the past two and half decades, and their fan base has never been stronger. This might be partly due to Rather Ripped -- a return to form that's awfully reminiscent of classics Daydream Nation and Goo. Ellen Page may have confessed in Juno that Sonic Youth is "just noise," but this is hardly the case. Take a listen to Rather Ripped's standout track, "Incinerate," and you'll be instantly hooked on the distorted, yet melodic, riff that's one part early Smashing Pumpkins, and two parts Dinosaur Jr. As reported earlier, the poster children of indie rock are finally becoming indie again. After eighteen years on Geffen, the band's is coming full circle and signing to an undisclosed independent label with plans for a 2009 release.
5) Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (2003)
The sheer brilliance of Wilco's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is honestly on the same level of a Sergeant Pepper. Yes, I went there. The album's idiosyncratic depth makes this one the perfect record in which to test out the inner workings of a top notch stereosystem. Whether it's nihilistic numbness of "I'm Trying To Break Your Heart," or the stringed mellow gem, "Jesus, Etc.," Foxtrot is as perfect lyrically as it is sonically. And oddly enough, this may have very been the album that nearly put this fantastic band's career in jeopardy. Following this one up was not exactly an easy task for Jeff Tweedy and crew. And although recent efforts A Ghost Is Born and Sky Blue Sky are nothing to sneeze at, nothing Wilco has put out since Yankee Hotel Foxtrot has come close.
4) Ryan Adams - Heartbreaker (2000)
Yes, I PROMISE this is the last Ryan Adams album on the list. If it's any consolation, I don't think I have any more to work with. 2000's Heartbreaker was Ryan's first solo album since the break up critically-acclaimed alt-country supergroup Whiskeytown. If it wasn't already a foregone conclusion that Adams was the brains behind his former band, this album was living proof. Heartbreaker was the first solo showcase of Adams' incredibly gifted and heartfelt songwriting style. And it's no wonder where this one got it's name; just take a look at some of the albums song titles: "Come Pick Me Up," "In My Time of Need," "Why Do They Leave?". And take my word for it -- the songs are as genuine as they appear. If the Emmylou Harris-backed "Oh My Sweet Carolina" doesn't tug at your heartstrings, then you are just made of stone.
3) The Strokes - Is This It? (2001)
As it turns, out this was not "it"; turns out, this was merely just the beginning. When The Strokes burst onto the scene in late 2001, they really had no idea what they were responsible for igniting. Thanks to their charmingly sloppy blend of neo-garage punk, the band helped to usher in a much needed new era of rock that ended the god-awful reign of nu-metal. Soon after, this "the [insert band name]" trend became all the rage all around the world. As far as I can remember, we couldn't get enough of The Vines, The Hives, and yes, The White Stripes (although, this last one is questionable as far as "the" bands are concerned). And although I'll admit the content on Is This It is not exactly groundbreaking, given its influence and its infectiousness, it just gets the job done for me.
2) My Morning Jacket - Z (2005)
Anyone who reads this blog (all four of you) already knows I'm gay for My Morning Jacket. Although I've given Evil Urges it's fair share of praise, I really haven't had any good reason for elaborating about this band's masterpiece, Z,...that is until NOW! Where do I begin? Let's just say that if you do try to muster enough courage to attempt classifying this album, I'm pretty sure your head would explode on the spot. And quite frankly, I don't think Jim James would have it any other way. As soon as you think you've got Z covered, the album takes you for a complete 180. I could go on for hours here, but instead I'll be brief. If you happen to be a fan of dub, reggae, Southern rock, the blues, alt-country, alt-rock, and R&B, I promise that you'll take a liking to this album. Plus, unlike Evil Urges, this one rocks some pretty kick-ass album artwork.
1) The Hold Steady - Boys & Girls In America (2006)
Well here we are. The coveted number one album of the decade. You didn't actually think I was going to leave Boys & Girls In America off this list did you? As I've mentioned about a dozen times already, The Hold Steady were the first band to grace the cover of the Village Voice in over 15 years thanks to the buzz surrounding B&GIA. This is just one of the many accolades this Brooklyn-by-way-of-Minneapolis quintet has garnered in its short existence -- living proof that these guys are thankfully going to be around for awhile. While this album's content doesn't stray too far off the beaten path of its predecessors (characters Gideon, Charlemagne, and Holly all make their respective appearances) the band's dynamic has been tightened exponentially -- resulting in a finished product that really exhibits the unmatched prowess of The Hold Steady. I've given this record countless spins -- each time resulting in the discovery of a new element that I hadn't known existed beforehand. Like a movie that never gets old, THAT'S when you know you have great album.
Alright, guys. The countdown is DONE. What did you think? Obvious omissions? Praise? Hatred? Send them all my way in the comments or email, nsussman@gmail.com
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