5 Years

Hard to believe it's been 5 years since Elliott Smith's passing. I remember I was in my basement dorm room when I heard the unfortunate news. I've said it once and I'll say it again -- it boggles the mind what kind of songs this guy would pen if he were still with us. Do yourself a favor and listen to some Elliott before you go to bed. It will put you to sleep in the best way possible. For those unfamiliar to his catalog, here are some good starting off points:

"Needle In The Hay"

"Say Yes"

"Angeles"

"Coming Up Roses"

"Son of Sam"

"Twilight"

"Christian Brothers"

"New Monkey"

"All Cleaned Out"

"Whatever (Folk Song In C)"

"Beacause" (Beatles Cover)

"Thirteen" (Big Star Cover)

"Looking Over My Shoulder"

"Between The Bars"

....although you really can't go wrong AT ALL.

R.I.P. Elliott

The List (Part 9)

For 100-91 (Part 1), click HERE.
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.

20) Outkast - Stankonia (2000)
Put quite simply, Stankonia is the album that transformed this Atlanta hip-hop duo into one of greatest acts of all time. This record got the ball rolling for Andre 3000 and Big Boi, who followed up with the near perfect Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. In an time when Southern rap oozed mediocrity (Juvenile, B.G., Hot Boys), this band was a breath of fresh air. And who would have thought these guys were clairvoyant? Three years before the Iraq debacle, Outkast rocked our world with the jarring anthem "Bombs Over Baghdad". But it didn't stop there. Follow-up R&B-inspired singles "Ms. Jackson" and "So Fresh, So Clean" occupied some pretty prime real estate on the Billboard charts a year later. Stankonia never got even one bad review -- chalking up an unheard of 95 score on Metacritic.


19) Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes (2008)
Seattle's Fleet Foxes are perhaps the most exciting new band of the year (yes, more so than Vampire Weekend). And sure, it might be a little bold to throw these guys in the top 20, but I have this much faith that we are going to be hearing great things from this band for years to come. If you take a listen to their self-titled debut, you'll discover that this band is mature beyond their years. They've definitely done all their homework in Neil Young 101, and have already learned to perfect a country/folk sound that rivals even the mighty My Morning Jacket. Combine this with the songwriting sincerity of Mark Kozelek, and you get a band that's pretty difficult to criticize.


18) Queens of The Stone Age - Songs For The Deaf (2002)
When Queens of The Stone Age's Rated R was released in 2000, I remember reading in numerous publications that this was a band to watch. And although these guys scored some radio credentials with "The Lost Art of Keeping A Secret," their breakout album went largely unnoticed by the general public. But this must have only fueled the band's creative fire. Josh Homme and gang went on a tear with their follow-up magnum opus, Songs For Deaf. Recruiting Dave Grohl for drumming duties, the band put on a rock and roll clinic that spawned several smash singles that included "No One Know," "Go With The Flow," and "First It Giveth". Unfortunately all this success couldn't prevent the internal drama. The only other original member, bassist Nick Oliveri, was kicked out of the band shortly after Songs For The Deaf hit it big.


17) The Hold Steady - Stay Positive (2008)
I think I've made my sentiments abundantly clear about this album. Stay Positive is my undisputed pick for record of the year. There, I went ahead and said it. I don't care if some critics claim that this one's awfully similar-sounding to their last record; if you've got a great thing going on, why mess around with it? The Hold Steady are everything that's good about music -- excellent songwriting, top-notch musicianship, infectious charisma, zero pretentiousness, and a great attitude. For my (comprehensive) review of Stay Positive click HERE. Nuff said.


16) Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga (2007)
If Stay Positive is this year's pick for record of the year, then Spoon's Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga is 2007's tour de force. This band's consistency is something that should be applauded, and any mainstream exposure they've achieved as of late is definitely well-deserved (the record debuted at #10 on the charts). If you haven't caught these guys on the Letterman or Saturday Night Live circuit, then you've more than likely heard "The Underdog" on the radio or during some obscure movie trailer. And yes, you have heard it before -- the horn section in this song is just too infectious to resist. In case you were wondering, the album's title used to be the temporary name of one of their songs, "The Ghost of You Lingers". They scrapped the nonsensical song title, and instead opted to make it a nonsensical album title.


15) Fountains of Wayne - Welcome Interstate Managers (2003)
It's a shame that the commoner will always associate Fountains of Wayne with that song about Stacey's mom (no thanks to those Sunny D commercials). And while there's no denying that this song is as catchy as it is corny, this really doesn't do justice to the album or the band. In all its glory, Welcome Interstate Managers is a loose concept album that follows the doldrums of suburbanites placed in less than ideal situations. Whether it's North Jersey-dwelling contractors, alcoholic sales executives, or recently fired United Airlines employees, Managers perfectly juxtaposes FOW's shimmering power pop with the dark nature of everyday living. We haven't heard three-and-a-half minutes storytelling this perfect since "Eleanor Rigby" or "Oh-Bla-Di, Oh-Bla-Da". By the way, "interstate manager" is a nice way of saying toll taker.


14) Death Cab For Cutie - Transatlanticism (2003)
Although I may have originally had some reservations about Death Cab's most recent offering, this was hardly the case for this band's 2003 breakout, Transatlanticism. It's no wonder why Ben Gibbard and crew were finally able to break the mold of anonymity from their first three disappointing efforts. Transtlanticism is much more emotionally charged than some of Death Cab's earlier work and this allows the band to soar, as evidenced on standout songs "The New Year", "Title and Registration," and "The Sound of Settling". This album soon became a cult smash thanks in part to its content's inclusion on countless movie and television soundtracks. Before long, it would go gold. Their 2005 follow-up, Plans, is not a particularly bad record, but certainly doesn't have the same consistency as Transatlanticism.


13) Sufjan Stevens - Illinois (2005)
You've got artists who come out with concept albums, and then you've got Sufjan Stevens. After releasing a record entirely dedicated to the people, places, and things from his home state of Michigan in 2003, Stevens decided it would be a good idea to keep the state thing going. In 2005, he released Illinois to unanimously positive acclaim. In fact, if you look at its score on Metacritic, you'll see it's the best-rated album of that year. And quite frankly, it's not too difficult to see why. This album is a musical explosion -- frequently utilizing strings, horns, and harmonized vocals. Illinois was so well-received, that a year later, Sufjan released an album of songs that just didn't quite make the cut. There's no resting on laurels, however. Stevens has made the bold assertion that he plans on releasing an album dedicated to each of the 50 states. He better get back to work.


12) Arcade Fire - Funeral (2004)
The Arcade Fire are a really strange band for me. When I first heard this record back in college, it didn't really do anything for me. I thought, "eh". But after it was received as the best thing since sliced bread, I gave it another shot and then gradually became hooked. It goes without saying that I expected big things for last year's follow-up, "Neon Bible". And despite critics' overflowing positive feedback a second time around, I didn't think it was anything special. But then again, I guess one out of two ain't bad. I've never seen this army of a band in concert, but supposedly it is quite the spectacle. Hey, if Springsteen thinks highly of the Arcade Fire, maybe there's something I'm missing.


11) Elliott Smith - Figure 8 (2000)
Although From A Basement On The Hill was nearly completed at the time of his death, many consider Figure 8 to be Elliott Smith's last official album. After releasing several amazingly stripped down, simplistic records, this was definitely the most ambitious effort of Smith's tragically short career. Unlike most of Smith's catalog, Figure 8 features complex instrumentation and detailed arrangements as evidenced on the remarkable "Son of Sam". While this one garnered some mixed reviews at first, Figure 8 has aged like a fine wine. Like most of rock's legends, Elliott left us way too soon.

The List (Part 6)

For 100-91 (Part 1), click HERE.
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.

50) Sonic Youth - Sonic Nurse (2004)
Halfway through the list, and we pick up with another legendary band in prime form. Last year, Thurston Moore confessed his belief that Sonic Youth's biggest faux-pas was never breaking up. After successful reunions by the Pixies, Dinosaur Jr., and now even My Bloody Valentine, he hinted that people don't appreciate what they have until it's gone. Thankfully Sonic Youth never threw in the towel because excellent albums such as 2004's Sonic Nurse would never see the light of day -- and this would just be tragic. Peaking at 64 on the Billboard 200, yet topping critics' end of year lists, this trend that pretty much sums up the band's career. At least they get lots of love from this guy.


49) Explosions In The Sky - The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place (2003)
Austin's Explosions In The Sky pack so much punch in their beautifully orchestrated catalog that they render useless the need for lyrical content. And that's fine with me, because quite frankly, these songs tell stories that voices simply cannot carry. Earth contains only five tracks, yet the shortest clocks in at a mighty eight minutes and seventeen seconds. So in summary, this one does not exactly fit in well with the pop-rock paradigm that is most associated with the TV show-watching audience it's oddly connected to (Friday Night Lights). Yet, Explosions seem to add that extra touch of glory that blends in perfectly with high school football, or any other menial activity for that matter.


48) Elliott Smith - From A Basement On The Hill (2004)
Smith's first posthumous release, From A Basement On The Hill contained the remnants of what was supposed to be the singer/songwriter's studio follow-up to 2000's acclaimed Figure 8. It really is heartbreaking to hear how good this collection of songs is because it conjures up thoughts of all that could have been. This record was originally intended to be a double album, but contractual obligations from DreamWorks prevented it from being released as an independent extended disc. In any case, Basement was completed by Smith's former producer and ex-girlfriend and remains extremely unpolished due to fact that most songs hadn't gotten Smith's final seal of approval at the time of his death. This didn't seem to disappoint fans and critics alike who unanimously praised this one as a fitting swan song.


47) My Morning Jacket - It Still Moves (2003)
My Morning Jacket had been around for over five years before experiencing the acclaim that It Still Moves brought them. Their perseverance has since paid off big time, and they've never looked back (and rightfully so). Their third studio album strengthened the band's reputation as being not only one of the best alt-country acts around, but one of the best live acts period. Jim James and gang have been known to rock out ISM favorites "One Big Holiday" and "Run Thru" at most of their gigs -- making them the front runners on even the jam band circuit. I had the privilege to see these guys play the 9:30 Club in D.C. back in 2005. Sucks to know that there is no turning back. Case in point -- they are playing MSG on New Year's.


46) Wolfmother - Wolfmother (2005)
Another potentially controversial pick. But sometimes you just gotta call out good old fashioned rock and roll music when you hear it. The debut from this Australian trio had quite the prolonged stint in my stereo system when it came out, despite having gone through iPod commercial treatment a la Feist and Jet. Some of the guitar riffs on this album are so complex, they will make your head spin. "Dimension" bears a striking similarity to some of the songs on Led Zeppelin II, and it doesn't hurt Andrew Stockdale to have a set of pipes that Robert Plant would be proud of. "Woman," put quite simply, is one of the best pure rock songs of the decade. It's been about three years since this record has come out, so I expect big things on Wolfmother's sophomore release.


45) Green Day - American Idiot (2004)
While we're getting a little mainstream, I might as well throw this one in here. Green Day will always get points in my book because I grew up on Dookie, and this remains one of the greatest albums of all time. Although their popularity waned over the years, Green Day's perseverance paid off handsomely a decade after the release of their smash. American Idiot is a concept album in the purest form and follows the rise and fall of characters "Jimmy," "Whatshername," and the infamous "Jesus of Suburbia". Think punk-rock version of Tommy. The accolades poured in, solidifying Green Day's stance as one of the greatest punk bands of all time. For those anxiously awaiting this band's follow-up, they recently released an album of garage pop rock under the moniker Foxboro Hottubs. Supposedly new material is on the way for Green Day, as Billie Joe has hinted at a potential 2008 release. With all these "surprise" albums popping up, who knows what's in store!


44) Peter, Bjorn, and John - Writer's Block (2006)
For a country as cold, isolated, and homogeneous as Sweden is, it sure has its share of kick-ass bands. And while ABBA is experiencing quite the revival this summer, I am unfortunately not referring to them this time around. Stockholm's Peter, Bjorn, and John had been around since 1999, but only recently got some exposure in the States thanks to their excellent third record, Writer's Block. Who cares if this is pop music? And don't let the title fool you. This record's got more catchier hooks bass tournament. Yes...I went there. If you think these guys might be a little too obscure for your liking, I guarantee you've heard the whistly "Young Folks" used in a commercial or TV show -- it's gotten around. Peter left Bjorn and John this year temporarily to pursue a solo album which is actually very good.

43) Bloc Party - Silent Alarm (2005)
Spawning one of the better debut albums of the decade, Britain's Bloc Party is post-punk band that has a penchant for piercing guitar riffs, jarring rhythms, and a political attitude to boot (just take a look at their name). This band borrows heavily from their predecessors, as indicated by singer Kele Okereke's sincere, Cure-like narratives on tracks like "Blue Light" and arrangements taken out of the book of Gang of Four (see "Helicopters"). This band made headlines recently for Okereke's recent backstage altercations with the Sex Pistols' abrasive (and apparently racist) frontman Johnny Rotten. When it was all said and done, Okereke left the scene with facial bruises and a split lip.


42) Drive-By Truckers - Brighter Than Creation's Dark (2008)
Talk about getting better with age. This Southern rock/alt-country outfit has been cranking out albums for over ten years, culminating with their most recent 19-track opus Brighter Than Creation's Dark. Combining the wailing guitar work of Skynyrd with the songwriting pen of Waylon Jennings, the Truckers hit a home run on the first gem of 2008. Despite the departure of very talented songwriter and guitarist, Jason Isbell, these guys...well...kept on truckin'. Bassist Shonna Tucker fills in some of the gaps, and even lends her vocals to the heartwrenching "I'm Sorry Houston". The band really gets the led out on rockers "3 Dimes Down," and "The Righteous Path".


41) Spoon - Gimme Fiction (2005)
It's reassuring to know that Spoon have finally been experiencing some commercial success with their most recent effort. This Austin-based indie band has been around since 1993, and has been making fantastic albums since I can remember. Gimme Fiction is no exception to this. Although, at its core, this record is one that is brimming over the top with perfect pop, Spoon deftly incorporates an array of musical elements that makes Fiction equally complex. Synthesizers flirt with acoustic balladeering, strings, and the occasional guitar-driven numbers to make this one as cacophonous as it is harmonious. If this makes sense...

The List (Part 3)

For 100-91 (Part 1), click HERE.
For 90-81 (Part 2), click HERE.

80) Against Me! - New Wave (2007)
This Florida-based punk rock/folk band has been on the circuit for over a decade, but only recently turned some heads with their fourth release. Signing over to major label Sire, Against Me! recruited Butch Vig to produce a daring album chock full of political undertones. Just listen to the refrain on “From Her Lips to God’s Ears" -- “Condoleezza? What are we gonna do now?” New Wave is also the band's first release to not feature their trademark acoustic touch. Not since The Clash has a band made a punk record that seemed to matter so much. Ben Lee actually does a pretty good cover of this album, so if you're a fan, you need to check it out.


79) Radiohead - Hail To The Thief (2003)
Before Radiohead gave away albums for free, they relied on traditional brick and mortar sales. Well, maybe not this century. 2003's Hail To The Thief was one of the first major releases to suffer tremendously from premature digital leakage. As a result, everyone and their mother had a complimentary copy in their hands months before it hit stores. Fans of the band's earlier material were pleasantly surprised with Thief's sound, as it marked Radiohead's return to guitar-bass-drum realm. Although not nearly as experimentally computerized as Kid A or Amnesiac, the album retained the band's edge as evidenced on the brilliant single "There, There" and album highlights "Sail To The Moon" and "Go To Sleep". They get bonus points for some pretty great album artwork.


78) Beastie Boys - To The 5 Boroughs (2004)
The Beasties' first new release in over six years, the boys got back to the basics in 2004 with their old-school hip-hop homage to the city that bred them. Although Mike D, AdRock, and MCA had been in the game together for over 20 years, this album proved that these guys only got better with age. With samples that included everything from the Sugar Hill Gang to The Dead Boys, this record appealed to MC's, DJ's, and b-boys alike. Although the Beastie Boys have been caught-up experimenting in some crossover endeavors as of late, To The 5 Boroughs is evidence that hip-hop is this trio's lifeblood.


77) Rodrigo Y Gabriela - Rodrigo Y Gabriela (2006)
I appreciate talent when I hear it, and this Mexican duo simply oozes it. If you really want to broaden you musical horizons with some beautiful classical guitar, I highly recommend checking out the self-titled debut by these former Dublin buskers. Rodrigo y Gabriela were literally discovered on the street by Damien Rice, who took them under their wing after he got a whiff of their talent. It truly is unbelievable how harmoniously in-sync these two are when they get up on stage. For those too shy to give these guys a shot, they do unreal covers of "Stairway To Heaven" and Metallica's "Orion".


76) Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago (2008)
Arguably this year's most critically-acclaimed album, this is the first release from indie-folk singer-songwriter Justin Vernon under his new pseudonym. Written while sequestered in a Wisconsin cabin during the winter months, this record constantly criss-crosses the fine line between painstaking sincerity and desperate loneliness. Not since Iron & Wine have we witnessed closure spilled so beautifully into one man's lyrics. Definitely a keeper here.


75) Elliott Smith - New Moon (2007)
Considering this album is a collection of demos and b-sides Smith recorded in the mid-nineties, it's a little questionable as to whether this qualifies as being a release from this decade. However, upon further review, this album is just too good to pass up and will consequently be granted an exception. Containing some pretty excellent stripped down versions of some of Smith's more familiar tunes mixed in with a batch of equally brilliant unreleased material, New Moon epitomizes how tragic Smith's premature death truly was to the music world. After listening to few of this compilation's cuts, it's hard to believe that it took this long for these songs to reach the light of day. Just listen to "Whatever (Folk Song in C)," "New Monkey," and "All Cleaned Out," and you'll see why most of today's singer-songwriters could only wish their a-sides could even touch this man's "throwaway" work.


74) The White Stripes - Icky Thump (2007)
As crazy as this sounds, this is the White Stripes album that officially converted me over to the this band. Sure, I was well aware of the praise this duo had been getting for the better part of the decade, but nothing really did it for me until I really sat down and gave Icky Thump a few listens. Maybe it was the emptiness of having no bassist in the band. Or maybe it was the undeniable fact that Jack White has as much talent in his pinky that band mate Meg has in her whole body. Regardless, what they produce together on their most recent effort ain't half bad. Anyone who can bring back the blues as well as Jack does on "Rag & Bone" deserves a coveted spot on this list.


73) The Go! Team - Thunder, Lightning, Strike! (2004)
I can't think of an album title that is as appropriate as The Go! Team's debut. Put quite simply, Thunder, Lightning, Strike! is an upbeat celebration of sound that brings back nostalgic feelings of comic books, convulsion-worthy action cartoons, and everything else that was glorious about the '80's. This Brighton-based sextet hails from the same stomping grounds as Norman Cook (a.k.a Fatboy Slim) and successfully carries on the tradition that the legendary DJ started over a decade ago. If percussion is your thing, you'll definitely dig that this band comes with a pair of drummers.


72) The Hives - Veni, Vedi, Vicious (2002)
Remember when the "The" bands stormed the scene back in 2001-2002? New York gave us The Strokes, Detroit gave us The White Stripes, and Australia was kind enough to export over The Vines. Taking advantage of this trend, Alan McGee (the man behind Oasis), quickly signed The Hives and re-released Veni, Vedi, Vicious in 2002 (it was originally released in 2000). Combining bombastic late 60's garage rock (a la MC5) with classic 70's punk elements, these Swedes stormed the States with a slew of hits that included "Hate To Say I Told You So," "Main Offender," and "Die, All Right". Since then, the guys have released a couple of equally amazing records that have somehow slipped under our radar. Last year's The Black and White Album may very well be 2007's most underrated record.


71) Kanye West - Graduation (2007)
As recent events will indicate, people either hate to love this guy or love to hate him. I think I will side with the former, because he is one of the rare talents who's music can actually back up an absurd ego. For those of you in the dark, just read about his little Bonnaroo fiasco. But letting the music do the speaking, this is one hell of a hip-hop album. Granted Kanye gets help from a host of musicians on nearly every song here, you can tell he's a perfectionist who will not stop to give his legions of fans his very best. Although some critics thought he lost a step on this effort, this album is his most polished to date.