Stay Positive (Part 2)

I've got more top ten lists in mind, but in the interest of time I am going to skip right ahead to the grandaddy of all top tens: the best albums of 2008. Please bear in mind that I am well aware that my initial ratings of these records might differ from their final year-end positions. Albums, you know, naturally grow on people as the year moves along. I am no exception. But if you've been following this blog for the past 11 months, none of these will really come as a shocker:

Top 10 Albums of 2008

Honorable Mention: Santogold (Self-titled)

Well, I was wrong about "rarely hearing" "LES Artistes." We couldn't get this song out of our collective minds this summer.

From June 3rd, 2008: "With great opportunity comes great expectation. And considering Santogold's former day job as an A&R rep for Epic, her collaborations with GZA and Lily Allen, and her connections to M.I.A., this Brooklyn-based songstress has a lot of people expecting big things. Does she pull this one off? Well, her first single "L.E.S. Artistes" may very well be the catchiest single you'll rarely hear. Because quite frankly, I don't know to classify it. Her penchant for freely experimenting with dub, new wave, punk, hip-hop, ska, and grime (sometimes all at once) is admirable, but this unfortunately may spread this NYC socialite too thin on her self-titled debut. And despite already having a slew of supporters south of Houston Street, Santogold bites the very hand that feeds on "Artistes" -- serving up a can of whoopass to the Lower East Side too-cool-for-school hipster class."

Honorable Mention: Death Cab For Cutie - Narrow Stairs

And for the mother of all miscalls, I give you the fine words I said about Narrow Stairs. Please review and discard:

"There are some highlights on this album, but unfortunately they are few and far between. The upbeat "No Sunlight" shakes things up a little bit despite its repetitiveness. The unquestionable standout track on Narrow Stairs is "Long Division" -- Gibbard's most ambitious attempt to develop as a musician. And don't get me wrong. Musically this album is not bad, but it really doesn't show the progress that many could have otherwise hoped for after disappointing on Plans. There is no doubt that Gibbard is as a talented singer/songwriter as it gets. But in order to make the next great (and I mean GREAT) Death Cab album, he needs to get over his obsession with looking at the past for inspiration."

10) Coldplay - Viva La Vida

From June 5th, 2008: "The thing that I find most admirable about Coldplay is their willingness to not get comfortable in making this album. After what was considered to be a lackluster follow-up to the acclaimed Rush of Blood, the band still managed to sell millions of copies of 2005's X&Y. Rather than settling in with their bankable mediocrity as so many one trick ponies have done, Coldplay took the high road to meticulously create one of the year's surprises. For me, this band is back on the radar, and who knows, if they maintain this consistency on future albums, maybe I'll actually root for them."

9) Blitzen Trapper - Furr

This might be the only album sneaking into the top ten that I have yet to gush over/discuss in length. That's because I've only recently started falling in love with these guys. Blitzen Trapper is yet another band signed to Sub Pop that just happens to be from the Pacific Northwest. Story sound familiar? Unlike comrades Fleet Foxes, these guys have been around for years and have only recently been hitting it big -- Furr happens to be their fourth release. Evoking everything from early Dylan, Neil Young, Tom Petty, The Shins, and Modest Mouse, this band is well-versed in the art of genre-straddling. They're embarking on an early 2009 club tour and will be playing a couple of great shows in the NYC area. I'll be there.

8) Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago

Technically released in 2007, this brilliant record hit wider distribution this year and is thus considered a 2008 release by many critics. Being the lemming I am, I'm following suit. If you are fan of indie rock and still don't know the story behind this album, you have obviously been living under a rock. Just to summarize, Justin Vernon's life hit the shitter (band breakup, girlfriend breakup, and pneumonia) so he retreated to a cabin in the Wisconsin woods and wrote and wrote and wrote. The finished product is For Emma, Forever Ago -- a heartwrenching collection of songs that kicks the ass of any Iron & Wine album that's ever come out. If you suffer from album ADD you only need one song to become hooked -- "Re: Stacks."

7) Sigur Rós - Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust

From June 24th, 2008: "Don't be fooled by the intricacy of Sigur Rós' obscenely long new album title, Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust. Compared to the aural complexity of some of the band's prior albums, this one is all about simplicity. Audiophiles who rejoiced the post-rock production knick-nacks scattered throught Ágætis byrjun and ( ) might be a little disappointed with how much the band really pulled back on this effort. However, despite the countless mispronunciation botches this one will invariably suffer, Með suð... will be on the minds of fans and critics alike for quite some time."

"And whether or not you've become accustomed to sudden foray into unexpected normalcy, this can either be considered good or bad. Taking a page from every other critic who has compared Sigur Rós to Radiohead, Með suð... is this band's The Bends -- except they've already made their own Kid A and OK Computer. I guess they do things differently in Iceland, which is perfectly fine in my book."

6) The Gaslight Anthem - The '59 Sound

From August 26th, 2008: "As awfully emo-suggestive as their name is, New Jersey's Gaslight Anthem is a rock band that's as pure at heart as it gets. Forget the label they're signed to, their meticulously coiffed punk hair, their age, and their sleeve tattoos. This band is living proof that, thankfully, you only need to leave it up to the music to do the talking. If their appearance screams Fall Out Boy, then you will pleased to know that their music evokes Bruce Springsteen more so than anything else. And yes, this is a very good thing. Growing up in New Brunswick-- not too many turnpike exits away from The Boss' stomping ground -- it's pretty apparent that these guys have been down Thunder Road, lived not too far away Jungleland, and have witnessed the darkness on the edge of town."

"Although I am well-aware that naysayers will knock this record for being contrived and unauthentic, I'm willing to overlook these inevitable criticisms. While most young pop-punks bands would opt to replicate the now tired verse-chorus-verse formula of cohorts Panic At The Disco, Boys Like Girls, and Plain White Tee's, these guys are digging a little deeper. I may be wrong here, but I'm willing to bet that Springsteen and Tom Petty tunes will outlast the latest Fall Out Boy offerings. Mix in the Gaslight Anthem's penchant for precocious songwriting, and you get a band that's on a whole different level."

5) TV On The Radio - Dear Science

From September 16th, 2008: "If I had any complaints about the last TV On The Radio record, I'd say there was bit of a consistency problem. And yeah, I know I might be alone here. The high points, which obviously outweighed the low, made Return To Cookie Mountain hands down one of the best records of the decade. However, the album wasn't without its faults -- the less-than-stellar spastic moments were nothing to write home about. Well, it appears that Tunde Adebimpe and crew have learned a thing or two in two years that have passed since Mountain's release. Tweaks have been made here for the better which will only accelerate this band's already rising stock. I'm happy to report that you'll be hard pressed to find a flaw on the new record, Dear Science. And as always, you'll be even harder pressed to put your finger on a specific genre here. This new oeuvre spans everything from hip-hop, trip-hop, shoegaze, funk, electronica, punk, and everything in between. If you thought these art rockers were out there before (in a good way), you really ain't seen nothing yet until you've experienced Science. Bottom line, this is the record Bloc Party tried to make if they had this Brooklyn quintet's talent."

4) My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges

From April 30th, 2008: "The thing that is so admirable about Evil Urges is how it manages to perfectly combine the experimentation so prevalent on their last effort, Z, with the avant-garde, yet classic Southern guitar sound most associated with earlier albums It Still Moves and At Dawn. Jim James and gang take us for a ride during the first several tracks, which seem as if they could have easily been remnants from Z based on their respective falsetto vocals, schizophrenic tempos, and genre-straddling guitar riffs. "Highly Suspicious" is just that, and is hands down the band's weirdest track to date, sounding somewhere in between Prince and Gwar. The change is like night and day when we reach "I'm Amazed" -- a classic rock tune that couldn't have been done better by Skynyrd if they tried. This is when things start to sound a little more familiar to longtime MMJ fans. James' voice soars on the gorgeously sincere 1-2 punch that is "Thank You Too"/ "Sec Walkin'". We are then treated to the band's closest encounter to the radio-friendly world with the poppy "Two Halves" -- a apparent nod to early rock influences along the likes of Buddy Holly and The Everly Brothers."

3) Sun Kil Moon - April

From August 15th, 2008: "The current band from Mark Kozelek of Red House Painters fame, this is Sun Kil Moon's second body of completely original material. And much like Ghosts of The Great Highway, this one is a masterpiece. Admittedly, though, this is an acquired taste. Fans of upbeat, fast-tempo indie-rock need not apply. This one's a downer -- inspired by failed relationships, the passing of loved ones, and imagery of American landscapes. Kozelek's brilliant lyrical sense gets a little lost through his hypnotically mumbling singing style, but take my word for it -- this is one of the most talented singer-writers at his best."

2) The Hold Steady - Stay Positive

From May 28th, 2008: "It's hard to have negative feelings for an album as optimistically titled as Stay Positive. Throw in The Hold Steady's track record of releasing some of the more exceptional studio albums of the past few years and this becomes an even more daunting task. Even so, considering the sheer genius that was 2006's Boys And Girls In America, The Hold Steady are surely destined to disappoint on their follow-up, right? I can safely answer this with a resounding WRONG! It's almost fitting that I happened to get my hands on Stay Positive the day after Memorial Day. Because more so than anything else, this is absolutely a summer record."

"All I have to say is there is a reason why The Hold Steady was the the first band in 15 years to grace the cover of The Village Voice. This bands brings an excitement to music that is unparalleled (just check them out live). And although the guys kind of reinvent the wheel on Positive (lyrically, this disc is very similar to B&IA), they prove that they can consistently make a musically complex record all the while incorporating themes that don't seem to get tired. Hey, if the Boss can make a career out of this, why can't these guys? For me, this is a stellar effort and shows progression of a band that you can bank on."

1) Fleet Foxes (Self-titled)

Here you have it folks. The Fleet Foxes were able to dethrone mighty favorite The Hold Steady. I think the tipping point for me was, of course, the live show. I cannot wait to hear what these guys have in store for a follow-up. This is arguably the best debut album of the decade. Pretty huge accomplishment for a group of shaggy early twenty somethings.

From August 21st, 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."

Stay Positive (Part 1)

As promised, I'm back to the 2008 retrospective stuff. I've decided the best of/worst of approach is getting a little played out and might reflect too much of pessimistic perspective. So from here on in, I'm gonna view the cup half full. Maybe this is a resolution I'll carry out into the new year -- who knows. I am just going to list the tops for the remaining major categories. These will be in traditional countdown fashion, as you'll see:

Top 10 Shows of 2008

Honorable Mention: The Gaslight Anthem @ Roseland Ballroom 10/13/08

Granted this band was designated the opening slot for a four-band bill, it might be a little controversial to to place in the top ten. However, this just goes to show how much I believe in the Gaslight Anthem. I'll give them my honorable mention spot. Churning out a majority of The '59 Sound's Jersey Shore-inspired catalog in the allotted 40 minutes, this was a make-or-break show for me. The fact that I continually rave about them will tell you how well that went. People are still talking about Gaslight's recent performance on Conan, so I think 2009 will only keep the momentum going for one of my new favorite bands.

10) Fountains of Wayne @ The Highline Ballroom 2/8/08

The saddest thing to consider about this New Jersey power-pop quartet is that they will likely go down in the annals of history as one-hit wonders for "Stacey's Mom." But like comrades Nada Surf, this band has produced some of the best pop-rock for the better part of the decade, and has been critically received for every album that's been put out. When I saw these guys in February, it was my first time at the Highline Ballroom (one of the better venues in Manhattan), so I was blown away by the sheer intimacy of venue as well as the slew of upbeat 3 and half minute beauties that were churned out with ease. Can't wait to see these guys again.

9) The Killers @ The Highline Ballroom 7/29/08

Same venue, MUCH different band. I was skeptical about the validity of this secret show because it was mysteriously easy to get tickets. As everyone knows, this is an arena-sized band -- for them to play the 600 person capacity Highline Ballroom was a little bit of a head scratcher. But when they did eventually come on, they knocked it out of the park. Combining the usual suspects with b-sides, lesser known tracks, and new songs "Spaceman" and "Neon Tiger," this show restored my faith in the band I hadn't really been into since college.

8) Ryan Adams & The Cardinals @ The Apollo Theatre 10/31/08

I know, I know. For someone who's a little too obsessed with this guy, the eight spot might seem a little out of place. This just goes to show how brilliant 2008 was for me in terms of concert attendance. Don't get me wrong; this was yet another classic Ryan Adams Halloween show -- the fact that it was at the legendary Apollo Theater was worth the trip alone. Skewing mostly new material, Adams decided it was a good idea to avoid the very songs that helped to build his strong fan base. I don't know how well this strategy was received by those in attendance, but it worked for me. His clean attitude has surely led to spot-on singing/guitar playing.

7) The National @ Brooklyn Academy of Music 2/23/08

Another legendary venue, another soon-to-be legendary band. This marked the first show of the year I'd been to outside of Manhattan, and let's just say it was worth the borough crossover. Matt Berninger's morose baritone set the tone for a memorably bleak winter evening (in a good way). Playing most of the songs off of many critics' top 2007 pick (Boxer), as well as host of old material I was admittedly unfamiliar with, this show officially made me a believer. I'm looking forward to this band's follow-up, which will hopefully see an '09 release.

6) Mark Kozelek @ The Highline Ballroom 6/13/08

I think it's pretty apparent which New York venue wins MVP this year for me. I think this show takes the cake for most anticipated concert of the year. Ghosts of the Great Highway remains one of the best records of all time for me, and by June I was REALLY getting into the most recent Sun Kil Moon album, April. Not to mention Kozelek's solo stuff AND his catalog with former '90's band Red House Painters. So yeah, a lot to look forward to. Mark was dead on -- distributing equally from all of his projects with finger-picking ease. "Lost Verses" was hauntingly beautiful. Enough said.

5) My Morning Jacket @ Radio City Music Hall 6/20/08

Without a doubt, this show was the most important performance ever for Jim James and crew. I remember seeing My Morning Jacket just three short years ago a D.C.'s 930 club -- a show that didn't even sell out. Since then, a lot has changed. I was skeptical about the band's booking at such a large venue, but after seeing James tear down the house with a near 3-hour performance, I knew there was no turning back. Shortly after, the band was booked for an MSG New Year's show. If you've got no New Year's plans just yet and don't want to spend the absurd $100+ "all you can drink" bar fee, this is definitely a worthwhile alternative. Live album surely to follow.

4) TV On The Radio @ Brooklyn Masonic Temple 10/13/08

For TVOTR to clock in at number four, this just goes to show how stiff the competition was this year. Definitely the most interesting venue of the year. The Brooklyn Masonic Temple is exactly how it sounds -- the performance space resembled the appearance and size of an elementary school gymnasium. This being said, it was impossible to not like this show. The band played the perfect blend of old and new on an evening that featured a full horn section for the majority of the show. Considering the hype that surrounds this band, I have a feeling it will be a while before I see them at a temple again.

3) Neil Young & Wilco @ MSG 12/16/08

Not to cut corners here, but I just saw this show last week and went into great detail a couple posts ago. Just scroll down to read all about it.

2) Fleet Foxes @ The Grand Ballroom at The Manhattan Center 10/4/08

Don't be deceived by the venue's name; there's nothing colossal about this ballroom located above the Hammerstein Ballroom. And quite frankly this is what made this show so special to me. The Fleet Foxes are hands down the most exciting success story of 2008. To see them play at such a tiny standing room venue was absolutely mind-blowing. These guys are about as hyped as Vampire Weekend, but unlike their '08 amigos, they are legitimately worthy of all this praise. Sweet harmonizing, precocious arrangements, brilliant musicianship, and the best possible attitude for a hipster-approved band are only a few things that make this Northwest quintet the best thing ever. Bonus points for the legendary beards.

1) Sigur Rós @ The Museum of Modern Art 6/17/08

This show will go down as the most transcendent in my book. For this was just not aural ecstasy by one of the best bands in the world; those who were in attendance we treated to a visual art exhibit beforehand by fellow Icelandic countryman Olafur Eliasson. The free Grolsch beer didn't hurt in helping to set the tone. Definitely the best cultural experience of 2008 for me. Refering back to an earlier post, "throughout the course of the night, the guys brought out their standard surprises, which included a full horn section, a wind section, and singer Jónsi Birgisson's trademark falsetto vocals/bow guitar playing abilities." A life-changing combination which easily made this the best show of the year.

The Best of Times, The Worst of Times (Part 1)

I guess we've exhausted all of the great new album releases for the year. I know I've been a little inactive as of late, but a lack of anticipated releases will do this to a guy. That being said, I literally cannot read a blog or music publication without avoiding an artist or editor's picks of the year. Rolling Stone's top-50 list is an abomination, fyi. I guess it's that time of season, so why not jump on the retrospective bandwagon? The rest of this year's blog articles (for the most part) will list the best and worst that this year had to offer in music. So here it goes, folks:

Best Comeback of 2008:
R.E.M.
For awhile, R.E.M. was arguably the most consistent band on this side of the Atlantic. These guys couldn't put out a bad record if they tried. That was, until Bill Berry left. The departure of an original member seemed to throw these guys out of whack. The band's last excellent effort was 1996's New Adventures In Hi-Fi. After releasing a string of mediocre albums in the late 90's/early 00's, the band came roaring back with the aggressive Accelerate, which came out this April. Not since 1994's Monster have we heard R.E.M. so inspired. These guys are like the Kurt Warner of rock bands. This album successfully rejuvenated what was otherwise considered as a finished career. Welcome back, boys.

Worst "Comeback" of 2008:
Counting Crows
I was rooting for these guys, I honestly was. August and Everything After changed my life in the 90's, and This Dessert Life was one of the most underrated albums of the past decade (aside from "Hanginaround"). I still believe Adam Duritz is an extremely talented songwriter in the same vein as Bruce Springsteen, so I marked my calender this past March when the Crows' oft-delayed first album in nearly six years (Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings) finally came out. The good news is that it did come out. The bad news is that it did nothing for me. I liked what I heard, but nothing stuck. Before I knew it, this one became undeserving of my iPod real estate. Too bad.

Best Album Artwork of 2008:
Sigur Ros - Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust
Who doesn't love streakers? I can't think of an album cover that better accentuates the feel the music contained inside. "Gobbldigook" is as free-spirited as Iceland's best band has ever been. Why not get naked and run around?







Worst Album Artwork of 2008:
My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges
Yikes! This may be the only time I agree with Pitchfork Media, but they put it best when they said this looks more like "Brian Dennehey trying to crack the DaVinci Code."








Worst Album Artwork Trend of 2008:
Stealing masterpieces
If you know me, you know that I love art and history. Luckily, living in New York affords me the opportunity to check out the best that the world has to offer in these departments. For museums, this is just fine. Record shops, no thank you. For some reason, several bands in 2008 took the concept of album "artwork" too literally. Now I'm not asking for a simple mug shot of the band (a la Gaslight Anthem), but using a masterpiece to represent your own body of work is just too pretentious for me. Even if you are Coldplay. Still don't know what I'm taking about? Well Chris Martin and crew tapped Eugene Delacroix's "Liberty Leading The People" for Viva La Vida and then AGAIN for the follow-up EP Prospekt's March -- this time using "Battle of Poitiers". Coldplay's not the only guilty party here. As much as I love the band, the Fleet Foxes made the same blunder. They used Bruegel's 16th century painting, "Netherlandish Proverbs."

Do these look familiar? It's not just Joe Satriani's work that's being "borrowed" by Coldplay.



Best Attempted Crossover of 2008:
Panic At The Disco - Pretty. Odd.
The exclamation point at the end of the name wasn't the only thing this emo-branded band dropped. They also departed ways with the signature Fueled By Ramen sound most associated with acts like Fall Out Boy and Cobra Starship. Rather than duplicating the pattern that helped them bombard the VMA's two years ago, the guys opted to escape their inevitable kitschy fate by choosing to create a virtual homage to Sergeant Pepper's -- bells, whistles, and all. The end result is damn good. Songs like "Nine In The Afternoon" and "When The Day Met The Night" are crafted beautifully. One of the best surprises of the year for sure.

Worst Attempted Crossover of 2008:
Oasis (...again) - Dig Out Your Soul
The Gallaghers should one of two things: 1) take lessons from Brendon Urie about how to make a Beatles-sounding album 2) give up entirely on trying to make a Beatles-sounding album. Here we go again -- Oasis shamelessly trying to be something they're not. When this band was amazing, they sounded more like the Stone Roses and this just fit. The guitars were noisy, Liam's voice was distorted, and the bass was thumping. Bottom line, it rocked. They started going to shit at about album number four (Standing On the Shoulder of Giants), when they literally thought they were the next incarnation of Lennon/McCartney. Their sound has since waned, culminating in the utter failure that was this year's attempt at a psychedelic album. Whatever, I still love them.

The List (Part 10)

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.
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

A Buzz on the Tube

Just throwing it out there. I know I've driven Sigur Rós in the ground the past couple of months, but those of you who happen to get Current TV (the cable channel Al Gore owns) will be able to get a glimpse of the exclusive concert they played at the MoMA last month. This was one of the better shows I've been to in a VERY long time, so I definitely recommend giving it a shot. It premieres August 5th at 10 PM. Here's a snippet:

The List (Part 5)

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.

60) Interpol - Antics (2004)
The New York foursome's follow-up to a tremendous debut, Antics proved that this "New New Wave" band had more staying power than Joy Division -- the very act that these guys unmistakably mimic. Whether it's Carlos D's thumping bass on tunes like "Evil," Paul Banks' hypnotically monotone singing style on "C'mere" or Daniel Kessler's throbbing punky guitar on leadoff single "Slow Hands," Interpol delivers an album that is wrought with nuances that collectively welcome a throwback sound. This band took indie rock to a new level when it most needed a swift kick in the ass. They returned last year with highly underrated Our Love To Admire.


59) Belle & Sebastian - The Life Pursuit (2006)
Often referred to as Scotland's greatest band, these indie rockers certainly have the pop song formula down pat. They kind of reinvent the wheel on this one -- churning out sing-along gems like album standouts, "Funny Little Frog" and "Another Sunny Day," but who says this is a bad thing? If you're ever in a crabby mood, I can't recommend a better band to lift your spirits. The Life Pursuit is the latest from Belle & Sebastian, and is thankfully their most successful to date in the States. It's taken awhile for this stellar band to catch up and it's reassuring to know that they are getting their just due. No word yet of a new album in the works, which is unfortunate.


58) Kanye West - The College Dropout (2004)
This is the album that started it all for 'Ye. Spawning three top ten hits in "Through The Wire," "All Falls Down," and "Jesus Walks," The College Dropout turned this producer into hip-hop's greatest superstar. And make no mistake about it, Kayne will be the first to agree with this claim. Featuring collaborations with Talib Kweli, John Legend and Jay-Z, The College Dropout is nearly flawless hip-hop and was a breath of fresh air for a genre that was struggling back in '04. Featuring a slew of hooky familiar samples mixed in with Kanye's super-intelligent rhyming scheme, this one set the tone for hip-hop's evolving state in the new century.


57) Bright Eyes - Cassadaga (2007)
Named after a spiritual community in Florida, this record is appropriately themed. Oozing all things Americana, this one is Conor Oberst's most folky to date. First single "Four Winds" is one of the best songs of 2007 and features backing vocals from a very talented Maria Taylor. But the cameos don't end there. Cassadaga may very well go down in the record books as having the most collaborations in the history of rock and roll. If you listen carefully, you can also hear M. Ward, Rachael Yamagata, Davind Rawlings, Gillian Welch, and a host of others making their respective contributions. Fun fact: this album comes with a spectral decoder that allows users to uncover hidden phrases in the artwork. This was considered so novel that Cassadaga won a Grammy this year for "Best Recording Package".


56) Ryan Adams & The Cardinals - Cold Roses (2005)
Ryan Adams' first release with his current band The Cardinals, Cold Roses is a virtual homage to the Grateful Dead and Neil Young. After experimenting with a more rock-oriented sound on previous releases Gold, Rock N Roll, and Love Is Hell, this marked Adams' return to the alt-country realm most associated with Heartbreaker and prior band Whiskeytown. Critics who lampooned Adams for his disconnected and choppy feel on prior albums all agreed that this was a return to form. From the slide-guitar sprawl on cuts like "Let It Ride" and "If I Am A Stranger" to the heartfelt tenderness on "Now That You're Gone" and "Friends," Roses showcases some of the better songwriting of the decade. While we are on the subject of packaging, this record was released as a "vinyl" double-disc set despite the fact that all songs fit on a standard compact disc. Had to throw that out there.


55) Sigur Rós - ( ) (2002)
Yes, you're reading that correctly. Sigur Rós' third studio album is unpronounceable and simply titled using two opposing parentheses. If this isn't cryptic enough, all of the songs on this record are untitled. But hey, if mood music is your thing, naming conventions don't really apply. And plus, unless you are one of like 50,000 people who speak Icelandic, this would just be gibberish anyway. It's the content that matters, and Sigur Rós certainly knocks it out of the park on this one. The first four tracks are optimistically ethereal. After a 36-second pause the mood changes and they get dark and mysterious on us. Those of who saw 2001's Vanilla Sky got a sneak peak at "Untitled #4" -- the song was featured during a crucial moment in the film.


54) The Hold Steady - Almost Killed Me (2004)
The debut from what is arguably the best live rock act around, this marked the beginning of four consecutive stellar albums from this Brooklyn-by-way-of-Minneapolis band. Centered around themes of near-death experiences, drug abuse, and youth partying, there hasn't been storytelling this top-notch since early Springsteen albums. And like the Boss' debut, this one is a little unpolished around the edges. But have no fear; it only gets better from here. The Hold Steady was supposedly formed after guitarist Tad Kubler got inspired from watching a DVD of The Band's concert feature The Last Waltz. These guys get some bonus points for being average Joe's.

53) Coldplay - Parachutes (2000)
Before Coldplay became COLDPLAY, they made a little-known record called Parachutes way back in 2000. That's when things exploded for these guys. Spawning a couple of well-known hits ("Yellow" and "Trouble"), this was the album that would not go away. Thanks to years of soundtrack help from movies such as Igby Goes Down, Garden State, and yes, even Wedding Crashers, Coldplay's debut remains on our radar eight years after it was released. Although I gotta give props for their most recent offering, nothing they've put out since comes close to topping Parachutes.


52) Modest Mouse - Good News For People Who Love Bad News (2004)
I am well aware that this is this band's "bandwagon" album. But I don't care; it's still fantastic music, and without a doubt their best. People went nuts for "Float On" in 2004 -- Modest Mouse's first commercially successful song after over a decade of existence. This spawned an equally amazing follow-up hit in "Ocean Breathes Salty," a song that was picked out by Mark Kozelek (Sun Kil Moon) for his very own Modest Mouse cover album. Good News flirts with everything from the Talking Heads to The Cure and is as endearing as it is quirky. The band went on to release their follow-up last year called We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank, which features The Smiths' Johnny Marr, who joined on as a permanent band member.


51) Sun Kil Moon - April (2008)
The current band from Mark Kozelek of Red House Painters fame, this is Sun Kil Moon's second body of completely original material. And much like Ghosts of The Great Highway, this one is a masterpiece. Admittedly, though, this is an acquired taste. Fans of upbeat, fast-tempo indie-rock need not apply. This one's a downer -- inspired by failed relationships, the passing of loved ones, and imagery of American landscapes. Kozelek's brilliant lyrical sense gets a little lost through his hypnotically mumbling singing style, but take my word for it -- this is one of the most talented singer-writers at his best.