Mar 21 2011

My Top 300 Songs of the 2000s – 40-31

Today I continue my ongoing feature showcasing my personal picks for the best songs of the past decade, posting ten songs at a time.

40. Junior Senior – Move Your Feet

Lost to the forgotten one-hit wonder ether that is the early 2000’s indie world, Junior Senior’s most memorable track is one of the decade’s best, and definitely one of the danciest.  The duo was a profile-worthy pairing – a skinny little straight guy and an overweight, flamboyantly gay guy.  The spirit was one of fun-loving shimmying and partying, and “Move Your Feet” is the highlight.

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Feb 24 2011

My Top 300 Songs of the 2000s – 50-41

Today I continue my ongoing feature showcasing my personal picks for the best songs of the past decade, posting ten songs at a time.

50. Passion Pit – Sleepyhead

Named my favorite song of 2009, I’ve already explained how much I love this song. Even a casual reader of the blog knows how many times I’ve blared it loudly, as I’m doing right now. It never gets old. The song is littered with hooks – in the singing, in the wordless chorus, in the sampling, in the background synths. It all just works. And Passion Pit will likely never top it.

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Feb 3 2011

My Top 300 Songs of the 2000s – 60-51

Today I continue my ongoing feature showcasing my personal picks for the best songs of the past decade, posting ten songs at a time.

60. Andrew WK – Party Hard

I love how everyone initially detested this guy, as if I Get Wet wasn’t the most awesome thing they had ever heard ever.  Pitchfork, in their infinite indie wisdom, called this frat boy rock, which it probably is, in all truth, and gave it a 4.0.  Of course, years later, it made their best-of list for the decade.  Most people reneged on Andrew because you just can’t deny badassery, especially when it’s delivered in a completely earnest (but slightly exaggerated), multi-instrumental fashion.  “Party Hard” is the intro message WK seeks to deliver, and as history has shown, it’s anything but novelty.

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Jan 20 2011

My Top 300 Songs of the 2000s – 70-61

Today I continue my ongoing feature showcasing my personal picks for the best songs of the past decade, posting ten songs at a time.

70. Band of Horses – Is There a Ghost

The first track off Cease to Begin is a great introduction to Band of Horses’ second disc – it’s a beautiful rising track with the simple, repeated lyrics “I could sleep” and “When I lived alone, is there a ghost in my house.”  What follows is a near-flawless album that embodies the Southern spirit and indie charm this now-immensely popular group delivers.

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Jan 14 2011

Top 50 Albums of 2010 – The Top Ten

10. A-Trak – Dirty South Dance 2

A-Trak – We Don’t Want No Goblins

Dubstep and Southern rap were meant to be together, or at least they are when A-Trak’s behind the crossfader.  His second foray into mixing the two genres is a dance party like no other; stand by for the ending highlight, a mashup of Joker and Yung L.A.

9. Wavves – King of the Beach

Wavves – Post Acid

Nathan Williams’ 2009 and 2010 were completely different.  The previous year, he was an up-and-comer that crashed and burned publicly; now he is a renewed creative spirit with a diverse, improved sound.

8. Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

Kanye West – Monster (feat. Jay-Z, Rick Ross, Bon Iver & Nicki Minaj)

Believe the hype – Yeezy’s fifth album is quite probably his finest work yet.  His rapping is smart and funny and his production is characteristically slick.  If he keeps making gold, we will continue to put up with his hi-jinks, Internet, interview, or otherwise.

7. One Wolf – One Wolf II: Secret of the Wolf

One Wolf – Backyard

Perhaps the doom and gloom from One Wolf’s self-titled effort has disappeared, but in its place is diverse instrumentation, inescapable pop hooks, and sharp optimism. A sonic collage of indie, Americana, and even metal, this is one that just grows and grows on you.

6. Thrift Store Cowboys – Light Fighter

Thrift Store Cowboys – Regardless

Lubbock’s elder statesmen etch their place in historic alt-country with this, their fourth and finest album.  Daniel Fluitt’s keen storytelling and unmistakable voice lead the listener on a gradual crescendo in under fifty minutes.  Give it one listen and observe the injustice – Deer Tick should be opening for these guys by now.

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Jan 13 2011

Top 50 Albums of 2010 – 20-11

20. Vampire Weekend – Contra

Vampire Weekend – Cousins

19. Jeff the Brotherhood – Heavy Days

Jeff the Brotherhood – Bone Jam

18. Male Bonding – Nothing Hurts

Male Bonding – Year’s Not Long

17. Deerhunter – Halcyon Digest

Deerhunter – Desire Lines

16. The Tallest Man On Earth – The Wild Hunt

The Tallest Man On Earth – King of Spain

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Jan 12 2011

Top 50 Albums of 2010 – 30-21

30. Cloud Nothings – Turning On

Cloud Nothings – Morgan

29. Thw Walkmen – Lisbon

The Walkmen – Victory

28. ceo – White Magic

ceo – Come With Me

27. Drake – Thank Me Later

Drake – Shut It Down (featuring The-Dream)

26. Local Natives – Gorilla Manor

Local Natives – Airplanes

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Jan 11 2011

Top 50 Albums of 2010 – 40-31

40. Games – That We Can Play EP

Games – Strawberry Skies

39. Delorean – Subiza

Delorean – Simple Graces

38. Brothertiger – Vision Tunnels EP

Brothertiger – Lovers

37. The Thermals – Personal Life

The Thermals – I Don’t Believe You

36. Diamond Rings – Special Affections

Diamond Rings – Show Me Your Stuff

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Jan 10 2011

Top 50 Albums of 2010 – 50-41

50. Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti – Before Today

Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti – Round and Round

49. OFF! – First Four EPs

OFF! – Panic Attack

48. Marnie Stern – S/T

Marnie Stern – For Ash

47. Crystal Castles – S/T

Crystal Castles – Baptism

46. The White Stripes – Under Great White Northern Lights

The White Stripes – Black Math (Live)

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Jan 9 2011

Honorable Mention Albums of 2010

Tomorrow I begin my listings of the top albums of 2010, but before I do, here are twenty great albums, listed alphabetically, that just barely missed the cut.

Arcade Fire – The Suburbs

Avey Tare – Down There

Big K.R.I.T. – K.R.I.T. Wuz Here Mixtape

Broken Social Scene – Forgiveness Rock Record

Dr. Dog – Shame Shame

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