When I was compiling my Best of the Noughties list on Spotify it struck me that there was no stand out genre- in fact I had a veritable mix of alt rock, indie pop, folk, electro, hip hop and the mysterious 'Other' (much better than the endless new genres created for bands transcending different styles).
The noughties were the years of the mash up; online, remixes became more popular than the singles released. This led to potent (and rather delicious) musical cocktails- electro muddled with rock, techno and hip hop until everything became undefinable.
I've managed to squidge the list down to my top 10 albums of the decade:
1. Turn on the Bright Lights (2002)- Interpol.
What an album...
Joy Division on Ketamine. The dense yet intricate guitar with drums moving from sludgy to frenetic, topped with Paul Banks' haunting voice, build into a wall of sound that creates a heart-wrenching atmosphere of sadness. This is most apparent on 'NYC' which explores his relationship with the city that constantly lets him down... 'I'm sick of spending these lonely nights training myself not to care'... Fan-bloody-tastic.
Stand Out Tracks: Untitled/NYC
2. Funeral (2004)- Arcade Fire.
The infectious optimism on this album was so refreshing when it came out. The energy running through the album is palpable; the instruments clamour over each other in a joyous, hopeful tangle right to the end.
Stand Out Tracks: Wake up/Rebellion (lies)
3. Cross (2007)- Justice.
Relentless- each song captivates you from the start and the tension continues to build until you are gagging for the climax. One of those albums that is virtually impossible to define- rocky?funky?electro?house? AWESOME.
Stand Out Tracks: D.A.N.C.E/Waters Of Nazareth
4. Elephant (2003)- White Stripes.
They can do no wrong in my eyes. Simple rock'n'roll with a bit of a country twist. Jack White is mesmerizing, his voice is like sex chocolate.
Stand Out Tracks: Hardest Button to Button/ Girl, you have no faith in medicine
5. Kid A (2000)- Radiohead.
One of my favourite openers to an album- 'Yesterday, I woke up sucking a lemon'. If they had released this with just 'Idioteque' on it, it probably would still have featured on my list.
Stand Out Tracks: Idioteque/Optimistic/Everything in it's Right Place
6. (Come on feel the) Illinoise (2005)- Sufjan Stevens.
This album is more like a grand performance. It's what I imagine would be the musical equivalent of traveling through the States and drinking in all the different sights and sounds.
No bell or whistle is spared- an uplifting explosion of brassy, happy noise accompanied by Sufjan's soothing tones. The songs move from sadness ('John Wayne Gacy Jr') right through to sheer ecstacy ('Come On! Feel the Illinoise!...). Again I wouldn't know where to start putting this album into a category.
But Sufjan, seriously dude, sort out those titles.
Stand Out Tracks: Chicago/ Decatur/Jacksonville/Casimir Pulaski Day
7. Late Registration (2005)- Kanye West.
The man was robbed (I know he's a prick but I would be too if I made this shit happen). You can't really go wrong with Jay-Z, Nas and Common helping out...
Heard' Em Say is the sound equivalent of sunlight trickling through your window. 22 Tracks=excellent bang for your buck.
Stand Out Tracks: Heard 'Em Say/Touch The Sky
8. Original Pirate Material (2002)- The Streets.
Proper grime like. One of the most original things to come from a British artist in a while... At times dark and troubling, the cheeky wit of Mike Skinner keeps it from becoming too depressing. You get a realistic picture of how 'sex,drugs and on the dole' can drag you down but he sounds pretty happy... Difficult subject matter but he keeps it listenable.
Stand Out Tracks: Has it come to this?/Lets Push Things Forward/Stay Positive
9. Marshall Mathers LP (2000)- Eminem.
I couldn't resist adding this, an angsty teenager's dream of an album- the soundtrack to millions of middle-class kids wanting to rebel. I
Stand Out Tracks: Kill You/Stan
10. Deadringer (2002)- RJD2.
Atmospheric as hell... Feel-good brass and beats mixed in with something much darker. Just get yourself some decent scenery, a bus window and you've got yourself an hour of bliss with this one.
Stand Out Tracks: Ghostwriter/Chicken-Bone Circuit/Good Times Roll part 2/Smoke & Mirrors
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