15. Isolee ‘We Are Monster’
This is one of the few electronica albums that I have heard that actually is successful in the implementation of original sounds. Not only are they original, the compositions are actually interesting to listen to. Since music technology is so readily available, a lot of people can make beats and aural electronic stimulation, but they are all working out of the same libraries. Isolee is the Autechre of the 00’s.
14. Wrens ‘Meadowlands’
I first heard this album when I was an angsty 20 year old, all the way back in 2005… back when this record had been out for two years. It resonated with me then, and listening to it today in 2009, when I am more cranky than angsty, and it resonates with me now. As a recording engineer-in-progress, this is probably the only album under the “Bedroom Recording” category that I actually revere. There is something so solemn about the vocals, and charming about the home mix job, that makes these songs endearing.
13. Boards of Canada ‘Geogaddi’
I hesitate to use the annoying genre tag of IDM, or intelligent dance music, because this is so far from dance music, but it is absolutely brilliant. This calm and calculated foray into imagery that is a psychedelic mixture of color, and often successfully conjuring up those warm fond feelings of childhood.
12. Godpseed You! Black Emperor ‘Lift Yr. Skinny Fists Like Antennae to Heaven’
If this past decade has been an overkill of anything, it’s post rock. A lot of bands are trying to be what GY!BE is, and should give up now because it’s hopeless. No one can match the dynamic power of the 786 member group (there are actually like 13 of them, but as many side projects they have done, you would guess that the original total was in the 700 range). This album is the most powerful of them all, with all the energy of their other albums, but the arrangement in this piece moves one at the deepest core. Yes, I may cry when I listen to this one, so shut up.
11. Subtle ‘A New White’
This is one of the more unique bands of the past 10 years. Subtle rolls with electronic backing that could be an album on it’s own, but also have awesome timbre with hip-hop vocals. Words cannot do this album justice, so just trust me on this one.
God damn it do I love a flamboyant record, and this is by far the most solid. With a disco, funk, Elton John influence tied in with sleepless nights of amphetamines and feather boas, Scissor Sisters deliver. Most of this album is spunky pop music but has moments of epic Pink Floyd inspired ballads. This is also probably one of my favorite album covers too.
9. Walkmen ‘Bows and Arrows’
I hate hipsters as much as the next genuine music snob, but the Walkmen pull it off with a subtle and stylish execution. The lyrics and overall tone of the music are reminiscent of Kerouac, if he spent his time in modern-day hipster infested Brooklyn instead of San Francisco. This album has a certain crunchy sound to it, and just BARELY beats its predecessor ‘Everyone Who Pretended to Be Like Me Is Gone”.
8. Black Heart Procession ‘Amor del Tropico
I hate Pink Floyd. Not because I think that they are untalented, or that they have shit production, quite the opposite on both of those points. I hate them because they are constantly shoved in my face.
That being said, ‘Amor del Tropico’ is like Pink Floyd for the rest of us. This album starts out with a lighthearted Carribean vibe and eventually gels into a lush, dark orchestral masterpiece. The production on this record kicks absolute ass, and seems to satisfy the urge for musical gluttony whose void (I imagine) is filled for other people by Pink Floyd.
7. National ‘Alligator’
This is absolutely one of the best records I’ve ever heard. For a while I was debating on whether ‘Boxer’, their sophomore offering, should hold this spot, but upon a thorough listen, this album totally wins. In fact, it is still in the CD player in my car because I can’t get enough of it.
There were enough single-worthy songs on to draw me in the first time I heard it, but the more I listen to it straight through, the more rewarding it becomes. The songwriting is brilliant and original, and the mixes textured and flowing. Plus, Mr. November, the last track, should have been #1 song of the decade.
6. Serena Maneesh ‘Serena Maneesh’
This is a satisfying conclusion to the My Bloody Valentine ‘Loveless’ chapter. Though Serena Maneesh is clearly influenced by the shoegaze icons of the early 90’s, they put a crunchier spin on the sweeping wall of sound.
I had a chance to hang out with Serena Maneesh when they played at a small club in Tempe, AZ back in 2006. Before the drinking commenced, I was lucky enough to speak to Emil (the lead singer), about what he was trying to achieve in regard to production value. He said that it was important to him that everything be recorded through analogue gear to tape, to achieve the level of saturation that he was hoping for. Then they put on the worst show I’ve ever seen, didn’t finish their set, but redeemed themselves by being awesome at the house party that succeeded their train-wreck.
I should also say that this record was destined for the top ten, even before that show.
5. South ‘With the Tides’
I will absolutely never get sick of this album. The song writing is melancholy, and nothing says melancholy like lush instrumentation of mandolins and quadrupled guitars. Everything sounds like it was doubled, so the result is a huge sound that still manages to maintain some dynamics.
4. Daft Punk ‘Alive 2007’
This is absolutely one of the greatest performances of all time. Apart from this being the Daft Punk nerd’s wet dream, this is also an easy cop out for my list, as I was going back and forth between ‘Discovery’ and ‘Human After All’. This allows me to represent both, along with the gems off of ‘Homework’.
3. 65daysofstatic ‘The Fall of Math’
As a music elitist, I am trained to say that I hate concept albums, but I am all over them if they are done right. ‘The Fall of Math’ is a post-rock electronica story about when the world as we know it is destroyed, and the horrible aftermath of those who lived through it. There are a lot of original sounds on this record, and while 65DOS never topped this record, their follow up, ‘One Time For All Time’ is worth checking out as well.
2. Of Montreal ‘Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?’
I know this album by heart, and I still don’t even know what I can say about it. It is bliss. There is so much going on, so much being said, and it never falls into incomprehensible chaos. Chaos, yes, but chaos one can relate to and decipher! From bouncy pop songs like “A Sentence of Sorts in Kongsvinger” to 11 minute long epic anthem “The Past is a Grotesque Animal”, to my life theme song “Labrynthian Pomp”: “How you wanna tag my style when I am so superior, how you wanna hate a thing when you are so inferior.” I couldn’t say that better myself.
1. Spiritualized ‘Let It Come Down’
Probably one of the last, best albums to ever grace the presence of our aural cavities. Real strings. Real brass section. Real awesome. If you doubt me, refer to the statistic of 115 session musicians… unfortunately in this day of the year 2009, all replaced by Reason.
This album is about the wall of sound, the internal battle of drug addiction, and the epic ideas from the frontman who can’t read music, Jason Pierce (who articulated the orchestral and brass pieces through a tape recorder where he hummed the melody that he wanted).
This formidable giant of sass and vigor is unrivaled by any album that has graced its vibrations upon my ears. Therefore, it has rightfully earned the highest honor through my strenuous decade of evaluation and intense scrutiny.
Congratulations, Spiritualized. You have beat out Of Montreal, a formidable opponent. Please note, that this does not forgive ‘A & E’.
Through jaded ears and a hopeful heart,
BlytheRocks
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