This list reminds me of a lot of my last couple of years in Ohio. Other than a couple of the selections, this was most of my listening during that period. It's weird how certain years have lumped together on this decade list. Makes me think I didn't do a very good job of mixing things up.
Oh well.
80. Modest Mouse - The Moon and Antarctica
A lot of people have identified this as Modest Mouse's best work. While I don't agree with that assessment, I do feel this is as solid an a major label debut as there has been this decade by a former indie band who should have always stayed indie.
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79. Thao Nguyen and Get Down Stay Down - We Brave Bee Stings and All
The first eight or so tracks on this record can carry you a long way. Thao makes you want to hold her hand and go to punk rock shows and protest the war and be her boyfriend. Then you wake up and realize you're in your mid-thirties with a kid. It was a nice dream while it lasted. Luckily, you still have the record.
The first eight or so tracks on this record can carry you a long way. Thao makes you want to hold her hand and go to punk rock shows and protest the war and be her boyfriend. Then you wake up and realize you're in your mid-thirties with a kid. It was a nice dream while it lasted. Luckily, you still have the record.
78. The Strokes - Is This It
I forgot about this one until I started looking through some other best of decade lists. The hype on this band was unreal. I remember hearing a story of Sonic Youth being asked overseas what they thought of The Strokes, being a fellow NYC band and all. They had never heard of them. Strangely enough, The Strokes backed up that out-of-nowhere hype with this solid effort. It's too bad they were the decade's first Vampire Weekend, making it impossible for them to ever have any kind of indie cred or critical love.
I forgot about this one until I started looking through some other best of decade lists. The hype on this band was unreal. I remember hearing a story of Sonic Youth being asked overseas what they thought of The Strokes, being a fellow NYC band and all. They had never heard of them. Strangely enough, The Strokes backed up that out-of-nowhere hype with this solid effort. It's too bad they were the decade's first Vampire Weekend, making it impossible for them to ever have any kind of indie cred or critical love.
77. Broken Social Scene - You Forgot It in People
This is the Canook co-op to end all Canook co-op. Sometimes too many cooks in the kitchen makes a bad stew. And sometimes all those cooks get it right.
This is the Canook co-op to end all Canook co-op. Sometimes too many cooks in the kitchen makes a bad stew. And sometimes all those cooks get it right.
76. ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead - Source Codes and Tags
When bands were simplifying their sound and their monikers, this band with the really long name was adding layer upon layer to create some of the most vibrant music of the oughts.
When bands were simplifying their sound and their monikers, this band with the really long name was adding layer upon layer to create some of the most vibrant music of the oughts.
75. Belle and Sebastian - Fold Your Hands Child, You Walk Like a Peasant
Some of the most gut-wrenching moments ever can be found within "I Fought in a War" or "Don't Leave the Light on Baby."
Some of the most gut-wrenching moments ever can be found within "I Fought in a War" or "Don't Leave the Light on Baby."
74. The Moldy Peaches - The Moldy Peaches
My sister once teased me that a mixed tape must have been made that summer I bought the Moldy Peaches as every other song was by the duo. They made fun of hipsters (themselves) way before people did that through blogs.
My sister once teased me that a mixed tape must have been made that summer I bought the Moldy Peaches as every other song was by the duo. They made fun of hipsters (themselves) way before people did that through blogs.
73. Bright Eyes - Lifted, or the Story Is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground
This sort of felt like Conor Oberst's first attempt at a big, theatrical album. He pulled it off and has toned it down ever since. This was when you knew Oberst had arrived.
This sort of felt like Conor Oberst's first attempt at a big, theatrical album. He pulled it off and has toned it down ever since. This was when you knew Oberst had arrived.
72. Spoon - Kill the Moonlight
Some point to this as Spoon's finest moment. I think they were just getting started at this point.
Some point to this as Spoon's finest moment. I think they were just getting started at this point.
71. Songs: Ohia - Magnolia Electric Co.
Honestly, I never gave this band a chance because of the name. I only purchased this album this year, but I have to admit I was wrong. It's beautifully sad and poetic and full of all the twang I love. That and it's from Ohio.
Honestly, I never gave this band a chance because of the name. I only purchased this album this year, but I have to admit I was wrong. It's beautifully sad and poetic and full of all the twang I love. That and it's from Ohio.
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