December 21st, 2009

Here are my favorite things in music from the past decade. Keep in mind I don’t necessarily think these are the “best”. Music is too subjective to decide who wins and loses. So, to compile my lists, I decided to scrap all things “best” and instead choose albums and songs that I will want to share with my kids and tell them why they were important to me.

Albums (in alphabetical order)

Blink-182 – 2001 – Take Off Your Pants And Jacket

Although not as loved as Enema Of The State, this album has a special place in my heart. It came out while I was in middle school and will always remind me of those 3 years.

Bon Iver – 2007 – For Emma, Forever Ago

I didn’t listen to the full album until this fall, but I quickly fell in love with it. It has the perfect sound for when you want to get away from everything.

Bruce Springsteen – 2002 – The Rising

Although I don’t necessarily love the whole album, two amazing tracks (The Rising and My City Of Ruins) are enough to make the album a memorable one for me. I don’t believe that anyone wrote about 9/11 better than Bruce.

Coldplay

I couldn’t exclude Coldplay from this list. More so than specific albums, I love their sound.

Daft Punk – 2001 – Discovery

Daft Punk is a band that I rarely listen to but every once in a while when it happens I think “Why don’t I listen to them more?” This is their best.

Eddie Vedder –  2007 – Into The Wild

This movie and soundtrack came into my life last year just after I turned 20. I won’t get too deep into the themes, but the story surrounds a 21 year old kid who graduates from college and decides to get away from all of the stuff the world has come to rely on. A must see movie and must hear album for any guy my age.

Explosions In The Sky – 2004 – Friday Night Lights Soundtrack

Even though I didn’t play on the team, high school football at York was a big, big deal to me. I will always hear this album and look back fondly on those nights in the stands.

Fall Out Boy

No one album stands out to me, but I love their sound. They capture what it was like to be a teen in the 2000s better than any band I know.

Girl Talk – 2008 – Feed The Animals

This album is and always will be “partying in college” to me. Fond memories.

Jay-Z – 2003 – The Black Album

This album made me fall in love with Jay-Z. I am in the minority, but I think it’s his best.

Jimmy Eat World – 2001 – Bleed American (Jimmy Eat World)

I’d be lying if I said I listen to this album all the time or even could name more than 4 songs from it. However, like Take Off Your Pants And Jacket, it reminds me of middle school.

John Mayer – 2006 – Continuum

I’ve said enough about John Mayer on this blog. The man is a genius and this album let the world know about it.

Kanye West – 2007 – Graduation

With the exception of two strange inclusions, this album is near perfect. Crazy or not, Kanye West is a genius.

Kings Of Leon – 2008 – Only By The Night

Moving from Indiana University to University of Illinois was a big step for me. This album marked that occasion very well and captured all the fun I had my first semester at my new home.

Lucky Boys Confusion

One of my neighbors introduced me to this local band that were making it big in Chicago. To this day I can’t figure out if I like them because they are good or because they were one of my first bands, but their sound will always have a good place in my heart.

Lupe Fiasco – 2006 and 2007 – The Cool and Food & Liquor

Hip-hop is not dead.

MGMT – 2007 – Oracular Spectacular

Didn’t really appreciate this album until this past year. When my kids ask me what it was like to be a teenager, I will play “Time To Pretend”.

Motion City Soundtrack

Couldn’t exclude this great band from Minneapolis. All of their music makes me happy.

Radiohead – 2007 – In Rainbows

My relationship with Radiohead has been an interesting one. Given their significance, I had to include something they did.  I get them now. This video did it for me.

Red Hot Chili Peppers – 2006 – Stadium Arcadium

Great album front to back. This album came out just before the summer before my senior year of high school. For some reason, it reminds me of playing tennis for York.

The Strokes – 2001, 2003 and 2006 – Is This It, Room On Fire, and First Impressions Of Earth

My favorite sounding band of the decade, easily. Pick a song. Any song.

Sufjan Stevens – 2005 – Illinois

I’m not embarrassed to say that the teen show The OC turned me on to many great musicians, including this guy.

Taking Back Sunday – 2002 – Tell All Your Friends

This album reminds me of the transition from middle school to freshman year of high school. Good and bad, a very memorable time.

Weezer – 2005 – Make Believe

Although most people don’t consider this album their best, I love it. Another high school album.

Wilco – Yankee Hotel Foxtrot

No words can describe how much I love this album. When I hear this, I know that whatever comes next is going to be okay, no matter how I may be feeling.

Songs

Rock/Pop

MGMT – Time To Pretend

Justin Timberlake – Cry Me A River

Train – Drops Of Jupiter

U2 – City Of Blinding Lights

John Mayer – Gravity (Live)

The White Stripes – Seven Nation Army

Hip-Hop

Jay-Z and Alicia Keys – Empire State Of Mind

Eminem – Lose Yourself

Kanye West – Through The Wire

M.I.A. – Paper Planes

Immortal Technique – The Cause Of Death

Outkast – Bombs Over Baghdad

Alternative/Indie

David Gray – Babylon

Radiohead – Everything In It’s Right Place

Alexi Murdoch – Orange Sky

Sufjan Stevens – Chicago

Death Cab For Cutie – I Will Follow You Into The Dark

Other Great Stuff

Norah Jones – Come Away With Me

Darude – Sandstorm

Carly Commando – Everyday

If I don’t stop working on this now, I never will. There are so many more great songs and albums.  Despite what many people think, we do have good music right now. I’m sure the next decade will be no different.