Hello Contrarians,
Sir Casey has rang the bell for his faithful writers to chime in on the Best of the Naughts — well. far as music goes, anyway. Now, I do not consider myself to be a connoisseur of music to the degree of my fellow contributors; when it comes to being hip to new indie music, I tend to swim in the shallow end of the pool.
That said, here’s my list in all its glory.
Picks below the jump.
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1. Broken Social Scene, You Forgot It in People
I saw BSS for the first time at CMJ in NYC in 2003 and was spellbound. The album made me pick up my guitar after a five year drought. This album is brilliant and breathtaking. It brings me to tears every time I hear it. I tend to be fans of albums versus bands, but this band is transcendental in everything they do.
2. Ryan Adams, Rock n’ Roll
The album title says it all — this is a great straight up rock record without frills. Good guitar rock from an all-around great artist.
3. Interpol, Turn On the Bright Lights
First heard this album through headphones while taking a taxi through a nighttime NYC — made an impression.
4. The Lost in Translation Soundtrack: The album that perfectly fits the mood of the film. I listen to this on a weekly basis. (It’s not available for streaming, but surely you’ve heard it.)
5. Postal Service, Give Up
Ben Gibbard’s voice and lyrics are nails on chalkboard for me with his Deathcab for Cutie stuff, but it fits Postal Service.
6. Guitar Wolf, UFO Romantics
Hooray for Japanese punk in 1950s greaser gear!
7. Lindsey Buckingham, Under the Skin
I am a big Fleetwood Mac fan, and always thought that the wall of harmony came from all the other Mac’s. But after listening to this, the true genius/talent of the group was that much more obvious.
8. The Streets, A Grand Don’t Come For Free
Hated it for months, found myself infatuated with it for years. The album tells the story of a man, a lost wad of cash, and the pain of a relationship going astray. The last track may be one of the most interesting recordings ever.
9. Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Fever to Tell
“Maps” is a great song, but does little to represent the seminal NYC power-trio. This album is gritty, disturbingly erotic, and an all around classic.
10. Explosions in the Sky, Friday Night Lights Original Soundtrack
One of the most sorrowful, passionate, and powerful recordings in existence. I have listened to this album more times than any other, it is perfect iPod music for all occasions. (Not available to stream, but here’s their full-length album from the same year, 2004.)
December 2nd, 2009 at 11:17 pm
1. I saw Guitar Wolf play in Seattle a few years back, was a great show – played so loud the cops came and shut down the place for noise violation, so the lead singer, guitar wolf, or whatever his name is – grabbed a fire extinguisher and hosed the place down… good times, real rock n roll fun.
2. That picture… we have that piece of vinyl behind the counter at Pure Pop… how did you get a picture of it?
December 3rd, 2009 at 12:02 am
Took the pic at Pure Pop – visited family for the holidays and saw it while I was checking out… had to take a picture of it.