It's been a while since the last post but, since this is the end of the decade that I started this blog thing, seems fitting that I hop back in the saddle to close the aughts out. Despite the objection of more than a few of my acquaintances, there really was some compelling music released over the past decade.....a lot of it!! It's provocative, controversial, fascinating art to match the times that we are living in. While (insert your streaming service name here) has blast accelerated the mixtape mentality (of which I'm totally guilty), listening to an album start to finish has, was, and will always rule. Enough yapping here - here are my fave albums of the past 10 years (in no particular order):
Kanye West My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy: Easily one of the most bats##t crazy, over the top albums ever made. Brilliantly produced (even featuring samples from totally non-hip acts like Yes and King Crimson), more than a few psycho, cringe worthy, truly gonzo rhymes, and a lengthy list of cameos ranging from Jay-Z to Bon Iver to an album stealing performance from Nikki Minaj on the song "Monster".
https://open.spotify.com/album/20r762YmB5HeofjMCiPMLv?si=atdg4YuIQeeACA-D9Vlabg
LCD Soundsystem - This is Happening: It was supposed to be the final LCD album and the lyrics definitely reflected it. It has all of the dance grooves that you came to expect from James Murphy and crew but there is a sense of closure throughout. And, by the way, Dance Yrself Clean is one of the greatest opening songs on an album ever. They did reunite 7 years later (and make another excellent album) but this was quite the farewell album...albeit a temporary one. https://open.spotify.com/album/4hnqM0JK4CM1phwfq1Ldyz?si=8gyDdW1kQBmVaFyUoyPJWQ
Deafheaven - Sunbather: In a decade where bands such as Converge, High on Fire, Kylesa, and Neurosis(not to mention legends like Iron Maiden, Anthrax, Judas Priest, and Metallica) have been in peak form, few bands have changed the face of the genre like Deafheaven. Equal parts Norwegian Black Metal and English Shoegaze, Deafheaven specializes in 10 plus minute epics that start you in the middle of a hurricane while finishing drifting down a calm river. https://open.spotify.com/album/2kKXGWaCEl06EKZ4DxBJIT?si=EH24j-OLQxGDfy9J3GhmgA
Vampire Weekend - Modern Vampires of the City: Having perfected their quirky, world-music, alt rock style on their first two albums, NYC's Vampire Weekend knocked it out of the park on their third album. Every song has a very distinct vibe and, in the case of "Unbelievers" and "Diane Young", come close to perfection.
https://open.spotify.com/album/2Qi2SySN2ePZwMLDSv9Krn?si=UB60SSZPQryq-Xw-JF-Y4Q
David Bowie - Blackstar: The ultimate shape shifter threw one more change-up at us on that cold January morning in 2016 with the release of this bizarre, brilliant album. No "Five Years", "Let's Dance", or "Rebel Rebel" here but this album is one last work of art from one of rock's most creative and iconic artists.
https://open.spotify.com/album/2w1YJXWMIco6EBf0CovvVN?si=3ABAhpS3QLm1aNVrBxLgUA
Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp a Butterfly: If there was ever an artist who falls into the category of "we'll still be talking about him in 20 years", Kendrick Lamar. While any of his last three albums could have made this list, "Butterfly" with his powerful rhymes and jazzy beats, this is definitely one for the ages.
https://open.spotify.com/album/7ycBtnsMtyVbbwTfJwRjSP?si=Hu5UBuXsSDGNqcXOI1FGiA
The War on Drugs - Lost in the Dream: I wasn't the biggest fan of the War on Drugs before or after this 2014 album but Lost in the Dream has this stickiness that I can't shake. The opening track "Under the Pressure" might be the dreamiest 9 minute song Bob Dylan never made. Not too often bands can somehow mix electronica with Americana and get away with it but the War on Drugs manage to on this album. Also an awesome album to listen to on long rides.
https://open.spotify.com/album/14xxjLlbGy8ACm4MorBjD5?si=PXRjWIbHROK21H0bpmcxSw
Japandroids - Celebration Rock: Quite simply, this is the best, full-on ROCK album of the past ten years. This Canadian duo starts fast and never lets up on their sophomore effort. This an album with some very thoughtful lyrics but is meant to played very loud. "The House That Heaven Built" is the closest thing a rock anthem that came out this decade. It's air guitar time, kids!!!
https://open.spotify.com/album/2sY9WYVH022ulyAYaqvXLW?si=CuchqR71Qe-8ZVmF2Nw8-g
Rush - Clockwork Angels: A weird thing happened to Toronto's favorite sons over the past decade - they became slightly hip. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, made it onto mainstream magazine covers, and were even the subject of not one but two different movies. In addition to all this, they released what would be their final album. Yet another concept album, "Clockwork Angels" is the perfect close to their 4 decade career -amazing chops, great songs, and, of course, some occasionally head scratching lyrics. Cheers boys!!
https://open.spotify.com/album/744i0LypfMwHHrKhzsqAx0?si=r8wyelAJQFGPoWVmTtDv0w
A Tribe Called Quest - We Got it From Here....: The rift between Q-Tip and Phyfe Dawg that broke up ATCQ in the late 90's were fairly legendary but their occasional reunion shows gave us some hope that maybe some new material was in the plans. Sadly, Phyfe's shocking death in 2016 ended those dreams....or so we thought. Fortunately, they had been recording and there was enough material in the can. "We Got It From Here" is a powerful, relevant hip-hop album that holds it's own next to their legendary work from the 90's. RIP Phyfe Dawg!
https://open.spotify.com/album/3WvQpufOsPzkZvcSuynCf3?si=8eaZxgPkToy-O9toshM_BA
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