Drum roll please....
#10- It's All Around You- Tortoise (2004)
A wickedly atmospheric album that got me through a weird time in my life. I'm pretty sure post grad blues mixed with a broken heart would sound a lot like "On The Chin" were they made into a song. Plus the cover art kicks ass, so there's that...
#9- When It Falls- Zero 7 (2004)
One of the most chill albums you can possibly find, When It Falls is the audio equivalent of Calgon.... It takes you away.
#8- The Dirty South- The Drive By Truckers (2004)
A gritty Southern epic that harkens me back to my roots, complete with a backstory centered around Sheriff Buford Pusser, made famous by the movie Walking Tall. If "Danko/Manuel" doesn't bring a tear to your eye, you aren't human.
#7- Quebec- Ween (2003)
One of the most weird/awesome albums I own. This was my true introduction to Ween and all their disfigured glory. The gag songs are hilarious, but the serious ones really soar. "Chocolate Town" remains one of my all time favorite tunes.
#6- Skalpel- Skalpel (2004)
What do you get when you mix old polish jazz records and hip hip style breaks? Magic.... That's what. Polish DJ's Marcin Cichy and Igor Pudlo weave a seductive web of what i like to think of as grandpa- hop, complete with the pops and hisses of old vinyl records. An interesting and unique work to say the very least.
#5- Hammerstrike- Lotus- 2008
Probably my favorite album from last year, Hammerstrike is without a doubt the strongest of all of Lotus' efforts. The band fully embraces their rock aspect a lot more on this one, all while paying homage to their electronic roots. A great little abum from start to finish. Just ask Kolmin.
#4- Grand National- The John Butler Trio (2007)
From top to bottom this is one of the most playable albums in my collection. Ever the consummate showman, JB gives it his all here. "Used To Get High" is a song I can listen to over and over again.
#3- Songlines- The Derek Trucks Band (2006)
Bluesy and worldly altogether plus that signature balltingler of a slide guitar Derek Trucks plays makes this one a heavy hitter. This album reaches in deep and holds you firmly in its grasp. If "This Sky" doesn't give you chills, you aren't human.
#2- Artifact- STS9 (2005)
A true testament to how an album should flow, the boys from ATL create their swan song that makes them ever harder to classify. As a die hard fan, I doubt STS9 will ever come this close to perfection again. Musical Story? Yes....... Yes indeed.
#1- Every Day- The Cinematic Orchestra (2002)
Words don't do this album justice. Sometimes It scares me how good it is at creating an ominous mood, and then shattering it all with soaring vocal tracks by Fontella Bass. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up if you haven't already. You don't listen to this album, you experience it.
And there you have it, folks.... Hope my list wasn't too 2004- heavy for you. Apparently that was a good year for my ears. Hope someone out there finds something to enjoy if they get to delvin' into my top ten sometime.
I almost included Qubec on my list too. Sweet album. I've never heard of your No. 1. I'll have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteI must admit I have never heard of many of these albums. I will def pick up your #1. Sounds cool.
ReplyDeleteI agree that I never heard of most of these. Artifact is my favorite STS9 by far. And the only Cinematic Orchestra I ever got into was Ma Fleur. I guess I've got some homework to do. Perhaps we can have a top ten albums of the decade that you didn't start listening to until the next decade.
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