First off, let me say, oh balls, I missed something…
Devendra Banhart – Rejoicing In The Hands (2004)
Pretty much kicked off the whole freak folk movement. Not quite as mind-boggling as his first album, but a far more listenable and loveable record.
MP3: Will Is My Friend by Devendra Banhart
Buy “Rejoicing In The Hands (Of The Golden Empress)” (CD/MP3)
Right, back to the list. Here’s my own take on the albums of the decade. My criteria? Do I really, really, really love them and can I listen to them happily all the way through?
Parts One, Two, and Three. Enjoy!
Wolf Parade – Apologies to the Queen Mary (2005)
A yowling, yelping, thundering record packed full of ideas, vim and vigour. Came out of nowhere, and kept me awake during those early days of being a new father.
MP3: Grounds For Divorce by Wolf Parade
Buy “Apologies to the Queen Mary” (CD)
Low – The Great Destroyer (2005)
Low turn their amps up past 2, and make a great album. Again, I’d forgotten how good this was until listening to it recently. “Low go pop” is probably pushing it, but they showed that they can engage with the outside world at something approaching the outside world’s pace, rather than their own glacial stride. I’d say it was their best album.
MP3: California by Low
Buy “The Great Destroyer” (CD/MP3)
Grizzly Bear – Yellow House (2006)
The most atmospheric album of the decade. And the most baffling, mysterious, ominous, lovely, chilling and gorgeous one too. I caught onto this late (in 2008) and it’s still a wondrous thing.
Russian Circles – Enter (2006)
Post-rock meets metal to stunning effect. Doesn’t quite sound like anything else out there, and shows you only need three people to make a Godspeed! style racket.
The Hold Steady – Girls and Boys In America (2006)
When I first heard the line “She was a really cool kisser and she wasn’t all that strict of a Christian” I knew I was in safe hands. Still a high-water mark in making rock and roll transcendant. No-one’s done it this well since Bruce Springsteen back in the ’70’s.
MP3: Hot Soft Light by The Hold Steady
Buy “Boys and Girls in America” (CD/MP3)
Albums Of The Decade (Part One)
Albums Of The Decade (Part Two)
Albums Of The Decade (Part Three)
Albums Of The Decade (Part Five)
Albums Of The Decade (Part Six)
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