Sunday, December 13, 2009

Readers' Picks

You saw my list for best albums of the decade now it's your turn. Here, a list of readers' favorite bands and songs of the decade. Some of you gave me a definitive order and some went alphabetical. Some left great descriptions as to why and some of you have chosen to let the music speak for itself.

Tim Holtzclaw - Washinton DC - Favorite Albums
Dr. DreChronic 2001 (2000)
Want to feel instantly cool? Recline your car seat, throw this classic (not to be confused with Dre’s ’92 “The Chronic”) in the CD player – up of the bass (mandatory), and drive no faster than 30 mph. Yeahhh, that’s right…
Azure RayAzure Ray (2001)
The breakthrough self-titled album for these indie sirens redefined what we thought we knew about heartbreak. These beauties will either pull you from a watery grave or send your ship to the bottom of the sea.
Charlie ParrCriminals and Sinners (2002)
Picture the freezing hard land of northern Minnesota, add a rocking chair, furious finger picking, and the scratchy voice of someone who would sing his heart out whether anyone listened or not. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNcOyMLJ1xI
The Postal Service Give Up (2003)
This one-album-wonder group (led by Deathcab frontman Ben Gibbard) put together a collection of polished hybrid-electric anthems perfect for the sensitive urbanite in your corner of this messed up world.
Bright EyesI’m Wide Awake, it’s Morning (2004)
It’s as close as you can get to being country while living in NYC: drawly sparse harmonies, pedal slide guitars, and a good ol’ fashioned dose of alcohol induced manic-depression.
Sufjan StevensIlinoise (2005)
A truly unique blend of symphonic indie-pop. Sufjan touches his gentle voice down around a rollercoaster of orchestra, banjo, and choir. You have never heard anything like it, guaranteed.
Band of Horses Everything All the Time (2006)
Large, bearded men singing falsetto with heavy reverb electric guitars? Am I in heaven??
The NationalBoxer (2007)
Despite my ordering this list chronologically, this is record is by far the hands down number one pinnacle of the decade! Get it, listen, and repeat.
Radical FaceGhost (2008)
Floating between acoustic singer/songwriting and organic sound experimentation, this album evolves into layers upon layers of intense whispering vocals, haunting pianos, and inspirational crescendos. This is the first full length for Ben Cooper (aka Radical Face), and it is independent recording at its finest.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFZCdV41rqM
Frightened RabbitThe Midnight Organ Fight (2009)
This hard-hitting Scottish threesome has a radio friendly, change-the-world kind of energy that we haven’t seen since the likes of Coldplay or U2. Keep on eye on these lads before they blow up…

Casey Buckler, DC/Maryland - Favorite Songs
5. Mars Volta - "Since We've Been Wrong"
4. Muse - "Resistance"
3. Kings of Leon - "Use Somebody"
2. The Flaming Lips - "Convinced of the Hex"
1. Kings of Leon - "Sex on Fire"

Dustin Hare, Kansas City - Favorite Albums
10. Interpol - Antics
9. RadioheadHail to the Thief
8. Postal ServiceGive up
7. Band of HorsesEverything all the Time
6. Modest MouseThe Moon & Antarctica
5. The FaintWet from Birth
4. The StrokesIs This It
3. Bright EyesLifted
2. Arcade FireNeon Bible
1. My Morning Jacket Evil Urges

Dustin's just missed list
The White StripesWhite Blood Cells
Mountain GoatsAll Hail West Texas
Jay-ZAmerican Gangster
Flaming Lips – Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
RadioheadKid A

Donnie Hare, Kansas City - Best Album
Coldplay - X&Y

Kendra Rubinfeld, Washington, DC - Best Songs
10. Glen Hansard/Marketa Irglove (Once Soundtrack) - "When Your Mind's Made Up"
9. Jens Leckman - "Arms Around Me"
8. Frou Frou - "Let Go"
7. Black Eyed Peas - "Let's Get It Started"
6. Gwen Steffani - "Hollaback Girl"
5. Bon Iver - "Flume"
4. Kayne West - "We Don't Care"
3. Okkerville River - "Our Life Is Not a Movie or Maybe"
2. The National - "Fake Empire"
1. Arcade Fire - "Keep The Car Running"

Karen Brooks, Arlington, VA - Best Albums
Snow Patrol - Final Straw
U2 - All That You Can't Leave Behind
The Killers - Hot Fuss
David Gray - White Ladder
Carolina Liar - Coming To Terms
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Californication (technically 1999 but we'll let it slide)
Kaiser Chiefs - Yours Truly, Angry Mob
Muse - Black Holes and Revelations
Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
The Killers - Day and Age


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