2000 to 2009 My Personal Music Review: Top 10 Songs and Albums
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 at 9:28AM I'm glad, I am not a paid music critic! That way, I can pick the 10 best songs of the decade that I liked best.Those songs, that really, really moved me. I don't have to think about what others think. How my readers would judge me. "Does she have taste at all"? or "Does she know what she's talking about"? or "How could she have picked THAT"?
I can choose whatever really meant something to me and here we go! The 10 songs that ran power play on my walkman (yes, early 2000 to 2002 that was still my preferred music device!) and later on my first MP3 and for 4 years on my iPod.
STAND OUT SONGS of the Decade - My Favs
These are the songs I'd take onto a lonely island and would be happy with for a while. I've listened to each one of these a minimum of 50 times and know, that I can go easily for another 50 times.
10. Death Cab For Cutie - I Will Possess Your Heart [Narrow Stairs - 2008]
I often tried to like DCFC and I don't much. This song however has possessed me - no pun intended - all 2008. I had days, when I walked to work and not listening to anything but!
9. Jane's Addiction - Just Because [Strays - 2003]
While I am not exactly a huge Jane's Addiction fan either, I am most certainly a big fan of Dave Navarro's guitar playing. Listen to it on this song! Love it!This is such an energetic song!
8. Sneaker Pimps - Think Harder [Bloodsport - 2001]
It's so quintessential 2001/2002 for me. A time, when I was new to New York, everything was new and different. The world changed. In a way.
7. Coldplay - Viva La Vida [Viva La Vida Or Death and All His Friends - 2008]
As much as it bugs me to have of all bands Coldplay on my list, I can't help it but I simply love this song! And yes, I do know the Joe Satriani "original" or "inspiration" "If I Could Fly", which is awesome too!
6. U2 - Beautiful Day [All That You Can't Leave Behind - 2000]
I remember leaving my house and starting my way to work every time with exactly that song. U2 is such a staple in my life. I've seen them in small venues 30 years ago, and still love Bono & Co. No doubt!
5. White Rose Movement - Deborah K [Kick - 2006]
Heard "Alsatian", a song from their only album "Kick", on one of my favorite TV shows "Entourage" and was immediately in love with it. While the whole album is cool, I especially fell in love with "Deborah K" and am waiting for some new music from these guys!
4. Glasvegas - It's My Own Cheating Heart That Makes Me Cry [Glasvegas - 2008]
This song came over me like a big gigantic wave. What's not to love? And how to even describe it and give it justice? It's beautiful, haunting and pure!
3. The Kooks - Oh La [Inside in the Inside Out - 2006]
The Kooks are like a breeze of fresh air. Most of their songs are fun and put a smile on my face. While I didn't like their live gig at Terminal 5 (which has much to do with Terminal 5 where I no longer go to see a band!) I do love their first album and especially Oh La!
2. Radiohead - There, There [Hail To The Thief - 2003]
Another song that came like a Blizzard but unlike the snowstorm, this song stuck, and lingered and most definitely belongs to my most favorite songs EVER! It also got released during a very quintessential time for Oliver and me. New York can be very tough at times but we not only survived but conquered!
1. Roland Orzabal - Kill Love [Tomcats Screaming Out - 2001]
Despite its violent title, my favorite song on this album. I don't recall how often I've listened to it as I don't recall the many, many times I've listened to other Roland Orzabal or Tears for Fears material. His voice is still to this day my favorite. On this album he ventures off into the trip hop direction, and I like it.
STAND OUT ALBUMS of the Decade - My Favs
10. Ha Ha Tonka - Buckle In The Bible Belt [2007]
Granted, I did not listen to this album in 2007 but in 2009, however I was immediately smitten! Got their 2009 release "Novel Sounds of the Noveau South" which I like almost as much. It's hard to decide but if hard pressed, I go with the first one. And I am sure, we'll hear much, much more from the 4 guys from Missouri in the next decade!
9. Maximo Park - A Certain Trigger [2005]
This was THE record of 2005 for me. Could not get enough of it and still love it. These UK guys are fun and should be much more popular than they are.
8. Oasis - Don't Believe The Truth [2005]
I still remember the excitement I felt, buying this CD (sic!) from Virgin Megastore on Times Square (RIP) and running home, well, riding home the subway. I wanted to listen to it so badly and did not get disappointed. Still love this album and still my fav Oasis album.
7. Sneaker Pimps - Bloodsport [2002]
All 3 Sneaker Pimps albums dominated my early MP3 player. This music marks my first years in New York City. I haven't listened to Sneaker Pimps in a long, long time and only now for putting this blog together, I re-listened and fell in love all over again. Therefore, in my Top 10. It's great, great music!
6. Muse - Black Holes And Revelations [2006]
I did not need Stephenie Meyer to know about Muse. A dear friend from Munich, Kai, already raved about Muse as early as 1999! While I kinda liked them, it took me until this album to really fall in love with them. I think this album is phenomenal. Can't wait to see Muse finally live, in March 2010. Something to look forward to!
5. Kings of Leon - Aha Shake Heartbreak [2004]
Finally! My most favorite (American) band! Took me a while to really realize how much I love them but when I did, it was sort of a revelation. Let's face it, Caleb Followill's voice is so unique you either love or hate it and I wasn't sure for a while. I can't pick just one song from this album because I like them all so very much!
4. Interpol - Antics [2004]
It was easier with Interpol. Paul Banks voice is smooth and alluring and Interpol's music fit my mood exactly. While I really like their latest album "Our Love to Admire" very much, I had to make a decision and went with their 2nd album.
3. Strokes - Is This It [2001]
Admittedly, I was not among the first Strokes fans! 2001 and 2002 were my first years in New York City and they were quite hard at times. So I missed out on their concerts at Mercury Lounge (where Kings of Leon once opened for The Strokes!!!) or other smaller venue gigs. By the time I became a "fan" they basically stopped playing. Here's hope that by 2010 they finally release their 4th album, will tour again and I'll be able to get a ticket!
2. Kings of Leon - Only By The Night [2008]
What an album! The opener "Closer" sets the mood for the whole record. It's brilliant! Again, I can't pick a favorite song, I love them all. Will they win any of their 4 Grammy nods in 2010's show? Will they care? I'm always a bit scared about what the music industry likes because for them it's just business for me though, music is everything!
1. Radiohead - In Rainbows [2008]
My favorite (UK) band! First and 2nd disc! Favorite Song? 15 Steps, Weird Fishes, The Ladder... all! It's genius! While many fans and music critics put Radiohead's "Kid A" on top of their lists, I go with "In Rainbows". It's more ripe, more skilled, more round, more sound, it's fantastic. If I may take only 1 record from 2000 to 2009 to a remote island then this would be it!
-- By Elke
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