And no live and no collections - if we're talking about an 'album' with no qualifiers then we mean a single release comprising multiple songs, usually intended to be put together in that way and not previously released apart from as singles or on EPs.
As for what actual album then I'll have to get back to you in a bit.
In the Aeroplane... came out in early 1998 so that's stretching it time-wise, but certainly not musically as it's incredible, I heard it for the first time earlier this year it was one of those real 'Oh fuck why haven't I heard this before?!' moments.
This is a hard question because there are so many criteria but here's a stab -
The Libertines - Up the Bracket in terms of albums important to the last 10 years of my life in terms of personal significance then this is a big contender.
Radiohead - Kid A, because the music police are holding a gun to my head, less personal but its significance has to be recognised.
MIA - Kala, nothing else captures the globalisation of the world in the last ten years like this album does. Completely destroys the idea of 'world music' by tearing down the barriers between countries and cultures.
In all honesty that's fair enough, even if it's generally considered a bit lame if an album is a massive personal fave then why not? It's why The Libertines are in my list, it's a really ramshackle mess of an album but I just love it.
I agree with a lot of the recommendations in here already. Lateralus by Tool would make my shortlist, as would Leviathan by Mastodon, and I'd also be inclined to throw out In the Absence of Truth or Panopticon by Isis.
But, I think that all of those albums pale in comparison to Labor Days by Aesop Rock.
I could go on and on about how great it is, but I won't.
Yeah. Half the bands here I've never heard of and the indie bands I've heard of before I would never listen to. And an indie band can't get "greatest album of the past 10 years" because in order to receive such an honor, they should be recognized by practically everyone and enjoyed by everyone. Indie rock doesn't appeal to everyone. There are few indie bands that I listen to and enjoy.
this is a ridiculous sentiment
No music appeals to everyone. Period. Saying that "indie" bands stay as such because they're not talented or enjoyed by everyone is being entirely shortsighted. There are roughly a billion factors that effect a bands relative obscurity, and most of them have absolutely nothing to do with talent or mainstream accessibility. There's plenty of untalented and obtuse artists that end up chart toppers, and plenty of talented and perfectly accessible independent artists that never make it into the public eye simply because they didn't get their break.
Yeah. Half the bands here I've never heard of and the indie bands I've heard of before I would never listen to. And an indie band can't get "greatest album of the past 10 years" because in order to receive such an honor, they should be recognized by practically everyone and enjoyed by everyone. Indie rock doesn't appeal to everyone. There are few indie bands that I listen to and enjoy.
this is a ridiculous sentiment
No music appeals to everyone. Period. Saying that "indie" bands stay as such because they're not talented or enjoyed by everyone is being entirely shortsighted. There are roughly a billion factors that effect a bands relative obscurity, and most of them have absolutely nothing to do with talent or mainstream accessibility. There's plenty of untalented and obtuse artists that end up chart toppers, and plenty of talented and perfectly accessible independent artists that never make it into the public eye simply because they didn't get their break.
Exactly what I mean. No music appeals to everyone. But when you're going to choose "best album of the past 10 years" you should choose something that the vast majority listens to and enjoys. Indie music just doesn't fall into this category. I would never suggest that Violent Femmes - Violent Femmes is the best album ever (example since I can't find an indie album in the past 10 years I enjoy) even though I personally love this album. It's one of my favorites of all time, but barely any of my friends have heard of the band/album and the ones that have don't enjoy their music. A band like this takes a certain taste to enjoy it.
The same applies to a band like Cake. When I was naming off albums to consider, I didn't suggest Comfort Eagle, Pressure Chief, or even Prolonging the Magic (still technically 10 years) even though they are amazing albums. It's because it takes a certain taste to enjoy the type of music cake makes.
On the ideas of indie, I would agree that its difficult to choose a band that is not well known. The Flaming Lips is a stretch, but I would have much preferred to put forth:
Secret Machines
Now Here Is Nowhere
But I think this band is an acquired taste. You need to be into interesting voices, harmonies, melody, psychadelics, and drawing the shit out of music.
The Soft Bulletin is awesome BTW. Race for the Prize rocks my socks off.
Yeah. Half the bands here I've never heard of and the indie bands I've heard of before I would never listen to. And an indie band can't get "greatest album of the past 10 years" because in order to receive such an honor, they should be recognized by practically everyone and enjoyed by everyone. Indie rock doesn't appeal to everyone. There are few indie bands that I listen to and enjoy.
this is a ridiculous sentiment
No music appeals to everyone. Period. Saying that "indie" bands stay as such because they're not talented or enjoyed by everyone is being entirely shortsighted. There are roughly a billion factors that effect a bands relative obscurity, and most of them have absolutely nothing to do with talent or mainstream accessibility. There's plenty of untalented and obtuse artists that end up chart toppers, and plenty of talented and perfectly accessible independent artists that never make it into the public eye simply because they didn't get their break.
Exactly what I mean. No music appeals to everyone. But when you're going to choose "best album of the past 10 years" you should choose something that the vast majority listens to and enjoys. Indie music just doesn't fall into this category. I would never suggest that Violent Femmes - Violent Femmes is the best album ever (example since I can't find an indie album in the past 10 years I enjoy) even though I personally love this album. It's one of my favorites of all time, but barely any of my friends have heard of the band/album and the ones that have don't enjoy their music. A band like this takes a certain taste to enjoy it.
The same applies to a band like Cake. When I was naming off albums to consider, I didn't suggest Comfort Eagle, Pressure Chief, or even Prolonging the Magic (still technically 10 years) even though they are amazing albums. It's because it takes a certain taste to enjoy the type of music cake makes.
That's Neutral Milk Hotels album In the Aeroplane Over the Sea.
Edit: Danmit I knew I shouldn't have skipped over the second page in this thread.
Other amazing album,
Sufjan Stevens - Come on Feel the Illinois
Stars - Set Yourself on Fire
I wish I could get into this Neutral Milk Hotel everyone is always creaming over. I listened to the first two songs, loved them and then the album just took a nosedive for me. *Shrug* Oh well. And Sufjan Stevens is pretty awesome too :^:
Exactly what I mean. No music appeals to everyone. But when you're going to choose "best album of the past 10 years" you should choose something that the vast majority listens to and enjoys. Indie music just doesn't fall into this category. I would never suggest that Violent Femmes - Violent Femmes is the best album ever (example since I can't find an indie album in the past 10 years I enjoy) even though I personally love this album. It's one of my favorites of all time, but barely any of my friends have heard of the band/album and the ones that have don't enjoy their music. A band like this takes a certain taste to enjoy it.
The same applies to a band like Cake. When I was naming off albums to consider, I didn't suggest Comfort Eagle, Pressure Chief, or even Prolonging the Magic (still technically 10 years) even though they are amazing albums. It's because it takes a certain taste to enjoy the type of music cake makes.
Except the question is best, not most popular
Just because a band doesn't have a huge following doesn't mean they don't make fantastic music. They just may not have great management. Or maybe too much artistic integrity.
Yeah. Half the bands here I've never heard of and the indie bands I've heard of before I would never listen to. And an indie band can't get "greatest album of the past 10 years" because in order to receive such an honor, they should be recognized by practically everyone and enjoyed by everyone. Indie rock doesn't appeal to everyone. There are few indie bands that I listen to and enjoy.
this is a ridiculous sentiment
No music appeals to everyone. Period. Saying that "indie" bands stay as such because they're not talented or enjoyed by everyone is being entirely shortsighted. There are roughly a billion factors that effect a bands relative obscurity, and most of them have absolutely nothing to do with talent or mainstream accessibility. There's plenty of untalented and obtuse artists that end up chart toppers, and plenty of talented and perfectly accessible independent artists that never make it into the public eye simply because they didn't get their break.
Exactly what I mean. No music appeals to everyone. But when you're going to choose "best album of the past 10 years" you should choose something that the vast majority listens to and enjoys. Indie music just doesn't fall into this category. I would never suggest that Violent Femmes - Violent Femmes is the best album ever (example since I can't find an indie album in the past 10 years I enjoy) even though I personally love this album. It's one of my favorites of all time, but barely any of my friends have heard of the band/album and the ones that have don't enjoy their music. A band like this takes a certain taste to enjoy it.
The same applies to a band like Cake. When I was naming off albums to consider, I didn't suggest Comfort Eagle, Pressure Chief, or even Prolonging the Magic (still technically 10 years) even though they are amazing albums. It's because it takes a certain taste to enjoy the type of music cake makes.
Good art is not determined by contemporary recognition. Many good artists and musicians have died paupers. Many also died famous and wealthy; the value of art is determined by neither the presence or absence of success. Presently, praise is easier to attain than long-term financial success though. :P
More people than ever before can listen to music, and a growing sect of the populace is are choosing the music they listen to in defiance of the narrow band that is promoted and played on the radio. Restricting ourselves to only radio hits cuts down the available music to about 1 song per week, ignoring the hundreds that for whatever reason will never be played. And given the fairly recent revelation that most radio play choices have to do with bribery rather than DJ selection, this self-imposed limitation goes from inadvisable to irresponsible.
This thread has taught me the OK Computer is ELEVEN.
I'm OLD.
You and me both man.
I remember where I was when I got that record. Christmas the year it came out.
What Neil Young records have come out in the past 10 years? Certainly one of those would qualify in a decade retrospective.
EDIT
Year of the Horse
Silver & Gold
Are You Passionate?
Greendale
Living with War
Chrome Dreams II
Nope. Scratch that idea.
EDIT II
Good art is not determined by contemporary recognition. Many good artists and musicians have died paupers.
Harvest? The Neil Young album everyone loves? Bad reviews. Tonight's the Night, Neil Young's greatest album? One of my absolute personal favorites of all time? Horrible reviews.
I understand what most of you guys are saying, but I don't agree. Now, obviously this thread isn't for selecting the best album of the past ten years, but rather for discussion of what we thing deserves the title. So it's not going to be decided to nomination/vote. But that's how these things are usually decided. And like the OP said, his reason for why something should be the best album of the past 10 years may differ from my reason. To me, one of the qualifications must be that the vast majority of music listeners must enjoy the album. There are a lot of indie bands that have been mentioned on this thread that I don't enjoy, therefore I don't think their album should be the best album.
And on another note, I don't really listen to current music. Over half of my music collection is classic rock. I listen to bands like Queen, Led Zepplin, Creedence Clearwater Revival, AC/DC, The Beatles, The Eagles, Simon and Garfunkel, Elton John, Billy Joel, The Yardbirds, The Who, The Rolling Stones, and so on. Few of these bands/artists are making albums anymore. So it's difficult for me to find an album in the past 10 years I enjoy as much as these older albums. This makes my personal selection for best album in the past 10 years much more limited than the average person.
Johnny Cash's last album was pretty good. It was interesting to see how he took an album composed almost entirely of covers and made it into something very personal.
I also enjoyed both Hot Fuss and Sam's Town by the Killers. Don't know if I'd call them the best album of the last ten years, though.
Welcome To Jamrock was awesome the first time I heard it, especially the first track...but for some reason I don't like it near as much as I used to. Also, to the people who mentioned Stankonia, that's got my vote too. I lost my copy like a year ago and I really need to buy it again.
Especially the Deluxe edition. Deadweight, Devil's Haircut, Where It's At (which is a candidate for best song ever), Thunder Peel, American Wasteland.
While it doesn't sound like such a progressive album now, that's because the movement that Beck started with Odelay became such a part of the alternative and mainstream musical scene (the blending of hiphop with rock, the weird lyrics that Beck still has a near monopoly on, the basslines and other elements of the songs) that it honestly doesn't sound like an album that's 10 years old. Plus the extras with the CD add awesomeness to it (it includes someone interviewing high school kids who don't know who Beck is)
I understand what most of you guys are saying, but I don't agree. Now, obviously this thread isn't for selecting the best album of the past ten years, but rather for discussion of what we thing deserves the title. So it's not going to be decided to nomination/vote. But that's how these things are usually decided. And like the OP said, his reason for why something should be the best album of the past 10 years may differ from my reason. To me, one of the qualifications must be that the vast majority of music listeners must enjoy the album. There are a lot of indie bands that have been mentioned on this thread that I don't enjoy, therefore I don't think their album should be the best album.
Johnny Cash's last album was pretty good. It was interesting to see how he took an album composed almost entirely of covers and made it into something very personal.
I agree whole heartedly. He really displayed his talent as a musician by doing this too. His last album was American V, and American IV was equally as great.
Ryadic on
0
Options
Podlyyou unzipped me! it's all coming back! i don't like it!Registered Userregular
edited December 2008
I think things like this are somewhat ridiculous, because music is pretty distinct from literature, visual art, and others, because it has so many social functions. For instance, the Knife's Silent Shout is an absolutely genius dance album, and a pretty damn good album in itself. I think Kid A is the best rock album of all time, and Kid A might be the best ALBUM of all time, but they also have limitations.
I understand what most of you guys are saying, but I don't agree. Now, obviously this thread isn't for selecting the best album of the past ten years, but rather for discussion of what we thing deserves the title. So it's not going to be decided to nomination/vote. But that's how these things are usually decided. And like the OP said, his reason for why something should be the best album of the past 10 years may differ from my reason. To me, one of the qualifications must be that the vast majority of music listeners must enjoy the album. There are a lot of indie bands that have been mentioned on this thread that I don't enjoy, therefore I don't think their album should be the best album.
I understand what most of you guys are saying, but I don't agree. Now, obviously this thread isn't for selecting the best album of the past ten years, but rather for discussion of what we thing deserves the title. So it's not going to be decided to nomination/vote. But that's how these things are usually decided. And like the OP said, his reason for why something should be the best album of the past 10 years may differ from my reason. To me, one of the qualifications must be that the vast majority of music listeners must enjoy the album. There are a lot of indie bands that have been mentioned on this thread that I don't enjoy, therefore I don't think their album should be the best album.
I do believe the proper response to this is
Velvet Underground
Definitely.
Also, I believe that the philosophy towards listening to music should be about cooperative discovery, not casual dismissal.
Edit. Limed.
Mithrandir86 on
0
Options
Podlyyou unzipped me! it's all coming back! i don't like it!Registered Userregular
edited December 2008
And I think Confessions on the Dancefloor might be the best pop album ever as well.
Well the famous saying about the Velvet Underground's first album is that barely anyone bought it but those who did formed a band. In short, not at all popular but massively influential.
And on another note, I don't really listen to current music. Over half of my music collection is classic rock. I listen to bands like Queen, Led Zepplin, Creedence Clearwater Revival, AC/DC, The Beatles, The Eagles, Simon and Garfunkel, Elton John, Billy Joel, The Yardbirds, The Who, The Rolling Stones, and so on. Few of these bands/artists are making albums anymore. So it's difficult for me to find an album in the past 10 years I enjoy as much as these older albums. This makes my personal selection for best album in the past 10 years much more limited than the average person.
That sounds like it really sucks.
I mean my collection is filled those bands you mentioned, but I'm glad that I can hear new music that I like on a regular basis still.
Posts
This, right here.
And no live and no collections - if we're talking about an 'album' with no qualifiers then we mean a single release comprising multiple songs, usually intended to be put together in that way and not previously released apart from as singles or on EPs.
As for what actual album then I'll have to get back to you in a bit.
QEDMF xbl: PantsB G+
3DS FC: 5343-7720-0490
Edit: Fourth....seriously, wtf is that shit?
I am joking, but it is one of my favorite CD's.
3DS FC: 5343-7720-0490
This is a hard question because there are so many criteria but here's a stab -
The Libertines - Up the Bracket in terms of albums important to the last 10 years of my life in terms of personal significance then this is a big contender.
Radiohead - Kid A, because the music police are holding a gun to my head, less personal but its significance has to be recognised.
MIA - Kala, nothing else captures the globalisation of the world in the last ten years like this album does. Completely destroys the idea of 'world music' by tearing down the barriers between countries and cultures.
EDIT -
In all honesty that's fair enough, even if it's generally considered a bit lame if an album is a massive personal fave then why not? It's why The Libertines are in my list, it's a really ramshackle mess of an album but I just love it.
But, I think that all of those albums pale in comparison to Labor Days by Aesop Rock.
I could go on and on about how great it is, but I won't.
Oh damn.
It disappoints me that I didn't think of this.
This thread has taught me the OK Computer is ELEVEN.
I'm OLD.
this is a ridiculous sentiment
No music appeals to everyone. Period. Saying that "indie" bands stay as such because they're not talented or enjoyed by everyone is being entirely shortsighted. There are roughly a billion factors that effect a bands relative obscurity, and most of them have absolutely nothing to do with talent or mainstream accessibility. There's plenty of untalented and obtuse artists that end up chart toppers, and plenty of talented and perfectly accessible independent artists that never make it into the public eye simply because they didn't get their break.
Sorry dead.
This.
Though maybe this:
can give it a run for its money. Too soon though to tell. Edit: the cover is alive and its pulling me in.
It's not too late to claim the Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, is it?
And by we, I mean someone else besides me. I will vote though.
I think everyone knows what I'll nominate for the top 10.
in case you forgot...
Exactly what I mean. No music appeals to everyone. But when you're going to choose "best album of the past 10 years" you should choose something that the vast majority listens to and enjoys. Indie music just doesn't fall into this category. I would never suggest that Violent Femmes - Violent Femmes is the best album ever (example since I can't find an indie album in the past 10 years I enjoy) even though I personally love this album. It's one of my favorites of all time, but barely any of my friends have heard of the band/album and the ones that have don't enjoy their music. A band like this takes a certain taste to enjoy it.
The same applies to a band like Cake. When I was naming off albums to consider, I didn't suggest Comfort Eagle, Pressure Chief, or even Prolonging the Magic (still technically 10 years) even though they are amazing albums. It's because it takes a certain taste to enjoy the type of music cake makes.
Although "Yoshimi," is a damn fine album as well.
Secret Machines
Now Here Is Nowhere
But I think this band is an acquired taste. You need to be into interesting voices, harmonies, melody, psychadelics, and drawing the shit out of music.
The Soft Bulletin is awesome BTW. Race for the Prize rocks my socks off.
Do I win this thread?
That's Neutral Milk Hotels album In the Aeroplane Over the Sea.
Edit: Danmit I knew I shouldn't have skipped over the second page in this thread.
Other amazing album,
Sufjan Stevens - Come on Feel the Illinois
Stars - Set Yourself on Fire
no
I wish I could get into this Neutral Milk Hotel everyone is always creaming over. I listened to the first two songs, loved them and then the album just took a nosedive for me. *Shrug* Oh well. And Sufjan Stevens is pretty awesome too :^:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCca1pourVM
Just because a band doesn't have a huge following doesn't mean they don't make fantastic music. They just may not have great management. Or maybe too much artistic integrity.
Good art is not determined by contemporary recognition. Many good artists and musicians have died paupers. Many also died famous and wealthy; the value of art is determined by neither the presence or absence of success. Presently, praise is easier to attain than long-term financial success though. :P
More people than ever before can listen to music, and a growing sect of the populace is are choosing the music they listen to in defiance of the narrow band that is promoted and played on the radio. Restricting ourselves to only radio hits cuts down the available music to about 1 song per week, ignoring the hundreds that for whatever reason will never be played. And given the fairly recent revelation that most radio play choices have to do with bribery rather than DJ selection, this self-imposed limitation goes from inadvisable to irresponsible.
You and me both man.
I remember where I was when I got that record. Christmas the year it came out.
What Neil Young records have come out in the past 10 years? Certainly one of those would qualify in a decade retrospective.
EDIT
Year of the Horse
Silver & Gold
Are You Passionate?
Greendale
Living with War
Chrome Dreams II
Nope. Scratch that idea.
EDIT II
Harvest? The Neil Young album everyone loves? Bad reviews. Tonight's the Night, Neil Young's greatest album? One of my absolute personal favorites of all time? Horrible reviews.
Fuck a contemporary.
And on another note, I don't really listen to current music. Over half of my music collection is classic rock. I listen to bands like Queen, Led Zepplin, Creedence Clearwater Revival, AC/DC, The Beatles, The Eagles, Simon and Garfunkel, Elton John, Billy Joel, The Yardbirds, The Who, The Rolling Stones, and so on. Few of these bands/artists are making albums anymore. So it's difficult for me to find an album in the past 10 years I enjoy as much as these older albums. This makes my personal selection for best album in the past 10 years much more limited than the average person.
I also enjoyed both Hot Fuss and Sam's Town by the Killers. Don't know if I'd call them the best album of the last ten years, though.
Welcome To Jamrock was awesome the first time I heard it, especially the first track...but for some reason I don't like it near as much as I used to. Also, to the people who mentioned Stankonia, that's got my vote too. I lost my copy like a year ago and I really need to buy it again.
Especially the Deluxe edition. Deadweight, Devil's Haircut, Where It's At (which is a candidate for best song ever), Thunder Peel, American Wasteland.
While it doesn't sound like such a progressive album now, that's because the movement that Beck started with Odelay became such a part of the alternative and mainstream musical scene (the blending of hiphop with rock, the weird lyrics that Beck still has a near monopoly on, the basslines and other elements of the songs) that it honestly doesn't sound like an album that's 10 years old. Plus the extras with the CD add awesomeness to it (it includes someone interviewing high school kids who don't know who Beck is)
Velvet Underground
I agree whole heartedly. He really displayed his talent as a musician by doing this too. His last album was American V, and American IV was equally as great.
But, yeah, Kid A
Not quite sure what you're saying.
Definitely.
Also, I believe that the philosophy towards listening to music should be about cooperative discovery, not casual dismissal.
Edit. Limed.
That sounds like it really sucks.
I mean my collection is filled those bands you mentioned, but I'm glad that I can hear new music that I like on a regular basis still.