Best Albums of the Decade (2000-2009): 40-31

This is the second part of my series of the fifty best albums of the decade. I am pretty convinced this is the part of my list where I turn into a hipster and some people will turn on me. I am also pretty sure Wilco fans will like a debate.  That, or they will like to find my address so they can debate in person. 

Albums number forty through thirty one. Enjoy.

40. You Forgot It In People, Broken Social Scene (2002)

 A massive Canadian musical collective writes experimental masterpiece and suddenly becomes everyone's favorite band. Buoys the success of individual members like Emily Haines, Feist, and Kevin Drew.

Download: "Cause=Time", " Anthem for a Seventeen Year Old Girl", "Stars And Sons"

39. A Ghost Is Born, Wilco (2004)

The band survives a label change, creates album that documents Jeff Tweedy's insanity, plus a fifteen minute opus involving a synthesizer, which just kind of proves Tweedy's calculating ways. He called "Less Than You Think" the song even die-hard Wilco fans would hate. It's actually one of my favorite Wilco songs because it's so crazy.

Download: "I'm a Wheel", "At Least That's What You Said", "Less Than You Think" 

38. A Rush of Blood to the Head, Coldplay (2002)

They fail at being the new U2, but they succeed at being themselves. An album of acoustic mid tempo hymns and piano based poignant ballads, it remains their best album. Contemplative and haunting.

Download: "Politik", "The Scientist", "God Put A Smile Upon Your Face", "Amsterdam"

37. Illinois, Sufjan Stevens (2005)

Part of an insane, possible practical joke of an idea Stevens had to write an album for all fifty states, Illinois is one of the best concept albums ever recorded. Stevens sings both joyous accounts of the history and the people of the state, but also throws in a song called " John Wayne Gacy, Jr." Humorous, informative, and delightful. It never comes across as snide or superior. 

Download: "Come On! Feel the Illinoise!", "Jacksonville", "Casimir Pulaski Day", "They Are Night Zombies!! They Are Our Neighbors!! They Have Come Back From The Dead!! Ahhh!!"

36. Fantasies, Metric (2009)

Emily Haines' thin sunshine ray of a voice is matched with eighties inspired keyboard riffs and lyrics about Beatles songs and De Lillo novels. More cohesive than their previous works.

Article Author: palais1977

A pop culture junkie, I write about things that strike my fancy, whether it be the random song on the radio or a recap of whatever was on television last night.

Visit palais1977's author page — palais1977's Blog