#9: Street's Disciple - Nas
Yes, this double album is full of filler. But the album's best tracks would easily make one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time. The beats are unremarkable; which is to say, Nas, the MC, single-handedly carries this album. And because I love hate-mail, let me say that this album is better than Illmatic, which is one of the most over-rated albums ever. Both this album and God's Son are better than Illmatic, and no, I'm not sniffing glue. During the Jay-Z vs. Nas beef, I always sided with Jay-Z, but this album makes me respect Nas on a new level. All in all, the lyrics are timely, tight, inventive, and only occasionally cliche and misogynistic. If I had to choose a favorite track, I'd flip a coin between "A Message to the Feds" and "Nazareth Savage." (I might have ranked this higher if it weren't for the ridiculous album cover.)
#10: Love is Hell - Ryan Adams
Ryan Adams rivals the Democratic Party and the Star Wars prequels for biggest disappointment of the last ten years. His debut alt-country album, Heartbreaker, from 2000 remains one of the best albums ever and signaled a bright hope for music in this decade. But every follow-up album of his stunk more than monkey diarrhea. Thankfully, this album (which is really a combination of two earlier EPs) delivers on the promise of Heartbreaker. I don't wish suffering or hardship on anybody who isn't in the Bush Administration, but pain and sadness seem to inspire great music out of Ryan Adams. Most of his songs seem like tributes to various British pop/rock acts, but my favorite track is "Hotel Chelsea Nights," which reminds me of Prince's "Purple Rain." (I might have ranked this higher if it weren't for the ridiculous album cover.)
Article comments
1 - DJRadiohead
The "Purple Rain" tune kind of went up my ass sideways...
But I like "Love is Hell." Well, I like a number of songs from "Love is Hell." I still think Ryan Adams is a bit too prolific and impatient for his own good.
My favorites are "Political Scientist," "Wonderwall" (great cover!), and "This House is Not a Home."
2 - Chris
I'd have to recommend Fear Factory's Archetype as my favorite album of the year.
3 - Smenkharon
That is a pretty weak list! The Scissor Sisters album, yes, the lame remixes, no way! The Prodigy?!? You can't be serious!? The Grey Album is simply wrong in just about every respect, collage is never fresh. Gwen's L.A.M.B has a few decent tracks, but nowhere near enough to make a top 10 list in any year, plus Crash is possibly the worst song I have heard this decade. Streets Disciple has WAY too much filler. Ryan Adams makes me want to puke.
4 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
ryan adams a dissapointment?? dear god, man. all three whiskeytown albums are perfect, heartbreaker is perfect, gold is perfect, demolition was a demo collection and 89% perfect, rock n' roll was perfect, and Love Is Hell is unspeakably gorgeous. Anyhow, i better get to be. fuckin 9.30 am, man.
5 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
bed i mean
6 - Leo Leahy
H!, P!nk Try This Best album!!!