100. Coldplay
Viva La Vida
[Capitol, 2008]
Coldplay dominate the world via a song about (irony alert!) world domination, resulting in a dazzling comeback that found everyone—except maybe Joe Satriani—re-embracing this generation’s U2 all over again.
99. The Darkness
I Believe In A Thing Called Love
[Atlantic, 2003]
The most completely ridiculous—and knowing—parody of heavy metal since This Is Spinal Tap. Smack dab in the middle of the Creed/Nickelback era, this was a badly-needed guilty pleasure.
98. LCD Soundsystem
Losing My Edge
[DFA, 2002]
In which James Murphy both embraces and sends up his own cooler-than-thou hipster past, putting LCD on the map and paving the way for bigger triumphs throughout the rest of the decade.
97. Alexi Murdoch
Orange Sky
[Alexi Murdoch Music, 2003]
The slow-burning soundtrack to seemingly every television/motion-picture drama for five years running, and a rare moment of understatement amidst the over-production that cluttered even the most well-intentioned “singer-songwriter” efforts of the 2000s.
96. Mary J. Blige
No More Drama
[Geffen, 2001]
Nearly a decade removed from her 411 breakthrough, Mary’s career resurgence fired with both barrels: The gleaming Dre production “Family Affair,” and this far more unlikely candidate. Only a true diva could create exquisite pain out of the theme from The Young And The Restless.
95. Snoop Dogg
Drop It Like It's Hot
[Doggystyle/Star Trax/Geffen, 2004]
The D-O-double-G distances himself (briefly) from the porn-directing, product-hawking caricature he had become to deliver a street banger that bumped like the glory hits of old, with the Neptunes filling in admirably for Dre’s G-funk.
94. P!nk
Just Like A Pill
[Arista, 2002]
Our most complicated pop diva blurs the line between romantic and chemical addiction, and in the process creates a template for all her future soul-baring, brokenhearted chart anthems.
93. M83
Kim & Jessie
[Mute, 2008]
A love letter to the golden age of John Hughes, wrapped in autumnal Eighties synths and all the longing of Lloyd Dobler standing outside Molly Ringwald’s window with a boombox.
92. Justin Timberlake
What Goes Around.../...Comes Around
[Jive, 2007]
FutureSex/LoveSounds too often found JT and Timbaland coasting by on attitude, rather than songcraft, but not here; one of the most subtle #1 singles of the past five years unveil its gifts gradually, thanks to a melody wrapped in Eastern instruments that flows like a waterfall.
91. Ted Leo & The Pharmacists
Where Have All The Rude Boys Gone?
[Lookout!, 2003]
As out-of-step with current fashion as two-tone shoes—and so ridiculous catchy you’d be a fool to care. The highlight from one of the best albums you didn't hear this decade.
2 comments:
I shared this blog/list on FB. Hope you don't mind :-)
"Rich and I share a lot of common interests in bands and music. We may not always agree, but I've discovered a lot of artists or given second chances to some I may not have cared much for the first time around. This list so far is no exception. I'm already hearing some bands, and songs, for the first time, even tho I've seen their names around a lot. I look forward to the rest of the list."
Nope... and in fact, I'm going to FB myself right now. Thanks Laurie!
Post a Comment