Drew Beringer
01/13/10, 06:44 PM
I was 14 years old in 2000. I was a huge fan of Weezer, Saves The Day, and blink-182, just to name a few. Pretty typical stuff for a guy my age. Now 24 years old, my musical tastes have changed dramatically. I still love pop-punk, but it's not top shelf for me anymore. The list you are about to read displays the transitions and changes I have made over the past 10 years as a music fan. It's a pretty eclectic list, I'd say. Trying to find the perfect balance between replayability and musicianship was tough. Example: I've listened to Take This To Your Grave by Fall Out Boy a million times, but I don't think it deserves to be on this list. On the other hand, you could argue that Radiohead's Kid A is superior to all my choices, but it doesn't have the nostalgic memories to go along with it. It was quite the difficult process, one I never thought I could put into rankings, but here is my best shot. Here are the 10 albums from the last decade that shaped my musical tastes.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/20/Hot-Fuss.jpg/200px-Hot-Fuss.jpg
The Killers - Hot Fuss
Release Date: June 7, 2004
Record Label: Island Records
This record released the summer after I graduated high school and was in constant rotation throughout. The first single, "Somebody Told Me," drew me in, but tracks like "Mr. Brightside" (their smash hit) and "All These Things That I've Done" gave the album life. "Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine" and "Smile Like You Mean It" give the album some edge and darkness as well. This is the best mainstream pop-rock album of the 00s.
http://www.scenepointblank.com/reviews/covers/00036.jpg
Every Time I Die - Hot Damn!
Release Date: July 1, 2003
Record Label: Ferret
Every Time I Die crushed skulls with this album. How many bands combine literary figures such as Shakespeare and pulverizing breakdowns these days? The chaos and frantic pace provides such an adrenaline rush to the listener, and tracks like "Ebolarama" and "Floater" are two of the more popular examples. Clocking in at just over 27 minutes, Hot Damn! is my go-to metal record of the 00s.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/06/Illinois-stevens.jpg/200px-Illinois-stevens.jpg
Sufjan Stevens - Illinois
Release Date: July 5, 2005
Record Label: Asthmatic Kitty
Sufjan Stevens made American history cool again. After giving us lessons over the state of Michigan in 2003, Stevens was back in 2005 to drop knowledge about the Land of Lincoln. This is not your average folk album. Strings, horns, and percussion are aplenty, and the way Stevens wove Illinois history into his own history is nothing short of spectacular. A wide range of emotion is heard, from the jubilant "Come On! Feel The Illinoise!" to the haunting and somber "John Wayne Gacy, Jr." We haven't heard from Sufjan since this album, but I'm sure he has another classic (or two) in him.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d5/Teganandsara_thecon_cover.jpg/200px-Teganandsara_thecon_cover.jpg
Tegan and Sara - The Con
Release Date: July 24, 2007
Record Label: Sire/Vapor
This is the definitive Tegan and Sara record. While they broke out (somewhat) with So Jealous a few years earlier, the twin sisters found their sound with The Con. The record is very diverse, as it gives you the variety of different themes, vibes, and tempos. The title track and "Back In Your Head" stand out as the catchiest songs, and "Like O, Like H" and "Are You Ten Years Ago" show the strides in the Canucks musicianship. Also, "Burn Your Life Down" is pop perfection. Tegan and Sara have perfected the indie-pop sound, and this record was the beginning of that.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e9/Transatlanticism.jpg/200px-Transatlanticism.jpg
Death Cab For Cutie - Transatlanticism
Release Date: October 7, 2003
Record Label: Barsuk
Sure, it didn't hurt that The O.C. mentioned this band a few times on the then-popular teen drama, but I'm 100% positive this album would have left a lasting impression on listeners everywhere without that promotion. The band's fourth studio album proved to be the second-best fall album of the decade (see below for the best one). It only makes sense that this melancholy blend of emotions and guitar strings would be released in October. While opening track "The New Year" has become the cliché away message on December 31st everywhere, its tracks like "A Lack Of Color," "Tiny Vessels," and the title track that really hit you.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ce/PostalService_cover300dpi.jpg/200px-PostalService_cover300dpi.jpg
The Postal Service - Give Up
Release Date: February 19, 2003
Record Label: Sub Pop
Ah yes, of course Ben Gibbard would be involved in someway with the best fall album of the decade. This album was the best selling record from Sub Pop since they released Nirvana's Bleach. In fact, this album has gone on to sell over 900,000 copies. That's pretty impressive for an indie album. Gibbard teamed up with Jimmy Tamborello and together they created the best electronic/new wave album of the 00s. The album is full of high's and low's, with the sounds being mechanical and endearing at the same time. The beginning crank of single "Such Great Heights" and the low murmur of "The District Sleeps Alone Tonight" are sounds that have been engraved into your sub-conscious. It doesn't matter what your favorite genre of music is, everyone loves this album.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/23/Thursday%2BFull%2BCollapse.jpg/200px-Thursday%2BFull%2BCollapse.jpg
Thursday - [Full Collapse[/i]
Release Date: October 18, 2001
Record Label: Victory
Say hello to the band and record that got me into this scene. I just remember my jaw dropping after hearing the intro to "Understanding (In A Car Crash)." I was instantly hooked. After my first listen of Full Collapse, I knew I had encountered something incredibly special as my finger reached out to hit 'repeat.' The record was so raw, so full of passion and emotion, and the way the guitars complemented the crass screams was pristine. I knew I had to become a part of this movement. The magic, energy, and devotion in this album may never be heard again in this scene.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b6/THS_BAGIA.jpg/200px-THS_BAGIA.jpg
The Hold Steady - Boys and Girls in America
Release Date: October 3, 2006
Record Label: Vagrant
It was former staffer Darren McLeod who got me hooked. He told me to check this album out, and I'm forever thankful to him for that suggestion. This was my musical bible in 2006. Frontman and guitarist Craig Finn is a fantastic storyteller, and you feel like you are living those stories as they come out of his rough voice. The music is full of punk attitude mixed in with riffs and classic rock. "Stuck Between Stations" is huge (also a great drunk sing-along song) and "Chillout Tent" is exactly what the title implies. This is the musical equivalent of cracking open a few beers with your best friends and having the night of your life.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/1/16/Deftones_-_White_Pony-greycoverart.jpg/200px-Deftones_-_White_Pony-greycoverart.jpg
Deftones - White Pony
Release Date: June 20, 2000
Record Label: Maverick
This was the album that changed my musical perspective. Even though it isn't my number one album of the decade, it is still highly influential in my the making of my taste. I've never heard metal this smart before. The range and scope of this album was massive. There has never been better. White Pony is the album that made critics claim the Deftones as "metal's version of Radiohead." A sonically booming record, every member of this band plays a huge role. From Chino Moreno's flawless transition from singing to screaming, Abe Cunningham's work behind the kit, and the guitar work from Stephen Carpenter and bassist Chi Cheng (get better soon!) is perfection. This is one of two records that I gave perfect scores (the other is below). White Pony covers so much ground musically that it leaves you in awe after the breathtaking final track, "Pink Maggit," ends. "Digital Bath" is huge, while the atmospheric "Knife Party" offers a contrast to the crushing breakdowns of "Korea" and the sinister riffs of "Elite." The highlight of the album is "Passenger," where Moreno and Maynard James Keenan go head to head with their amazing voices. Life changing is the only other way I can describe White Pony./
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a3/Kanyewest_collegedropout.jpg/200px-Kanyewest_collegedropout.jpg
Kanye West - The College Dropout
Release Date: February 10, 2004
Record Label: Roc-A-Fella, Def Jam
This is my most listened to record of all time (OF ALL TIME!), and deservedly so. People need to understand, Kanye West has also had controversy follow him and he has always had an ego the size of the sun (you can hear it repeatedly on his debut). So the man hasn't changed, it's just his debut, The College Dropout, finally gave him the chance to shine. He was already a world-renowned producer in the hip-hop community, as his production changed the game. He just wanted to prove himself as a rapper. Yeah, his flow isn't the best, but that's what makes him so appealing. Ye has a way with words most rappers don't have. He bared his soul on this album, which covered a variety of topics (money to girls to faith to education to social status) and displayed the best beats and production of any hip hop album this decade. You can hate on the man all you want, but it's hard to deny that The College Dropout was a game changer and the best hip-hop debut since Pac and Biggie were alive. Tracks like "All Falls Down" and "Jesus Walks" are full of emotion, while "Through The Wire" and "Last Call" recall Yeezy's struggles into the rap world. He showed he had a way with the ladies ("Slow Jamz") and churn out songs we love to bump in the car to ("The New Workout Plan" and "Get 'Em High"). "Two Words" and "We Don't Care" were the first glimpses we had into West's demeanor. The College Dropout is my best album of the 00s, and here's to hoping the man never changes.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/20/Hot-Fuss.jpg/200px-Hot-Fuss.jpg
The Killers - Hot Fuss
Release Date: June 7, 2004
Record Label: Island Records
This record released the summer after I graduated high school and was in constant rotation throughout. The first single, "Somebody Told Me," drew me in, but tracks like "Mr. Brightside" (their smash hit) and "All These Things That I've Done" gave the album life. "Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine" and "Smile Like You Mean It" give the album some edge and darkness as well. This is the best mainstream pop-rock album of the 00s.
http://www.scenepointblank.com/reviews/covers/00036.jpg
Every Time I Die - Hot Damn!
Release Date: July 1, 2003
Record Label: Ferret
Every Time I Die crushed skulls with this album. How many bands combine literary figures such as Shakespeare and pulverizing breakdowns these days? The chaos and frantic pace provides such an adrenaline rush to the listener, and tracks like "Ebolarama" and "Floater" are two of the more popular examples. Clocking in at just over 27 minutes, Hot Damn! is my go-to metal record of the 00s.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/06/Illinois-stevens.jpg/200px-Illinois-stevens.jpg
Sufjan Stevens - Illinois
Release Date: July 5, 2005
Record Label: Asthmatic Kitty
Sufjan Stevens made American history cool again. After giving us lessons over the state of Michigan in 2003, Stevens was back in 2005 to drop knowledge about the Land of Lincoln. This is not your average folk album. Strings, horns, and percussion are aplenty, and the way Stevens wove Illinois history into his own history is nothing short of spectacular. A wide range of emotion is heard, from the jubilant "Come On! Feel The Illinoise!" to the haunting and somber "John Wayne Gacy, Jr." We haven't heard from Sufjan since this album, but I'm sure he has another classic (or two) in him.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d5/Teganandsara_thecon_cover.jpg/200px-Teganandsara_thecon_cover.jpg
Tegan and Sara - The Con
Release Date: July 24, 2007
Record Label: Sire/Vapor
This is the definitive Tegan and Sara record. While they broke out (somewhat) with So Jealous a few years earlier, the twin sisters found their sound with The Con. The record is very diverse, as it gives you the variety of different themes, vibes, and tempos. The title track and "Back In Your Head" stand out as the catchiest songs, and "Like O, Like H" and "Are You Ten Years Ago" show the strides in the Canucks musicianship. Also, "Burn Your Life Down" is pop perfection. Tegan and Sara have perfected the indie-pop sound, and this record was the beginning of that.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e9/Transatlanticism.jpg/200px-Transatlanticism.jpg
Death Cab For Cutie - Transatlanticism
Release Date: October 7, 2003
Record Label: Barsuk
Sure, it didn't hurt that The O.C. mentioned this band a few times on the then-popular teen drama, but I'm 100% positive this album would have left a lasting impression on listeners everywhere without that promotion. The band's fourth studio album proved to be the second-best fall album of the decade (see below for the best one). It only makes sense that this melancholy blend of emotions and guitar strings would be released in October. While opening track "The New Year" has become the cliché away message on December 31st everywhere, its tracks like "A Lack Of Color," "Tiny Vessels," and the title track that really hit you.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ce/PostalService_cover300dpi.jpg/200px-PostalService_cover300dpi.jpg
The Postal Service - Give Up
Release Date: February 19, 2003
Record Label: Sub Pop
Ah yes, of course Ben Gibbard would be involved in someway with the best fall album of the decade. This album was the best selling record from Sub Pop since they released Nirvana's Bleach. In fact, this album has gone on to sell over 900,000 copies. That's pretty impressive for an indie album. Gibbard teamed up with Jimmy Tamborello and together they created the best electronic/new wave album of the 00s. The album is full of high's and low's, with the sounds being mechanical and endearing at the same time. The beginning crank of single "Such Great Heights" and the low murmur of "The District Sleeps Alone Tonight" are sounds that have been engraved into your sub-conscious. It doesn't matter what your favorite genre of music is, everyone loves this album.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/23/Thursday%2BFull%2BCollapse.jpg/200px-Thursday%2BFull%2BCollapse.jpg
Thursday - [Full Collapse[/i]
Release Date: October 18, 2001
Record Label: Victory
Say hello to the band and record that got me into this scene. I just remember my jaw dropping after hearing the intro to "Understanding (In A Car Crash)." I was instantly hooked. After my first listen of Full Collapse, I knew I had encountered something incredibly special as my finger reached out to hit 'repeat.' The record was so raw, so full of passion and emotion, and the way the guitars complemented the crass screams was pristine. I knew I had to become a part of this movement. The magic, energy, and devotion in this album may never be heard again in this scene.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b6/THS_BAGIA.jpg/200px-THS_BAGIA.jpg
The Hold Steady - Boys and Girls in America
Release Date: October 3, 2006
Record Label: Vagrant
It was former staffer Darren McLeod who got me hooked. He told me to check this album out, and I'm forever thankful to him for that suggestion. This was my musical bible in 2006. Frontman and guitarist Craig Finn is a fantastic storyteller, and you feel like you are living those stories as they come out of his rough voice. The music is full of punk attitude mixed in with riffs and classic rock. "Stuck Between Stations" is huge (also a great drunk sing-along song) and "Chillout Tent" is exactly what the title implies. This is the musical equivalent of cracking open a few beers with your best friends and having the night of your life.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/1/16/Deftones_-_White_Pony-greycoverart.jpg/200px-Deftones_-_White_Pony-greycoverart.jpg
Deftones - White Pony
Release Date: June 20, 2000
Record Label: Maverick
This was the album that changed my musical perspective. Even though it isn't my number one album of the decade, it is still highly influential in my the making of my taste. I've never heard metal this smart before. The range and scope of this album was massive. There has never been better. White Pony is the album that made critics claim the Deftones as "metal's version of Radiohead." A sonically booming record, every member of this band plays a huge role. From Chino Moreno's flawless transition from singing to screaming, Abe Cunningham's work behind the kit, and the guitar work from Stephen Carpenter and bassist Chi Cheng (get better soon!) is perfection. This is one of two records that I gave perfect scores (the other is below). White Pony covers so much ground musically that it leaves you in awe after the breathtaking final track, "Pink Maggit," ends. "Digital Bath" is huge, while the atmospheric "Knife Party" offers a contrast to the crushing breakdowns of "Korea" and the sinister riffs of "Elite." The highlight of the album is "Passenger," where Moreno and Maynard James Keenan go head to head with their amazing voices. Life changing is the only other way I can describe White Pony./
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a3/Kanyewest_collegedropout.jpg/200px-Kanyewest_collegedropout.jpg
Kanye West - The College Dropout
Release Date: February 10, 2004
Record Label: Roc-A-Fella, Def Jam
This is my most listened to record of all time (OF ALL TIME!), and deservedly so. People need to understand, Kanye West has also had controversy follow him and he has always had an ego the size of the sun (you can hear it repeatedly on his debut). So the man hasn't changed, it's just his debut, The College Dropout, finally gave him the chance to shine. He was already a world-renowned producer in the hip-hop community, as his production changed the game. He just wanted to prove himself as a rapper. Yeah, his flow isn't the best, but that's what makes him so appealing. Ye has a way with words most rappers don't have. He bared his soul on this album, which covered a variety of topics (money to girls to faith to education to social status) and displayed the best beats and production of any hip hop album this decade. You can hate on the man all you want, but it's hard to deny that The College Dropout was a game changer and the best hip-hop debut since Pac and Biggie were alive. Tracks like "All Falls Down" and "Jesus Walks" are full of emotion, while "Through The Wire" and "Last Call" recall Yeezy's struggles into the rap world. He showed he had a way with the ladies ("Slow Jamz") and churn out songs we love to bump in the car to ("The New Workout Plan" and "Get 'Em High"). "Two Words" and "We Don't Care" were the first glimpses we had into West's demeanor. The College Dropout is my best album of the 00s, and here's to hoping the man never changes.