The FMTana

Man, the end of next decade is going to be so much easier.

So, 100 records from the past decade that I would deem "the best." Just meaning I liked them more than the other billion records that were released in the past decade. I kept the same criteria as we used for the "Top 90 of the '90s", which allowed short-play EPs to be considered but banished compilations (sorry, Les Savy Fav's Inches.)

I was going to do the list "Celebrity" game style: 1st 25 as long a blurb as I wanted to blurb, next 25 in one sentence, and next 25 in one word. But then doing the last 25 via charades was going to prove time-consuming and difficult. So I went from generally more wordy to less wordy.

As like all of these lists, samplers are linked for download below. All 10 of them.

Here you go:

1. Yo La Tengo - And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside-Out (2000)
I tend to like my YLT consistent. More Painful than I Can Hear the Heart Beating As One. Even though it seems like their calling card more and more is genre-jumping, I prefer them looking big picture. The reverb-y melancholy drone that starts off the record in “Everyday” seduces every track, right down to “Let’s Save Tony Orlando’s House” and “You Can Have It All.” I’ve been waiting all decade for them to do an album like this again.

2. Cannibal Ox - The Cold Vein (2001)
I don’t think I would consider myself a hip-hop/rap fan. But when it hits me right, it tends to knock me out. (See Beyonce’s “Crazy Right Now.” I shake ass to that song.) It’s this and It Takes a Nation of Millions To Hold Us Back. Everything else is playing catch-up. Though Beyonce is close.

3. Crooked Fingers - Crooked Fingers (2000)
Sadly, I’m probably not even the biggest Crooked Fingers fan in the house. That would be my wife. (I don’t know if that’s a good thing though since she keeps getting worked up about me not recognizing “Pokerface” by Lady Gaga.) I totally hooked her with “New Drink For an Old Drunk.” I am wily. Though I guess Eric Bachmann’s songwriting did most of the work. I just pressed “play.”

4. Okkervil River - Black Sheep Boy (2005)
I remember getting sucked in by the rockers on this record. It’s the ballads that keep you around. I think I wore out my Discman on this one.

5. The Mountain Goats - Tallahassee (2002)
I wasn’t ready for Mountain Goats hi-fi. Their first record on 4AD is like an ugly duckling high school romcom where the nerdy girl shows up at the prom without her glasses and tries makeup and wears heels, and… Actually this metaphor belittles how powerful this record is, about a couple’s failing marriage. And I think ditching the classic Mountain Goats tape hiss sound ultimately freed up Darnielle to step into the spotlight of being one of the best songwriters around.

6. The National - Alligator (2005)
In the great Alligator vs. Boxer argument of ’07, I aligned myself with the Alligator crowd. What’s impressive is that I even bought this record after Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers so underwhelmed me. It’s an amazing leap between those two albums. The sound of a band figuring it out.

7. The Streets - A Grand Don't Come For Free (2004)
It’s Pink Floyd’s fault. I like my records to follow a theme (Dark Side of the Moon) or a sound (Wish You Were Here), or, if you will, a story (The Wall.) So here’s a story of a pot-smoking pill-popper who loses 1000 quid, falls in love, gets dumped, turns his back on his friends, finds 1000 quid, and starts the whole thing over again. All to a sound that is one of the most unique of the decade.

8. The Thermals - The Body the Blood the Machine (2006)
This is some Old Testament shit right here. In a decade rife with conservative politics and near-Crusades religious fervor, you would have thought punk rock would have stepped up its game. At least the Thermals did. Would have been a shame if “American Idiot” was the political punk rock touchstone of the '00s.

9. Spoon - Gimme Fiction (2005)
You can’t get people to agree on Spoon. I think Pitchfork went big for Kill the Moonlight, which might be one of my least favorite records of theirs. I have a friend who can’t get past Telephono. This is the record for me. Maybe because “I Turned My Camera On” was the soundtrack of my wedding week, one of the best weeks of my life. (And I have friends who think that song isn’t even the best on the record. Which is crazy. Like I said, you can’t get people to agree on Spoon.)

10. Crooked Fingers - Bring On The Snakes (2001)
After this one, Bachmann slipped into a strictly troubadour role, eschewing the wonderful electronic nuances of the first two records, which was a big part of the sound that I liked. But more than anything, the guy is probably my favorite songwriter of the decade. And last decade. So here’s to you Eric Bachmann, two albums in the top 10.

11. Sufjan Stevens - Greetings From Michigan: The Great Lakes State (2003)
I’m a Michigan man. No offense to the state of Illinois. That record has a lot going for it. But this album is more personal than Illinoise!, and it comes across that way.

12. Beirut - Gulag Orkestar (2006)
Like the Streets (and only like the Streets in this one specific way), nobody sounds like Beirut. Amazingly crafty and smart with their sound while writing great Eastern Bloc-styled pop songs.

13. Califone - Quicksand/Cradlesnakes (2003)
My favorite album from one of the most consistent bands of the decade. Yankee Foxtrot Blowme can’t hold this record’s jock.

14. Cursive - Domestica (2000)
A wounded howl of a record inspired by Tim Kasher’s divorce. Like Blood on the Tracks for the Emo set.

15. Why? - Alopecia (2008)
He got me at “I’m not a ladies man, I’m a landmine.” I’m a sucker for sloppy anagrams.

16. Songs: Ohia - The Lioness (2000)
You back one of my favorite voices with Scottish all-stars like Aidan Moffit from Arab Strap and Alasdair Roberts and I’m going to end up loving that record. Hence its ranking here.

17. Casiotone For The Painfully Alone - Etiquette (2006)
I think Owen Ashworth writes songs for the misdirected 20-something better than anyone. See “Bobby Malone Moves Home” and “Cold White Christmas” and every other song on this fantastic record.

18. Jesu - Conqueror (2007)
Listening to Jesu is kind of like being chased by zombies. The old slow-afoot variety. It’s a different thrill than being chased by the new juiced up zombies that became all the rage in the '00s. Those are fine I guess. I just like my supernatural horror entities to really create a mood. Like the Blob. Or when Jason used to just slowly walk after screaming and stumbling camp counselors. It’s more badass. Like Conqueror. (Phew. Was really getting off task there for a second.)

19. Cat Power - You Are Free (2003)
At the time, this seemed like Ms. Marshall was ready to embrace stardom. There’s a few accessible rockers, guest appearances by Dave Grohl and Eddie Vedder. But it’s still steeped in the quiet isolation that will always be the calling card of her best work, like a girl singing herself to sleep.

20. The Blow - Paper Television (2006)
A perfect collaboration between a girl who knows how to write clever and catchy pop songs and a guy who can construct some clever and crafty beats around them.

21. Battles - Mirrored (2007)
The most shockingly embraced single of the decade has to be “Atlas.” I mean, I’m built for anything falling from the math rock tree. Especially when dudes like Ian Williams are involved. But the hipsters jumped on board like it was a Bon Iver bootleg.

22. M.I.A. - Arular (2005)
Wasn’t really prepared to like this record. But it’s infectious. Enough to make a white boy driving the LA streets in ’05 get caught singing “Galangalangalanglang.” And I’m sure I wasn’t the only one.

23. José González - Veneer (2003)
Can you hear on Veneer that Gonzalez grew up playing in hardcore bands in Sweden? It’s funny. I sort of can.

24. Les Savy Fav - Let's Stay Friends (2007)
Albums don’t start better than this one. “The Equestrian” is probably the most bad-ass song of the decade not performed by McLusky.

25. The Arcade Fire - Funeral (2004)
It’s hard to comment on an album that was so well-received and well-lathered with slobbery, except that it was well-deserved.

26. Pedro The Lion - Winners Never Quit (2000)
The t-shirt that I’ve gotten the most comments on this decade is my Pedro the Lion shirt. Is it comical because it’s a lion named Pedro. Did that tickle people’s funny bones? BTW, great friggin’ record. In some ways Bazan’s best.

27. Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven (2000)
I remember seeing these guys crammed onto a stage at the Troubadour. Best way to really feel a crescendo.

28. The Hold Steady - The Hold Steady Almost Killed Me (2004)
It was hard to figure out which Hold Steady record I liked best. This one wins because it’s funny that someone would be nicknamed “Circuit City” and compared to Elizabeth Shue, all in the same verse, let alone the same song.

29. Broken Social Scene - Broken Social Scene (2005)
Consider me the minority. Barely. Maybe I think this one’s just tighter or more focused than You Forgot It In People, which is widely considered their album of choice. But I like Crooked Rain Crooked Rain better than Slanted and Enchanted too, so suck it.

30. El-P - Fantastic Damage (2002)
This guy created one of the best sounds of the decade, between Cannibal Ox, his solo stuff and the vinyl mountains of the other Def Jux material he produced.

31. The Knife - Silent Shout (2006)
A band built to stand out.

32. Broken Social Scene - You Forgot It In People (2002)
Look, I’m admitting that it’s an awesome album. Man’s entitled to his preferences. As evidenced by taking a stab at some half-assed 100 album "best of" list.

33. Califone - Roomsound (2001)
This one has my favorite Califone song ever, “Bottles and Bones.” And the rest of the record keeps apace.

34. McLusky - McLusky Do Dallas (2002)
I can’t read the tracklist to this record without laughing out loud. "World Loves Us and Is Out Bitch" will make a guy giggle. Hardcore jesters.

35. LCD Soundsystem - Sound Of Silver (2007)
The guys I really like in electronic music came straight out of the punk rock aesthetic. Murphy is the best example of that.

36. Jens Lekman - When I Said I Wanted To Be Your Dog (2004)
Really the release to have might be Oh You’re So Silent Jens, but as I’m self-governing myself to not have singles comps included, I would have this as a pretty solid backup. Especially since there’s a lot of overlap between the two.

37. Constantines - Shine a Light (2003)
Probably one of the most consistent bands working this decade. Their progression has been subtle but evident. This was my first exposure to them, so it’s the one I come back to the most.

38. TV On the Radio - Young Liars EP (2003)
Same with these guys. Though I don’t know if anything they’ve released has measured up to the promise that this EP showed, but when it happens, I’ll be there.

39. Iron & Wine - Our Endless Numbered Days (2004)
Much like kryptonite, too often an acoustic guitar falls into the wrong hands. But when it's wielded for truth, justice and the American Way AKA "good music", it's lovely.

40. The National - Boxer (2007)
I think the band got more confident between Boxer and Alligator. Which is evident in a song like “Fake Empire.” But I remain, as always, an Alligator man.

41. Low - Things We Lost In The Fire (2001)
Secret Name will always be where it’s at with Low, but they put out a lot of good records this decade and this was my fave.

42. Arab Strap - The Last Romance (2006)
Emptied their clips for their swan song.

43. Say Hi To Your Mom - Impeccable Blahs (2006)
I think the nation’s Vampire obsession really starts here. Not with Robert Pattinson. And I still honestly don't know who that is.

44. The Go! Team - Thunder, Lightning, Strike (2004)
Music to be cheered on by. With pom-poms and everything.

45. Why? - Elephant Eye Lash (2005)
“I’m fucking cold like a DQ Blizzard”? Come on. That’s a great line. I would sing all of these songs on road trips.

46. Panda Bear - Person Pitch (2007)
Best thing ever affiliated with the Animal Collective.

47. The Walkmen - Bows + Arrows (2004)
What song sneered more intensely this decade than “The Rat”? (If you know, just email me.)

48. Calexico - Feast Of Wire (2003)
The unassuming backing band makes big. This is my favorite of theirs.

49. Menomena - Friend and Foe (2007)
Doo Doo de DooDoo.

50. Art Brut - Bang Bang Rock And Roll (2005)
The album that closed down Top of the Pops. Although I didn't know if still existed at the time. Being 'Merican and all.

51. Sufjan Stevens - Seven Swans (2004)
Yeah, I don’t need this whole clever States project when he sounds this good just being earnest.

52. Okkervil River - Down the River of Golden Dreams (2003)
First exposure to one of my favorite bands of the decade.

53. Liars - They Threw Us All In A Trench And Stuck A Monument On Top (2002)
These boys have sure changed since this first record, but I still come back to it more than the newer, crazier Liars' releases.

54. Turing Machine - A New Machine For Living (2000)
Math rock never found a better groove. RIP Jerry Fuchs.

55. Colleen - The Golden Morning Breaks (2005)
The only “ambient” record on this list. My own personal 50 minute lullaby.

56. Sleater-Kinney - All Hands On The Bad One (2000)
I know people like The Woods, but this is the last great SK record for me.

57. Japandroids - Post-Nothing (2009)
I have said a lot about this band over the past year, so I’ll just say “WOOOOOHHHHHHHHH!!!!!” and move on.

58. Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Yanqui U.X.O. (2002)
Another fantastic crescendo!

59. The Black Keys - Rubber Factory (2004)
Everything on this record rattles. It helped me understand where that “Shake, Rattle and Roll” thing came from.

60. Paul Duncan - Be Careful What You Call Home (2005)
“Oil in the Fields.” Now that’s a melancholy ditty.

61. Bonnie Prince Billy - Master And Everyone (2003)
For as much stuff as he put out this decade (and it must be twice as much as what he released in the 90s), this is the only one that holds up well compared to the Palace stuff.

62. Caribou - Andorra (2007)
A brilliant meeting of sunshine 60’s and 00’s electronica.

63. Jens Lekman - Night Falls Over Kortedala (2007)
A lot richer in sound than his previous works, but the songs don’t stick with you as quickly as “Black Cab” or “Maple Leaves.” Still, not many better songwriters around.

64. The Hold Steady - Boys and Girls in America (2006)
This album seems to have a bit more sentiment than previous Hold Steady releases. Maybe that’s what generated all the Born to Run comparisons.

65. The Shins - Oh, Inverted World (2001)
I remember having “Caring is Creepy” on repeat for days.

66. Beirut - The Flying Club Cup (2007)
There’s really not that much distance between this one and Gulag Orkestar. A fuller sound, but maybe doesn’t grab you as quick by the horns.

67. The Black Heart Procession - Amore Del Tropico (2002)
It’s how a San Diego punk murder mystery game would sound. Except in a good way.

68. Bright Eyes - Fevers & Mirrors (2000)
Kid wasn’t even 20 when he recorded this.

69. The Arcade Fire - Neon Bible (2007)
To pull this off in Funeral’s wake (pun may or may not be intended) is pretty impressive.

70. Low - Drums And Guns (2007)
I remember them doing “Murderer” live for a while before this album came out. That song alone makes this one a keeper.

71. Architecture In Helsinki - Places Like This (2007)
I think critics like In Case We Die better, but this baby is chock full of catchy numbers. Way more than In Case We Die.

72. The Hold Steady - Separation Sunday (2005)
“Your Little Hoodrat Friend” is the hook for this one. At least that’s what got the wife hooked.

73. Tom Vek - We Have Sound (2005)
Very Gary Numan in sound, very Kevin Shields in ass-dragging-in-getting-that-next-record-out.

74. Cat Power - The Greatest (2006)
A soulful, Dusty Springfield sound fits her well. Of course, I just want to hear her sing, so almost any sound fits hers well.

75. Feist - The Reminder (2007)
Apple ads and NPR adoration aside, there’s too many good songs on this record to ignore.

76. Spoon - Girls Can Tell (2000)
Like I said, everybody’s different. “The Fitted Shirt” is the deciding factor for me for this one.

77. El-P - I'll Sleep When You're Dead (2007)
Continuing his streak, feels a little more industrial in influence than Fantastic Damage. If I’m lying, I’m dying.

78. The Mountain Goats - The Sunset Tree (2005)
This is the album the movie will be based on.

79. Scout Niblett - Kidnapped By Neptune (2005)
Shoop, shoop, shoop, shoopa…

80. Madvillain - Madvillainy (2004)
Had to get MF Doom on here somewhere.

81. Silver Jews - Bright Flight (2001)
The last great Silver Jews record.

82. Benoît Pioulard - précis (2006)
Inventive lo-fi orchestration.

83. Constantines - Tournament of Hearts (2005)
Leaning more to the Boss side of their Fugazi/Springsteen blend.

84. The Streets - Original Pirate Material (2002)
Came to this one after A Grand Don’t Come for Free, so it’s impact was lost on me, but I understand what makes the Geezers enjoy it. Oi.

85. Liars - Drum's Not Dead (2006)
As if an album about witches wasn’t high concept enough, here’s a record about an entity called “Drum” and its nemesis “Mt. Heart Attack.” Naturally, I enjoy this record.

86. Bloc Party - Silent Alarm (2005)
I sort of figured this band would be a flash in the pan thing. If it turns out that way, it’s a pretty good flash.

87. The Microphones - The Glow Pt. 2 (2001)
The best of his lo-fi fuzz folk.

88. TV On The Radio - Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes (2004)
This one’s more consistent to me than the two that came after.

89. Out Hud - Let Us Never Speak of it Again (2005)
If you can get indie rockers to dance, more power to you.

90. Gillian Welch - Time (The Revelator) (2001)
When an album starts off with that dissonant a chord, it ain't your pappy's bluegrass.

91. Don Caballero - American Don (2000)
I guess DonCab has always been about Damon Che, but I like the stuff where Ian Williams is starting to do more finger tapping. The kind of finger tapping that doesn’t sound like Steve Vai, or in other words, like shit.

92. Joanna Newsom - The Milk-Eyed Mender (2004)
Saw her live once where it was just her and her harp. When you can captivate an audience with a harp, that’s some biblical shit.

93. Low - Trust (2002)
They didn’t even need to re-work “Amazing Grace.” They could just sing “Amazing Grace” and I’d be on board.

94. The Dismemberment Plan - Change (2001)
It’s almost here exclusively because of “Time Bomb”, one of my favorite Plan songs ever.

95. Hallelujah the Hills - Colonial Drones (2009)
They better spend the next decade proving me right for including them on this list.

96. The Mae Shi - HLLLYH (2008) Just love the snotty punk attitude of this album. It makes me feel OK for the youth of America. Except that this band already broke up. Eh, divorce doesn't even phase these kids anymore.