Go to the NEW FORUM
Amy Winehouse's Back to Black (at #62) did a little better than I thought it would. Spot on comments about the album, Honorio and Rocky Raccoon.
Michigan is a great record, overshadowed buy Illinois but way better than many best albums oby other indie bands/songwriters.
Just because it is less good than its follower is not a reason for not listening to it (same for the second Fleet Foxes). It should be sold as a double CD with Illinois.
One Beat was very divisive! 5 fans and 6 haters. Very surprised Coldplay was so high. I haven't heard the album myself, but having heard the hate which is spat out towards it, it's done very well for itself.
What years are doing the best so far?
A Rush of Blood to the Head so high is disgusting!
Here's my recipe for Coldplay Cake:
Ingredients:
100 tablespoons U2 extract
50 tablespoons Radiohead essence
50 tablespoons Sigur Rós coloring
2 large packets of gluten free Ener-G Egg Replacer
100 g Nutrasweet
200 g Polenta
10 L water
Instructions:
Preheat oven to the lowest possible temperature. Mix Ener-G Egg Replacer, Nutrasweet, Polenta and the U2, Radiohead and Sigur Rós flavorings if feeling daring into a large vat. Incrementally add water 1 liter at a time. Stir vigorlessly until frothy. Bake in oven for days, weeks, months even (!) until a beige crust forms. Serve at room temperature.
# 35
Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
Score: 1398 points
Biggest fans:
Chris #1 , Schwah #8
Haters:
Nicolas #99, Evan #93, Jonah #75/77
Voters:
29
Comments:
A good winter. Isolated in a cabin surrounded by snow and wolves, Justin Vernon found a place to lick his wounds and doing this deliver a highly emotional album. (Honorio)
I'm not big on critic's having ulterior motives to their printed opinions like a lot of people on here seem to be, but I swear a lot of critics creamed their shorts more about how this album was made rather than the actual music on it. I find it to be above-average indie folk. No. 81 (Rocky Raccoon)
Flume (11.1), Creature Fear (11.2), Lump Sum (11.2), RE: Stacks (11.2) (Henry)
Place in the 2007 poll: 7
Acclaimed Music 2000s rank: 34
AMF poll of 00's rank: 59
# 34
Super Furry Animals - Rings Around The World
Score: 1406 points
Biggest fans:
Brad #3, Miguel #4, Honorio #7, Schwah #10
Haters:
Michel #98, Rocky Raccoon #97, Nassim #91
Voters:
28
Comments:
During a decade when British bands finally lose their battle against American bands (both in indie and mainstream terms), this band from Wales released an album that kept intact my faith in good English pop, displaying a multicoloured sound including Wilson or McCartney pop style (the latter is featured as a collaborator) but also folk, prog-rock, punk or electronica. (Honorio)
It just sounds like below average indie rock to me. No. 97 (Rocky Raccoon)
Juxtaposed with You (10), Happiness Is A Warm Pun (10), (Drawing) Rings Around The World (11.1), Alternative Route To Vulcan Street (11.2), Sidewalk Serfer Girl (11.2) (Henry)
Place in the 2001 poll: 8
Acclaimed Music 2000s rank: 182
AMF poll of 00's rank: 123
# 33
Portishead - Third
Score: 1408 points
Biggest fans:
BillAdama #5, Gillingham #8, Jackson #10
Haters:
None
Voters:
30
Comments:
We reach the first one I voted for. I think it was No. 19 in 2008. They’re great at creating an coherent atmosphere with their songs, and there’s a lot of good stuff here. I still find it to be a little overrated, though. No. 75 (Rocky Raccoon)
The Rip (11), Machine Gun (11) (Henry)
Place in the 2008 poll: 4
Acclaimed Music 2000s rank: 29
AMF poll of 00's rank: 34
# 32
Jay-Z - The Blueprint
Score: 1412 points
Biggest fans:
sonofsamiam #1, Jonathon #5
Haters:
Henrik #98, Romain #97, Petri #95, Chris K. #91, Jonah #71/77
Voters:
29
Comments:
I actually like the Black Album better, but this one is great too and seems more singular in purpose. No. 46 (Rocky Raccoon)
Jay-Z is a great artist, and with the production of Kanye West, The Blueprint is an absolute tour-de-force. I'm sure I've listened to Renegade more than 20 times in the last couple of weeks. (Zorg)
Blueprint (Momma Loves Me) (11), The Ruler's Back (11.2), Izzo (H.O.V.A.) (11.2), Jigga That Nigga (11.3), Never Change (11.3) (Henry)
Place in the 2001 poll: 6
Acclaimed Music 2000s rank: 13
AMF poll of 00's rank: 31
# 31
Björk - Vespertine
Score: 1413 points
Biggest fans:
Moonbeam #1, Henrik #2, Romain #7, Tim E # 9, Honorio #9
Haters:
VanillaFire1000 #92
Voters:
30
Comments:
Like the cocoon of the second song on the album, a thick tangle of sweet-sounding music boxes, celestas and harps, sprinkled by electronic noises (those clicks and cuts so trendy then) and classical touches (strings and choirs) and crowned by the most intimate Björk vocals ever, wraps you up completely with its frozen warmth and leaves you lost into its beauty. (Honorio)
One of the best things about Bjork is that you never know what to expect when she releases a new album. She may not always succeed with what she's trying, but she's never standing still. This is one example of when she did succeed. No. 42 (Rocky Raccoon)
Harm of Will (11), Heirloom (11), Frosti (11.1), Sun In My Mouth (11.1), Pagan Poetry (11.1) (Henry)
Place in the 2001 poll: 4
Acclaimed Music 2000s rank: 50
AMF poll of 00's rank: 30
Hm. I expected College Dropout to do really well (The Kanye album that actually deserves some of its praise), but not Late Registration. That one is like the production style of Puff Daddy with the politics of Bono. (I like MBDTF way better than Late Registration.) And the idea that it's doing better than The Blueprint and Marshal Mathers...
Most of my favorites are still in. I'm pleasantly surprised to see XTRMNTR finish that high. Might have liked S-K and Ys to do a little better. Mostly good results so far.
Big surprise to see Bon Iver show up so soon, or maybe that's just wishful thinking on my part.
Super Furry Animals in the top 40 is the biggest surprise for me so far (and not in a bad way).
# 30
Kanye West - Late Registration
Score: 1416 points
Biggest fans:
Harold Wexler #7, sonofsamiam #7, Zorg #9
Haters:
BillAdama #99, Romain #96, SuperFurry #93, Henrik #92, Jackson #64/68
Voters:
29
Comments:
Almost as good as The College Dropout, but a couple of weaker tracks hold it back. No. 72 (Rocky Raccoon)
Gold Digger (11.1), Gone (11.4), Heard 'Em Say (11.4) (Henry)
Place in the 2005 poll: 6
Acclaimed Music 2000s rank: 54
AMF poll of 00's rank: 45
# 29
Antony and the Johnsons - I Am a Bird Now
Score: 1422 points
Biggest fans:
Nicolas #5, Petri #5, Romain #5
Haters:
Nassim #100, Chris K. #94, Slick #91, beefsupreme #76/76, Jackson #65/68
Voters:
34
Comments:
The aching throats of pre-rock divas like Edith Piaf or Billie Holiday and the decadence of the ladyboys of the Warhol Factory in the same person. (Honorio)
I had hope given the quality of the opener of this album but I really can not stand Antony's voice here. Falsetto is already often a drawback, but that much vibrato is moOoOoOoOoOore than I could stAaAaAaAaAaAaAaAnd. Just sing Antony, like in Hercules in Love Affair, and then I will find you awesome (Blind and Time Will really are !) (Nassim)
Intensly personal, you don't feel like there's any kind of filter between you and Antony's emotions. There's no doubt this is an acquired taste, but it's one I acquired on first listen. No. 35 (Rocky Raccoon)
Hope There's Someone (11.3), My Lady Story (11.5), For Today I Am A Boy (11.5), Man Is The Baby (11.5) (Henry)
Place in the 2005 poll: 2
Acclaimed Music 2000s rank: 19
AMF poll of 00's rank: 35
# 28
Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion
Score: 1430 points
Biggest fans:
Dan M #4, Chris K. #4, Evan #9
Haters:
Stephan #97, Michel #93, nicolas #91, John #91/91, Jackson #66/68, beefsupreme #71/76
Voters:
33
Comments:
I've tried numerous times to like this one better than I do, but I can't quite get over the hump with it. Although I think it's very good, I also think its variations on a theme get a little too samey after a while. But it is my favorite AC album. No. 59 (Rocky Raccoon)
My Girls (10), Brother Sport (11), Lion In a Coma (11), Summertime Clothes (11.2) (Henry)
Place in the 2009 poll: 2
Acclaimed Music 2000s rank: 8
AMF poll of 00's rank: 13
# 27
TV on the Radio - Return to Cookie Mountain
Score: 1473 points
Biggest fans:
Michel #6, Gillingham #9
Haters:
Nicolas #98
Voters:
33
Comments:
"I was a lover before this war." That phrase just seems to perfectly describe the mood of this album for me. I think the last couple of tracks are a little sub-par, but before that it's all brilliant. No. 40 (Rocky Raccoon)
Wolf Like Me (11), I Was a Lover (11.3), Playhouses () (Henry)
Place in the 2006 poll: 1
Acclaimed Music 2000s rank: 30
AMF poll of 00's rank: 19
# 26
Interpol - Turn On the Bright Lights
Score: 1473 points
Biggest fans:
Michel #4, Zorg #4, SuperFurry #9
Haters:
Midaso #98, Rocky Raccoon #96
Voters:
34
Comments:
I find it too derivative and gloomy to make any sort of connection. I like their second album, which I voted for, much better because they brighten up a bit and forge more of their own identity. No. 96 (Rocky Raccoon)
An album of such flow, it just feels like from the first guitars of "Untitled" to the close of "Leif Erikson" you've been on one amazing journey from the dirt of "Roland" to the calm of "PDA" to the longing of "Stella was a diver". Every song really holds its weight, which is why it manages to hold the lofty position of fourth on my list. (Zorg)
PDA (10), Untitled (11), NYC (11), Stella Was a Diver and She Was Always Down (11), Obstacle (11), (Henry)
Place in the 2002 poll: 5
Acclaimed Music 2000s rank: 24
AMF poll of 00's rank: 14
#1 of 2006 is out but we still have one album left from 2006.
Group of very interesting and different albums just missed top 20.
# 25
The xx - XX
Score: 1482 points
Biggest fans:
Henrik #5, Evan #10, Nassim #10
Haters:
None
Voters:
33
Comments:
Moonbeam once said that "it sounds like they've just discovered love for the first time and are confessing it in a hush as if it's some sacred secret", I would replace "love" by "80s" and it still got sense. (Honorio)
The heartbeat of a relationship is told on this subtly engrossing album. Sometimes it's too subtle, but I think that's partly the point. I just wish they'd let loose a couple of times. No. 54 (Rocky Raccoon)
Night Time (10), Crystalised (11), Intro (11), VCR (11.1), Infiinity (11.1) (Henry)
Place in the 2009 poll: 1
Acclaimed Music 2000s rank: 58
AMF poll of 00's rank: 51
# 24
The Avalanches - Since I Left You
Score: 1487 points
Biggest fans:
Jackson #1, Midaso #1, Nick #7, VanillaFire1000 #10
Haters:
None
Voters:
31
Comments:
It might be slightly overlong, but this is one of the most fantastic trip of the decade through a brand new world of wonder. Most sampling albums are either just directed toward the performance in the worst case and the fun in the best (for 2 Many DJ's and Girl Talk especially, who, as talented as they are technically, do not choose to brag through their music), but here it is something else, a patchwork living all by itself to create new tales and adventures. Favorite Song : Frontier Psychiatrist (Nassim)
Wholly unique. Maybe part of the reason they haven't released another album is because they don't want to repeat this one but can't think of a direction to go that would be as original. No. 44 (Rocky Raccoon)
Since I Left You (11.1), Frontier Pstchiatrist (11.5) (Henry)
Place in the 2000 poll: 4
Acclaimed Music 2000s rank: 44
AMF poll of 00's rank: 23
# 23
M.I.A. - Kala
Score: 1490 points
Biggest fans:
Chris #3, Rocky Raccoon #6, beefsupreme #9, Zorg #10
Haters:
None
Voters:
31
Comments:
The debut was great, and this is even better. What makes it better? Two things: the diversity of the songs as M.I.A. goes globe-trotting and finds inspiration in every corner of the world, and a little song called "Paper Planes." No. 6 (Rocky Raccoon)
Paper Planes (10), Jimmy (11), Boyz (11) (Henry)
Place in the 2007 poll: 5
Acclaimed Music 2000s rank: 26
AMF poll of 00's rank: 21
# 22
OutKast - Speakerboxxx / The Love Below
Score: 1545 points
Biggest fans:
Chris #2, Dan M #6, nicolas #6, Honorio #8, Harold Wexler #9
Haters:
Midaso #93
Voters:
31
Comments:
A double CD with two solo albums was the 2003 Outkast album. Big Boi stayed true to hip-hop with his "Speakerboxxx" but the real gem was André 3000's album "The Love Below", an adventurous journey through the best black music of the last decades, from Coltrane to Public Enemy, from Stevie Wonder to Prince but showcasing a strong personality of its own. (Honorio)
Favorite Song : years have passed, and despite all the chatter about the Love Below's creativity, genius and so, it is Speakerboxxx which rise as a masterpiece. Both have been topped, Big Boi making a wonderful Sir Luscious Left Food and Janelle Monae beating Andre3000 in the "new Prince" category, but Speakerboxxx already had all the qualities of the son of Chico Dusty, with brilliant verses (the Rooster), guests at their best (Flip Flop Rock) and samples from out of nowhere (Ghetto Musik) while the Love Below, aside from its 5 or 6 wonderful tracks (Hey Ya, Roses, Happy Valentine's Day, She Lives in my Laps...) has its loads of fillers and annoying skits. (Nassim)
Andre's side has the best songs, but Big Boi's side is more consistenly good. It was the hit that Stankonia deserved to be, but it deserves its props. No. 49 (Rocky Raccoon)
Hey Ya ( , The Way You Move (10) (Henry)
Place in the 2003 poll: 4
Acclaimed Music 2000s rank: 21
AMF poll of 00's rank: 26
# 21
The Knife - Silent Shout
Score: 1546 points
Biggest fans:
BillAdama #3, Nassim #4, Henrik #4, Michel #7, Jonah #8, Petri #8, Chris #8
Haters:
Rocky Raccoon #93
Voters:
32
Comments:
I will more or less repeat what I said in my review of the album (see here : http://www.indiepoprock.fr/review.php?id=2747 ), this album is a schizophrenic one : made for the brain as much as for the legs, ambitious but welcoming, catchy and eerie, strange but endearing... The more a song goes on, the more you can both feel a threat above your head and a need to dance. I don't know many albums where the music, in terms of melodies, choice of instruments and production tricks, fits the themes that much, Silent Shout is like a self-restrained scream, Forest Family builds up like an anger condemned to be suppressed, Na Na Na hides sheer madness and I'm pretty confident that most of the choices of the sounds of One Hit are very meaningful (I could develop on this one if needed). It does not keep most songs from being direct and catchy, Like a Pen could become your new workout track for instance. It is the catchiness of the melodies that matters most, and it is the best strength of this album, but it does not hurt that it has so many other qualities. Favorite Song : Silent Shout (Nassim)
I can hear why some people like this record, I'm just not one of them. Not bad, but not good. No. 93 (Rocky Raccoon)
. Silent Shout (10), We Share Our Mother's Health (11.1), Neverland (11.5), Forest Families (), Marble House () (Henry)
Place in the 2006 poll: 2
Acclaimed Music 2000s rank: 35
AMF poll of 00's rank: 18
Yes, this is where it gets interesting. Where we have gotten rid of all the samey indie rock stuff, ha ha.
Henry what is the meaning/scale of your ratings ? We were just wondering with Greg
Hope listening to all this indie stuff was too much of a trial
I realize I don't feel very involved in the 00s, well not in these 00s
This is probably the decade in which my tastes differ the most from the forum's
Wow, huge gap between #22 and #23. Biggest gap since the very beginning I think.
I completely agree with RockyRaccoon on Rings Around the World, did not get the appeal at all.
I also second his comment on Late Registration, Third and Return to Cookie Mountain.
About MPP, I really think it only is AC's third best album. It does not have the strange beauty of Feels nor the direct fun of Strawberry Jam for me.
And I could copy your comment about Silent Shout and use it about PJ (not just this album, her whole discography).
In fact, the albums were we don't agree are those I sent comments for
And I'm kinda jealous of some of your comments, you sell your opinion better than I do.
Petri, I sent a list of comments for the songs to your email. I hope it's not too late.
Henry, that is one weird scale!
What about the songs you haven't listed, are they always worse than the listed ones? If so, I now know for sure that this isn't your decade...
The College Dropout marks a shift in hip-hop culture, and for that fact might be the most influential album of the past decade. It also clocks in at 76 minutes, which is amazing because it doesn't feel anywhere near that long. Incredible debut, but not the highest-ranking debut on my list.
OK I think I release #13-#11 now. The gap between #13 and #12 is 0,03 points (by the way other of those albums was my #4 and other #96). After that there's huge jump.
The top 10 will be released tomorrow.
I think we have (at least) one surprise there.
Guessing thread is still open for guessing.
# 13
Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
Score: 1765 points
Biggest fans:
nicolas #1, Jonah #1, Midaso #3, Dan M #3, Gillingham #4, Petri #4, John #5, Miguel #5
Haters:
None
Voters:
35
Comments:
The folk revival of the New Weird America did not prepare us enough for this cascade of crystalline vocal harmonies and pure melodies. (Honorio)
They certainly have a sound all their own that manages to be rootsy and modern at the same time. All the songs stand out from one another, which, unfortunately can't be said for their followup. No. 52 (Rocky Raccoon)
Blue Ridge Mountains (11), Ragged Wood (11), Your Protector (11), White Winter Hymnal (11), Heard Them Stirring (11.1), Sun It Risis (11.1) (Henry)
Place in the 2008 poll: 1
Acclaimed Music 2000s rank: 22
AMF poll of 00's rank: 11
# 12
OutKast - Stankonia
Score: 1765 points
Biggest fans:
beefsupreme #1, sonofsamiam #4, Rocky Raccoon #4, Slick #6, Greg #6, Jonathon #6, Zorg #8, Henry #9
Haters:
Petri #96
Voters:
33
Comments:
The funkiest hip-hop album ever and one of it's most diverse. So full of great songs with a lot of variety that if you took out the interludes it would sound like a career-spanning "best of" collection. No. 4 (Rocky Raccoon)
Mrs. Jackson ( , B.O.B. (10), So Fresh, So Clean (11), Xplosion (11) (Henry)
Place in the 2000 poll: 2
Acclaimed Music 2000s rank: 11
AMF poll of 00's rank: 8
# 11
The White Stripes - White Blood Cells
Score: 1839 points
Biggest fans:
SuperFurry #1, Rocky Raccoon #1, , BillAdama #4, Schwah #7, Chris K #8, Nick #9, John #10, Henrik #10, beefsupreme #10
Haters:
Greg #82/83
Voters:
34
Comments:
Made from familiar parts, the music on White Blood Cells sounds fresh when the various styles are filtered together through the lense of one Jack White. He puts his own signature on these tracks, giving each one a distinct sound from each other and everything else out there. I like this one by a fraction over Elephant because I find it to be a little more original and it has a tinge of weirdness that gives it some tension and an edge. And it has "Fell in Love With a Girl" on it. It's one hell of a breakup album, too. No. 1 (Rocky Raccoon)
Fell In Love With a Girl (11), Hotel Yorba (11.4), Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground () (Henry)
Place in the 2001 poll: 2
Acclaimed Music 2000s rank: 15
AMF poll of 00's rank: 6
Rocky "All the songs stand out from one another, which, unfortunately can't be said for their followup. No. 52 (Rocky Raccoon) "
I DON'T AGREE AT ALL
Their new album is a string of excellent songs IMO. Just less surprising than the first, but once you get used to that idea, you rediscover it and it's a fucking good album.
Their music does something to me. Can't explain that. Like a girl. you feel
Great. Looking forward to the top 10 tomorrow.
My original guesses (Actual rank).
1. Arcade Fire - Funeral
2. Radiohead - Kid A
3. Sufjan Stevens - Illinois
4. Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
5. The Strokes - Is This It
6. The White Stripes - Elephant
7. LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver
8. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes (13)
9. Radiohead - In Rainbows
10. Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion (28)
11. The White Stripes - White Blood Cells (11)
Looks like the two that broke through are Flaming Lips and Beck. I would have put Flaming Lips at No. 12 in my guesses, so it doesn't surprise me, but Beck is a little bit of a surprise. I guess Animal Collective has a few more haters than I thought.
Wow I gave up on Stories from The City a long time ago but have been inundated with universal accolades for that album since. Better revisit it.
Aw come on no spoilers please there's a special thread just for that !!
Some people love surprises and Petri had even created that thread ogreat idea Btw but unfortunately ...)
I didn't look at ur post rocky but is it still time to take it down ? Please
Little surprised at the high placement of Vampire Weekend. I mean, it's okay. Nice, catchy indie pop. Just notably un-special.
Rocky R, what seems obvious to you is not to anybody
As a casual follower of this, I hadn't paid attention enoigh to know which albums were remaining that's all. Not a big deal anyway but you can't tell what everybody knows can you ?
Can someone explain to me why Stankonia and Speakerboxxx/Love Below are so popular on these forums when the, in my opinion, clearly superior ATLiens and Aquemini didn't even make it into the final 100 in the '90s? They're so much more imaginative albums and they're actually solid throughout, despite being rather lengthy as well, rather than inundated with filler material. Sure, the latter two have hits like Ms. Jackson, Hey Ya and B.O.B., but overall it seems to me the early two should easily be as acclaimed--if not more so.
I'm so happy to see these two albums on the top 10.
I feel that Sea Change becomes bigger and bigger with time.
Please, for those who love Sea Change, try to listen "l'Histoire de Melody Nelson" by Gainsbourg. Beck has always said he would be inspired by this album an you can hear that easily.
After these two we'll reach the club of +2000 points.
# 8
Radiohead - In Rainbows
Score: 1908 points
Biggest fans:
Gillingham #1, Dan M #2, Slick #5, Schwah #5, Evan #5, Chris K. #6, Henry #8, Romain #8, Petri #9
Haters:
Stephan #93, Miguel #45/46, Zorg #62/65
Voters:
34
Comments:
The ultimate grower album, not too impressive at first listen but revealing more edges, more power, more deepness and more desolation with every new spin. (Honorio)
Sure, it might be Radiohead less groundbreaking album. But sometimes it is great to see a great band playing in their comfort zone to give us what they do best : great pop/rock songs. (Nassim)
Radiohead just doing what they do. Hopefully not, but this might be their last great album. No. 38 (Rocky Raccoon)
Nude (10), Reckoner (10), 15 Step (11) (Henry)
Place in the 2007 poll: 1
Acclaimed Music 2000s rank: 7
AMF poll of 00's rank: 9
# 7
The White Stripes - Elephant
Score: 1912 points
Biggest fans:
Romain #2, BillAdama #2, Harold Wexler #3, Rocky Raccoon #5, Nick #6, SuperFurry #7, Jonathon #7, Slick #8, Dan M #8, beefsupreme #8, Honorio #10
Haters:
Greg #81/83
Voters:
34
Comments:
Many people used to think that it was impossible to innovate inside a style as rigid as garage rock before The White Stripes came and put the style upside down but fashionable again. And they did it with their minimalistic approach, with reverence to the blues roots but with enough audacity to break the mold and with the unique talents of Jack and Meg White (yes, Meg too). (Honorio)
From hard rock to acoustic folk and pop to dirty blues, Jack's just showing off at this point. A mammoth record as the title suggests. No. 5 (Rocky Raccoon)
Seven Nation Army (10) (Henry)
Place in the 2003 poll: 1
Acclaimed Music 2000s rank: 5
AMF poll of 00's rank: 10
Good for The White Stripes but my favourite album by them continues to be "Get Behind Me Satan".
I really don't know why a so little love for this album.
Not much conversation here. However the number of views have grown since I posted former results so I guess it's time to post again (of course it's possible that there are 2-3 people online who refresh the site every five minutes). Well here's for you at least.
This album was big favorite of mine when it was released and I voted for it the best album of it's year then. Somehow the magic of the album have decreased (or at least I don't have the need to listen to the album in it's whole anymore). It's still in the boundaries of my top 100 of decade (and of course in this poll rather high while many of my favorites didn't qualify).
Look's like many still find this to be one of the real top albums of the decade.
So... Is This It? No it's something else.
# 6
Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Score: 2017 points
Biggest fans:
Evan #1, Jonathon #1, Honorio #3, Harold Wexler #5, Nick #5, Chris K. #5, Jonah #7, Miguel #7, Midaso #7, John #9, Rocky Raccoon #10, BillAdama #10
Haters:
Tim E #51/53, Moonbeam #43/45
Voters:
35
Comments:
If there is an unwritten rule about a logical progression of introducing the arrangements, Wilco decided to ignore it. The first verse of the first song features drums and organ, the second acoustic guitar, the third a weird drum pattern and noises, the fourth shakers and autoharp, the fifth "normal" drumming and guitar and the sixth background noises. And why not? (Honorio)
It's the songs, and don't forget that. People make a big deal about the experimenting and soundscaping, but they're just trappings that embellish the songs rather than detract from them. Jeff Tweedy found the perfect balance here, and that's why the album itself is nearly perfect. No. 10 (Rocky Raccoon)
I Am Trying To Break Your Heart (10), Pot Kettle Back (11), Radio Cure (11), War On War (11), Jesus, Etc. (11), I'm the Man Who Loves You (11), Poor Places (11) (Henry)
Place in the 2002 poll: 1
Acclaimed Music 2000s rank: 4
AMF poll of 00's rank: 7
This must be the fastest poll rollout in AM history. Congrats, Petri.
The bulk of these results were predictable after the all-time albums poll, but a few surprises stand out. I would not have expected Queens of the Stone Age (my 13) to crack the top 20. This makes me even more surprised that Rated R, which is just as high-quality but less popular, didn't even crack the top 100.
Beck and Flaming Lips are pretty surprising top 10 selections. I'm always stunned at the love for Sea Change on here (I haven't seen it ranked as highly anywhere else I can remember). That album has always struck me as too intentionally sad to listen to and enjoy, but then again I love albums like Songs of Leonard Cohen and Rock Bottom.
Yoshimi is a pretty cool entry into the top 10, even though that album is always more uneven then I'd like it to be.
I could do without In Rainbows and Elephant in the top 10. Amnesiac and White Blood Cells are both significantly better than those albums.
The worst result so far? Untrue at 61. That album is a landmark in electronic music; it's hard to read a review of any act that doesn't use Untrue as a benchmark. That album does take some time to sink in though, so I understand why some might write it off.
But you guys don't have the same excuse for the low ranking of Xtrmntr. That album blew me away from first listen, and I still haven't heard much that's as extreme in sound yet tight in execution. Kill All Hippies, Swastika Eyes, Accelerator, and Shoot Speed/Kill Light do an amazing job at combining the appeal of rock and electronic music. That album is by far Primal Scream's best.
What do these numbers from Henry mean?
^
It's hard for me to say how pleased I am to see "Sound of Silver" in the top 5, and the highest 2007 album!
Being in the indie critical sphere doesn't necessarily make me think of something as 'indie music'.
To me 'indie' has the connotation of stripped down, noisy pop.
Sound of Silver has to be the most inconsistent album in the top 5 for me. Some of the songs are among the best of the decade (among the best of all time, even), but others I could do without. It's a difficult one to place for that reason.
The same goes for Illinois, which I think is a bit too long. Its high points are incredible, though.
In my mind, indie really isn't a genre any more than "classic rock" is a genre.
Fleet Foxes, LCD Soundsystem, The Black Keys, and Animal Collective are all "indie", but those four bands sound absolutely nothing alike.
Just in the same way that The Eagles, Black Sabbath, The Beatles, and Pink Floyd are all "classic rock" yet sound nothing alike.
When people say that indie bands get all the attention for this decade on this forum, I think what they really mean is "non-mainstream rock-esque music" gets all the attention.
The highest ranked album without a single #1 vote.
# 4
The Strokes - Is This It
Score: 2172 points
Biggest fans:
Evan #2, Nick #2, Jonah #2, Jonathon #4, Honorio #5,Tim E #6, Midaso #6, beefsupreme #7, Brad #7, Chris K. #7, Chris #7, nicolas #8, SuperFurry #8, Jackson #9, Rocky Raccoon #9, Moonbeam #9, Slick #10
Haters:
Gillingham #29/31
Voters:
35
Comments:
The cornerstone of the post-punk revival of the 00s, a band with the influences on the sleeve, basically the NYC scene from Velvet Underground to Television. But they were not merely a revival band, they invigorated the rock scene creating a fresh a vital sound with pop melodies sung with distorted vocals, sharp guitars and the ease and insolence of the twenty-something. (Honorio)
The album that helped save us from the nu-metal sludge that was threatening to take over the radio in the aftermath of the alternative revolution ushered in by Nevermind. Thank God! Their New York artistic pretentions and rough-edges rock approach made it sound like the Replacements and Velvet Underground had given birth and raised a child named the Strokes. No. 9 (Rocky Raccoon)
Modern Age (10), Hard to Explain (11), Someday (), Is This It (11.6) (Henry)
Place in the 2001 poll: 1
Acclaimed Music 2000s rank: 2
AMF poll of 00's rank: 4
BTW thanks for running this poll Petri
I'm happy about the Strokes position. Very good album. Simple, straight to the point album. Impressing debut.
Fleet Foxes out of the top 10 is a little disappointment but there are anti folk people here (and I don't blame them).
But Flaming Lips is a total mystery. Well it's not a bad record, but in the top 10 ?
As I'm lazy I'll quote a great RYM review (courtesy of musictoad who is an AMer too)
"Hey, you know those albums you buy because
a) the cover art looks cool
b) it's different and exciting to spontaneously try something new
c) it gets a lot of praise
d) why not?
And you know those albums that are disappointing because
a) the quirkiness loses effect over time
b) concept albums about a little girl fighting big robots, although cute, grow old
c) you realize that with few exceptions, most of the songs follow the same template and ultimately just float along and don't go anywhere and by the 8th track just before the monster hit single you're itching to turn the blasted thing off and put on something else, and then the monster hit single ends and the album goes back into lulling you to sleep
d) who knows?
(...) Ok, maybe I'm being a little harsh. It's a pretty decent album if I get past the tired quirkiness and listen to the great melodies and soundscapes."
and he gives a 3 star rating just like I did. Thanks musictoad I couldn't agree more
and I don't like the monster hit single, but "The Morning of The Magicians" is a fantastic song
PS : Sea Change is growing on me too.
And no Black Keys album in the final round really disappoints me. they're so much better than the White Stripes (i'm listening to their new album and it really kicks ass especially the second half)
Wow. I never would have thought that Chocolate Starfish and The Hot Dog Colored Water would end up in the top three.
Whoops, wrong thread. Sorry!
Seriously, though, I couldn't be more thrilled to see Sea Change in the top 10.
Great - and stunningly fast - job with the presentation, Petri!
Thanks guys for politeness.
I remember when Henrik presented the best songs and albums of 90's (in Janaury 2008). The whole show lasted only one weekend. That was fast pace and I liked a lot.
# 3
Radiohead - Kid A
Score: 2310 points
Biggest fans:
BillAdama #1, Chris K. #1 , Petri #2, Honorio #2, Jonathon #2, Nick #3, Gillingham #3, Jackson #4, Brad #4, Evan #4, Chris #5, Midaso #5, sonofsamiam #5, Harold Wexler #6, Henry #6, Henrik #8
Haters:
Nassim #94, Miguel #44/46
Voters:
35
Comments:
Seeing legions of bands mimicking every detail of its previous production (there's no need to name one, is there?), Radiohead were forced to find a completely new direction. And they found it in avant-garde, electronica and IDM, depicting a world ever weirder, stranger and more alienated than the world they showed in "OK Computer". And that’s saying a lot. (Honorio)
It is brilliant, even if I find it the tiniest bit overrated. The only slight qualm I have is that I'm not always in the mood to listen to it. But when I am in the right mood, I can get completely lost in its soundscapes. No. 11 (Rocky Raccoon)
Everything in its Right Place (10), Morning Bell (11), Motion Picture Soundtrack (11), The National Anthem (11), Optimistic (11) (Henry)
Place in the 2000 poll: 1
Acclaimed Music 2000s rank: 3
AMF poll of 00's rank: 1
Wow, looks like I messed up my votes...
My 94 should be Hail to the Thief, Kid A should be my #36
Wow, that was a surprise! And if Illinois can beat Kid A it could just as well go all the way!
Ah yes that was Illinois. i was wondering who was left
but Arcade F looks untouchable. I'd be very pleased too if it was Sufjan S cause I love that album
I mean, there's a difference between the scratchy lo-fi like Elliot Smith and more crafted and produced alternative rock like The National, but these are both lumped into the general category 'indie'.
Great to see Illinois at #2.
Is This It, out of all the albums, is the one where there's the biggest drop between the amount I liked it when it came out and the amount I like it now. It's a fun album with some good songs but the more you listen to them, the less they stand out.
# 2
Sufjan Stevens - Illinois
Score: 2338 points
Biggest fans:
Miguel #1, Henry #1, Henrik #1, Michel #1, nicolas #2, Midaso #4, Harold Wexler #4, Honorio #4, Dan M #5, Nassim #6, BillAdama #6, John #6, VanillaFire1000 #6, Gillingham #7, Moonbeam #7, sonofsamiam #8, Jonathon #8, Stephan #9, Nick #9, Jonah #9
Haters:
Beefsupreme #74/76
Voters:
35
Comments:
Ambition is a word that falls short to describe Sufjan's attitude. His concept albums about the USA States displayed amazingly well-documented lyrics keeping a confessional tone and a meticulously detailed and rich instrumentation keeping a lo-fi feeling. Seven lives are not enough for Sufjan to complete his set of States albums maintaining the level of "Illinoise". (Honorio)
I regard the 6 albums I have put on top of my list as as close to perfection as you can get, Illinoise is the longuest of them (and of my top 20 albums of all time), achieving such a constant level of awesomeness through more than an hour is an incredible feat. Forget the concept, the 50-state bullshit and listen to how those songs are able to deeply convey all kind of feelings, from sheer joy to deep sadness. Favorite Song : the Predatory Wasp of the Palisades is Out to Get Us (Nassim)
It's great, and although I don't rank it as highly as the critics or as highly as this forum, I can certainly understand why it's so highly thought of. For me, as great as it is, it's not quite great enough to sustain its over-long running time. No. 39 (Rocky Raccoon)
Chicago (5), John Wayne Gacy, Jr. ( , Casimir Pulaski Day (11), Come On! Feel the Illinoise! (11), Jacksonville (11), The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is Out To Get Us! (11), They Are Night Zombies!! (11) (Henry)
Place in the 2005 poll: 1
Acclaimed Music 2000s rank: 6
AMF poll of 00's rank: 3
# 1
Arcade Fire - Funeral
Score: 2597 points
Biggest fans:
VanillaFire1000 #1, John #1, Petri #1, Slick #1, Dan M #1
Nassim #2, Midaso #2, Schwah #2, Henry #2, Harold Wexler #2, Chris K. #3, Jonathon #3, Jonah #4, Romain #4, Nick #4, Evan #6, Miguel #6, Brad #6, Zorg #6, Chris #6, Gillingham #6, Jackson #8, Moonbeam #8, Stephan #10, nicolas #10
Haters:
None
Voters:
35
Comments:
The album that brought back the power, the heart, the boldness and the emotion to these ice-cold times, conquering first the indie audiences and then the world. (Honorio)
Favorite Song : Wake Up (Nassim)
Grandiosly emotional in every way, from the dramatic music to the sensitive subject matter. It's hard to believe this is a debut, because it's the sound of a band fully formed. No. 22 (Rocky Raccoon)
Aside from the holy trinity of "Neighborhood 1", "Wake Up" and "Rebellion (Lies)", there are seven other amazing songs on this album, the pick of which in my opinion is "In The Backseat", where Regine is given full rein to just FLY. And fly she does, it really captures the feel of the whole album, coming to terms with losing loved ones. (Zorg)
Rebellion (Lies) (9), Wake Up (10), In the Back Seat (11), Neighborhood #3 (Power Out) (11), Une Annee Sans Lumiere (11), Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels) (11) (Henry)
Place in the 2004 poll: 1
Acclaimed Music 2000s rank: 1
AMF poll of 00's rank: 2
Congrats, Petri, for an excellent (and quick!) thread. Sadly I (almost) missed the results live because (as always) of too much work. But anyway here I am, just in time for the final results!!
Superb presentation, Petri. Sadly the albums covers are slightly blurred. I suppose you are using the RYM covers. But the problem with RYM it is that the only way to get the focused cover arts are if you use the codes on the page but in this case the image is small. That's why when I did the 60s poll I clicked on “View cover art”, then downloaded the cover art to my computer, then I uploaded it on Photobucket and finally linked it to the forum. Anyway I don't want to be picky, you did a wonderful job.
The comments were great, and especially I wanted to point (like others did it before) the effort of Rocky Raccoon on commenting every album.
About the results congratulations again for a wonderful list. I'm particularly glad to see the good rating of "Yoshimi", getting into a well deserved Top 10. Despite the attacks of our beloved French friends I think it's a great album especially for its originality and, yes, positivity. I expected "Kid A" as the final winner (by the way, Miguel, you put the complete Radiohead discography at the bottom of your list, am I right?). But I can't complain about the Top 10 in fact, every album was in my Top 20 except "Sound of Silver".
Not just a win, a blowout! I don't think anyone will have a problem with Funeral at #1, and that might be the difference between it and the other contenders: no haters.
Great and quick show, Petri! Looking forward to the songs.
Wow, 25 (out of 35) voters had Funeral on their Top 10. I was one of the other 10 (although it was my #12)
Thanks for the show, Petri! It may not be all-time fastest show but I think it is the first presentation without a single error!
In fact, all the polls we've had through the years have been great. They've never got out of hand of the person who've run them, which is quite a feat. Especially the decade polls which run through a whole year require a lot of dedication. Thanks again!
Thanks a lot Petri!
I'm afraid I was the voter with the least number of albums ranked. Well, I guess in some way that makes me lucky.
Thanks again guys. The show of songs will start at earliest in sunday but probably I don't have time before monday.
Hooray for Sound of Silver in the top 5 and Illinois beating out Kid A!
Thanks, Petri, for this outstanding presentation!
Loving the results (mostly because Radiohead isn't dominating the list). Great work Petri.
It seems like just yesterday the 60's poll ended (wait...It did end yesterday). I'm only kidding, Honorio.
Honorio, you certainly don't have to make any excuses. Your presentation was filled with so much interesting info that it was always worth the wait.
I love the World Cup too, and I apologize Stephan that I haven't voted in the last weeks. I have spent all the time on adding new critics' lists to my spreadsheets, I hope you don't blame me for that.
Petri, thanks for hosting the 00s poll. Great show!
Congratulations to Arcade Fire and Petri, both came out on top of this poll. Nice work, and now it's on to the '90s. Spoiler alert: Radiohead is going to win. Sorry if I ruined the surprise, everyone.
I'm a bit busy so I will start the songs results thread at earliest in about 6-7 hours.
I've added comments from Honorio, Nassim, Moonbeam, Depeche Mode, Evan and Stephan.
Please inform if someone else commented the songs.
I totally missed that this started and I got to view it all in one shot! The list looks great!
I only ranked 45, but the correlation between my placements and the final list is only a whoppingly insignificant 0.015.
Thanks again Petri sorry for the confusion.
I didn't make comments so I chose 3 that best reflect my thoughts:
Saturdays=Youth:
good job though, Pet.
I'm gonna tackle The White Stripes - White Blood Cells. The first thing I noticed about it is its simplicity. There is almost nothing to the songs - it really is simply drums, guitar and voice, and that raw sound really appeals to me. It's a pretty aggressive album - take the sneer with which Jack White says "Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground" in the first song, and it does that Pixies thing of going loud-soft-loud-soft which I find quite exhilarating. It really is a loud album at times.
But this only serves to make the good parts better - those are the songs which slow down a little bit, a bit more thoughtful, a bit more poignant. We're Going To Be Friends, and the last three songs in particular. Add to that mix the sheer fun of songs like Fell In Love With A Girl, Hotel Yorba etc, and you find that the album really packs a lot of punch in 40 minutes.
Oh and I forgot to mention Jack White's guitaring. While I'm not one to enjoy guitar solos, because they always feel like forced posturing, Jack White is another matter. His guitar solos sound like I'M GOING TO SLAY YOUR CHILDREN aggressive, and it sure is impressive.