15. The Organ- Grab That Gun-2004
The Organ and their only album, Grab That Gun, can aptly be described as a female version of the Smiths. They are dark, moody, brooding, depressed, and really good at it. But for such a macabre album, its refreshingly faced paced. The group uses every instrument they can, guitar, base, organ, even the lead singer's- who's name I can't recall- own voice to propel the songs at speeds many of their contemporaries wouldn't attempt. In the case of this album, its many strengths are obvious and apparent The lead vocal's stoic, almost monotone voice, gives the songs a cold tone and makes it all the more engrossing on the few occasions when she comes out of her shell and forces out just a few wailing words. The groups titular instrument is used to full effect here giving every song a great sense of atmosphere and ambiance. What's particularly interesting about the album is how much of its anxiety and existential malaise is oriented around the concept of living in the city and the effects of an urbanized life. Wondering around malls, looking at street lights, memorizing the city. As a result the theme matches the tone perfectly, which is not only rare but extremely compelling. Special attention should be payed to the opening track, “Brother”; an excellent blend of the groups instrumental and vocal talent, with a strikingly ominous beat.
Best Tracks- Brother, Steven Smith, Basement Band Song
14. The Raconteurs- Consolers of the Lonely- 2008
Finally Jack White had a big band to go with his big ideas. Yes, there was Broken Boy Soldiers, but I thought that was a little hit and miss. But with Consolers, Jack was able to make the densely layered music that you can't do to much extent with just a drum set and guitar. It's not just Jack's influence at work here as Brendon Benson also lends great vocals and his own unique musical talents. Here we hear roaring fun interplay between multiple guitars, some excessively complicated and impressive solos, mesmerizing piano tracks, all sorts of great additions like banjos, fiddles, I don't know what else. There's playful tunes like “Hold Up”, tracks to really bang your head to like “Salute Your Solution”, and real old time classics like “You Don't Understand Me” and “The Switch and the Spur”. The high point, as most people will no doubt agree is the last track, “Carolina Drama”. Rarely do you hear such an expertly crafted story in song, with an epic climax to close of the album.
Best Tracks- Consolers of the Lonely, You Don't Understand Me, Carolina Drama
13. TV on the Radio- Dear Science- 2008
TV on the Radio is a group that always seems to capture the best of whatever genre it is they're approaching, and in Dear Science, they approach a lot of genres. Rock, funk, hip hop, blues, pop and more are well represented here. Everything they do here, they do so well. The sweeping encompassing horn section that's blended in with the high pitch keyboards at the end of “Crying” come to mind, as do the pulsating low humming guitars at the end of “Halfway Home” (which was just about my favorite track of 2008) What I think is great in particular about this album is every song seems to be crafted with as much content as possible, there is no minimalist approach here. There's so much to hear in each track that you'll never pick it all up in the first few listenings. But its so carefully and meticulously produced that none of it seems cluttered, all the sounds are put together perfectly and complement each other. As always Tunde Adebimpe is a terrific front man. He can transition from a deep brooding voice to full on falsetto in a single beat and seem completely natural and not at all forced at all times. He has an excellent ear for his own pacing as well, always moving forward at the exact right tempo, weather it be at a somewhat leisurely pace in “Lover's Day”, spitting out words as fast as he can in “Dancing Choose”, or becoming subtly but perpetually faster in “DLZ”. I also appreciated that there is obviously a lot of social and political rhetoric at work here, but they don't beat you over the head with it; they're smart enough to make sure whatever message they might have be secondary to just making really good music.
Best Tracks- Halfway Home, Crying, Dancing Choose
12. Animal Collective- Merriweather Post Pavilion- 2009
If there was ever an album that had to grow on me, this was it. I was not a fan of Merriweather at first. It seemed too abstract, I couldn't identify and discernible melodies or musical points of reference. So many of the songs seemed obstructed by a wall of white noise and background noise. But all you have to do is keep at it, and once you get a sense for Animal Collective's distinct approach to music you see how incredibly layered and creative the songs of this album are. Merriweather strikes a balance of mystery and wonder- with the through the rabbit hole like opening of “In the Flowers” and zany african vibe of “Lion in a Coma”, with comfort and nostalgia- like the soothing twinkling close of “Daily Routine”, and the simple pleasures of a sunny day in “Summertime Clothes”. Then there is “My Girls”, my favorite song of 2009. The sound crafted here is so encompassing and grandiose that it would be almost overwhelming were it not for the fact that Panda Bear's and Avey Tare's voices are so hypnoticly relaxing. It's a song that came out at the exact right time; in a moment when everyone was freaking out about their life of luxury dieing out along with the economy, Panda Bear only needs a roof over his family to be content. If you listened to this album and didn't like it, you should really try it again. Rather than working within the boundaries of the medium, Merriweather broadens the definition of what music can be.
Best Tracks- My Girls, Summertime Clothes, Lion in a Coma, Brother Sport
11. Radiohead- In Rainbows- 2007
My own responses to In Rainbows make it the hardest of Radiohead' LPs to classify or even describe. It's not as thematicly consistent as Hail to the Thief, it's not as game changing as Kid A was, nor was it as grandiose and ambitious as OK Computer was. Does that make it a more down to earth and ordinary album like The Bends. I don't think so. For all the merits The Bends had, it was made at a time when Radiohead approached rock music in fairly conventional ways. In Rainbows might be a way point in between The Bends and Kid A, but that doesn't really do it justice. Here we have a band that has attempted so many different things in music and with this album they appear to be searching for balance as opposed to the next big thing; and they come off as very successful in it. Thom Yorke and crew carry on with a sense of confidence and resolve that has been somewhat overshadowed by reclusiveness and anger in the past. Best of all In Rainbows is an album that you can tell the whole group really contributed to. This is not to say that Yorke has hijacked the creative process in the past, but this is more of an ensemble oriented album. Obviously so much of this is done in the process of post production but the aspect of band playing together (even if it was recorded one instrument at a time) really shines through; drums piano and guitar out shining the more computerized parts of the Radiohead aesthetic more often than recent albums have allowed. Still, the more unconventional music they are known for is very much present and terrific, the bluesy mashup of keyboard and drums in “15 Step”, the Boards of Canada influenced “All I Need”, the simple and haunting “Videotape”. I don't think I did a very good job of describing what this album is like, but I still absolutely recommend it
Best Tracks- 15 Step, Bodysnatchers, Videotape
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