Archive for the 'rooney' Category
THE TOP 15 ALBUMS OF THE 2000s
1999’s boy band infestation and the pop explosion infiltrated the 2000s with full force. Groups like ‘NSYNC and Destiny’s Child were at the top of the charts at the beginning of 2000, but luckily, this pop trend began to lose steam and just like anything else, what goes up must come down.
I decided to allow only one album from each band. This rule was put in place to insure the list wouldn’t get stale. 2 or 3 albums from the same band is boring. I want people to read these lists and see not only albums they haven’t heard, but bands they’ve never listened to.
Every album on this list is incredible. I will be giving you the best 2 songs from the album so you know where to start. If you haven’t heard an album from this list, get the songs I recommend. You will not be disappointed.
Oh and I’m not one of those list makers who puts albums on a list because everyone else likes them. For example, I think Wilco is overrated. So is Radiohead (sorry).
THE TOP 15 ALBUMS
OF THE 2000s
(As of July 2008)
15. TOOL
10,000 Days
Best Songs: “Vicarious“, “The Pot“
TOOL is known for their excellent instrumentation, unique time signatures, and great vocals from lead singer Maynard James Kennan and nothing has changed on this album. TOOL’s first studio album in 5 years does not disappoint.
14. Muse
Absolution
Best Songs: “Apocalypse Please,” “Hysteria“
British rockers, Muse, have a unique and sonically wide sound. When you listen to this album with headphones you feel like you are literally inside of the music. This album is epic.
13. Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift
Best Songs: “Our Song”, “Should’ve Said No”
I know what you’re thinking. “Taylor Swift…really…?” Yes, really. You have to take into account what this album has become and how young she was (16) when it was made. She is the FIRST female country artist to have written or co-written every song on a Platinum-selling album. Show some respect…
12. Third Eye Blind
Out of The Vein
Best Songs: “Crystal Baller“, “Good Man“
The best song on this album is the last song. There are a lot of albums that are this way and I have no idea why (Taylor Swift’s album as well). Third Eye Blind is one of the best rock bands of my time and they have never swayed from their mid-90s alternative rock sound.
11. The Avett Brothers
Four Thieves Gone
Best Songs: “Denouncing November“, “Famous Flower of Manhattan“
The best band of the 2000s. This album is Folk/Bluegrass perfection. Not every song is The Avett’s at their best, but there are so many great songs on this album. The Avett Brothers are what Old Crow Medicine Show wishes they were…
10. System of A Down
Toxicity
Best Songs: “Science“, “Toxicity“
I saw System of A Down open for Limp Bizkit (yes, Limp Bizkit, sue me) in 1999 and knew that they were going to take the Hard Rock genre by storm. This album kicks your ass and leaves you begging for more. Serj Tankian is an incredible vocalist.
9. Rooney
Rooney
Best Songs: “If It Were Up To Me,” “Simply Because“
Every song on this album is Pop-Rock perfection. These guys are swell. I think they were like 19 when they recorded this album? Anyways, it’s outstanding. Every…single….song. It was hard to pick the best two.
8. Cory Branan
The Hell You Say
Best Songs: “Tame“, “Crush“
As noted in a previous post, “Top 5 Bands You’ve Never Heard Of”, Cory Branan is the best singer/songwriter of my generation. This album has a great folk/rock/singer-songwriter/country vibe and some of the best lyrics I’ve ever heard.
7. Lucero
Tennessee
Best Songs: “Slow Dancing“, “Chain Link Fence“
Country-Alternative-Rock. Ben Nichols is the best out there. His voice takes some getting used to and upon first listen you will want to offer him some decongestants, but once you realize the greatness of this band … you’ll be happy you did. If you are thinking about starting a country rock band, listen to this album first.
6. Ryan Adams
Easy Tiger
Best Songs: “Two“, “Pearls On A String“
Ryan Adams is one of those artist that if you haven’t listened to his catalogue you don’t really know what he’s about. He has many different types of songs. If you have never listened to him, get this album. It’s very very very good. From the beginning to the end.
5. Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova
Once Soundtrack
Best Songs: “Falling Slowly,” “When Your Mind’s Made Up“
“Falling Slowly” won an Oscar for best song. It was 100% deserving. This album is beautiful. Their two voices blend together amazingly.
4. Foo Fighters
Echoes, Silence, Patience, & Grace
Best Songs: “Summer’s End“, “The Pretender“
Let’s put this album in perspective: 6 of the 12 songs are in my iTunes Top 25 Most Played Songs. So good. It is the best Foo Fighters‘ effort, hands down.
3. Arctic Monkeys
Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not
Best Songs: “From The Ritz To The Rubble“, “A Certain Romance“
The best British invasion since The Beatles. This album came out of nowhere in 2005, just when all of the Fallout Boys of the world were beginning to fade out. Their follow up album, Favourite Worst Nightmare would be on this list, but I had to choose one or the other.
2. Rage Against The Machine
Renegades
Best Songs: “Pistol Grip Pump“, “Microphone Fiend“
This is the only all cover songs album I ever listen to. They did an amazing job of taking great songs and making them even better. Each song they made their own. Everything Rage touches turns to gold.
1. Ben Folds
Rockin’ The Suburbs
Best Songs: “Not The Same“, “Fred Jones Pt.2“
I bought this album the first day it hit stores. Not only the day the best album of the 2000s was released, but also September 11, 2001. A terrible day, but this album is a happy, fun, and exceptional piece of music. Ben Folds’s best work.
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