End of the Naughts

This December will mark the end of the naughts. The first ten years of the 2000's - and with that will come a lot of 'albums of the decade' lists. I thought I would try to start mine now - and see how it changes in the next two months. I've been reading the lists on Pitchfork and talking about bands and albums with friends at work. A lot of crazy things happened with music in the naughts ("naughties" according to Eddie Argos from Art Brut). Lots of genre-bending / genre-crossing / dancepunk / indie music becoming mainstream, etc. Here's where my list stands as of now. It's my top 20 of the naughts, or:
My Naughty Twenty
20) Doves - Lost Souls (2000) At the time I heard Doves, I was coming out of a ten year nothing-but-punk-or-emo-music phase. I had just left college and moved into the world on my own and was getting introduced to all sorts of new things on a daily basis. Doves opened me up to texture and layers and interesting sounds that weren't (necessarily) made by just a guitar, drums and bass. This album is responsible for getting me to appreciate music that isn't full of teen angst.
19) We Ragazzi - the Ache (2002) This is one that will most likely not appear on too many 'best of' lists - and it's a shame. Perhaps I was in the right frame of mind when this was released. It's dirty and sexy make out music. I'm sure most people would be too annoyed by Tony Rolando's voice to be in a make out mood, but not me. This is a unique album all about the drrrty, sxxxy side of love.
18) Cursive - Domestica (2000) Remember when I said I was listening to a lot of emo / punk rock in the 90's? Here's the tail end of it. I still listen to Domestica a fair amount and I enjoy it quite a bit. Sure, it's full of emo and breakdown comfort at every turn... but for some reason I love it as I continue on into adulthood.
17) Iron & Wine - Our Endless Numbered Days (2004) Sam Beam knows a lot about hushed, emotionally driven acoustic indie rock. Sure he may be a religious dude from Florida who sings (sometimes cryptically, sometimes right in your face) about the lord, but goddamn it's beautiful. There are moments on this album that bring me to tears.
16) the National - Alligator (2005) I was late to The National game. They were forced on me all over 2006 and I turned my head. It wasn't really until two years ago that I started getting into them. Then I was reminded of how good they were thanks to a friend's recommendation (thanks, Noah). This album has a lot going on with it and I love every minute of it.
15) Blonde Redhead - the Melody of Certain Damaged Lemons (2000) I probably have way more Touch & Go releases on my decade-end list than I should, but I can't help it. I interned at the T&G offices one summer in Chicago and I really love the label. Blonde Redhead (and specifically this album) sound like no other band out there. A pair of french twins and an asian girl making weird melancholy pop? I will take it keep it with me forever.
14) LCD Soundsystem - LCD Soundsystem (2005) That's right indie-kids. Dance it up. Don't be afraid to move. James Murphy gave the kids the what-for in 2005 with this dance album (and everything else he does for/with DFA). I remember hearing "Daft Punk Is Playing At My House" for the first time and having to find that song immediately.
13) Radiohead - Kid A (2000) This one will be near the top of everyone's list... and it's deserved.
12) Sufjan Stevens - Illinois (2005) Come on Feel the Illinoise.
11) Ted Leo & the Pharmacists - Hearts of Oak (2003) I saw Ted Leo a total of 4 times in 2003, in 3 different states. None of the trips were planned around seeing him, it just seemed like I kept running in to him. He is a great guy and Hearts of Oak is a perfect TL/Rx album. I will always have fond memories of this album and the summer of 2003.
10) Spoon - Girls Can Tell (2001) I was working for a record promotions company in 2001 - trolling the internet and posting about bands while listening to internet radio when "Lines In The Suit" came on. I immediately stopped everything to find out what it was. I quickly convinced a couple guys in the office to make a record store run. We all got in my green escort and took a trip to Reckless Records (followed by a Chipotle lunch) and I picked up Girls Can Tell. It was my introduction to Spoon. I soon discovered my neighbor also loved Spoon and he told me the history of the band and all their major label hoo-ha they went through. Every song on this album is perfect and they all fit together.
09) Dirty Projectors - Rise Above (2007) Great concept. Great harmonies. Great band.
08) Decemberists - Castaways & Cutouts (2002) This album and the 5 song EP that came out just before it began a two year crush on the Decemberists. I saw them at Schubas in Chicago four times. Schubas is tiny and they were incredible there. I have grown apart from this band over their past two albums, but I will never be able to deny my obsession with them because of this album. I never thought indie booknerds could make such amazing music!
07) Modest Mouse - the Moon and Antarctica (2000) If you are ever in a place where you're thinking about life and questioning everything, I'd recommend listening to this album. It won't give you any answers, but it will sure give you a darker, more fucked up perspective on the world and life in general. It's dark and lovely.
06) TV on the Radio - Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes (2004) These guys have grown so big in the past five years, it's pretty incredible. I never would have predicted that this band would become America's Sweetheart. The weird sequencing and drum machine beats with falsetto harmonies and strange yelps..? I don't understand how the music they create can be so good, but it is!
05) Interpol - Turn On The Bright Lights (2002) the modern day Joy Division released this masterpiece to a bunch of acclaim in 2002, landing them a good spot in the public eye. They have yet to get back to this particular sound, but this album (and the 'Specialist' B-side) are the best.
04) the Black Heart Procession - Amore del Tropico (2002) Dark and spooky tales of woe. Relationships are hard and the Black Heart Procession have created a soundtrack for your heartbreak. Yet another T&G band that I love. This concept album impresses me each time I listen to it. I don't know why more people don't love it as much as I do. Everyone else is just stupid, I guess...
03) Arcade Fire - Funeral (2004) I don't know if you have heard of these guys, but they're Canadian and they make music.
02) Andrew Bird & the Mysterious Production of Eggs (2005) This album was my number one in 2005 and it still holds up. Even though it has become a coffeehouse staple (it seems every time I spend more than fifteen minutes in any coffeehouse, Andrew Bird inevitably begins to play). Violins, whistling and creative lyrics make this wonderful album so damn good.
01) Grizzly Bear - Yellow House (2006) It should be no surprise to anyone who knows me that this album is my number one of the decade. It didn't make it on my top ten list of 2006 because I didn't hear it until January of 2007, but I have listened to it (most of the time in its entirety) at least twice a month since first hearing it. It is a gorgeous album of layered chamber pop perfection.

Naughts 09 Mix