This Decade’s Top Ten Albums

Here’s my top ten albums of this decade along with some explanation as to why I love them so much.

1. (2009) Merriweather Post Pavilion – Animal Collective — I got album right after it came out in the winter and didn’t know what to think of it. This was my first introduction to a new kind of music and it was just magical. I love this album, and I always will. I remember sitting in my CISCO class and starring at the cover and just thinking, “Wow, this is crazy”. This is, in my opinion, the ‘poppiest’ album from the group, and it surely captured my musical taste. Though Strawberry Jam is a close second to this album in the Animal Collective book, MPP wins.

2. (2007) Hold On Now, Youngster- Los Campesinos! — How do I explain my feelings for this? It is the happiest/saddest albums ever. I love Gareth’s voice to death. I first “discovered” LC! while searching for bands similar to Vampire Weekend, and was soon very impressed. Actually, I think LC! trumped VW instantly. When I heard Gareth sing “Father Furer, Don’t be mad at me”, I know i had found a good album. I run to this a lot, and it always pushes me a little. So happy, yet so sad. I can’t wait for Romance is Boring!

3. (2005) Howl Howl Gaff Gaff- Shout Out Louds– I hate to admit it, but I found out about these guys through Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist. I used to play this endlessly over the summer. I love the singer’s voice. It’s sad, and hopeful at the same time. I remember listening to it and feeling like Adam understood my troubles. Yes Adam, it has to be at least 100 degrees in my room!

4. (2005) I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning Bright Eyes- Bright Eyes is one of my favorite bands ever, and I think they always will be. This is going to be the longest explanation yet just because of that. My mother and I bought this album and Digital Ash Digital Urn (Great album name) for my brother when it came out. I remember listening to Haligh Haligh…, Something Vague, and Going for the Gold off of some internet website when I was in 8th grade and loving it. Now, as a near-nonteenager I feel understand the lyrics and the suffering. As for the actual album, I used to love Road to Joy and Poison Oak (I still do, actually). There’s something in Conor Oberst’s voice that reminds me of good times. This may be good times with people, or just a general sense of peace. It’s quite funny because I remember singing Land Locked Blues while I mowed the lawn and trying to figure out the chords to Lua. Bright Eyes was my first musical love, and this album will always be played until I die. “I could have been a famous singer if I had someone else’s voice.”

5. (2003) Give Up- The Postal Service– Beautiful. That’s the only word I’d use to describe this one. Dntel+Ben Gibbard= Music Magic. One again this is a Download.com band, and once again I was in 8th grade when I first listened to The District Sleeps Alone Tonight. It’s funny that I like Give Up just a little but better than any Death Cab For Cutie CD. I did Nothing Better as a school recital for a final, that’s how much I loved that song, even though it wasn’t really Jenny Lewis.

6. (2009) Manners-Passion Pit– I never gave Passion Pit a chance until earlier this year, but I’m glad I did. When ever I need a pick-me-up, Manners comes in. I love every single song on this album. What a great first effort from PP! I think I first heard about Manners through pitchfork.com.

7. (2003) Reconstruction Site- The Weakerthans– I don’t know how many mixes I’ve put The Reasons on, maybe one hundred. John K. Samson is a supreme songwriter and it really shows through on their third attempt. This can be seen in the sonnets and the actually songs. “I hate Winnipeg.”

8. (2007) The Broken String- Bishop Allen– This is another N&N band. Not only are these guys good musicians, but they do some good acting. I used to, and still do, think Justin Rice is once cool person.

9. (2008) Vampire Weekend-Vampire Weekend– I put VW, LC! and BA all together in pool of pop bands that I really love. I listened to this album when I was a junior in High school and I remember really liking it. The one thing that set Vampire Weekend apart from others were their use of orchestral instruments in their songs.

10. (2004) Funeral- Arcade Fire– This was, if I remember correctly, one of the first “indie” bands I started to listen to. I can recall the order of the cd being mixed up and listening to “In the Back Seat” first. That was just silly.

Some Honorable Mentions: (2007) The Flying Cup-Beirut, (2005) Silent Alarm-Bloc Party, (2002) Turn On The Bright Lights-Interpol, (2005) Illinois-Sufjan Stevens, (2002) Yankee Hotel Foxtrot- Wilco