10. Sonic Youth – The Eternal
SY’s first album after leaving Geffen, The Eternal fits squarely in the middle of their catalogue. It’s not up to par with their classic albums, but is solid from front to back, ending with one of the most dreamy songs they have ever done, “Massage the History.” The Eternal isn’t much of a departure for the band, but a solid Sonic Youth album is still better than a lot of what’s out there.
9. The Horrors – Primary Colours
More accessible than Strange House, Primary Colours is the album that got the Horrors opening for Nine Inch Nails and a guest spot on the next Gorillaz record. Part goth, part shoegaze, Primary Colours is a moody, atmospheric gem of an album.
8. Dinosaur Jr. – Farm
Between this and 2007’s Beyond, Dino Jr. is enjoying quite the renaissance more than twenty years after their debut record. Catchy while remaining gritty, some of Farm’s best moments come when they decide to take the listener for a ride (see the superb “I Don’t Wanna Go There”). Much like Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr. have aged much better than many of their more famous contemporaries. Maybe that lack of mainstream fame is what have kept them sounding good all these years.
7. Fuck Buttons – Tarot Sport
While not as immediately intimidating or dense as last year’s Street Horrsing, Tarot Sport is equally as impressive. That’s not to say that this is an easy listen, because it’s not. But Tarot Sport had me doing something that I never thought I would listening to a Fuck Buttons album: nodding my head and wanting to dance.
6. Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavillion
What’s left to say about this that hasn’t already been said? This is Animal Collective’s game changer, by far their most accessible, but at the same time, best, album. While I don’t agree with all of the “second coming” type praise that has been bestowed upon it, Merriweather is a damn good album and begins to solidify Animal Collective’s legacy as one of the most interesting and unique bands of the last decade.
5. P.O.S. – Never Better
Promise of Skill. Piece of Shit. Whatever you think P.O.S. may stand for, his raw talent isn’t up for debate. For someone who started off as a member of a punk collective, it really says something that he is in the upper echelon of rappers this decade. While his punk rock roots come out strong on this, his third album, but they never take away from what Never Better is at it’s core—the heartfelt musings of a man who may not have all the answers, but knows who he is.
4. Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
Pop rock gets a bad rap. At times it can be dreadful, but when everything goes right, it can be a hell of a lot of fun. Fortunately, Phoenix fall into the later category and sound what the Strokes should have sounded like if they didn’t seem so bored.
3. Raekwon – Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…pt. II
Arguably the most anticipated hip hop album of the year delivered in spades. This is classic Wu right from the get go. All of the members shine, and Ghost more than makes up for the shortcomings of his recent R&B experiment. If you are into hip hop at all, you need to hear this album, end of story.
2. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – It’s Blitz!
From the iconic cover to the complete, yet natural feeling, change of sound, It’s Blitz! Is the sound of a band reinvigorated. While some may have worried about where the band was heading (after all, their last EP sounded more like Show Your Bones leftovers than new material), but all fears were unfounded. While the sound itself is nothing revolutionary, other bands don’t have the one thing that makes the Yeah Yeah Yeahs so great: Karen O. She’s able to run the gamut from danceable synth-pop (“Zero”) to the most heartfelt song she’s done since “Maps” (“Hysteric”) with ease. Of all the recent indie rock stars, Karen is heads and shoulders above them all.
1. Mos Def – The Estatic
What amazes me so much about this album is how natural it sounds. You know you’re listening to a great talent when it doesn’t even sound like they’re trying, which is the exact sensation you get over each of the sixteen tracks. Talbi Kweli described Mos Def as the most naturally talented person he’s ever known and The Estatic showcases that brilliantly. Mos needed a comeback after the abysmal True Magic, but I hesitate to call it a comeback because Mos has always been here. He’s just having more fun now, and it show
