I’ve decided to forego my usual end of year music “favorites” post and instead focus on what has been a banner decade of great recordings. There have been some wonderful end of years lists and it’s heartening that many of the artists I’ve adored over the past ten years are getting kudos. I particularly like the NPR list on the most “important” music of the decade. It’s interesting to contemplate Kelly Clarkson next to Bon Iver in a discussion of music that made a difference. If you haven’t listened to the discussion of the music from All Songs Considered it is highly recommended.
As for this past year, even though I’m in love with several albums, I have to say it feels a little weak to me. Neko Case is the obvious exception with her stellar album Middle Cyclone. I also loved the Lily Allen record, Fanfarlo’s album, XX, and the latest from Eels (although I’m hopeful that the soon to be released End Times) is a more polished outing.
So without further ado here are my favorite recording of the decade in no particular order.
Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
This one is so obvious it hardly needs mentioning. The best parts of the album are the subtle gems like Poor Places, Radio Cure, and Reservations.
Sufjan Stevens - Illinoise
There aren’t too many artists that I like to throw the term “genius” at but Sufjan is one of them. This album is so full of melodic surprises it’s the gift that keeps on giving. Not many albums can make you feel like you see a glimpse of heaven and then move you to tears but this is one of them.
XTC - Fuzzy Warbles
Technically this is called an Andy Partridge collection but that is really unfair since the full Fuzzy Warbles set is XTC material/demos from the beginning of the band to the end. It seems that we may have heard the last of what was one of the greatest and most influential bands ever and if this is to be their swan song it’s not a bad way to go out. XTC should have been household names but alas it was not to be....
Neko Case - Middle Cyclone
I love Blacklisted and Fox Confessor but this is the album where everything came together for one of the great voices in modern music.
PJ Harvery - Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea
Harvey is a musical treasure and even though I’m partial to White Chalk and Rid of Me top to bottom this is her strongest collection.
Radiohead - In Rainbows
While Kid A and Amnesiac are likely more important (although it still bugs me that they didn’t have the balls to release them together as a double album) In Rainbows is visionary. The best thing they’ve done since OK Computer and perhaps on par with that record).
Of Montreal - Skeletal Lamping
Kevin Barnes crammed this album so full of pop hooks it makes me dizzy every time I put it on. I’m not sure why Hissing Fauna is more lauded because Skeletal Lamping sounds like a masterwork every time I listen to it.
Eels - Souljacker or Blinking LIghts -
I had a hard time choosing between these two albums as a long time Eels fan. Then I realized I didn’t have to. Souljacker is more consistent as an album but Blinking Lights is a bigger artistic statement with its double album concept record from birth to old age. Take your pick you can’t go wrong.
A.C. Newman - The Slow Wonder
The album lives at the top of my iTunes by virture of A.C.’s alphabetical listing. That’s a good thing because it reminds me of just how good Newmans pop song writing is. I’m a big New Pornographers fan as well but something about this album feels like perfection with its 70s pop song touchstones.
Cat Power - The Greatest
Haunting and powerful I could listen to her sing the ingredients on a cereal box and be moved.
Goldfrapp - Supernature
Glam rock meets disco and I am hard pressed to think of a more fun collection of songs from the past decade although a nod should go to...
Lily Allen - Alright, Still
As mentioned before I love Ms. Allen’s new record but the slick production loses some of the charm from this album.
Dandy Warhols - Thirteen Tales from Urban Bohemia
This is just a personal (not so ) guilty pleasure for me. I’ve said before that it is the album that captures a certain zeitgeist of the college experience (both good and bad) better than any other album.
Beck - Sea Change
What a weird record from Beck! Crooning Gordon Lightfootesque songs is not exactly where most people expected him to go but it’s a disarming collection of beautiful songs about heartbreak.
Belle & Sebastian - The Life Pursuit
Musically and lyrically one of the most amazing song cycles of the decade. I’m not generally a person who focuses on lyrics but they don’t come much more clever than this.
Franz Ferdinand - You Could Have It So Much Better
I know they wear their influences on their sleeves but FF keep putting out wonderful, danceable pop songs, that just make you want to move. This album felt like a leap beyond their first collection. Seeing them play “Outsiders” live still gives me chills.
Tom Waits - Real Gone
Just when you think Mr. Waits is going to get redundant he puts out one of his best albums ever in a ouvre that is without peer. I bow down before Trampled Rose and the guitar solo on Hoist That Rag may be one of the best ever recorded.
Fountains of Wayne - Welcome Insterstate Managers
It’s hard not to call this a concept album with its “Office Space” lyrics and paens to the white collar work world --- through the prism of its shiny Carsesque pop. After releasing a couple of quintessential pop records this album shines even brighter.
Badly Drawn Boy - Hour of Bewilderbeast
has been curiousy inconsistent after this album that started off the last decade. But Bewilderbeast stands as one of the best song cycles of the decade.
Honorable mentions? Too many to name....






















