Initially I didn’t think I could write this post. It seemed like an impossible task. How on earth was I supposed to come up with and then rank my favorite albums from the past decade? I have enough trouble doing it for just one year. There’s simply too much good music out there (despite my occasional whining to the contrary).

But when I really started thinking about it, I came to the following conclusion: a decade is a terrible thing to waste. In all reality, I may not get another opportunity like this. After all, who knows what I’ll be doing ten years from now. Also, musically speaking, the past decade was an important one for me. Over the course of ten years, my muted appreciation of music gradually transformed into a full-blown obsession. I now spend most of my free time searching for, writing about, and listening to music.

In the end I guess it was a pretty easy decision. I would’ve been extremely foolish to let the decade pass without weighing in on my favorite albums. It was a lot of work, but I managed to compile a list of my 30 favorite albums from 2000-2009. Not necessarily the best or most important albums, but those that had the greatest impact on me.

With all that said, I proudly present the Top 30 Albums of the Decade…

ALBUMS 30 – 21

ALBUMS 20 – 11

ALBUMS 10 – 1

Like I said, compiling this list was no easy task. In the end, tons of amazing albums got axed. Check the comments to see which ones barely missed the cut. And leave comments to let me know which albums I missed completely!

2007 was a great year for music. New albums from Radiohead, Interpol, The National, Andrew Bird, Okkervil River, and Spoon all rocked hard. My discovery of The Acorn, Kings of Leon, The Everybodyfields, and Menomena, coupled with an impressive debut from Deer Tick, made the year that much more amazing.

So when it came time to assemble my annual Top 10 Songs of 2007 list, I just couldn’t chop it down to size. As a result I’ve decided to expand the list to 15 songs. Plus I’ve already blogged about 9 of the 15 songs on the list, so the 5 extra slots allow me to post some new mp3’s.

Continuing to break with tradition, I’ve decided to categorize the 15 songs into 5 separate categories based on their mood and style. Enjoy!

Songs I listen to when I am happy (aka pop songs):

[mp3] The Shins :: Australia
[mp3] Okkervil River :: Unless It’s Kicks
[mp3] Modest Mouse :: Missed the Boat

Songs I listen to when I am sad (aka bawlers):

[mp3] Andrew Bird :: Cataracts
[mp3] The National :: Slow Show
[mp3] The Acorn :: Glory

Songs I listen to when I party (aka rockers):

[mp3] Interpol :: Rest My Chemistry
[mp3] Spoon :: Eddie’s Ragga
[mp3] Kings of Leon :: McFearless

Songs I listen to when I drive (aka rollers):

[mp3] The Everybodyfields :: Aeroplane
[mp3] Deer Tick :: Dirty Dishes
[mp3] Magnolia Electric Co :: Nashville Moon

Songs I listen to whenever (aka great songs):

[mp3] Kings of Leon :: On Call
[mp3] Radiohead :: Reckoner
[mp3] Menomena :: Rotten Hell

Get ‘em while they’re hot! Check the comments for additional lists…

With the year officially over, it’s time to reflect upon the awesomeness that was 2007. Unlike last year, 2007 had an excess of truly great music.

Unfortunately, this year’s “Best of” coverage won’t be as extensive as last year’s. Mainly because I’m lazy, but also because I got a much later start writing this year. I’m also going to try a new format for my Top 10 Albums of 2007 list. Below is a thumbnail image, which you can click on to enlarge.

Given my obsessive-compulsive engineering background, I decided to make a table summarizing the Top 10 Albums of 2007. There are no mp3’s associated with this post because there is a lot of overlap with my Top 10 Songs of 2007 list, which will be released shortly.

Not to leave you high and dry, I’ve uploaded a special treat to hold you over. Check the comments!

As my blog quickly approaches the ripe old age of one, it’s fun (at least for me) to look back on my old posts. Nearly a year ago, I posted an article called My Top 5 Favorite Bands. A lot has changed since then.While I still consider all 5 of those bands to be among my perennial favorites, several amazing bands have since worked their way into my collection. I realize I’ve blogged about all these guys before, but I feel compelled to share once again why I love them so much. In no particular order, here’s the new list:

MONO: Music beyond words

I am still obsessed with this band. Despite having only 39 Mono tracks in my iTunes library, I’ve listened to them almost 800 times. It doesn’t matter what mood I’m in, I keep coming back for more. The track posted below is from their debut LP Under the Pipal Tree released in 2001. In it, you can clearly hear the band honing what will soon become its signature sound: layers upon layers of guitars soaring to climaxes so high you’re afraid of what’ll happen when it all comes crashing down. One of my favorite Mono tracks, period.

[mp3] Mono :: The Kidnapper Bell

THE NATIONAL: Elegantly-wasted Americana

In all reality, The National probably should’ve made the list the first time around. Never have I heard a band combine beauty and sadness so effortlessly and yet so successfully (see “About Today” and “Slow Show” below). I’ve been listening to The National steadily for the past year, which I can’t say for too many other bands. And with the release of their excellent new LP Boxer, the band has proved without a doubt that they belong on this list.

[mp3] The National :: About Today
[mp3] The National :: Slow Show

THE WALKMEN: Inelegantly-wasted Americana

I never expected to like The Walkmen as much as I do. I honestly can’t explain what drew me to them, let alone what keeps me from ever wanting to leave. Maybe it’s the Dylanesque vocals, maybe it’s the drunken guitar pieces, or maybe it’s lines like this: “Don’t know what to offer you I’m only broke and lonely / And another one goes, and another one goes by / Sometimes when I walk outside I see it right in front of me and so / Bright.” Amazing lyrics to an incredible song, which is posted again for your convenience below.

[mp3] The Walkmen :: Another One Goes By

MENOMENA: The absolute pinnacle of indie rock

Words cannot describe my love for this band. After seeing them live a few weeks ago, I can honestly say indie rock doesn’t get much better than Menomena. All three members are incredibly talented musicians; at the concert I quickly learned that they all share lead vocals and can play just about any instrument under the sun. Tracks from Friend and Foe rocked with even more intensity than on the album, while older material greatly benefited from the live setting. Below is the standout track (well, one of many) from their debut album I Am the Fun Blame Monster, whose title can be rearranged to spell The First Menomena Album.

[mp3] Menomena :: The Strongest Man In the World

CAT POWER: The only cat I’ll ever like

I definitely consider myself a dog person, but Chan Marshall, with her gorgeous voice and haunting melodies, has struck a chord in my dog-loving soul. I seem to get a lot of feedback on my Cat Power posts, which leads me to believe many of you have already come to appreciate her music. So I’ll keep this blurb short, enjoy a terrific piano dirge from Moon Pix called “Colors and the Kids.”

[mp3] Cat Power :: Colors and the Kids

If anyone out there still actually reads my blog, I’d be amazed. Thank you for your support through these dire times.

In an incredibly misguided attempt to make up for the lack of activity, I’ve decided to post a slew of mp3’s that’ve been in heavy rotation as of late.

Here’s an catchy little song from a band that reminds me a lot of The Strokes when they were actually good. Check out their EP A Lesson In Crime if you like what you hear.

[mp3] Tokyo Police Club :: Be Good

The following track closes out Of Montreal’s most recent LP Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?, which even in the age of iTunes and digital downloads, is a remarkably cohesive and engrossing album.

[mp3] Of Montreal :: We Were Born the Mutants Again With Leafing

Fans of Menomena will enjoy this radically different version of “Wet and Rusting.” It may even convert those of you who have yet to recognize the brilliance of this band.

[mp3] Menomena :: Wet and Rusting [live]

I was looking forward to Andrew Bird’s new album Armchair Apocrypha ever since the beginning of 2007. Despite being slightly disappointed thus far (which is only because The Mysterious Production of Eggs was so damn good), I absolutely love the gorgeous track posted below.

[mp3] Andrew Bird :: Cataracts

“You’ve got your reasons / And me I’ve got mine / But all the reasons I gave / Were just lies to buy myself some time.” Enough said.

[mp3] Arcade Fire :: Ocean of Noise

The closing track on Dr. Dog’s We All Belong sounds unlike anything else on the album. Make sure to also check out the two mp3’s posted on their site here before buying.

[mp3] Dr. Dog :: I Hope There’s Love

This one isn’t so new as it is amazing. If you have yet to discover Jeff Hanson, use the following track as a starting point. Then check out previous posts (here and here) for more of his tunes (and yes, that’s a guy singing).

[mp3] Jeff Hanson :: Somedays and Sundays

Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce the first great album of 2007. I present to you Friend and Foe by Menomena.

Quite frankly, I’m obsessed. These guys are amazing. I think I’ll let their music do the talking. Start with “Wet and Rusting” to whet the appetite (enjoy the pun?). Move on to “Muscle’n Flo” and if by song’s end you aren’t completely hooked, finish with the stunning “Rotten Hell.”

Friend and Foe is cohesive and consistently excellent. Despite the band’s ability to jump effortlessly from genre to genre, the album flows beautifully. Often, the lyrics conjure up images of standing resolutely in the face of a looming conflict.

Honestly, I haven’t heard anything this inspiring in a long time. Fans of Wolf Parade (or lovers of great music) will feel right at home.

[mp3] Menomena :: Wet and Rusting
[mp3] Menomena :: Muscle’n Flo
[mp3] Menomena :: Rotten Hell