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!

Despite its obscenely ugly album cover, Mike Mix 08 features some great music. It’s also the most upbeat mix to date – even the sad songs sound kinda happy. But don’t worry, it’s not all sunshine and puppy dogs. Beneath the surface lurks an undercurrent of sadness.

The mix contains so many amazing songs I can’t possibly write about each one. So instead I will focus on a select few.

The first is “Broke” by Modest Mouse. One of the darkest songs on the mix, “Broke” features a pretty guitar riff and some of the finest (and most self-loathing) Modest Mouse lyrics ever recorded. At the other end of the spectrum is “Two Kids” by Strand of Oaks. Though slightly self-deprecating, the lyrics are also undeniably sweet. Lastly, “Bones” by DeYarmond Edison captures the mood of the entire mix: the cheerful instrumentation masks feelings of longing and regret.

These three songs are only the tip of the iceberg. The other eleven lie waiting to be discovered. I highly recommend listening to Mike Mix 08 in the order presented below. Download the entire mix here or stream it using the player below! Enjoy!

This post is dedicated to my grandmother, who passed away May 27. She was an amazing woman and will be missed dearly.

When I first launched Mike Went West nearly 3 years ago, one of my site’s main features was a monthly podcast of music. Sadly, I abandoned this feature after releasing only 5 mixes. I felt like each podcast took an inordinate amount of time and energy. I also felt like the quality of each mix was sliding steadily downhill.

As it turns out, I lacked the proper motivation. About 10 months ago, I started dating my girlfriend. To help her better understand my crazy little world, I decided to make monthly mix tapes for her (which I coined “Mike Mixes”). So far I’ve made ten and I’m still going strong. I hope to post a new mix every month. I decided to start with Mike Mix 06 for one simple reason: the first five are decent but nothing special. Also, it seems appropriate that I should pick up where my podcasts left off — with number six.

Now a few quick words about the pacing and sequencing of the mix. Mike Mix 06 starts off with “If Only It Were True,” a slow, lumbering song by The Walkmen. Two consecutive tracks by Brand New help transition the mix to a slightly faster pace, which is maintained by the next four songs (fantastic tracks by Okkervil River, Frightened Rabbit, MGMT, and Arctic Monkeys). Following this upbeat middle section, two tracks by The Rural Alberta Advantage help slow things back down. The mix ends with three of my all-time favorite songs: “3 Rounds and a Sound” by Blind Pilot, “A Desolate Angels Blues” by Justin Townes Earle, and “Okkervil River Song” by Okkervil River.

I highly recommend listening to the songs in this order (a full track listing is provided below). Download the entire mix as a zip file here, or download individual songs below. Or listen to the entire mix using the player below!

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

PS — I just finished integrating Twitter into my site. Make sure to check out the sidebar widget for my most recent updates!

According to iTunes, my 10 most-played songs of 2008 come from only two albums: Frightened Rabbit’s The Midnight Organ Fight and Sera Cahoone’s Only As the Day Is Long. Which probably explains how these two albums found themselves at the top of my Top 10 Albums of 2008 list.

But the above songs are not my Top 10 Songs of 2008 for several reason. First, it would be a little boring. Second, I would probably run into legal issues if I posted half the songs from those two albums. And third, my most-played tracks in iTunes are not necessarily my favorite songs of 2008.

With that said, I present my actual list below. The songs are ordered in a way that I think flows best. A zip file containing all 10 tracks is provided below for your convenience. Enjoy!

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…

I really tried to avoid relapsing into old habits, but as you can see I’ve failed spectacularly. I’d love to blame school for my latest absence, but it cannot bear full responsibility. I guess I’ve been waiting for inspiration to strike.

After a month of searching, I’ve finally found it. The song is “Car Windows” by The Main Drag, a band featured on cokemachineglow’s “No Big Hair” (surprise, surprise). Their latest album, Yours As Fast As Mine, reminds me in many ways of Okkervil River (download their free live EP here!). First, there is the album cover, which looks like a less scary version of Black Sheep Boy Appendix.

And then there is the music, which ranges from punk-rock anthems to soft sweet ballads. “Car Windows,” one of the slower tracks on the album, immediately steals your attention. The song starts with an acoustic guitar and the lyric “I think too much.” After about a minute, the song picks up some steam as drums and violins enter the mix. Near the two-minute mark, everything cuts out except the violins, which usher in a gorgeous crescendo.

The rest of the album isn’t as immediately engaging. Additional listens will hopefully reveal more favorites, similar to Devin Davis‘ Lonely People of the World, Unite! If not, at least I’ll have “Car Windows.”

[mp3] The Main Drag :: Car Windows

Okkervil River recently grabbed some headlines when they released a song called “The President’s Dead” on an Australian tour EP called Overboard & Down.

Given my liberal tendencies, I was intrigued by what was most likely a protest song from the band I so dearly love. So I ordered the import from an Australian website and eagerly awaited its arrival.

Turns out the song isn’t really a protest song. Instead, it’s more like Will Sheff singing about how the president’s assassination would effect his day. No Bush-bashing, no cries for revolution, just another great story from one of my favorite bands.

It also turns out that this post isn’t about that song. It’s about “Love to a Monster,” another fantastic track from the EP. The song would’ve fit perfectly on my Late Night Drinking mix tape, though the melody/beat/mood/instrumentation is a rather upbeat given the subject matter. Listen closely to the lyrics for some excellent lines.

[mp3] Okkervil River :: Love to a Monster
[mp3] Okkervil River :: The President’s Dead

PS – Look for this month’s Artist Spotlight sometime this week.

The moment has finally arrived! Mike Went West proudly presents its first podcast (aka Mix Tape). Mix Tape 01 features the Top 10 Songs of 2005 according to Mike Went West.

I know it’s about 8 months late, but this mix has gotta be one of the best I’ve ever made. I enjoy it as much now as I did back in December 2005. Every song is top-notch – I wouldn’t change a single thing. I hope my future mixes can top this one!

Here’s the track listing:

1. Wolf Parade :: Shine a Light
2. The New Pornographers :: Sing Me Spanish Techno
3. Spoon :: I Summon You
4. Ryan Adams & the Cardinals :: Let It Ride
5. Sufjan Stevens :: The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is Out to Get Us!
6. Akron/Family :: Running, Returning
7. Sigur Ros :: Hoppi­polla
8. Iron & Wine :: The Trapeze Swinger
9. Okkervil River :: A Stone
10. My Morning Jacket :: Dondante

Directly download my podcast here. Visit the archives here. Make sure to tell all your friends and leave comments if you appreciate my efforts.

Enjoy!

Before uploading a podcast (which is coming very soon), I think you all should know the type of music I enjoy. But seeing as how I could go on forever, I have decided to reduce my entire music collection to my 5 favorite artists. It wasn’t very easy – and it’s even harder to rank them. So I won’t. Please enjoy the fruit of my labors…

MY MORNING JACKET: Soaring vocals drenched in reverb.

You know you’ve discovered one of your favorite bands when you stop listening to the rest of your music collection. That’s what the first note of Jim James’ amazing voice made me do. My Morning Jacket is the inspiration for the name of my blog, so I will share with you the song whose title I ripped off.

[mp3] My Morning Jacket :: Phone Went West

BUILT TO SPILL: Epic guitar band with melodies to match.

Initially unimpressed with some mp3’s I downloaded, I let Built to Spill collect dust on my harddrive for several months. Then one fateful day I decided to buy Perfect From Now On after finding nothing else appealing at Rasputin. Next thing I knew, I was buying everything they released and thought that all other music sucked. No joking, they are that good. I saw them live at Slim’s on June 22 and they blew me away. They played ridiculously epic versions of “Untrustable” and “Broken Chairs.” I leave you with the studio recording of the former. Enjoy.

[mp3] Built to Spill :: Untrustable / Pt. 2 (About Somebody Else)

OKKERVIL RIVER: Lyrics as beautiful as the instrumentation.

One of my more recent finds, Okkervil River has quickly moved up the ranks of my favorite bands. The focal point of the music is the lyrics, which, though they range from heartbreaking to murderous, are always excellent. If this seems contradictory, just listen to these two songs.

[mp3] Okkervil River :: A Favor
[mp3] Okkervil River :: Westfall

RADIOHEAD: The original innovators.

Radiohead is the band that started my love affair with music. Senior year of high school my friend introduced me to them. I remember the first time I heard “Fake Plastic Trees.” It was incredible. I’m sure that you all know and love Radiohead, but on the off chance that this is your first exposure, I’ll start you off where I began.

[mp3] Radiohead :: Fake Plastic Trees

SUN KIL MOON: Heartbreaking, yet uplifting nostalgia.

Despite having only one proper album to their name, Sun Kil Moon still makes my top 5 because Ghosts of the Great Highway is one of my favorite records of all time. I bought it with a gift certificate my ex-roommate Joel gave me for my birthday (I hope he enjoys the shout out). Beautiful, uplifting music that at the same time breaks your heart. So few bands can pull it off successfully. I hope you like it as much as I do.

[mp3] Sun Kil Moon :: Carry Me Ohio

BARELY MISSED THE CUT: Make sure to check out these other excellent bands, though I will most likely post on them in the future: The National, Songs: Ohia, Iron & Wine, and Ryan Adams.