Today we’ll continue the countdown with 5 more.
- The Mars Volta – De-Loused in the Comatorium (2003) : I don’t do drugs but if I did, the first thing I would listen to while on them is Dark Side of the Moon. And then I would probably listen to this. It is as much art as it is music. It kind of reminds me of a splatter painting. Mars Volta just threw random notes on paper and somehow it just worked. I have no idea how they come up with this stuff. The music seems so scattered but it’s one hell of a ride as everything races around to catch up with itself.
Highlights – Inertiatic ESP, Roulette Dares (The Haunt Of), Televators - Arctic Monkeys – Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not (2006) : One of the most fun albums of the decade. It’s almost impossible to sit still while listening to the energy they managed to fit on 1 CD. It’s practically a relief when you reach “Riot Van” midway through the disc as you almost definitely need a break from the 100 mph of the rest of the album. I only wish this album would have came out a few years earlier as it would have sure been fun to listen to during those long nights of pong.
Highlights – I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor, When The Sun Goes Down, From The Ritz To The Rubble - Red Hot Chili Peppers – By The Way (2002) : I don’t know what to write about this album. It’s nothing ground breaking but it was a slight departure away from your typical Chili Pepper sound. A lot less funk and a whole lot more melodies and harmonies. It had a lot of big singles but it didn’t seem to have much staying power and it seems like everyone, including me to some extent, has forgotten about this beautiful record. I listened to it straight through for the first time in a long time while writing this up and it definitely reminded me why it had to make this list.
Highlights – Dosed, Tear, Venice Queen - Eminem – Eminem Show (2002) : Arguably Eminem’s best album. Even after the enormous success of the Marshall Mathers LP, Eminem still came back heavier and just as angry at the world. Unfortunately this was the last album where he wouldn’t realize how rich he really was.
Highlights – Business, Hailie’s Song, ‘Till I Collapse - Sinch – Clearing The Channel (2005) : Sinch found some minor success after the debut of their first major label release, the self titled Sinch, earlier in the decade. Somehow their success was shortlived and it was only downhill from there. It’s literally mind blowing how they didn’t explode onto the music scene after they made this record. There’s a reason the music industry is dying and I think it may just be because guys like these are stuck working regular 9-5s.
Hightlights – Identity Theft, Sails, The Power of Suggestion
Tomorrow we get into the big guns and start the #10.
I’m currently watching: NFL Football: NY Giants at Washington Redskins