The Best Albums Of The Decade: #17 - Rubber Factory

MP3: The Black Keys - Girl Is On My Mind

#17 - The Black Keys - Rubber Factory
Fat Possum Records 2004

Joey On Rubber Factory:

Yeah, I still have fond memories of drinking whiskey and PBRs and driving (don't do it kids) with this as loud as my car stereo would go in Portland that one time with Morgan. It was the first time he ever heard this album and we put this song on repeat and made up the lyrics as drunk folks do. Also, I only own this on a shitty promo cd-r that Epitaph sent Borders in 2004 and Amber made sure to set it aside for me as I expressed an interest of it to her. Matt knew Amber too. Do you know what happened to her, Matt?

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #17 - Get Shot

MP3: Fireside - Backwards Over Germany

#17 - Fireside - Get Shot
Startracks 2003

Matt On Get Shot:

On what is presumed their final album, the legendary Fireside mix their classic chugging indie rock with feedback-covered drums and noisy swathes. A great swansong that, while looking back over their career, also hinted that their next record could, if it existed, be even better.

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #18 - Leviathan

MP3: Mastodon - Megalodon

#18 - Mastodon - Leviathan
Relapse Records 2004

Matt On Leviathan:

Who knew that after releasing this in 2004 that Mastodon would become one of the premier bands in modern metal? One part metal, one part prog and all parts awesome, Mastodon took Moby Dick and made it even more badass (as if it needed any help at that part).

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #18 - Paper Television

MP3: The Blow - Fists Up

#18 - The Blow - Paper Television
K Records 2006

Joey On Paper Television:

Great pop music, killer beats and hooks like gum. This makes it because it still feels fresh anytime I give it a spin.

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #19 - Tonight

MP3: Jason Anderson - Tonight

#19 - Jason Anderson - Tonight
ECA Records 2007

Joey On Tonight:

Jason Anderson is New England to me and seeing how much I moved around this decade, it was important for me to have a piece of home in some capacity, even if I was running from it. So there's that. Then there is the fact that Jason is so fun and positive and this record "Tonight" has the gang vocals which are a staple of his live shows. That is important. This song has a shout out to Stop & Shop. That's it right there. Good night.

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #19 - It's Never Been Like That

MP3: Phoenix - Sometimes In The Fall

#19 - Phoenix - It's Never Been Like That
Astralwerks - 2006

Like the Andrew W.K. for the French, Phoenix gets people wet with suaveness and charm rather than sheer intensity. A party album for the modern sophisticate.

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #20 - Pink

MP3: Boris - Farewell

#2o - Boris - Pink
Southern Lord (US) 2005

Matt On Pink:

This is Boris's album. Largely unknown to a majority of the world, Pink is what finally got everyone into the sludgy metal that the Japanese had long since known. Brutal and loud, tidal wave of noise.

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #20 - Ancient Melodies Of The Future

MP3: Built To Spill - Alarmed

#20 - Built To Spill - Ancient Melodies Of The Future
Warner Brothers Records 2001

Joey On Ancient Melodies Of The Future:

There are better Built To Spill albums (this year's There's No Enemy could take this spot over with another year of listens), but this is the best one of the decade, plus as any fan knows there is no such thing as a bad Built To Spill album. Fair enough.

A guitar centric band includes some trippy keys to compliment emotion which takes you anywhere from "Strange" to "The Weather". It becomes quite a ride the entire listen through, always enjoyable and always important. That's why I love Built To Spill.

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #21 - Once We Were Trees

MP3: Beachwood Sparks - Yer Selfish Ways (Matt's pick)
MP3: Beachwood Sparks - The Hustler (Joey's pick)

#21 - Beachwood Sparks - Once We Were Trees
Sub Pop Records 2001

Oh shit we both like this record and put it at the same spot. You get a double dose in one post.

Matt On Once We Were Trees:

It was tough decision as to which Beachwood Sparks album to include, but ultimately, it's their last full-length that perfectly summates the band as the last purveyors of Gram Parsons' "Cosmic American Music".

Joey On Once We Were Trees:

We used to be bummed there was going to be no more Byrds or Gram Parsons music. Now we're bummed that their is no Beachwood Sparks music. Well, they are "back together" so we'll see... could be what the new decade needs. But this decade did just find with the Sparks and all related projects. Pitch perfect shit right here.

Break Post (Cocoa Puffs)

MP3: Converge - Reap What You Sow

Uhhh I told Matt I wasn't going to introduce him or do guest posts anymore since he really does this with me 100%. A partner if you will. But I haven't set up a system to make you know I didn't post this yet, so Matt did. Fuck yeah!

So basically Joey and I were talking about whether or not we should do posts in between the decade feature, and it was decided that such should be the case if something wows us. The new Converge album slays so much gash one could say they run train on the music of 2009. Play this loud and enjoy.

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #22 - Mclusky Do Dallas

MP3: Mclusky - Dethink To Survive

#22 - Mclusky - Mclusky Do Dallas
Too Pure Records 2002

Matt On Mclusky Do Dallas:

Discordant angular punk-fueled anger is how you could best label Andy Falkous and his (not so) merry band of Welsh liquor hounds. In a just world, Mclusky would be bigger than U2.

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #22 - Album

MP3: Girls - Laura

#22 - Girls - Album
True Panther 2009

Joey On Album:

It really is weird including a release from this year on a decade list. Shit, this one only came out a few months ago. That's what happens when you don't wait another year to do these things: Oh well. I really like Girls' "Album" and over time, it could even be higher on this list. I think all of the songs are great and it's way original sounding and they do drugs and brag about it which is always cool. Fuck yeah.

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #23 - Carrion EP

MP3: Jana Hunter - A Goblin, a Goblin

#23 - Jana Hunter - Carrion EP
Gnomonsong Records 2007

Joey On Carrion EP:

I think it says a lot when an EP makes a list made up of albums. I do really, really like this one: the Carrion EP is half new songs and half demos from Jana Hunter's previous record "There's No Home": that math leads to something that is allllllll good. The new songs mesh so well with the demos that it becomes it's own entity, completely haunting and entirely intimate. It sounds like someone sitting in a tree, luring you with the sweet sounds of a music box, leaving you to sit in the leaves and become everything around you. Or something.

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #23 - Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle

MP3: Bill Callahan - Too Many Birds

#23 - Bill Callahan - Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle
Drag City Records 2009

Matt On Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle:

It's always a tough call to include a new album on a decade culminating list, however I feel that this is more than worthy. Either on my computer or turntable, Bill Callahan just speaks so eloquently as if he's a preacher without a church, or the old sea dog at the end of the bar.

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #24 - The Lawlessness Of The Ruling Classes

MP3: Andreas Mattsson - Summer of Speed

#24 - Andreas Mattsson - The Lawlessness Of The Ruling Classes
Hybris Records 2006

Matt On The Lawlessness Of The Ruling Classes:

Taking years to make, the former Popsicle man eschews the meticulousness craft and delicacy with which he crafted a very, very underrated pop masterpiece. In years time, I hope this album is looked at in the manner it deserves.

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #24 - The Execution Of All Things

MP3: Rilo Kiley - So Long

#24 - Rilo Kiley - The Execution Of All Things
Saddle Creek 2002

Joey On The Execution Of All Things:

This may seem like a kind of cheesy choice these days, and rightfully so: Rilo Kiley played us all for fools. There was such a promise of greater things coming from them and their actor backgrounds were quirks, sure, but it was nothing worth focusing on (though the press sure did... a lot). Here were some folks from California making really great, warm sounding pop music that came across as heartfelt and completely honest. So once they knew we were hanging on their every word, they dropped their cards and revealed that the whole thing was a bluff. They really were the assholes you'd think they would have been and used any type of (shudder) indie cred to gain the money and recognition that their sub par acting careers could no longer bring in. Bravo: my rat is off to you, sirs and madam.

So over the years, it became really hard to like their past Barsuk and Saddle Creek output, because every time you heard them, it was near impossible to ignore the pain behind the sham. Things have finally changed though: now, after hearing their last 2 god awful records and accepting them as something else entirely, those old records shine brighter. If anything, they represent easier times, when you could trust a band outright and just enjoy things for what they were.

"The Execution Of All Things" is a damn fine pop record. There is not a dud on it and at the time, nothing else sounded like it. People were still weary of female fronted music and the alternative country whatever sound was fresh and underplayed; Saddle Creek itself was worth a damn, putting out their talented friends and not chasing flashes in flashy pans like they do now (I think it was this band fucking them over that jaded them and if so, bummer. Get over it).

The song I am choosing from this record is a song by Blake Sennett, who seems like he is a dick, but a talented one at least. If you can back up your dickery, it makes it easier to swallow. Plus, The Elected was/is bad ass and probably deserving of a slot on this list, but alas... So yes. If you know this record, you know the Jenny Lewis songs. That's fine, they're so great. But this song, this song always gets me floating and really deserves so much more love. Like this record. We were young, sure, but nostalgia is in this year and I'm playing along. Enjoy.

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #25 - Closing In

MP3: Early Man - War Eagle

#25 - Early Man - Closing In
Matador Records 2005

Joey On Closing In:

When I took the plunge into stoner metal a few years back, Early Man were in the forefront of that decision. It saved my brain, giving me faith in music and live shows once more and I will always be thankful for that. "Closing In" is not to be fucked with, every track is a slice leaving you bloodless and craving more, endlessly. I probably listen to this album or at least a song from it every week and it truly is the blueprint of all things great.

The Best Albums Of The Decade: #25 - Microcastle/Weird Era Cont.

MP3: Deerhunter - Calvary Scars II / Aux Out

Alright here is how this is going to go, and I'm probably only going to say this once: Every day until we finish, myself and Matt Giordano are counting down the very best albums of the decade. We each have our own awesome fucking lists and sometimes we share a few picks. Either way, both lists are the official stance on the music of this decade. Matt is kicking us off and my post will come later in the afternoon, from there it switches back and forth until our #1, when you get a double fucking punch. K.O.? You fucking know it. Enjoy!

#25 - Deerhunter - Microcastle/Weird Era Cont.
Kranky Records 2008

Matt on Microcastle/Weird Era Cont.:

This double-disc opus was the statement the American indie rock scene of the latter part of the decade was looking for. A band unabashed in their approach and attitude, with the country's press completely at the whim of the charismatic Bradford Cox.

New High Places: "I Was Born"

(via P4K)

I'm on record saying this, but once again: I really did not enjoy High Places when I first heard them. My girlfriend was the one who brought them to my attention and she was beyond on board, but it took quite awhile for it to click on my end. Their self titled full length was what did it for me, and they've been succeeding ever since (like their split with Soft Circle out now on PPM, holy shit is it great).

They released a new video for the new song "I Was Born" that will be on a 12 inch single shortly from Thrill Jockey, then we can expect a full length in 2010. Radical. Check this out, it's awesome and features the debut of the bassoon in their sound. Also a fun fact: they left Brooklyn for LA! Good for them, seriously.

FUCK NO: Vampire Weekend b-side

MP3: Vampire Weekend - Boulevard du Automne

Here it is, finally, the launch of FUCK NO, a series conceived by Matt Giordano who officially launches this new feature. We hope to do a couple of these to satisfy pr companies who send us god awful records and also to open the eyes of the masses and dehype the hype. You're going to love us.

This is a b-side from the Vampire Weekend "Contra" album sessions. Caveat emptor.