Monday, September 29, 2008

i've seen the future and it works

Next on the deliciously unchronological Favourite-Records-of-a-Decade list...the 2000s! So far, at least.

My Top 5 Favourite Albums from the 2000's:

Outkast - Speakerboxxx/The Love Below:
Now this album is amazing because it gives and gives and gives. 40 tracks, alll over the map. I've aways thought Big Boi's Speakerboxxx was unfairly overshadowed by Andre's much-more-eccentric Love Below, because Speakerboxxx is truly a fantastic and unique album. Had it been released alone, it likely could've received the full respect it deserves. However, The Love Below really is the star here. Andre lay it all out here, impersonating Cupid (the ridiculous and awesome "Happy Valentine's Day"), having a conversation with "God" ("Amen....sorry, sorry, A-lady"), and praising the classy broads ("Behold a Lady"). Outkast is hope for the new milennium.
Favourite track: "Prototype", one of the straight-up coolest songs I've ever heard

Black Mountain - In the Future:
I'm so pleased that I discovered this band, and this album because it reminds me that rock'n'roll didn't die in 1980 when Led Zeppelin split up. Dark, mysterious, hard and heavy, it is a masterpiece. The spectacular cover art? A bonus.
Favourite track: "Wucan", one of the most amazing songs I've ever heard

the Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not:
It's been awhile, hasn't it? But that doesn't mean I have any less love for the brilliant Arctic Monkeys debut. The best part is definitely the lyrics, astonishingly mature. But, really, what can I say that hasn't already been said about this superhyped record?
Favourite track: "From the Ritz to the Rubble"

Michael Jackson - Invincible:
This is almost embarassing, but the album is so great I don't mind. As a fomer hardcore MJ fan, I've heard pretty much every song he's ever released. Of his albums, Invincible is still one of my favourites, and I listen to it even more than I listen to Thriller (not that I listen to Thriller a lot). Sure, a lot of it is pretty generic, but the ballads are beautiful and the dance tracks are fun. Michael proves his voice is still fantastic, and a good time is had by all. Would prefer a less...stark cover though.
Favourite track: "You Rock My World", in my opinion, the greatest MJ song of all time

Van Hunt - On the Jungle Floor:
I got this album for $3 at a thrift store, not expecting too much, but once again, I got ridiculously lucky. It's so refreshing to see a neosoul artist being so creative. Sometimes he sounds like Lenny Kravitz ("Ride, Ride, Ride") and sometimes he sounds like Prince ("If I Take You Home[Upon...]"), but he always sounds like something new and beautiful.
Favourite track: "No Sense of Crime", a soul version of a Stooges song (all I can find for free is a 30-second clip, but if you like what you hear, it is worth purchasing!)

8 comments:

Sister Libby said...

I love "Behold A Lady" so much, that on rainy boring days when the power is out, my sister and I would rap it & record it on the video camera. Those tapes have (hopefully) been destroyed. And I love basically all your albums, but still haven't really listened to VanHunt. I shall.

a said...

OUTKAST. oh man, i have not listened to outkast in an AGE. they used to be my favourite band/group/whatever!
i have indeed seen tropic thunder, it was so good i basically was in awe after i left the cinema, and just wanted to go back and watch it again. like, how can people be that hilarious?? i really loved kevin, the weedy one. he was so funny. and jack black's character's response to 'alpa chino' coming out. oh my, hilarious times. kind of awkward cos i saw it with my older brother, but hilarious nontheless

jess said...

I love Outkast! I think I lost their cd it was so great I think i might need to get a new one. the artic monkeys are great too.
p.s. You probably know this but George Clinton has new cd out I heard about it on the tv.

Keith said...

Great choices. I really agree with you on Outkast and Van Hunt. I'm a big fan of both. Do you like Andre 3000's song with John Legend or not?

Cate said...

The 2000s! It's a horrible decade really, but reading what you write about them doesn't make them seem so bad.
Yeah, I've noticed you haven't posted about the Arctic Monkeys in a while! But here they are again! I'm ashamed to say that I don't own that record of theirs, but I'm gonna get it. Somewhen in the (near) future.

this wheel's on fire said...

yay! love your lists xxoo

Katelin said...

i love the outkast album. seriously love. 'the way you move' is one of my all time favorite jams, i can't help but dance when that one comes on.

Style Spot said...

Haha I just knew you would include "Whatever people say I am, that's what I'm not" to your 2000s list ;D I'm not going to start talking about them either, because frankly, we both know how much we LOVE them!