Favorite albums of the Naughty Aughties?

[Smeenus]

Albums that'd make my list, no order:

Aimee Mann - Lost In Space

I put LiS in a portable CD player in Sept. '02 and took it out in '04.
My favorite AM album by MILES, this'd be a good pick to open this
list.

The Ditty Bops
The Ditty Bops - Moon Over The Freeway
The Ditty Bops - Summer Rains

I believe I've made my position clear

Hamster Theater - Quasi Day Room

It's place in the history of this group is the stuff of legend, as one
of 30 or so people that witnessed this amazing performance, I ranted
and raved for a couple months or so, made it my sigfile, then someone
came in here and asked me to stop. *cough*

Over The Rhine - Ohio
Over The Rhine - Drunkard's Prayer

Recently took a lovely lady to see OtR, after the show we we
discussing the show, I mentioned that the bass player was a hero to
me, she was "yes, he's a great player" then the wonderful drummer,
Linford's magnificent piano, so on, then I mentioned that I might have
a bit of a power-crush on Karin...

"GEE, YA THINK?!!?!?!?!?"

Probably not gonna get another date with that one. But the albums rule

Beck - Sea Change

I'm not really a fan of Beck per se but Sea Change is just brilliant.
I've never heard anything else in his catalogue that was anything like
it.

Björk - Vespertine

I reviewed this album here about a year and a half ago. Also quite
different than any other album in her catalogue, many fans of her
"trip-hop" style didn't like this one. I loved it.

Radiohead - Hail To The Thief
Radiohead - Kid A
Radiohead - Amnesiac

Forgive me for not including In Rainbows, it has great stuff but as a
whole I'm still trying to get my head wrapped around it. But you know
the story with the rest.

Datri Bean - Slow Down Summertime

Think Billie Holliday with the pain extracted and replaced with joy.
"Big Jim's Giant Truck Stop" would easily top my greatest single songs
of the decade.

Mikey - Dog

Rock on Mikey. :)

I'll think of more later, your turn

[J. D. Mack]

My hands-down favorite album of the aughts - "At War With The Mystics"
by The Flaming Lips. That album renewed my faith that anything
meaningful could be released on a major label.

The indy stuff is too numerous to mention. That Keneally cat released
a few good ones last decade. "Dancing" was a great way to start
things off!

J. D.

[Alan Tignanelli]

Post by Smeenus
I'll think of more later, your turn

You just had to mention Hamster Theater, didn't you? Some people just never learn that when Hamster
Theater asks you not to mention Hamster Theater, you don't mention Hamster Theater. The first rule
of Hamster Theater fandom is "Don't talk about Hamster Theater"? How are they ever going to become
known if you talk about them?

Here's hoping I don't venture out of the aughts on my list...

Starting in an appropriate place w/Mikey...

Dancing
Dog
Guitar Therapy

What can I say about this guy? These are the albums that nailed me to the wall and made me say
their names.

Bryan Beller - View
Bryan Beller - Thanks In Advance

A side of bassboy I wasn't aware of.

Dethklok - Dethalbum

The album that finally re-awakened my metal side and brought me around to some of the newer metal
scene. Not a bad TV show, either.

Elsewhere...

Flaming Lips - At War With The Mystics

I liked Yoshimi, really liked Soft Bulletin, but this album kicked my ass every which way to Sunday.
Awesome stuff, and I just love Cosmic Autumn and Going On. I really liked their Bohemian Rhapsody
cover (on the DVD on the deluxe edition, among other places) and their performance on the Who
tribute on VH1. Embryonic hasn't grabbed me yet, but it's a different kind of album

Electric Mary - Down To The Bone

Good old classic hard rock - like AC/DC shot out of a rocket when I saw them at Experience PRS last
year. This has barely been out of my CD player since September.

KT Tunstall - Eye To The Telescope
Once soundtrack
Kasey Chambers - Wayward Angel
Joss Stone - Soul Sessions

Some great music from across the waters. Chambers sounds more like authentic country music than
anything coming out of Nashville.

Nina Gordon - Tonight And The Rest Of My Life
Jill Sobule - Underdog Victorious

Longtime Jill fan, and this is my second or third favorite album of hers. The Nina record I saw a
display for in several stores and swore they weren't going to sucker me in. I was wrong - and it's
a great record.

Frank Zappa - Trancefusion
Lyle Workman - Tabula Rasa

Excellent guitar playing (and I think that Keneally guy is on both of these in some spots).

Mitch Fatel - Super Retardo
Mitch Fatel - Miniskirts and Muffins
Bill Hicks - Oxford
Joe Rogan - I'm Gonna Be Dead Someday
Doug Stanhope - Something To Take The Edge Off
Bobby Slayton - I've Come For Your Children
Bobby Slayton - Built For Destruction
Gilbert Gottfried - Dirty Jokes
Mitch Hedberg - Mitch All Together
Lewis Black - End Of The Universe
Lewis Black - Rules Of Enragement

I got back into comedy CDs in a big way this decade, and these were some of the best. How can you
argue with Rogan? Or Stanhope's "Bobbie Barnett"? Slayton is an underappreciated gem. The only
disappointment with the Gilbert was that it was a collection of dirty jokes, not Gilbert's regular
act, which left me thinking I was going to have a stroke any second, my head hurt so bad.

Hamell On Trial - Songs For Parents Who Enjoy Drugs

Very pointed politically, but a wonderful album with some great songs. Ed's a fantastic performer
who grabs your attention and doesn't let go.

Los Lonely Boys - Los Lonely Boys
Bears - Car Caught Fire
Tenacious D - Tenacious D
She & Him - Volume One
Alison Kraus & Union Station - Live
Marilyn Manson - Holy Wood
Rob Zombie - Educated Horses

A bunch of albums I really, really liked, but didn't fit elsewhere (although Tenacious D could have
been in the comedy section, but the music was a bit too good to relegate it there). The Bears album
- wonderful powerpop.

Finally...(stop cheering, you'll hurt your throat)...

Warren Zevon - Life'll Kill Ya
Warren Zevon - My Ride's Here
Warren Zevon - The Wind

I'm not sure if an artist ever ended his career (or life) with such a strong statement. With as
many great songs and albums that Zevon had early in his career, these are quite possibly my favorite
Zevon material (although the Excitable Boy album might be my desert island pick).

I'll shut up now.

Alan

[Hagrinas Mivali]

Post by Alan Tignanelli

Post by Smeenus
I'll think of more later, your turn

You just had to mention Hamster Theater, didn't you? Some people just
never learn that when Hamster Theater asks you not to mention Hamster
Theater, you don't mention Hamster Theater. The first rule of Hamster
Theater fandom is "Don't talk about Hamster Theater"? How are they ever
going to become known if you talk about them?

They came here and ranted, but don't forget that they saw the error of
their ways and came back to apologize. Could it be that they had a
sudden epiphany? Could it be that they felt a little ashamed and
somewhat embarrassed after Debby Hart emailed them and took them to
task? There are some things the world will never know. Not the entire
world anyway.

[Alan Tignanelli]

Post by Hagrinas Mivali

Post by Alan Tignanelli

Post by Smeenus
I'll think of more later, your turn

You just had to mention Hamster Theater, didn't you? Some people just
never learn that when Hamster Theater asks you not to mention Hamster
Theater, you don't mention Hamster Theater. The first rule of Hamster
Theater fandom is "Don't talk about Hamster Theater"? How are they
ever going to become known if you talk about them?

They came here and ranted, but don't forget that they saw the error of
their ways and came back to apologize. Could it be that they had a
sudden epiphany? Could it be that they felt a little ashamed and
somewhat embarrassed after Debby Hart emailed them and took them to
task? There are some things the world will never know. Not the entire
world anyway.

Yes, but it doesn't mean we can't still ridiculed them from time to time, right? Plus, it's a
veiled way to let the newcomers know what happened.

Are they even still around? That's a serious question - I haven't looked to find any info on them
in a long, long time.

Alan

[Wade B]

Let me start by saying, I bought "Vespertine" because of your review, so
thanks for that!

For what it's worth:

Alice In Chains - Black Gives Way To Blue
Black Crowes - Warpaint, Before The Frost..., ...Until The Freeze
moe. - Wormwood
Gov't Mule - Deep End Vols 1 & 2
Umphrey's McGee - Live At The Murat
Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers - !Americano!
Derek Trucks Band - all of 'em
The Dresden Dolls - Yes, Virginia
Grace Potter & The Nocturnals - This Is Somewhere
Almost Famous Soundtrack (cheating? maybe)
Mike Doughty - Golden Delicious
Paul Gilbert - Burning Organ
Rodrigo Y Gabriela
Steve Earle - Transcendental Blues
Tragically Hip - In Between Evolution, World Container, In Violet Light, We
Are The Same
Tokyo Jihen - Adult
Half Zaftig - Life Like Luster

and some stuff by those Keneally & Beller guys...

Plus the ones I forgot.

WB

[RA]

I’m considering this over a donut and coffee (unusual for me and I’m
not sure if my system can take coffee so early)………..but here are my
choices for this last decade.

Mike scores up on Wooden Smoke and Dancing – am pleased to have found
his music albeit only in this decade and equally to have found a
friend. He wins all my awards for just playing the piano so
beautifully, let alone the guitar. On the rest, I tend to mix songs
from various CDs to achieve the ultimate.

Rufus Wainwright comes in with most of his catalogue - inspired and
exciting live shows as well. Looking forward to his new release
coming soon.

Goldfrapp (mix of) – for simple enjoyment and a bit of glam retro. I
like their imagery as well. Mostly, it's a shoe thing!

Zero 7’s “When it Falls”…………in a way, nothing special – just sits
happily in my heart and makes me feel fine. Best female voice for me
this decade is Sia, although Kate Bush is still my overall favourite
with Aerial.

Crowded House and The Finns made a good come-back which I enjoyed a
couple of years back and their live shows had that magic which is
rare. Glad also to have been dragged screaming to see Len Cohen by a
friend – turned out I really enjoyed this charismatic man.

Taking this opportunity to wish Mikey-peeps a truly wonderful 2010.

[o***@gmail.com]

Post by Smeenus
I'll think of more later, your turn

I can't think of anything right now, but Bumblefoot's Normal got stuck
in my head once for a solid month, and I still like it, so it has to
be good.

[Kevin]

The Black Crowes & Jimmy Page - Live At The Greek
Great production/sound by Kevin Shirley and the Crowes really
kicked some life into the Zep material.

Edgar Meyer - Bach: Unaccompanied Cello Suites Performed On Double
Bass
Probably one of the most beautiful albums I've ever heard. His
playing on this is flawless.

Kevin Gilbert - Shaming Of The True
More listens than I can count and I will never get tired of it.

Mike Keneally - everything this decade, but Dancing remains my
favorite.

System Of A Down - Toxicity
I'm still pleasantly surprised when a new 'rock' band can come
out and have a sound/feel unique to themselves. SOAD is one of those
bands. This album kills!

Rush - Vapor Trails
Their best in a long, long time.

Bryan Beller - both albums. TIA is my 'happy place' when I need to go
to one.

The White Stripes - Elephant
A lot of people hate on Jack White, but I don't get that.
Crazy talented and a great song writer. As long as he manages to not
flake out, I can't see him putting out anything I won't buy.

Year Of The Rabbit - Yay, Ken Andrews! I actually prefer this to
anything by Failure.

Kelly Clarkson - Breakaway
Yes, I said it. You can't deny she's a talented singer, and
these songs (almost all of them) are addictive pop music on steriods.
I don't like everything she's done, but this record is pretty damn
good.

Amy Winehous - Back To Black
What a waste of talent. A great listen if you can mentally
forget everything else about her.

Incubus - Morning View, A Crow Left Of The Murder, Light Grenades
I just really like these guys. <shrug>

Strapping Young Lad - The New Black
An aural earthquake. I've just gotten into Devin's stuff in
the last couple years and boy am I a fan!

Devin Townshend - Ziltoid, Ki, Addicted
Addicted is my favorite of the three, but all are great.
Sadly, I'm no songwriter...but this is the kind of stuff I wish I
could create.

Bruce Springsteen & The Sessions Band - Live in Dublin
Even if you don't like Bruce, I defy you to dislike this
album. Not the typical release you'd expect from him and that's part
of what makes it so great.

Shawn Farley/Yogi/Half Zaftig - Any Raw Flesh?, Life Like Luster, 5240
project
The songs, the songs, the songs. I've told him this a few
times, but I'll say it again...he just writes killer songs on a
freakishly consistent basis. The Half Zaftig record was easily the
album I played the most in its entirety in 2009. If you haven't been
following the 5240 thing he's doing then you're missing out on some
amazing things.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo - Ilembe: Honoring Shaka Zulu
If they fell off your radar after Simon's "Graceland", check
this out. Wow!

There are a lot more, but that's a good start. It really wasn't a bad
decade for music at all....as long as you didn't listen to the radio.

Kevin

[Yogi]

Gosh, I'm pretty verklempt to see some music I did showing up on "all-
decade" lists here... thanks, guys!

I'll throw a few things into the mix:

On the MK front, holy cow, what a decade for Mike's music! MAN ALIVE.
I love every release Mike did in the aughts, but I probably like
"Wooden Smoke" the best, not only of this decade, but of all of his
work. Maybe I'm biased 'cuz I got to be a fly on the wall for one
whole day of sessions for that album at Signature Sound (and saw a
HUGE amount of work get done in a day - inspiring), but WS just hits
me square in that spot. No, no, that OTHER spot. I also must give a
special shout to "Scambot 1" SE. Great stuff.

Bryan Beller's albums are amazing, but I have a sweet sweet fondness
for "View" (both the album and track).

I found out about ROB CROW. Wow, do I love his music. He's got a
billion bands, so the records I love best:
"Autumn Of The Seraphs" - Pinback (try and find the version with the
bonus 3-song disc attached)
"My Room Is A Mess" - Rob Crow (solo album)
Other Men (self-titled)

Matt Mahaffey unfortunately released a lot less music at the end of
the decade than he did at the beginning, but anything he does is gold
to me.
"Break Out The Battle Tapes" - Wired All Wrong
"Gizmodgery", "Porno, Mint, & Grime" - sElf

Devin Townsend came into his own. Scary, scary talent. I wish I could
make those noises with my throat that he can make.
"Alien" - Strapping Young Lad
"Ziltoid The Omniscient" - Devin Townsend
"Accelerated Evolution" - Devin Townsend Band

MESHUGGAH. Oh my GOD. Heavier than the heaviest heavy thing. The last
two minutes of "Straws Pulled At Random" from "Nothing" ranks as some
of my favorite music written by ANYONE, EVER.
Albums: "Nothing", "I", "Obzen"

Gotta add another vote for Beck's "Sea Change." A perfect record.

I could think of more, but I'm sleepy.

ShawnYogiFarley
http://www.shawnfarley.com

[Jon]

Post by Smeenus
The Ditty Bops
The Ditty Bops - Moon Over The Freeway
The Ditty Bops - Summer Rains

I gotta agree with you on the Ditty Bops. Just really hard not to
love these two ladies.

Also a few tops for me for the decade:

MK - Wooden Smoke (quite possibly my all-time favorite Keneally album)
MK - Dog
MK The Universe Will Provide

Umphrees Mcgee - Anchor Drops

Porcupine Tree - In Absentia

UKZ - Radiation EP (mainly on the strength title track)

Yogi - Any Raw Flesh

Bryan Beller - View

These are all that come to mind for now!

Happy New Year All!!!

-jon

[Smeenus]

One I found recently is Rosie Thomas, her 2002 album (great year!)
"When We Were Small", here's the just ridiculously beautiful "Finish
Line"

http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/B2nAuLlIoWU/

[Smeenus]

Cripes, raw proof that d9 hasn't been keeping up with the group (or at
least this thread), my omission of:

Sleepytime Gorilla Museum ~ Grand Opening And Closing
Sleepytime Gorilla Museum ~ Of Natural History

[CinciGreg]

Post by Smeenus
Mikey - Dog
Rock on Mikey. :)
I'll think of more later, your turn

My dear wife of nearly 30 years still found comfort in Wooden Smoke in
her last rounds of chemotherapy last summer. It was in her CD player
when she passed. That album will always be a special treasure for me,
and we listened so many times together laughing in candlelight during
our happiest days. Really. I was so appreciative that Mike did a
guitar clinic thing here in Cincinnati- that was the one night I got
to "get out" as other family sat with her. I remember Dougie and Mike
talkin' up a storm before their set that night, which was awesome.
Anyhow, maybe another album will come to mind later, but MIke's
"Wooden Smoke" (I forget the name of the 2cd version now but that's
the one) sort of stands out for me. Well, okay, Dog... heh, the song
"Louie" probably stunned me as much as any song I have ever heard on
the very first listen. The audio quality on the vocal mixes really
blew my shit away. Great song, great album too.

[Smeenus]

Post by Smeenus
Datri Bean - Slow Down Summertime
Think Billie Holliday with the pain extracted and replaced with joy.
"Big Jim's Giant Truck Stop" would easily top my greatest single songs
of the decade.

There was no video for BJGTS, so I made my own, with Datri's permission