Donk’s 50 Favorite Albums of the Decade Part 1: 50-26

This decade may have sucked some major league taint as far as well, almost everything goes, but it was a banner decade for music in Donk’s humble opinion.  With the advent of the Internet and the explosion onto the market of MP3 players, independent music was never so accessible, making it possible to ignore the mainstream music industry altogether if one so chose, which in most cases, why the fuck wouldn’t you?  The result: a tastesplosion of excellent artists and albums over the last 10 years.  Here are Donk’s top 50.

50.  Band of Horses – Cease to Begin (2007)

This haunting album cross-pollinates the Beach Boys with the Shins.  A rich and gorgeous album.

49. Kaiser Chiefs – Off with their Heads (2008)

A gritty, witty pop gem by this British group of hooligans.  Outstanding front to back.

48. Your Vegas – A Town and Two Cities (2008)

This was a total impulse purchase, yet it turned out to be one of my all-time favorites.  If you like The Killers, then you owe Your Vegas a listen.  Similar style, but even better song craftmanship.

47. My Chemical Romance – The Black Parade (2006)

Stop judging me.

46. Muse – Origin of Symmetry (2001)

Showbiz hinted at Muse’s brilliance, Origin of Symmetry confirmed it.  This is not Muse’s last appearance on Donk’s list.

45. MGMT – Oracular Spectacular (2008)

An odd little gem of an album.  These two indie weirdos know how to craft a quality, dreamy pop song.

44. Mastodon – Leviathan (2004)

Their later albums have garnered Mastodon more critical praise, but for Donk’s money Leviathan is still their finest achievement, a meaty slab of metal that relentlessly beats you over the head.  After this album dozens of metal bands were trying to copy Mastodon’s sound.  Groundbreaking.

43. Alice in Chains – Black Gives Way to Blue (2009)

You’re shitting me, right?  Layne Staley died.  Game over Alice in Chains.  Not so fast, folks.  Jerry Cantrell and company return with a sludgy, depressing, and oh yeah, um, brilliant album.  The improbable comeback album of the decade.

42. System of a Down – Toxicity (2001)

System of a Down ratcheted up the oddness factor on this 2001 album, refining their approach to heavy music: Faith No More on steroids.  Classic.

41. Ours – Mercy – (2008)

Jimmy Gnecco has the best voice in rock.  I once saw him do a solo acoustic set, and his voice is really the only instrument he needed.  He OWNED that crowd.  This album is a near perfect collection of Radiohead/Jeff Buckley style tracks.

40. Muse – Black Holes and Revelations (2006)

There are some duds on this album, but enough stellar tracks to elevate it into my top 50.  And the sci-fi Knights of Cydonia is an operatic, trotting joy.

39. Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes (2008)

This charmingly folksy album is a real grower.  It brings to mind a group of traveling minstrels singing through a wall of reverb.

38. Keane – Hopes and Fears (2004)

Keane come off as a bit of a Travis ripoff here, but the quality of the songs cannot be denied.

37. Interpol – Our Love to Admire (2007)

OK so it’s no secret that Interpol loves Joy Division, but this depressing collection of songs is better than anything that band ever did.  I expected very little from Our Love to Admire but was blown away.

36. Guns N Roses – Chinese Democracy (2008)

Although a complete and utter sales disaster, you couldn’t ask for a better Axl Rose solo album than Chinese Democracy.  It’s a shame, although probably poetic justice, that it flopped.

35. The Cure – Bloodflowers (2000)

Robert Smith took a break from being irrelevant to pen this marvelously introspective album.   And then he sank right back into irrelevance.  A shame really.

34. Beastie Boys – To the 5 Burroughs (2004)

Beastie Boys decided to go old school with this 2004 offering.  Donk may be in the minority here, but I thought it was their finest since Paul’s Boutique.  Great beats, funny lyrics, what’s there not to like?

33. Trouble – Simple Mind Condition (2007)

These old-school doomsters came out of a 10 year retirement and put on a clinic for the youngsters on how to craft bluesy, sludgy songs loaded with twin guitar leads.  Sadly, they disbanded again soon after.

32. Travis – 12 Memories (2003)

Travis never quite elevated their game to world-wide fame level, but they have nothing to be ashamed about.  Their even-handed output this decade made them one of my favorite bands, and in my opinion this is their finest offering.

31. Silverchair – Young Modern (2007)

Daniel Johns and the gang changed up their sound on Young Modern, but Johns, the most talented songwriter of his generation, proves here that he can write masterful songs no matter what the vibe.  Young Modern is a bright, cheerful, poppy album that, like all of Johns’ work, never gets old.

30. Megadeth – The System Has Failed (2004)

It appeared Dave Mustaine was all done, washed up.  His arm was hurt and he had no band behind him.  But then he returned to his thrash metal roots, and The System Has Failed is the stunning result.  Backed by a powerful studio band, including former Megs guitarist Chris Poland, Mustaine hits one out of the park here.  His next two albums would be good too, but can’t hold a candle to this one.

29. Matchbook Romance – Voices (2006)

This band has released nothing since (although I read they are gearing up to).  If it’s anywhere near as emotional and dramatic as Voices, count me in.

28. Bright Eyes – I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning (2005)

I have liked very little of Conor Oberst’s other material, but on I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning he balances poetry with strong songwriting without coming off as pretentious like he does on most of his other work.

27. System of a Down – Mezmerize (2005)

Ok so the album cover is horrible, but the music is not.  How does System of a Down manage to be heavy as shit, goofy, and catchy all at once?  In hindsight, Mezmerize should really be higher up on my list.

26. Tenacious D -  Tenacious D (2001)

What better way to end the first half of Donk’s list than with a taste of the D?  Sure this album is hilarious, but what makes it last past a few listens is that the songs are actually AWESOME.  This album almost, ALMOST makes up for that crappy movie they released.

Stay tuned for part 2…..