#43 - Ryan & Steve

Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds

Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus

2004

So this is what a successful double-album looks like. I've always preferred short records because really, who has enough to say to fill an hour? This record is my glaring exception to that rule. "Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus" is a colossal 1 hour 22 minute double album that finds Nick Cave and his Bad Seeds backed by the triumphant and grandiose London Community Gospel Choir, a risky choice that they've handled with grace and appropriate restraint. The pairing of his pounding, teeth-clenched rock backed by a choir results in some of the most thrilling work of his career. His ever-present theological wandering only makes the choir all the more inspiring.

"Abattoir Blues" contains the hardest-hitting stuff on the album, and subsequently some of the most explosive stuff Cave's done. Whereas the albums other half, "The Lyre of Orpheus", pulls the sound back into a shuffling storytelling. With a scope such as this, it's purely unfair and unreasonable that Cave could release something of this quality and magnitude. Brilliant record. -S.R

One of the most popular criticisms of double-albums is that they often contain lots of filler. Miraculously, there is very little of that to be found on this album. Abbatoir Blues kicks off with some fantastic rock n’ roll tunes to get the listener’s body moving. As the first disc progresses, the tunes gradually slow down – perfectly leading into The Lyre of Orpheus which remains a more drawn-out effort. It’s not until I get to about the 70-minute mark of this 80-minute album that I feel a bit exhausted by it. All things considered, that’s remarkably impressive. - Phil

#44 - Phil

The Distillers

Sing Sing Death House

2002

I first heard of the Distillers in high school while watching Canada’s #1 music channel, Much. Their video for “City of Angels” came on and I was immediately struck by lead singer Brody Dalle’s unique and emotive voice. I had never been a big follower of the punk scene but found this Los Angeles trio quite engaging. This led me to eventually purchase the Distillers’ thrilling second LP, Sing Sing Death House.

What this record achieves in less than 29 minutes is nothing short of sensational. Right from the opening track, “Sick of It All,” the Distillers grab a hold of you and never let go. Their combination of driving baselines, infectious hooks, and Dalle’s biting vocals make for an album that is both inspiring and adrenaline-forcing! “I Am Revenant” is an in-your-face anthem saying no matter what happened to the Distillers in the past, “We will rise up from the dead / We become the living / We’ve come back to reclaim our stolen breath!” “The Young Crazed Peeling” is Dalle’s declaration to the world that she doesn’t care what anyone thinks of her life decisions because, “I got freedom and my youth / Yeah I got freedom and my youth!” And “Desperate” is a powerful minute-and-22 second description of Dalle giving up on herself and reverting back to heroin: “Going back in style / Going back a mile / Dirty heroin take it back a step / This is my arm / This is my heart / This is the lie / You promised to me!” These uncompromising and unapologetic songs are what make Sing Sing Death House my favorite punk album of the decade! -P.W.

This past summer I had a brief hardcore punk binge. However, I can’t say there have been many punk records from the past few years that I could really get into. This one is a bit of an exception. It’s fast and relatively unrelenting and I really loved the vocals. Sing Sing Death House has all the ingredients for a great punk record but I feel it lacks a bit style to separate it from other more mediocre punk rockers. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised with this one. A fun listen. - Ryan

Here's a record that I hadn't heard before. Beyond the female vocals, there isn't much about this album that I would've expected Phil to dig, mostly because it's not rap nor is it a weepy dude with a guitar. Instead the Distillers are a punk revival group who formed in the late '90s and released three records in the early/mid '00s. "Sing Sing Death House" is their second release and it's not bad. The record is filled to the brim with high-energy raucous punk. I can't say that I'm particularly struck with this but it's got a nice visceral edge. - Steve

#44 - Ryan & Steve

Junior Boys

So This Is Goodbye

2006

A soulful electronic duo that began with a promising debut in '04, but I can't say I expected something as emotive and pure as "So This Is Goodbye". Filled with deep and elegiac synth lines along with soft-spoken vocals, this record always has the ability to pull a heartstring or two for me. One of my favorite songs from the '00s resides on this record, the ineffable "Count Souvenirs".

Few blend dance music and confessional songwriting as effortlessly as the Junior Boys. These are personal songs that just so happen to have a strong enough beat to groove to - no small feat. The directly emotive quality of these tunes are exactly what attracted me to them in the first place, but alas, it seems like the electronic dance side has overtaken a bit on the '09 follow-up, "Begone Dull Care". As long as their hearts are still on their sleeves, I'll be listening. -S.R.

From start to finish, this album glides like a falcon. Few records have ever made me feel as relaxed and at ease with life as this one. To top it off, the Junior Boys actually have very interesting lyrics as well that touch on real-life emotions. This would be a great album to listen to while doing Yoga, studying, or simply riding on the el train like I do every day. I love every second of it. - Phil

#45 - Phil

Ghostface Killah

Fishscale

2006

Considering how into hip-hop I am, it really surprises me how unfamiliar I was with Ghostface Killah prior to this album. I had heard his work on the Wu-Tang Clan’s classic debut Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), but his solo projects that followed never interested me. It wasn’t until sophomore year of college when my roommate Steve (yes, the same Steve whose reviews you’ve been reading) told me how great of an album Fishscale was that my attitude changed. I didn’t even think Steve liked rap, so I knew for him to go crazy over this record meant it had to contain something truly profound.

Fishscale blew me away after just one listen. I can’t tell you how rare it is to hear an album where an MC never takes a breather (doesn’t bring his A-game) for a single track, but that’s just what Ghostface achieves here. The record’s opening song, “Shakey Dog” has no chorus; it’s simply Ghost rapping for 64 straight bars describing in exquisite detail the makings of a cocaine deal turned ugly: “Off came the latch, Frank pushed me into the door / The door flew open, dude had his mouth open / Frozen, stood still with his head bulgin’ / Told him Freeze! Lay the fuck down and enjoy the moment / Frank snatched his gat, slapped him, axed him / Where’s the cash, coke, and the crack? / Get the smoke and you fast!” It sets the stage perfectly for an album that covers everything from attempting to pick up women at the bus stop to getting whipped by family members to what Ghostface says to his boys at the barbershop. It’s a stunner. -P.W.

Probably my favorite member of the Wu Tang Clan. Fishscale was one of the first rap records I really got into and was one of my favorite records of 2006. It’s usually pretty difficult for me to enjoy the more “hardcore” rap as I’m definitely more interested in the production side of hip hop. However, when I noticed Ghostface’s friendship with MF Doom on The Mouse & the Mask and his excellent delivery he definitely won me over. On Fishscale, Ghostface really removed himself from the straight hardcore rap with some really interesting production work from Jay Dee and Doom. Obviously, I love the tracks with Doom’s work on them (see “Underwater”). - Ryan

What else is there to say about Ghostface? One of the most consistent members of the Wu-Tang Clan still putting out great records even into the new decade. "Fishscale" is a diverse affair, jumping from the giant and triumphant "The Champ" all the way down to the tripped out & surreal MF Doom-produced "Underwater". A thrilling record front to back. - Steve

#45 - Ryan & Steve

Pocahaunted

Peyote Road

2008

Pocahaunted is a darkly psychedelic drone group from Eagle Rock, California. As with many of the modern noise & drone makers, this duo of Amanda Brown and Bethany Cosentino are absurdly prolific putting out 4 LPs and 1 cassette in 2008 alone. Their songs usually consist of long droning guitars and tribal drumming alongside otherworldly hymn-like chants. "Peyote Road" displays the noisier, disorienting sounds of the group effortlessly. Even with the abrasion found here, the pacing and form of these songs gives them a peaceful meditative trance.

As something of a figurehead for modern psych (or hypnagogic pop for the David Keenan/Wire set), Pocahaunted have crafted their own little universe of stoned spelunking and faux-Native American imagery. A bizarre group making their own uniquely beautiful noise. -S.R.

I will say this: this band’s name goes really well with their sound – it indeed feels like Pocahontas is having some scary trip in the woods the whole way through. Actually to say the whole way through is fairly obvious – there are only two tracks and both of them sound similar and change very little from their start to their finish. So you’d better hope you dig this sound right away because if you don’t… it’s going to be a LONG two tracks to sit through. - Phil

#46 - Phil

The Killers

Sam's Town

2006

I had never listened to a Killers album until last Christmas. I had always been interested in them, but for some reason had never gotten around to making a purchase. I was very excited when my mom got me not just one of their albums - but all of their albums - as a holiday gift! Besides their B-sides, the Killers have three albums: Hot Fuss, their popular debut; Day & Age, their most recent and most praised work; and Sam’s Town, the Killers’ overlooked middle child. Naturally, I listened to Hot Fuss and Day & Age first… and was hardly moved by either of them. I was all but certain that I was going to regret putting this blockbuster band from Las Vegas on my wish list. Then I listened to Sam’s Tom, which was thankfully a revelation!

The record is bookended by what the Killers refer to as an “Enterlude” and “Exitlude.” These tracks are simple and virtually identical, but they serve as remarkably effective ditties that make the listener feel like they are witnessing something truly massive. As for the meat of the record, the Killers present a parfait of cleverly-written songs that each tell their own unique story. “When You Were Young” poignantly describes someone with a dirty past encountering the love of their life for the first time. “Bling (Confession of a King)” is a tale of falling into despair told in the first person. And “Uncle Johnny” magnifies the struggles one goes through when a family member is affected by drugs. All jokes aside, this band really did make one killer record. -P.W.

I always thought these guys were fun and their first two albums were really solid. This was definitely the best and most consistent album. When I first started compiling my list I was considering what some of the most important albums of the decade were. The Killers in general seemed to be a fairly important band to me because they were able to make their throw-back sound, characteristic of some of the indie rock of the time, more appealing to the mainstream. So, I feel The Killers, Franz Ferdinand and Modest Mouse were very consequential bands the past six years because they were largely responsible for pushing the countercultural genre of indie rock into the mainstream. - Ryan

Following up a smash hit debut is always a trying and challenging affair. For the Killers they decided to get a little serious and grab a few tricks from the Boss by turning their new wave dance numbers into colossal-sounding rock anthems. Something of a guilty pleasure for me as it's a record that never quite congeals or moves beyond its influences but I can appreciate the ridiculous Las Vegas pomp in these tunes. - Steve

#46 - Ryan & Steve

The North Sea

Exquisite Idols

2007

Exquisite Idols is quite possibly the best release from Type Records. During the college years, I became a devout fan of this Manchester, England based label and religiously purchased their output. The label released several beautiful cinematic records of ambient, electronic or compositional pieces. However, it was in 2007 when the label started branching out with new genres and sounds without betraying the original scope of the label.

Exquisite Idols is an accomplished record by The North Sea (one of many solo monikers of Brad Rose) in that it explores the diverse sonic palates of ambient, folk, psychedelia, pop and electronic. I think this is what it would sound like to get drunk on absinthe and take a stroll down a dusty Georgian road on a hot summer day. -R.C.

This gorgeous album only gets better with each listen. Exquisite Idols might just be the perfect segway record to introduce traditional indie-rock fans to noise music. The songs are simple, yet their production gives them so much reverb and effects that it’s unlike anything I’ve ever heard…and I mean that in a really good way! For me, there’s not a moment on The North Sea’s brilliant work that ever goes south :). - Phil