Dave’s “More Rockin’” Top Picks of the Decade
Dec 29, 2009 by Dave
It’s finally here the end of 2009. Nick mentioned in his article last week that I may do a “More Rockin’” best of the 2000’s and that’s exactly what I have in store for you. A list of 10 albums I especially liked from the last 10 years. I wouldn’t take this as a “best of” type list, more of a “music I listened to while driving places and working” type list. There were a few albums on Nick’s list that I wanted to include on my list but I decided to omit them and give you 10 fresh albums that I feel sum up what I’ve been listening to for the last 10 years. So here goes, in no particular order.
10. Tenacious D – Tenacious D
This album gets the wrap of a “comedy album” but it’s far from that, albeit it is humorous in nature but there is some great musicianship on this album. Produced by the Dust Brothers and accompanied by greats such as Dave Grohl this album holds its own as a great rock album.
9. Black Keys – Attack and Release
This was my last Album of the Minute and it’s a doozy. Check out more about this album here.
8. Foo Fighters – One by One
The Foo Fighters release this album in 2002 and boasts hits such as “All my Life” and “Times like These”. This album won the Grammy for best Rock album in 2002.
7. Metallica – Death Magnetic
Metallica’s triumphant return to heavy metal did not disappoint fans like St. Anger did. This album was released in 2008 and shows what the reigning kings of metal can do when they’re not sitting around in therapy sessions.
6. Megadeth – Endgame
Metallica may have had their triumphant return but Megadeth never left. Megadeth has been churning out the same bone crunching awesomeness since 1983 and this album is the cherry on the cake for the last decade.
5. Smashing Pumpkins – Zeitgeist
The Pumpkins first album after reuniting in 2005, this album had 3 goals according to Billy Corgan. (From Wikipedia) “Corgan said the albums’ goals were threefold—to make an accessible, mainstream rock record, to comment on the “emerging fascist” political climate of the United States, and to explore the nature of his band and his friendship with Chamberlin.” I don’t know if they accomplished all that, but I thought it rocked!
4. The Darkness – Permission to Land
The band’s first commercial success after forming in 2000 the album was released in 2003. I liked the retro sound and how it was almost a parody without being so.
3. Audioslave – Audioslave
The super group consisting of Chris Cornell and the members of Rage against the Machine’s first album had a unique sound that consisted of both Rage and Soundgarden influences.
2. Tool – Lateralus
-Not available on Amazon-
The double platinum 2001 release was received well by both fans and critics. With the song Schism the band, Tool, won the Grammy for best metal performance that year.
1. The Black Crowes – War Paint
I had to have some Crowes on here and since Nick chose Before the Frost as one of his Honorable Mentions, that left me with this or Lions. Shockingly I chose this album over Lions even though Lickin’ is one of my favorite Crowe’s songs. I think this album means a little more to me than Lions just because I’ve seen so many of its songs performed live over the last 2 years. Regardless of my reasons Warpaint is great.
As far as honorable mentions go, here are a few:
Chinese Democracy – Axl Rose and some dudes
Black Ice – AC/DC
No Deliverance – The Toadies
With Teeth – NIN
Contraband – Velvet Revolver
Lions – The Black Crowes
Well, there you have it. Music I’ve been listening to for the past 10 years, hopefully the next 10 years will have less Nickleback and “nu” metal and be a little more rockin’.
Happy New Year,
Dave
Posted in Dave's More Rockin'
Dave,
Interesting picks! I love the choice of The “D” at number 10, it was unexpected but a great pick. I wouldn’t have put it in my top 10 but after re-thinking about it, I think you are right, it is a top 10′er. Now saying that, I have to REALLY question number 4 and number 2. Too me, the whole Darkness thing was a novelity, almost a joke; poking fun of at music. I mean I get it, but top 10 of the decade? dude.
And my take on Tool. I know they are kind of the “critic darlings” of metal or gothic, or however they are categorized. But their music sucks! They are the Radiohead of metal…critically admired and raised high above the clouds, but their music tries to hard to be artistic and edgey; like an artist looking for attention and going over the top for someone to took notice, but they suck in reality, just like Radiohead.
I absolutely agree with you about Radiohead sucking and honestly if Nick had not put The White Stripes and The Raconteurs on his list they may have taken those spots. At least The Darkness wouldn’t have made the cut. I really like Tool and especially that album. So to each his own.
Just out of curiosity, if you could change only those two picks from my top ten and you couldn’t use anything off of Nick’s top ten what two albums would you add?
Well I would have to ad Sonic Boom (Kiss), it really is a fantasic album and worthy of its short lived billboard ranking at number 1. I would have to slip Pete Yorn’s Music For The Morning After in there as well. I might have added Black Ice (ACDC) to my top 10 as well. Oh, and I would have to ad Velvet Revolver’s Contraband too! I would have added White Blood Cells by the White Stripes. Just to name a few…
Hmmm, good picks. I’ll have to check out that Kiss album. Thanks for the comments.