Jim Carroll
The full list is here, topped by Arcade Fire’s 2005 opus “Funeral”. The list was selected from the votes of Lauren Murphy, Tony Clayton-Lea and myself.
Let the fuming begin!
And for the film buffs, Donald Clarke’s Top 20 of the ’00s is here.
I agree with number 1 choice completely.
I am surprised (Not angry / disappointed) that Arctic Monkeys made it up that high. I would personally have had The Strokes-Is This It In the top 5 . And what! Oh God ! Hold up…….No U2 at places 1,2,3!! Shock horror…. Inquest!!
I know how much you loathe Radiohead Jim, but I’m genuinely astonished that Kid A isn’t anywhere in the top 20.
Free All Angels? One of the 20 best album of the decade?
Comment by JoeAnd actually, have to agree with Thomas, Cathy Davey’s album is good, but not one of the best 20 of the decade. In fact I’m hard pressed to find an Irish album of the 00s that would rank in my top 20.
Comment by Joesurprised LCD soundsystem, sound of silver aint in there somewhere
Comment by KeithOr Goldfrapp’s Black Cherry
Comment by KeithFunny, I was thinking of giving away my Fleet Foxes album to charity.
Better hold on to it now. It is the 5th best album of the decade, after all.
Comment by Davidarcade fire no1? I can live with that…white stripes and arctic monkeys completing the top 3?! I don’t think so…
nice to see Interpol recognised…apparently for their next album out early next year they are going back to the “turn on the bright lights” sound which makes me a happy bunny although i love all their albums equally, the debut holds a special place in my heart
Comment by carolineNice Top 20. Broadly in agreement with the choices, besides Ash. Altho a fan, didn’t think much of that album.
I would’ve thrown in Broken Social Scene which is in my top five.
Comment by nerrawCan’t believe blah blah blah’s album isn’t in there.
Great to see Brendan Benson in there though as I think that album was one of the most underrated of the decade.
Comment by Lutinkeith @ 5 – me too, but it was a combined poll so you win some and you lose some.
Comment by Jim CarrollIt’s a very robust list that should stand the test of time, should we refer back to it come 2019. Not sure about Ash either but the absence of Damien Rice has just about made my decade in itself. Well done to all concerned.
Comment by JohnnieDecent list but some obvious omissions (imo) are:-
- Kid A
- Sound of Silver or LCD Soundsystem
Not even one token rap album? The least funky decade in the history of man, if this list is anything to go.
Comment by Tormentorwhat no adebisi shank? madness!
Comment by JCwhat no adebisi shank? madness!
JC – you’re right, no Madness either, another glaring ommission.
Comment by Jim CarrollJesus Arctic Monkeys at no.2?
Time to find a new job lads.
Comment by Steve Kminor correction: ágaetis byrjun was released by fat cat in 2000, not 2003
Comment by darrensteve k – looking fwd to seeing your Top 20 Albums of the Decade list
Comment by Jim Carrollarcade fire is probably my album of the decade so good choice.
J Dilla’s ‘donuts’ should have been in there. still listen to it all the time
Comment by peteeNo great surprises, though the Ash album? Must dig it out, which is the great thing about these lists, the re-evaluating.
Comment by Martin FoyleWill there be a top 20 Irish albums of the decade? That’d be interesting.
Comment by brenWill there be a top 20 Irish albums of the decade? That’d be interesting.
Bren – there’s an idea for Analogue! Actually, I think Cluas did one a while back too – http://www.cluas.com/poll/best-irish-album-1999-2009/
Comment by Jim CarrollWow, of the top ten I own… one. And it’s not the Arcade Fire one either.
Sigh, so out of the loops these days ….
Comment by ColetteReally interesting list. Kid A would top my personal list, but each to their own..
Was really pleased to see Gillian Welch there though. Such an amzing album. I’ve been waiting for the follow up ever since. Anyone know if there is one in the works?
Comment by PhilWht does nobody remember Coldplay Parachutes on these lists? it set the tone for the first half of the decade’s music, it at least deserves a spot in the top 10
Comment by Chris Martin“Was really pleased to see Gillian Welch there though. Such an amzing album. I’ve been waiting for the follow up ever since. Anyone know if there is one in the works?”
Soul Journey (2003) was the follow-up to Time The Revelator and in my opinion her most accomplished record yet. Her long-term partner/collaborator Dave Rawlings (Old Crow Medicine Show) just released a new album that features Welch quite heavily and that’s probably the closest you’ll get to a new Welch album this year. There’s talk of a new album next year though
Comment by VinnieNo Grizzly Bear? Or LCD Soundsystem? Really?
Comment by P&MThat is a staggeringly poor list
Comment by JamesI have none of those
Comment by meJames @ 29 – as with other posts above fuming away like old women on Liveline, please provide your list so we can guage if that is also “staggeringly poor”.
me @ 30 – hey, Xmas is coming, you know, someone might take pity on you
Comment by Jim CarrollAsh?? surely that’s a wind-up?
Some shameful omissions:
Panda Bear – Person Pitch
Animal Collective – Strawberry Jam (MPP isnt even the best AC album)
Anything by Radiohead
Wilco – YHF
LCD Soundsystem – SOS
Grizzly Bear
Why would someone have to provide their own list in order to criticise this one? That doesnt make any sense at all.
Comment by Vinnie’steve k – looking fwd to seeing your Top 20 Albums of the Decade list’
Miaow. ‘I’m a journalist and you aren’t. So there.’
Kinda weighted towards recent stuff though isn’t it, and pretty safe overall too. Too many guitar bands? Agree that LCD Sound of Silver surely should be here. Instead of Merriweather, maybe Panda Bear was worth a shout. Tom Waits, Scott Walker, Marnie Stern, Bonnie Prince Billy, Rufus Wainwright, Elliot Smith all produced several albums which might be better off in the list than these.
Comment by Hairy CakeAsh, Cathy Davy, Amy Whinehouse out.
Scott Matthews (Passign Stranger), Radiohead In Rainbows), Mew (Frengers) in.
Comment by Paul WhelanWhy would someone have to provide their own list in order to criticise this one? That doesnt make any sense at all.
Vinnie – that’s not what I meant. If someone thinks our list is “staggeringly poor”, I’m curious to see what they would put on an alternative Top 20. That is all.
Comment by Jim CarrollThere’s an app for that, as they say.
You can cast your vote for “Album of the Decade” on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/apps/application.php?id=183077577702&ref=ts
The result will be announced on Jan 1..
Comment by CraigWell i haven’t given it too much thought but
Kid A,
Burial – Untrue,
Panda Bear-Person Pitch
Madvillain-Madvillainy
Deerhunter-Microcastle
BOC-Geogaddi
Broken Social Scene
Four Tet-Rounds
Why?-Alopecia
And ALSO, absolutely, 100% – GAS-Nah Und Fern.
I didn’t necessarily expect to agree with the list but that is really awful. Middle of the road indie stuff all over the shop. Bit of variation wouldn’t have gone amiss is all…
Comment by JamesNick Cave – Dig, Lazurus, Dig should be in there
Comment by Brian@Vinnie – I think if they want to criticise they should at least do that instead of stating it’s “staggeringly poor” without adding to the debate.
Comment by Le CatchOff the top of my head noticeable omissions include
Kid A (radiohead)
Discovery (Daft Punk)
Sound of Silver (LCD Soundsystem)
In Rainbows (radiohead)
Hot Chip
and TV on the radio.
Granted I will concede it comes from a narrow frame of reference but it’s all about personal taste
Comment by JoeHave no argument with the No 1.
I like Cathy Davey but that album is never Top 100 let alone Top 20. Best Irish album of the decade was Alphastates ‘Made From Sand’ for me.
Would definitely have had Camera Obscura’s “Let’s Get Out Of This Country” and Radiohead’s “In Rainbows” in my Top 20.
Comment by GaryI’m glad Doves are in there. They’ve been ignored in other lists.
Comment by CaitrionaYankee Hotel Foxtrot!!!!!
Comment by GrahamBren@22 and Jim@23 – “Will there be a top 20 Irish albums of the decade? That’d be interesting.”
AU magazine has its list of theTop 20 Irish Albums of the Decade in its December issue which will be out soon. Compiled on the basis of votes from the people who write for the mag and also readers who submitted their votes through the AU forum (or so I am given to understand).
Keep an eye out for it, should an interesting read.
(DOI: I write for the mag)
Comment by NeillJames at 38 – “I didn’t necessarily expect to agree with the list but that is really awful. Middle of the road indie stuff all over the shop. Bit of variation wouldn’t have gone amiss is all…”
And your list is just really awful middle of the road trendy Pitchfork stuff. Get over yourself. Or start your own blog.
Comment by SineadJim @ 31 : me @ 30 – hey, Xmas is coming, you know, someone might take pity on you
It’s ok. I’m good.
Comment by me“GAS-Nah Und Fern”
Go on, admit it. you’re just trying to be superior there. You really just listen to The Coronas and Paddy Casey.
Comment by TopCatNot that you need it but stuck up a link to your list on my own blog Jim. Astounded to see Gillian Welch on there. Astounded and absolutely delighted.
Might stick up a list of my own but i nearly have a nervous breakdown doing these things
Comment by The G-Man“”GAS-Nah Und Fern”
Of course! Damn, how stupid we all are. Everyone knows that was a seminal album of the last decade. How could we mere mortals be so idiotic to overlook that seminal work? We’re just peasants compared to you. We should be so grateful that you exist to remind us of our failure to be as cool and trendy as you.
Comment by VinnieIs it just me or is Neon Bible a better album than Funeral?!?
And is it just me or will Fleet Foxes be found out in time?
“What, no Ash? The best albums of the decade” would’ve been an even funnier title .Until I saw the list.
Comment by NaRocRocI’d have Amy Winehouse top 10 and Outkasts “Speakerboxx/Lovebelow” plus maybe Jaylib and Quasimloto/Madlibs debut in there but that’s personal taste rock will always dominate these things.
It’s a hard decade to pin down, I attempted to overview it from a hip-hop/r&b perspective a few months ago in the context of pop music, but it is difficult, especially as this was decade where that kinda of music became so popular but also pretty unfashionable among the media/taste makers
http://steviegblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/define-decade.html
Credit to On the Record for always recognising that there is more than just top line rock releases, as much as I love every music, it is a relief to see diversity.
as for the list itself, it is always gonna gonna divide people, that’s what these things do; as we say down here “every langer has his opinion” and so it should be aswell!
Comment by Stevie GSinead @ 46: you think Madvillain, Boards of Canada and Why? are “middle of the road”??
That’s, um, interesting
Comment by NeillYikes! Pretty conservative list.
Ash? Really? REALLY?
Plus Fleet Foxes must be the meh-est band with good reviews these days.
It’s interesting what @14 Tormentor says. Funk really was dead (or at least smelt funny) this decade. Indie was mostly pleasant, serious, or synthy this decade but nothing you could get down and shake your booty to.
I’d welcome a return to more funkadelic rock.
(Personally speaking, the list could have done with Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, Ghostface Killah, White Blood Cells (over Elephant), Kid A, Modest Mouse’s Moon and Antartica, Boards of Canada, Madvillian, The Field, and maybe The Books’s The Lemon of Pink)
Comment by FinitoFolks, don’t hate the hip! I was merely trying to bring some scenester to the table. I should’ve known the ‘Sineads’ and ‘Vinnies’ of this world wouldn’t understand. Maybe i should just turn on my hi-topped heels and leave you folks in peace…
I was really asking for it with GAS i suppose! Seriously though i only got into it, and it’s sensational. Not Ash Free All Angels sensational now, but pretty fucking good!
Comment by JamesAre we really that surprised by the list? Genuine talent ignored for flavour of the month bands. Not a new concept. Maybe Jim and staff have posted their resumes to the NME and this is their written exam. But heh, it only ever someone’s opinion.
Comment by TomI’m disappointed, but not surprised, not to see Joanna Newsom’s Ys on this list. Something tells me that in 20 years its unlikely we’ll all be listening to Ash and not Newsom.
Comment by SamIt’s funny how angry people get on the internetz.
“staggeringly poor” made me lol.
Comment by quigo@James.
UR LIST SUX!!!!
You also need to learn the meaning of the word ’subjective’.
Comment by LutinHey, Jim. what was your OWN top 20 list for the last decade?
Comment by JocelynThe order would constantly change to be honest but here goes :
1. Arcade Fire – Funeral
2. Bon Iver – For Emma (Forever Ago)
3. Tom Waits – Real Gone
4. Bruce Springsteen – The Rising
5. Radiohead – In Rainbows
6. Lambchop – Nixon
7. Ryan Adams – Heartbreaker
8. Gillian Welch – Time (The Revelator)
9. Sigur Ros – Takk
10. Flaming Lips – Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots
11. Queens of the Stone Age – Songs for the Deaf
12. Sparklehorse – It’s A Wonderful Life
13. The Shins ~ Oh, Inverted World
14. Low ~ Things We Lost In The Fire
15. Wilco – Yankee, Hotel, Foxtrot
16. Antony & The Johnsons – I Am A Bird Now
17. Bright Eyes – I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning
18. Sufjan Stevens – Illinois
19. Belle & Sebastian – Life Pursuit
20. PJ Harvey – Stories From the City, Stories From the Sea (2000)
Just for the sake of comparison Metacritic’s meta-analysis makes this list the Top-20:
1 SMiLE by Brian Wilson 2004
2 Van Lear Rose by Loretta Lynn 2004
3 How The West Was Won by Led Zeppelin 2003
4 Live At Reading by Nirvana 2009
5 Stankonia by OutKast 2000
6 Savane by Ali Farka Toure 2006
7 Madvillainy by Madvillain 2004
8 The Name Of This Band Is Talking Heads [2004 Version] by Talking Heads 2004
9 Love And Theft by Bob Dylan 2001
10 Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards by Tom Waits 2006
11 Boy In Da Corner by Dizzee Rascal 2004
12 Elephant by The White Stripes 2003
13 Live In London by Leonard Cohen 2009
14 A Grand Don’t Come For Free by The Streets 2004
15 Speakerboxxx/The Love Below by OutKast 2003
16 Canto by Los Super Seven 2001
17 From Here We Go Sublime by The Field 2007
18 Illinois by Sufjan Stevens 2005
19 Original Pirate Material by The Streets 2002
20 Alice by Tom Waits 2002
Strokes at 21, Funeral at 22
Comment by dealgaJim – I have compiled a list just for you!
1. silent shout – the knife
2. apologies to the queen mary – wolf parade
3. yankee hotel foxtrot – wilco
4. last exit – junior boys
5. is this it – the strokes
6. funeral – arcade fire
7. cryptograms – deerhunter
8. z – my morning jacket
9. the moon and antartica – modest mouse
10. separation sunday – the hold steady
11. kill the moonlight – spoon
12. rubies – destroyer
13. neon golden – the notwist
14. you’re so silent jens – jens lekman
15. everything all the time – band of horses
16. friend and foe – menomena
17. alopecia – WHY?
18. drowning in a sea of love – nathan fake
19. from here we go sublime – the field
20. turn on the bright lights – interpol
Bright Eyes “I’m Wide Awake It’s Morning”
Comment by Jimmy@ Sinead “And your list is just really awful middle of the road trendy Pitchfork stuff. Get over yourself. Or start your own blog.”
Please define trendy Pitchfork stuff and how radiohead and fourtet can fit into the same bracket.
As your such a good sheep and deternined to bow to the bigotted irish music press, follow the authors advice who believes you must put up your own list before critisising anothers.
Or do you wait for people to present their own and judge judge them from a far.
That list is a farce and all it does is reflect self-important Dave Fanning wannabes.
Comment by Music is The bestStrangely I share very little similarities with readers of this blog and rarely listen to alot of bands mentioned on the blog…I just like checking them out and usually don’t latch on to the majority. Same goes for these compiled lists, I’m usually bemused.
I haven’t listened to about 5 of the albums on the top 20, but I’m in agreement with the top three, if nothing else for impact and originality/bringing something new to the decade. That said Arcade Fire’s album is probably the only one I love, but Elephant is fairly cool and I dig the Ethos of Jack White if nothing else.
Delighted to see Cathy Davey there, the production, songwriting, musicianship, songwriting, atmosphere, songwriting, (did I mention songwriting?) on it are amazing.
Sigur Rose definitely deserve their place.
Amy Winehouse only rehashed songs from the 1960’s girl groups on Back to Black, but if Duffy (is that yer wans name) and the other Amy Winehouse impressionists have taught us nothing else it is that nobody rehashes their soul/girlgroup influences like Amy Winehouse.
Criticisms include:
Once again Radiohead go underappreciated. I think alot of people would recognise the Arctic Monkeys contribution to the decade even if they don’t like them, why not Radio Ceann? In Rainbows and Kid A are definitely two very influencial albums. Kid A probably rehashes alot of lesser known electronicy acts stuff, but In Rainbows is a great triumph of an album, mixing the experimental side of Radio head post 2000 with the Songwriting quality, down right catchiness etc of the 1990’s albums. All that said I’m dreading Radiohead’s next album, I’ve a feeling In Rainbows is the peak, not everything they do is magic.
No room for Kanye West? I personally think his debut captured alot of what was good about Rap, R & B, Soul, or whatever you’d call that albums sound. Its rare that a rapper produces a cohesive album, I thought that was a great effort…and I hate Kanye West as a person like as well as his newer stuff!
Seems strange not to include a hipidy hop album or something, didn’t Justin Timberlake make some extraordinarily cool pop records with the help of the Neptunes and Timbaland, surely pop deserves a look in?
Woh I wrote way too much there…no one even cares
Comment by Stone Throwing YouthsThe combined voting means that the interesting choices from each of the judges just disappear. How about this Jim – publish each of the judges’ top 20 lists here or even just the albums that were on the lists but didn’t make the combined top 20?
By having a combined top 20 it only shows the narrow common ground between the three of you, rather than the breadth of your combined experience.
Comment by PhilthArcade Fire are deserving of the No.1 spot…
Very surprised by Kid A’s omission. It’s easily my favourite of the decade…
…closely followed by Panda Bear – Person Pitch & The Walkmen – Bows & Arrows.
Glad to see Interpol and Sigur Ros there.
Some other albums from the past decade that i still listen to…
RJD2 – Since we last spoke
LCD – Sound of Silver
Bloc Party – Silent Alarm (they really lost it after that album though)
Daft Punk – Discovery
Wilco – A Ghost is Born
Primal Scream – Xtrmntr
The XX – xx (gets better every time)
Four Tet – Rounds
Rival Schools – United by Fate
QOTSA – Songs for the Deaf
Good list overall, definately would have arcade fire at 1 or maybe the strokes. No how I learnt to love the boot boys by the Auteurs or maybe that was last decade. Also bob dylan modern times should be there
Comment by GerryThese lists and their reactions are always amusing. Thank you! Some nice choices, some ones I simply don’t understand (Heartbreaker is good but over Yankee Hotel Foxtrot? Where’s Outkast and the fun songs in general?).
Will there be individual writer’s top 10s? I’d like to see Ray Commiskey’s and Joe Breen’s.
Comment by Major AlfonsoThat list is farce. Im not a journalist so I dont have to provide mine to critisize it. It reflects all the self important Dave Fanning Wannabes out there.
Present you own top 10 if you dont have anything nice to say about yours? Your a Journalist not child, take your lumps along awith everyone else.
Comment by Music is The bestmy list:
01> british sea power – the decline of british sea power
02> elliott smith – new moon
03> explosions in the sky – how strange, innocence
04> bright eyes – i’m wide awake it’s morning
05> beastie boys – to the 5 boroughs
06> joanna newsom – the milk-eyed mender
07> thermals – the body, the blood, the machine
08> decemberists – the crane wife
09> gza – legend of the liquid sword
10> vampire weekend – vampire weekend
11> beck – sea change
12> wilco – a ghost is born
13> fucked up – the chemistry of common life
14> modest mouse – good news for people who love bad news
15> part & labor – mapmaker
16> liberation – talib kweli and madlib
17> grandaddy – sophtware slump
18> secret machines – now here is nowhere
19> fountains of wayne – welcome interstate managers
20> reindeer section – son of evil reindeer
anyone who is disagrees is a homophobe or a frenchie.
Comment by kevinNever got the whole arcade fire thing. Some bands that could also be included:
Flaming lips: Yoshimi battles etc
Wilco: Any of their releases
The National: Boxer
Bonnie prince billy: any of his realeases
Johnny Cash: American recordings 1-4
Radiohead: kid A and in rainbows
I cannot believe that your top 20 of the decade does not correspond exactly to my own personal and subjective choice of what I enjoyed over those years. Worst… List… Ever.
Still though, I sense that a lot of the ire is due to the fact that there were a number of judges and hence a more mainstream slant on it.
Comment by Sean BWell the albums that went into that GAS release were hugely influential over the last ten years. For good or for ill they gave an early outing to minimal techno.
Give out all you want for it being a reissue of music chiefly recorded in the 90s but to slate it for being different or not well known? Your inferiority complex is showing
Every best of the decade list is either going to be “trendy pitchfork” heavy or parochial. Love them or hate them, they led the decade in second guessing popular “alternative” tastes.
Comment by Bold Lumpgood call on the Avalanches – a lot of other lists have omitted it, probably because it came out right at the start of the decade and they’ve since disappeared. Another early decade highlight that isn’t getting its props is Lambchop’s “Nixon”.
Comment by LiamKAmy Winehouse, Strokes Anthony and the Johnsons are all memorable albums – the Avalanches is the standout album there for me. I would have Rufus wainwright in there somewhere.
I can see why Interpol, Arctic Monkeys, White Stripes and Arcade Fire are included for the indie listener but they’re not classic albums by any means. In general the list is a little too limited to the indie playlist for my tastes.
Can’t think of any Irish albums that would warrant non-controversial inclusion. I wouldn’t have Cathy Davey’s album in there certainly. It’s a glossy cloying album with anodyne lyrics that lacks any attempt at innovation.
Comment by Mumblin Deaf RoAm I the only one who finds of end of year lists excruciatingly dull?
Comment by LoyolaAwesome! I go for a sandwich and get 25 comments. Must got for a sandwich more often. Just to note it was probably one of top sandwiches of this year, but probably not the decade.
jocelyn @ 60 – stay the fuck out of this one, you!
music is the best @ 71 – a happy xmas to you as well
sean b @ 74 – i think you speak the truth
liamK @ 76, MDR @ 77 – the avalanches is an album which doesn’t get old or tired.
Comment by Jim CarrollIt just goes to show you can’t be too careful!
Comment by ECongratulations on having a list of entirely white people (except for the avalanches of course, but no one really knows they’re multi-ethnic) also fantastic work on ommitting any music by gay people.
Honestly the most insulting list I’ve seen for describing music in this century, hip-hop r&b and house of all flavours left on the wayside. Basically you’re less a journalist than a PR guy for boring boring music.
Comment by seanMIA Arular?????????????
Comment by JFMy sandwich was better than yours
Comment by Stevie Galso fantastic work on ommitting any music by gay people.
sean @ 81 – see album at number 8. Did you actually even bother to read the list?
Comment by Jim Carrollsean @ 81
Antony Hegarty is gay I think. He’s no. 8 in the list.
Comment by Steve K@ Sean 81: You can’t be serious! Are you?
Comment by Le Catch80 comments Jim for posting a list of 20 albums. Not bad eh?
How do people get so worked up about these things?!!!
Comment by The G-Man@Loyola “Am I the only one who finds of end of year lists excruciatingly dull?”
Not as dull as people who that lists are dull. Every flipping year they say the same thing!
Comment by LutinFascinating but good mix sir. Congrats to all concerned. I think some commentators mistook it for the ‘MY 20 Albums Of The Decade’.
Personal choice is not the only basis for selection. I think that’s a point that a lot of folks seem to have missed. It’s a list of ‘The Decade’ so it’s gonna be a snap shot of what was going round during that time.
Not necessarily the best thing you heard. This list is always gonna sit somewhere between what was popular and what shook things up.
The selection are serious perennials. While Ryan Adams or The Strokes aren’t exactly ‘originals’, they defined the time and set us up for those who followed. They deserve the recognition.
While I mightn’t neccessarily be that interested in all the choices, for better or worse, all of these had a massive impact on the music scene….including Ash!
I was curious about how the selection process was agreed upon? What was the criteria for consideration? Was cultural impact one of the main factors? Simply personal preference? Was each voter given an open agenda to base their selection on?
Well done chaps and chapesse.
Comment by James DI’d just like to say I love Free All Angels so it was a nice surprise to see it on the list!
Gotta love the aggro these lists cause. Of the albums that have missed out, I enjoyed the Lips’ Yoshimi, The Rising (this album opened the door to the boss for me), Speakerboxx/Love Below, Alligator by the National and Ryan Adams’ Gold.
Over 80 comments in a few hours – brilliant.
Comment by RH@85 and jim
well i suppose i can be as serious as a list of the 00s without hip-hop or dance
and yeah i missed antony, sorry jim i missed the token choice!
Comment by sean@James D
Fascinating but good mix sir. Congrats to all concerned. I think some commentators mistook it for the ‘MY 20 Albums Of The Decade’.
Most of the posters who posted THEIR top 20 lists were thrown down the gauntlet by Jimbo.
Comment by Steve KG-Man @ 87 – damned if I know!
James D – I think some commentators mistook it for the ‘MY 20 Albums Of The Decade’
Nail on head.
I was curious about how the selection process was agreed upon?
Simple. I sent in a list of my 20 favourite albums from the last ten years. Lauren and Tony did likewise. List was compiled.
I chose my 20 albums based on the albums which I remember most fondly from the last decade and which I am still playing and enjoying. I’m sure the other two chose their lists along similar lines.
Comment by Jim CarrollSean @ 81 is completely right!
I might also point out that there is not one bald person on the list, females aged 30-35 who prefer salt & vinegar over cheese & onion crisps, men who have elbow pads on their jackets, below average height children, stammer-ers, or even one musician who previously worked as a plumber.
Hitler’s legacy is in safe hands…
Comment by James DJim @ 90
Nail on head.
Let me get this straight, you tell every poster who disagrees with you to post their Top 20, then nod & wink with someone who criticizes those posters for doing just that?
Can somebody spell I-N-T-E-G-R-I-T-Y?
Comment by Steve KCathy Davey’s inclusion was a bit eyebrow-raising, although I do still rather like that album. Mr. TCL must REALLY like it.
other than that, yawn. I’m smugly self-satisfied in not liking, owning or caring about any of the other 19 albums on the list – it just shows the diversity in modern music, in that I can sustain an indie-to-alternative taste that doesn’t have to intersect with that of the critics of the paper of record. which makes me genuinely surprised why people are getting so worked up about it here.
congratulations on making the list, and getting the response. even if it’s slightly more demented than the usual OTR commenting bunfight.
Comment by gabbagabbaheyI might also point out that there is not one bald person on the list, females aged 30-35 who prefer salt & vinegar over cheese & onion crisps, men who have elbow pads on their jackets, below average height children, stammer-ers, or even one musician who previously worked as a plumber.
One of the Arctic Monkeys used to be plumber (I think)
even if it’s slightly more demented than the usual OTR commenting bunfight.
Oh, I think it’s about par for the course. Bar the gay rights chap. He’s new.
Comment by Jim Carrollno bubba?
obviously Brian Boyd didn’t shout loudly enough.
@ 83 what type of sandwich? I suppose its all in the bread really.
Comment by DanielThat list @ 62 is varied in fairness but i can’t see the significance of re-issues, live albums from bands that no longer exist, and other such entries.
The 00’s were surely not that bad!!!
Comment by Stevie GAlso that MetaCritic list is based on reviews. Sure, who’d trust a reviewer?
Comment by Jim CarrollHilarious the ire you can provoke with one key stroke Jim. No major problem with this list, but then all lists compiled are subjective and to personal tastes, no? Great craic though reading some of the comments above, thanks for that!
Comment by AlanWho do people keep congratulating people for making a list? And more importantly why are folk losing their bananas over a list created by a publication that champions exactly the style/profile of music that features in the list?
Comment by VinnieAlan – No major problem with this list, but then all lists compiled are subjective and to personal tastes, no?
Vinnie – And more importantly why are folk losing their bananas over a list created by a publication that champions exactly the style/profile of music that features in the list?
Yep to both of you. I find it most hillarious how some readers get so worked up about what are, after all, the opinions of three music writers. We must be very good music writers. Good job we won’t be revealing what’s at Number 21 in the list, eh?
Comment by Jim CarrollAhh a great afternoon read of ire- thanks for these list posts Jim! Obviously the gay rights chap doesn’t know much about Jónsi in Sigur Ros either.
Not a lists person at all so won’t be doing my own…but if I were to add one that hasn’t been mentioned yet it would be the Yeah Yeah Yeahs Fever To Tell- still gets rotation!
Ah go on Jim- whats 21?!
Comment by TimAsh aren’t exactly feeling the love up in Downpatrick. Me, I love it. Top 20, I dunno.
Worthy inclusions and random omissions (not yet mentioned):
The Wolf Parade: Apologies to the Queen Mary
Superchunk: Here’s to Shutting Up
Beck: Sea Change
Sufjan Stevens: Illinois
Yo La Tengo: And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside Out
Low: Things We Lost in the Fire
Bob Dylan (I would probably opt for Love and Theft over Modern Times or Together Through Life) should definitely be on any best-of-decade list.
Comment by Kevin@ G Man (61)
Your list is much closer to how I’d have my future generations reference this decade of ours (although someone has jumped onto your machine when you weren’t looking and snuck Belle & Sell-Boredom onto your list).
Cathy Davey would even be embarrassed about seeing her name there.
Comment by KieranObviously the gay rights chap doesn’t know much about Jónsi in Sigur Ros either.
Tim – obviously not. Guy doesn’t really seem to know what he is talking about at all.
The list is now the 2nd most emailed and 3rd most read piece on irishtimes.com today. Now, that’s pretty unbelievable.
Comment by Jim CarrollThat list looks like it was compiled by two 19 year olds high after their first Electric Picnic.
The greatest album of the decade for me is Autechre’s Draft 7.30.
Kid A should be on the list I think. It’s not perfect by any means, but its good moments are very good (the opening two tracks for example).
Venetian Snares – Rossz csillag alatt született. Another superb album, but I’m not exactly annoyed that a drill and bass record based around Hungarian folk music hasn’t appeared, so don’t worry.
Brian Wilson’s Smile. No, it wasn’t the 1967 version we all wanted instead, but the songwriting is strong enough to merit an inclusion. The only thing that let this down is the production, which is a shame.
One other stand-out for me is Daft Punk’s Discovery.
Comment by DerekAgreed with whoever suggested you should post up the individual judges’ lists.. These aggregated lists that prioritise the popular choices always tend to knock out the most interesting selections.
Comment by dermotI’d make room for Panda Bear – Person Pitch (probably at no 1) and Kid A would be right up there as well
Comment by FMDon’t usually have to do people’s jobs for them but here’s a list
1. Daft Punk – Discovery
2. Outkast – Stankonia
3. Kanye – Graduation
4. Annie – Anniemal
5. Shed – Shedding the past
6. Burial – Burial
7. White Stripes – White Blood Cells
8. Boris – Akuma no Uta
9. Luomo – Vocal City
10. Lil’ Wayne – The Carter III
11. Trus’Me – Working Nights
12. Radiohead – Kid A
13. Burial – Untrue
14. LCD Soundsystem – Sound of Silver
15. Broken Social Scene – You Forgot it In People
16. Ghostface Killa – Supreme Clientele
17. Mastodon – Leviathan
18. Sonic Youth – Murray Street
19. M.I.A. – Piracy Funds Terrorism
20. Ricardo Villalobos – Alcachofa
Great list. Mine would be:
1. I am a bird now by Anthony and the johnsons
2. Heartbreaker by Ryan Adams
3. Dear Catastrophe Waitress by Belle and Sebastian
4. Casadega by Bright eyes
5. Blinking Lights by Eels
6. Seldom Seen Kid by Elbow
7. Time (the revelatory) by Gillian Welch
8. Rabbit Fur Coat by Jenny Lewis
9. Drums and Guns by Low
10. Oh my God Charlie Darwin by the Low Anthem
11. Evening Train by Mick Flannery
12. The Bairns by Rachel Unthank and the Winterset
13. Trouble by Ray LaMontagne
14. Begin to Hope by Regina Spector
15. Coles Corner by Richard Hawley
16. Under the Blacklight by Rilo Kiley
17. These Friends of Mine by Rosie Thomas
18. Illinois by Sufjan Stevens
19. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot by wilco
20. If the ocean gets rough by Willy Mason
Nobody mentioned Green Day’s American Idiot, unquestionably a brilliant album and 21st Century Breakdown is not far behind either.
Arcade Fire No.1, Fleet Foxes No.5, dreary, dreary, dreary.
The list goes to show you what a crap decade it has been musically, the worst since the 1960s. Roll on the Tens?
Still waiting for your OWN list of the last decade, monkey boy.
Comment by Jocelyndermot @ 111 – in fairness, it’s a collective decision so I’m happy to toe the party line. You can a top 5 of sorts of mine here, if you are interested.
ronan @ 115 – fuck off back to your AC/DC and metallica bootlegs
jocelyn @ 116 – once I’ve seen your top 20 list of “really shite Irish plays I’ve made other people suffer through by swearing blind to them that the plays were actually good”
Comment by Jim Carroll@Vinnie 103
And more importantly why are folk losing their bananas over a list created by a publication that champions exactly the style/profile of music that features in the list?
@Jim 104
What I find most hillarious is how some readers get so worked up about what are, after all, the opinions of three music writers
People get worked up over music lists, football, books etc. because they reflect the seriousness of their lives into their hobbies. That’s why the whole nation lost the plot with Henry and the handball, that’s why we get annoyed about lists (although the latter has a lot to do with having a nerd’s mentality).
Jim, I don’t like that “What I find most hillarious is how some readers get so worked up about what are, after all, the opinions of three music writers“. It’s a very dishonest statement, because you’ve responded to straight-forward level-headed criticism with severely wounded pride.
It’s not just about opinions, and if it were you wouldn’t have a job as a journalist. I would defend the fact you only have indie-style albums in your list – The Irish Times music section is implicitly an indie music publication and there’s nothing dishonest or blinkered about viewing the decade through that prism.
But there are good arguments, within that prism, why, for instance, the Arctic Monkeys, while good, are well below many of their peers in the same style of music. That the influence they leave in music will be minimal, that their music brings nothing novel except some entertaining sheen.
That’s not just opinion, and it’s not all subjective (though of course a lot of it is). If your list is just the favorite albums of three fans in a room – that’s cool – you needn’t defend it beyond “we like it” but as a journo there should be more meat than that surely?
Your “Best Irish Albums of All Time” had more steel to it, more arguments about legacy, and while that is harder to judge now, it should be the job of a good journo to lay down their opinions on legacy – and if we are trying to objectively analyze these albums influence is a good place to start.
That’s why I’d criticize the inclusion of the Monkeys – a decent band amongst hundreds of decent bans this decade – along with Ash and Elbow and the Doves. If you’re going to pick a “decent straight-forward not-so-innovative” rock band maybe could have gone for someone who perfected a well-worn genre – think Band of Horses or My Morning Jacket w/ Z – or Wolf Parade.
Yeah but less of the “it’s just opinions” and more of “your opinion is balls because….”
Comment by Steve KSuch anger, it’s like Woodstock never happened.
Comment by nerraw“Nobody mentioned Green Day’s American Idiot, unquestionably a brilliant album”
Unquestionably brilliant? Seriously?
“The list goes to show you what a crap decade it has been musically, the worst since the 1960s. Roll on the Tens?”
Why were the sixties crap and why do you need somebody else’s list to tell you whether this decade was any use?
Comment by VinnieWhich came first, The post on this thread, or the OMM article ?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/nov/29/paul-morley-albums-noughties
(Deep breathe) …. if there’s one thing worse than a carefully collated pseudo-objective quasi-cool neo-diagnostic list of the best 50 albums from the previous year or decade published in the run-up to Christmas that narrowly and predictably reflects merely the general taste, cultural character, passing fancies and subjective musical prejudices and expectations of the magazine and its writers, then it’s someone petulantly responding to the list by plunging into their own particular taste, character, fancies and prejudices and exclaiming – with superior feeling and a self-righteous sense of outrage, annoyed with the whole idea of art, music and entertainment being endlessly filtered through the simplifying, commercial, reductive conveniences of lists, compartments and charts but responding with their own alternative suggestions, which, of course, allegedly actually contain a better, richer reading of the previous year or decade’s various patterns, narratives, innovations, scenes, hypes, next big things, random developments and deeper meanings
Comment by Mullysteve k @ 118 – all the analysis and defence of the selections is in the actual piece.
nerraw @ 119 – It’s more Altamont than Woodstock
mully @ 120 – Paul Morley for President
Comment by Jim CarrollAnd we had lots of fun. So you OWN list then? It is your blog, after all…
Comment by JocelynScratch what I said before, never mind your own list, Ray Commiskey’s or Joe Breen’s. I’d like to know, nay i demand to know what Madam considers the top 20 phonographic delights of the decade. What does she rock out to sitting on her throne after dismissing all her minions shriveled in fear? Cradle of Filth’s Nymphetamine is my guess.
Comment by Major AlfonsoI love how everyone disagreeing is dismissed as this irrational angry fanboy.
The list is shit, simple as that. I’m not gonna lose sleep over it. I’m not enraged at this injustice. i just thought it worthy of comment.
It’s ridiculously unrepresentative. No hip-hop? No electronic/dance? (Avalanches aside) I like a lot of the albums in there but wouldn’t go as far as calling them the best of the decade.
Also, obviously it’s subjective…but the piece is entitled ‘The Best Albums of the Decade’.
Comment by Jamesjocelyn – fun? A play which opens with some old biddy dying and she’s still fucking dying 2 hours later? They couldn’t even kill her off! No, I’m keeping my Top 20 under wraps.
Comment by Jim CarrollWhat was this for, if not to arouse discussion? The winners: The Irish Times. I’m in disagreement with the list, but it’s interesting that many of us agree with about half the choices, maybe not the order, and how many (including myself) would call for the inclusion of Kid A and In Rainbows.
NPR in the States has done a really interesting podcast and list of the most influential records of the decade. Worth a look and a listen: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120326033
Comment by KevinPoor Tom Murphy. Bailegangaire. A classic for any decade.
Which reminds me…
The guy who said the last decade was the worst since the 60s…I sincerely hope that was not inclusive of the 60s itself, which is arguably the greatest ten years of music since its inception.
Your description of a Green Day album as ‘unquestionably brilliant’ does not fill me with hope.
Comment by Derek+1 for astonishment at lack of Kid A.
Seriously ?
Comment by Danny O'ConnorPoor Tom Murphy. Bailegangaire. A classic for any decade.
Jocelyn – it was actually Sebastian Barry’s Our Lady Of Sligo. I think I’ve had problems with Sligo ever since because of that.
Comment by Jim Carroll@ Jim
My problems with Sligo go all the way back to Westlife. Or Pondlife as I prefer to call them.
Comment by DerekSean @ 113 – Yeah! You told Jim! How d’ya like them apples?
Vinnie @ 103 – You took exception to folks congratulating Jim & Co on compiling the list.
As one of the people who congratulated, I presume that this wasn’t simply a list that they drew up over an hour or two. This is their profession. If you’re going to put your name to something like this, I can only assume they’ve put in the time & effort. Tell me you made some effort Jim!
Comment by James D@ 127 Kevin: The World Cafe programme on NPR also have a top 10 that’s a little inspired and a little eccentric (don’t know that Phoenix will be topping many other “decade” lists)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120957903&ps=bb2
Just small sample of a few other omissions that’d sit firmly on my own list:
-Brian Wilson: SMiLE!
-Wilco: Ghost Is Born
-Joanna Newsom: Ys
-Jape: Ritual
-Grizzly Bear: Veckatimist
-Sufjan Stevens: Illinois
-Flaming Lips: Yoshimi
-Dylan: Modern Times
-WHY?: Alopecia
-Bright Eyes: Wide Awake etc [when the voice doesn't grate]
-Smog/Bill Callahan
-Final Fantasy: He Poos Clouds
Admittedly there’s no cosmic free jazz hip-hop or breakcore dubstep etc in there, but it’s all subjective so no list is ever going to be definitive to anyone cept yourself (if even). But at least it should whip up (friendly) debate & an entertaining comments thread.
(Although come on, worst decade since the 1960s?? What a codger)
Comment by Ronan NI have no memory of that nite in the theatre. A kind of PTSD perhaps? Sligo is a great place though.
Comment by JocelynJim @ 122.
steve k @ 118 – all the analysis and defence of the selections is in the actual piece.
Jim that’s fair enough. But you’re being frustratingly inconsistent in your positions. But I can see that errant flippancy seems to be your reply of choice.
You’ve said several times on this post that it’s just the opinion of three people in room, but now you say that there is an objective analysis worthy or argument?
Well which is it? Can’t have it all ways.
Comment by Steve KJames D @ 133 – Tell me you made some effort Jim!
I made some effort, dude
Jocelyn @ 136 – I was obviously scarred for life by that experience. It’s all Vincent Browne’s fault, though.
steve k @ 137 – You’ve said several times on this post that it’s just the opinion of three people in room, but now you say that there is an objective analysis worthy or argument? Well which is it? Can’t have it all ways.
You’re confusing me now. Why can’t it be both? Opinions AND analysis? Opinion formed by analysis or analysis backed up by opinion? I’ve also not used the word “objective” so please don’t put words in my mouth.
Comment by Jim CarrollLists..
1.The National – Alligator
2.The Walkmen – Bows & Arrows
3.Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend
4.Arcade Fire – Funeral
5.Bright Eyes – I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning
6.LCD Soundsystem – Sound Of Silver
7.The Streets – Original Pirate Material
8.The Flaming Lips – Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots
9.M.I.A. – Arular
10.Portishead – Third
11.Jay Z – The Blueprint
12.Clap Your Hands Say Yeah – Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
13.Antony & The Johnsons – I’m A Bird Now
14.Rufus Wainwright – Want One
15.Bruce Springsteen – The Rising
16.Wilco – Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
17.Radiohead – Kid A
18.The Frames – For The Birds
19.Kate Bush – Aerial
20.The Strokes – Is That It
Hurrah for the Avalanches selection Jim. in addition to some already mentioned:
Common’s Like Water for Chocolate
Grand National’s Kickin’ the National Habit
Neon Neon’s Stainless Style
James Yorkston’s When the Haar Rolls In
Cut Copy’s Bright Like Neon Love
“Vinnie @ 103 – You took exception to folks congratulating Jim & Co on compiling the list.
As one of the people who congratulated, I presume that this wasn’t simply a list that they drew up over an hour or two”
It just seems like incentive-free brown-nosing to me. They didnt give birth to the list and no offence meant to the writers but it doesnt look like it took all that long. It’s not particularly exhaustive and only really covers a couple of genres at most.
Comment by VinnieMy list is better than all of yours. And so says all of me. Check it out at
http://ralphmexico.wordpress.com/
It’s the post (hilariously?) entitled “Keep A Close Watch On This Chart Of Mine”.
The 12 Songs of the Decade are in last week’s “My Perfect Dozen” post.
And yes, this is a shameless attempt to boost the numbers viewing the blog. Only one or two people are dedicated readers at present.
Actually, it’s the same person but he reads it twice. Ho-hum..
‘Til Things Are Brighter,
Ralph Mexico
Having Fleet Foxes on there ahead of It Still Moves / At Dawn / Z is like having the complete stone roses version of the stone roses ahead of the original.
Glad to see Doves in there buh.
Comment by andyThere is a lot of acts that have been mentioned in the ’should have been’ catergory e.g. Wilco, Radiohead, Brian Wilson, Grizzly Bear, YYYs, Flaming Lips, etc.
I think the response I’d have to a lot of these is that while I love them (probably more than some of the final choices), I don’t think they’ve impacted the nations’ tastes or the direction of the music scene.
Kid A, Yoshimi & YHF/Ghost Is Born were sonic milestones but they didn’t redefine the music that the population listened to. Did they change the music that people created? Yes, but in the grand scheme of things…?
I think this is one of the reasons why (and not trying to offend here) niche music styles like rap, dance, jazz, r&b, blues, world, classical, etc aren’t covered in this top 20….
Comment by James D“It’s not particularly exhaustive and only really covers a couple of genres at most.”
So what you’re saying is that there is no Jimmy Cake, right?
Comment by DipI bet The Irish Times are rubbing their hands with glee today. What a response! Proving once again that On The Record has become the number one destination for music discussions in Ireland. Hope you get a pay-rise, Jim
By the way, no Jay-Z? WTF?
Comment by JMOn the whole I think many would agree with at least 50% of the list which is a very good result guys, however i am mystified at the non appearance of Kid A, by Radiohead- even if you hate it you have to see it’s a very significant album, surely?
Comment by drseanVinnie @ 141:
“It just seems like incentive-free brown-nosing to me.”
Trust me, I’ve no agenda or need to brown-nose anyone. I hate the fact that simply because someone is positive about a list that they are perceived as being up to something.
“It’s not particularly exhaustive and only really covers a couple of genres at most.”
That’s nonse-sense mate. Would you be expecting 1 or 2 albums to be put forward to represent an entire decade against every other music genre. It would be a massively boring list and they would have zero relationship to each other.
Comment by James DHey – I thought this was supposed to be about Clarke’s film list as well. Since he’s off hostelling in Slovakia and there’s tumbleweed blowing through his “blog”, I’d like to offer this (in the style of some of the comments above):
WHAT A PATHETIC LIST!!!! Just what you’d expect from a middle-class, middle-of-the-road, balding chancer like Clarke.
Where are the Dardenne Brothers? Where’s Hou Hsiao-Hsien?
Has NOBODY in Iran or Latin America made a decent film. And where’s the transgression, the disruption of narrative? Instead what we get is a pile of milksop, lily-livered, indie schmindie/ boutique studioette Oscar fodder. Lost in Translation? Brokeback Mountain? is Clarke trying to weasel his way into the Hollywood Foreign Critics and Junketeers Association? Pah!
And no, you can’t have my list.
Comment by Hugh LinehanHey Jim, now do the ‘top 20 most over rated albums of the decade’ and see which post gets the most comments. It’ll be fun.
Comment by JoeGiven the outcry Jim you could put up a poll for OTR readers to vote for their favourite albums and we can compare lists at the end of that process. Should ease the fuming and add plenty more hits to the blog.
Comment by JCHugh @ 149 – poor Clarke is going to come back to a meltdown on his blog. Can he not get the interweb in Slovakia?
joe @ 150 – don’t tempt me
jc @ 151 – my money would be on patrick kelleher
Comment by Jim Carroll“That’s nonse-sense mate. Would you be expecting 1 or 2 albums to be put forward to represent an entire decade against every other music genre. It would be a massively boring list and they would have zero relationship to each other.”
I didnt make a comment on the quality of the list, I merely said that it looked like it didnt take very long to make and that it was rather narrow in focus. Im not sure there’s a lot to disagree with in those two statements. It’s no big deal. Congratulate away. It just seems odd to me – like congratulating the milkman on a successful round or something.
Comment by VinnieThanks for The National mention – Boxer was at least as good as Alligator. And Illinoise should be there – very innovative and still great four years later …
And whoever was wondering about the relative merits of Funeral and Neon Bible – no contest – the follow-up was as disappointing as Funeral was brilliant
Comment by Tony S.149 – It’s funny how we have higher standards for cinema than music…I’m sure a Juilliard class would have tons of fun looking at the decade’s ‘best of’ for music.
For the record I thought Mr. Clarke’s list was good, and mostly free of the prejudices that limit the music’s list to (mostly) Anglophone pop music with no mention of jazz or classical.
Comment by DerekA very indie-shmindie selection. Are non-white people no good at making music?
Comment by Bibi BaskinThere are some unbelievable omissions besides Radiohead’s Kid A, they would include Joan As Police Woman ‘Real Life’, Sufijan Stevens ‘Illinois’, Phoenix ‘United’, Bonnie Prince Billy’s ‘Superwolf’, The Be Good Tanya’s ‘Chinatown’, Loney Dear’s ‘Loney Noir’, Super Furry Animals ‘Love Kraft’…..these are all mainstream releases, you don’t even have to dig for this stuff!
Comment by JasonAsh in the top 20 albums of the decade? Lads did no one sanity check the list…Jim, help us understand man.
Comment by boardtc@Derek – how can Donal Clarke list “Team America: World Police” but
not “No country for old men”, “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”, “American Beauty”, “The Departed”, “The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada”.
PS: As someone said above, Final Fantasy should be on there somewhere.
Comment by Mumblin Deaf RoWow. 159 comments. Subtitle for those prone to apoplexy: these lists are subjective and reflect the personal opinions of some human beings.
Comment by JossPPS: re: furore – are these lists still legally binding?
Comment by Mumblin Deaf RoOverall, the list is pretty good although I would have swapped a few around. I would also try to make room for at least one Radiohead album. While I agree that Final Fantasy is awesome live, his albums don’t come across as well.
Comment by PaoloYes ok the fleetfoxes do have amazing harmonies but lets be truthful the album becomes completely repetitive after 10 listens.
Where is in rainbows?
Whos gonna volunteer to compile the OTR list of lists based on all of the submissions above? Or do people have lives
Comment by Feathers McGrawSome good choices there Lauren, but it is all quite band/singer songwriter orientated (barring Avalaches).
I agree that leaving out Kid A, In Rainbows or both is controversial.
I also think The Last Broadcast didn’t quite live up to the splendour of Lost Souls.
Comment by Enda McDonaghI’m surprised The National don’t get a mention in the top 20.
Personally I’d also have:
And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead – ‘Source Tags and Codes’.
Spiritualised – ‘Let it Come Down’.
Comets on Fire – ‘Blue Cathedral’.
Joanna Newsom should be there + yeah yeah yeahs + Panda Bear + Danielson
Comment by MacSome great Tweets on this today
Hah, it’s almost impossible to get anything done on List Days
i’m beginning to not be able to read the comments on OTR these days. headwrecking.
Always happens, am amazed at the way that people lose their shit on Jim Carroll’s blog over an Irish Times best of list
Irish TImes’ end of decade list is a laff and a haff. The twenty best albums to turn grey and drive a mid-range car to.
http://twitter.com/adamprincebilly
OTR’s comment section:’Fuck you,Jim.I love you,Jim.Fuck you,previous commenter.I love Jim.Fuck you Irish Times.Fuck lists.I love OTR’.Done.
http://twitter.com/niamhconroy
i rarely use this word but christ there are some serious geebags posting over there acting like overlords. Its just tedious imo.
Comment by Aoife@ boardtc
No list will ever be ideal for everyone, as has been said about a gazillion times on this page alone.
As for the films you suggested, “Team America: World Police” aside from being beautifully made, also made some scathing attacks on just about everyone in a really funny way. It wouldn’t have been close to my Top 20, (Top 50 maybe), but it’s an interesting addition at least.
“No country for old men” I wasn’t too keen on. Even Burn After Reading was much better. The film just wasn’t memorable for me.
“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”…good for sure. I can see a case being made for its inclusion.
“American Beauty” was 1999 and not eligible. (Besides, time hasn’t been kind to it).
“The Departed”. Are you serious? Scorsese’s worst film, and a remake to boot. No way.
“The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada”. I plead ignorance, I’d never heard of it.
Comment by DerekWow, can’t believe I forgot about Super Furry Animals – ‘Rings Around The World’, and it one of favourites of any decade. I’m getting old.
State.ie’s top 50 is coming along nicely too, maybe you should of allowed for more than 20?
Comment by Ronan NJust one omission from me would be Richard Hawley ‘Coles Corner’ from 2005 and i’d totally agree with Cathy Davey being on the list – Tales of Silver Sleeve is named after snot – true story!
No rant needed either!
Comment by Mr.Savage“The twenty best albums to turn grey and drive a mid-range car to.”
What, Animal Collective, The Avalanches, Antony & The Johnsons, Sigur Ros, Gillian Welch?
Obiously in Karl from Those Geese’s world, the Top 20 should be all So Cow, Patrick Kelleher and The Coronas
Comment by PodgeI dont think Radiohead are going to lose any sleep over this but their omission seems to make the list look kind of light weight. Cant fault the choice of Funeral at no1 though. It gets even better with age.
Comment by VincentYears ago I wrote a review of ASH’s “Free All Angels” calling Wheeler’s lyrics “playground poetry” and to this day I still receive the odd hate-filled email from deluded members of the ever-decreasing Ash army.
Comment by Ronan C@ Sean 81
They should have a seperate list for best Gay Albums of the Decade
1. Paddy Casey – Addicted to Company (Part One)
2. Wolfmother – Wolfmother
3. Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes
….and so on
Comment by StampyReally surprised that some commenters are placing Why?’s Alopecia on their top X albums of the decade. Elephant Eye Lash is so much better than Alopecia.
Comment by seamusthese are some of the albums I have played to death over the last ten years not in any order
Burial – Untrue
LCD – SOS
Thom Yorke – The Eraser
Radiohead Kid A / In Rainbows
Matmos – supreme balloon
Arcade Fire – Funeral
AC- Strawberry Jam
The Breaks – Give Blood
Sufjan Stevens – Illinois
Daft Punk – Discovery
The avalanches – since i left you
The Knife – Silent Shout
Dizzee Rascal: Boy In Da Corner
MIA – Adular
The Rapture, Pieces of the People We Love
Hot Chip – The warning
Caribou – Andorra
Portishead – third
The Field – From here we go sublime
Johann Johannsson – A User’s Manual to IBM 1401
A lot of people commenting on the fact that there’s not a lot of hip hop, electronic, left field hip hop, dubstep etc (things of that variety) on the list. So here’s a top 20 of all that juicy stuff.
In no particular order.
The Mouse and The Mask – MF Doom and Dagermouse
Donuts – J Dilla
Los Angeles – Flying Lotus
Madvillainy – MF Doom and Madlib
Third – Portishead
Prefuse 73 – Vocal Studies & Uprock Narratives
RJD2 – Since We Last Spoke
Santogold – Santogold
Outkast – Speakerboxx/Love Below
Reflection Eternal – Train of Thought
Ghostface – Supreme Clientele
M.I.A – Arular
Nosaj Thing – Drift
Prefuse 73 – Surrounded by Silence
Jay Z – Blueprint 3
Why? – Alopecia
Aesop Rock – Labour Days
Deltron 3030 – Deltron 3030
Mr Lif – I Phantom
And to finish I know it isn’t an album but the Low End Theory Podcast is the best thing to happen to hip hop and coming right at the tail end of the decade it was very welcome. If ya havent heard em download em.
Sin É.
What do ye think.
Comment by Conall Mac MichaelAlso i somehow managed to omit Edan’s Beauty and the Beat, which is easily one of the best albums of the decade.My fault.
Comment by Conall Mac Michael@ Spacey – good call on Johann Johannson. If we’re allowed to nominate albums outside of the indie-gene pool, I’d nominate his Englaborn or Steve Reich’s Daniel variations.
(This year has been the year I – belatedly as usual – found out about ambient/contemporary classical.)
Comment by Mumblin Deaf RoNo Radiohead or Wilco? Besides that a very good list.
Comment by NomadnoseI’ll forgive any list that includes Stories From The Cities, Stories From The Sea.
Comment by sarahUnless Kid A is an album with ten versions of Creep on it all of the Radiohead bigging-upping is quite mental.
Comment by dealgaActually probably one thing worth reviewing during a slow week in January would be where people (apart from those of us in bands) stand on the whole self-released/independent scene in Ireland which seems to have survived pretty well throughout the past ten years and has produced many interesting albums in the meantime. I did my first album in 2003 when the mainstream view of self-released music in Ireland was ‘bedroom musicians/no quality control/no record deal for a reason’, but I get the impression that opinion has shifted a bit on that (I could be wrong on that). In fairness to yourself Jim and Tony Clayton-Lea, the Choice prize and the Ticket reviewing policy has played a part in legitimising self-released music in this country. I also think that self-publication of music writing through blogs has helped.
On second thoughts that has the potential for a toxic OTR discussion – forgive me, I have a head cold.
Comment by Mumblin Deaf RoGah, why isn’t [insert band title here] even in the list? Their [insert album number] album [insert album name] was easily one of the best albums of the decade, if not ever.
Why are [artist whose album ranks highly on the list] so high? They shouldn’t be on it at all, never mind at [the number].
The author should really [phrase implying the author is "out of touch" with the cool kids].
I write this in full knowledge of opinions, especially about music, are TOTALLY SUBJECTIVE. But at the same time, acknowledge that opinions of some people are just wrong, and it is my duty to correct them.
Comment by G SutherGlad to see Bon Iver, Animal Collective, Elbow and Sigur Ros included, don’t think Arctic Monkeys should be on the list though.
Comment by Sinan CoffeyI’m a sucker for lists
Elliott Smith – From a Basement on a hill
Radiohead – In Rainbows
Interpol – Turn on the Bright lights
Interpol – Antics
Strokes – Is this it
Four Tet – Rounds
Brendan Benson – Lapalco
Steve Malkmus & Jicks – Real Emotional trash
Good the bad and the Queen – Good the bad and the Queen
Kanye West – Late Registration
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Fever to tell
Simple Kid – 2
Roots Manuva – Run Come Save me
Sufjan Stevens – Illinois
Modest Mouse – we were dead before……
Elbow – Asleep in the back
Cat Power – The Greatest
Gorillaz – Demon Days
Avalanches – Since I left you
Daniel O’Donnell – Peace in the Valley
Heres my Top 20 
Arcade Fire: Funeral
Interpol: Turn On The Bright Lights
Bright Eyes: I’m Wide Awake Its Morning
Frightened Rabbit: Midnight Organ Fight
Mogwai: Happy Songs for Happy People
Laura Marling: Alas I Cannot Swim
Queens of The Stone Age: Songs for the Deaf
At The Drive In: Relationship of Command
Simple Kid: Simple Kid 1
Bon Iver: For Emma, Forever Ago
Fleet Foxes: Fleet Foxes
Yeah Yeah Yeahs: Show Your Bones
The White Stripes: White Blood Cells
Band of Horses: Everything All The Time
The Mars Volta: De-Loused In The Comatorium
Future Kings of Spain – Future Kings of Spain
Death Cab for Cutie – Plans
Eels – Blinking Lights
Bloc Party – Silent Alarm
Biffy Clyro – Infinity Land
Your list caused the floods and knocked Ireland out of the World Cup, Jim!
Comment by Max WaxmanMDR @ 185 – I hear you about how certain events helped to “legitimise” self-release music but I would argue that there were journalists and radio DJs who were quite happy to write about or play self-released music for a long, long time, even though there was little attention paid to this fact. I think a tipping point was certainly reached where it began far more noticeable just how much self-released music was out there. The quality, I would say, was always there.
However, I think – as I said at length at last weekend’s Banter – that one of the biggest disappointments of the last decade in Irish music has been the lack of thriving indie labels who deal with more than one or two bands. I think that this lack of a label infrastructure has been quite unhelpful in the greater scheme of things.
Comment by Jim Carroll“There were just too many producers living in Berlin, Barcelona and Ballyhaunis.”
Certainly my favourite quote of the last hour, if not the decade.
Comment by DónalThere is nothing like a list to bring out the lunatics, is there? Thanks Irish Times for a very entertaining hour. When’s the next list?
Comment by SandmanVery say to see that there was no place on this Top 20 for Super Extra Bonus Party. What the hell happened?
Comment by Bumper JoeJim – spot on.
Comment by Mumblin Deaf RoRegarding QOTSA … Seems everyone who mentioned them opted for Songs For The Deaf as opposed to Rated R.
Rated R gets my vote … It was the rock album that sucked me back into that world after a few yrs off. Plus its better than SftD.
Comment by MullyNo Radiohead, U2 or Coldplay? Surely that’s a cause for celebration. This must be the first ever Irish-generated list which has never featured U2 in its ranks. I feel a Hot Press editorial – or some sniping in their gossip pages – coming on.
Comment by RashersI don’t know who to laugh at more – sean the gay rights campaigner or would-be journalist steve k with his pompous remarks. It’s a fucking list – get over it.
Comment by MackerMDR @ 194 – it’s a topic I’ll definitely come back to again for sure.
Comment by Jim CarrollGood list, hard to knock anything on there. Would love to have seen Republic of Loose’s Aaagh!! and Candidate’s Nuada up there…and to satisfy my prog doppelganger, Rush – Snakes & Arrows, Porcupine Tree – Fear Of A Blank Planet & Marillion – Happiness Is The Road( recommended for Radiohead fans who miss, eh, songs!)
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to buy Christmas In The Heart.
@ Feathers – 165 – Whos gonna volunteer to compile the OTR list of lists based on all of the submissions above? Or do people have lives
I have a life – just very quiet in work this morning – please don’t tell the boss.
This is the OTR readers top 20 going on first 200 comments – based on positive comments and lists. It may not be 100% scientifically correct, but close enough.
1. Radiohead – Kid A
2. Arcade Fire – Funeral
3. LCD Soundsystem – Sound Of Silver
4. Radiohead – In Rainbows
5. Wilco – Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
6. Sufjan Stevens – Illinois
7. The Strokes – Is This It
8. Bright Eyes – I’m Wide Awake This Morning
9. Daft Punk – Discovery
10. Flaming Lips – Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots
11. Gillian Welch – Time (The Revelator)
12. Panda Bear – Person Pitch
13. Sigur Ros – Ágaetis Byrjun
14. Antony & The Johnsons – I Am A Bird Now
15. SMiLE – Brian Wilson
16. Interpol – Turn On The Bright Lights
16. Why? – Alopecia
17. Grizzly Bear – Veckatimist
18. Madvillain – Madvillainy
19. Outkast – Speakerboxx/The Love Below
20. Super Furry Animals – Rings Around the World
PS. I don’t work in the public sector, believe it or not.
Comment by KevNo: Scissor Sisters debut?
Jay-Z “The Black album”?
Any Coldplay…Especially “Parachutes”?
The Streets “Original Pirate Material”?
Eminem”Marshall Mathers LP”?
Bloc Party “Silent Alarm”?
Franz Ferdinand?
Gorillaz “Demon Days”?
LCD Soundsystem?
I mean you have Ash in there… C’mon!
Any of the above merit a place.
Comment by ColinI’m 48 yrs. of age and a little out of touch but still reasonably aware / interested in popular music. So firstly I’m glad to see completely overrated and derivative rubbish like radiohead and k.of leon excluded. However ASH as some previous entries have stated must be a joke !
The best l.p of 00’s is PAUL CLEARY’S CROOKED TOWN , the greatest living Irishman and formerly of greatest Irish band THE BLADES from late 70’s/early 80’s.
BUT , HEY YOUNG PEOPLE ! , why have none of you mentioned ORACULAR SPECTACULAR which has to be far superior to majority of list. Don’t let popularity or hipness or whatever cloud your judgement – call it as it is , that is a great pop album. COME ON !
i know its been mentioned but theres been some dam good hip hop this decade. no mos def, common, talib kweli, the roots, madvillian, j dilla, kanye, n.e.r.d. rjd2.what if i dont like indie guitar based music, do i therefore not like music. and hey wheres discovery. glad i could keep this debate going, not many have bothered to post so far
Comment by batemanglad i could keep this debate going, not many have bothered to post so far
thanks for that, dude. only 12,000 words of comments so far.
Comment by Jim CarrollWell here goes, a list reflecting all of my prejudices and foibles (in no particular order). Some of these simply make the list because they remind me of a particular time in my life, or a particular person. That’s the main flaw with lists – I don’t think JC or the others ever claimed to have an the objective measure of music.
I do think that TV On The Radio should have made someone’s list, though.
Yo La Tengo: Summer Sun
Wilco: Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Boards of Canada: Geogaddi
Grandaddy: The Sophtware Slump
Badly Drawn Boy: Hour of Bewilderbeast
Beck: Mutations
TV On The Radio: Dear Science
Bon Iver: For Emma Forever Ago
Person Pitch: Panda Bear
Richard Hawley: Coles Corner
Radiohead: In Rainbows
Sigur Ros: Takk…
Sufjan Stevens: The Avalanche
British Sea Power: The Decline and Fall of British Sea Power
Interpol: Antics
Lambchop: Nixon
The Shins: Chutes Too Narrow
Flaming Lips: The Soft Bulletin
The Avalanches: Since I Left You
Hot Chip: The Warning
remember kids…
http://drunkenachura.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/internet-serious-business.jpg
Comment by danieloh yeah here’s my top 5
broken social scene – yfiip
arcade fire – funeral
sufjan stevens – illinoise
libertines – up the bracket
clap your hands say yeah -s/t
Good list but no Shins on it, or Lisa Hannigan. I thought ‘Is This It’ would’ve made the top5 but I’m glad that Tales of Silversleeve was given the recognition that it deserves!
Comment by FinnLists are, by their very nature, subjective beasts, and therefore bound to provoke controversy and disagreement. We’ve just counted down the top 100 albums of the decade over on our site and had a similar barrage of feedback, abuse etc. All of which is healthy in my view if it sends people chasing after new music or even rediscovering old gems they’d long forgotten about.
However, if there’s one album from the last ten years I’d feel the need to sermonise about it would have to be Portishead’s ‘Third’. When it first came out I’ll admit to being a bit flummoxed that, after eleven years off the job, they had returned with such a baffling, ‘difficult’ sound. In fact I was still finding it a tough listen almost a year later. But then about six months ago – can’t remember where/when exactly – the whole thing just clicked with me in a way that only the very best music can. Since then I’ve listened to it almost constantly. If I started trying to describe how powerful and great it is I’d probably end up disappearing up my own arse. All I can do is urge people who find/found it hard to get into at first to persevere. It’s more than worth the effort.
Comment by theharroIs that Ash album better than any Wilco album?
The National should be in there too
How could The Libertines not be on the irish times list….Love them or hate them, they’re songs are still making air on tv and radio 5 years after they broke up…
Comment by IOrphThe Times list is like something a naff/T Blair-esque polictican owuld put out to show they are down with the kids. The fact that it wasn’t pu togther by one person with a particular taste makes it more risible. I’d love to know what is meant by ‘everything changed’ after the release of Arcade Fires record. In the way things changed post Sgt Peppers or nevermind the boll…? If thats what you mean, well I am obviously missing something. The fact that 2 people who get paid to write/listen to music put this together is bizzare.
Nothing personal, but this is mad. Cathey Davey has relased the 9th best record of a decade?? Ash?? Doves????
just looking at the fact list rolling out this weak
Shaping up pretty interesting.
pretty damn interesting.
(any clues on how to do bad accents when writing text?)
catalyst
pugilist
cantankerlist
Hi Jim,
Well done on the 20 albums, i actually have 15 of these on cd myself, including the Doves CD which i must admit i am baffled by.
It’s a good album, but is it one the best albums in the last decade? I really don’t think it is.
Just simply sticking with British bands i can think of two albums that would have made it in to the top 10 albums of the last ten years.
Muse “Black Holes & Revelations” for me was just outstanding. This is where Muse have peaked as a band. From start to finish this has everthing rock,pop,classical.
Radiohead “in Rainbows”: I must first say that i kind of gave up on Radiohead after ok Computer and only picked up this cd 2 months ago and what a gem it is. A few of the songs don’t sound like radiohead at all. The video for “all i need” really draws you in and conveys what is really wrong with the world today.
Also, no kings of Leon, Ryan Adams “gold”, Metallica!!
Ash!? so long credibility!
Comment by Chris MoranI’d have to put Joan As Policewoman -Real Life, Bon Iver – For Emma and Spank Rock – YoYoYoYo in my list. In Rainbows is generally stunning. QOTSA – Songs for the Deaf…. all stand out albums.
Comment by Euge-tunesKev @ 200 – sorry for the delay in noting your mail. Thanks for your hard work!
Comment by Jim CarrollThink you missed out on quite a few important ones:
Bloc Party Silent Alarm
LCD Soundsystem Sound Of Silver
Modest Mouse We were dead before the ship even sank
Arctic Monkeys (2nd album is better than first) Favourite Worst Nightmare
Franz Ferdinand’s debut
Surely a Kings Of Leon album??
Daft Punk Alive
Cathy Davey is highly overated in my humble opinion. to be mentioned is one thing to be in top ten is rediculous.
Fair play for not having a U2 album tho!!!
I wouldn’t have minded seeing All Is Dream by Mercury Rev in there somewhere. A stronger album overall than Deserter’s Songs
Comment by CiaranI like both Cathy Davey, and Ash’s albums, but to say they’re top 20 of the decade is laughable.
look through the pitchfork top 200 and trying saying that there aren’t 50+ better than cathy davey’s with a straight face.
at least imelda may didn’t get in there, considering the cringeworthy hyping she gets in the IT.
Comment by CiaranNo Sufjan Stevens?????? jeeeez
Comment by JamesNo Eels, MMJ, or Wilco?
69 Love Songs by the Magnetic Fields?
I only buy your paper on friday for the reviews and listings….thank god.
If folks think this list is bad, that’s nothing compared to the State.ie Albums of the Decade list. It’s as conservative and predictable as a Fianna Fail TD. They even made room for Damien Rice. No wonder State the magazine was such a flop if that’s the best that so-called cutting-edge writers like Nialler9, Phil Udell, Adam Lacy and Darragh McCausland can come up wth.
http://www.state.ie/2009/12/features/states-albums-of-the-decade-the-top-ten/2/
Comment by SeanSean, what is your problem dude? You already left a comment on State.ie saying the same.
Damien Rice’s O is a valid inclusion. it’s a great album.
Conservative?
Rounds, Untrue, Mars Volta, Sound of Silver, Kid A, Funeral, Relationship of Command, Person Pitch,
And So I Watch You From Afar, Alligator, Original Pirate Material, Ys, Merriweather Post Pavillion, Arular, Silent Shout, The Black album, †, Tripper, Stankonia..
None of these are conservative, records.
As for predictable, there’s bound to be a small element of predictability in the already accepted wisdom of great albums of the decade hence why you see so many of the same albums pop up on various lists but that doesn’t make the likes of..
This is It?
Sound of Silver
For Emma, Forever Ago
Funeral
Stories From The City Stories From The Sea…
predictable, it makes them GREAT RECORDS.
Comment by Niall@ 222 – 69 Love Songs was 1999. Anyway, plenty of good songs but a lot of dross, kind of inevitably.
Ciaran (from 219, not 220 – fecker, stealing me stage name)
Comment by Ciaran@ 223 – Sean, it’s difficult to see where you’re coming from there. There’s a considerable overlap between the two lists. If anything, it’s a bit more satisfying than the Irish Times list. Not surprisingly, given they had more than double the scope
Comment by CiaranJaysus, this is still going on, is it? The sooner the new decade starts, the better.
Comment by Jim CarrollAlas, some of us came to the party late, Jim. And we’re gonna flog this dead horse. You see if we don’t. Actually, it’s probably just me at this stage. Fuck it, I’ll dance alone…
Comment by Ciaran@223 I saw my name mentioned there so feel obliged to reply. Us individual writers you listed are part of a much larger team at state where everyone got to submit their own top twenties. That’s why the more generally appreciated and better known albums (where there is a consensus) tend to float to the top of these things and the more adventurous choices at the bottom. For an idea of any writer’s individual tastes look at the albums they wrote copy on, or even better, wait for the publication of the individual lists.
Comment by Darragh“Funeral” would be my No.1 of the decade as well. I’m quite astonished that Bon Iver is even in the top 20 and homage has not been paid to the likes of PJ Harvey “To Bring You My Love”, Bjork’s “Vespertine” or Sigur Ros’ “Takk”. “Illinois” should be way up there in the top 5. Arctic Monkeys – hello??
Comment by seamusComments on this article are now closed.
11:02 am
Cathy Davy?! Come off it chaps.
Comment by Thomas