Clash's 50 Greatest Albums Of The Last 5 Years
Not the band, we're talking about ClashMusic.com: The UK site's recounting the best albums that have come out during its existence. It might not reap many classics, but it's a valid exercise, especially for people with short attention spans or failing grades in history. That's the cynical take. On the other hand, it could work as a nice refresher course in what took place in recent years, since years do have a habit of blending together. The most interesting part is its electronic streak. The least interesting part is a lot of the albums on it. Just to prep you in advance so you don't hyperventilate: There's no Grizzly Bear. I won't give away the winner, but they say this about it: "Frankly, if you don't own this album (and love, and cherish it), you quite probably don't deserve to have any music in your life whatsoever." Got it? Appropriately dramatic words for the collection holding the no. 1 spot:
50 The Killers - Hot Fuss
49 Kasabian - Kasabian
48 Deerhunter - Microcastle
47 Bat For Lashes - Fur and Gold
46 Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
45 MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
44 Portishead - Third
43 Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid
42 Amy Winehouse - Back To Black
41 Santigold - Santigold
40 Late Of The Pier - Fantasy Black Channel
39 Sigur Rós - Takk...
38 Efterklang - Parades
37 Liars - Drum's Not Dead
36 The White Stripes - Get Behind Me Satan
35 Hot Chip - The Warning
34 Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
33 Benga - Diary Of An Afro Warrior
32 Feist - The Reminder
31 Broadcast - Tender Buttons
30 Battles - Mirrored
29 Klaxons - Myths Of The Near Future
28 Tunng - Mother's Daughter And Other Songs
27 The Libertines - The Libertines
26 Kanye West - The College Dropout
25 Apparat - Walls
24 Burial - Burial
23 Gallows - Orchestra Of Wolves
22 Caribou - The Milk Of Human Kindness
21 Broken Social Scene - Broken Social Scene
20 Sufjan Stevens - Illinois
19 Soulwax - Nite Versions
18 The Bug - London Zoo
17 Brian Wilson - SMiLE
16 Isolée - We Are Monster
15 My Morning Jacket - Z
14 Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand
13 Joanna Newsom - Ys
12 Modeselektor - Hello Mom!
11 Bloc Party - Silent Alarm
10 Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion
09 J Dilla - Donuts
08 Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
07 M.I.A. - Arular
06 LCD Soundsystem - LCD Soundsystem
05 The Knife - Silent Shout
04 TV On The Radio - Return To Cookie Mountain
03 Kings Of Leon - Because Of The Times
02 Radiohead - In Rainbows
01 Arcade Fire - Funeral
You can read their complete writeup of Funeral at www.clashmusic.com.
Posted at 9:37 AM by brandon in List
I guess correctly.
Score = 1
Oh those wacky Brits--even if you want to like this list their choice of albums to represent the artists is pretty sketchy at best. 'Get Behind Me Satan', 'Because of the Times', and LCD s/t? Hmmm...
Score = 0
Wow what? I can agree with maybe ten of those. Maybe. And not in those places. And here I had managed to forget Gallows even existed.
And Funeral's good and all but uhhhh it's not that good.
Score = -13
As far as lists go, it's about as good anything I could have expected.
Score = 8
Eh, I really have nothing bad to say.
Late of the Pier is a little to recent to be here though (But at least it's not Vivian Girls again).
Bummer on Grizzly Bear, but cool to see Bloc Party and Hot Chip get some love.
Albums I would've like to have seen:
St. Vincent-Marry Me
The Thermals-The Body, The Blood, The Machine
Any Neko Case
Dirty Projectors-Rise Above
Spoon-Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
Ans several others I don't feel like typing
Score = 5
Gimme fiction is way better than ga ga ga ga ga.
Score = 4
agreed... but overall that list is pretty decent. I'm glad to see Burial, KOL (when they didn't suck... like they do now), The Bug, and Modeselektor on their too. I'm a bit pissed however that In Rainbows is behind Funeral. Don't get me wrong, Funeral is a fantastic album... but its not In Ranbows.
Also, where the fuck is The Eraser?
Score = 0
let's just say that they should both be on the list and that everything Britt Daniel touches turns to gold.
Score = 0
I disagree in regard to Late of the Pier. Black Fantasy Channel is a solid album from beginning to end. I've listened to it dozens of times and it doesn't get old. I was disappointed by the P4K review, which seemed more concerned with the 'nu-rave' genre coming to a close than with the interesting songwriting. Nice to see it gets acknowledged on the other side of the Atlantic though.
Score = 0
It's not the end of the year yet! Are we starting early on listgum?
Score = 13
i actually like the fact that in rainbows is #2. no spoon on this list at all, though.
funeral is overrated as a whole, though wake up will probably be the best song of the decade.
Score = -1
i'll be damned. santigold and santogold are one in the same.
Score = 7
Uh oh, the guy from Psychedelic Horseshit is -not- going to like this list...
Score = 64
wayne coyne would not approve
Score = 3
A list of best albums from the last 5 years is completely insignificant. Seems like someone's looking to make traffic for their site...check my blog instead! lol.
Score = -54
All music is significant!!
Score = 2
is that what you tell yourself to justify what you or your friends produce? C'mon, lets be real... most music is shit.... which is why most of us scour this site for stuff to listen to.
Score = -4
ouch
Score = 0
All these -points are really hurting my feelings guys!!!
Score = -4
It's a very unnecessary list, but at least it's a list of some really good albums. And I love seeing Deerhunter on somebody's favorites list besides my own.
Score = 6
Oh c'mon, every list is unnecessary.
Score = 26
You like Deerhunter too?! I thought I was the only one.
Score = 7
Correctly Knowing What Year These Albums Were Made FAIL
Score = 0
They accidently left of Odelay, Ok Computer, Kid A and Entroducing
Score = -121
Five years.
Score = 22
The list is only for the last 5 years .. unless you were being sarcastic ... which is hard to tell what with the whole internet thing ... and the fact that this is a music blog, where people tend to enjoy sarcasm.
Score = 5
How could they have left out Pet Sounds, Axis Bold As Love, and Murmur?!?! By the way, have any of you heard the new Bing Crosby??? It's bomb as fuck!
Score = 23
dude, it's from the last 5 years, you do realise that?
Score = 0
inside the fire is where?
Score = -10
besides for the electronic stuff and the dubstep, i'd say this list is okay. i'm not into the bleep-bloop-blip-skreeeeeeeeee-bloop stuff too much. i still like guitars and hooks and choruses and whatnot.
and the comment above mine is hilarious.
Score = -5
The Kings of Leon sound like Fall Out Boy and look like the Jonas Brothers.
England is an island of fools, just trying to be "cool", but trying too hard.
Be yourself.
And the band "The Clash" sucks. Sound like a bunch of damned pirates.
Farmer Ted
Score = -97
I know it's cool to hate on Kings of Leon but honestly, your response shows that you haven't listened to either them or Fall Out Boy. They sound nothing alike, regardless of your own personal taste. Maybe you were listening, but you couldn't hear because your head was so far up your ass.
Score = 0
I think this list is much better: http://betterpropaganda.com/content.aspx?id=786
Score = -21
uh, what, another list? blaaaaaaaahhhh...
Score = 0
You're on crack. Seriously. Arctic Monkeys? Please.
Score = 9
the killers? wacala.
(that's "ew" in spanish)
Score = 13
Haven't you heard from Brandon Flowers? His band's amazing. I was iffy before that, but his opinion is what cinched it.
Score = 0
Woah Clash. Woah.
Score = 1
Is this a parallel universe? Am I on the alternate universe's Stereogum where the commenters peacefully receive and respect a list of "Top Albums" and "Top Songs"? Is this real life? Why hasn't anyone properly raged? I feel....I feel funny. Why is this happening to me? Are y'all gonna be peaceful forever?
Score = 4
Congratulations Blender, you're no longer the author of the stupidest fucking list Stereogum's ever posted.
Score = 22
Nice to see that everyone hasn't forgotten about SMiLE
Score = 4
Songs are great, but the group of original SMiLE recordings from 1967 that came out on that Beach Boys box set is unbelievably better. Not saying SMiLE 2004 isn't good, it's just that unfortunately, it doesn't hold a candle to the version produced by Brian in his prime some 40 years ago.
This list is OK. I'm not going to get my knickers in a twist, but I'd like to see some more Mogwai, Explosions in The Sky, or just post-rock in general represented.
Score = 4
wats ur point?
Score = 0
What? No Robbie Williams? Just when you think you have the Brits figured out...
Score = 5
Kings of Leon FTW.
also TVotR.
Score = -14
Am the only one who thinks some latter day Dylan albums should be on this list?
Oh yeah, and a few more rap albums. Jay-Z anybody?
Score = 0
Can we not have the anti-Brit sentiment that always seem to appear when a list from Britain is published. We don't all get together as an island to piss you off.
Score = 17
Yes you do, assholes.
Score = 33
#'s 1-9 > AC
Score = 0
18 The Bug - London Zoo
OMG, they are horrible. Ugly music.
Score = -1
Was the National's "Boxer" more of an American thing?
Score = 48
The last Gorillaz album was very good...add a little more Damon Albarn and Danger Mouse to this list.
Score = 5
Pointless list is pointless...
Score = 1
I agree that a list of the best of the past 5 years, moreso than most lists in general, is bloody pointless...however Battles 'Mirrored' has not recieved nearly the recognition it deserved, so I'm glad to see that there. Speaking of Battles, how about a Progress Report, Stereogum...?
Score = 2
You know? I like this list. Kasabian has no place being on a best of anything, but that aside, pretty good. The fact that they included Broadcast makes me think they're doing something right.
Score = 2
king of leon, the libertines, and the fucking killers over andrew bird, grizzly bear and okkervil river?
england for the fail.
Score = 9
Give them a break, at least they didn't but Kaiser Chiefs on here
Score = 19
I was pleasantly surprised to see Liars and Deerhunter.
No Wolf Parade though? For shame.
Score = 22
NEON BIBLE IS VASTLY SUPERIOR TO FUNERAL.
Thank you.
Score = -66
You miss-spelled INFERIOR.
Score = 87
Lol. No. I. Did. Not.
Score = -25
Then I hope you kept your receipt because your ears are broken.
Score = 22
Next comes the part where you or someone else actually explains why Funeral trumps the sublime aural and conceptual brilliance of Neon Bible. I have no knowledge of the p4k (etc.) ratings in this case, so we'll need concrete arguments.
Score = -3
Track by track:
Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels) > Black Mirror
Neighborhood #2 (Laika) Neon Bible
Neighborhood #3 (Power Out) > Intervention
Neighborhood # 4 (Kettles) > Black Wave/Bad Vibrations
Crown of Love > Ocean of Noise
Wake Up > The Well and the Lighthouse
Haïti Windowsill
In the Backseat < No Cars Go
(silence) < My Body Is A Cage
Neon Bible is way too studied and deliberate for me. It lacks the energy and reckless abandon of Funeral's best moments.
And I'm sure you were being sarcastic about the P4k ratings but here they are anyway:
Funeral - 9.7
Neon Bible - 8.4
Score = 6
Neighborhood #2 (Laika) > Neon Bible
Haïti > Windowsill
I left those out for some reason.
Score = -5
Crap.......I left off "Rebellion (Lies)" and "Antichrist Television Blues" too. That's what I get for not actually looking at the CD tracklists that are only three feet away from me.
I need to start proof reading my comments before hitting submit.
You can't fire me, I quit.
Score = -5
Really, really appreciate the feedback.
Still disagree. My Body Is a Cage, No Cars Go, Intervention, Ocean of Noise, and Keep the Car Running all strike me as more wondrous than anything on Funeral. "Deliberate," and "studied" seem to be the marks against Neon Bible, but I find the concept execution and visceral cultural critiques to be thrilling without taking away from the sweeping, adventurous arrangements of the music itself. Maybe I'm partial to bold statements.
Honestly did not know the Pitchfork ratings. 9.7?! Holy Shit. That probably explains Funeral's ascent in the pantheon quite a bit.
Score = 7
Alright, so we pleasantly agree to disagree.
*high five*
Who says we can't have civilized discourse on the internetz?
Score = 8
Fuck you both
Score = 48
I wonder how scrunched up the text here will get
Score = 17
Can a single Arcade Fire discussion not get bogged down in a neverending Funeral vs. Neon Bible cage-match? I love both albums for different reasons, and feel no need to rank them.
Score = -2
get a room
Score = 8
arcade fire > everyone
unnecessary posts > irrelevant lists
Score = 1
If this conversation moves any further to the right, this wall will collapse in on itself. The Internet apocalypse.
Score = 1
Not really fair to compare each track like this. I think Funeral has the better songs, and a better overall aesthetic. But song by song, Funeral has great 5 songs (Tunnels, Power Out, Crown of Love, Wake Up, Rebellion) and Neon Bible has 7 (Keep the Car Running, Intervention, Ocean of Noise, Antichrist TV Blues, Windowsill, No Cars Go, My Body is a Cage). So depending on the rating metric, I could go either way.
Score = 3
(Silence) > My Body Is A Cage
Score = 5
you misspelled "miss-spelled"
Score = 23
Arcade Fire are a very overrated band. I really just can't see why everyone loves these guys so much. Don't get me wrong, I do like them, BUT they aren't the greatest thing since sliced bread.....Number 1? NO WAY. Don't get me started on Vampire Weekend either.....I love Kings of Leon, but Number 3 for that album is pushing it. However, the list is spot on, maybe not in the order I'd imagine.
Score = -3
Um, The National? Fucked that one up.
Leaving Spoon out was also a bad call. And The Hold Steady?
Score = 5
Spoon and the Hold Steady are the worst two bands ever.
Never even heard of the National.
But they must suck as well.
Score = -71
MGMT? Still? I thought we all agreed that we'd turn the other way on that one, that it's time to pretend it never happened. A little beirut would have been nice. Or some national. Or some wolf parade. Or some Cut Copy, if we want to replace apples with apples.
Score = 5
Kings of Leon being here (and at number three! wtf?!) automatically makes this list a joke. That being said, I would like to have seen these albums here:
Stephen Malkmus/Face The Truth
Midlake/Bamnan and Slivercork
A Sunny Day in Glasgow/Scribble Mural Comic Journal
The Fiery Furnaces/Blueberry Boat
Matt Sweeney and Bonnie 'Prince' BIlly/Superwolf
A.C. Newman/The Slow Wonder
Madvillian/Madvilliany
Vashti Bunyan/Lookaftering
Bill Callahan/Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle
Score = -5
YES, Superwolf. Damn I always forget about that album. To my ears, the best Oldham album this decade.
Score = 3
A Sunny Day In Glasgow album is the most underrated of past 5 years. How did that slip through the cracks. Amazing.
Score = 4
spoon yes...hold seady hell no
Score = 8
I like this list solely because it gives My Morning Jacket's "Z" the credit it deserves. It's a phenomenally fluid album. One of my top 5 favorite albums.
Score = 11
Remind me to use the phrase "phenomenally fluid" more often when describing things I like.
Score = 20
Maybe I just suck at reading internet words today, but was that an insult?
Score = -1
Neither, just through it was funny.
Score = 0
You know what's really funny?
Google "phenomenally fluid".
This thread is apparently the first official time it's been used. I feel like an innovator.
Score = 3
off the top of my head- BSS's "Broken Social Scene" over "You Forgot it in People" is a really bad call...
Score = 2
You Forgot It in People was released in 2002, disqualifying it for consideration. This list covers 2005-2009.
Score = 10
I like this list solely for the inclusion of My Morning Jacket's "Z". One of the best albums I've ever heard.
Score = 4
Damn limeys managed to piss me off again!
It's the hypocrisy between their year end lists and this list that bothers me the most.
Score = -3
"MGMT? Still? I thought we all agreed that we'd turn the other way on that one, that it's TIME TO PRETEND it never happened. A little beirut would have been nice. Or some national. Or some wolf parade. Or some Cut Copy, if we want to replace apples with apples."
Time to Pretend?
Oh ho ho
Score = 6
GOD DAMN THESE SCHOOL COMPUTERS. They always end up making me look like a tard for multiple posts of the same thing. Sorry guys.
Score = 2
Still don't understand Merriweather Post Pavillion. Sounds like someone pressed a button on some random Boss beatbox preset and tried to sing like Brian Wilson over it. Oh wait, they did.
Score = 0
Still don't understand your face
Score = -1
Brian Wilson 1966 or Brian Wilson 2004? Either way, fuck you.
Score = -8
Hey England, your Kings of Leon is showing.
Score = 29
Portishead-Third is at 44? For shame, should have at least broken the top 20.
Score = 9
Third should be in the top 5
Score = 2
What is it with Kings of Leon and the Brits? The endless worship for them on the other side of the pond honestly leaves me dumbfounded.
Score = 10
Let's just get this straight: Feels > MPP.
Score = 2
Person Pitch.
Score = 17
What a terrible list. It comes off like it was a compiled by some Spin magazine devotee who only started listening to "indie music" a few years ago when TV said it was ok to like. And could it be any more obvious that they only included "Donuts" because J Dilla died? There's barely any other hip-hop on the list.
Score = 3
These sorts of lists are always totally arbitrary, and it's pretty pointless to complain about them. But still, these lists are irritating because they always come off as ultra-contrived attempts at magazines to bolster their "hipster credibility", and it's always extremely obvious by the skewed selection of artists they choose. These sorts of lists always include the artists who get rote praise from all mainstream critics who want to appear hip. The random inclusion of J Dilla on this list was the dead giveaway that that's their MO.
Score = -1
more evidence the brits are clueless.
Score = -6
Nothing direction
Score = 0
Good to know that one Arctic Monkeys album will never leave the hearts of the British music press.
Score = 2
So usually I don't complain about these lists because for the most part, though I don't agree with the order, it still has great albums. You know this list is band when you see 50. The Killers- Hot Fuss and the fact that Because Of The Times is at 3 is possibly the funniest thing I've seen in a while. This truly is the worst list I've ever seen.
Score = 0
I do not understand how MPP is in there and not Feels. Feels is superior in every single way possible.
Score = -3
OMG! I just noticed The Bug "London Zoo" on this horrid horrid piece of... no its not even a list. that doesn't even make it a joke... i just, oh hell its the brits crappy crap. I mean Artic Monkeys for crying out loud.
Score = -1
No Band of Horses or Wolf Parade? The Brits just rely on looking cool, Americans rely on being cool.
Score = -5
There doesn't seem to be anything on their list that disqualifies a single band from appearing twice. So if Funeral was #1, can't one presume that Neon Bible slots in somewhere prior to #50? I mean, it may not be better than Funeral, but I'm pretty sure it tears the petals off of Brendan Flowers and Hot Fuss.
And it's kind of hilarious that they exclude Wolf Parade but then Butler mentions it when they interview him in the write-up. Your musical idol hates your taste in music, Clash!
Also, if Yeezy is going to be your only 'rap' representation, why bother?
Score = 6
i enjoyed arular more than kala as well.
needs damon albarn.
Score = 0
Ha, I like the fact that they've retroactively renamed Sanitgold's album even though she changed her name after it was released.
I see no Spoon, Calexico, Cut Copy, Phoenix, Peter Bjorn & John, Beirut, the Decemberists, The Black Keys. Are you kidding me?
And I think Hip Hop deserves to be represented by more than one album each from Kanye and Dilla. Why no Ghostface, Clipse, Talib Kweli, MF Doom, Brother Ali, UGK, or Little Brother? Boo-urns to this list.
Score = 9
I'm not going to mention what i would like to see on here because that would take all night, and i won't mention the crap i see on the list either. Just going to be positive and say was glad to see the killers, the libertines, the arctic monkeys, and vampire weekend.
Score = 1
They forgot Cold Roses, Mysterious Production of Eggs and Boys and Girls in America
Score = 0
I've taken the liberty of uncluttering the list. These albums are truly worthy of a top 50 list, the others ranged from lousy to good but ultimately were undeserving of such a list. Now, England, please no more lists lauding marginal British bands. Thank you.
39 Sigur Rós - Takk...
35 Hot Chip - The Warning
26 Kanye West - The College Dropout
15 My Morning Jacket - Z
09 J Dilla - Donuts
07 M.I.A. - Arular
06 LCD Soundsystem - LCD Soundsystem
04 TV On The Radio - Return To Cookie Mountain
02 Radiohead - In Rainbows
01 Arcade Fire - Funeral
Score = -15
Your list is just as stupid and arbitrary as theirs.
Score = 11
WIth all the KoL love there, I'm surprised Coldplay and Oasis didn't get the nod.
Score = 2
No Madvillainy? So Kanye is deemed worthy, but not Madvillain? I do not understand why the British music press seem to love so much mediocre shit. Late Of The Pier, Kings Of Leon, The Killers?
Score = 4
Meh.
Score = 3
MGMT ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME please people raise your hand if you take these numbnuts seriously
Score = 2
*raises hand
Score = 5
why is no one noting the biggest problem of all:
no flaming lips.
any list of anything greatest needs the flaming lips. so this list is void.
its just a collection of numbers and letters with no meaning.
like some chomsky experiment
Score = -5
Um, the only Lips album that would qualify for this list would be At War With The Mystics - even Yoshimi is a few years too old. And while I enjoyed At War..., I can agree with them not saying it was one of the best of the last five years. However, implicitly saying that Kings of Leon are better... not so much.
Score = 7
swine flu > this list
Score = 32
British people making music lists is a guaranteed disaster. Like eating a burrito before sex.
Score = 16
HAHA! This list fucking blows, but so does the mainstream "indie" music from the past 5 years, so I don't know what I was expecting. But yeah, we've had just about enough of Britain. And Australia. And Sweden. And Canada.
Score = -3
I really don't think this is THAT bad. These lists all have the same problem: they try to make everyone happy, and in the process they end up making nobody happy. There's stuff that I don't think deserves to be included at all (The Killers WTF, and I'll never get Britain's obsession with the merely-okay-in-my-eyes Kings of Leon), and plenty of music I think should be there (sad as I was to see nothing by The National or Grizzly Bear, I think the lack of Damon Albarn projects was the biggest surprise for me - seriously Brits, he's one of your own, appreciate him a little more!), but overall it wasn't as horrible as some people here are making it out to be. While they didn't always choose the best album or necessarily get the order right, overall I would agree that the vast majority of the artists they picked are some of the best of the past five years. That alone makes this list a step ahead of most others.
Score = 4
Scratch Kings Of Leon, "Because Of The Times." Add somewhere on the list: Wilco, “A Ghost Is Born.”
Score = 5
I totally agree with Arcade Fire. And, if nothing else, go listen to Five Years on Ziggy Stardust, and then listen to the rest of Ziggy, and then go on with your day a different person.
Score = -1
lol, donuts by j dilla is NOT the 9th best album of the last 5 years, that's ridiculous
Score = -5
i have never been to clashmusic.com but just from this list i know they have better taste than their brit brothers nme.
...fuckin' nme
Score = 3
i actually agree with most of this list. That's rare. cool.
Score = -4
I personally like these lists. The main reason is that it helps me focus on albums I may have missed. Most records on this list I've heard and formed an opinion, but now I have a few records to check out (even if briefly). Added to my list...
40 Late Of The Pier - Fantasy Black Channel
38 Efterklang - Parades
33 Benga - Diary Of An Afro Warrior
28 Tunng - Mother's Daughter And Other Songs
23 Gallows - Orchestra Of Wolves
19 Soulwax - Nite Versions
12 Modeselektor - Hello Mom!
03 Kings Of Leon - Because Of The Times
... And I'll also admit I've never heard Donuts.
Anyway, I don't imagine there will be an 'Alligator' in there (i.e. a record that changes my life), but you never know.
Score = 5
PS: It does seem that the authors are trying to endear themselves to the indie crowd. Any self-respecting British music site without something to prove would have the new Coldplay in the top ten.
Score = 2
there's no Grizzly Bear in UK?!!
Score = 1
is there anything you kids love to do more than sit around and bitch about lists?
Score = -4
50 The Killers - Hot Fuss
49 Kasabian - Kasabian
48 Deerhunter - Microcastle
47 Bat For Lashes - Fur and Gold
46 Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
45 MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
44 Portishead - Third
43 Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid
42 Amy Winehouse - Back To Black
41 Santigold - Santigold
40 Late Of The Pier - Fantasy Black Channel
39 Sigur Rós - Takk...
38 Efterklang - Parades
37 Liars - Drum's Not Dead
36 The White Stripes - Get Behind Me Satan
35 Hot Chip - The Warning
34 Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
33 Benga - Diary Of An Afro Warrior
32 Feist - The Reminder
31 Broadcast - Tender Buttons
30 Battles - Mirrored
29 Klaxons - Myths Of The Near Future
28 Tunng - Mother's Daughter And Other Songs
27 The Libertines - The Libertines
26 Kanye West - The College Dropout
25 Apparat - Walls
24 Burial - Burial
23 Gallows - Orchestra Of Wolves
22 Caribou - The Milk Of Human Kindness
21 Broken Social Scene - Broken Social Scene
20 Sufjan Stevens - Illinois
19 Soulwax - Nite Versions
18 The Bug - London Zoo
17 Brian Wilson - SMiLE
16 Isolée - We Are Monster
15 My Morning Jacket - Z
14 Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand
13 Joanna Newsom - Ys
12 Modeselektor - Hello Mom!
11 Bloc Party - Silent Alarm
10 Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion
09 J Dilla - Donuts
08 Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
07 M.I.A. - Arular
06 LCD Soundsystem - LCD Soundsystem
05 The Knife - Silent Shout
04 TV On The Radio - Return To Cookie Mountain
03 Kings Of Leon - Because Of The Times
02 Radiohead - In Rainbows
01 Arcade Fire - Funeral
Score = -17
I would have loved to see Vampire Weekend not make this list. I just don't get that band.
The National "Boxer" is objectively in the top 50 of the past 5 years. I think I would have also included The Field "From Here We Go Sublime."
Score = 3
Kings of Leon? Brits are so fucking stupid. Grizzly Bear not being on here is criminal
Score = 3
why the fuck do british people respect kings of leon so much, their first two albums are quality but they have turned into the biggest joke possible since then...yet brits love their radio goo goo dolls/lifehouse/complete trash tunes more than ever
Score = 3
Everybody's seem to have forgotten how good Deerhoof's "The runners four" is.
Score = 3
I'll admit Because of the Times should be nowhere near any Best Of's lists, but Youth and Young Manhood definitely deserves a spot. Nowhere near that high, though. Not even top 15.
Eh, it's not a terrible list but I'm sure everyone will have something they disagree with. I'm really amazed the Futureheads' first album saw no love since they had a ton of hype when it first came out. The Kate Bush cover was also probably one of the best songs to see the light of day over the past five years.
Score = 0
i'm pretty sure anything modest mouse has done in the past 5 years can beat out at least hot fuss.
Score = 8
oh ya, and if a list is stupid, than commenting on said stupid list is even stupidider.
Score = -4
Does this mean your admitting to being stupid?
Score = 3
Saturdays = Youth > Hissing Fauna > Your favorite album
Strawberry Jam > MPP > Feels
Untrue > Burial
Score = -3
It's on the early side of this time period, but New Pornographers' Twin Cinema would definitely be on my version of the list...
Score = 6
Where is "Sgt. Pepper's"?
Score = 9
Lists are stupid.
Score = 0
kings of leon at #3??? ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!!
yes. much better than Merriweather Post Pavillion, i agree.
goddamn.
Score = 2
make In Raonbows number 1st. drop arctic monkeys out of top 10.
props to them for having J Dilla 9th. that album was the best producing of the decade.
Score = 1
oh yeah, and the only list Amy Winehouse belongs on is a list of convicted felons. she not nearly as talented as people think (the brits love her for all of he shityness)
Score = 0
The exclusions of Person Pitch, Apologies to the Queen Mary, Boxer, Twin Cinema, Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga and Separation Sunday are inexcusable. Would love to see From Here We Go Sublime or Before the Dawn Heals Us get some love. Because of the Times is a pretty great album. Not Top 3 great, but somewhere in the Top 50 (especially when juxtaposed to their latest craptacular 3 Doors Down covers record).
Score = 4
I like Kings of Leon, but number 3 is just ridiculous. Silent Alarm should be higher.
Score = 0
No, Silent Alarm shouldn't be on this list at all.
Score = -5
Some nice entries but really shows how strong albums of lasting value seem to be few and far between.
Score = 0
Needs something from the Pornographers.
Score = 1
where's Asher Roth???????
Score = 10
Boy, they sure got that list wrong.
Score = 1
the arcard fire funeral album was pretty damned awesome. there are a lot of surprises on there for me... but we all have different taste, eh? many of those are my all time faves. good to see Merriweather Post Pavillion on there, lol.
Score = -1
Surprised to see a couple jabs at The Bug's London Zoo...I thought it was one of the best albums from 08, and would recommend anyone interested in dancehall or even groups like Massive Attack or Portishead to check out some tracks.
Score = 0
vampire weekend >>>>>> MGMT
and no spoon (gimme fiction!!?!) is a letdown
Score = -1
I'm gonna have to disagree on that one.
Score = 2
*sigh...
Score = -1
I've concluded that commenting further on this thread only validates it.
Score = 2
mountain goats?
Score = 2
I've concluded that anyone who doesn't like Kings of Leon just because they're famous can go SUCK A FUCKING COCK ALREADY. Honestly, GO FUCK YOUR MOTHER.
Score = -14
I liked The Bug album, but #18??? C'mon.
Score = 0
What a bloody awful list. There are a few great albums on there, but the list as a whole is ridiculous, quite frankly. Not all Brits share this rather skewed viewpoint on this subject matter. I say this as an English chap, too.
Score = 0
People should bear in mind that Clash is the same publication that promised completely favourable reviews and increased coverage to any labels or PR companies that would pay for them to go to SxSW. And they did go to SxSW. Makes the list hard to take seriously. Or should I say, makes the list even harder to take seriously
Score = 0
I don't usually comment...
BUT.....
This is proof positive that the British press shouldn't write so much music criticism/lists.
Working on a decade best-of list now-- with an essay about technology's massive impact of music's composition, distribution, etc. over the last 10 years-- and this makes me realize just how far ahead of the game I am.
P.S.: Anyone who puts Kings of Leon in a top three on any serious "best of" list is not to be taken seriously. For realsies.
Score = 0
really terrible list.
50 The Killers - Hot Fuss
49 Kasabian - Kasabian
46 Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
45 MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
43 Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid
42 Amy Winehouse - Back To Black
29 Klaxons - Myths Of The Near Future
26 Kanye West - The College Dropout
14 Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand
10 Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion
03 Kings Of Leon - Because Of The Times
are either shit albums or shouldn't be anywhere near this list.
Score = -5
I looked for the White Stripes on this list. When I didn't find them, I disregarded this list immediately.
Score = -4
Nevermind. They decided to include Get Behind Me Satan. I woulda chosen Icky Thump, but whateva.
Score = -4
oh god list comments are hilarious
Score = 1
Born Ruffians "Red, Yellow, and Blue", anyone?
ANYONE!?
Score = 3
u guys ever eat magic mushrooms? theyre pretty cool, you can expand your mind.
Score = 2
And just where in the hell is AMERICAN IDIOT?! I guess because it sold too many copies Green Day is no longer "hip", hunh?
Score = -5
jesus christ
Score = 0
Iron & Wine, The National, Spoon > half this list
Score = 3
I few good albums here but placed wrong. Funeral and In Rainbows should be lower, despite the fact that they are awesome. Still not decided on Merriweather, but i'll leave that because it really is a great album.
Other than that, what bugs me about all of these lists is the lack of Muse, though that's just my opinion and i'm not gonna hate on the list for that.
Score = -1
probably bc Muse is awful.
Score = 0
Why are there no rock bands on this list?
Score = -2
YESS SILENT SHOUT
Score = 0
because of the times? wow.
Score = -1
This really seems like one of those you're supposed to argue over. Please, more arguing.
Score = 0
At what point did just playing your intruments, rocking the fuck out and having a good time become unfashionable? Because that's pretty much what anyone who hates on the Kings of Leon are missing. As someone who has seen the band 5 different times under different circumstances, venues, etc. I can honestly say that the family Followill put on one kick-ass rock and roll show and can write a pretty damn good tune too. For the record, Aha Shake Heartbreak>about 86% of this list........
Score = 1
P4K gets a 3.4 in Professionalism and so do most of the bands it hypes. I just think that MOST bands nowadays aren't offering anyone anything really exhilirating. There's a lot of rehashing and repackaging but a lot less attention to detail or sense of adventure. If I tripped balls listening to MOST of the albums on the above list I would probably see beige.
You'd think with all the cool names out there to drop in music critic circles that there's a lot of ballsy, creative artistry pervading the industry. Bands that I think these days make great, earnest music are Radiohead, the Flaming Lips, and Mercury Rev (all past their creative peaks), some Mike Patton-affiliated projects, and the Boredoms anco and Dirty Projectors are all interesting enough.
Score = 1
u forgot madvillain dude.
Score = 2
Awesome. They put White Stripes worst album on the list.
Score = -3
like everywhere,everybody is the best selector !
the list is ....??
for curious people listen to the lettin go (Bonnie ),the greatest (Cat Power),it's never been like that (Phoenix),the midnight boom(Kills),vantage point (Deus),rest your head (Get well soon)armchair apocryphia (A. Bird)23 (Blonde Redhead) Boxer (The National) etc etc ...... keep on good work Stereo
Score = 0
PERSON PITCH????
Score = 2
Fuck YES Sufjan Stevens. So talented. I cried the first time I heard that album.
Score = 0
No Hold Steady? You've got to be kidding me!
Score = 0
so, putting aside my growing frustration w/gum's infatuation with finding/criticizing lists (especially UK ones) because I haven't seen a list of the last 5 years yet, Here are my worthless thoughts:
what I would have included:
Boys and Girls in America, Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, Person Pitch, Good News for People Who Love Bad News, Ghostface, Antony or Hercules & LA, Emeritus, Hypermagic Mountain
and I would have preferred NOT to see:
Kings of Leon (do i even need to say that), MGMT, Block Party, Hot Chip, M.I.A., In Rainbows
Score = -1
I like a lot of these bands but woudl argue the music biz is so screwed up right now none of us even know who the best are. A lot of these acts are just the best known. My 2 cents..
Score = 0
This garbage is mere pandering to following up to questions of popularity - I mean the Dillers and the Dings of Leon ... stadium sludge at its best ah read not very good.. Even the most most banal of yr respondees, i suspect, could put together a better list than that. if any one ever needed proof that the long time ago imperialists have gone mushy between the ears it is contained in this dribble from a bunch of bingeing chavs.
Score = 2
ok i retract. partly. santogold's OK and my niece's friend is obssessed about her. but even so Little Jackie's (WHO? here's a clue: she's from Brooklyn) masticates her into little chunks. at breakfast even.
Score = 0
This list is hundred percent totally on the mark in every seeable fashion...
if you have sex with animals.
Score = 0
Lists are a complete waste of time because they're totally subjective and not everyone will agree. I'm not listening to any of these bands currently. I like the "unknowns" (i.e. the Wallburds out of LA or Ramin Street out of Chicago). WB's video is cool too http://www.vimeo.com/2672017
Score = 0
NO BEIRUT!!!!?!?!?!?!?!!?
WTF
Score = 0
no white chalk by pj harvey? how can that album be overlooked?
Score = 0
Needs more "The Chemistry of Common Life" by Fucked Up and "Nouns" by No Age.
Score = 0
I have a hard time accepting the fact that Dizzee Rascal's "Boy in da Corner" didn't make the cut, but the Killers, Franz Ferdinand, and the Arctic Monkeys did. Same could be said about "Person Pitch"'s absence as well. Whatevs, these things are essentially just conversation-starters, right? Cool to see Battles on there.
Score = 0
And First Impressions Of Earth by The Strokes?
And Give Me Fire by Mando Diao?
And Only by the Night by Kings Of Leon?
And Up All Night by Razorlight?
The Killers and Hot Fuss #50?
Kasabian and Empire #49?
The Libertines #27? WTF?
Franz Ferdinand #14?
Bloc Party and Silent Alarm #11?
MGMT and Oracular Spectacular #45?
Santigold in that list?
The White Stripes and Get Behind Me Satan #36?
Klaxons and Myths Of The Near Future #29?
Kings Of Leon and Because Of The Times! Yes! But the Rest?
This list is a shit...
Score = 0