The Great Southern Brainfart’s Favorite Album of the 00’s
Before I list my Top 20 Albums of the decade, I’m going to go ahead and get this out of the way. My top pic for Album of the Decade was surprisingly easy so before we get into the other 20, here is my top pick of the 00’s!
Drive By Truckers – Brighter Than Creation’s Dark
Original Release Date: January 22, 2008
Highlights: Checkout Time In Vegas, 3 Dimes Down, Bob, The Man I Shot
Trying to narrow down a favorite album of this past decade is much like trying to pick a favorite child but even when you have multiple children and love them all unconditionally, one always stands out a bit more than the others. I had a friend ask me what my favorite album was and I knew that the first one I named would be it. That album was Brighter Than Creation’s Dark by Drive-By Truckers. I couldn’t think of any other album that came out this past decade that grabbed me like this album did. Hearing it was like going home to a place where emotions run deep in the good, the bad and all that lies between. This album covers all the bases. You get balls out weekend rock songs like 3 Dimes Down and Self Destructive Zones. You get the mellow and gorgeous I’m Sorry Houston and Purgatory Line and you get the gut wrenching story telling of Checkout Time In Vegas. Throw in some political/social commentary with The Man I Shot and You and Your Crystal Meth and you’ve still got room to move. This album is a true rock and roll classic and as corny as it sounds has a little something for everyone. Versatility, strong songwriting, strong delivery and great production make this not just my favorite of the past 10 years but one of my favorites of all time. The band possesses the ability to create characters and stories that are so real that it’s easy to loose yourself in the songs and feel that the characters are actually the ones singing these songs. As a songwriter, this is the kind of album that not only entertains but inspires on so many levels. This album is an instant classic without a doubt.
Top 20 Albums of the 00’s
So here it is ya’ll, the Brainfart’s Top 20 of the 2000’s. Will ya find any Wilco here? NO. How about Radiohead? Negative. How about Umphree’s McGhee? Band of Horses? Any other trendy scenester bullshit? No, No and a big fat ass NO!
This list was harder than hell to come up with with the exception of my favorite album of the 00’s, none of them are in any particular order. Each album listed has a significant place in my heart and while there are plenty that I failed to list, it doesn’t mean that they weren’t a close album to me. I literally tried to do this in one sitting without “trying” too hard in order for there to be an honest list of albums. If they came to me quickly, it was obvious that particular album made a significant mark on me.
Black Crowes – War Paint
Original Release Date: March 3, 2008
Highlights: Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution, Josephine, There’s Gold In Them Hills
The Black Crowes came back out of nowhere with this album and what a comeback it was. “Warpaint” is the best collection of songs the band has put out since 1994’s “Amorica.” I had my doubts being that this was the first album with out long time members Marc Ford and Ed Harsch but with the band marched on with new guitarist and North Mississippi Allstars leader Luther Dickerson and new keyboardist Adam MacDougall. Chris Robinson’s voice has aged and matured putting him up there with some of the greatest rock and roll singers of all time much like Gregg Allman has over the years. The songs are full of heart in both the writing and the delivery and is without a doubt one of the most ear pleasing things this kick ass band has ever done.
Alice In Chains – Black Gives Way To Blue
Original Release Date: September 29, 2009
Highlights: All Secrets Known, Check My Brain, When The Sun Rose Again, Black Gives Way To Blue
This one literally comes in right under wire. I knew that Alice In Chains had regrouped a few years ago with new singer/guitarist William DuVall to lots of mixed emotions and criticism. I heard it for myself and was pleasantly surprised and pleased. They found someone who sang enough like Layne Stayley to pull it off and with him being a guitarist as well added a bit more heaviness to the mix. When I heard they were recording with this guy, I couldn’t wait to hear it. “Black Gives Way To Blue” sounds like classic Alice In Chains and very well could’ve and should’ve been the follow up to “Dirt.” Obviously, all the songs sound like Alice In Chains since guitarist/singer Jerry Cantrell is the primary songwriter. The songs are really well written and the performances are nothing less than stellar. Matter of fact, DuVall’s vocals on the opening track “All Secrets Known” gave me goosebumps because he sounded so much like Layne. This album is definitely one you can listen to on repeat and never tire of. A solid collection from front to back.
In This Moment – The Dream
Original Release Date: September 30, 2008
Highlights: Forever, All For You, Mechanical Love, The Great Divide
This band literally went right under the radar. I had seen the name a bunch in association with goth metal bands like Lacuna Coil and Within Temptation but for some reason I never got around to giving them a listen. When my buddy Aaron hooked me up with their 2008 release “The Dream”, I was amazed and just how much I loved this band. The songs are beautiful yet aggressive all at the same time. Lead singer Maria Brink mixes a beautifully strong clean vocal style with gutteral death metal vocals that would make Tom Arraya of Slayer double take. The album is one of the best produced albums I’ve heard in quite a while and the band really utilized the studio to it’s fullest extent to create an album that is not just an album but a really great listening experience. There is a lot of ear candy here but be warned, it’s not for the casual fan of hard rock/metal. If you are indeed a metal fan and are open to a melodic side of it, than you just might enjoy this album. This was a really great treat coming in close to the end of the year for me.
The Sadies – In Concert Vol. 1
Original Release Date: November 30, 2005
Highlights: Cheat, Why Be So Curious, Hold On Hold On, Evangeline, Within A Stone
If it wasn’t for Neko Case, I would’ve never heard of this amazing Canadian quartet. These guys are the real fucking deal. Hailed by Ms. Case as one of her all time favorite bands, the Sadies have backed her up numerous times both in the studio and on tour in a fashion that is very reminiscent of The Band (aka. The Hawks) backing Bob Dylan. But much like The Band, The Sadies stand strong on their own and have done so for the better part of 10+ years. In 2005, The Sadies held a shindig at Lee’s Palace in Toronto and recorded the entire thing for “Live Vol. 1.” If a band was to ever try to capture the vibe and intensity of “The Last Waltz”, The Sadies did just so on this collection. The Sadies played a blistering set of songs and throughout the show invited their friends such as Kelly Hogan, Neko Case, Jon Rauhouse and Jon Spencer to join them on stage and celebrate music and a career that is as mindblowing and amazing as it is obscure. If you were to even own just ONE Sadies album, this is it and trust me, you will be floored.
Neko Case – Blacklisted
Original Release Date: August 20, 2002
Highlights: Things That Scare Me, Deep Red Bells, Tightly, Runnin’ Out Of Fools
I never listened to NPR before because I always thought of it as boring talk radio. One day on a car ride from Chapel Hill, NC to Charlotte, NC, NPR was reviewing an album called “Blacklisted” and the music I was hearing gave me chills. The next morning as soon as the stores opened I sought out this CD. I had to go to three of them but by the time I got it I was so glad I did. I have been a huge fan of Neko’s since then and I have to say that this still remains my all time favorite of hers. Its a dark, brooding collection of songs that literally reads like a diary and a novel. Lots of vivid imagery and music that compliments every word. It’s an outstanding collection of music that should be owned by EVERYONE that loves Folk/Americana music. This is without a doubt a true American classic. Years from now, I can only hope that this will be what people hear when they think of classic American music from THIS generation.
Cat Power – The Greatest
Original Release Date: September 12, 2006
Highlights: The Greatest, Lived In Bars, Islands
I can’t even begin to say what a shock it was that I loved this album as much as I did. All I ever knew about Cat Power was her tantrums, drunken rants and the fact that she would have meltdowns on stage mid song. This alone was enough for me to not care to hear a note of hers. While taking a class on the works of Bob Dylan, I was turned on to hear absolutely amazing cover of “Stuck Inside of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again.” After hearing this I decided to look her up on YouTube which led me to her video for “Lived In Bars” and that’s all it took. This album is lyrically reminiscent of Dylan it not just it’s wordiness but in her ability to make an interesting puzzle with her lyrics and still manage to tell a story that is warming, sad and uplifting. I tend to be really attracted to artists who can span the map of emotions and Cat Power does just that on this album. A real gem in the rough.
The Two Man Gentlemen Band – Great Calamities
Original Release Date: September 5, 2006
Highlights: The Hindenburg Disaster, Prime Numbers, Stuff Your Ballot Box
How can you not be intrigued by a band who boasts to be “The Worlds Best Dressed Two Man Band?” I stumbled across these guys on MySpace back in 2006 and after hearing their song “The Hindenburg Disaster” I just had to pick up their album “Great Calamities.” This album is part history class, part tongue in cheek adult humor and all fun! The musicianship between these guys is amazing and it’s literally like listening to an old vaudeville performance. Much like other bands like this, the Two Man Gentlemen Band are a band to see but this album best captures the energy and fun of the Gent’s live performances. This is one never gets old and always has a place in my heart and in my ears.
Kevn Kinney – The Flower & The Knife
Original Release Date: May 2, 2000
Highlights: The Flower & The Knife, Above The World, Whatever, 40 Miles of Mountain Road
Kevn Kinney is real piece of American songwriting greatness that unfortunately many don’t know about. As the singer for Drivin’ N’ Cryin’, Kevn can play the rock guitarist/frontman roll better than just about anyone but behind all of that lies a folksinger/songwriter who sometimes just likes to pull up a chair, tell you a story and play you some songs. “The Flower & The Knife” is Kevn’s best album since his folk debut “MacDougal Blues.” The album boasts some of Kevn’s best material and the raw, roomy sound to the production captures the vibe and emotion of Kevn and his songs. On this one, he invites friends like Warren Haynes and John Popper as he tears through a collection of folk songs and story telling that include an amazing cover of Dylan’s “Ballad of Hollis Brown” and a folkie, upbeat version of the Drivin’ N Cryin’ classic “Scarred But Smarter.” This is the kind of album that reminds me just why I play and love music like I do. It’s like soup for your soul and ears.
Heaven & Hell – Live at Hammersmith Odeon (Limited Edition)
Original Release Date: 2007
Highlights: The Mob Rules, Heaven & Hell, Voodoo, Country Girl, NIB
In 2007, we were given a special gift by Rhino Records. They released “Live at Hammersmith Odeon” which was Black Sabbath featuring Ronnie James Dio on vocals in what I feel to be their strongest period. Recorded on a tour stop on the “Mob Rules” tour, Black Sabbath delivers a performance full of raw energy, hunger and a driving force that in my opinion had Sabbath sounding better than they ever had. Up until this point, the only testament this great line-up live was the “Live Evil” album which was a poorly, muddily mixed album that failed to capture the amazing quality of this band live. “Live at Hammersmith” completely captures the band in all of its amazing glory. Dio doing the Ozzy era songs such as “N.I.B.” and “War Pigs” is about as amazing is you’d think it would and should be and only leaves you wanting more from this lineup. This is one of my all time favorite releases hands down and is totally worth seeking out for any Sabbath fan.
The Donnas – Turn 21
Original Release Date: January 23, 2001
Highlights: Do You Wanna Hit It, 40 Boys In 40 Nights, Police Blitz, Little Boy, Livin After Midnight
I remember somehow coming into possession of a compilation CD of various punk/smaller rock bands doing covers. None of them floored me or made me turn my head until I got to a female band called The Donnas doing a cover of Judas Priest’s “Living After Midnight.” After hearing this, I just loved the snottiness and attitude that these girls put out so I had to hear more. I found the album that had this cover and it was called “Turn 21” and I was a huge fan by the time the first song was over. This is without a doubt one of the greatest crotch rock albums ever made. The Donnas aren’t afraid to wear their influences such as The Ramones, The Runaways and various LA cock rock bands such as Poison and RATT on their sleeves as they proudly boast songs that would make a grown man blush. In the same way that bands like Poison, RATT and WASP in their heyday could degrade and talk shit about women, The Donnas show they can proudly hold their own and have no problem taking advantage of guys in songs like “Do You Wanna Hit It” and “40 Boys In 40 Nights.” This album is the album that should have made them huge and is still, in my opinion, a true hard rock classic.
My Morning Jacket – Evil Urges
Original Release Date: June 10, 2008
Highlights: Evil Urges, I’m Amazed, Highly Suspicious, Librarian, Sec Walkin’
For a band who put out an album that I thought was just “eh, ok.”, My Morning Jacket released “Evil Urges” and it completely melted my fucking face off. “Evil Urges” is not only a well written and well played album but its a really well thought out album as well. While the songwriting, performances and production on this album are stellar, its the sequencing of the tracks that really makes this such a great listening experience. There are so many influences on this album that it covers so many bases genre wise such as funk, electronic, disco and plain out roots rock. Before you can even reach for the skip forward button the albums over and has hit you like a tornado. This is an album that you are either going to love or hate and you don’t necessarily have to be a die hard My Morning Jacket fan. I am not a huge fan of this band by any means but this album just totally captured and sucked me in as a music lover. I think any lover of well thought out, well played and well written music will love this album.
Phish Live at Madison Square Garden New Years Eve 1995
Original Release Date: December 20, 2005
Highlights: Punch You In The Eye, The Sloth, Drowned, Frankenstein
While Phish totally failed to impress me with their 2009 release “Joy”, it was “Live at Madison Square Garden” that stood as the best Phish release of the decade. This show was one of their most heavily circulated shows in the trading community and has even been compared to The Grateful Dead’s Cornell ’77 show as far as popularity in the trading circuit. I had probably two copies of this show and literally played them both down to nothing. Getting to hear this show it all it’s professional and soundboard glory is amazing and hearing Phish when they were on top of their game is something you just have to hear. At one time, Phish ruled the fucking world and this and their Clifford Ball DVD are true testaments of that fact.
Bob Dylan – Love & Theft
Original Release Date: September 11, 2001
Highlights: Honest With Me, Po Boy, High Water (For Charlie Patton), Cry A While
When my buddy Bert came to me and told me I had to hear this new Dylan album at the time, I kinda blew it off. When I finally got around to listening to my borrowed copy I was blown away. What I love about Dylan and this album is that its unforgiving and unapologetic. The songs on this album are lyrically classic Dylan. They make you nod your head and smile all the while thinking “What the fuck is this guy talking about?” “High Water” and “Cry A While” have to be two of the greatest songs ever written and not just because they’re Dylan but because they just flat out kick ass. Backed by an absolutely amazing band, this is the Dylan album that really woke me up and made me realize just how relevant in these times Dylan is. So he’s not trying to save the world or stop war but damnit hes at least kicking ass and putting great quality music that stands on its own.
Jellyfish – Fan Club
Original Release Date: November 12, 2002
Highlights: Hello, Hello (Live), Mr. Late (Live), Think About Your Troubles
Jellyfish is a band that came and went before anyone knew that they were really here. When Jellyfish hit the scene in the early 90’s, they looked like Haight/Ashbury and the 60’s had thrown up all over them and their sound is best compared to the bastard child of The Beatles, Queen and The Banana Splits. They were “retro” before that was even a term and nobody knew what they hell to do with them. They released two of the most consistently great albums ever made and then poof, they were gone leaving behind a musical legacy of two albums worth of top notch material. Just in this past decade has Jellyfish started to receive the acclaim and praise that they so deserve to in order to honor their fans and show their appreciation, the released a 4 CD box set called “Fan Club.” Instead of rehashing their two releases, the band opted to give the fans something truly unique. A collection of archived live performances, unreleased songs and demo cut of songs that were to make up their two albums. This is the kind of box set I wish EVERY band I love would put out. For a band with such a limited history, this box set totally covers the bases and makes me as a fan totally appreciated. Its a great package and quite an amazing listen, warts and all. This is without a doubt a real gift to the fans and what a gem it is! Unfortunately, it was limited to a small pressing so finding a copy will be pretty pricey. I’ve seen them going for up near $200.00 but just keep an eye on Ebay and what not to see if you can work out a deal. It’s completely worth the effort.
Lacuna Coil – Karmacode
Original Release Date: April 4, 2006
Highlights: Our Truth, Enjoy The Silence, To The Edge, Within Me
Add Italian goth metal band Lacuna Coil to the list of bands that I completely ignored until my buddy Spoob convinced me to give them a listen. He suggested I check out their cover of Depeche Mode’s “Enjoy The Silence” which I was a little weary of since I fucking hate Depeche Mode. After seeing the video for this song, I was totally floored and absolutely loved their sound. It was down tuned and dark yet very melodic. I loved that they have two lead singers (male and female) and the dynamics between their voices. Cristina Scabbia’s heavy yet beautiful voice and Andrea Farro’s gruff and very metal voice stand strong on their own and yet blend together nicely to create a wall of vocals that is a serious driving force. The songwriting is there and the performances are tight and well thought out. Unfortunately the mix is a bit muddy which is a shame because it doesn’t really capture the bright and full sound of the band live. While the production isn’t all that, the album is a great collection of songs and a great way to get introduced to this awesome band.
Iron Maiden – Flight 666
Original Release Date: June 9, 2009
Highlights: Aces High, Revelations, Rime of the Ancient Mariner, Fear of the Dark, Moonchild
One of my personal highlights of the decade was Iron Maiden’s “Somewhere Back In Time” tour in which they brought back their classic “World Slavery Tour” setup to celebrate the legendary “Live After Death” album and video. The band hit the road and skies and delivered some of their greatest performances to date. The band released “Flight 666” both as a movie and a companion CD set and this is the shit that dreams are made of. Getting to hear and see some of these amazing, classic songs along with the technology that is now available in live shows today was massive, exciting and absolutely brilliant. This set showcases the band firing on all cylanders and proving once and for all just why Bruce Dickinson is one of the Holy Metal Trinity (beside Ronnie James Dio & Rob Halford).
Remy Shand – The Way I Feel
Original Release Date: March 12, 2002
Highlights: The Way I Feel, Rock Steady, Burning Bridges, The Minds Eye
How much soul can a scrawny white boy from Canada possess? Well, in the case of Remy Shand, a whole damn lot of it. Back when VH1 (go ahead and laugh) used to actually play videos, I was watching it one morning and heard a song called “Rock Steady” come on. I thought it was going to be some smooth soul brother and I was totally digging it yet when I saw the video, I couldn’t believe my eyes. I loved this song so much that I had to pick it up. What I heard was total musical ear candy for the ears and the soul. Remy Shand delivered only one album in his career, toured briefly and then literally disappeared without a trace. Nobody knows what happened to this cat but talking about making a statement. This album was completely played and written by Remy (all instruments). Songs range from the slow and smooth “Rock Steady” to the mellow jam guitar filled awesomeness of “The Mind’s Eye” which in my opinion as a closer showcases just what this guy was capable of. Why he didn’t hang around I’m not sure but this is one of my constant go to albums when I just need to mellow out and chill a bit. Probably one of my all time favorite “chill” albums.
David Crosby – Voyage: An Anthology
Original Release Date: November 6, 2006
Highlights: Almost Cut My Hair (alternate version), Page 43, Where Will I Be, The Lee Shore (Live)
2009 was the year that David Crosby hit me like a ton of bricks. While I’ve always been a huge fan of his, for some reason his music just hit me and I began to find parallels to his material in my own material and life. Voyage is not just a perfect collection for the David Crosby aficionado but it’s also perfect the perfect introduction for those that are curious to hear more than “Almost Cut My Hair” or the other random hits. This is a collection that you can put on and literally melt into. I’ll be the first to admit that some of his 80’s stuff can get a little cheesy and hokey but even then the songs stand out and above many of his peers who were making music in that era. This is a fantastic collection and I can guarantee that anyone who here’s this live version of “The Lee Shore” will want to hear on repeat at least 3 or 4 times.
Chris Robinson – This Magnificent Distance
Original Release Date: June 29, 2004
Highlights: Eagles On The Highway, If You See California, 40 Days, Train Robbers, Mother of Stone
When Chris Robinson released his debut solo album “New Earth Mud”, it was full of pretty sappy love songs and while it was a good album it still sounded like a singer/songwriter who was trying to figure out his identity as a solo artist. On “This Magnificent Distance”, he did just that. This album is could very well be the equivalent to Gregg Allman’s debut solo album “Laid Back” in that he really finds his own self and lets it all fly. He lets his jammy Grateful Dead influence shine on “Mother of Stone”, he showcases his ability to craft a catchy, dreamy song like “If You See California” and his never ending ability to just rock the fuck out on “40 Days”. “Eagles On The Highway” is the definitive song on this album and just solidifies the fact that Chris Robinson is one of the most amazingly underrated Rock & Roll front men of our generation. While the Black Crowes material may be hard to top, this album stands completely on it’s own and and proves the Robinson is more than capable of running the show and doing a great job at it. I’m just disappointed that there wasn’t a follow up to this to show us what he could really do. If you love great rock and roll and no frills singing and production, pick this one up. Its a must have without a doubt.
Hope Sandoval & The Warm Inventions – Bavarian Fruit Bread
Original Release Date: October 23, 2001
Highlights: Suzanne, On The Low, Around My Smile
Mazzy Star as a band wasn’t very well known for more than their song “Fade Into You” which has been the most played song of their career. When Mazzy Star split up they literally disappeared without a trace. In 2001, former lead singer Hope Sandoval emerged with a band called The Warm Inventions and an album called “Bavarian Fruit Bread.” Not only was the album as good if not better than anything Mazzy Star ever did, this album showed Hope Sandoval’s ability to separate herself from Mazzy Star and take the wheel taking her music where she wanted it to go. The songs are reminiscent of Mazzy Stars material being that its very mellow, dreamy and psychedelic. This album, besides Remy Shand’s album, is one of my favorite all time chill out albums and is an album that I can always count on to bring my blood pressure and stress levels down. Its such a pleasant listening experience and with a warm, soft production that totally compliments the songs. A great album for anyone to own who just wants to melt away from the stresses of the day.
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