The 50 Best Albums of the 2000s: Numbers 42

The 50 Best Albums of the 2000s: Numbers 42 – 41

December 5th, 2009 MUSIC Cory Maidens

The double oughts are about to be over. Featured author and music obssessive Cory Maidens takes a look back at the first decade of the 21st Century in music, and lists his picks for the 50 best records to be released during its ten years

42. The White Stripes – Elephant (2003)
The lead riff of Elephant opener “Seven Nation Army” is so insanely obvious that every rock guitarist in the world must have kicked themselves upon hearing it for the first time. Much of this 2003 classic thrives on that sort of instant familiarity, but Jack and Meg White wisely choose to channel that good will into an album that just becomes more rewarding as one sees beyond the often simple facade. White may not be one of rock’s flashiest players, but her mix of both power and restraint compliment her partner’s expansive guitar style repertoire. Jazz, pop and even stoner metal influences are more prevalent here than on the group’s earlier garage blues records and all of these elements are bound together by exceptional and slightly off-kilter arrangements that match Jack White’s unique high register. Elephant was a phenomenal success both critically and commercially and was perhaps the most important piece in establishing the White Stripes as one of the premiere rock bands of the last decade.

41. Sigur Ros – Takk (2005)
On paper, Sigur Ros’ blend of neoclassical, new age and rock just shouldn’t work. Thankfully, logic and reason didn’t stop this Icelandic group from releasing some of the finest music of the last decade. Though their 1999 debut was officially released just too early for inclusion on this list, they nearly matched that incredible release’s beauty with 2005′s Takk. After spending much of the decade obsessively exploring textures and sounds, Takk brings the band’s focus on songwriting back to the forefront of their music, particularly in tracks like “Glósóli” and “Hoppípolla.” Jónsi Birgisson’s voice inspires the sort of awe necessary to sell the heart-swelling, grandiose movements that pepper the album while revealing a quiet vulnerability that suit its lighter moments. This is even more remarkable considering that all of the album’s lyrics are sung either in the group’s native Icelandic or a fictional language Birgisson refers to as “Hopelandic.” The lack of discernible subject matter allows pure unfiltered emotion to flow from every syllable. This leaves the listener with a role in ascribing specific meaning to the music, a trait that has attracted fans from all over the world and no doubt confused listeners unwilling to actively participate in the experience. The willing are rewarded handsomely with more than just a collection of songs or even a great album; Takk is a majestic triumph of the human spirit.

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Cory Maidens

Cory Maidens is a proud son of the American Midwest, a man of letters and an incorrigible bastard. Since acquiring his BA in English Literature, he has proudly avoided non-comic books as an apathetic eye-roll at intellectual elitism. He thinks that arguing is highly underrated as sport and engages in it more often than might be advisable to compensate for that perceived deficiency. He believes in gay marriage, The Daily Show and Bruce Springsteen. He enjoys hearing Southern voices read Civil War-era correspondence aloud.

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