Smack Thats “Great” Albums of the Noughties.

I hate the end of the year. Every magazine, website, newspaper and blog seems to do a ‘best of’ or ‘top 10′ of the last year. They’re just so annoying arn’t they.
Here is a list of albums that came out during the noughties (what a terrible name, apparently the next decade will be known as the ‘tennies’) that we quite like.

Agaskodo Teliverek – Agaskodo Teliverek (2006)
Look Here

Analord Series/The Tuss (2005/ 2007)
My favourite Aphex Twin project. I love the huge sounds of analogue electronics doing there thing that have been captured and composed perfectly. To me it doesn’t sound man-made, it sounds like some a bunch of machines came to life one night and were caught on tape.

Arcade Fire – Funeral (2004)
I still cant believe I haven’t seen this band live yet…Quite embarrassingly my mum bought this album before I did but upon hearing the first track Neighbourhood #1 (Tunnels) I was hooked. With regard to this being better than Neon Bible, it just fucking is ok?

At The Drive-in – Relationship Of Command (2000)
I remember asking for this album for Christmas when I like 13 or something ‘cos I loved One Arm Scissor when it came out. On first listen though I didn’t really get it and it gathered dust for a while on my shelf. When I picked it up again a year or two later I was blown away by how sick it was. Not necessarily an album i ever really listen to these days, but far as albums I’ve rinsed over the decade this has to be up there. The guitar on this album is fucking ridiculous as well. God, what a gay sentence. AT THE DRIVE-IN OWN…

Avalanches – Since I Left You (2000)
The perfect album to get stoned to with your mates on a summer’s day. We used to have so many arguments about where each sample came from and try and out knowledge each other about music. Looking back on it, we knew nothing. We were only 13.

Black Devil (Disco Club) – Disco Club / 28 After (1978/ 2006)
Discovered and re-released in the noughties by Rephlex Records, 28 years after it was made. Does it still count?

Bloc Party – Silent Alarm (2005)
I’m a firm believer that Bloc Party have got fucking awful and are possibly the gayest pricks in Indie but I don’t deny that this album is a dope debut by any ones standards. This album has everything an indie album needs; Massive dance floor anthems mixed with more sensitive and introspective moments. I remember seeing them headline the NME Tent at Reading ’06 and they just looked like it was the best moment of their lives and to be fair, the amount of MDMA id done I probably thought it was mine at the time. Too bad they got all wanky, made a concept album and did interviews.

The Books – Every Album (noughties)
All their albums were made in this decade; Thought for Food, The Lemon of Pink and Lost and Safe. The Books create phenomenally beautiful, pure music from collages of sampled sound gathered from their own instruments and everything else around them. It is impossible to explain the affect that their music can have on a person but it is immediate and intense.

Broadcast – Tender Buttons (2005)
A truly great pop record with added noises and sounds. It’s strange because it sounds futuristic whilst simultaneously sounding retro, lo-fi and hi-fi, experimental yet accessible at the same time.
It is fair to say that there are some forgettable tracks on this album, but, no tracks need to be skipped past and the whole album creates a lingering feeling of dreamy euphoria which is always quite nice.

Buck 65 – Secret House Against The World (2006)
I thought Buck 65 was alright, but always found that kind of alt hip-hop stuff a bit depressing. This album though he did something different and actually wrote some really nice ballads and began singing. Fans of his older stuff hated this album. The first night I heard this album I accidentally rohypnoled myself.

Country Teasers – The Empire Strikes Back (2006)
Are there any queers in theatre tonight?
Get them up against the wall,
There’s one in the spotlight, he don’t look right to me,
Get him up against the wall.
That one looks Jewish and that ones a Coon.
Who let this riff raff into the room?
There’s one smoking a joint, and another with spots,
If I had my way I’d have all of them shot.

Fall-like, clever-ignorance, witty and damn right offensive.

Cheveu – Cheveu (2008)
Here’s a nod to our friends across the channel. French, trashy, casio rock ‘n’ roll, repetitive but really catchy. So what if they are probably fucking about most of the time, I like it. They have devolved rock ‘n’ roll music but created something proper rude with it’s balls hanging out all over the floor?

Daft Punk – Discovery (2001)
It’s all about the 2nd side of this record.

Dan Deacon – Spiderman Of The Rings (2007)
Apart from the Wire, Dan Deacon is probably the best thing to come out of ‘Bodymore’. Spiderman of the Rings is probably the most insane piece of electronic madness you will hear for a long time. Rainbow-hued synths, break-core and childhood memories all rolled up into a superb album.

Deerhoof – Milkman or Runners Four (2004, 2005)
Such a supreme San Francisco indie rock group. The mad, quirks of Captain Beefheart clash with the catchy hooks and pure rock of bands like The Who. There are some kitsch elements that used to irritate me but these two albums have so many great songs.
A true battle of opinion between me and many friends over which is best. Anyway, have a listen and decide.

Dizzee Rascal – Boy In Da Corner (2003)
It was so good at the time, learning all dem nu slang words and shit. It’s just a shame Dizzee went all… well, rubbish.

Dr. Dre – 2001 (2000)
“ALL THESE NIGGAZ AND ALL THESE HOES, SOMEBODY IN HERE GONNA FUUCCCK.” Sums it all up really. Dr. Dre’s 2001 was the epitome of west coast Hip Hop. An incredible mish mash of Dope beats, blistering verses, and guest appearances from almost every half decent MC on the Westside. So grab a 40, and roll up a blunt, because pretending to be black has never been this cool before.

Eminem – Marshall Mathers LP (2000)
This album had a parental advisory sticker on the front cover when I bought it, and what’s more, none of my friends even knew who he was, which made me the coolest kid for a bout a day. I was only ever allowed to listen to ‘Stan’ though when my mum was around she liked the dido sample, but not the lyrics about raping bitches and ting.

Fog – 10th Avenue Freakout (2005)
So, so, so hard to describe. I think it is an electronic, arty, pop record. It is a really intriguing record and has a nice formula to the compositions. The verses have a pondering feel to them with dazed lyrics over bleak drones of melody and loose rhythms of wonky drum machines. All these elements gain momentum and break into solid crescendos of sampled horns, tight beats and very american singing for the choruses.

Franz Ferdinand – Franz Ferdinand (2004)
The first time I ever went to a club I was a bit nervous, I wasn’t really into dance music and my only experience of clubs was seeing clips of old raves and videos from Ibiza. However I went to an indie night at Escape (now Audio) and they played stuff like this and then I kissed a girl to Take Me Out. Good times.

Ghostface Killah – Ghostdini Wizard Of Poetry In Emerald City (2009)
It’s the same as any other Ghostface album, except all the beats on this one sound like the Jackie Brown soundtrack. Rugged.

Go! Team – Thunder, Lightening, Strike! (2004)
CONTROVERSIAL CHOICE ALERT! This album just reminds me of walking to my dealers house once on one of those randomly warm spring days (when you wear a t-shirt for the first time that year) and the whole album lasted EXACTLY from when i left my house to when I got to his front door and I like it when that happens. I genuinely think this album is amazing and although they could never repeat it live or follow it up with a good album, this album still means summer to me…

Goldfrapp – Felt Mountain (2000)
This album is so good at the end of a night out when the bumps of ketemine come out and everyone’s skinning up their last zoot. Just lie back and let Alison’s weird vocals float over until you drift off. Then you wake up on some randoms sofa and feel like shit.

Horrors – Primary Colours (2009)
Fuck the first Horrors album, the only people that liked that were 16 year Goths who found post hardcore a bit… hardcore? The second album though sounds like it could have been made by a band at Camberwell Art College in the late 70’s when they started to experiment with ambience and psychedelic noises in post punk songs.

The Hunches – Hobo Sunrise (2003)
A brutal band on In The Red. Fusing together elements of the Strokes, the Libertines and general loud noise and raucous expression. This album is so big and furious you have to listen to the whole album to pick up every emotion it conveys. You just can’t get into it from any one song in particular. They kind of make me feel like how it would be hearing The Stooges for the first time in the sixties!

Interpol – Turn On The Bright Lights (2002)
I’ll be honest, I actually slept on this album for fuckin’ years, even going as far as telling people I hated this band. However about two years ago I realised this album is actually quality and it was just Interpol fans I hated. Now for the Joy Division bit…Yes the vocal is sometimes cringe worthily similar but if you’re going to sound like another band, you could do worse than it being one of the most important and seminal bands ever me thinks. Although massive at the time, i think this is quite an underrated record. However, they do take the blame for Editors and subsequently White Lies, Glasvegas, Big Pink et al. THANKS A FUCKING LOT.

Jamie T – Panic Prevention (2007)
This album pretty much sums up my first year of university and being in halls of resisidents. It’s not the greatest album, but whenever I listen to it I get the nostalgia thing and loads of good memories come back. But that’s just me, everyone else thought it was shit.

Jedi Mind Tricks – Violent By Design (2003)
It saddens me how shit Vinnie Paz and Jus Allah have got recently but lets not dwell on that and remember the good old days…This album is rugged and violent but without losing any humour or being clichéd in any way – In fact id say its pretty flawless…The beats are epic, the samples are Wu-Tang inspired and the spitting is generally pretty sick (apart from a few ‘classics’ from The Pazmanian Devil..). One of my most rinsed hip-hop albums ever and yeh, just take my word for it…MURDERS BY STICKING A CRUFIFIX IN YOUR CERVIX.

Klaxons – Myths Of The Near Future (2007)
I saw them perform at the Pressure Point to an audience of about 10 people. How cool am I? This album pretty much started the Nu-Rave thing, which was cool for about a week before it got hijacked by 15 year old girls. This is a really good pop album and pretty much sums up 2006/7.

The Knife – Deep Cuts (2004)
I knew a girl a few years back who was like the first ever girl in the UK to get myspace. She got myspace so early on in fact that she has been in the number two spot on The Knife’s myspace since I first checked them out. Her name is Kimmer btw.

The Libertines – Up The Bracket (2002)
As much as Pete(R!) Doherty has become a cliché of himself as some drug addled mumbling tosser, when this album came out I literally thought it was the best thing ever. It reminds me of this house I used to live in that had this shed thing in the garden that we called ‘The Crack Den’. I had some good parties there and this album reminds me of the Easter holidays whilst in the first year of college where we just sat in my room for two weeks straight doing ‘shrooms, going on speed benders and drinking vodka with green food colouring in. Good times…

Mahjongg – Kontpab (2008)
This album toys with so many ideas and influences from modern minimal r&b to dance punk to afro-pop. The album is so adventurous and stylistically bonkers it may give you motion sickness. However, I think that they’re one of the best bands around. Seeing them live probably has an effect on how much I enjoy this album. So, if you don’t like it go and see them live.

Man Man – Six Demon Bag (2006)
I listened to this album for about 6 months almost daily. It’s their second of three, but defiantly their best IMO. They are also the most crazy band I have ever seen live, even friends that hated this album loved them after seeing them live. It’s a mix of ska, no wave, 60’s girl group pop and circus music. What a combination.

Matias Aguayo – ay ay ay (2009)
‘Nearly every track will have an element that can’t fail to put a smile on your face.’ – Drowned in sound.
This album provides my ears with something so unusual and bizarre without sounding like a novelty. Aguayo’s voice is the main instrument on this record and with it he creates a blurry eyed, exotic, techno world; filled with hook upon hook. However, it will certainly not be everyone’s cup of tea!

Midlake – The Trials of Van Occupanther (2006)
One evening a man who goes by the name David passed me a small folded piece of paper. Upon it were the words ‘Midlake -Van Occupanther’. I never looked back.
This album is reminiscent of the satisfaction felt when stepping on a crunchy leaf in Autumn. Something I would definitely cross the street for.

Metronomy – Nights Out (2008)
This album is full of great pop songs without ever becoming mainstream and radio friendly. According to my last.fm this album is my most played over the last year. That pretty much says it all. Great album, great band. End of.

MSTRKRFT – The Looks (2006)
Thought I should probably include an electro album on here somewhere and Daft Punk aside, its got to be this. Tracks such as “Work on You” and “Easy Love” quickly became dance floor classics and still are 3 years on. Seeing them at Somewhere In The Universe was also fucking DOPEEEE. They’ve gotta get some props for their remixes as well which have been some of the biggest tunes this decade in their own right. ALSO Jesse Keeler was is Death From Above 1979 whose 2004 album “You’re a Woman, I’m a Machine” would be in this list if I hadn’t put this in ‘cos basically its fucking brilliant and reminds me of every indie night I’ve ever been to in the last 5 years.

Necro – The Sexorcist (2005)
This album is so shockingly shit that it is actually incredible. If you haven’t heard Necro before, just look at the titles of some of his tracks; You Bitches Love To Get Fucked In The Ass, We Fuck Virgins and I Degrade You. He’s a really sweet chap though in real life.

Nick Cave – Abattoir Blues / Lyre Of Orpheus (2004)
Being a massive Nick Cave fan I could have put any of his albums from the last ten years on the list. This one wins largely because it was buy one get one free and I’m a sucker for a bargain. I spent the first few years only playing the first CD as Nick gets all messiah and gospel like and makes you do involuntary power grabs. Then I listened to the second one again and realised its just as good if not better than the first. And it has the line ” I had one hand round your red right heart and the other down your panties”. Genius. Oh and my copies signed which means I’m better than you.

Non Phixion – The Future Is Now (2002)
As far as aggy rap albums go, this is definitely up there with the best. Reminds me of this flat my mates used to live in, named affectingly as 7/7. That flat was fucking ridiculous and this album will always make me think of it. Well, this and Naive by The Kooks…

Outkast – Speakerboxxx/Love Below (2003)
It’s hard to choose which is better, I’ll probably pick the Love Below if I had to because Andre 3000 (what sort of name is that?) has nice hair. I was listening to ‘Hey Ya’ about 6 months before anyone else had even heard about the new album and even though it got rinsed by every radio station, night club and bar it is still such a classic. I just listened to it now at full volume. Chooooooon.

Queens Of The Stone Age – Songs For The Deaf (2002)
Just after this album came out I went to see QOTSA play at Brixton academy with a few mates. On the tube to Brixton we sat opposite a guy wearing a Queen t-shirt with Freddy mercury on, he looked like the kind of bloke who would say ‘don’t you think it’s strange Freddie never married, he was so popular with the ladies’. Anyway, he ended up at Brixton academy with us and when QOTSA began to play he looked so confused and left after 3 songs. Bless him.

The Rapture – Echoes (2003)
Before this album indie pretty much meant ‘rock’ music, but a bit different. Then the rapture did this thing. They made dance music with electronic bits, but they were still an indie band. Eh?
Since ‘House of jealous lovers’ was released every other band seems to have a cowbell fixed on to their drum kit as well. Coincidence?

The Raveonettes – Whip It On (2002)
Although this album came out in 2002, it’s been a reasonably recent discovery for me but has quickly become one of my favourite albums ever. Tracks like “Cops on our Tail”, “Beat City” and “Do You Believe Her” are Jesus and Mary Chain for the 21st Century but Danish and with a fit girl. Reminds me of late night drinking sessions, which is always nice.

The Rebel – Kufr (2007)
99% of people who listen to this album will probably get two or three tracks in and turn it off saying something like ‘it’s quite challenging’. I fucking love this album and I like the fact that no one else in the whole world has even heard of it. It is the darkest most fucked up sounding piece of “sound art” (if that’s what you call it). I used to listen to this on K in halls of residents and listen to my flat mates talk outside my door about whether I mental issues listening to such messed up shit.

Richard Hawley – Coles Corner (2005)
A truly amazing album. Every single track is allowed to breathe, yet none outstay their welcome. I reckon Richard Hawley makes a well good cup of tea.

Roots Manuva – Run Come Save Me (2001)
Well well well… UK hip-hop was good for about 5 minutes and within that 5 minute window Roots Manuva released run come save me. At times hilariously funny at others incredibly depressing Rodney Smith detailed in a very British way his struggle with depression, drug addiction and inner city life. I saw him live once he was so stoned it was an utter shambles but he did produce probably one of the greatest videos of all time.

Soulwax – Nite Versions (2005)
If you don’t know who Soulwax by now you are gay (actually even gays know who Soulwax are).

The Streets – Original Pirate Material (2002)
I hated this album when I first heard it. Everyone banged on about it and all I could think was that man has some of the worst rhyming couplets I have ever had the displeasure to endure. Then I listened to it some more and realised that that wasn’t the entire point. Its funny (too much brandy), progressive (let’s push things forward), retrospective (weak become heroes), relatable (don’t mug yourself) and far better than anything they have done since, give or take a few tracks. Dark, funny and heartbreaking it took its roots in garage and then burst through all the clichés to create something that people of all classes and races could relate to on some level. I still think mike skinner has become a bit of a prick though, which is a shame.

The Strokes – This Is It (2001)
Ten years on and we’re all still wearing tight jeans. ‘Nuff said I guess.

Yeah Yeah Yeah’s – Fever To Tell (2003)
“boy you’re just a stupid bitch and girl you’re just a no good dick”. Karen O, girls liked her because she was blunt and went rah, boys liked her because she was cool and everyone liked her all the more every time she cried whilst performing maps live. The debut album by the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s is New York art rock done at its best, songs detailing the sometimes grim realities of love and sex yet never veering into sentimentality even on the slower tracks like this modern romance. The lyrics are often bitter and acerbic (black tongue) yet her brutal sometimes unnerving honesty elevates it from more than just shouty girl stuff. I’ve actually never met a person who didn’t like this album, and that’s because it’s just so darn good. Yeah yeah and yeah.

Oh what a noughty decade it’s been. LoLZzZzZ

Words by : Iced Gems, Hulk Rogan, Queen B, Brown, Murley Bassey and Lutworth
Photo by : Andy Baker