I don't really read Paste, but I saw this list, so I had to post it. Paste seemingly covers a traditional array of indie music, with an emphasis on rock. They like their Americana and their buzz bands, and they have solid but uninteresting taste. There aren't any nice surprises, but there are some not nice surprises. Needless to say, this is an inoffensive yet unfulfilling list. Only three of the top twenty have a chance at making my personal top 20. The entire list is here, and the top 20 (with my criticism) is below. (To be fair, though, I haven't heard several of the albums. But they seem bad.)20. The National--Boxer
Boring. Sorry, but it is.
19. Beck--Sea Change
Decent album, but by no means great.
18. Amy Winehouse--Back To Black
A boring and derivative soul album.
17. Kanye West--The College Dropout
His best effort, but it's still not that great or original.
16. Rufus Wainwright--Want One
I've never heard this album, but I'm not crazy about Rufus.
15. Patty Griffin--1000 Kisses
I know nothing about Patty Griffin, but still...
14. The Strokes--Is This It
An obligatory choice, but a great album nonetheless.
13. Josh Ritter--The Animal Years
I've heard only some of his stuff, and I was unimpressed.
12. Spoon--Kill The Moonlight
I just don't get their appeal. They make pretty boring music.
11. The Hold Steady--Boys And Girls In America
Same deal as Spoon: I just don't like them or their unoriginal music.
10. M.I.A.--Arular
Curious choice over Kala and a little high in the rankings in general. But still good.
9. The Avett Brothers--I And Love And You
I don't know them, but I think it's time to lay off the alt-country.
8. Outkast--Stankonia
Finally: a great album on this list. This should be even higher though.
7. Gillian Welch--Time
See explanation of #9. (But replace "them" with "her".)
6. The White Stripes--Elephant
A very good album, but I think White Blood Cells belongs here.
5. Bright Eyes--I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning
Bright Eyes are decent and nothing more.
4. Radiohead--Kid A
A necessary inclusion, but still slightly overrated.
3. The Arcade Fire--Funeral
See #4.
2. Wilco--Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
I'll say it again: I just don't like Wilco.
1. Sufjan Stevens--Illinois
I like this album. It's good. It's nice to listen to. But it's probably not even in my top 100.
That's what they think. I like the love for Chicago: Illinois and Wilco make up the top two.
Who cares if boxer is boring? it is some of the best music-lyrically and vocally- that came out this decade. I think it should be higher on the list.
ReplyDeleteI disagree. if something is boring, it's not good. great lyrics capture my attention (leonard cohen, bob dylan, etc.), but the National fail to interest me. you're entitled to your opinion.
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