NONALIGNMENT·PACT

You probably thought you were getting away without reading any more boring roundup lists. But no, I’ve put together a list of my favorite recordings from the last decade. Note that I don’t say “best” or “most impressive”. I’m going for something a little different. If a recording is on this list, it’s because I actually listened to it. On purpose. Several times. And enjoyed the experience. Some of these I enjoyed more than others. So I’ll be employing the + or ++ symbols I used in my previous post to indicate the special goodness. Although I’ve tried to pick out only records of which I have clear memories, I’ve made qualitative assessments based on my 2010 opinions. For example, in my 20s, I might have told you I liked Animal Collective. There is not one Animal Collective record on this list.

I should note, before beginning, that this is a long list. But it isn’t everything I enjoyed. I’ve left off the very few favorite local records I loved. I’ll write about this handful in later, separate posts (one of my resolutions). And then there is the stuff I’ve forgotten. Oh well.

I have tried to ensure I include records that didn’t make a lot of the lists you’ve already read. Even though I tend to focus my listening on pop music (broadly defined), I stray away sometimes to corners of my field and gnaw on some sweet grass that significantly fewer sheep have tasted. I don’t claim any of my choices are terribly obscure, unless obscurity has been achieved by age. But it was a nice thing, going back and remembering the songs that I loved. Since even before I began blogging my worthless opinions.

For you who are more grizzled, I offer my ++ as indicia of something especially worthy, which you ought to consume, even if you normally wouldn’t. Album artwork subtly indicates my favorite for that year. Links are to LaLa, Metacritic, Amazon, and Emusic.

Continue reading Favorites from the Naughties