Albums 50 thru 41

Wow, I am getting to the albums that are solid from start to finish!

50. Laura Veirs – “ Year Of The Meteors” This album uses violins in a very cool way and having it mixed with her voice makes it perfect. This album is one I listen to when I want something calming but not quiet, if that makes sense.

Key Tracks – “Cool Water” “Black Gold Blues” and “Parisian Dream”







49. Kings of Leon – “Because Of The Times” The first time I heard this album I thought that this was it; they are finally going to blow up. “Because Of The Times” is their third album and it felt like there could have been four or five hit radio songs. The funny thing is I was listening to the alternative radio station last week and they played “Knocked Up” and for me it was the first time I hearing it as a single.

Key Tracks – “On Call”, “Knocked Up”, “Fans” and “Ragoo”


48. Lil Wayne – “Tha Carter III” I will be the first to admit I was not a fan prior to this album. “The Leak” was an EP that came out about two months prior to this album. This album was one of the most hyped albums in hip-hop and it passed its expectations. The only downfall to this album was “Lollipop”. This song is garbage but it was his smartest move and made it the highest selling album of last year. To this day I have yet to listen to this song all the way through.

Key Tracks – “Let The Beat Build”, “Tie My Hands” and “Dr. Carter”

47. The White Stripes – “White Blood Cells” This album changes and was probably the catalyst to my conversion to rock&roll. What I mean is I started to listen to more rock than hip-hop. It was something different about their sound. While everyone was into rap-rock acts like Linkin Park and other bands like Stain or Nickleback, The Stripes were playing a stripped down rock&roll sound from a different time.

Key Tracks – “Hotel Yorba”, “Fell In Love With A Girl” and “We’re Going To Be Friends”

46. Talib Kweli And Hi Tek – “Reflection Eternal/Train Of Thought” Kweli’s first solo album is true hip-hop with substantial lyrics, but you can still dance to it. "Now cats be rappin about packin’ a nine/ when they are lackin’ divine inspiration” …these lyrics are why I love hi-hop and Talib Kweli.

Key Tracks – “The Beast”, “Memories Live” and “Eternalist”

45. MGMT – “Oracular Spectacular” This is possible the most fun albums on the list. I think they are indefinable, genre wise. The album will always remind me of two month journey guarding the Bering Sea. One of my fellow cooks actual when to school with one of the members of the band. So it was our go to album when we worked together. I can’t wait to hear what they do next!

Key Tracks – “Electric Feel”, “Time To Pretend”, “Weekend Wars” and “Kids”

44. Red Hot Chili Peppers – “By The Way” What a challenge for the Chili Peppers to come back after “Californication”, but they did with “By The Way”. It almost felt like it could have been a side two to “Californication”. Why stop a good thing that everyone loves, am I right?


Key Tracks – “By The Way”, “Dosed” and “Can’t Stop”

43. Interpol – “Turn On The Bright Lights” Another album my good friend Isaiah burned me a copy of and was admittedly in love with. I would later find out the sound that influenced Interpol was Joy Division. (One of the great band I’ve come to love over the last ten years.) PS- If you like this album, pick up the classic album by Joy Division “Closer” or “Unknown Pleasures”. Both are mind blowingly good.

Key Tracks – “Untitled”, “Obstacle 1” and “Obstacle 2”

42. Modest Mouse “Good News For People Who Love Bad News” So I was a little late on finding Modest Mouse and when ever I talk with a fan, about how I like this album they always bring up how much better their previous albums where but to me this is their best. This album means something to me. The way many a lot of people love Kings Of Leon’s album “Only By The Night” but could careless about their previous releases. We all discover bands in deferent way. Just remember that before you start to rip someone who discovers a great band late in their career.

Key Tracks – “Float On”, “Ocean Breathes Salty” and “The World At Large”

41. Santogold – “Santogold” Forget M.I.A. you can have her! I’ll take Santogold any day of the week. This album is so much better than either album M.I.A. released. Why would you take the repeating, almost annoying beats of M.I.A. when you could have the same energy but with rhythm? Santogold has rhythm. This album blew me away. It is cool beyond cool and she is more than a fashionista. (Ahem, M.I.A.) She has substance. Now don’t get me wrong, M.I.A. is not all that bad. She just didn’t live up to all the hype around her and I would rather have her on the radio then that joke of a musician Lady Gaga. But we’ll save that tangent for another day.

Key Tracks – “Shove It”, “Creator”, “L.E.S. Artistes” and “Lights Out”