With the new year looming, music critics have been scrambling to comprise various top ten lists to commemorate the decade. But your BFF, however, has one-upped my fellow literary snobs by creating a top twenty albums of the decade list that will be unparallel and drastically different than anyone else could dream up. Touching on all the musical spectrums, whether it be hip-hop, rock or pop, we got it all. So kick back with your Starbucks frappuccino and enjoy an overdose of rhetoric as I count down my top twenty albums of the decade!
20) Blessed By A Broken Heart: Blessed By A Broken Heart
They might have been around a few years earlier, but in 2008, Blessed By A Broken Heart unearthed a gem - that being their self-titled album. It's a metalcore circus, but not constructed in the manner of Avenged Sevenfold or The Devil Wears Prada. Instead, the crew laced their music with a hint of glam, 80's rock and enough melody to keep Obama two-steppin' all the way to Hawaii for the holidays (or at least the airport). It's a throwback with a modern twist, as "Show Me What You Got," "She's Dangerous" and "Doing It" simply do that point justice. Clearly, Adam Lambert is jealous. He was supposed to bring glam back, not Christian mafiosos with swagger-jacking Italian nicknames.
19) N' SYNC: No Strings Attached
The last great boy band album of the decade ... and it was released in March 2000. Every straight high school male like myself hated groups like this, but pop was our guilty pleasure whether we're man enough to admit it or not. I'm man enough to admit both that and my enjoyment of George Michael's "Freedom '90," but that's a topic for the upcoming "Guilty Pleasures of the 90's" column that I won't be penning until 2090. Little known facts you won't find on Wikipedia: dancing to "Bye Bye Bye" is the best thing to do to speed up your metabolism and if you serenade a chick to "It's Gonna Be Me," then you are guaranteed a makeout session with whatever girl you are hitting on (and she won't even care if you have ketchup stains on your polo shirt). Cardio and tongue tornados aside, girls loved da 'Sync - especially the 2.4 million who purchased this CD in its first week. Sadly, the boy band industry would never recover after this one. And if you're wondering why we use a pic of JT as opposed to the album art, it's because 101D.com can't handle the power that is Chris Kirkpatrick's face.
18) Limp Bizkit: The Chocolate Starfish And The Hot Dog Flavored Water
Either you loved it or you hated it, but I can safely say that I absolutely rocked the shit out of The Chocolate Starfish And The Hot Dog Flavored Water - no homo. The third studio album from Fred Durst and company featured more of a hip-hop vibe as numerous MCs like DMX, Method Man, Redman and Xzibit made their presence felt with a few guest spots, which I personally didn't care for. I was more into the rock anthems with a simple repetitive hook ("My Generation," "Rollin'"), the lighter radio-friendly songs ("My Way," "Hold On" featuring Scott Weiland) or the obscure ("Hot Dog," "Take A Look Around"). Speaking of obscure, the album cover should serve as a reminder to never buy a hot dog from a naked dude with an odd-shaped head. Chances are it's probably not kosher.
17) Jay-Z: The Black Album
I'm gonna keep this one very brief: Jay-Z had 99 problems. A bitch wasn't one of them. Dirt on his shoulders were and, apparently Dame Dash. He fixed the other 97 problems when he became the president over at Def Jam. Only a record that powerful can handle all of that, so whenever I need a boost of energy, I listen to this. More diverse and richer than his following two sets. But anyways, that's a different story for a different time and it's time for me to move on. Plus, I don't wanna say anything bad here. I mean, I saw what happened to Dame after Jay dropped this album and I don't wanna be the next Dame. Moving along ...
16) Green Day: American Idiot
I have always loved Green Day, ever since I saw the video for "Longview" back in 1993. But when they dropped American Idiot, it was hands down their best effort since Dookie. They created an assortment of jolly good songs, and took a shot at President Bush (come on ... everyone so considered him America's idiot).
15) Ludacris: Word Of Mouf
Ludacris doesn't get enough credit. While Lil' Jon and the Ying Yang Twins did their fair share of bringing the southern hip-hop movement to the mainstream, it was really Word Of Mouf that had people buzzing. In fact, you probably couldn't walk into any hood or college campus without hearing a cell phone play "Roll Out" or some chick yelling, "Move bitch, get out the way" before taking two more jello shots, chug another Miller Lite and going home with some dude who's got genital warts. Point is Ludacris' was vital to the movement in the early 2000's and one of the more original voices the culture has ever heard. He annunciated words in a very unique manner, didn't try to go over people's heads and repeated simple hooks over and over again until they were stuck in everybody's head. It's an easy peasy formula that continues to work and keep his music exciting.
14) Holly Brook: Like Blood, Like Honey
Yeah ... surprised to see female vocal in here, huh? Well anyone who knows me is fully aware that I a) love Linkin Park and b) love cute chicks, and when Mike Shinoda's side project Fort Minor dropped "Where'd You Go" featuring Holly Brook, I fell in love. That song was alright, but her gentle debut album Like Blood, Like Honey was absolutely amazing. With her soft vocals, folksy rock marmalade and semi-depressing records recalling difficult teenage memories of yesteryear, Brook proved that she is one helluva cute and talented singer/songwriter to be on the watch for. She hasn't released an album since, but no worries. I still have my eye on her in a, you know, non-weird or stalkerish way.
13) Gym Class Heroes: As Cruel As School Children
There haven't been too many hip-hop bands in the market. In fact, up until the mid-2000's, all you had were The Roots and they were awesome! The music industry is known to mass produce the hottest fad like My Chemical Romance and Fall Out Boy, but a hip-hop band? Surprisingly, it hasn't happened, or at least not on a commercial level. The Gym Class Heroes aren't by any means a clone of The Roots, but they are one rap-flavored collective that has equally as much originality and dope rhymes as their Illadelphia brethren. In 2006, they dropped their sophomore LP As Cruel As School Children, a bona fide collection with a tracklisting that follows the theme of a high school student's schedule. Aside from cuts about a drunk ex ("The Queen and I"), getting freaky ("Clothes Off!"), pursuing dreams, ("Shoot Down The Stars") or even MySpace romance ("New Friend Request"), we learned a lot about front man Travis McCoy. Unlike many rappers of the nu-metal or rap rock movement, the lanky MC spits better than most underground cats and that's attractive to women like Katy Perry, which is hot because she kisses girls and likes it quite a bit. Plus, his skills were certified on MTV's Direct Effect Rap Battle in 2002 at the Jersey Shore - not that MTV is an authority on hip-hop, but it's a nice feather on anyone's New Era cap. But enough about the band's greatness. Does anybody want some sausage and peppers?
12) Papa Roach: Infest
It's hard to believe that ten years ago, the dudes from Papa Roach looked like school boys in black attire with normal haircuts and actually wrote rap-metal music. That was the thing to do back in the late 90's before it was pushed out the door years later, and this Cali-based quintet penned an incredibly powerful album. Vocalist Jacoby Shaddix dropped his soul over the edgy rhythms on Infest by talking about suicide, depression, everyday struggles and his difficult youth. The record was packed with passion, and was something any angst teen could connect with. But as the years passed by, Papa Roach got some groovy Mickey Mouse tats, grew their hair out and dressed gothically glam. They also abandoned the rap-metal ship for a punk rock and alternative harbor, neither of which have been as nearly as generous in reception as they once were with "Last Resort." But somehow, they're making it work.
11) Kanye West: The College Dropout
This was a great album, but Common had the best hip-hop album in the 2000s, hands down!
10) System Of A Down: Toxicity
Back in high school, my buddy Dean The Greek talked mad shit about System Of A Down, calling them untalented and stupid just because he heard "Sugar," which I thought was a cool song. When I see dude three years later after their sophomore album Toxicity drops, he's singing their praises, talking about how "Chop Suey," "The Prison Song," "Aerials" and others are awesome, acting as if he just discovered the next greatest band. Well Deano, if you're reading this you modern day Christopher Columbus, my schizophrenic band was always awesome and so was "Sugar." Put that in your pita and eat it.
9) Three Days Grace: One-X
I always liked Three Days Grace, but I had my doubts about them. After all, any band that has a song played damn near 24/7 on radio like they did with "(I Hate) Everything About You" tends to lose their luster. Well, it seems like their luster has only hardened - no homo. One-X was a terrific, rock album and all the songs perfectly interlinking with one another, keeping that nice flow the whole time. And, in case you don't know, when Dana White signs me to a UFC contract, my theme music will have to be "Animal I Have Become."
8) The Roots: The Tipping Point
Somewhere within the 50 Cent, Jay-Z, Kanye West and "Lean Back" universe dropped The Tipping Point in 2004. I was interning for The Source that summer and I would rock this album every single day at the office ... because if I rocked anything like metal or folk, the editors would yell, "Bear, turn that shit off!" They couldn't say the same about this brand spanking new Roots album though. The first one of their studio albums ever to be centered around Black Thought's lyricism, this Illadelphia crew gave kids and grown ass adults a heavy lyrical dosage of human nature as they saw it over a jazzy, funk rock hybrid with scratches. Oh yeah, they also touched upon the Iraqi conflict and threw in a freestyle for good measure too. And if you heard the bonus track, then you'd know that Dave Chappelle approved this album.
7) Red: Instinct & Innocence
Their debut album End Of Silence was a terrific piece of songwriting with raw, aggressive tenacity. While it would become difficult to outdo themselves, these Christian rockers did just that and put together a powerful collection with Instinct & Innocence. Great vocals, tight rock melodies and I can relate to the struggle their experiencing. I love it. In fact, I still rock "The Fight Inside" or "Death Of Me" on a daily basis! No surprise as to why this was my album of the year for the past year.
6) Common: Be
Be was hands down the absolute best hip-hop album of 2005 and it was completely overshadowed by Kanye West's sophomore album Late Registration, which was merely "alright. Nevertheless, Be makes up for lost time by being named my number one hip-hop album of the decade by me (big fucking honor, right?). It was conscious music with a Chi-town flavor and a grown man swagger, the type of hip-hop that made you dance and then, stop to think. Common really let it all "Go" on this one and Corporate America recognized, casting him in commercials from Gap and Zune to eventually big movie roles like Terminator Salvation. Before the record drop, this never happened to him. I don't wanna necessarily say this album or cool hat got him that type of notoriety, but I just gave you enough info to draw your own conclusion. Now "Go" do it.
5) The Exies: A Modern Way Of Living With The Truth
The Exies were always known for more radio rock type songs like "Hey You" or "My Goddess," but they went more of the "Ugly" route in 2007 with A Modern Way Of Living With The Truth. It was harder, harsher, and grungier, like a record with song lyrics that reflect the depressing thoughts of the Xanga.com community. The pain, however, is real and common emotions all us "high on life" burnouts feel resonates throughout songs like "Fear Of Being Alone," "The Sound Of Hurt," "Stray" and too many others to list. I think Cobain would have liked this album, if he was alive to hear it. The only thing I know is that whenever I hear this record, I have the overwhelming desire to smoke a cigeraette, paint the walls burgundy, put up some black curtains and write something. It's influential, people. Not sinister.
4) Everlast: Love, War And The Ghost Of Whitey Ford
Some theme albums fall short of the mark, but Love, War And The Ghost Of Whitey Ford is the most brilliantly executed albums in the past fifteen years. Not only is it emotional and a experimental styles clash of sounds that makes it ultimately difficult to label, but it's a timeless masterpiece that will remain relevant as long as America continues to get involved in every country's business. Feeling that "somebody else" was speaking to him, as he told your BFF, Everlast penned an album entirely from a soldier's life in an overseas warzone with emotions ranging from fear, anger and wondering how life will be assuming the troop makes it back alive. With a plethora of genres like folk, hip-hop, rock, and country mixed into one, this could've sounded like complete and utter shit. But Everlast proved for real that he is more than an MC. He's a musician and while he was talented over ten years ago when he dropped "What It's Like," he recently proved just how remarkable a songwriter he truly is.
3) Disturbed: Disturbed
Explosive, angry, dynamic and, at times, fucking creepy - that's the only way to describe The Sickness, Disturbed's debut album. From the opener "Voices" to the psychotic closer "Meaning Of Life," Disturbed gave you the best music to kick someone's ass to (or yourself, depending if there is anyone else in the room). And, oddly enough, the production was polished to a tee! It was literally some of the heaviest, clean-sounding stuff of the time to invade radio airwaves. As a result, the depressed high schooler did their best David Dramain imitation by scoffing at their teachers as if they were doing an acapella version of "Stupify." Well, maybe that's just me. Damn ... I wish I had the singing ability of Dramain ... and his killer platinum goatee too.
2) Linkin Park: [Hybrid Theory]
This album completely smashed the boundaries of rap rock folklore. Linkin Park re-invented the style, made it emotional, more polished and commercial enough to build a mainstream cult of fans. In fact, this is probably the only group who could still be cool even if your little sister or mother asked to borrow the CD. Mike Shinoda is lyrically certified, able to drop bars like a true MC. Chester Bennington, his compliment, has a killer voice that grabs your attention and his emotional words steals your soul away. With spine-chilling tales of abuse ("Crawling"), ending a relationship ("In The End"), desiring to leave your parents house ("Runaway") and reaching the breaking point ("One Step Closer"), Linkin Park really created a masterpiece that is only rivaled by their follow-up album Meteora. That is stuff of legend and could easily scare artists who deem themselves as perfectionists ... hello Axl Rose.
1) Family Force 5: Business Up Front, Party In The Back
I completely almost missed out in getting to know this band. I looked at their name, assumed they were some Christian family group and tossed their advance CD to the side. Fast forward to Warped Tour 2006. I'm walking around with my buddy Parneezy and suddenly, we see this energetic band with the singer wearing Incredible Hulk gloves, singing "Love Addict" on the top of his lungs. I was sold from that moment on and craved the hip-hop dance rock blend that was splattered all throughout Business Up Front, Party In The Back. And while I love rap-metal, this album certainly doesn't fall into that category. I'd like to referee to their style as what Skittles would sound like if the hard-coated fruit candy were ever to become a musical genre. Whether it's talking about their fun-loving ATL environment ("Caddillac Phunque"), dealing with a psycho ex-girlfriend ("Drama Queen") or making songs for the dance floor ("Earthquake"), Family Force 5 is perhaps the baddest and most original band in the music industry right now. It just goes to show that you can't judge a band by a name. In fact, in the Bible, God says it's wrong and we'll take his word for it.
Honorable Mentions: Sum 41's "All Killer, No Filler," New Found Glory's self-titled and Rhymefest's "Blue Collar."
Enjoy the new year and the next decade of music!
20) Blessed By A Broken Heart: Blessed By A Broken HeartThey might have been around a few years earlier, but in 2008, Blessed By A Broken Heart unearthed a gem - that being their self-titled album. It's a metalcore circus, but not constructed in the manner of Avenged Sevenfold or The Devil Wears Prada. Instead, the crew laced their music with a hint of glam, 80's rock and enough melody to keep Obama two-steppin' all the way to Hawaii for the holidays (or at least the airport). It's a throwback with a modern twist, as "Show Me What You Got," "She's Dangerous" and "Doing It" simply do that point justice. Clearly, Adam Lambert is jealous. He was supposed to bring glam back, not Christian mafiosos with swagger-jacking Italian nicknames.
19) N' SYNC: No Strings AttachedThe last great boy band album of the decade ... and it was released in March 2000. Every straight high school male like myself hated groups like this, but pop was our guilty pleasure whether we're man enough to admit it or not. I'm man enough to admit both that and my enjoyment of George Michael's "Freedom '90," but that's a topic for the upcoming "Guilty Pleasures of the 90's" column that I won't be penning until 2090. Little known facts you won't find on Wikipedia: dancing to "Bye Bye Bye" is the best thing to do to speed up your metabolism and if you serenade a chick to "It's Gonna Be Me," then you are guaranteed a makeout session with whatever girl you are hitting on (and she won't even care if you have ketchup stains on your polo shirt). Cardio and tongue tornados aside, girls loved da 'Sync - especially the 2.4 million who purchased this CD in its first week. Sadly, the boy band industry would never recover after this one. And if you're wondering why we use a pic of JT as opposed to the album art, it's because 101D.com can't handle the power that is Chris Kirkpatrick's face.
18) Limp Bizkit: The Chocolate Starfish And The Hot Dog Flavored WaterEither you loved it or you hated it, but I can safely say that I absolutely rocked the shit out of The Chocolate Starfish And The Hot Dog Flavored Water - no homo. The third studio album from Fred Durst and company featured more of a hip-hop vibe as numerous MCs like DMX, Method Man, Redman and Xzibit made their presence felt with a few guest spots, which I personally didn't care for. I was more into the rock anthems with a simple repetitive hook ("My Generation," "Rollin'"), the lighter radio-friendly songs ("My Way," "Hold On" featuring Scott Weiland) or the obscure ("Hot Dog," "Take A Look Around"). Speaking of obscure, the album cover should serve as a reminder to never buy a hot dog from a naked dude with an odd-shaped head. Chances are it's probably not kosher.
17) Jay-Z: The Black AlbumI'm gonna keep this one very brief: Jay-Z had 99 problems. A bitch wasn't one of them. Dirt on his shoulders were and, apparently Dame Dash. He fixed the other 97 problems when he became the president over at Def Jam. Only a record that powerful can handle all of that, so whenever I need a boost of energy, I listen to this. More diverse and richer than his following two sets. But anyways, that's a different story for a different time and it's time for me to move on. Plus, I don't wanna say anything bad here. I mean, I saw what happened to Dame after Jay dropped this album and I don't wanna be the next Dame. Moving along ...
16) Green Day: American IdiotI have always loved Green Day, ever since I saw the video for "Longview" back in 1993. But when they dropped American Idiot, it was hands down their best effort since Dookie. They created an assortment of jolly good songs, and took a shot at President Bush (come on ... everyone so considered him America's idiot).
15) Ludacris: Word Of MoufLudacris doesn't get enough credit. While Lil' Jon and the Ying Yang Twins did their fair share of bringing the southern hip-hop movement to the mainstream, it was really Word Of Mouf that had people buzzing. In fact, you probably couldn't walk into any hood or college campus without hearing a cell phone play "Roll Out" or some chick yelling, "Move bitch, get out the way" before taking two more jello shots, chug another Miller Lite and going home with some dude who's got genital warts. Point is Ludacris' was vital to the movement in the early 2000's and one of the more original voices the culture has ever heard. He annunciated words in a very unique manner, didn't try to go over people's heads and repeated simple hooks over and over again until they were stuck in everybody's head. It's an easy peasy formula that continues to work and keep his music exciting.
14) Holly Brook: Like Blood, Like Honey Yeah ... surprised to see female vocal in here, huh? Well anyone who knows me is fully aware that I a) love Linkin Park and b) love cute chicks, and when Mike Shinoda's side project Fort Minor dropped "Where'd You Go" featuring Holly Brook, I fell in love. That song was alright, but her gentle debut album Like Blood, Like Honey was absolutely amazing. With her soft vocals, folksy rock marmalade and semi-depressing records recalling difficult teenage memories of yesteryear, Brook proved that she is one helluva cute and talented singer/songwriter to be on the watch for. She hasn't released an album since, but no worries. I still have my eye on her in a, you know, non-weird or stalkerish way.
13) Gym Class Heroes: As Cruel As School ChildrenThere haven't been too many hip-hop bands in the market. In fact, up until the mid-2000's, all you had were The Roots and they were awesome! The music industry is known to mass produce the hottest fad like My Chemical Romance and Fall Out Boy, but a hip-hop band? Surprisingly, it hasn't happened, or at least not on a commercial level. The Gym Class Heroes aren't by any means a clone of The Roots, but they are one rap-flavored collective that has equally as much originality and dope rhymes as their Illadelphia brethren. In 2006, they dropped their sophomore LP As Cruel As School Children, a bona fide collection with a tracklisting that follows the theme of a high school student's schedule. Aside from cuts about a drunk ex ("The Queen and I"), getting freaky ("Clothes Off!"), pursuing dreams, ("Shoot Down The Stars") or even MySpace romance ("New Friend Request"), we learned a lot about front man Travis McCoy. Unlike many rappers of the nu-metal or rap rock movement, the lanky MC spits better than most underground cats and that's attractive to women like Katy Perry, which is hot because she kisses girls and likes it quite a bit. Plus, his skills were certified on MTV's Direct Effect Rap Battle in 2002 at the Jersey Shore - not that MTV is an authority on hip-hop, but it's a nice feather on anyone's New Era cap. But enough about the band's greatness. Does anybody want some sausage and peppers?
12) Papa Roach: InfestIt's hard to believe that ten years ago, the dudes from Papa Roach looked like school boys in black attire with normal haircuts and actually wrote rap-metal music. That was the thing to do back in the late 90's before it was pushed out the door years later, and this Cali-based quintet penned an incredibly powerful album. Vocalist Jacoby Shaddix dropped his soul over the edgy rhythms on Infest by talking about suicide, depression, everyday struggles and his difficult youth. The record was packed with passion, and was something any angst teen could connect with. But as the years passed by, Papa Roach got some groovy Mickey Mouse tats, grew their hair out and dressed gothically glam. They also abandoned the rap-metal ship for a punk rock and alternative harbor, neither of which have been as nearly as generous in reception as they once were with "Last Resort." But somehow, they're making it work.
11) Kanye West: The College DropoutThis was a great album, but Common had the best hip-hop album in the 2000s, hands down!
10) System Of A Down: ToxicityBack in high school, my buddy Dean The Greek talked mad shit about System Of A Down, calling them untalented and stupid just because he heard "Sugar," which I thought was a cool song. When I see dude three years later after their sophomore album Toxicity drops, he's singing their praises, talking about how "Chop Suey," "The Prison Song," "Aerials" and others are awesome, acting as if he just discovered the next greatest band. Well Deano, if you're reading this you modern day Christopher Columbus, my schizophrenic band was always awesome and so was "Sugar." Put that in your pita and eat it.
9) Three Days Grace: One-XI always liked Three Days Grace, but I had my doubts about them. After all, any band that has a song played damn near 24/7 on radio like they did with "(I Hate) Everything About You" tends to lose their luster. Well, it seems like their luster has only hardened - no homo. One-X was a terrific, rock album and all the songs perfectly interlinking with one another, keeping that nice flow the whole time. And, in case you don't know, when Dana White signs me to a UFC contract, my theme music will have to be "Animal I Have Become."
8) The Roots: The Tipping PointSomewhere within the 50 Cent, Jay-Z, Kanye West and "Lean Back" universe dropped The Tipping Point in 2004. I was interning for The Source that summer and I would rock this album every single day at the office ... because if I rocked anything like metal or folk, the editors would yell, "Bear, turn that shit off!" They couldn't say the same about this brand spanking new Roots album though. The first one of their studio albums ever to be centered around Black Thought's lyricism, this Illadelphia crew gave kids and grown ass adults a heavy lyrical dosage of human nature as they saw it over a jazzy, funk rock hybrid with scratches. Oh yeah, they also touched upon the Iraqi conflict and threw in a freestyle for good measure too. And if you heard the bonus track, then you'd know that Dave Chappelle approved this album.
7) Red: Instinct & InnocenceTheir debut album End Of Silence was a terrific piece of songwriting with raw, aggressive tenacity. While it would become difficult to outdo themselves, these Christian rockers did just that and put together a powerful collection with Instinct & Innocence. Great vocals, tight rock melodies and I can relate to the struggle their experiencing. I love it. In fact, I still rock "The Fight Inside" or "Death Of Me" on a daily basis! No surprise as to why this was my album of the year for the past year.
6) Common: BeBe was hands down the absolute best hip-hop album of 2005 and it was completely overshadowed by Kanye West's sophomore album Late Registration, which was merely "alright. Nevertheless, Be makes up for lost time by being named my number one hip-hop album of the decade by me (big fucking honor, right?). It was conscious music with a Chi-town flavor and a grown man swagger, the type of hip-hop that made you dance and then, stop to think. Common really let it all "Go" on this one and Corporate America recognized, casting him in commercials from Gap and Zune to eventually big movie roles like Terminator Salvation. Before the record drop, this never happened to him. I don't wanna necessarily say this album or cool hat got him that type of notoriety, but I just gave you enough info to draw your own conclusion. Now "Go" do it.
5) The Exies: A Modern Way Of Living With The TruthThe Exies were always known for more radio rock type songs like "Hey You" or "My Goddess," but they went more of the "Ugly" route in 2007 with A Modern Way Of Living With The Truth. It was harder, harsher, and grungier, like a record with song lyrics that reflect the depressing thoughts of the Xanga.com community. The pain, however, is real and common emotions all us "high on life" burnouts feel resonates throughout songs like "Fear Of Being Alone," "The Sound Of Hurt," "Stray" and too many others to list. I think Cobain would have liked this album, if he was alive to hear it. The only thing I know is that whenever I hear this record, I have the overwhelming desire to smoke a cigeraette, paint the walls burgundy, put up some black curtains and write something. It's influential, people. Not sinister.
4) Everlast: Love, War And The Ghost Of Whitey FordSome theme albums fall short of the mark, but Love, War And The Ghost Of Whitey Ford is the most brilliantly executed albums in the past fifteen years. Not only is it emotional and a experimental styles clash of sounds that makes it ultimately difficult to label, but it's a timeless masterpiece that will remain relevant as long as America continues to get involved in every country's business. Feeling that "somebody else" was speaking to him, as he told your BFF, Everlast penned an album entirely from a soldier's life in an overseas warzone with emotions ranging from fear, anger and wondering how life will be assuming the troop makes it back alive. With a plethora of genres like folk, hip-hop, rock, and country mixed into one, this could've sounded like complete and utter shit. But Everlast proved for real that he is more than an MC. He's a musician and while he was talented over ten years ago when he dropped "What It's Like," he recently proved just how remarkable a songwriter he truly is.
3) Disturbed: DisturbedExplosive, angry, dynamic and, at times, fucking creepy - that's the only way to describe The Sickness, Disturbed's debut album. From the opener "Voices" to the psychotic closer "Meaning Of Life," Disturbed gave you the best music to kick someone's ass to (or yourself, depending if there is anyone else in the room). And, oddly enough, the production was polished to a tee! It was literally some of the heaviest, clean-sounding stuff of the time to invade radio airwaves. As a result, the depressed high schooler did their best David Dramain imitation by scoffing at their teachers as if they were doing an acapella version of "Stupify." Well, maybe that's just me. Damn ... I wish I had the singing ability of Dramain ... and his killer platinum goatee too.
2) Linkin Park: [Hybrid Theory]This album completely smashed the boundaries of rap rock folklore. Linkin Park re-invented the style, made it emotional, more polished and commercial enough to build a mainstream cult of fans. In fact, this is probably the only group who could still be cool even if your little sister or mother asked to borrow the CD. Mike Shinoda is lyrically certified, able to drop bars like a true MC. Chester Bennington, his compliment, has a killer voice that grabs your attention and his emotional words steals your soul away. With spine-chilling tales of abuse ("Crawling"), ending a relationship ("In The End"), desiring to leave your parents house ("Runaway") and reaching the breaking point ("One Step Closer"), Linkin Park really created a masterpiece that is only rivaled by their follow-up album Meteora. That is stuff of legend and could easily scare artists who deem themselves as perfectionists ... hello Axl Rose.
1) Family Force 5: Business Up Front, Party In The BackI completely almost missed out in getting to know this band. I looked at their name, assumed they were some Christian family group and tossed their advance CD to the side. Fast forward to Warped Tour 2006. I'm walking around with my buddy Parneezy and suddenly, we see this energetic band with the singer wearing Incredible Hulk gloves, singing "Love Addict" on the top of his lungs. I was sold from that moment on and craved the hip-hop dance rock blend that was splattered all throughout Business Up Front, Party In The Back. And while I love rap-metal, this album certainly doesn't fall into that category. I'd like to referee to their style as what Skittles would sound like if the hard-coated fruit candy were ever to become a musical genre. Whether it's talking about their fun-loving ATL environment ("Caddillac Phunque"), dealing with a psycho ex-girlfriend ("Drama Queen") or making songs for the dance floor ("Earthquake"), Family Force 5 is perhaps the baddest and most original band in the music industry right now. It just goes to show that you can't judge a band by a name. In fact, in the Bible, God says it's wrong and we'll take his word for it.
Honorable Mentions: Sum 41's "All Killer, No Filler," New Found Glory's self-titled and Rhymefest's "Blue Collar."
Enjoy the new year and the next decade of music!
Amy SciarrettoRight now I'm reading a lot about music. It almost sounds oxymoronic. To read about music, when music is what you listen to. But music, like many of the arts, is something that touches all of your senses. Now, I am not going to muse on the Kindle, and how it is going ruin literature and the literary process of digesting reading materials. I do love the bookshelves that runs width wise under my low windows of my cond Read More ...
Adam BernardWelcome to your weekly dose of pop world musings. Covering all things pop culture, this week Pop Shots is hitting you with thoughts on everything from Dancing With The Stars finding so Read More ...
William DeshairI wanted to set the table with this edition of "R.eal A.nd P.ersonal" for columns to come on the subject of the Female Emcee. As time goes on, I will slowly phase out that title and hope that you will do the same. Because face it, calling a woman that raps, a female emcee, is like calling an African-American that plays the position of quarterback, a black quarterback. Ability should be sexless. We must change how we Read More ...
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