Top Albums of the 2000s

This list is strictly personal preference. I make a few questionable calls but overall I feel it's mostly defensible. These are IN NO ORDER.

Bloc Party - Silent Alarm
I came late to the Bloc Party, but one I attended, I stayed. I liked Weekend a lot more at first, but over time I've grown to love Silent Alarm more. Probably after seeing them live and feeling everyone go nuts for the old stuff. I'm a sucker for crowd energy.

The National - Alligator
I listened to this album quite a bit on a trip to Spooner, WI in 2006 with Nicole, Cory, Erika and Mike. That was the first time I had spent any time with it. Boxer is amazing too, but, I have to go with the older one again.

The Arcade Fire - Funeral
I listed to this nonstop in 2005/2006. When I saw them perform Wake Up at Lollapalooza in like 100 degree heat, I was totally sold.

Interpol - Turn on the Bright Lights
This was tough. I really like everything Interpol has ever done. However, this one album has my Jill Wilson song on it that reminds me of being beyond drunk at Uptown Lounge every weekend for a year. Fun.

The Decemberists - Picturesque
This album reminds me of my stint at Monster.com, specifically the Grand red line stop. Summer. Michigan Ave. Nice.

Sufjan Stevens - Come On Feel the Illinoise
I don't really feel I have to justify this pick.

Death Cab for Cutie - Transalaticism
Death Cab is another band it took me a while to get into. I had to pick this album, if for no other reason as Crazy Jeannie pronounced it Trans-atlantik-ism.

Radiohead - In Rainbows(1)
OK, this is probably a little controversial. Amnesiac and Kid A both came out in 2000-2001. However, if total the amount of plays for both Kid A and Amnesiac they don't get anywhere near the plays of In Rainbows. I really liked it.

Muse - Absolution
Superhero music. Just love it. That is all.

Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, I'm Not
If I had to pick one album that defined my tastes in my post-college life, I'd say this is probably it. Bratty brit rock, perfected.

Bright Eyes - I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning
This also garnered a lot of plays from me, although many were as background music. It's pleasant to have on.

Killers - Hot Fuss
Game changer. This album was the first to bring the synthesizer back into my life in a positive way.

The Shins - Oh Inverted World
This album sort of epitomized the whole Garden State/Lo Fi phase that I (and many others) experienced in 2006/2007.

Coldplay - Parachutes
Yes, Coldplay. I liked this album before they became weird Free Trade crusaders who married celebs and had weird named children. Ok that's just Chris, but whatever.

The White Stripes - Elephant
Successful re-invention of garage rock. This led the way for Kings of Leon and others. Do not deny the catchiness of Seven Nation Army.

Belle and Sebastian - The Lifes Pursuit
I've listened to so much B&S in the last 5 or 6 years, it was hard to pick one album. I guess this one has the most songs I like on it, so it wins.

Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
Overplayed, yep. Super cool, yep. If this wasn't overhyped I'd be crusading to raise awareness of it, and therefore overhype it and cause me to like it less. Paradox!

The Dresden Dolls - Yes, Virginia
I love Amanda Palmer. She's totally weird, and crass, and smart and hot. I played this album to death for a couple years.

I cast resurrection (level 3) on you blog!

Rise, my champion. Become a place for me to dump stuff.

I'm bored

I'm bored with everything. This happens from time to time. I just wallow in self-pity for a week or two and then I'll get latched on to something exciting. Eventually I'll tire of that too. Life is futile in this way, isn't it?

Happy Halloween

I have nothing else for you.

SFB : What's Next?

Bill gave me a good idea. I'm going to try to wrap my head around "effectors" for each score. I'm not going to get into what defines a score. Things like "oh, they are a 56 because she doesn't like this or that" are just not going to happen.

I have no idea why I'm working on this. Smart money is on "because you are bored."

Example 2 : 10-40-90

This is what I'd consider a stereotypical marriage. Sex is "meh", they really aren't "friends" but they understand how to live together very well.

Example 1: 50-25-75

50_25_75

• S - Sex life is average. No one is complaining, but no one is bragging.
• F - Not really "friends", they probably hang out together - but rarely in other groups.
• B - Good solid co-existence. Money is fine, no super aggravating habits.