So I'm having second thoughts about my Top 20 already. Not that any should be removed, but there a few more that I feel need to be recognized.My Top 20 just doesn't feel complete. So here's 10 more. And then I'm done.
30. Dinosaur Jr. Beyond
So the original '80s lineup of Dinosaur Jr. gets back together and they manage to record an album that is definitely better than the trio's previous recordings and possibly better than nearly all of front man J. Mascis' other work.
29. Band of Horses Everything All the Time
First time I heard "Funeral" I couldn't get it out of my head. A wonderful, quiet and powerful blend of indie rock and folk.
28. Queens of the Stone Age Music for the Deaf
Dave Grohl gets behind the kit (where he belongs) with Josh Homme for a terrific record of dark, heavy rock that's never schlocky. Just loud and powerful.
27. Bob Dylan Modern Times
The greatest songwriter takes on "modern times" with a bunch of old school blues motifs (get it?) for a surprisingly fresh and outstanding album.It's not Dylan at his best (those days are long gone) but his last few have been lively and compelling.
26. Silversun Pickups Carnavas
OK, I get the Smashing Pumpkins comparisons, and this album definitely owes a lot to the late 80s post punk sound of the Pumpkins and the Pixies, but Carnavas is a great rock record all its own with great playing and good songs.
25. The Hold Steady Stay Positive
The Hold Steady are a sonic blast of fun, a wall of guitars behind Greg Finn's wonderful storytelling. A really great rock and roll band and their best (sounding) album.
24. Wilco Sky Blue Sky
What can I say? It's slow and noodle-y, but the songs are well done and the playing is terrific. "Impossible Germany" may be one of Tweedy's best songs.
23. Ryan Adams Heartbreaker
Back before Adams had a real hard time editing himself, he managed to put out a few really good records (this and Gold). Heartbreaker, which teams Adams up with David Rawlings, Gillian Welch and Ethan Johns, is a great collection of tunes delivered with real feeling, something that seems to have disappeared from Adams' recent work.
22. Blur Think Tank
Who needs Graham Coxon? The band's brilliant lead guitarist finally quit the band after steering it away from Brit Pop on the excellent Blur and 13, but Damon Albarn, Alex James and David Rowntree managed to release another geat album of dense and wonderful music. It will likely be Blur's last as the reunion this year seems limited to performance, not recording.
21. Arctic Monkeys Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
The album title is silly, but the hysterical hype around this record was not unjustified. A great collection of punky brit pop delivered mostly at blistering speeds may partially camouflage singer Alex Turner's clever lyrics. Listen closely, these songs are really good.
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