The Zeroties – Greatest Hits part 2

Part 1

THE TEN MOST MEMORABLE ALBUMS (In no specific order)

 

American Idiot by Green Day

Everybody seems to hate Green Day these days. Yes, I agree that their clothes are too dark and that they wear too much make-up. I also concede that their music regularly mocks my religion and touches on controversial issues. Nonetheless American Idiot is nothing short of a classic record and is the first one that comes to mind when I reflect on the decade that has (almost) passed by. Their decision to speak out against the Bush administration through a confusing rock opera with ten minute epic songs was a brave move, but it ultimately paid off. Few other records this decade have influenced so many.

Diorama by Silverchair

Back in the days when I used to purchase CDs at full price I made one of the stupidest decisions ever. Faced with the choice of Diorama or a Simple Plan album I choose the latter, merely because it offered more value on a dollar-song ratio. As it turned out I should have chosen quality over quantity because as far as albums go they don’t come much better than Diorama. Featuring powerful instrumental numbers, ambitious orchestral arrangements and some good old-fashioned rock Diorama provided the decade with its most elusive and eclectic sound… that was, until Silverchair returned with Young Modern a few years later.

Elephant by The White Stripes

When I think of Elephant I think of synergy; the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Seven Nation Army might be a critically acclaimed song but I see it as merely a cog in the wheel; it just so happens that every cog in the wheel is very, very good. The White Stripes helped re-invent the classic rock sound and kudos must be given to the duo for their ability to make their often experimental music attractive to all breeds of music fans .

Gorillaz by Gorillaz

Sure, they might be cartoons, but who said cartoons can’t rock? Not only did Gorillaz break boundaries in terms of personal appearance but their music was an intriguing surprise. They successfully converted Clint Eastwood into a song and mixed up contrasting genres more than any other cartoon group in the history of music. So post modern.

Wolfmother by Wolfmother

The first few times I heard Wolfmother on Triple J I didn’t think much of them; ‘They’re just another of those bands’ I said. Then, one day, Jack Dunkley offered me their album for $5 and I decided to give the Aussie trio a chance. On second impressions I became aware of what all the fuss was about. Like The Darkness before them Wolfmother had a vocalist who could reach ridiculously high notes with ease whilst showing off on guitar. Their rise to fame may have been preceded by other Aussie acts, but none burst onto the scene with such a powerful and musically brilliant debut.

Origin of Symmetry by Muse

My first impressions of Muse weren’t too grand either. When I first heard them on Rage in the late 90s I quickly dismissed them as the worst band in the world; now I can’t get enough of them. From a technical perspective Origin of Symmetry is second to none. Complex rhythms, arty piano and piercing guitar riffs concoct spectacular stadium anthems. The energy never stops and even the token cover (Feeling Good, made famous by millions of others) is unique. Muse’s cult following is fast becoming a worldwide applause, but this album proves their credit is long overdue. In my opinion the best album of the 2000s.

Smile by Brian Wilson

Up until this decade Smile was the greatest record never made. Then it was finally made. Having aged a few decades since his prime Brain Wilson’s performance is obviously not as grand as it would have been if released on time, but nonetheless Smile is a respectable achievement that should not be lost amidst the new-wave of pop records. Its eccentricity yet attractiveness made it a suitable addition to the naughties; in the meantime countless new bands followed suit, such as…

Silent Alarm by Bloc Party

When it comes to weird music Bloc Party take the cake. The band’s debut Silent Alarm hints at a future transformation into the realm of quirkiness, whilst showing off some wicked tunes. Helicopter is the best of the lot, a fast paced guitar-led anthem imploring people to ‘Stop being so American’. Loud, fast, versatile and certainly the pick of the British indie invasion, with apologies to…

Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not by Arctic Monkeys

The Arctic Monkeys seemingly sprung up overnight and surprised everybody with their debut album. Raw energy and youthfulness took on a new meaning on stage as millions of music fans discovered MySpace. Disregarding the hype the album is a thoroughly enjoyable listen, but most will remember Whatever for the way it re-invented the way in which we discover new music.

Good Charlotte by Good Charlotte

At the very beginning of the decade a young group of boys from the US showed potential in a shallow pop-punk market. While they have since sold out and betrayed their former image their debut record should not be dismissed as well. Full of catchy tunes about all kinds of teenage stuff GC’s self titled debut is an enjoyable listen, mostly because they were doing it before it was cool.

Click here for the 10 most memorable songs

Category : Music, Reviews