Top 10 Albums Of The Decade

Next top 10 - the best albums of the decade.

I often judge an album on staying power. Can I pick it up 4, 5, 8 years later and does it still move me? 

Does it still have songs that are relevant and moving?

These are my favorite 10 of the MANY that came out over the past 10 years and made it into my collection.

10. Kate Nash - Made of Bricks: I loved this album from start to finish the first time I heard it. Amazing lyrics, quirky sounds, and catchy hooks. "Foundations" and "Pumpkin Soup" are great tracks.

9. The Fray – The Fray: In 2009, this album ended the decade on a constant rotation on my IPod. Favorite track is “Enough For Now”. I hope their next one is even better.

8. Lost Prophets – Start Something: I stumbled upon this band in 2004 witth this album. I had never heard a hard rock edge from a Brit band but this album is awesome.

7. Alison Krauss – Lonely Runs Both Ways: This is the album that exposed me to the talents of Alison. Bluegrass is something I had to find at the right time in my life and boy – did this album do the trick in 2004.

6. Kanye West – College Dropout: Keeping with 2004, which was probably the best year for music in the decade, Kayne West came onto the scene with the song “Through The Wire”. The MTV video also became very popular talking about an accident that West suffered and was the inspiration for the track. “Jesus Walks” became one of the biggest hits of decade of this album as well

5. Flogging Molly – Float: As I’ve said before, I like my food Italian and my music Irish (or British). This is a Irish sounding band with a California twist. Dave King is a tremendous front man and a great musician.

4. Dropkick Murphy’s – The Meanest Of Times: This band will forever be known as the Red Sox band that Matt dislocated his shoulder watching. From start to end, this will be an album that stays with me for years to come. They will forever be - Boston's Band.

3. Keane – Hope and Fears: As I mentioned in the previous article, this band was the highlight of the decade for me in terms of new music. Keane will be a band that has staying power with tremendously well written songs and melodies.

2. The Killers – Hot Fuss: If there is a soundtrack for everyone’s life, the album would be heavily on mine. I drove from Alabama to Omaha with this album on repeat. Every song is something is great.

1. Death Cab For Cutie – Transatlanticism: This is my favorite album for so many reasons. If you have never heard it – I highly recommend this album to anyone looking for great songs, touching lyrics, and tremendous musicianship.

Honorable mention goes to Ani Difranco's double disk - Revelling/Reckoning. Ani is still in my top 5 for favorite acts all time but while there are epic tracks on the album, as a whole there were better ones for me. Still No. 11 isn't bad.