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Top ten British albums of the 00s


DA Baracus

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Simple. Name your top ten albums released by a British band or artist in the UK between 1st January 2000 and 31st December 2009. Tell us about them should you wish.

1. The Music - The Music

These guys should have been absolutely massive. You haven't heard an album like this before or since. It's fucking incredible. No weak tunes. An absolutely immense collection of songs, with 'The People' being a tune that encapsulates the joy of being alive and 'Too High' being a meditation on it. 'Float' feels like a violent high in music form whilst 'Human' feels like a pacifist one. 'Turn Out The Light' is the (temporary) comedown. 'Getaway' is when you awake in a speeding car fleeing from a robbery and 'Disco' is you taking stock of everything.

The guitar on this is mentally good and the drums are assaulted like they shagged your maw.

Their two subsequent albums didn't get close to getting close.

@Paris Hilltoon introduced me to this album at Abertay halls (which were nowhere near Abertay) in 2002. Top man.

2. Parachutes- Coldplay

I know, I know. Also, f**k off. This album is brilliant. What came after was mostly utter pap, but Parachutes is full of stunningly good tunes. Simple yet joyful, this is a total triumph of sincere music that the band would never equal, and never could equal.

3. Permission To Land - The Darkness

Awesome. Deeply silly but also deeply proficient. An utter joy.  'I Believe In A Thing Called Love' is over the top brilliance but the guitar on 'Growing On Me' (a song about pubic lice) is exceptional and the joyous cheese of 'Love Is Only A Feeling' is captivating (plus it was used on Sportscene for a time). Also I'm biased as f**k as The Darkness is one of my favourite bands.

4. The Remote Part- Idlewild

Everyone know 'You Held The World In Your Arms'. It was all over the radio and in a Tony Hawks game. It's brilliant. Like the whole album. It was a unique album at the time as such a successful album that had a singer who sang with a Scottish accent just wasn't a thing then. 

A lovely album that lurched from rock to melancholy and packed with sing along moments, with the chorus of 'All I Never Wanted' being second only to the stunningly simple yet emotional opening lyrics of  'Love In A Hiding Place'.

"There are times that I should try,

to be so much more alive".

5. Friendly Fires - Friendly Fires

Lovely, absolutely lovely. Atmospheric in places but also just total fun. It brings to the mind summer evenings that never end and days at the beach and poolside. It's also surprising funky, which 'In The Hospital' lets you know from its first beat. 'Paris' is the best, most heart stoppingly incredible tune. It's an album to fall in love with and to fall in love to.

6. Come With Us - The Chemical Brothers

So good that over half of the tunes were on the soundtracks of films or games during this decade. 'Galaxy Bounce' was in PES, and 'My Elastic Eye' was in The Butterfly Effect for example.

Star Guitar is quite simply one of the best tunes of all time. Incredible. On that tune alone this album belongs on this list.

7. The Neon Handshake - Hell Is For Heroes

Contemporary hard music that insists you have a good time often cut with oases of calm, this album is full of life affirming soaring screamed rock and emotional cuts. 'Three Of Clubs' encapsulates this perfectly in one song. 'Out Of Sight' is a more straightforward rock assault, 'You Drove Me To It' makes you just want to launch yourself around the room and 'Slow Song' drags you in and makes you listen and wail. 'Retreat' feels like you've confessed something yet done it triumphantly.

8. Dance Of Death - Iron Maiden 

Easily their most 'accessible' album in years given that some of the tracks were under 5 minutes, this was them pushing on after Bruce and Adrian's return for Brave New World. It laughingly brushed aside the Nu Metal tears of numerous mascara streaked wanks and showed the power of true metal. 'Montsegur' was a stirring triumph whilst 'Paschendale' was a building atmospheric successor to 'The Trooper'. 'Wildest Dreams' and 'Rainmaker' are typically Maiden but also the most 'single' singles they've released.

9. Angles - Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip

Rap, electronica and hip hop all melded together. It's angry, opinionated and immense. It challenges the hip hop scene ('Fixes'), attacks the worst of humanity ('Letter From God To Man') and addresses issues like self harm and suicide ('Magician's Assistant). Best of all is an assault on shitty culture and music with 'Thou Shalt Always'. Essential.

10. Ideas Above Our Station - Hundred Reasons

The first beats of opener 'I'll Find You' let you know that you're in for a treat. A gloriously optimistic album that was vital for those hitting their stride in this decade. 'If I Could' is the biggest single and the best statement of their intent here. 'Falter' shows that they can do resonance yet still accelerate towards glory. 'Silver' is designed to rouse you and make you recall the glory of last night but then get you up for tonight.

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