Aughts Songs: #17 The Shins - "Kissing The Lipless" from Chutes Too Narrow ('03)

This is the song that got me into The Shins. I remember seeing the video for "So Says I" late one night on MTV when I was home from college and being kinda sickened by the gross animation. And for all I was hearing about their hooks, it certainly didn't seem very catchy. About a year later, Quillen made me a mix and put this song in the five spot. It didn't jump out immediately as being one of the best songs. Then one night at work a few weeks later, I found this song stuck in my head and became really excited about it. Since then, there have been countless times where I'm alone in the car and belt out the cathartic transition to the verse ("you TOOOOOOOOOOOLD us of your new life..."). One of the unique things about a part that feels so anthemic is the (more or less) cymbal-less drum part that joins in. You expect chaos at that point, and it doesn't really happen. But the part that really takes the song to the next level is the ending, with its high, chimey delayed rhodes and slide guitar, as well as the finely-toned alternating note guitar part that comes in the last time through.

Aughts Songs: #18 The Casket Lottery - "A Priest Walks Into A Bar" from Lost At Sea 7" ('00)

This was one of the songs that was played most in my freshman dormroom (from the Napster library!). The lyrical content focuses on some of the not-so-great changes people sometimes go through as they become more spiritual. It's something that happened regularly to friends and acquaintances in college, and it was always fascinating and sad. I'm sure I've even been guilty of this kinda thing at some point over the last 12 years. But to be able to put such a complex reformation so concisely ("You lost your heart for your soul") is really something. I used to like this song because it sounded great, like a perfect midwest emo song (which it is). But as I've gotten older, I've noticed little things like the acoustic guitar part and tambourine in the second verse that help make the song something more.

Aughts Songs: #19 Rilo Kiley - "More Adventurous" from More Adventurous ('04)

Rilo Kiley's songs tend to be hit and miss. They don't have one consistently good album, but they've written about 10 songs over the last 8 years that are as good as it gets. There really isn't any one thing that sets this song apart from the others, it's just a really great timeless song that I've had a tendency to put on playlists a lot. I love the Joni Mitchell-"We don't need no piece of paper from the city hall"-theme, even though that's mostly hippie propaganda.

Aughts Songs: #20 The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - "The Tenure Itch" from The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart ('09)

I'll start with a spoiler alert: This is the only piece of '09 music that will show up on either list. Though so many new bands are trying to sound like music from another decade, Pains do it in the best and most specific way. This song is so much up my alley (The chorus of "Oh No!" + the chords of "Black & White = "Itch") that it would be a good bet that this will be something I listen to in 5 years. And they've really gotten a free pass with their album. When I think of the band, I always think of this song, though the rest of the album is nowhere near as brilliant. But it's still fun to listen to.

Aughts Under Review: Introduction

After months of prep time, multiple cross-checks and unnecessary research, I think I'm finally ready to start rolling out my Favorite Music Of The Decade lists. They shall be unfurled in two sets: 20 Songs and 20 Albums. I'll be following the template for posting songs created by our man Jensen, as it will allow more focus on and celebration of each song. It will also be easier to read and to write. The Albums List will come closer to Christmas and will be likely presented as a single megapost.

Some notes about the process:
- I am not nearly disciplined enough to have re-listened to all of the albums that I've come across since 2000. I am fairly confident, however, that I was able to listen to all of the albums that I've quote unquote loved at one time or another without missing anything.
- Creating a Songs List is nearly impossible. Probably only the top 12 are locks. But considering how many great songs one hears in a 10 year span (especially this 10), attempting to document any kind of accurate overview seems futile. I did my best to look through all of my albums and significant mixes for standouts, but I can't help but feel that there has to be some oversights. Not so for albums, though.
- I've always had difficulty mixing genres in list-making. For that reason, almost everything on both lists tend to fall under the ever-expanding "indie" umbrella. There are only, at most, four emo-related items between the two lists and of course, there will be a few electronic things. I guess I feel like there has to be some kind of cohesiveness...it's not a reflection of anything, really.
- I'm not sure I've never mentioned this before, but the main purpose of these things is for me to be able to look back and read my own feelings about music when I'm forced to sit down and concentrate on it. I tend to forget how I feel about things from week to week, so for yearly lists, it's good have these thoughts down while they're still semi-fresh. For a decade list, I'm not exactly sure how this will sit, but it's been really fun to put together. These are my favorites; not the best or most important.