The Greatest Albums of the Noughties

I heartily accept that this blog has nothing whatsoever to do with politics. However, with the noughties drawing to a close – now seems as good a time as any to run through what I think are the best five albums of the decade. This subject has been the topic of disagreement and discussion with quite a few friends ever since NME and the Times published their lists about a month ago. Let me know if you agree or disagree!

1. The Strokes – ‘Is This It’

This album changed everything in the noughties and it came right at the start of the decade. Before The Strokes came along, music had become a fairly sludgy, middle of the road mess – all Stereophonics and Travis. New York’s finest kicked the door down and hundreds came following in their wake. Music had an edge again. Music had meaning again. Indisputably the best album of the decade – retains its magnificence with every listen.

2. Johnny Cash – American III: Solitary Man

The ‘American’ series of recording put together by Johnny Cash, with the able assistance of Rick Rubin is probably the most consistently brilliant series of albums since the Stones wrote ever musical rule in the book in the late 60s and early 70s. This album is dark, stark and magnificent – mighty beginnings with a great Won't Back Down cover and dominated by an awesome centrepiece of I See A Darkness and a cover of Nick Cave’s oddly topical death row ballad, ‘The Mercy Seat’. American III broods on life, death, love and everything in between.

3. Jay Z – The Blueprint

Jay Z had completely missed my radar until I saw his show stealing performance at Glasto in 2008. I saw a man at the top of his game and this album is the album of a man at the top of his game. From the swaggering grudge song ‘Takeover’ to the dancefloor classics such as ‘Izzo’ to the staggeringly bleak but tremendous Renegade, this album oozes lyrical brilliance. A must even for people who don’t know hip hop at all.

4. Arctic Monkeys – Whatever You Say I Am

Amongst other things, this album was a tremendous example of how the power of the internet had changed music. It was also an example of how the power of sonic noise and ultra clever lyrics can make a mighty album. A fine modern masterpiece, set against the background of a Northern working class upbringing that I can more than relate to. Brilliant.

5. Primal Scream – XTRMNTR

When they are with it (and even sometimes when they are not), Primal Scream can be one of the most exhilarating of all live bands. With this album, they put that tremendous exhilaration on record. A thrilling listen.