Organizing a 100 Album Collection

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C O L L E C T I O N BY: NICOLE HAMMONDS

BRIEF NOTES ON THE ART AND MANNER OF ARRANGING ONE’S

BOOKS*

BY: GEORGES PEREC *First published in L’Humidit� in 1978.

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In t h is e x p l o r a t i o n o f t h e o r g a n i z a tion of my a lbum c olle c tion , I w i l l u s e Ge o r g e s P e re c 's writ ing a bout t he or ga niz a tion o f h i s p e r so n a l b o o k l i b r a r y a s a re fe re nc e . I n t his d igita l a g e , mo st p e o p l e d o wn l o a d t he ir music online . I a m on e of t h o s e p e o p l e a s we l l . I u s e t he int e r ne t t o se a rc h for a r t is t s a n d p re v i e w t h e i r mu si c . My full music c olle c t ion is or gan iz e d i n t o m y i Tu n e s l i b r a r y. I oft e n find indiv idua l songs a n d h it si n g l e s t h a t I wi l l p u rc h a s e on iTune s a s w e ll. How e v e r, as a d e si g n e r a n d a v i d m u s i c list e ne r, I highly suppor t

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the s e n tim en t a l va l u e b e h i n d o wn i n g t h e p h y sic a l a lbum of an ar tis t or b an d t h a t I t r u l y a p p re c i a t e . I e njoy ow ning t he alb u m a r t w or k and a l l o f t h e so n g s a s a f u l l pie c e of w or k that s om eon e d e d i c a t e d s o mu c h t i me t o c re a t ing. I suppor t the p r in t d es ign i n d u s t r y a s a p r a c t i c e t h a t should liv e on a t leas t t o cre a te p ro d u c t s o f v a l u e t h a t p e o p l e c a n c olle c t a nd h old on to. In t h e p a g e s f o l l o wi n g , I wi l l b e o r ga niz ing my CD colle c tion alon g wi t h P e re c ’s i d e a s o n so r t i ng a c olle c t ion on p ers on a l va lu e .

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Every library1 answers a twofold predictable obstacles for which need, which is often also a twothe unavoidable solutions were fold obsession: that of conserving found. First, a volume was to be certain objects (books) and that seen as counting as one book of organizing them in certain even if it contained three novels ways. (or collections of poems, essays, One of my friends had the etc.); from which it was deduced idea one day of stopping his library that three or four or n (n) novels at 361 books. The plan was as fol- by the same author counted lows: having attained, by addition (implicitly) as one volume by or subtraction, and starting from that author, as fragments not yet a given number n of books, the brought together but ineluctably number bringable together in a Collected K = 361 Works. Whence it was adjudged deemed as corresponding to that this or that recently acquired a library, if not an ideal then at novel by this or that English-lanleast a sufficient library, he would guage novelist of the second half undertake to acquire on a permaof the nineteenth century could nent basis a new book X only after not logically count as a new work having eliminated (by giving away, X but as a work Z belonging to throwing out, selling or any other a series under construction: the appropriate means) an old book set T of all the novels written by Z, so that the total number K of the aforesaid novelist (and God works should remain constant and knows there are some!). This equal to 361: didn’t alter the original scheme K + X >361> K - Z in any way at all: only instead As it evolved this seduc- of talking about 361 books, it tive scheme came up against was decided that the sufficient

1. A library I call a sum of books constituted by a non-professional reader for his own pleasure and daily use. This excludes the collections of bibliophiles and fine bindings by the yard, but also the majority of specialized libraries (those in universities, for example) whose particular problems match those of public libraries.

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library was ideally to be made up of 361 authors, whether they had written a slender opuscule or enough to fill a truck.

This modification proved effective over several years. But it soon became apparent that certain works - romances of chivalry, for example - had no author or else had several authors, and that certain authors - the Dadaists, for example - could not be kept separate from one another without automatically losing 80 to 9 0 per cent of what made them interesting. The idea was thus reached of a library restricted to 361 subjects - the term is vague but the groups it covers are vague also at times and up until now that limitation has been strictly observed.

So then, one of the chief problems encountered by the man who keeps the books he has read or promises himself that he will one day read is that of the increase in his library. Not

everyone has the good fortune to be Captain Nemo: “...the world ended for me the day my Nautilus dived for the first time beneath the waves. On that day I bought my last volumes, my last pamphlets, my last newspapers, and since that time I would like to believe that mankind has neither thought nor written.”

12,000 Captain Nemo’s volumes, uniformly bound, were thus classified once and for all, and all the more simply because the classification, as is made clear to us, was uncertain, at least from the language point of view (a detail which does not at all concern the art of arranging a library but is meant simply to remind us that Captain Nemo spoke all languages indiscriminately). But for us, who continue to have to do with a human race that insists on thinking, writing and above all publishing, the increasing size of our libraries tends to become the one real problem. For it’s not too

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difficult, very obviously, to keep ten or twenty or let’s say even a hundred books; but once you start to have 361, or a thousand, or three thousand, and especially when the total starts to increase every day or thereabouts, the problem arises, first of all of arranging all these books somewhere and then of being able to lay your hand on them one day when, for whatever reason, you either want or need to read them at last or even to reread them.

Thus the problem of a library is shown to be twofold: a problem of space first of all, then a problem of order.

http://blog.ounodesign.com/tag/bookcase/

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1. Of Space 1.1. Generalities Books are not dispersed but assembled. Just as we put all the pots of jam into a jam cupboard, so we put all our books into the same place, or into several same places. Even though we want to keep them, we might pile our books away into trunks, put them in the cellar or the attic, or in the bottoms of wardrobes, but we generally prefer them to be visible.

In practice, books are most often arranged one beside the other, along a wall or division, on rectilinear supports, parallel with one another, neither too deep nor too far apart. Books are arranged - usually - standing on end and in such a way that the title printed on the spine of the work can be seen (sometimes, as in bookshop windows, the cover of the books is displayed, but it is

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unusual, proscribed and nearly always considered shocking to have only the edge of the book on show).

In current room layouts, the library is known as an “area” for books. This, most often, is a module belonging as a whole to the “living-room”, which likewise contains a drop-leaf drinks cabinet drop-leaf writing desk two-door dresser hi-fi unit television console slide projector display cabinet etc. and is offered in catalogues adorned with a few false bindings.

In practice books can be assembled just about anywhere.

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The spacial organization of my albums takes two different forms: Digita l Ph y s ical Th e p h ys ical or ga n i z a t i o n o f my a l b u m c o l l e c t ion is r a t he r u n or gan ize d . Th e CD ’s a re k e p t i n a 1 0 0 A l bum CD folde r, w h ich liv e s in t h e g l o v e c o mp a r t m e n t o f m y c a r. The c a se s are k e p t on b ook sh e l v e s i n my b e d ro o m. T h ough a bout ha lf of th e m liv e in m y c o l l e g e a p a r t m e n t a n d h a lf in my pa re nt ’s h om e.

Th e re a l or ga n iz a t i o n o f t h e s e a l b u m s c o m e s in digit a l for m on c e t h e y are u p l o a d e d i n t o m y i Tu n e s l i b r a r y. I Tune s is a n esse n tia l t ool in o r g a n i z i n g t h e c o mp u t e r i z e d e xist e nc e of thes e th in gs .

Bec au s e t h e p h ysi c a l o r g a n i z a t i o n o f m y a l bums is r a t he r u n im p or ta n t, I w il l b e f o c u s i n g o n t h e d i g i t a l or ga niz a t ion of the m u s ic in re s po n se t o P e re c 's t e c h n i q u e s .

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1.2. Rooms where books may be put in the entrance hall in the sitting room in the bedroom(s) in the bog Generally speaking, one kind of book is put in the room you cook in, the ones known as “cookery books”. It is extremely rare to find books in a bathroom, even though for many people this is a favourite place to read in. The surrounding humidity is unanimously considered a prime enemy of the conservation of printed texts. At the most, you may find in a bathroom a medicine cupboard and in the medicine cupboard a small work entitled: What to do before the doctor gets there.

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Choos in g w h at ro o m i s a p p ro p r i a t e t o s t o re a book in is q u ite s im ilar t o t h e i d e a o f s o r t i n g s o n g s i n t o pla y list s t ha t mak e s e n s e for th a t so n g . I c re a t e p l a y l i s t s for just a bout eve r y in s ta n c e I mi g h t c o me a c ro ss i n my l i f e . I n t he sa me w ay t h a t it w ou ld b e u n u s u a l t o f i n d a c o o k book in t he ba t hro om , it w ou ld al s o b e st r a n g e t o f i n d a t e c hno/da nc e t r a c k on a p la y lis t en t it l e d “Re l a xi n g Mu si c .� I n t h e or ga niz a t ion of my alb u m s I w ill us e t h e f o l l o wi n g k e y t o d i spla y w hic h of my p lay lis t s e a c h albu m wo u l d b e st f i t a s a wh ole :

E L E C T R O N I C A P L AY L I S T

I N D I E P L AY L I S T

T H E PA RT Y P L AY L I S T

R E L A X I N G P L AY L I S T

R O C K P L AY L I S T

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1.3. Places in a room books can be arranged On the shelves of ďŹ replaces or over radiators (it may be thought, even so, that heat may, in the long run, prove somewhat harmful), between two windows, in the embrasure of an unused door, on the steps of a library ladder,

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making this unusable (very chic), underneath a window, on a piece of furniture set at an angle and dividing the room into two (very chic, creates an even better effect with a few pot-plants).

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O n c e a g ro u p o f s o n g s i s i n a p l a ylist , t he y ma y be a r r a nge d in a p a r t i c u l a r wa y, l i k e t h e wa y b o oks ne e d t o be pla c e d or ar r a n g e d i n c e r t a i n wa y s . S o me t ime s I ke e p t he ne w e st s on gs a t t h e b o t t o m f o r e a sy a c c ess, but some t ime s I ar r an ge t h e m f ro m f a v o r i t e t o l e a s t fa v or it e . For t he pur pose of or ga n i z i n g t h e a l b u m s i n t h i s b o ok, I w ill giv e e a c h a lbum a r at in g o f 1 -5 st a r s, f i v e s t a r s b eing a t t he t op of t he list , on e s t a r a l b u ms a t t h e b o t t o m . I w ill a lso a r r a nge a lbums by t h e s a me a r t i s t f u r h e r i n o rd e r o f re a le a se da t e .

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I NEVER LISTEN TO THIS ALBUM

I SOMETIMES LISTEN TO A COUPLE SONGS ON THIS ALBUM

I SOMETIMES LISTEN TO ALL OF THE SONGS ON THIS ALBUM

I OFTEN LISTEN TO THIS WHOLE ALBUM

ONE OF MY FAVORITE ALBUMS

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1.4 Things which aren’t books but are often met with in libraries Photographs in gilded brass frames, small engravings, pen and ink drawings, dried flowers in stemmed glasses, matchbox-holders containing, or not, chemical matches (dangerous), lead soldiers, a photograph of Ernest Renan in his study at the Collége de France*, postcards, dolls’ eyes, tins, packets of salt, pepper and mustard from Lufthansa, letterscales, picture hooks, marbles, pipe-cleaners, scale models of vintage cars, multicoloured pebbles and gravel, ex-votos, springs.

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In this case, because the music library is digital, physical random objects or pieces of irrelevant information cannot be placed in this space. This makes it easier to keep a clean visual for the music to be sorted into. In terms of the space that the physical albums live in, sometimes books, notebooks, sketchpads, old cassette tapes, or DVDs may be interdispersed throughout the shelf that these CD cases sit on.

*A famously pompous, highminded nineteenth-century scholar and writer, unlikely to have appealed to GP.

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2. Of Order

A library that is not arranged becomes disarranged: this is the example I was given to try and get me to understand what entropy was and which I have several times verified experimentally.

Disorder in a library is not serious in itself; it ranks with “Which drawer did I put my socks in?” We always think we shall know instinctively where we have put such and such a book.

And even if we don’t know, it will never be difficult to go rapidly along all the shelves.

Opposed to this apologia for a sympathetic disorder is the small-minded temptation towards an individual bureaucracy: one thing for each place

and each place for its one thing, and vice versa. Between these two tensions, one which sets a premium on letting things be, on a good-natured anarchy, the other that exalts the virtues of the tabula rasa, the cold efficiency of the great arranging, one always ends by trying to set one’s books in order. This is a trying, depressing operation, but one liable to produce pleasant surprises, such as coming upon a book you had forgotten because you could no longer see it and which, putting off until tomorrow what you won’t do today, you finally re-devour lying face down on your bed.

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2.1. Ways of arranging books ordered alphabetically ordered by continent or country ordered by colour ordered by date of acquisition ordered by date of publication ordered by format ordered by genre ordered by major periods of literary history ordered by language ordered by priority for future reading ordered by binding ordered by series None of these classifications is satisfactory by itself. In practice, every library is ordered starting from a combination of these modes of classification, whose relative weighting, resistance to change, obsolescence and persistence give every library a unique personality.

We should first of all distinguish stable classifications from provisional ones. Stable classifications are those which, in principle, you continue to respect; provisional classifications are those supposed to last only a few days, the time it takes for a book to discover, or rediscover, its definitive place. This may be a book recently acquired and not yet read, or else a book recently read that you don’t quite know where to place and which you have promised yourself you will put away

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on the occasion of a forth-coming “great arranging”, or else a book whose reading has been interrupted and that you don’t want to classify before taking it up again and finishing it, or else a book you have used constantly over a given period, or else a book you have taken down to look up a piece of information or a reference and which you haven’t yet put back in its place, or else a book that you can’t put back in its rightful place because it doesn’t belong to you and you’ve several times promised to give it back, etc.

In my own case, nearly three-quarters of my books have never really been classified. Those that are not arranged in a definitively provisional way are arranged in a provisionally definitive way, as at the OuLiPo. Meanwhile, I move them from one room to another, one shelf to another, one pile to another, and may spend three hours looking for a book without finding it but sometimes having the satisfaction of coming upon six or seven others which serve my purpose just as well.

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I w i ll ord er m y albu m s a l p h a b e t i c a l l y f i r st . T he sy mbols p lac e d n ex t t o t h e a l b u m wi l l f u r t h e r i n d i c a t e t he ge nre a nd ran k in g. Th is w ill b e a n e a sy wa y t o f i n d t h e a lbums quic kly if I am t r yin g t o lo c a t e a c e r t a i n o n e . I f I wa nt t o brow se by gen re ( p laylis t ) , I wi l l h a v e t o l o o k o u t f o r t h e sy mbols w hic h w ill b e p laced in a s i mi l a r l o c a t i o n o n e a c h pa ge .

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2.2. Books very easy to arrange The big Jules Vernes in the red binding, very large books, very small ones, Baedekers, rare books or ones presumed to be so, hardbacks, volumes in the Pléiade collection, the Presence du Futur series, novels published by the Editions de Minuit, collections, journals of which you possess at least three issues, etc.

2.3. Books not too difficult to arrange Books on the cinema, whether essays on directors, albums of movie stars or shooting scripts, South American novels, ethnology, psychoanalysis, cookery books (see above), directories (next to the phone), German Romantics, books in the Que Sais-je series (the problem being whether to arrange them all together or with the discipline they deal with), etc.

2.4. Books just about impossible to arrange The rest: for example, journals of which you possess only a single issue, or else La Campagne de 1812 en Russie by Clausewitz translated from the German by M. Bégouën, Captain-Commandant in the 31st Dragoons, Passed Staff College, with one map, Paris, Librairie Militaire R. Chapelot et Cie, 1900; or else fascicule 6 of Volume 91 (November 1976) of the Proceedings of the Modern Language Association of America (PMLA) giving the programme for the 666 working sessions of the annual congress of the said Association.

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Album s eas y t o a r r a n g e : Album s w ith s im il a r t r a c k s a n d a s i n g l e a r t i s t or ba nd a re easy t o ar r an ge. T h e y h a v e o n e g e n e r a l g e n re a nd mood a nd can b e p la c e d all o n t h e sa m e p l a y l i st . T h e qua lit y of e a c h trac k is ab ou t t h e sa m e , so r a n k i n g i s n o t d iffic ult .

Album s n ot t oo di ff i c u l t t o a r r a n g e : W h en I on ly lik e a s e l e c t f e w so n g s o n a n a l bum, it c a n be mo re d ifficu lt t o r a t e i t a s a wh o l e . Ye t , a s l ong a s t he t r a c ks are c on s is te n tly s i m i l a r, t h e y c a n a l l b e p l a c ed on t he sa me p lay lis t .

Album s ju s t ab out i m p o ssi b l e t o a r r a n g e : Co llab or a tiv e alb um s , a l b u ms wi t h mu l t i p l e ar t ist s, soundtrac k s , an d m ix t a p e s a re v e r y d i ff i c u l t t o p l a c e int o one gen re, p laylis t and r a n k i n g . I n t h i s c a se , e v e r y song ha s it s ow n s ou n d a n d pu r p o se .

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2.5 Like the librarians of Babel in Borges’s story, who are looking for the book that will provide them with the key to all the others, we oscillate between the illusion of perfection and the vertigo of the unattainable. In the name of completeness, we would like to believe that a unique order exists that would enable us to accede in knowledge all in one go; in the name of the unattainable, we would like to think that order and disorder are in fact the same word, denoting pure chance.

It’s possible also that both are decoys, illusions intended to disguise the erosion of both books and systems. It is no bad thing in any case that between the two our bookshelves should serve from time to time as joggers of the memory, as cat-rests and as lumber-rooms.

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C RY S TA L C A S T L E S C RY S TA L C A S T L E S

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: VANISHED, UNTRUST US, COURTSHIP D AT I N G , C R I M E W AV E R AT I N G : TIME:

52

MINUTES

QUALITIES: EACH SONG ON THIS ALBUM IS DIFFERENT THAN ANY

O T H E R S O N G I N T H E W O R L D W I T H T H E I R S T R A N G E , F U N K Y B E AT S .

GOOD MUSIC TO LISTEN TO WHILE DESIGNING OR DOING ARTWORK. A L S O A P P R O P R I AT E T O P L AY AT W E I R D PA R T I E S W I T H W E I R D PEOPLE. YEAR OF RELEASE:

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2008

IN GHOST COLOURS CUT COPY

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: LIGHTS

&

MUSIC, HEARTS ON FIRE

R AT I N G : TIME:

55.8

MINUTES

Q U A L I T I E S : T H I S A L B U M I S U P B E AT A N D F U N T O L I S T E N T O .

E N J O YA B L E AT A N Y T I M E ; D R I V I N G , L O N G W A L K S , PA R T I E S , SOUNDTRACK USAGE, ETC. YEAR OF RELEASE:

2008

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HOMEWORK DAFT PUNK

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: AROUND THE WORLD, OH YEAH R AT I N G : TIME:

1.2

HOURS

Q U A L I T I E S : D A F T P U N K I S A LW AY S G O O D PA R T Y M U S I C . T H E B E AT S

F L O W W E L L A N D A R E N O T O V E R LY R E P E TAT I V E .

YEAR OF RELEASE:

26

1997

4X4=12

DEADMAU5

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: SOFI NEEDS A LADDER, SOME CHORDS R AT I N G : TIME:

1.1

HOUR

Q U A L I T I E S : I N T E N S E C L U B M U S I C , A M A Z I N G B E AT S . G O O D F O R

A C R A Z Y PA RT Y , D A N C I N G , A N D L O T S O F C O L O R F U L F L A S H I N G LIGHTS.

YEAR OF RELEASE:

2010

27

LP DISCOVERY

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: I WANT YOU BACK, SWING TREE R AT I N G : TIME:

29.9

MINUTES

Q U A L I T I E S : T H E B E S T PA RT A B O U T T H I S N E W - WAV E E L E C R O M U S I C

I S T H E M I X T U R E O F D I F F E R E N T S O U N D S T H AT A R N ’ T N O R M A L LY CONSIDERED MUSIC. THE SONGS ARE STRANGE AND RANDOM, W H I C H C A N B E F U N F O R A C R E AT I V E E N V I R O N M E N T .

YEAR OF RELEASE:

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2009

DANCE OR DIE F A M I LY F O R C E

5

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: FEVER, GET YOUR BACK OFF THE WALL, HOW IN THE WORLD, SHARE IT WITH ME R AT I N G : TIME:

39.9

QUALITIES:

MINUTES

FF5

IS A ROCK BAND WITH AN ELECTRONIC TWIST,

SO THE MUSIC IS GOOD FOR DANCING. THIS BAND IS INCREDIBLE L I V E AT A C O N C E R T V E N U E F I L L E D W I T H M O S H P I T S A N D C R O W D SURFING. THEY KNOW HOW TO GET A CROWD MOVING WITH THESE SONGS.

YEAR OF RELEASE:

2008

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ZOMBIES! ALIENS! VAMPIRES! DINOSAURS! HELLOGOODBYE

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: HERE

(IN

YOUR ARMS), TOUCHDOWN

TURNAROUND, TWO WEEKS IN HAWAII R AT I N G : TIME:

34.9

MINUTES

Q U A L I T I E S : T H I S A L B U M R E M I N D S M E O F M Y H I G H S C H O O L D AY S ;

I N A G O O D WAY . T H E S O N G S A L L R E M I N D M E O F G O I N G T O

CONCERTS AND LEARNING TO DRIVE BEACUSE THEY ARE ALL FUN TO LISTEN TO AND SING ALONG WITH. YEAR OF RELEASE:

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2006

IHEARTCOMIX REMIXED VARIOUS ARTISTS

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: TRACKS

2, 3, 10,

AND

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R AT I N G : TIME:

49.7

MINUTES

QUALITIES: THIS ALBUM HAS SOME GOOD REMIXES, BUT WHEN

L I S T E N E D T O S T R A I G H T T H R O U G H , T H E C O N S TA N T H I G H E N E R G Y C A N G E T I R R I TAT I N G . T H E T R A C K S S H O U L D B E D I S P U R S E D BETWEEN OTHER ALBUMS. YEAR OF RELEASE:

2009

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CROSS JUSTICE

B E S T S O N G S O N A L B U M : D . A . N . C . E . , T T H H E E P PA A R RT T Y Y , GENESIS R AT I N G : TIME:

48.1

MINUTES

QUALITIES: FUN MUSIC TO DANCE TO. THE SONGS HAVE STRONG

BUILD-UPS AND HEAVY DROPS. YEAR OF RELEASE:

32

2007

LA ROUX LA ROUX

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: BULLETPROOF R AT I N G : TIME:

47.5

MINUTES

Q U A L I T I E S : A LT H O U G H B U L L E T P R O O F I S A G R E AT S O N G , T H E

A L B U M A S A W H O L E D O E S N O T H AV E M U C H VA R I AT I O N I N S O U N D .

H E R H I G H V O I C E G E T S A N N O Y I N G , A N D T H E B E AT S A L L S O U N D T H E SAME.

YEAR OF RELEASE:

2009

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M E T R O S TAT I O N M E T R O S TAT I O N

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: CALIFORNIA, SHAKE IT, SEVENTEEN FOREVER R AT I N G : TIME:

30.5

MINUTES

QUALITIES: THOUGH I DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS ALBUM VERY OFTEN

ANYMORE, THE QUALITY OF SONGS IS CONSISTENT THROUGHOUT. EVERY SONG IS SO MUCH FUN TO LISTEN TO. GOOD SUMMERTIME

O R R O A D T R I P M U S I C . S O N G S A R E FA S T PA C E D A N D M E L O D I C . T H E AT T I T U D E A B O U T T H E A L B U M I S Y O U T H F U L A N D E X C I T I N G .

YEAR OF RELEASE:

34

2007

KALA

M.I.A

B E S T S O N G S O N A L B U M : B A M B O O B A N G A , PA P E R P L A N E S , C O M E AROUND, HUSSEL R AT I N G : TIME:

51.3

MINUTES

Q U A L I T I E S : W H AT I L O V E A B O U T K A L A I S T H E E X O T I C , R A I N -

F O R E S T S O U N D B E C A U S E I T A D D S C U LT U R E . A L L O F T H E S O N G S A R E E N J O YA B L E . S O N G S O N T H E A L B U M H AV E B E E N F E AT U R E D IN MOTION PICTURES INCLUDING SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE AND PINEAPPLE EXPRESS. YEAR OF RELEASE:

2007

35

MIIKE SNOW MIIKE SNOW

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: BLACK

&

B L U E , C U LT L O G I C , P L A S T I C

JUNGLE R AT I N G : TIME:

47.2

MINUTES

QUALITIES: AS ONE OF MY ALL-TIME FAVORITES, THIS ALBUM AS

A WHOLE IS SO PLEASING TO HEAR. THE SOUND IS A WONDERFUL BLEND OF ELECTRIC NOISES AND RELAXING SOFTNESS. IT MAKES F O R P E R F E C T W I N T E R T I M E M U S I C T O D R I N K H O T C H O C O L AT E T O AND SIT BY A FIRE. YEAR OF RELEASE:

36

2009

MANNERS PA S S I O N P I T

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: SLEEPYHEAD, THE REELING R AT I N G : TIME:

44.4

MINUTES

QUALITIES: THIS ALBUM EARNED ALL OF MY RESPECT JUST FROM

THE SONG, SLEEPYHEAD. IT IS ONE OF THE BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD. I ENJOY LISTENING TO THIS ALBUM WHILE DRIVING,

READING MAGAZINES, DOING DESIGN WORK, OR EXERCISING. YEAR OF RELEASE:

2009

37

WANT

3OH!3

B E S T S O N G S O N A L B U M : P H O T O F I N I S H , H O L L E R T I L L Y O U PA S S O U T , S TA R S T R U K K , D O N ’ T T R U S T M E R AT I N G : TIME:

39.2

MINUTES

Q U A L I T I E S : W A N T I S H E AV Y W I T H L O U D , S T R O N G B E AT S A N D

VULAGAR INTENSITY. IT IS GOOD FOR HEAD BANGING AND PUSHING PEOPLE AROUND IN A MOSH PIT. YEAR OF RELEASE:

38

2008

39

PA R T I E T R A U M AT I C BLACK KIDS

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: I’M NOT GONNA TEACH YOUR BOYFRIEND HOW TO DANCE WITH YOU, HURRICANE JANE R AT I N G : TIME:

38

MINUTES

Q U A L I T I E S : I R A R E LY L I S T E N T O T H I S A L B U M , B U T I I M A G I N E T H I S

M U S I C B E I N G P E R F E C T F O R A D AY - T I M E P O O L PA R T Y E AT I N G I C E C R E A M A N D P L AY I N G P I N T H E TA I L O N T H E D O N K E Y .

YEAR OF RELEASE:

40

2008

SILENT ALARM B L O C PA RT Y

B E S T S O N G S O N A L B U M : B A N Q U E T , H E L I C O P T E R , L I K E E AT I N G GLASS R AT I N G : TIME:

50.5

MINUTES

Q U A L I T I E S : T H I S I S A G R E AT T R AV E L I N G A L B U M . I T W O U L D B E

P E R F E C T F O R A R O A D T R I P A R O U N D E U R O P E , E S P E C I A L LY T H E U K , W H E R E T H E M E M B E R S O F B L O C PA RT Y A R E F R O M .

YEAR OF RELEASE:

2005

41

ANTIDOTES FOALS

B E S T S O N G S O N A L B U M : C A S S I U S , O LY M P I C A I R W AY S , E L E C T R I C BOOM R AT I N G : TIME:

53.6

MINUTES

QUALITIES: FOALS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE BANDS. THE SINGER'S

B R I T I S H A C C E N T , T H E L O U D P E R C U S S I O N , A N D FA S T G U I TA R

STRUMS MAKE THEIR SOUND SO ORIGINAL. EVERY SONG ON THIS ALBUM IS AMAZING. YEAR OF RELEASE:

42

2008

T O TA L L I F E F O R E V E R FOALS

B E S T S O N G S O N A L B U M : S PA N I S H S A H A R A R AT I N G : TIME:

50.2

MINUTES

Q U A L I T I E S : T O TA L L I F E F O R E V E R I S N O T A S G R E AT A S A N T I D O T E S

A S A W H O L E , B U T S PA N I S H S A H A R A M A K E S U P F O R I T . T H I S M I G H T BE THE BEST FOALS SONG OF ALL TIME. IT IS A BEAUTIFUL SONG, S TA R T I N G O F F S L O W , A N D L E A D I N G I N T O A FA S T S E C T I O N W I T H FA S T B E AT S .

YEAR OF RELEASE:

2010

43

MIND CHAOS HOCKEY

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM:

3AM

S PA N I S H , T O O FA K E

R AT I N G : TIME:

45.6

MINUTES

QUALITIES: THE SONGS ON THIS ALBUM REFERENCE

70’S

ROCK

AND ROLL, BUT PUT A MODERN SPIN ON IT WITH SOME ELECTRIC S O U N D S . T H I S A L B U M W O U L D B E S U I TA B L E F O R A B A R B E Q U E O R OUTDOOR SUMMER FESTIVAL. YEAR OF RELEASE:

44

2009

MADE IN THE DARK HOT CHIP

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: BENDABLE POSEABLE, SHAKE A FIST, READY FOR THE FLOOR R AT I N G : TIME:

53.9

MINUTES

QUALITIES: HOT CHIP IS KNOWN FOR BLENDING ODD ELECTRONIC S O U N D S A N D H E AV Y S Y N T H W I T H A S O M E W H AT M O N O T O N O U S T O N E O F V O I C E . W H AT M A K E S T H I S A L B U M I N T E R E S T I N G I S T H AT E A C H

S O N G S O U N D S E X P E R I M E N TA L , A S I F R A N D O M S O U N D S W E R E J U S T THROWN INTO A PILE AND MIXED TOGETHER. YEAR OF RELEASE:

2008

45

E L E VAT O R H O T H O T H E AT

B E S T S O N G S O N A L B U M : S O L D I E R I N A B O X , E L E VAT O R , M I D D L E O F NOWHERE R AT I N G : TIME:

35.6

MINUTES

QUALITIES: I LIKE LISTENING TO THIS MUSIC WHILE READING A

MAGAZINE OR WORKING ON A HANDMADE ART PROJECT. IT HAS A CRAFTY QUALITY ABOUT IT. YEAR OF RELEASE:

46

2007

FORTRESS

’ROUND

MY HEART

IDA MARIA

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: STELLA R AT I N G : TIME:

32.2

MINUTES

QUALITIES: THIS ALBUM WOULD BE PERFECT BACKGROUND

M U S I C T O P L AY I N A V I N TA G E T H R I F T S H O P . I D A H A S A V E RY R A W S O U N D I N G V O I C E W H I C H G I V E S H E R E D G E . S H E A R T F U L LY G O E S O U T O F T U N E AT T I M E S A N D E M B R A C E S H E R R A S P Y IMPERFECTIONS. YEAR OF RELEASE:

2008

47

ANTICS INTERPOL

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: NARC, EVIL R AT I N G : TIME:

41.5

MINUTES

QUALITIES: INTERPOL’S SINGER HAS A DISTINCT VOICE, SINGING W I T H A F L AT T O N E T H AT C O M P L E M E N T S T H E R E P E TAT I V E G U I TA R STRUMS. YEAR OF RELEASE:

48

2004

MIDNIGHT BOOM THE KILLS

B E S T S O N G S O N A L B U M : T H E TA P E S O N G , U . R . A . F E V E R R AT I N G : TIME:

33.9

MINUTES

QUALITIES: THIS ALBUM IS A PIECE OF ART AS A WHOLE. THE

E D I T I N G O F E X P E R I M E N TA L S O U N D S I S I N C R E D I B L E . T H E K I L L S U S E CLIPS OF SOUND YOU WOULD NEVER THINK OF AS MUSIC, SUCH AS A TELEPHONE OFF THE HOOK. THIS MAN AND WOMAN TEAM WORK

TOGETHER TO PRODUCE A MASTERPIECE OF BLENDED SOUND AND VISUAL. THE DESIGN OF THIER ALBUM HELPS DOCUMENT THE PROCESS OF COMPILING THIS WORK. YEAR OF RELEASE:

2008

49

FA N TA S I E S METRIC

B E S T S O N G S O N A L B U M : H E L P I ’ M A L I V E , S AT E L L I T E M I N D R AT I N G : TIME:

45.2

MINUTES

Q U A L I T I E S : E M I LY H A I N E S , M E T R I C ’ S S I N G E R , I S W H AT G I V E S T H I S

M U S I C N O TA B I L I T Y . S H E I S A F I E R C E , I N D E P E N D A N T W O M A N A N D H A S A BEAUTIFUL VOICE. IT’S DIFFERENT TO HEAR FEMALE

V O C A L S W I T H T H E D E E P S O U N D O F T H E E L E C T R I C G U I TA R A N D B A S S .

YEAR OF RELEASE:

50

2009

O R A C U L A R S P E C TA C U L A R MGMT

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: TIME TO PRETEND, KIDS, ELECTRIC FEEL R AT I N G : TIME:

40.2

MINUTES

Q U A L I T I E S : I H AV E A LWAY S T H O U G H T O F T H I S A L B U M A S E X O T I C

RAINFOREST MUSIC. IF I WERE TO SEE MGMT LIVE, IT WOULD HAVE T O B E AT A B O N D F I R E A L O N G T H E A M A Z O N R I V E R . O T H E R W I S E

THE WHOLE ESSENCE OF THIS ALBUM WOULD BE RUINED FOR ME. YEAR OF RELEASE:

2008

51

H I G H LY R E F I N E D P I R AT E S MINUS THE BEAR

B E S T S O N G S O N A L B U M : A B S I N T H E PA R T Y AT T H E F LY H O N E Y WARREHOUSE R AT I N G : TIME:

47.2

MINUTES

Q U A L I T I E S : A L L O F T H E S O N G S O N T H I S A L B U M S O U N D R O U G H LY

T H E S A M E . T H E Y U S E A S I M I L A R G U I TA R S T Y L E A N D PAT T E R N I N M O S T O F T H E S O N G S . T H AT ’ S N O T T O S AY T H AT T H E G U I TA R -

I S T D O E S N ’ T H AV E M A D S K I L L S . T H E S I N G E R I S R AT H E R W H I N Y

S O U N D I N G , W H I C H I S N O T N E C E S S A R I LY A B A D T H I N G . T H E S O N G T I T L E S A R E W H AT I E N J O Y M O S T O N T H I S A L B U M .

YEAR OF RELEASE:

52

2002

GOOD NEWS FOR PEOPLE WHO LOVE BAD NEWS MODEST MOUSE

B E S T S O N G S O N A L B U M : F L O AT O N , T H E W O R L D AT L A R G E R AT I N G : TIME:

44.7

MINUTES

Q U A L I T I E S : F L O AT O N I S O N E O F M Y FAV O R I T E S O N G S , S O T H I S

A L B U M G E T S A U T O M AT I C C R E D I T . T H E S I N G E R O F M O D E S T M O U S E HAS AN ORIGINAL VOICE AND THE BAND USES INTERESTING IN-

STRUMENTS. THEY INCLUDE EVERYTHING FROM BRASS TO BANJO. YEAR OF RELEASE:

2004

53

M U T E M AT H M U T E M AT H

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: OBSOLETE, TYPICAL, CHAOS R AT I N G : TIME: I HOUR Q U A L I T I E S : W H AT I A P P R E C I AT E M O S T A B O U T T H I S B A N D I S T H E I R U N D E R G R O U N D E X P E R I M E N TA L S O U N D B L E N D E D W I T H S M O O T H ,

MELODIC VOCALS. I LOVE THE GRUNGY QUALITY OF THE SONGS T H AT M A K E I T S O U N D L I K E I T W A S R E C O R D E D I N A G A R A G E .

YEAR OF RELEASE:

54

2006

I T ’ S N E V E R B E E N L I K E T H AT PHOENIX

B E S T S O N G S O N A L B U M : L O N G D I S TA N C E C A L L , O N E T I M E T O O MANY R AT I N G : TIME:

36.9

MINUTES

QUALITIES: AS THIS IS PHOENIX’S OLDER ALBUM, THEIR EARLIER

SOUND IS MUCH MORE GRUNGY. I ENJOY LISTENING TO THIS ALBUM DURING LONG WALKS IN LONDON. YEAR OF RELEASE:

2006

55

WOLFGANG AMADEUS PHOENIX PHOENIX

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM:

1901,

LIZTOMANIA, FENCES

R AT I N G : TIME:

32.3

MINUTES

QUALITIES: PHOENIX REVOLUTIONIZED ITS SOUND WITH WOLFGANG

A M A D E U S . T H E Y B E C A M E M O R E E L E C T R O N I C W H I L E M A I N TA I N -

I N G T H E S A M E Q U A L I T Y I N V O I C E A N D F R E Q U E N T FA S T G U I TA R S T R U M S . I T I S C L E A R T H AT T H E B A N D W A S T RY I N G O U T A N E W

S T Y L E T H AT T U R N E D O U T T O S U I T T H E M . I F I W E R E T O C H O S E A

P L A C E I N T H E W O R L D T H AT T H I S A L B U M S O U N D S L I K E , I T W O U L D B E PA R I S .

YEAR OF RELEASE:

56

2009

OH, INVERTED WORLD THE SHINS

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: CARING IS CREEPY, NEW SLANG R AT I N G : TIME:

26.2

MINUTES

Q U A L I T I E S : A F T E R B E I N G F E AT U R E D I N M Y FAV O R I T E M O V I E ,

G A R D E N S TAT E , I F E L L I N L O V E W I T H T H E S H I N S . T H E S O N G S A R E S O S O O T H I N G , Y E T S T I L L M A I N TA I N A T E M P O . G R E AT M U S I C T O LISTEN TO ON A RAINY AFTERNOON. YEAR OF RELEASE:

2001

57

W I N C I N G T H E N I G H T AWAY THE SHINS

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: SEA LEGS, AUSTRALIA, PHANTOM LIMB R AT I N G : TIME:

41.7

MINUTES

QUALITIES: THE SHINS CHANGED THEIR SOUND UP WITH THIS

A L B U M , S O U N D I N G M O R E A B S T R A C T A N D FA I RY TA L E - E S Q U E . T H E SLOW SYNTH AND XYLOPHONE SOUNDING KEYBOARD REMINDS ME O F B E I N G I N A S T O RY B O O K W I T H M Y T H I C A L C R E AT U R E S .

YEAR OF RELEASE:

58

2007

KILL THE MOONLIGHT SPOON

B E S T S O N G S O N A L B U M : J O N AT H O N F I S K , T H E W AY W E G E T B Y R AT I N G : TIME:

34.8

MINUTES

QUALITIES: THIS ALBUM USES A LOT OF KEYBOARD WITH LIGHT

DRUMMING. THE SOUND IS PRETTY CONSISTENT THROUGHOUT. ALL S O N G S A R E F A I R LY M I N I M A L I N T H E S O U N D S T H AT A R E U S E D .

YEAR OF RELEASE:

2002

59

ROOM ON FIRE THE STROKES

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: REPTILIA R AT I N G : TIME:

36

MINUTES

Q U A L I T I E S : T H I S A L B U M I S H A S A R E P E TAT I V E S O U N D T H R O U G H O U T

AND CAN BECOME BORING AFTER A WHILE. IT WOULD DO WELL AS B A C K G R O U N D M U S I C AT A N O U T D O O R C L O T H I N G M A R K E T .

YEAR OF RELEASE:

60

2003

CHAMP TOKYO POLICE CLUB

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: BREAKNECK SPEED R AT I N G : TIME:

44.4

MINUTES

QUALITIES: THIS ALBUM HAS A GLEEFUL, JITTERY SOUND TO THEIR

S O N G S T H AT M A K E F O R A P L E A S A N T AT M O S P H E R E . I W O U L D E N J O Y THIS MUSIC IN AN ENGLISH PUB. YEAR OF RELEASE:

2010

61

VAMIRE WEEKEND VAMPIRE WEEKEND

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: A-PUNK, OXFORD COMMA, ONE GOT A NEW FACE)

(BLAKE'S

R AT I N G : TIME:

34.2

MINUTES

QUALITIES: THIS ALBUM HAS A PREPPY, NEW ENGLAND AIR ABOUT

I T . I T W O U L D B E A N A P P R O P R I AT E S O U N D T R A C K F O R A D AY O N A

S A I L B O AT . VA M P I R E W E E K E N D I S K N O W N F O R I T S M O D E R N R E G G A E

S O U N D B L E N D E D W I T H C H A M B E R I N S T R U M E N TA L S . V I O L I N , H A R P S I C H O R D , A N D P O LY P H O N I C A R R A N G E M E N T S A R E F R E Q U E N T LY H E A R D ON THIS ALBUM.

YEAR OF RELEASE:

62

2008

CONTRA VAMPIRE WEEKEND

B E S T S O N G S O N A L B U M : G I V I N G U P T H E G U N , H O R C H ATA R AT I N G : TIME:

36.6

MINUTES

Q U A L I T I E S : C O N T R A I S A C O N T I N U AT I O N O F VA M P I R E W E E K E N D ’ S

PREVIOUS ALBUM IN TERMS OF STYLE. THEIR UNIQUE INSTRUMENTA L S A N D D I S T I N C T V O C A L S W I T H T H E O C C A S I O N A L F L U C T U AT I O N S IN PITCH ARE STILL EVIDENT. YEAR OF RELEASE:

2010

63

TO LOSE MY LIFE WHITE LIES

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: TO LOSE MY LIFE R AT I N G : TIME:

45

MINUTES

Q U A L I T I E S : T H E S I N G E R F O R W H I T E L I E S H A S A D E E P V O I C E T H AT

M A K E S T H E M U S I C S O U N D M O R E E E R I E , E S P E C I A L LY W H E N PA I R E D WITH THE SOUND OF THE ORGAN OR LOW SYNTH SOUNDS. THEIR V O C A L S A R E C O M PA R A B L E T O T H E K I L L E R S .

YEAR OF RELEASE:

64

2009

XX THE XX

B E S T S O N G S O N A L B U M : C RY S TA L I S E D , I S L A N D S R AT I N G : TIME:

38.5

MINUTES

QUALITIES: THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL ALBUM. IT IS VERY SOOTHING

A N D T R A N Q U I L , Y E T T H E S O N G S H AV E A B E AT T O T H E M . I L O V E

L I S T E N I N G T O T H I S M U S I C O N L O N G N I G H T D R I V E S O R W AT C H I N G T H E W O R L D PA S S B Y O U T T H E W I N D O W O F A FA S T M O V I N G T R A I N .

YEAR OF RELEASE:

2009

65

SHOW YOUR BONES THE YEAH YEAH YEAHS

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: PHENOMENA R AT I N G : TIME:

38.8

MINUTES

QUALITIES: AS ONE OF THE FEW BANDS WITH FEMALE VOCALS, THE

Y E A H Y E A H Y E A H S H A V E A U N I Q U E N E S S T H AT I S E A S I LY R E C O G -

NIZABLE. THIS ALBUM HAS A TRENDY, FASHIONABLE SOUND, AND W O U L D T Y P I C A L LY B E H E A R D I N U R B A N O U T F I T T E R S .

YEAR OF RELEASE:

66

2006

67

T H E O P P O S I T E O F A D U LT S CHIDDY BANG

(EP)

B E S T S O N G S O N A L B U M : T H E O P P O S I T E O F A D U LT S R AT I N G : TIME:

8.5

MINUTES

Q U A L I T I E S : T H I S S H O R T E P I S A P R E V I E W F O R W H AT I S T O C O M E .

SO FAR, THEY ARE ON THE RIGHT TRACK, BECAUSE THIS TWO MAN

T E A M T H R O W S I T D O W N O N T H E I R E P . T H E O P P O S I T E O F A D U LT S I S W H AT I W O U L D C O N S I D E R T H E A N T H E M T O M Y L I F E .

YEAR OF RELEASE:

68

2010

SO FAR GONE DRAKE

B E S T S O N G S O N A L B U M : B E S T I E V E R H A D , H O U S TAT L A N TAV E G A S , I’M GOIN IN, SUCCESSFUL R AT I N G : TIME:

1.2

HOURS

Q U A L I T I E S : D R A K E ’ S E A R L I E R A L B U M I S A M I X T U R E O F PA RT Y

SONGS AND SLOW, SEDUCTIVE R&B. IT SHOWCASES DRAKE’S TRUE

TA L E N T , B E G I N N I N G H I S H U G E C A R E E R . A S A S I N G E R A N D R A P P E R , D R A K E H A D A L R E A D Y M A N A G E D T O C O L L A B O R AT E W I T H L I L ’ W AY N E A N D O T H E R R A P S U P E R S TA R S O N H I S F I R S T F U L L A L B U M .

YEAR OF RELEASE:

2009

69

T H A N K M E L AT E R DRAKE

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: UP ALL NIGHT, FANCY, FIND YOUR LOVE, C O N G R A D U L AT I O N S R AT I N G : TIME:

1

HOUR

Q U A L I T I E S : Y O U C A N ’ T G O W R O N G P L AY I N G D R A K E ' S M U S I C AT A

PA RT Y , C L U B O R B A R . D R A K E R U L E S T H E R A P W O R L D T O D AY .

E V E RY S O N G O N T H I S A L B U M I S G R E AT .

YEAR OF RELEASE:

70

2010

JASON DERULO JASON DERULO

B E S T S O N G S O N A L B U M : I N M Y H E A D , R I D I N ’ S O L O , W AT C H A S AY R AT I N G : TIME:

32.6

MINUTES

QUALITIES: JASON DERULO IS AN ACCOMPLISHED SINGER AND

D A N C E R . T H E B E S T S O N G S O N T H I S A L B U M Q U I C K LY M A D E T H E TOP CHARTS AS SINGLES IN

2009

AND

2010.

SOME SONGS ON

THE ALBUM ARE LIGHT-HEART POP SONGS, BUT HIS SINGLES ARE S U R E T O K E E P A PA RT Y M O V I N G .

YEAR OF RELEASE:

2010

71

THE BLUEPRINT J AY - Z

3

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: D.O.A.

(D E AT H

OF AUTOTUNE), EMPIRE

S TAT E O F M I N D , O F F T H AT , O N T O T H E N E X T , R U N T H I S T O W N R AT I N G : TIME:

1

HOUR

Q U A L I T I E S : W H AT M A D E T H I S A L B U M O N E O F T H E Y E A R ' S B E S T I N

2009

W A S J AY - Z ’ S G E N I O U S C O L L A B O R AT I O N S . H E W O R K E D W I T H

ALICIA KEYS, KID CUDI, DRAKE, RIHANNA, KANYE WEST,

PHARRELL, AND MORE ON THIS ALBUM. EVERY SONG ON THIS A L B U M I S G O O D F O R A PA RT Y .

YEAR OF RELEASE:

72

2009

M Y B E A U T I F U L D A R K T W I S T E D FA N TA S Y KANYE WEST

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: MONSTER, ALL OF THE LIGHTS, POWER, H E L L O F A L I F E , R U N AWAY R AT I N G : TIME:

1.1

HOURS

Q U A L I T I E S : K A N Y E S U C C E S S F U L LY E X P L O R E S A N E W S T Y L E W I T H

THIS ALBUM. HE BLENDS RAP WITH A HARDER EDGE, GOSPEL,

T R A D I T I O N A L A F R I C A N D R U M M I N G , A N D S A M P L E S O F I N S P I R AT I O N A L AFRICAN AMERICAN SPEECHES. HE ALSO INCLUDES SOME OF THE MUFFLED

808

B E AT S F R O M H I S P R E V I O U S A L B U M ’ S S O U N D .

YEAR OF RELEASE:

2010

73

CANNIBAL

KE$HA

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: CANNIBAL, BLOW, SLEAZY R AT I N G : TIME:

28.5

MINUTES

Q U A L I T I E S : A LT H O U G H K E $H A I S N O T T H E B E S T L I V E P E R F O R M E R ,

I T I S H E R O R I G I N A L I T Y A N D B O L D N E S S T H AT E A R N S M Y R E S P E C T .

I E N J O Y H E R O U T R A G E O U S S T Y L E A N D AT T I T U D E . T H I S A L B U M R E F L E C T S E V E RY T H I N G S H E S TA N D S F O R .

YEAR OF RELEASE:

74

2010

MAN ON THE MOON II KID CUDI

:

THE LEGEND OF MR. RAGER

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: ERASE ME, ASHIN’ KUSHER, MR. RAGER, WILD’N CUZ I’M YOUNG R AT I N G : TIME: I HOUR QUALITIES: THIS ALBUM HAS A DARK, CREEPY FEEL, BUT IN AN

A R T I S T I C W AY . T H E T H E M E C U D I R E P E AT S I S H I S I N C E S S A N T D R U G U S A G E . W I T H T H E M O O D H E C R E AT E S I N H I S S O N G S , D R U G S A R E NOT NEEDED TO FEEL LIKE YOU ARE IN A DIFFERENT WORLD. YEAR OF RELEASE:

2010

75

THE FAME MONSTER LADY GAGA

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: MONSTER, SO HAPPY I COULD DIE, TELEPHONE, ALEJANDRO R AT I N G : TIME:

1.4

HOURS

Q U A L I T I E S : T H I S T W O - D I S K A L B U M I S A C O M P I L AT I O N O F A L L O F

G A G A ’ S S O N G S S O FA R AT T H E T I M E O F T H E A L B U M ’ S R E L E A S E .

E V E RY S O N G O N T H I S A L B U M I S I N C R E D I B L E , C O N S I D E R I N G T H AT

GAGA IS A POP ICON. THE LIST OF BEST SONGS DOESN’T DO THIS A L B U M J U S T I C E , S I N C E E V E RY S I N G L E S O N G I S G R E AT .

YEAR OF RELEASE:

76

2009

FOOD AND LIQUOR LUPE FIASCO

B E S T S O N G S O N A L B U M : K I C K , P U S H , D AY D R E A M I N ’ R AT I N G : TIME:

1.3

HOURS

QUALITIES: THIS ALBUM KEEPS THE CLASSIC HIP-HOP SOUND OF THE

90’S

ALIVE, WHILE ADDING A MODERN TWIST. THIS ALBUM

WOULD BE PERFECT FOR A GRAFFITI ART EXHIBIT OR BREAK DANCING SHOW. YEAR OF RELEASE:

2006

77

SHOCK VALUE II TIMBALAND

B E S T S O N G S O N A L B U M : C A R RY O U T , S AY S O M E T H I N G , L O S E CONTROL, MORNING AFTER DARK R AT I N G : TIME:

1.3

HOURS

Q U A L I T I E S : T H I S A L B U M I S PA C K E D W I T H G O O D D A N C E S O N G S A N D

PA R T Y M U S I C . G R E AT H I P - H O P C H O R E O G R A P H Y C O U L D C O M E O U T OF THIS MUSIC.

YEAR OF RELEASE:

78

2009

LAZARUS TRAVIE MCCOY

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: SUPERBAD, THE MANUAL, AFTER MIDNIGHT R AT I N G : TIME:

32.5

MINUTES

QUALITIES: TRAVIE MCCOY, THE FORMER LEAD SINGER FOR GYM

C L A S S H E R O E S , TA K E S T O P C H A R T S S O L O W I T H T H I S A L B U M . T H E

S O N G S A R E A L O T O F F U N , G O O D F O R A S U M M E R E V E N I N G W AT C H I N G T H E S U N S E T AT T H E B E A C H .

YEAR OF RELEASE:

2010

79

MOVE ALONG

THE ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: DANCE INSIDE, MOVE ALONG, DIRTY LITTLE SECRET R AT I N G : TIME:

42.1

MINUTES

QUALITIES: THIS WAS THE ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS MOST

SUCCESSFUL ALBUM BECAUSE OF ITS ROCKING SINGLES. GOOD M U S I C T O L I S T E N T O W H I L E D R I V I N G O N T H E H I G H WAY .

YEAR OF RELEASE:

80

2005

WHEN THE WORLD COMES DOWN

THE ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: BREAKIN’, I WANNA, DAMN GIRL, GIVES YOU HELL R AT I N G : TIME:

44.9

MINUTES

QUALITIES: WITH THIS ALBUM, THE ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS U P D AT E D T H E I R S O U N D A B I T W H I L E S T I L L M A I N TA I N I N G T H E I R STYLE. SOME OF THE SONGS HAVE A MORE EARTHY, TRANQUIL BACKGROUND SOUND. YEAR OF RELEASE:

2008

81

SO RIGHT, ITS WRONG ALL TIME LOW

B E S T S O N G S O N A L B U M : P O P P I N ’ C H A M PA G N E

,

H O L LY ,

SHAMELESS R AT I N G : TIME:

40.1

MINUTES

QUALITIES: THIS ALBUM IS THE DEFINITION OF MY HIGH SCHOOL

Y E A R S . L O U D H E A D B A N G I N G C O N C E R T S A R E E X A C T LY W H AT T H I S MUSIC IS ALL ABOUT. YEAR OF RELEASE:

82

2007

BOYS LIKE GIRLS BOYS LIKE GIRLS

B E S T S O N G S O N A L B U M : H E E L S O V E R H E A D , T H E G R E AT E S C A P E , HERO/HEROINE, UP AGAINST THE WALL R AT I N G : TIME:

41.6

MINUTES

QUALITIES: BOYS LIKE GIRLS EMBODIES THE SPIRIRT OF AN

ANGSTY TEENAGER. AS A KID IN HIGH SCHOOL, I FED OFF OF THIS MUSIC AND WENT TO THEIR SHOWS SEVERAL TIMES. BUT STILL,

T O D AY T H E S O N G S O N T H I S A L B U M A R E S O M U C H F U N T O L I S T E N TO BECAUSE OF THIER YOUTHFUL SOUND. YEAR OF RELEASE:

2006

83

LOVE DRUNK BOYS LIKE GIRLS

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: LOVE DRUNK, SHE’S GOT A BOYFRIEND N O W , C O N TA G I O U S , H E A R T H E A R T H E A R T B R E A K R AT I N G : TIME:

43.2

MINUTES

QUALITIES: THIS NEWER ALBUM HAS A MUCH DIFFERENT SOUND

THAN THE FIRST ALBUM WITH ITS POP-ROCK SOUND. I’M STILL A FAN, BUT IT DOESN’T HAVE THE SAME EFFECT AS THE ORIGINAL.

I F T H E R E I S O N E P L A C E T H AT T H I S M U S I C S O U N D S L I K E , I T I S T H E CALIFORNIA COAST. YEAR OF RELEASE:

84

2009

YOUR FAVOURITE WEAPON BRAND NEW

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: SEVENTY TIMES

7,

FAILURE BY DESIGN,

T H E N O S E AT B E LT S O N G , L A S T C H A N C E T O L O S E Y O U R K E Y S R AT I N G : TIME:

41.3

MINUTES

Q U A L I T I E S : T H E R E I S A L O T O F P E N T U P A N G E R T H AT G E T S

R E L E A S E D I N T H E LY R I C S O F T H E S E S O N G S . E S P E C I A L LY S E V E N T Y TIMES

7.

THIS IS GOOD MUSIC TO LISTEN TO WHEN YOU WANT TO

GET RID OF YOUR OWN ANGER. YEAR OF RELEASE:

2001

85

THE SAME OLD BLOOD RUSH WITH A NEW TOUCH C U T E I S W H AT W E A I M F O R

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: THE CURSE OF CURVES, THERE’S A CLASS FOR THIS, NEWPORT LIVING R AT I N G : TIME:

41.8

MINUTES

Q U A L I T I E S : P E R E C T M U S I C T O P L AY O N T H E H I L L S O R L A G U N A

B E A C H . T H E M U S I C I S V E R Y W E S T - C O A S T S K AT E R . T H E LY R I C S O F THIS ALBUM ARE GEARED TOWARDS TEENAGERS AND THE P R O B L E M S T H AT T H E Y G O T H R O U G H .

YEAR OF RELEASE:

86

2006

MORNING REVIVAL GOOD CHARLOTTE

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: MARCH ON, MISERY, THE RIVER R AT I N G : TIME:

44.4

MINUTES

Q U A L I T I E S : T H I S A L B U M D O E S N O T M AT C H U P T O G O O D C H A R -

LOTTE’S ORIGINAL MUSIC, LIKE MANY ROCK BANDS’ SECOND ALBUMS. NONETHELESS, I ENJOY THIS MUSIC IN THE SUMMER TIME BECAUSE OF ITS CAREFREE SOUND. YEAR OF RELEASE:

2007

87

HOT FUSS THE KILLERS

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: MR. BRIGHTSIDE, SMILE LIKE YOU MEAN IT R AT I N G : TIME:

1.3

HOURS

QUALITIES: THE ROCK AND ROLL SOUND WITH LIGHT SYNTH

S O U N D S S P R I N K L E D I N A N D T H E S I N G E R ' S M E L O D I C TA L K I N G I S T H E S T Y L E T H AT S U I T S T H E K I L L E R S B E S T . T H I S I S T H E M U S I C THEY SHOULD MAKE MORE OF. YEAR OF RELEASE:

88

2004

D AY

&

AGE

THE KILLERS

B E S T S O N G S O N A L B U M : H U M A N , S PA C E M A N R AT I N G : TIME:

41.7

MINUTES

QUALITIES: THIS NEWER KILLERS ALBUM ADDS A MORE ELEC-

TRONIC SOUND TO THEIR ROCK AND ROLL ROOTS. I THINK IF THEY W A N T E D T O A D D D I G I TA L E F F E C T S , T H E Y S H O U L D H AV E TA K E N I T T O T H E N E X T L E V E L T O C R E AT E A M O R E O R I G I N A L S O U N D .

YEAR OF RELEASE:

2008

89

O N LY B Y T H E N I G H T KINGS OF LEON

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: NOTION, SEX ON FIRE, USE SOMEBODY R AT I N G : TIME:

45.9

MINUTES

QUALITIES: I AM NOT A BIG KINGS OF LEON FAN, BUT I APPRE-

C I AT E T H E I R TA L E N T . I D O E N J O Y T H E V O C A L S I N T H E S L O W E R S O N G S , PA R T I C U L A R LY N O T I O N .

YEAR OF RELEASE:

90

2008

MOTHERSHIP LED ZEPPELIN

B E S T S O N G S O N A L B U M : S TA I R W AY T O H E AV E N , T R A M P L E D U N D E R F O O T , D ’ Y E R M A K ’ E R , K A S H M I R , C O M M U N I C AT I O N B R E A K D O W N , IMMIGRANT SONG R AT I N G : TIME:

1.5

HOURS

Q U A L I T I E S : A S M Y O N LY C L A S S I C R O C K A L B U M , I H A V E M U C H

REPECT FOR LED ZEPPELIN. THEY CAPTURED SO MANY MUSCIAL

STYLES. THEIR DEFINING SUCCESS IS TIMELESS, AND THEIR MUSIC WILL LIVE ON FOR YEARS TO COME. YEAR OF RELEASE:

2007 (RECORDED 1968-78)

91

DECOMPOSER T H E M AT C H E S

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: CLUMSY HEART, LITTLE MAGGOTS, DIDI

(MY

D O E PA RT

II)

R AT I N G : TIME:

44.4

MINUTES

Q U A L I T I E S : T H E M AT C H E S W E R E O N E O F M Y FAV O R I T E B A N D S W H E N

I WAS SIXTEEN, SO WHEN I HEAR THIS ALBUM IT REMINDS ME OF LEARNING TO DRIVE. YEAR OF RELEASE:

92

2006

I AM THE MOVIE MOTION CITY SOUNDTRACK

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: THE FUTURE FREAKS ME OUT R AT I N G : TIME:

43

MINUTES

QUALITIES: MOST SONGS SOUND VERY SIMILAR ON THIS ALBUM.

THEY ALL HAVE A WHIMSICAL, GRITTY ROCK AND ROLL QUALITY. YEAR OF RELEASE:

2003

93

BLACK HOLES MUSE

&

R E VA L AT I O N S

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: SUPERMASSIVE BLACK HOLE, MAP OF P R O B L E M AT I Q U E , C I T Y O F D E L U S I O N , K N I G H T S O F C Y D O N I A R AT I N G : TIME:

45.4

MINUTES

QUALITIES: THIS ALBUM IS PURE MUSICAL GENIOUS. MUSE HAS

MASTERED THE ART OF BLENDING MUSICAL STYLES INTO ONE.

E L E C T R I C G U I TA R R O C K A N D R O L L , O R C H E S T R A L N U M B E R S , E L E C T R O N I C N O I S E S , H E AV Y D R U M B E AT S , A N D B R A S S I N S T R U M E N T S ARE ALL MELDED IN TO THIS WORK. YEAR OF RELEASE:

94

2006

T H E R E S I S TA N C E MUSE

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: UPRISING, UNDISCLOSED DESIRES R AT I N G : TIME:

54.2

MINUTES

Q U A L I T I E S : T H I S A L B U M L E A N S I N T O T H E S O U N D T R A C K C AT E G O R Y B Y C R E AT I N G T R A C K S T H AT L E N D T H E M S E LV E S T O E P I C C I N E M AT O G R A H Y AND INTENSE MOMENTS OF MOTION PICTURE. HOWEVER, MUSE BUILDS U P O N T H AT S T Y L E A N D C O N T I N U E S T O E X P L O R E T H E W AY T H E Y M I X S O U N D S T O C R E AT E A C O H E S I V E S O N G W I T H C AT C H Y B E AT S .

YEAR OF RELEASE:

2009

95

H I D I N G I N S I D E T H E H O R R I B L E W E AT H E R MY AMERICAN HEART

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: BOYS! GRAB YOUR GUNS, TIRED AND UNINSPIRED, THE SHAKE

(AWEFUL

FEELING),

R AT I N G : TIME:

40.3

MINUTES

QUALITIES: THIS IS A PLEASING MIXTURE BETWEEN RELAXING

A C O U S T I C S F O R A R A I N Y D AY A N D U P B E AT H A R D R O C K . T H I S C D W O U L D T Y P I C A L LY B E H E A R D I N W E S T C O A S T C L O T H I N G S T O R E L I K E H O L L I S T E R O R PA C S U N .

YEAR OF RELEASE:

96

2007

OH NO OK GO

B E S T S O N G S O N A L B U M : H E R E I T G O E S A G A I N , A M I L L I O N WAY S , NO SIGN OF LIFE R AT I N G : TIME:

39

MINUTES

QUALITIES: THIS NEW-WAVE ROCK LENDS ITSELF TO ORIGINALITY

A N D C R E AT I V I T Y , W H I C H I S E V I D E N T I N O K G O ’ S M U S I C V I D E O S I N W H I C H T H E Y C H O R E O G R A P H I N T R I C AT E D A N C E M O V E S , F O R E X A M -

PLE ON TREADMILLS. THIS ALBUM GETS BONUS POINTS FOR BEING THE FIRST ALBUM I EVER PURCHASED IN THIS COLLECTION. YEAR OF RELEASE:

2002

97

T H E A N AT O M Y O F T H E T O N G U E I N C H E E K RELIENT K

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: BREAKDOWN, I’M LION-O, SADIE HAWKINS DANCE R AT I N G : TIME:

54.8

MINUTES

Q U A L I T I E S : R E L I E N T K I S A Q U I R K Y R O C K B A N D T H AT I L O V E D I N

H I G H S C H O O L . T H E Y M A K E C L E V E R P U N S I N T H E LY R I C S O F T H E I R SONGS AND KEEP THE MOOD LIGHT HEARTED IN THEIR SONGS. YEAR OF RELEASE:

98

2001

FIVE SCORE AND SEVEN YEARS AGO RELIENT K

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: THE BEST THING, GIVE UNTIL THERE’S NOTHING LEFT R AT I N G : TIME:

51.2

MINUTES

QUALITIES: THIS IS ONE OF RELIENT K’S MORE EMOTIONAL

A L B U M . T H E Y TA L K A B O U T P E R S O N A L I S S U E S , B U T K E E P T H E MOOD LIGHT WITH THEIR CASUAL SARCASM. YEAR OF RELEASE:

2007

99

LIFE LEFT TO GO SAFETYSUIT

B E S T S O N G S O N A L B U M : A N Y W H E R E B U T H E R E , A N N I E , S TAY , APOLOGY R AT I N G : TIME:

50.3

MINUTES

QUALITIES: THE BEST THING ABOUT SAFETSUIT IS THE SINGER’S

BEAUTIFUL VOICE. THE MUSIC STYLE IS NOTHING TOO ORIGINAL, B U T T H E V O C A L S A R E S E N S AT I O N A L .

YEAR OF RELEASE:

100

2008

WE ARE PILOTS SHINY TOY GUNS

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: LE DISKO R AT I N G : TIME:

44.3

MINUTES

QUALITIES: FUNKY BLEND OF ELECTRONIC AND ROCK AND ROLL.

M O S T O F T H E S O N G S S O U N D E X P E R I M E N TA L A N D S PA C E - L I K E . T H E M U S I C H A S A Z E R O - G R AV I T Y S O U N D T H AT M A K E S I T F U T U R I S T I C .

YEAR OF RELEASE:

2006

101

N O T R E A L LY , I ’ M F I N E

THE SPILL CANVAS

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: CONNECT THE DOTS, ALL OVER YOU, ONE THING IS FOR SURE R AT I N G : TIME:

42.4

MINUTES

Q U A L I T I E S : T H E LY R I C S O F T H E S E S O N G S A R E R O M A N T I C I N A

W AY T H AT I S F A R F O R M C L I C H E . T H E W O R D S A R E S O B E A U T I F I L LY W R I T T E N T H AT T H E Y A R E I N S P I R I N G .

YEAR OF RELEASE:

102

2007

DIRCECTION T H E S TA R T I N G L I N E

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: ISLAND,

21

R AT I N G : TIME:

40.5

MINUTES

Q U A L I T I E S : N O M AT T E R H O W L O W T H E V O L U M E I S , T H E S E S O N G S

W I L L A LW AY S S O U N D L O U D . T H E FA S T B E AT S , H E AV Y G U I TA R A N D YELLING VOCALS ARE HIGH IN ENERGY. YEAR OF RELEASE:

2007

103

WA L K T H I S WAY WHITE TIE AFFAIR

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: CANDLE

(SICK

AND TIRED), ALLOW ME TO

I N T R O D U C E M Y S E L F . . . M R . R I G H T , P R I C E O F C O M PA N Y R AT I N G : TIME:

35.2

MINUTES

Q U A L I T I E S : T H I S I S A T Y P I C A L E X A M P L E O F M U S I C T H AT W O U L D B E

H E A R D AT W A R P E D T O U R O R Y O U R AV E R A G E W H I N Y - R O C K .

C O M PA R A B L E T O PA N I C AT T H E D I S C O .

YEAR OF RELEASE:

104

2008

105

ACROSS THE UNIVERSE SOUNDTRACK VARIOUS ARTISTS

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: ACROSS THE UNIVERSE COME TOGETHER

[JOE

COCKER], REVOLUTION

[JIM STURGESS], [JIM STURGESS]

R AT I N G : TIME:

1.2

HOURS

Q U A L I T I E S : S O N G S A R E A L L C O V E R S O F C L A S S I C B E AT L E S S O N G S .

G R E AT S O U N D T R A C K T O A B E A U T I F U L LY M A D E F I L M . G O O D F O R A R T I S T I C I N S P I R AT I O N .

YEAR OF RELEASE:

106

2007

A RUSH OF BLOOD TO THE HEAD C O L D P L AY

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: IN MY PLACE, CLOCKS, THE SCIENTIST R AT I N G : TIME:

54.1

MINUTES

QUALITIES: THIS MUSIC IS RELAXING, BEAUTIFUL, AND HEART-

F E LT . I L I S T E N T O I T I N T H E W I N T E R B Y T H E F I R E P L A C E ,

DRINKING TEA. IT CAN BE DEPRESSING IF LISTENED TO ALL ALONE.

YEAR OF RELEASE:

2002

107

VIVA LA VIDA C O L D P L AY

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: VIVA LA VIDA, LIFE IN TECHNICOLOR, LOST! R AT I N G : TIME:

42.2

MINUTES

QUALITIES: THOUGH THIS ALBUM WON GRAMMYS, MY PERSONAL

R AT I N G I S L O W B E C A U S E I D O N ’ T L I S T E N T O I T O F T E N . N O D O U B T , T H O U G H , T H E M U S I C I S W O R T H Y O F B E I N G F E AT U R E D I N COMMERCIALS AND MOVIES. YEAR OF RELEASE:

108

2008

O DAMIEN RICE

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: VOLCANO, CANNONBALL R AT I N G : TIME:

1

HOUR

QUALITIES: WITH ROMANTIC LOVE SONGS AND MUSIC TO FALL

A S L E E P T O , T H I S A L B U M F E AT U R E S B E A U T I F U L A C O U S T I C G U I TA R

PLUCKING AND QUIET, SOOTHING VOCALS ALONG WITH CELLO AND V I O L I N S P L AY I N G I N T H E B A C K G R O U N D . S O M E O P E R A S I N G I N G EVEN GETS THROWN INTO THE MIX. YEAR OF RELEASE:

2002

109

T R A N S AT L A N T I C I S M D E AT H C A B F O R C U T I E

B E S T S O N G S O N A L B U M : T I T L E A N D R E G I S T R AT I O N , A L A C K O F COLOR, THE SOUND OF SETTLING R AT I N G : TIME:

44.1

MINTUES

QUALITIES: I LISTEN TO THIS MUSIC WHEN I HAVE A LOT OF

PROBLEMS. SOME OF THE SONGS WILL PUT YOU IN A BETTER

MOOD, BUT MANY OF THE SONG ARE SAD AND WILL PUT YOU IN A TRANCE.

YEAR OF RELEASE:

110

2003

PLANS D E AT H C A B F O R C U T I E

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: CROOKED TEETH, SOUL MEETS BODY, M A R C H I N G B A N D S O F M A N H AT TA N R AT I N G : TIME:

44.9

MINUTES

Q U A L I T I E S : L I G H T R O C K A N D S L O W P I A N O P L AY I N G M A K E S T H I S A L B U M A P P R O P R I AT E F O R S I T T I N G I N A C O F F E E S H O P I N T H E W I N T E R , W AT C H I N G P E O P L E PA S S B Y . T H E LY R I C S W I L L R E A L LY M A K E Y O U C O N T E M P L AT E L I F E .

YEAR OF RELEASE:

2005

111

G A R D E N S TAT E S O U N D T R A C K VARIOUS ARTISTS

B E S T S O N G S O N A L B U M : N E W S L A N G , D O N ’ T PA N I C , L E B A N E S E BLONDE R AT I N G : TIME:

48.1

MINUTES

Q U A L I T I E S : G A R D E N S TAT E I S M Y FAV O R I T E M O V I E , S O T H I S S O U N D T R A C K N AT U R A L LY M A K E S M E T H I N K O F T H E B E A U T Y T H AT IS REPRESENTED IN THIS FILM. THE SONGS ARE ABOUT LOVE, LIFE, AND FINDING BEAUTY IN THE WORLD. YEAR OF RELEASE:

112

2004

GOODBYE BLUES THE HUSH SOUND

B E S T S O N G S O N A L B U M : T H AT ’ S O K AY , H U R R I C A N E , T H E B O Y S A R E T O O R E F I N E D , H O S P I TA L B E D C R A W L R AT I N G : TIME:

40

MINUTES

Q U A L I T I E S : T H I S A L B U M R E LY S H E A V I LY O N T H E P I A N O , A N D T H E

BAND’S MIXTURE OF MALE AND FEMALE VOCALS. THE ALBUM HAS A N O L D FA S H I O N E D , S W I N G D A N C I N G F E E L . I T I S A N U P D AT E D O F F S H O O T O F M U S I C T H AT W O U L D B E H E A R D I N T H E YEAR OF RELEASE:

1930'S.

2008

113

O U R E N D L E S S N U M B E R E D D AY S IRON AND WINE

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: THE TRAPEZE SWINGER, SUNSET SOON FORGOTTEN, CINDER AND SMOKE R AT I N G : TIME:

47.8

MINUTES

Q U A L I T I E S : T H I S A L B U M TA K E S C O U N T RY S I D E B A N J O M U S I C T O

A N E W L E V E L W I T H S O O T H I N G V O C A L S I N D E L I C AT E H A R M O N Y .

W O U L D B E G R E AT F O R A B O N D F I R E I N A C O R N F I E L D W H I L E T H E SUNSETS. YEAR OF RELEASE:

114

2004

THE SHEPHERD'S DOG

IRON AND WINE

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: BOY WITH A COIN, FLIGHTLESS BIRD AMERICAN MOUTH R AT I N G : TIME:

49.7

MINUTES

Q U A L I T I E S : T H I S M U S I C S O U N D S L I K E A Q U I E T , C O N T E M P L AT I V E

D AY I N T H E C O U N T RY S I D E , W A L K I N G T H R O U G H TA L L G R A S S .

YEAR OF RELEASE:

2007

115

IN BETWEEN DREAMS JACK JOHNSON

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: BETTER TOGETHER, SITTING WAITING WISHING, BREAKDOWN R AT I N G : TIME:

40.8

MINUTES

QUALITIES: THIS IS MY FAVORITE JACK JOHNSON ALBUM. IT WAS

THE SECOND ALBUM IN MY COLLECTION, SO IT HOLDS SENTIMENTA L VA L U E . T H E U K U L E L E D R I V E N S O N G S W O U L D H AV E T H E F U L L

E F F E C T I N H AWA I I , B U T A R E S T I L L E N J O YA B L E B Y T H E P O O L O N A SUMMER AFTERNOON. YEAR OF RELEASE:

116

2005

S L E E P T H R O U G H T H E S TAT I C JACK JOHNSON

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: IF I HAD EYES, ANGEL R AT I N G : TIME:

51.3

MINUTES

QUALITIES: THESE SONGS DO NOT HAVE THE SAME SUMMER TIME V I B E A S I N B E T W E E N D R E A M S B E C A U S E T H E Y R E LY M O R E O N T H E A C O U S T I C G U I TA R . H O W E V E R , J A C K N E V E R FA I L S T O C O M P O S E GORGEOUS MUSIC.

YEAR OF RELEASE:

2008

117

WE SING, WE DANCE, WE STEAL THINGS JASON MRAZ

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: I’M YOURS, LUCKY, THE DYNAMO OF VOLITION, COYOTES R AT I N G : TIME:

54.4

MINUTES

QUALITIES: JASON MRAZ IS A MASTERFUL SONG WRITER, SINGER

A N D M U S I C I A N . H I S W O R D P L AY N E V E R G E T S T I R E S O M E A N D H I S S I N G - S O N G Y V O I C E I S A LWAY S P L E A S I N G T O T H E E A R .

YEAR OF RELEASE:

118

2008

CONTINUUM J O H N M AY E R

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: BELIEF, GRAVITY, STOP THIS TRAIN, THE HEART OF LIFE R AT I N G : TIME:

50

MINUTES

Q U A L I T I E S : T H I S I S O N E O F M AY E R ’ S M O R E E M O T I O N A L A L B U M S I N W H I C H H E S E E M S T O B E AT A P O I N T W H E R E H E W A N T S T O R E F L E C T ON HIS LIFE AND STOP TIME FROM GOING ANY FURTHER. IT IS R E L A X I N G A N D H E A R T F E LT .

YEAR OF RELEASE:

2006

119

INSIDE IN

/

INSIDE OUT

THE KOOKS

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: OOH LA, SEASIDE, NAIVE, JACKIE BIG TITS R AT I N G : TIME:

41.5

MINUTES

Q U A L I T I E S : T H I S A L B U M S O U N D S C A R E - F R E E A N D VA C AT I O N L I K E

W I T H I T S U P B E AT G U I TA R S T R U M M I N G A N D B E A C H - S I D E F E S T I VA L MOOD.

YEAR OF RELEASE:

120

2006

LOSING SLEEP PA R A C H U T E

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: SHE IS LOVE, UNDER CONTROL, SHE, W O R D S M E E T H E A R T B E AT S R AT I N G : TIME:

38.7

MINUTES

Q U A L I T I E S : PA R A C H U T E K N O W S H O W T O W R I T E A G R E AT L O V E

S O N G . T H E S E S O N G S A R E U P B E AT A N D H AV E T H E A B I L I T Y T O INSPIRE ROMANCE AND TRUE LOVE. YEAR OF RELEASE:

2009

121

GIVE UP T H E P O S TA L S E R V I C E

B E S T S O N G S O N A L B U M : R E C Y C L E D A I R , S U C H G R E AT H E I G H T S R AT I N G : TIME:

49.3

MINUTES

Q U A L I T I E S : W I T H V O C A L S S O U N D I N G A L M O S T I D E N T I C A L T O D E AT H

C A B F O R C U T I E , W H AT S E T S T H E P O S TA L S E R V I C E A PA R T I S T H E I R L I G H T E X P E R I M E N TA L S O U N D S . T H E Y T U R N T R A N Q U I L E A R T H Y MUSIC FUTURISTIC. YEAR OF RELEASE:

122

2003

OK COMPUTER RADIOHEAD

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: KARMA POLICE, LET DOWN R AT I N G : TIME:

53.3

MINUTES

Q U A L I T I E S : T H I S A L B U M I S M O R E LY R I C A L A N D L I G H T R O C K

BASED. THE SONGS ARE RELAXING, BUT URBAN SOUNDING. YEAR OF RELEASE:

1997

123

KID A RADIOHEAD

B E S T S O N G S O N A L B U M : I D I O T E Q U E , T H E N AT I O N A L A N T H E M , R AT I N G : TIME:

49.9

MINUTES

Q U A L I T I E S : R A D I O H E A D TA K E S A M O R E S PA C E - L I K E A P P R O A C H T O T H I S A L B U M W I T H M O R E E X P E R I M E N TA L S O U N D S A N D L O N G ECHOING SYNTH NOISES IN THE BACKGROUND. YEAR OF RELEASE:

124

2000

IN RAINBOWS RADIOHEAD

B E S T S O N G S O N A L B U M : B O D Y S N AT C H E R S , V I D E O TA P E , R E C K O N E R R AT I N G : TIME:

42.5

MINUTES

QUALITIES: THIS MY FAVORITE RADIOHEAD ALBUM. IT HAS AN

ABLIITY TO HEAL THE BODY AND SOUL. THE SONGS WILL BRING

Y O U I N T O A N O T H E R W O R L D , I N S P I R I N G C R E AT I V I T Y . T H E W H O L E

ALBUM WOULD DO WELL IN A COFFEE SHOP OR AS A SOUNDTRACK. YEAR OF RELEASE:

2007

125

BEGIN TO HOPE REGINA SPEKTOR

BEST SONGS ON ALBUM: FIDELITY, ON THE RADIO, APRES MOI R AT I N G : TIME:

47.2

MINUTES

Q U A L I T I E S : R E G I N A S P E K T O R ’ S F L A W L E S S V O I C E A N D C R E AT I V E

S O N G W R I T I N G I S W H AT T H I S A L B U M I S A L L A B O U T . S H E S I N G S

W I T H S U C H PA S S I O N A N D I N T R I C AT E V O C A L VA R I AT I O N . S P E K T O R I N C L U D E S I N F L U E N C E F R O M H E R R U S S I A N H E R I TA G E B Y M I X I N G LANGUAGES AND MUSICAL STYLE. YEAR OF RELEASE:

126

2006

127