Let The Records Show: The Best Fifteen of the Teens
Wilco Made Several Albums, But Jeff Tweedy Did His Best Work With Another Band
Best Fifteen of The Teens
The Teens are heading ever closer to adulthood, as our calendars for 2019 are now just days away from the recycling bin. Before we reach 2020, however, let us reflect on the Teen years of the twenty first century, in particular the music created during that span.
Those years featured excellent comeback albums from the likes of the Monkees, Elvis Costello and Chrissy Hynde, as well as debuts from new artists. It was during the first half of this decade that we heard Gotye and his ubiquitous hit "Somebody I Used To Know" , along with Foster the People's "Pumped Up Kicks."
There were a plethora of fine records released overall, and here are the best fifteen of the Teens.
1. Salutations by Conor Oberst
The former front man of Bright Eyes had made a solo debut called Upside Down Mountain earlier, but this musically infectious and cleverly written collection of songs from 2017 was clearly the highlight of the decade.
2. Colors by Beck
Twenty years into his career Beck had finally nabbed a Grammy for Morning Phase, only to follow it up with this dynamic danceable album in 2018.
3. Breaking Point by Peter, Bjorn and John
Sweden"s sweetest sounding trio, who had already conquered listeners with Gimme Some, upped the mark on these dozen songs without a did among them.
4. Duck by Kaiser Chiefs
It appeared over for the power pop British quintet when two sub par records followed the departure of the original drummer, but Ricky Wilson and band bounced back charmingly with their return to post punk rock this year.
5. Former Lives by Ben Hubbard
His band Death Cab For Cutie made several quality records, none of which could outshine the gorgeous melodies and lyrics on his first solo effort.
6. Evermotion by Guster
Having disappeared for nearly half a devade, the power pop band in 2015 delivered here remarkable songs such as "Never Coming Down" and "Do It By Myself."
7. Tape Deck Heart by Frank Turner
Touching our hearts with nostalgia on cuts like "Polaroid Picture" and "Oh Brother", Turner revealed himself to be one of the best new singer songwriters of the modern era.
8. What For by Toro Y Moi
Chaz Bundick broke through with this 2015 record, which features the chillwave hits "Empty Nesters" and "Spell It Out."
9. Supermodel by Foster the People
Actually Mark Foster had three excellent albums that could make this list, but the sophomore effort from 2013 has "Coming of Age", "Are You What You Wanna Be" and "Best Friend."
10. White Album by Weezer
For thirty years now these guys have kept power pop alive, thanks to albums like this one featuring the Beach Boys inspired "Endless Bummer."
11. Another One by Mac Demarco
A pioneer of what some have termed stoner rock, this sophomore album shows a fully developed and unique brand of pop.
12. Paranormal by Alice Cooper
He made a sequel to Welcome To My Nightmare to kick off the decade, which got even better when this delicious dozen came out in 2017.
13. Girls in Peacetime Want To Dance by Belle and Sebastian
"Perfect Couples" and "The Party Line" are just two of the enduring tunes from this album, which arrived to well-designed acclaim in 2013.
14. Sky Full of Holes by Fountains of Wayne
Founders Chris Collingwood and Adam Schlessinger would split after this 2011 album, their sixth since debuting in 1994.
15. Dungeons Gold by the Minus 5
We nearly lost Scott McCaughey after this album came out in 2013, for he suffered a sever stroke shortly thereafter. Thankfully he, Jeff Tweedy and Peter Buck were able to assemble again for the 2018 record Stroke Manor.
