It's The Final Countdown (200-196)

The list is in order, the 200 greatest albums of this decade. It's time for the final countdown, albeit this is part one of many (the number one will be revealed sometime near Christmas probably). Anyway on with the show hey.

200. Electrelane-The Power Out [Too Pure 2004]

The first (well technically last) album in this list actually references the blog I wrote the other day. Electrelane's second album sounds spookily like Stereolab. The use of the french language in particular on the opening track Gone Under Sea, echoes the "groop" very well without sounding contrived. The album delves into krautrock as the album progresses, the experimental The Valleys is a highlight in this. Slow manipulative drum machines, give off that closed cold atmosphere and the tension rises with deep choir that enters halfway through. The album is not without accessibility, this is accentuated by the glorious The Bit Between Your Teeth. A simplistic yet repetitive riff with gorgeous intertwining vocals allows for the band to open up and I hate to use this phrase but they rock out. Varied instrumentally, varied lyrically, Electrelane come up with an album that is perfect for opening up this list and the diversity that awaits us.

199. Glass Candy-B/E/A/T/B/O/X [Italians Do It Better 2007]

This is exactly how dance music should sound, not racing fast at the speed of a bullet but more like the speed of say a cheetah. Grooves build and build and the space between them gets wider and wider. Yet also dancier. Spaced out and synthed out Glass Candy created an album designed to infiltrate seedy clubs, underground bars and you walking home after dark after you've been to those bars and clubs. Ida No's vocals drip with social and sexual paranoia and joy. There is something very filthy about this album for everyone. Whether it's the sexual vocals or those long drawn out synth rhythms, you might just feel slightly violated or very pleased by the end of the album.

198. Quasimoto-The Further Adventures Of Lord Quas [PIAS 2005]

The first time I heard this album my first thoughts was "WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS SHIT". Of course back then I used the word shit as rubbish. Now I would describe this as the shit, as in you know it's pretty freaking good. Quasimoto is Madlib's insane alter ego who has Madlib's low pitched vocals slowed down mixed with hundreds of samples and Madlib's original voice. The true genius of the album is amazingly the way it seems to make up for a lack of say musical consistency with constant hip shaking beats that are used in the best way to open up Quasimoto's unique vocals. To appreciate this album you may have to listen to it once and come back to it a couple of times before it clicks. But trust me give it the time and this one will stick in your mind be it the hip shaking samples or the inane lyrics that are splattered all across this record.

197. The Moldy Peaches-The Moldy Peaches [Rough Trade 2001]

Childish? Yes. Simplistic? Yes. Badly produced? Probably yes. Doesn't sound too good so far does it? But that's the whole point of this album. You put it on when you feel childlike, simplistic and you're not quite sure how everything is going to fit into place. From the funny yet startilingly honest lyrics of Lucky Number Nine to the overdriven guitars on Little Bunny Foo Foo, this album is about regaining that childlike quality that has disappeared from most adults. Don't worry about what you have said or what you might say, say it and then move on. Like a child would.

196. Cadence Weapon-Afterparty Babies [Big Dada 2008]

Woah that's some big beats that are coming out of the stereo there. Loud both lyrically and musically this album is huge in every way. The beats are completely monstrous for example the riotous House Music pounds and pounds for it's full five and a half minute running time. Intense and personal lyrics with a social awareness that extends further than hip hop heads. Cadence Weapon created an album that spoke to both black and white young people. He understood how people can feel desentisized in this world that we live in, but instead of picking up a guitar and writing some emo-esque lyrics; he raps around huge beats that create a party atmosphere that will resonate with anyone who feels unsatisfied with this instant satisfaction society that we live in.