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CHALLENGE 14 END OF THE DECADE
Favorite Albums of the Decade
THE BLUEPRINT- jay-z (2001)
BACK TO BASICS- christina aguilera (2006)
THE EVOLUTION OF ROBIN THICKE- robin thicke (2006)
(video: candyman, christina aguilera)
The Blueprint is generally spoken of as one of the best rap albums ever, and with songs like IZZO, Heart of the City, and Song Cry, it's easy to understand why. Now, admittedly I don't listen to this album as much as I used to (though I rock the unplugged version of Heart of the City all. the. time. Jaguar Wright sings the hook and if you haven't heard it, go, go, GO!) The Blueprint stays with me because I bought it (legally, mind you!) when I was walking home from 8th grade with my friend Kathleen on September 11th, 2001. I credit Back to Basics and Christina for muc of my current wardrobe. Mad Men obviously has a lot to do with it, but Christina started it. Robert and I would swing dance to Candyman in the dorm forever long ago freshman year. This is still one of my go-to CDs for working out and it's one one of the first things I put on when I get out on the ice. My love affair with Robin Thicke started a few years ago when I caught one of his older videos on VH1Soul one days and I thought to myself, 'well, this is one sexy mofo'. Then I heard his song 'Shooter' with Lil' Wayne off The Evolution and I was hooked. I'm not so sure how I feel about the music he's put out since the Evolution, but this remains one of my favorite CDs.
WRITING'S ON THE WALL- destiny's child (1999)
COLLEGE DROPOUT- kanye west(2004)
TISSUES AND ISSUES- charlotte church (2005)
(video: all falls down, kanye west; staring stacy dash)
Bugabo, Bills Bills Bills, Say My Name, Jumpin' Jumpin'... Writing's on the Wall was the entirety of my middle school experience. It seemed like more and more hits kept coming off this CD well into the 2000s. Didn't everyone else dance to Jumpin' Jumpin' at their eighth grade formal and make up dance moves to Bugaboo?
I cannot even begin to talk about my love for College Dropout and Kanye West. Yes, I completely separate the man from the music, though I have to admit that there are times when I love his swagger. Anyway, College Dropout is probably my favorite album hands down. All Falls Down is. my. song. It's been played a total of 857 times on my iTunes and I wouldn't be surprised if I sing it in my sleep. For some strange, strange reason I find myself relating to it and I swear it's not just the line, 'single black female addicted to retail' (which describes me to a tee). There's just something about that song that I love. And, if I'm being honest, there's not a song on the CD that I hate.
Tissues and Issues is just... hilarious to me. I love it, mostly because I love watching clips from the Charlotte Church Show and I love the fact that the girl that sed to be the angel faced opera singer released this CD with poppy bouncy songs like Crazy Chick and Call My Name. I've tried to get my friends into it and have failed miserably, so I'm fully willing to admit that maybe it's just me.
THE BOY WHO KNEW TOO MUCH- mika (2009)
THE MARSHAL MATHERS LP- eminem(2000)
WE SING. WE DANCE. WE STEAL THINGS.- jason mraz (2008)
(video: the real slim shady, eminem)
Eminem is the only thing that needs talking about here. I remember the first time I heard 'The Real Slim Shady'. I was riding home from skating lessons with my mom at around 7am and it came on Z-100. Uncensored. My mother was appalled. I didn't really GET it, but I knew it was cool because my mom hated it. I had to buy the LP in secret and listen to it in secret, but what began was a new appreciation for rap and a decade long love of Eminem. Taking aside the fact that he's crude, yes, and horridly offensive... listen to some of his lyrics. As terrifying as they can be? Sometimes they're brilliant as hell. Start with 'Mosh'.
LIFE IN CARTOON MOTION- mika (2007)
JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS- kay hanley(2001)
HAVE A NICE DAY- bon jovi (2005)
(video: josie and the pussycats opening)
Though I'm from New Jersey, it took me awhile to get into Bon Jovi. I don't know why it started with this particular album... maybe it just came at the right time. Whatever the reason, here we are, one of my favorites of the past decade. Senior year of high school was a beautiful time. As for Josie? Well, the early 2000s seemed to be a great time for silly teen movies. I can think of slews of Freddie Prinze jr. movies, Jason Biggs movies, Kirsten Dunst movies, and Rachel Leigh Cook movies. This one just happens to have been my favorite.
BACK TO BLACK- amy winehouse (2006)
FUTURE/SEX/LOVE/SOUNDS- justin timberlake(2006)
SPEAKERBOXXX/THE LOVE BELOW- outkast (2003)
(video: my love, justin timberlake ft. t.i.)
*RAISES HAND!* Hi, I can do the entire dance from the 'My Love' video. I spent an entire winter break learning it because I loved this video, this song, and this CD to pieces and because I have no life (and because there is a part in the video when T.I looks up and grins and I FUCKING MELT TO PIECES BECAUSE HE IS FYNE!). It was this CD that finally convinced me of Justin as a solo artist and I can actually listen to Justified with a new appreciation now. 2006 was a great year, because there was also Back to Black which... yeah. Tears Dry on Their Own? A 500+ playcount on my iTunes. Plenty of people have extolled the amazingness of Amy, so I won't go on too long except to say that I love this CD for now and forever. I need new material from her. I need it now.
CORINNE BAILEY RAE- corinne bailey rae (2006)
IDLEWILD- outkast/janelle monae/macy gray (2006)
WILLENIUM- will smith (1999)
(video: idlewild)
Idlewild seemes to be generally dismissed as a movie. I love it. I love the music, the acting, the dancing, and the weird twist the plot takes at the end. The soundtrack marks the last thing Outkast put out together as a duo and it wasn't as good as Speakerboxx/The Love Below (though the MOVIE did use a lot of stuff from The Love Below) it was different, and I liked that. It takes a lot from a 20s/30s sound and mixes it in with hiphop and rn'b. Best of all though? It introduced me to the goddess that is Janelle Monae.
NO STRINGS ATTACHED- 'n sync (2000)
SOL ANGEL AND THE HADLEY ST. DREAMS- solange knowles (2008)
SHINE- estelle (2008)
(video: i decided, solange knowles)
'N Sync. No Strings Attached. If you're from the ages of 19 to 25 I believe that is all I have to say.
THE MAKINGS OF ME- monica (2006)
ROCK AND ROLL JESUS- kid rock (2007)
100 DAYS 100 NIGHTS- sharon jones and the dap kings (2007)
(video: roll on, kid rock)
People really make fun of me for liking Kid Rock, but I think that's because they don't realise what Kid Rock's sound has evolved into. It's more of a... country-rock-gospel thing now. He's singing not rapping, and it's way different than what he started out with. Give him a chance, guys! The Makings of Me was NOT Monica's best CD, not by far, but it came out during a time when she was one of my main muses (PBs, for you RP savy folks) in a game that I was investing a hell of a lot of time in. I played this CD repeatedly while I wrote for this game and it took up a good chunk of my freshman and sophomore years in school, so the Makings of Me was with me for a good part of my time in college. Monica and I went through some shit together and it was AWESOME.
LET THE TRUTH BE TOLD- laura izibor (2009)
LATE REGISTRATION- kanye west (2005)
ONCE MORE WITH FEELING- the btvs cast (2001)
(video: gold digger, kanye west ft. jamie foxx)
I can go on and on about Kanye. Late Registration wasn't better than College Dropout, but.. it was close. And it introduced me to Lupe Fiasco. Touch the Sky, Gold Digger, Hey Mama, Heard 'Em Say, Roses... there're so many good songs on this album. "You know the best medicine go to people thats paid/If Magic Johnson got a cure for A.I.D.S./And all the broke muthafuckers past away/You tellin me if my grandma was in the N.B.A./Right now she'd be ok?/But since she was just a secretary/Working for the church/For thirty five years/Things supposed to stop right here"
Yeah. I love this CD. I love Kanye.
REAL GIRL- mutya buena (2007)
ALRIGHT STILL- lily allen (2006)
THE RISE AND FALL OF RUBY WOO- the puppini sisters (2007)
(video: alfie, lily allen)
The Puppini Sisters are so awesome! They're all over youtube and if you can find them and you liked Back to Basics I would recomend this for you-- that's how I was turned on to them. They sing everything from old standards like 'Mr. Sandman' and 'The Boogie-Woogie Bugle Boy' to new stuff like Beyonce's 'Crazy In Love', and they do it all sounding like the Andrew's Sisters. I found out about Lily Allen and Mutya Buena when I began to wonder what else I was missing out on from Across the Pond. There isn't a song on Alright Still that I won't listen to again and again, and while I mostly prefer Mutya's upbeat stuff that's fine with me. I can put both CDs on in the car, turn up the volume, and drive. LDN is just about one of the best driving songs there is.
TANGLED UP- girls aloud (2007)
VOODOO- d'angelo (2000)
B-DAY- beyonce (2006)
(video: how does it feel, d'angelo's pelvis)
Just go watch this. Words won't do it when it comes to D'Angelo. They just won't do it.
I AM... SASHA FIERCE- beyonce (2009)
A FEVER YOU CAN'T SWEAT OUT- panic! at the disco (2005)
BE- common (2005)
(video: i write sins not tragedies, panic! at the disco)
Panic! At the Disco is another band I get made fun of for listening to unironically, but I do! It helps that I think Brandon Urie is hot, sure, but there's something about the music I love as well, and this CD makes me bounce around every single time I (figuratively) pop it in my player!
About I Am... Sasha Fierce, well... I don't really know what to say aside from 'if you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it.
BETCHA BOTTOM DOLLAR- the puppini sisters (2006)
GRADUATION- kanye west (2007)
FOLIE A DEUX- fall out boy (2008)
(video: the good life, kanye west ft. t-pain)
Graduation was the weakest of the Kanye Trio, so lets talk about Fall Out Boy. Another band I am thoroughly embarrassed sometimes to admit that I listen to. I used to make fun of my brother for listening to them during their 'Dance Dance' era, but then Folie A Deux came out and I jumped right up on the bandwagon. I don't want to fuck Pete Wentz, I just want to dance around singing, 'I don't care'.
OUT OF CONTROL- girls aloud (2008)
THE METROPOLIS SUITE PART I: THE CHASE- janelle monae (2007)
DREAMGIRLS- beyonce, jamie foxx, jennifer hudson, anika noni-rose, et al. (2006)
Oh, Janelle. My song and hair-spiration. I love her so, so much. She's not trying to be anything but herself (and a cyborg running away from the intergalatic law!) and I adore her for it.
VAMPIRE WEEKEND- vampire weekend (2008)
FLY- dixie chicks (1999)
PRETTY. ODD.- panic at the disco (2008)
I don't know about you, but I spent a good deal of time when I was thirteen bouncing around and screaming about how Earl had to die. Because he did, damnit. I still know every single word to that song, and it was 'Goodbye Earl' that made me go out after school and buy the entire album. Thus, I was introduced to the Dixie Chicks. It's not a CD that I play very often these days (though their others get a heavy rotation on my playlist) but the earlier half of the decade was all about this CD for me.
TOMMYLAND: THE RIDE- tommy lee (2005)
IN THE HEIGHTS- lin manuel miranda, et al. (2008)
IT'S NOT ME, IT'S YOU- lily allen (2009)
I feel like I should try to explain why there are Tommy Lee songs with 300+ playcounts on my iTunes, but I can't. I can't explain that. But, uh, I love that CD and I remember a point in high school when I considered Tommy Lee to be like... a step below Orlando Bloom when it came to hotness. So, yeah, there's that.
Favorite Albums of the Decade
THE BLUEPRINT- jay-z (2001)
BACK TO BASICS- christina aguilera (2006)
THE EVOLUTION OF ROBIN THICKE- robin thicke (2006)
(video: candyman, christina aguilera)
The Blueprint is generally spoken of as one of the best rap albums ever, and with songs like IZZO, Heart of the City, and Song Cry, it's easy to understand why. Now, admittedly I don't listen to this album as much as I used to (though I rock the unplugged version of Heart of the City all. the. time. Jaguar Wright sings the hook and if you haven't heard it, go, go, GO!) The Blueprint stays with me because I bought it (legally, mind you!) when I was walking home from 8th grade with my friend Kathleen on September 11th, 2001. I credit Back to Basics and Christina for muc of my current wardrobe. Mad Men obviously has a lot to do with it, but Christina started it. Robert and I would swing dance to Candyman in the dorm forever long ago freshman year. This is still one of my go-to CDs for working out and it's one one of the first things I put on when I get out on the ice. My love affair with Robin Thicke started a few years ago when I caught one of his older videos on VH1Soul one days and I thought to myself, 'well, this is one sexy mofo'. Then I heard his song 'Shooter' with Lil' Wayne off The Evolution and I was hooked. I'm not so sure how I feel about the music he's put out since the Evolution, but this remains one of my favorite CDs.
WRITING'S ON THE WALL- destiny's child (1999)
COLLEGE DROPOUT- kanye west(2004)
TISSUES AND ISSUES- charlotte church (2005)
(video: all falls down, kanye west; staring stacy dash)
Bugabo, Bills Bills Bills, Say My Name, Jumpin' Jumpin'... Writing's on the Wall was the entirety of my middle school experience. It seemed like more and more hits kept coming off this CD well into the 2000s. Didn't everyone else dance to Jumpin' Jumpin' at their eighth grade formal and make up dance moves to Bugaboo?
I cannot even begin to talk about my love for College Dropout and Kanye West. Yes, I completely separate the man from the music, though I have to admit that there are times when I love his swagger. Anyway, College Dropout is probably my favorite album hands down. All Falls Down is. my. song. It's been played a total of 857 times on my iTunes and I wouldn't be surprised if I sing it in my sleep. For some strange, strange reason I find myself relating to it and I swear it's not just the line, 'single black female addicted to retail' (which describes me to a tee). There's just something about that song that I love. And, if I'm being honest, there's not a song on the CD that I hate.
Tissues and Issues is just... hilarious to me. I love it, mostly because I love watching clips from the Charlotte Church Show and I love the fact that the girl that sed to be the angel faced opera singer released this CD with poppy bouncy songs like Crazy Chick and Call My Name. I've tried to get my friends into it and have failed miserably, so I'm fully willing to admit that maybe it's just me.
THE BOY WHO KNEW TOO MUCH- mika (2009)
THE MARSHAL MATHERS LP- eminem(2000)
WE SING. WE DANCE. WE STEAL THINGS.- jason mraz (2008)
(video: the real slim shady, eminem)
Eminem is the only thing that needs talking about here. I remember the first time I heard 'The Real Slim Shady'. I was riding home from skating lessons with my mom at around 7am and it came on Z-100. Uncensored. My mother was appalled. I didn't really GET it, but I knew it was cool because my mom hated it. I had to buy the LP in secret and listen to it in secret, but what began was a new appreciation for rap and a decade long love of Eminem. Taking aside the fact that he's crude, yes, and horridly offensive... listen to some of his lyrics. As terrifying as they can be? Sometimes they're brilliant as hell. Start with 'Mosh'.
LIFE IN CARTOON MOTION- mika (2007)
JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS- kay hanley(2001)
HAVE A NICE DAY- bon jovi (2005)
(video: josie and the pussycats opening)
Though I'm from New Jersey, it took me awhile to get into Bon Jovi. I don't know why it started with this particular album... maybe it just came at the right time. Whatever the reason, here we are, one of my favorites of the past decade. Senior year of high school was a beautiful time. As for Josie? Well, the early 2000s seemed to be a great time for silly teen movies. I can think of slews of Freddie Prinze jr. movies, Jason Biggs movies, Kirsten Dunst movies, and Rachel Leigh Cook movies. This one just happens to have been my favorite.
BACK TO BLACK- amy winehouse (2006)
FUTURE/SEX/LOVE/SOUNDS- justin timberlake(2006)
SPEAKERBOXXX/THE LOVE BELOW- outkast (2003)
(video: my love, justin timberlake ft. t.i.)
*RAISES HAND!* Hi, I can do the entire dance from the 'My Love' video. I spent an entire winter break learning it because I loved this video, this song, and this CD to pieces and because I have no life (and because there is a part in the video when T.I looks up and grins and I FUCKING MELT TO PIECES BECAUSE HE IS FYNE!). It was this CD that finally convinced me of Justin as a solo artist and I can actually listen to Justified with a new appreciation now. 2006 was a great year, because there was also Back to Black which... yeah. Tears Dry on Their Own? A 500+ playcount on my iTunes. Plenty of people have extolled the amazingness of Amy, so I won't go on too long except to say that I love this CD for now and forever. I need new material from her. I need it now.
CORINNE BAILEY RAE- corinne bailey rae (2006)
IDLEWILD- outkast/janelle monae/macy gray (2006)
WILLENIUM- will smith (1999)
(video: idlewild)
Idlewild seemes to be generally dismissed as a movie. I love it. I love the music, the acting, the dancing, and the weird twist the plot takes at the end. The soundtrack marks the last thing Outkast put out together as a duo and it wasn't as good as Speakerboxx/The Love Below (though the MOVIE did use a lot of stuff from The Love Below) it was different, and I liked that. It takes a lot from a 20s/30s sound and mixes it in with hiphop and rn'b. Best of all though? It introduced me to the goddess that is Janelle Monae.
NO STRINGS ATTACHED- 'n sync (2000)
SOL ANGEL AND THE HADLEY ST. DREAMS- solange knowles (2008)
SHINE- estelle (2008)
(video: i decided, solange knowles)
'N Sync. No Strings Attached. If you're from the ages of 19 to 25 I believe that is all I have to say.
THE MAKINGS OF ME- monica (2006)
ROCK AND ROLL JESUS- kid rock (2007)
100 DAYS 100 NIGHTS- sharon jones and the dap kings (2007)
(video: roll on, kid rock)
People really make fun of me for liking Kid Rock, but I think that's because they don't realise what Kid Rock's sound has evolved into. It's more of a... country-rock-gospel thing now. He's singing not rapping, and it's way different than what he started out with. Give him a chance, guys! The Makings of Me was NOT Monica's best CD, not by far, but it came out during a time when she was one of my main muses (PBs, for you RP savy folks) in a game that I was investing a hell of a lot of time in. I played this CD repeatedly while I wrote for this game and it took up a good chunk of my freshman and sophomore years in school, so the Makings of Me was with me for a good part of my time in college. Monica and I went through some shit together and it was AWESOME.
LET THE TRUTH BE TOLD- laura izibor (2009)
LATE REGISTRATION- kanye west (2005)
ONCE MORE WITH FEELING- the btvs cast (2001)
(video: gold digger, kanye west ft. jamie foxx)
I can go on and on about Kanye. Late Registration wasn't better than College Dropout, but.. it was close. And it introduced me to Lupe Fiasco. Touch the Sky, Gold Digger, Hey Mama, Heard 'Em Say, Roses... there're so many good songs on this album. "You know the best medicine go to people thats paid/If Magic Johnson got a cure for A.I.D.S./And all the broke muthafuckers past away/You tellin me if my grandma was in the N.B.A./Right now she'd be ok?/But since she was just a secretary/Working for the church/For thirty five years/Things supposed to stop right here"
Yeah. I love this CD. I love Kanye.
REAL GIRL- mutya buena (2007)
ALRIGHT STILL- lily allen (2006)
THE RISE AND FALL OF RUBY WOO- the puppini sisters (2007)
(video: alfie, lily allen)
The Puppini Sisters are so awesome! They're all over youtube and if you can find them and you liked Back to Basics I would recomend this for you-- that's how I was turned on to them. They sing everything from old standards like 'Mr. Sandman' and 'The Boogie-Woogie Bugle Boy' to new stuff like Beyonce's 'Crazy In Love', and they do it all sounding like the Andrew's Sisters. I found out about Lily Allen and Mutya Buena when I began to wonder what else I was missing out on from Across the Pond. There isn't a song on Alright Still that I won't listen to again and again, and while I mostly prefer Mutya's upbeat stuff that's fine with me. I can put both CDs on in the car, turn up the volume, and drive. LDN is just about one of the best driving songs there is.
TANGLED UP- girls aloud (2007)
VOODOO- d'angelo (2000)
B-DAY- beyonce (2006)
(video: how does it feel, d'angelo's pelvis)
Just go watch this. Words won't do it when it comes to D'Angelo. They just won't do it.
I AM... SASHA FIERCE- beyonce (2009)
A FEVER YOU CAN'T SWEAT OUT- panic! at the disco (2005)
BE- common (2005)
(video: i write sins not tragedies, panic! at the disco)
Panic! At the Disco is another band I get made fun of for listening to unironically, but I do! It helps that I think Brandon Urie is hot, sure, but there's something about the music I love as well, and this CD makes me bounce around every single time I (figuratively) pop it in my player!
About I Am... Sasha Fierce, well... I don't really know what to say aside from 'if you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it.
BETCHA BOTTOM DOLLAR- the puppini sisters (2006)
GRADUATION- kanye west (2007)
FOLIE A DEUX- fall out boy (2008)
(video: the good life, kanye west ft. t-pain)
Graduation was the weakest of the Kanye Trio, so lets talk about Fall Out Boy. Another band I am thoroughly embarrassed sometimes to admit that I listen to. I used to make fun of my brother for listening to them during their 'Dance Dance' era, but then Folie A Deux came out and I jumped right up on the bandwagon. I don't want to fuck Pete Wentz, I just want to dance around singing, 'I don't care'.
OUT OF CONTROL- girls aloud (2008)
THE METROPOLIS SUITE PART I: THE CHASE- janelle monae (2007)
DREAMGIRLS- beyonce, jamie foxx, jennifer hudson, anika noni-rose, et al. (2006)
Oh, Janelle. My song and hair-spiration. I love her so, so much. She's not trying to be anything but herself (and a cyborg running away from the intergalatic law!) and I adore her for it.
VAMPIRE WEEKEND- vampire weekend (2008)
FLY- dixie chicks (1999)
PRETTY. ODD.- panic at the disco (2008)
I don't know about you, but I spent a good deal of time when I was thirteen bouncing around and screaming about how Earl had to die. Because he did, damnit. I still know every single word to that song, and it was 'Goodbye Earl' that made me go out after school and buy the entire album. Thus, I was introduced to the Dixie Chicks. It's not a CD that I play very often these days (though their others get a heavy rotation on my playlist) but the earlier half of the decade was all about this CD for me.
TOMMYLAND: THE RIDE- tommy lee (2005)
IN THE HEIGHTS- lin manuel miranda, et al. (2008)
IT'S NOT ME, IT'S YOU- lily allen (2009)
I feel like I should try to explain why there are Tommy Lee songs with 300+ playcounts on my iTunes, but I can't. I can't explain that. But, uh, I love that CD and I remember a point in high school when I considered Tommy Lee to be like... a step below Orlando Bloom when it came to hotness. So, yeah, there's that.