2000 vs. 2010
For the third year running 
littlerhymes and I look back once more on our favourite songs of now compared to ten years ago.
10 from 2000
NSYNC - It's Gonna Be Me (No Strings Attached)
I was actually still going through my "I'm too cool for pop" phase in 2000 (at least on the outside) but even I could never deny the catchiness of songs like this and Bye Bye Bye. And like Ro says in her write-up, without NSYNC we may never have met, and that just seems like a crazy thought, looking back on this decade.
Eels - Mr E's Beautiful Blues (Daisies of the Galaxy)
Goddamn right this is an excellent song.
No Doubt - Bathwater (Return of Saturn)
I still think this is one of the saddest songs ever hidden inside a bouncy pop song.
Elliott Smith - Son of Sam (Figure 8)
This first single from Figure 8 seemed so much robust and upbeat than the delicate XO songs that it took me a long while to realise that Figure 8 is actually the more fractured, more sad album. This is no longer my favourite song from the album but it was the one I wore out 10 years ago.
Hanson - This Time Around (This Time Around)
This was the album before they slid into oblivion for the better part of the decade, which was a shame because this song was probably their best musically - just ridiculously catchy, joyous piano-pop.
Britney Spears - Stronger (Oops...I Did It Again)
This album was probably my most guilty of pleasures of that time - I wanted to be an indie kid, but deep down I loved singing along and dancing like a loon to this and Lucky and Oops and...yeah. Don't worry, I grew up and realised I can like whatever music I bloody well like. :)
Belle and Sebastian - I Fought in a War (Fold your hands child, you walk like a peasant)
The moment I fell in love with Belle and Sebastian. I still heart this album lots, even if it's not typical B&S.
The Dandy Warhols - Godless (13 Tales of Urban Bohemia)
At the top of their game. Whenever I hear this song I always have the image of that guy with the hula hoop, lazily, perfectly spinning around his waist in slinky time with this song.
Coldplay - Shiver (Parachutes)
I was so sick of hearing Yellow on the radio, but the pretty, sadsack longing in this song got me every time.
Radiohead - Optimistic (Kid A)
I admit, I was one of those fans that turned on Kid A, that hated it on first listen, scared by the change in their sound. But (in a Stockholm Syndrome'd kind of way?) I've really come to love the pair of albums from that difficult transition period. This song struck me at first for being less harsh, less chilly than the rest of the album.
Bonus songs
Ryan Adams - In My Time of Need (Heartbreaker)
PJ Harvey - A Place Called Home (Tales from the City, Tales from the Sea)
vs.
I've gone with songs from my 10 top albums this year though I've tried not to double up on tracks I've already posted earlier this year (which should still be available under the mp3 tag).
10 from 2010
Kanye West - Power (My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy)
All those crazy, musically-diverse layers - beats, lyrics, themes, ego and doubts - through the album. And it was still tough to pick between this and Monster as my favourite tracks.
Arcade Fire - Ready to Start (The Suburbs)
The album did not grab me on first listen, but it was definitely a grower. Lots of great tracks to pick from - The Suburbs, Sprawl II - but I love the intense, restless, driving feel of this song, the abrupt end signalling the beginning to come.
Rufus Wainwright - Sad With What I Have (All Days are Night: Songs for Lulu)
I love that Rufus Wainwright's idea of“stripped back”still includes gorgeously lush piano-driven heartbreaking paens to grief and love.
Jukebox the Ghost - The Stars (Everything Under the Sun)
So many fine, catchy pop songs, so much intelligent thought behind it. Great follow-up album.
Menomena - TAOS (Mines)
I love the musical layers in this, from the yelping voice to the fuzzy bass to the beat to those great horns. The album is pretty damn great too.
My Chemical Romance - Bulletproof Heart (Danger Days)
Anthemic and built to be played loud. It's not rocket science, but it is damn catchy and fun.
Lightspeed Champion - Faculty of Fear (Life is Sweet! Pleased to Meet You)
Great songs that are more complex than they seem at first, with lush orchestral arrangements, clever lyrics, and diverse musical styles.
Steel Train -Bullet (Steel Train)
Sweet, fun indie pop that I've had on repeat constantly this year.
Sufjan Stevens - I Walked
I'm still not sure I entirely like this album end-to-end, but it absolutely has some terrific moments, such as I Walked and the 25 minute standout, Impossible Soul.
Janelle Monae - Cold War (The ArchAndroid)
I love her voice, and the ambitious mishmash of genres and styles all through her music, while remaining catchy as hell.
Bonus Songs
Bad Books - Holding Down the Laughter
Patrick Wolf - Time of My Life
The National - Bloodbuzz Ohio
Manchester Orchestra - I Could Be With Anyone
Belle & Sebastian - I Want the World to Stop
Annuals - Turncloaking
Boy & Bear - Rabbit Song
Ro's 10 from 2000 and 2010
9 from 1999 and 2009
version littlerhymes | version proteinscollide
8 from 1998 and 2008
version littlerhymes | version proteinscollide
littlerhymes and I look back once more on our favourite songs of now compared to ten years ago.
10 from 2000
NSYNC - It's Gonna Be Me (No Strings Attached)
I was actually still going through my "I'm too cool for pop" phase in 2000 (at least on the outside) but even I could never deny the catchiness of songs like this and Bye Bye Bye. And like Ro says in her write-up, without NSYNC we may never have met, and that just seems like a crazy thought, looking back on this decade.
Eels - Mr E's Beautiful Blues (Daisies of the Galaxy)
Goddamn right this is an excellent song.
No Doubt - Bathwater (Return of Saturn)
I still think this is one of the saddest songs ever hidden inside a bouncy pop song.
Elliott Smith - Son of Sam (Figure 8)
This first single from Figure 8 seemed so much robust and upbeat than the delicate XO songs that it took me a long while to realise that Figure 8 is actually the more fractured, more sad album. This is no longer my favourite song from the album but it was the one I wore out 10 years ago.
Hanson - This Time Around (This Time Around)
This was the album before they slid into oblivion for the better part of the decade, which was a shame because this song was probably their best musically - just ridiculously catchy, joyous piano-pop.
Britney Spears - Stronger (Oops...I Did It Again)
This album was probably my most guilty of pleasures of that time - I wanted to be an indie kid, but deep down I loved singing along and dancing like a loon to this and Lucky and Oops and...yeah. Don't worry, I grew up and realised I can like whatever music I bloody well like. :)
Belle and Sebastian - I Fought in a War (Fold your hands child, you walk like a peasant)
The moment I fell in love with Belle and Sebastian. I still heart this album lots, even if it's not typical B&S.
The Dandy Warhols - Godless (13 Tales of Urban Bohemia)
At the top of their game. Whenever I hear this song I always have the image of that guy with the hula hoop, lazily, perfectly spinning around his waist in slinky time with this song.
Coldplay - Shiver (Parachutes)
I was so sick of hearing Yellow on the radio, but the pretty, sadsack longing in this song got me every time.
Radiohead - Optimistic (Kid A)
I admit, I was one of those fans that turned on Kid A, that hated it on first listen, scared by the change in their sound. But (in a Stockholm Syndrome'd kind of way?) I've really come to love the pair of albums from that difficult transition period. This song struck me at first for being less harsh, less chilly than the rest of the album.
Bonus songs
Ryan Adams - In My Time of Need (Heartbreaker)
PJ Harvey - A Place Called Home (Tales from the City, Tales from the Sea)
vs.
I've gone with songs from my 10 top albums this year though I've tried not to double up on tracks I've already posted earlier this year (which should still be available under the mp3 tag).
10 from 2010
Kanye West - Power (My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy)
All those crazy, musically-diverse layers - beats, lyrics, themes, ego and doubts - through the album. And it was still tough to pick between this and Monster as my favourite tracks.
Arcade Fire - Ready to Start (The Suburbs)
The album did not grab me on first listen, but it was definitely a grower. Lots of great tracks to pick from - The Suburbs, Sprawl II - but I love the intense, restless, driving feel of this song, the abrupt end signalling the beginning to come.
Rufus Wainwright - Sad With What I Have (All Days are Night: Songs for Lulu)
I love that Rufus Wainwright's idea of“stripped back”still includes gorgeously lush piano-driven heartbreaking paens to grief and love.
Jukebox the Ghost - The Stars (Everything Under the Sun)
So many fine, catchy pop songs, so much intelligent thought behind it. Great follow-up album.
Menomena - TAOS (Mines)
I love the musical layers in this, from the yelping voice to the fuzzy bass to the beat to those great horns. The album is pretty damn great too.
My Chemical Romance - Bulletproof Heart (Danger Days)
Anthemic and built to be played loud. It's not rocket science, but it is damn catchy and fun.
Lightspeed Champion - Faculty of Fear (Life is Sweet! Pleased to Meet You)
Great songs that are more complex than they seem at first, with lush orchestral arrangements, clever lyrics, and diverse musical styles.
Steel Train -Bullet (Steel Train)
Sweet, fun indie pop that I've had on repeat constantly this year.
Sufjan Stevens - I Walked
I'm still not sure I entirely like this album end-to-end, but it absolutely has some terrific moments, such as I Walked and the 25 minute standout, Impossible Soul.
Janelle Monae - Cold War (The ArchAndroid)
I love her voice, and the ambitious mishmash of genres and styles all through her music, while remaining catchy as hell.
Bonus Songs
Bad Books - Holding Down the Laughter
Patrick Wolf - Time of My Life
The National - Bloodbuzz Ohio
Manchester Orchestra - I Could Be With Anyone
Belle & Sebastian - I Want the World to Stop
Annuals - Turncloaking
Boy & Bear - Rabbit Song
Ro's 10 from 2000 and 2010
9 from 1999 and 2009
version littlerhymes | version proteinscollide
8 from 1998 and 2008
version littlerhymes | version proteinscollide