Who Had the Best Decade?

Man… I can’t believe that it’s almost 2010!!! I swear, these past 10 years went by way too fast! I was listening to MPR’s All Songs Considered and they asked a very intriguing music question, “Who had the best decade?” Here are your nominees chosen by me (this is just my opinion):

Chris Tomlin – Passion: The Road to OneDay (2000), Passion: One Day Live (2000), The Noise We Make (2001), Passion: Our Love is Loud (2002), Not to Us (2002), Passion: Sacred Revolution: Songs from OneDay 03 (2003), Passion: Hymns: Ancient and Modern (2004), Arriving (2004), Live from Austin Music Hall (2005), Passion: How Great Is Our God (2005), Everything Glorious (2006), Passion: God of This City (2008), Hello Love (2008), Glory in the Highest: Christmas Songs of Worship (2009)

I’m including the entire Passion family (David Crowder Band, Charlie Hall, Steve Fee, etc.) in this one. This past decade has been an amazing one for me spiritually and a lot of that was due to the entire Passion record label.

U2 – All That You Can’t Leave Behind (2000), How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (2004), No Line on the Horizon (2009)

In late 2000, I heard Beautiful Day and was blown away by all the subtleties of it. From that moment on, the Edge became my guitar hero. That combined with the bands philanthropic efforts also made me realize that you don’t need be in a “Christian” band to be Christians.

Coldplay – Parachutes (2000), A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002), X&Y (2005), Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends (2008)

Man… Coldplay had an amazing decade… Just look at those albums! Those are all completely solid pieces of work! They, like U2, also have good hearts and care for others.

Bruce Springsteen – The Rising (2002), Devils & Dust (2005), We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions (2006), Magic (2007), Working on a Dream (2009)

The Boss is amazing… this man is already a Legend but feels that he needs to continue to make a Legacy. We Shall Overcome is one of my favorite albums ever.

The White Stripes – De Stijl (2000), White Blood Cells (2001), Elephant (2003), Get Behind Me Satan (2005), Icky Thump (2007)

This band came out of nowhere with their look and sound. Jack White has been one of the best things about the past 10 years and I’m not even including his Raconteurs or his Dead Weather stuff.

Wilco – Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (2002), A Ghost is Born (2004), Kicking Television: Live in Chicago (2005), Sky Blue Sky (2007), Wilco: The Album (2009)

Man I just want to swear because I love Wilco so much!!! DANG IT!!! There… I did it... I swore. Seriously, Wilco changed my life. Jeff Tweedy is the perfect combination of awesome guitar player and perfect lyricist. A Ghost is Born still blows me away and is my favorite albums of the decade.

Radiohead – Kid A (2000), Amnesiac (2001), Hail to the Thief (2003), In Rainbows (2007)

What can I say? What can I say that can put into words how awesome Radiohead is. I remember Josh telling me how awesome Kid A was. Then came out Amnesiac and I picked up both albums. Josh was right… Radiohead is awesome! When Hail to the Thief came out, I fell in love with their evolved sound. Johnny Greenwood isn’t one of the best guitarists in the world; he’s a freaking Sound Wizard!

I think the bands listed above are the bigger acts of this past decade. But which one do I think deserves the award of “Who Had the Best Decade?” I don’t know, I’ll have to listen to these albums over the break and will let you all know who I choose.

Here are some other bands that I think “Had a Great Decade.”

Death Cab for Cutie – We Have the Facts and We’re Voting Yes (2000), The Photo Album (2001), Transatlanticism (2003), Plans (2005), Narrow Stairs (2008), The Open Door EP (2009)

Sigur Ros – ( ) (2002), Takk… (2005), Med suo I eyrum vio spilum endalaust (2008)

Gorillaz – Gorillaz (2001), Demon Days (2005)

Switchfoot – Learning to Breathe (2000), The Beautiful Letdown (2003), Nothing is Sound (2005), Oh! Gravity (2006), Hello Hurricane (2009)

Hillsong United – Best Friend (2000), King of Majesty (2001), To the Ends of the Earth (2002), More Than Life (2004), Look to You (2005), United We Stand (2006), All of the Above (2007), The I Heart Revolution: With Hearts as One (2008), [a_CROSS//the_EARTH] :: Tear Down the Walls (2009)

Who am I missing from this list? What band/album am I overlooking?