Top Albums Of T'Thousands 100-91

2000-2009: The real countdown begins...

100. Wiley - Playtime Is Over [Big Dada - 2007]

In a constantly evolving UK urban scene, this album still remains fresh, uncompromising and most importantly of all, dripping with attitude. When placed against 2004's Treddin' On Thin Ice, this album emerges stronger and more varied with obvious improvements in Wiley's production and songwriting.

99. Japandroids - Post-Nothing [Polyvinyl - 2009]

How can a two-piece make such a colossal noise? Japandroids can. Think of lo-fi and what do you imagine? An introvert recording his carefully constructed but never fully realised songs on a 4-track? An underground band releasing fuzzy pop gems? Japandroids better the latter with a line-up closer in numbers to the former. This is a punk Boston in a basement, inspirational to DIY lovers everywhere.

98. The Dismemberment Plan - Change [Desoto - 2001]

Will The Dismemberment Plan be remembered for Change, their final outing before parting ways? Probably not, their previous release Emergency & I was somewhat of a cultural zeitgeist of indie rock at the turn of the century, defining the mood of the times but at the same time breaking free of it. What Change marks is a band aware of their abilities, growing older and wiser. More calm and competent than its predecessor, perhaps Travis Morrison really was just a sentimental man at heart. Does it matter if The D-Plan are remembered for Change? Probably not, the music will speak for itself, it's been blown from the face of the Earth.

97. Balmorhea - Rivers Arms [Western Vinyl - 2008]

One of modern music's greatest attributes, and quite frankly, assets, is its ability to be versatile. In terms of style, you will not find a better example of versatility and variation in a record than Rivers Arms. At one moment freak folk ballad, the next an Einaudi-esque lullaby, and that's just the first two songs. An album for contemplation, and celebration of life's little intricacies.

96. Zomby - Where Were U In '92? [Werk - 2008]

Where were u in '92? This is what Zomby asks his listener. Turning from creator of interesting and crowd-pleasing dubstep tunes to full-blown producer extraordinaire in the space of 38 minutes. As the title suggests, this record evokes now distant memories of the late 80s and early 90s rave heyday. Zomby is not afraid to mix things up, no pun intended, listen to this at night, intoxicated, as often as deemed necessary, until you really ARE in '92.

95. Efterklang - Tripper [Leaf - 2004]

An eerie and haunting bundle of IDM meets post-rock flirtations. From the wonderfully understated 'Foetus' to what is arguably the album's focal centrepiece 'Collecting Shields', what you have here is something to cherish for those moments when everything comes together and just feels right. Immerse yourself in their world and chances are you won't want to return.

94. Dappled Cities - Granddance [Dangerbird - 2006]

Dappled Cities Fly, that is what this Australian 5-piece were once called. Well in spite of dropping the fly from their name for this album, they have never truly flown in quite this way, irony much? 'Holy Chord' builds to a tense peak before erupting into all sorts of mess, soaring left, right, and yes, centre. The singles 'Fire Fire Fire' and 'Vision Bell' only begin to scratch the surface of what a hidden gem this record is. Catch them now before everyone and their indie friend called Rain do, and they fly on away into the sunset.

93. Elvis Perkins - Ash Wednesday [XL - 2007]

If there is any justice in the world this album will one day be truly appreciated. Elvis Perkins, son of actor Anthony Perkins, best known for playing Norman Bates in Psycho is an undoubtedly gifted songwriter. This album is a eulogy to his mother who died in the 9/11 attacks. An album for Wednesday 12 September, the day after Perkins lost his mother and had "Nothing left but ash". While also being a tribute to his father who died on the same day in 1992. Rousing acoustic ballads with lush orchestration, listen to what this man has to say, preferably through headphones and you'll cherish every bittersweet word.

92. The Go! Team - Thunder, Lightning, Strike [Memphis Industries - 2004]

Imagine, if you will, taking a ridiculous assortment of paraphernalia that has made twenty-first century life fun and carefree, and then put it to music. This is the epitomy of the word party. Playful vocals, danceable rhythms, pop culture samples and Sonic Youth on E guitars. All of these and more are combined into a cohesive whole that will have you frothing at the mouth and in some kind of frenzy.

91. No Age - Nouns [Sub Pop - 2008]

This is lo-fi at its most frenetic and scary. Distorted fuzzy guitars and powerful drumming. And yet, as with the aforementioned Japandroids, they're only a duo! These lo-fi partnerships really are putting serious questions to bands with larger memberships over their inability to create a ruckus quite like this. If two guys can create songs such as 'Teen Creeps' then so help you, the rest of you better get your act together lest they wipe the floor with you.

Next time, the waste of paint continues with numbers 90-81 announced. The next ten in the list include deaths, comebacks and mainstays. In the meantime, parting is such sweet sorrow but sorrow is such sweet inspiration.