I am not qualified to publish a list of the decade’s best albums. I did not purchase – or listen to – enough albums to be comfortable to say what’s the best. I also realize that Wikipedia’s yearly lists of album releases are hardly complete. Many of the CD’s I did buy are not listed.
So what I offer today is a list of 10 of my favorite albums from the decade. They are listed chronologically by release date.
2010
Accept / “Blood of the Nations”
Accept has been a guilty pleasure of mine since high school when a friend made me a mixed tape that included “Fast As A Shark.” From there, I became an Accept completist, gathering their first seven releases. They were a soundtrack to my long- distance runs during my years of competing in cross-country and track.
I got to see Accept live a handful of times, including my first club show back in 1986, when Accept headlined the Hartford Agora with support acts Helix and Keel.
So when I say “Blood of the Nations” is the band’s best work, I think I am qualified to make that bold statement. “Teutonic Terror” is the signature tune, but there’s not a bad track on this disc. Vocalist Mark Tornillo makes it easy to forget Udo Dirkschneider, and Accept always has been about driving guitars and heaviness.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=req-oDf2ZRc
Zac Brown Band / “Pass The Jar”
I wasn’t too familiar with Zac Brown when I first saw – yes, saw – a concert DVD that was filmed during the recording of this record. I was at a friend’s vacation home in the mountains of McCall, Idaho. That was my introduction to this recording, and this video routinely played as we partied at a cabin affectionately known as Morning Wood.
This was a a benefit concert that features Zac and his band with a many special guests (Kid Rock, Aslyn Mitchell, Shawn Mullins to name a few). I had always perceived Zac Brown as a country artist, but this concert moves him from the country genre to more of a rock band with a country tinge.
I got to see Zac Brown perform live here in Boise, and it’s a heck of a show.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QchAohQLfYI
2011
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones / “The Magic of Youth”
Over the years, the Bosstones have become one of my favorite bands. Our wedding photo album is titled “Pictures to Prove It,” a song I first heard on CD-101 in my hometown of Columbus, Ohio back in 1994. My Instagram photo is one of me and Dicky Barrett, the lead singer of the band, taken at the Warped Tour stop in Nampa, Idaho, back in 2002.
I own every Bosstones release and can say with a straight face and confidence that their newer material is as good or better than its prime in the mid- to late-90’s. I had a hard time choosing between this CD and the most recent “While We’re At It.”
The “Magic of Youth” showcases the band at its best, from the driving opening track “The Daylights” and continuing through all 37 minutes. The title track also stands out on a disc that encompasses what you’d expect from the Bosstones: ska guitar and horns, punk attitude and great lyrics.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGh3cclk2ck
2012
Watershed / “Brick and Mortar”
If Watershed had an album that didn’t sound like Watershed, this is it. From the ridiculously clever “American Muscle” to kicking Jerry Garcia in the balls in “Manifesto (What I Like to Do),” you get more than typical Watershed pop gems.
I wore this CD out back in 2012 (as well as all Watershed material) after reading “Hitless Wonder.” After nearly eight years, this record stands the test of time. Seeing the band live for the first time the next year in Raleigh was what sealed the deal in making Watershed my favorite band.
“Broken” is my favorite track, but there’s a lot in versatility packed into these 32 minutes. “Don’t Be Honest” is another winner, as are most songs on this album.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXG9zbIkrnI
The Gaslight Anthem “Handwritten”
I’d heard of The Gaslight Anthem, but I hadn’t really heard them until Pandora kept playing their songs on my Watershed radio station. I’m grateful that happened.
I found this disc in the used bin at The Record Exchange, and it’s spectacular. I probably should have been in on these guys a few years earlier, but I have a history of being late to the party on bands (see The Replacements, Watershed).
The opener “45” sets the tone and this record is filled with good stuff, including the title track, “Too Much Blood,” “Here Comes My Man” and “Desire.” This is a top-to-bottom great listen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oST77VRHXt0
2016
Two Cow Garage / “Brand New Flag”
I was relatively unfamiliar with Two Cow Garage until around the time this album was released. I heard “Ain’t No Shame” on a playlist that Joe Oestreich put together for a “Hitless Wonder” interview, but that was it untiI I met drummer David Murphy through his girlfriend, a longtime friend.
When TCG came to Boise, I had a pre-show dinner with David and a couple of the guys and saw their show at The Olympic, one of my favorite venues here. I purchased this CD that night and was blown away. It’s chock full of songs with attitude, melodies and stories. Plus, I really seem to gravitate to bands where different members sing (see Kiss, Watershed).
While the single “Let the Boys Be Girls” is catchy and memorable, the highlight is “This Little Light,” a story about a scary incident at a gas station in Houston that is a powerful piece of songwriting that is award worthy. “Beauty in the Futility” is another gem.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vJCny5leTI
2017
Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers / “Native Heart”
One of my favorite acts dating back to his days leading The Refreshments. Roger puts on a solid show (I’ve seen him eight or nine times), mixing songs from his major-label days to his numerous releases with the Peacemakers, who formed in 1999 after The Refreshments opted out of their record deal to go it alone. Here’s a little history.
“Native Heart” is a 10-song, 38-minute listen of Clyne’s brand of rock. The opening song “Flowerin’” is an uppity tone setter that puts you in a good mood. “Sunday Drivin’” and “Barons to Break” are other highlights.
“Fun” comes across as autobiographical for Roger. “I got a few strings left on this guitar / we’re all crammed in this dingy bar,” lyrics that sum up the RCPM experience nicely.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7zHrTux1-U
2018
The Regrettes / “Attention Seeker” (ep)
Boise has a music festival -Treefort - each March, right after South by Southwest that attracts hundreds of “emerging” artists, most of whom I’ve never heard of. It’s become one of my favorite five days of the year.
Each year, I come away with a favorite. In 2018, it was The Regrettes. I popped into the all-ages venue (a vacant retail space outfitted with a stage) and was blown away by the energy, attitude and presentation of this group. I sensed a cross between the GoGo’s with the singer morphing between Madonna. Lady Gaga and Gwen Stefani throughout the set.
We also were in San Diego last year and The Regrettes just happened to be playing the House of Blues that night on the closing night of SiriusXM’s AltNation Advanced Placement Tour. The band was just as good. This little five song EP is a showcase for what they’re about.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmABv_iwVL8
2019
The French Tips / “It’s the Tips”
This Boise-based band’s debut record is strong. My wife and Angela (the drummer) work out at the same gym, and that’s how I learned of them. They did an in-store performance at our cool local Record Exchange to release this CD.
I purchased it that night and was pleasantly surprised. “Burn It Down” is a powerful and catchy anthem, and “Buzzkill” probably best defines this all-female trio’s signature sound.
The band killed their set at last year’s Treefort Music Festival, and I was glad to see they were selected again to play this year. Check this out – I think you’ll enjoy it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKwPo8Ko7eE
Chicos de Nazca / “Since You Got It”
Every Sunday, I watch the New York football Giants lose while sitting at Clairvoyant Brewing. The perk I get is the bartender is a DJ on our local NPR radio station who plays all kinds of music at the bar instead of the annoying announcers.
I use the Shazam app to find out who the artists and songs are, and this was definitely a standout. With a little research, I learned this band is from Santiago, Chile, but formed in Germany. I think they sound a lot like The Church.
“Stuck by Your Fire” is my favorite of the nine songs, but the other eight have a similar groove and feel that makes for an enjoyable listen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgFZR6AZLUI