The Best Five Albums of the Last Ten Years

Everyone has a certain musical artist that they've come to love. Usually we love that artist because of consistency. They're the special musicians who produce amazing work over and over again. While, most bands struggle after their first album, there are a select few who keep it going for years.

With that, I'll share what I personally think are the best five albums of the last ten years.

#5.

Appeal to Reason
Artist: Rise Against
Notable Songs: "From Heads Unworthy" and "Whereabouts Unknown"



Just an overall great listen. Every song is catchy, and transitions seamlessly from track to track. A solid mix of rock and alternative sounds. The band has an amazingly fresh sound. Not one to conform to the hundreds of bands out there, Rise Against show a lot of old school punk sounds in their work, while maintaining a unique modern edge.


#4.

Mezmerize
Artist: System of a Down
Notable Songs: "Radio / Video" and "Question!"

This album is just... well it's simply insane. Sporadic and random. Amazing guitar riffs and drum work. Of course all of this is highlighted by their lead singer, Serj Tankian. Very abstract and influential commentary that deal with issues of both society, and modern politics.


#3.

Iowa
Artist: Slipknot
Notable Songs: "Skin Ticket" and "My Plague"

Probably one of the angriest albums ever created. Unlike most "aggro" albums, Slipknot once again, does not just throw in lyrics that sound catchy. They write lyrics that actually mean something. I know, how strange is that? Filled with great drumming by Joey Jordison and the growling verses spat at you by Corey Taylor, the band manages to punch you right in the face with their sound. At the same time you want to just come back for more. Iowa, is simply put as a sick, disgusting and beautiful sound.






#2.

Overcome
Artist: All That Remains
Notable Songs: "Days Without" and "Do Not Obey"

Everything is amazing. The drumming - flawless. Some of the sickest guitarwork that's been heard work in awhile. And Phil Labonte's mix of vocals is astounding. Every song of the album is catchy, while five or six, could easily be successful singles.


#1.

The Battle of Los Angeles
Artist: Rage Against the Machine
Notable Songs: "Born of a Broken Man" and "Sleep Now In The Fire"

Only very recently has this band become one of my favourites. Although having only listened to the album four or five times, songs like "Born of a Broken Man" have been played in my head by the dozen. A solid mix of hip-hop, rock and funk, every song is a classic that will undoubtedly receive their fair share of playtime on my iPod. Much like the aforementioned "Mezmerize," this album takes upon itself the duty of not only questioning, but influencing our society and political systems. With refined aggression, extraordinary musicianship and a strong lyrical message, "The Battle of Los Angeles" is the best album to be released in the last twenty years.

You're All Hypocrites

For the past two weeks or so, the headlines for many newspapers, news reports on television and of course, YouTube have been about the life and death of the infamous "King of Pop," Michael Jackson. Obviously if you have anywhere between at least three and seven brain cells, you know and can't deny that he was probably the biggest influence on music (possibly only rivalled by Rick Astley of course,) in history.
Of course though he did get himself into a lot of shit, which he couldn't really recover from. We've all seen the clip of him dangling his kid out of a window. Yes, that was fucked up... but there's more. He all know he tried to change his skin colour and he took the concept of never growing up a little too seriously.
See the thing that bites my grapes the most, is that ever since he passed away, all we hear is "May He Finally Rest in Peace," or "Long Live the King." These comments are coming from the same people who for years had called him "Wacko Jacko," or made comments about his nose, or about the accusations of him being a paedophile. I made those jokes occasionally too, but I've never tried to take them back, or pretend like they didn't happen. I feel bad that he's gone, and for how his kids must feel but, I refuse to take back what I've ever said (oh and if you're wondering, I was never really a hater, but the jokes were kind of infectious if you get what I mean.)
It's like as soon as he dies, eighty percent of the people who had ridiculed him, now are the ones who scold someone who says a joke or something off colour about him. This is truly a case of people hopping on the bandwagon as if it were Noah's Arc.
Lost in all of this, was the death of Farrah Fawcett. Remembered by most as being a super hot actress (notably she was one of the original Charlie's Angels,) back in the day. In my opinion she was a pretty classy lady. When most people moan about a small scratch or putting on an extra pound, Farrah always seemed to have on a brave face, while all the while dealing with her cancer.
Basically, all I want to get across is that people really need to listen to clichés like "you'll miss me when I'm gone," because people seem to forget how at any moment life can be taken away. Then it's too late. Your apologies are never heard, and it's too late to make a difference.

R.I.P

Farrah Fawcett
and
Michael Jackson