2000
Coldplay - 'Parachutes'
Far more raw than their later album 'A Rush Of Blood To The Head', this album came out around the time I moved to England from Australia. I'd never even heard of Coldplay, but I listened to the album in my friend's Dad's car just before we left, and she gave it to me as a parting present. I remember unpacking all my things from my room in Sydney in this strange environment, wondering if I'd ever manage to make this country my home. Although Yellow is arguably the most famous track from the album, I like Don't Panic and We Never Change.
2001
The Strokes - 'Is This It'
Now I know I featured a song from this album in a post back in January, but it's just too good to leave out. Although Last Night was the first song I remember dancing around to (not really understanding the words), every year I go back and revisit it and find something new and different to appreciate. I know it's a cliché, but it's true: this album is timeless. Here's my favourite track of the moment, Is This It:
2002
Christina Aguilera - 'Stripped'
Apart from being the biggest reinvention EVER, this album marked a new departure for pop. Granted, Christina might have taken her image of a 'bad girl' to a whole new, chlamydia-ridden level, but it signalled the death of the 'bubblegum' girls of pop. Xtina was the first of the 'independent women' (P!nk back in the 90's being a notable exception), who gave out the message that being a slag is A-Ok. And as impressionable 11-year olds, who read the Cosmopolitan sex pages with a flashlight under the duvets at night, we totally lapped it up. At this time, I was out at our sister school in France for a term. 'Stripped' was the soundtrack to the gruelling workouts many of the girls did at stupid-o'clock in the morning, before jumping in a cold shower (apparently they'd read in Glamour/Cosmo/Elle that it was good for muscle tone) and surreptitiously eyeing each other up afterwards. For many of us, this album heralded the start of womanhood, and what a great example Christina gave... Here she is, with the unforgettable video for Dirrty:
2003
Beyoncé - 'Dangerously in Love'
Dido - 'Life for Rent'
2004
Arcade Fire - 'Funeral'
2004 was the year I started to really take charge over what I listened to. I got given a 1st Gen iPod for Christmas, and, whenever I was home, I spent all my time on the iTunes store looking for new music (and chatting to people on MSN messenger, obviously...). Power Out was the first track I got off the album, but I later returned and bought the whole thing. It was the beginning of a beautiful relationship. Here's Rebellion (Lies):
Gavin DeGraw - 'Chariot'
It's 2004 and the battle between The OC and One Tree Hill is raging. Personally, I was always an OC girl, but I have to admit that Gavin DeGraw (who's song, I Don't Wanna Be was (is?) the opening track for each episode) just beat his OC equivalent, Phantom Planet, in the album stakes. Largely through the influence of these series, a lot of my friends started to take an interest in songs that weren't necessarily top of the charts. 'Chariot' was an album that did the rounds of the dormitories at boarding school, and soon nearly everyone in our year knew the words to every track. When I was compiling this list, I decided for quality's control, I should probably give it another listen after all these years. I was pleasantly surprised that it's stood the test of time - and I can confirm I still know all the words.
Interpol - 'Antics'
I distinctly remember feeling pretty fucking cool when I bought this album. As a pent-up teenager, who was angry at the world/nothing in particular, Interpol provided the gritty emotion that I thought I was capable of feeling. Whatever I believed I was going through, there's no doubting that this album is REALLY GOOD. Although they followed with at least two more over the next 5 or so years, in my opinion, none were as rawly charged as the first. Here's what I'm talking about:
Keane - 'Hopes and Fears'
2005
Bloc Party - 'Silent Alarm'
Brendan Benson - 'Alternative to Love'
The Guillemots - 'Through the Windowpane'
2005 was the year I got what I'd been wishing for through listening to music: a real life boyfriend and relationship. After nearly a year of drama, teenage declarations of love, and mountainous phone bills for both parties' parents, we went on holiday to France (with the whole family, obviously, Easyjet don't do unaccompanied minors...). 'Through the Windowpane' was my then-boyfriend's choice of car listening material, and was the soundtrack to a Summer of inappropriate behaviour and acting as terrible influences on his little sister. We're Here was the sound of sunshine and freedom, and still puts a smile on my face nearly 8 years later.
Jack Johnson - 'In Between Dreams'
This summer was also the summer I discovered photography. With not much to do, I wondered around my area of London taking shots of church spires and gates before hurrying home and photoshopping them to death. I thought I was being pretty 'arty', but I've since come across them and they are utterly terrible. I remember I entitled one of my pretentious shots Sitting, Waiting, Wishing - a tribute to a track on Jack Johnson's album, which was on repeat during the tedious editing process. Although I cringe at the photos, I still listen to the album and remember how utterly naive I was but didn't want to admit it.
2006
Akala - 'It's Not A Rumour'
Welcome to 2006, where UK Hip Hop is beginning to take over music and fashion. Every boy I know (who, by the way, all attended prestigious public schools) dresses in adidas tracksuits, and the girls in Jack Wills 'trackie-bums' slung low across their hips. Everybody smoked, drank, and pretended that life at their Hampshire home was, like, so hard. It was also around this time that the film Kidulthood was released, and our generation - especially the down-trodden teenagers at public schools - totally related to it. Naturally, our soundtrack mirrored that of the film, full of British rappers spouting about AK-47's, running from the feds, and being black on white council estates. We were all over it.
Justin Timberlake - 'FutureSex/LoveSounds'
2006 was also the year we discovered fake ID's. Although not much better than a card with 'I am 18' written on it in felt tip, it seemed to be sufficient for most supermarkets, clubs and pubs. House parties became a thing of the past - it was all about hitting the off-licenses before going out in Soho. Us girls, who could pile on the makeup and age ourselves about 10 years, didn't have as much trouble as the pre-pubescent boys, whose "photocopied passports" didn't always cut it with the bouncers - even at the most seedy of establishments. If we managed to get in at all, all I can remember playing on the sweaty pit of a dancefloor was Justin Timberlake. I think this one deserves a video...
The Kooks - 'Inside In Inside Out'
2007
Timbaland - 'Shock Value'
Pendulum - 'Hold Your Colour'
Bored of the 'tame' music they were playing in the Soho clubs, we eventually branched out into Drum n Bass, which we listened to in public gardens while swigging from a £5 bottle of wine bought from the offie. Mainstream was so last year - Drum n Bass was where it was at. We were lucky to get away without an ASBO. I would have wanted to punch me in the face. Hold Your Colour represented a complete disregard for ourselves and each other, as we tried to figure out who we were and where we fitted in.
2008
Crystal Casltes - 'Crystal Castles'
2008 was a year of two halves for me; the first represented in the absolute anarchy that was the music of Crystal Castles. For the first 6 months of this year, I was a complete mess. I'd spent so many years being somebody else, that I couldn't remember who I really was. Queue endless weekends that I can't remember much of, bad decisions both academically and romantically, and parents who were pretty sure I was losing it. The music of Crystal Castles - disjointed, angry, jarring - reflected how I felt inside.
Fleet Foxes - 'Fleet Foxes'
Thankfully Summer came, and provided me the headspace to reevaluate myself and who I was. It was once I'd done that, that I met a guy at a festival who subsequently became my boyfriend of three years. Fleet Foxes was the album I gave to him that Christmas, and marked a whole new, much calmer chapter of my life - one away from the late nights and underage parties. Their voices - almost monastical in their sound - were like nothing I'd ever heard from a contemporary band. It totally blew my mind. If you haven't heard them, have a listen to this:
2009
White Lies - 'To Lose My Life'
Still one of my favourite albums of all time, White Lies managed to achieve what few bands can - amazing lyrics with incredible music. On top of that, Harry McVeigh, the lead vocalist, has one of the sexiest voices ever. I'm pretty sure this album remained on repeat throughout 2009. Here are two of favourite songs off the album (although I'd argue that the whole thing is worth a listen...):
Although the album wasn't technically released until 2010, I'm pretty sure I had at least an EP of Marina and her Diamonds in 2009. After years of all-male bands, it was amazing to hear someone as fresh as Marina wading into the mix. It might sound sad, but to me she embodied the strong woman I was dying to be, which school was preventing me from becoming. I remember listening to her after I'd just finished, not knowing what to do with myself after 7 years of boarding school came to an end. I have a feeling I'll be returning to Marina in a couple of months, when I finally graduate from university...
2010
Ellie Goulding - 'Lights'
After school had finished, I decided to take a year out. Trying to figure out what I was passionate about was a grueling mission, and so I decided to take a job in America for a while. Ellie Goulding’s album had just been released and not only accompanied my commute to work, but also allowed me to figure out how I was feeling about the relationship I’d taken a break from. I didn’t like America. I felt more lost and alone than ever. Wish I Stayed gave a voice to what I couldn’t say to my employers and family friends. Needless to say, I was happy to return home.
Coming back to the UK wasn’t much better than the USA. It seemed that everyone I’d ever known had fled the country to go party on a beach in Thailand, help orphans in Africa, or hike mountains in India (delete as appropriate). Having quite literally missed the boat on organizing an exotic Gap Year, I decided to make the most of a bad situation, and, within a matter of weeks, had mapped out a route around Italy and Greece that I would journey solo. Italy allowed me some headspace to reflect on myself and the people in my life; re-evaluate what was important to me, and reignite a passion for art that had long since dwindled. One of the most important developments was reconnecting with the boyfriend I’d taken a break from before America. I downloaded Fyfe Dangerfield's cover of Billy Joel's She’s Always a Woman on my way from Bologna to Florence. Walking to catch the train, dragging my suitcase behind me, I listened to the lyrics: “she only reveals what she wants you to see; she hides like a child, but she’s always a woman to me”. It was the first time I'd thought about my part in how the relationship had ended. Almost like magic, I stepped off the train in Florence, and saw that I had received a voicemail. On the walk to the hostel, I heard my ex's voice for the first time in months, ringing from an Indian payphone. For me, this song will always symbolize second chances and new beginnings.
The Jezabels - 'She's So Hard EP'
Unfortunately, our story wasn’t plucked from a Nicholas Sparks novel; there was no house building by Ryan Gosling, or broken-off engagements, not even a happy ending. University finally rolled round, and we found our ties being tested again. I baulked, calling it off a second time, and finally a third time. The Jezebels provided an outlet for my anguish, confusion, and disorientation, as I once again tried to re-establish myself as a whole person - when really, I felt like half of me was missing. Hurt Me and Mace Spray are the two songs that remind me of that first year of university: the ups and downs, the friends and the exes, the happiness at being accepted, and the sadness of losing what had, up until now, been everything.
2011
Gil Scott-Heron & Jamie XX - 'We're New Here'
6 months later and I had finally settled into university life; which, predictably, included going out. But not the going out I remembered - no one wore heels, ‘makeup’ was what you slept in last night, and the look you were generally aiming for was an educated crackhead. I had gone to see a friend in Nottingham, and had been persuaded to buy a ticket to see Jamie XX. It was the first time I’d ever been to see a live DJ. I spent the next month listening to this album on repeat, mentally transporting myself back to that night, which also marked the beginning of my second serious relationship. NY Is Killing Me was the first song of his set.
Beirut - 'The Rip Tide'
Ben Howard - 'Every Kingdom'
2012
Keaton Henson - 'Dear'
2012 was, as you might have gathered from my 'Rant' posts, a year of devastating heartbreak. My relationship with my oldest friend ended as suddenly as it had begun the previous summer, and I was left totally bereft. Keaton Henson's album spoke to me because it was inspired by the deterioration and death of a relationship of his. The albums of this year, along with patient and understanding friends and family, got me through probably the lowest months of my life, and out the other side. Small Hands describes the little things you miss of a person that is gone, sung in Keaton's beautifully broken voice.
Ed Sheeran - '+'
2013
Active Child - 'You Are All I See'
Last year, the songs that spoke to me were those with lyrics of heartache and pain. This year I'm pleased to say I'm much more upbeat and positive, which is reflected (I hope) in the music that I've been listening to. Recently, I've been really getting into unusual and powerful vocals - and these three artists definitely deliver on sound. Active Child is someone that I discovered at the beginning of this year, and his vocals absolutely floored me. I featured Johnny Belinda and Hanging On in previous Tune Tapes, so I thought I'd showcase another incredible song off the album, High Priestess...
Daughter - 'If You Leave'
Woodkid - 'The Golden Age'
Now, I'm happy to say, it is over to you guys: What has been your favourite album of this century?
Hannah, 22: Busted - 'Thunderbirds Are Go' (yep. seriously.)
Nat, 22: Blink 182 - 'Take Off Your Pants and Jacket'
Rosie, 22: Ellie Goulding - 'Lights'
(Rosie's Housemate): Bruno Mars - 'Doo-Wops & Hooligans'
Iona, 22: Cypress Hill - 'Black Sunday' (not technically this century, but I'll give it to her because it's an epic album)
Please do post a comment about your most-loved album of the 21st Century!
Love,
Belle x
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