Best Albums of the Decade, 39-29.5

Before you read any further, make sure you’ve caught up with the first half of the countdown! Click to see 101-90 and 89-80 and 79-70 and 69-60 and 59-50 and 49-40. 

39. Charlie Robison, Good Times (2004)
This big ol’ Texas farmboy was the husband of a Dixie Chick when he made this very strange country/rock/whatever it is record. The funny songs are still funny, but the deep ones are deeper, darker. There are TWO songs about cross-dressing relationships, from both sides. In possibly unrelated news, he’s broken up with his wife.
Other albums that could have gone here: Live (2003), Beautiful Day (2009)

38. DHG, Supervillain Outcast (2007)
Dodheimsgard = Norwegian black metal spruced up with electronica and disco. I shouldn’t really have to say anything else about this, should I? Oh, wait, forgot that they also have touches of Arabic scales right alongside the blastbeats, and that they have song titles like “The Snuff Dreams Are Made Of” and “Ghostforce Soul Constrictor.” So, uh, HELLZ YEEEAH.

37. Pat Metheny, The Way Up (2005)
One 68-minute song divided into four movements, majestic and meticulous but still loose and about as swinging as Metheny can be given his precision. This won a Grammy, deservedly in my opinion just for his eclectic backing band, which features Cuong Vu on heavy metal trumpet (not kidding) and Gregoire Maret’s lovely harmonica.
Other albums that could have gone here: About 20 records just from this decade. Dude is prolific.

36. Los Lobos, The Town and the City (2006)
The most underrated band in the USA…even by us! These guys have been holding it down since way before most of your parents graduated from high school, but this was a strong decade for them, and this record might have been one of their finest moments. Savage, beautiful, melancholic but not beaten down by life.
Other albums that could have gone here: The Ride (2002), Good Morning Aztlán (2004), Live at the Fillmore (2005).

35. Calle 13, Residente o Visitante (2007)
First, they’ll make you dance with Visitante’s relentless reggaetón beats. Then, they’ll make you wish you’d paid better attention in Spanish class, as Residente spits fuego loco everywhere, backed up by stunning guests (¡¡La Mala Rodriguez FTW!!) and a profanity-spewing choir. Then, they’ll make you dance again.
Other albums that could have gone here: Calle 13 (2005), Los De Atrás Vienen Conmigo (2008).

34. Nortec Collective, The Tijuana Sessions, Vol. 1 (2001)
A hot dance album constructed entirely from samples of old norteño songs, all honking tubas and snappy snares? This was catnip to us in 2001, and their posse continued to put out great CDs all decade. But this was the original, and it still sounds fresh while a lot of other trends have fallen by the wayside, especially “Polaris” and “Elemento N.”
Other albums that could have gone here: Tijuana Sessions Vol. 3 (2005), Tijuana Sound Machine (Bostich & Fussible) (2006); Fussible’s Odyssea (2002); Plankton Man vs. Terrestre (2002); Panoptica’s Panoptica (2002) and Ahora Yo y Ti (2005); Terrestre’s Secondary Inspection (2004); Kobol, Broken Ebony (2005); many more.

33. Lyrics Born, Later That Day… (2003)
You know how it got to be really cool to decry self-aggrandization in rap music for a while? But then everyone got all fake-humble, and it just sounded boring again? Well, Tom Shimura actually pulled off the “humble” thing by being honest about money troubles, racism, friendship, and the rest of life. His insanely dope flow helped a lot.
Other records that could have gone here: Same !@#$ Different Day (2005), Overnight Encore (2006), Everywhere at Once (2008).

32. Yolanda Perez, Aqui Me Tienes (2004)
Just for a second, this sounded like the Next Big Thing: Mexican regional music mixed with R&B, hip-hop, and Latin pop, all amped up to massive brightness levels, and fronted by one of the most charismatic singers in ages. The songs were funny and warm and radio-friendly. Tragically, small-minded people toned her down after this one.

31. Of Montreal, Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer? (2007)
Kevin Barnes began the decade as a purveyor of twee-ish ornate oulipo-ian pop songs which would have put him on the list anyway. But he ended with a couple of records that extended his formula into confessional freaky electronic dance-pop, making him a pansexual hero for club kids and indie rockers alike. Talk about digging deep.
Other albums that could have gone here: Coquelicot Asleep in the Poppies (2001), Aldhils Arboretum (2002), Satanic Panic in the Attic (2004), The Sunlandic Twins (2005), Skeletal Lamping (2008).

30. Kahil El’Zabar’s Ritual Trio Featuring Billy Bang, Live at the River East Arts Center(2005)
By all rights, Kahil El’Zabar should be recognized as a national treasure and given a few MacArthur grants; his drumming and song construction are legendary, and he just keeps getting better. This live set in his native Chicago showcases a cracking band, a breakthrough guest spot by violinist Billy Bang, and an ecstatic sense of wonder.
Other albums that could have gone here: Africa N’Da Blues (2000), Spirits Entering (2001), Love Outside of Dreams (2002), Big M (2005), Transmigration (2007), Sacred Love (2008), Ooh Live (2008).

BONUS CONTENT: HONORARY 29 1/2: Fefe Dobson, Sunday Love (2006)
This album was never officially released–concerned by the Canadian pop siren’s sexual and thematic ambiguity, the fiendish record company pulled it two days before it was supposed to hit the racks. But it’s not like you can’t find it anywhere (hint hint), so seek it out, because these songs are chilling and sexy, intelligent and wonderfully stupid. Kicks the ass of every other “bad girl” semi-punk act out there. No wonder she’s one of the most popular ghostwriters for hire in the industry. Incredibly influential, even though it never really existed. Got that?
Other albums that could have gone here: Fefe Dobson (2003).