think native

Today a mate of mine asked me to name my top albums of the decade, so I’ve had a crack here. So appraised solely on the number of times I listened to them, here are my 10 fave albums of the naughties - what are yours?

1. The Seldom Seen Kid - Elbow
Some of the most beautiful melodies I’ve ever heard, coupled with witty, clever and narrative lyrics make this one of my favourite albums of all time, never mind the 00’s.
Favourite track: Mirrorball

2. The Last Resort - Trentemoller
Trentemoller ruled clubland in the mid naughties, his cool, glitchy productions spawning a legion of imitators. His album tones things down somewhat for headphone rather than Funktion 1 listening, creating a cohesive journey that’s epic, haunting and ethereal.
Favourite track: Miss You

3. Whatever people say I am that’s what I’m not - Arctic Monkeys
I’m a sucker for smart, funny lyrics and this delivers via a raw, energetic and powerful sound perfect for lounge room pogo-ing.
Favourite track: When the sun goes down

4. Only by the night - Kings of Leon
Just great rock songs, I’d moved away from guitar driven music until this drew me right back into the mosh pit.
Favourite track: Use somebody

5. Chromophobia - Gui Boratto
Gui Boratto is my favourite electronic music producer of the minute, pioneering the way for what I’d call a kind of ’symphonic techno’, melodic and beautiful with a 808 driving its heartbeat.
Favourite track: Beautiful life

6. Ringleader of the tormentors - Morrissey
I was never really into the Smiths at school, the scene’s depressing culture and high hair never really appealed. Which is shit really, because I’d missed out on some enjoying some truly brilliant songwriting. So, late to the party, I started my Morrissey man-crush with this album.
Favourite track: Life is a pigsty

7. Morning Sci-fi - Hybrid
Hybrid are the masters of infusing dance music with the drama of orchestral movie scores, and this album follows on from the genre-creating Wide Angle with more of the same. They were performing this album live just after my first ever mainroom gig at Turnmills too which gives it an extra special place in my heart.
Favourite track: True to form

8. White Pony - Deftones

Balls-out thrash metal tempered with some really quite beautiful melodies, I listened to this album on repeat every snowboarding trip for years.

Favourite track: Feiticeira

9. Come with us - The Chemical Brothers

Despite not quite living up to the glorious auditory journey that was Surrender, this was still a bloody good Chems album with a few sublime tracks.
Favourite track: Star Guitar

10. Back to black - Amy Winehouse
I love soul music, and with Amy’s cheeky lyrics and stunning voice, this is a treat. What a voice.
Favourite track: Tears dry on their own

Listen to them all on Spotify