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GQ's Top 21 albums of the 21st Century

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sqwarlock

Member
lol Extraordinary Machine. Did they not hear Idler Wheel...?

I can't help but wonder if they felt compelled to choose an older album because reasons. Idler Wheel is an amazing album, but since I haven't heard Extraordinary Machine I can't honestly compare the two.
 

Mononoke

Banned
MBDTF is lol but how in the world did Channel Orange slide up in there?

MBDTF at least makes sense. Like even if you dislike it or think it's overrated, it had a huge impact on pop culture. Critics overall loved and obsessed over it (probably the highest rated album in the last 10'years). It was also just a really popular album with people. Not often you get a record with mainstream success and complete critical success at the same time.

I don't agree with it either. But I do get it.
 

Red_Man

I Was There! Official L Receiver 2/12/2016
95f0f246193518847083c633d17dbf26.430x304x34.gif


About time MBDTF gets some damn credit.
 

SuperHans

Member
Ctrl + F "Silent Alarm" by Bloc Party.
Ctrl + F "In Rainbows" by Radiohead.
Ctrl + F "An Awesome Wave" by Alt-J

0 results

:-/

Impossible to only pick 21 albums in 14 years I suppose and make everyone happy.
 

andymcc

Banned
Kid A came out in 2000 right? Since it says 21st century, they must only be counting albums released 2001 and beyond. It's the only way to excuse such an omission!

Voodoo was released in Jan. 2000. Stankonia later that year.

and Modern Vampires is an awesome record. Y'all hating.
 

glow

Banned
Where is Lil B, Wacka Flocka Flame, Lil Wayne, Chief Keef, Drake, and Soulja Boy? So much amazing hiphop in the 21st century but the rappers on this list are mostly soft old washed-out 90's rappers.
 

Mononoke

Banned
Voodoo was released in Jan. 2000. Stankonia later that year.

and Modern Vampires is an awesome record. Y'all hating.

I agree! I wasn't the biggest Vampire Weekend fan either. I mean, I always liked songs, but never loved their albums overall. But I thought Modern Vampire was a really great record. Not sure if it's a top 20 of the last decade kind of record though...but still great!
 

Kusagari

Member
If you don't have one Radiohead album on this list, be it Kid A, Amnesiac or In Rainbows, then your list automatically fails.

Sorry GQ.
 

Renzoku

Banned
2000 isn't part of the 21st century though.

MBDTF ALWAYS gets credit.

Well it's pretty much perfect. This isn't coming from a Kanye fanboy either, Yeezus was pretty terrible, it's like the recovery period after blowing the biggest load of all time.
 

blakep267

Member
I liked 808's and heart beak more than MBTDF...

And Discovery is the best daft Punk album

Also last one. nostalgia ultra shits on channel orange
 

big ander

Member
Always expect to hate these, and there are some omissions people have mentioned that I would've liked to see as always but...this isn't bad. As others have said balancing quality and cultural relevancy this comes out great. And honestly, a list like this should balance those. Anyone's individual list would be interesting, but since music is so subjective it would have albums that had zero real impact on anyone but a small audience. This somehow managed to weigh cultural import and quality pretty well. Those calling this a shit list might have a top 21 full of future uk garage or drone or post rock and while that's respectable (and I'd be into it) your list would be worthless to culture at large. [EDIT: Post above mine is proof. Metal and prog mean shit all in the 21st century. If you still listen to them? Go for it man. I'm into some of that. But give in to the fact that you are a vast cultural minority.]

MBDTF, Is This It has aged only okay but it definitely captures a time, I still herald Channel Orange, Stankonia's a good choice as is Sound of Silver, Sea Change isn't even close to my favorite Beck album but it's undeniably iconic, a good Jay album and the correct JT record, they made the right pick for best Vampire Weekend record, got some Dilla in there. Would love to see actual lists from people saying it's terrible; I
I've never even heard that Gil Scott Heron/Jamie XX album but I'm going to check it out today
It's so awesome. Can't wait for Jamie's solo album hopefully this year.
15. Gil Scott-Heron and Jamie XX - We're New Here


And no The xx - xx? WTF?
Gil and Jamie's is better.
 

ampere

Member
I try not to worry much about the ordering on lists like these. That aside there's some really good stuff on here and some stuff I haven't listened to. Gonna check some of those out

Sucks that Winehouse is gone.

If you don't have one Radiohead album on this list, be it Kid A, Amnesiac or In Rainbows, then your list automatically fails.

Sorry GQ.

Not sure I'd say that means the list fails, but it's definitely a surprising omission. I'd expect to see In Rainbows for sure. The list can still be interesting for what it shows
 

Vanillalite

Ask me about the GAF Notebook
As has been said a ton of albums that were almost universally lauded as AOTY aren't even on the list.

It's not a bad list, but I feel like a lot of stuff especially in the early 00s was left out.
 

overcast

Member
Pretty much a run of the mill best of the 21st century list that snubs plenty of great rap albums. Exceedingly safe.
 
So glad to see Jay Dee (Dilla) up there. I still listen to Donuts from time to time. I categorically agree with number 1 as well.
 
GREAT PICKS, but NO!

hl00306734.jpg


If Mariah Carey - Emancipation of Mimi doesn't make a list within it's limitations I question it. Stan (fan) or not the album is full of GREAT music that everyone enjoys!

*Where is PopGAF!
 

big ander

Member
it's true! I liked xx better at the time but We're New Here's had staying power and Jamie xx has stayed on the front edge of uk dance music. xx still captures a time and I'm looking forward to the third lp. (xx III?)
lol people trying so hard to defend this shit. it's terrible even on the "cultural impact" angle
instead of catching feelings post a list and/or let me know how MBDTF and Stankonia and Donuts are less culturally important than yr favorite ambient industrial record
 

darkside31337

Tomodachi wa Mahou
The Moon & Antarctica has to be the most underrated album of this century.

List is okay otherwise although Beyonce really doesn't belong anywhere near a top 21 list.
 

andymcc

Banned
I agree! I wasn't the biggest Vampire Weekend fan either. I mean, I always liked songs, but never loved their albums overall. But I thought Modern Vampire was a really great record. Not sure if it's a top 20 of the last decade kind of record though...but still great!

I've always liked their singles but I think they never released a cohesive "whole" record until their newest one.

They're loads of fun live too. New stuff translates so well live.
 
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