Russman's Vinyl: Top 20 albums of the last 10 years

I love listening to the classics as much as anybody, but I also love discovering new music. These are the 20 best albums I've discovered released within the last 10 years. Included are my brief thoughts on the record, the cover (so you know what to look for) and a song from the album that you should listen to now.

Arctic Monkeys – Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not

One of the greatest debut albums ever.

My Chemical Romance – The Black Parade

Forget the emo tag, this is a great rock record. The closest any band has come to the spirit of Pink Floyd, without sounding anything like Pink Floyd.

Snow Patrol – Eyes Open

Big album for me just after I moved to Calgary. Saw them on this tour and still one of the best shows I’ve been to. They had a set for an arena stuffed into a hall for 2,000.

Chris Whitley – Reiter In

His final album, a mix of covers and originals recorded 5 months before his death. If you don’t know Chris Whitley, listen to this album. He’s one of the greatest singer, songwriters America has ever produced.

Killers – Sam’s Town

Every song is like a movie that tells the tale of life in a desert town.

Metric – Fantasies

I listened to this album every day for about 6 months after it came out.

Deer Tick – War Elephant

Any Deer Tick album could be on this list, but always best to start with the first. Everyone should hear “Ashamed”.

The Kills – Midnight Boom

Every Kills record could be on this list, before and after 2006.

Duffy – Rockferry

She came out in the wake of the Amy Winehouse, 60’s throwback sound. But with much more class, depth and fantastic songs.

Dandy Warhols – Earth To The Dandy Warhols

My old roommate exposed me to the Dandy’s, gave me this disc too. Every time I hear it, it sounds brand new.

Die Mannequin – Fino & Bleed

“Dead Honey” is probably the greatest Canadian rock song of the last 20 years, ditto for the album.

Gorillaz – Plastic Beach

I got this album right when it came out, but it actually took me a couple of years before I finally “got it”. Now it’s one of my favourites.

Ladyhawke – Ladyhawke

A New Zealander with Euro style playing electro rock. Every song on this album sounds like a dream, one of them is even called “Morning Dreams”.

Band Of Skulls – Baby Darling Doll Face Honey

Out of nowhere I heard “Death By Diamonds And Pearls” on the radio and was hooked! Funky guitar rock with 2 lead singers, one guy and one girl and tunes catchier than a baseball mitt.

Yann Perreau – Un Serpent Sous Les Fleurs

I started listening to French music after visiting France in 2011. This guy is from Quebec, I discovered the album in 2012 and listened to it every day that summer.