31 Dec 2019
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Posted in best-of list By Bill Kopp On December 31, 2019

(My) Best of the Decade

Like many critics and serious followers of music, from time to time I compile my own “personal bests” lists. Almost exactly a decade ago today – this blog’s been around a long time – I wrote an entry called “Musoscribe’s Best of the Naughties.” Looking back at that list, I see albums that today I’d place in one of three categories:

  • Albums that I haven’t played in nearly a decade, and may well have forgotten about. Those probably wouldn’t stay on any list I made of favorites of that decade now. That Godspeed You! Black Emperor album, Sufjan Stevens Illinois and (sigh…) Paul McCartney’s Memory Almost Full are examples. Good, but…y’know.
  • Albums I haven’t played in awhile but am absolutely sure I’d still enjoy: Brian Wilson‘s SMiLE, Jamie and Steve’s English Afterthoughts and Brothers and Sisters’ Fortunately are among those.
  • Albums I still play often. This list is longer than I might have guessed before refreshing my memory as to what I wrote ten full years ago. The Flaming Lips‘ Yoshimi, Dennis Diken’s sole solo album, a couple of KT Tunstall albums, a few Porcupine Tree releases, Zero 7’s Simple Things, the stunning Colonia from a Camp, a sadly-never-equaled King Khan and the Shrines album, a Dungen album, a Residents(!) album, Knight Area’s superb Realm of Shadows and a true obscurity, Randy and the Bloody Lovelies’ Lift.

So What About This Decade?
In the years that followed, I put together a best-of list each December. And looking back at the new release category, I still see some favorites, some records that – for me, at least – have stood the test of time. Here’s a list of 20 selected titles from the past ten years, with links to what I’ve written about them. I recommend all unequivocally.

And my best-of for 2019 is here.

About the Author

Bill Kopp

With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4500-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he taught a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.