Oklahoma Rock Newsblog

Over the next couple of weeks, we will be counting down the Top 100 Oklahoma Albums of the 2000s. Every weekday, we will unveil another ten Oklahoma albums that helped shape the way Oklahoma music is heard by the outside world.

We asked three dozen musicians, fans and journalists for their opinions on the top albums of the past decade. With their guidance and our own opinions, we compiled what we hope is a decent and fair list.

Hopefully, there’s a good bit of reflection, discovery and enjoyment when listening to these albums through Lala (when available). Enjoy!

50. Ali Harter - Worry the Bone (2007)

Purchase: iTunes │ eMusic

“…an honest collection of ghostly sweet songs with old-timey inflections that betray the musician’s young age.” - Lucas Ross (Oklahoma Gazette)

49. Stardeath and White Dwarfs - The Birth (2009)

Purchase: iTunes │ Amazon │ Lala

“It’s rough, stoned, giddy and colorful. It might as well come with a roach clip and denim patches.” - Time Out Chicago

48. Kings of Leon - Aha Shake Heartbreak (2005)

Purchase: iTunes │ Amazon │ Lala

“…a fuzz-encrusted rocket of controlled violence: the first Clash LP with AC/DC brawn and American Gothic backbone.” - David Fricke (Rolling Stone)

“Party of the decade.” - Costa Stasinopoulos (Dead Sea Choir)

47. Moon Mission Death Squad - Fuck What You Heard (2005)

Purchase: Wherever you can find it. Help!

DOWNLOAD: Moon Mission Death Squad - “Heart Transplant”

DOWNLOAD: Moon Mission Death Squad - “Pattern of the Stars”

46. Traindodge - On a Lake of Dead Trees (2002)

Purchase: iTunes │ Amazon │ No Karma │ Lala

“Their second full-length, On A Lake Of Dead Trees is raw talent: no Pro-Tools, over-production scams, or other chicanery here.” - Digital Metal

45. Crocodile - The Great Depression EP (2008)

Purchase: iTunes │ Amazon │ Lala

“One of the most sharply polished EPs of the last few years as well as the most elaborate stage set-ups for a three piece without props. Listening to “The Dinosaur” and “August is Over” repeatedly should qualify as a master class in indie pop at ACM@UCO. Multi-instrumentalist Derek Brown works there, so perhaps it already is.” - Charles Martin (Oklahoma Gazette contributing writer and author of “The Dominant Hand”)

“Crocodile are from Oklahoma and sound nothing like the Flaming Lips. Just to be clear. What they do sound like is chirpy, female-fronted guitar pop with just the right dollop of synth in the mix. No angle on this one - just catchy, straight-ahead good tunes.” - chromewaves.net

44. Early Beat - Early Beat (2008)

Purchase: CD Baby │ Lala

43. El Paso Hot Button - When I Needed Sympathy (2007)

Purchase: iTunes

DOWNLOAD: El Paso Hot Button - “They Invented It Stupid”

“Not only one of the best “Oklahoma Albums,” but one of my all time favorites of the decade. I bought this after seeing EPHB live for the first time. “What a great live act,” I thought. Then I took the album home and found EPHB was much more. The great thing about his records is the depth and diversity that goes well beyond the “one man band” trick. Above all, though, it’s just effin great fist-in-the-gut rock. And it feels good to turn up loud.” - T.J. Clark (Scurds)

“When I Needed Sympathy is part Kyuss, part Tarantino movie soundtrack.” - Ryan LaCroix (OklahomaRock.com)

42. Cheyenne - The Whale (2007)

Purchase: iTunes │ CD Baby

DOWNLOAD: Cheyenne - “The Whale”

“With The Whale, Cheyenne has made an album that has helped restore not only my love of indie rock, but my faith in humanity.” - The Indie Literati

“Cheyenne blurs the lines between their small town Southern heritage and big city hipster cool. The result is a fresh blend of hook-filled hits that should appeal to fans of Wilco, The Minus 5 and The Glands.” - New Music Nation

41. Umbrellas - Illuminare (2006)

Purchase: iTunes │ Amazon │ Lala

“Windsor’s high-pitched-and quite pretty, actually-vocals deliver one dour experience after another, often set within seemingly harmless, synth-touched pop music.” - Alternative Press

“…the honest and tender approach of Illuminare proves it worthy of multiple spins.” - Corey Apar (All Music Guide)

“…fans of thoughtful, sensitive, and elegant indie rock will do well to check out Illuminare.” - Steve Henderson (Absolute Punk)

10-1 │ 20-11 │ 30-21 │ 40-31 │ 50-41 │ 60-51 │ 70-61 │ 80-71 │ 90-81 │ 100-91

This entry was posted on Monday, January 11th, 2010 at 10:48 am and is filed under Umbrellas, Traindodge, free mp3s, Stardeath and White Dwarfs, Cheyenne, El Paso Hot Button, Ali Harter, Crocodile, Moon Mission Death Squad, Early Beat, Kings of Leon, Top 100 Oklahoma Albums of the 2000s. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.