GUEST BLOG: Detroit Mike presents his "Top 10 Albums of the Decade" - Part 1

First of all, welcome back to O-Nation...that goes for myself as well. Due to a couple crazy fun months I have not had a whole lot of extra time to work on this here blog. I think a lot of my lack of motivation comes from December-March being the down time of the year for shows. But alas...concert season is back and there are plenty of shows on the slate starting next Monday's Coheed and Cambria show at The Webster (which should be of EPIC proportions).

Anyway, one of the guys heading to the show with me is my buddy Mike, or as he is better known around Hartford...Detroit Mike. Mike and I work together at ESPN and share a mutual love for music (and beer). A couple of months ago there were a bunch of us hanging out at the bar and we got to discussing what our Top 10 Albums of the Decade would be. As I had just completed doing my yearly lists I had lost the urge to do another list at the time. Mike volunteered to do a guest blog at the time and that's how this whole thing came about. So without further adieu here's Mike's Top 10 Albums of the Decade...part 1 of 3...

Like everyone else I’m a lifelong fan of music. Since being old enough to choose what I listened to, I’ve been involved with: Alternative - which turned into a love for punk rock and ska, hip-hop, underground electronic music, and reggae. I’ve played in or run sound for several bands, worked as a stage hand for an auditorium that brought through off-Broadway plays, and I’ve run sound for the morning news.

About 10 years ago I started DJing and am known in that scene as SureShot aka Detroit Mike. I spin mostly Drum ‘n Bass mashed up with other styles - hip-hop, dancehall reggae, gheto-tek, whatever I’m feelin’. I know I’m about two-and-a-half months behind on the decade’s best list, but I live most my life about two-and-a-half months behind. Just look at my hair sometime if you need proof of that. Thanks to Matt for putting up my list. Now let’s get down to it.

I have to start out by saying that making this list became a whole lot easier to make once I realized that a whole mess of “recent”, great music came out in 1999, and was automatically disqualified (The Chili Peppers’ “Californication”, Dr. Dre’s “Chronic 2001”, Mos Def’s “Black on Both Sides”, etc.). In this list I’m trying to highlight albums that are solid all the way through, not ones that have 1 really really awesome song. My list has some of the usual favorites praised by the music-critic press, but also others that have been more overlooked. Hopefully this recognition will get them to a few new sets of ears. Here we go…

#10

Artist: Long Beach AllStars

Album: Wonders of the World

Released: 2001

I was surprised to find that LBDA’s best album ‘Right Back’ was quietly released in 1999. However, the band, made up of former members of the iconic group Sublime, managed to just sneak onto the list with their 2nd effort. “Wonders of the World” continues the tradition of chilled out reggae riddims, hip-hop lyricism, and punk rock guitar riffs. This album is perfect for a ride to the beach, or even when the low-rider is all put away and you haven’t seen the sun in months. Highlights include “Rolled Up” (use your imagination); “Kablammin' It”, which sounds like a 10-year-old’s goofy take on sex; “Listen to DJs”, a tribute to classic reggae artists; or if star-power is your thing, “Sunny Hours”, which features Will.I.am from the Black Eyed Peas.

#9

Artist: Wolfmother

Album: Wolfmother

Released: 2006

Wolfmother’s debut record blazes out the gate with “Dimension” and rarely looks back. The guitar driven group from down under sounds like this generation’s take on Led Zeppelin or Guns ‘n Roses. They’ve made a quick impact in the few short years since they emerged. Despite being featured in Guitar Hero, on South Park, and a grip of movie previews, this album got left off a few ‘best of’ lists. Choice cut = “Joker and the Thief”.

#8

Artist: Sean Paul

Album: Dutty Rock

Released: 2002

At a quick glance Sean Paul might come off as just another pretty face trying to cash in on his home Jamaica’s tough reputation. The truth goes much deeper. The Jamaican reggae scene is arguably one of the toughest and one of the most corrupt music scenes in the world. Not just a fly-by-nighter, Sean Paul has been a part of that scene as an MC and a DJ since a young age. While the pop music corporations latched on, he made hits out of traditional riddims (“Like Glue” & “Get Busy”). The impact of his songs led to literally hundreds of remixes, and has made him the best selling reggae artist since everybody’s hero – Bob Marley. Marinate on that.