But it's like we weren't made for this world... though I wouldn't really wanna meet someone who was

GRIN MAGIC'S FAVOURITE ALBUMS OF THE 00s

All these end of the decade lists popping up around various corners of the internet have made me want to jump on this retrospective band wagon. Because it would be impossible for me put my favourites in order I've decided to give a song and album with a short write up about why I love it, in no particular order, approximately one a week till the end of the year.

A dizzying triumph of self inspection, soul wrenching terror, longing and raw emotional vulnerability, Of Montreal's Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer? is one of my favourite albums from the last ten years. Kevin Barnes pushes all he can onto this record, the darkest and most desperate parts of human emotion, the battle with the chemistry of the brain and a grapple for control whether through fanatical escapism, funky grooves or head long, hysterical, self loathing. This album sparkles in the most suprising ways, always richly melodic and abounding in lyricals gems it seems to demand attachment as it's as hard to ignore this kind of emotive power as much as it is to ignore great pop music.

of Montreal - We Were Born Mutants Again With Leofling

'...our particles are in motion...'

[buy]

Anything you want

[Image: Ruvan Wijesooriya]

of Montreal - Id Enganger

Of Montreal's album of last year, Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?, was definitely one of my favourites, turning self-hate into dizzying crescendos and hurtful regrets into funky escapisms. This time round of Montreal is sexually overt (possibly naked), seductive and, as usual, witty as all fuck. The introversion and self doubt is not completely gone as the first verse in this new jam is a hesitation, full of eloquent criticisms, however, the indecision is overcome and disregarded during the chorus: 'I can’t help it if its true, don’t wanna be your man, just wanna play with you…'. It feels like an emancipation, embracing a mania and narcissism that is inherent in all of us and the triumph is crazed, glamourous and euphoric. I can't wait for this album, Skeletal Lamping, which you can preorder from Polyvinyl from September 1. I have a feeling it's going to be a favourite like Hissing Fauna but for completely different reasons.

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Also:

Fantastic Fleetwood Mac cover of 'Everywhere' by Vampire Weekend recorded by Triple J here.