mardi 20 Nov 2007, 8h26m

I just completed the pointless and extremely geeky project of rating all the music in my mp3-collection. Using Mediamonkey's rather sophisticated statistical functions, I calculated the average scores of each of the albums in my collection. Now, this is a completely non-pitchfork-politically correct rating based solely on the merits of each track (as judged by me). The only criterion I used was when grading my tracks was: How much do I want to listen to this song again?

In the unlikely event that someone actually gives a damn about my taste, here's the annotated top 100.

1. beck: Sea Change.
Favourite track: lost cause.

The only album in my collection without a single weak track. Provides unlimited opportunity to wallow in self-pity and depression.

2. Damien Rice: O
Favourite track: amie

I realize many people find Damien Rice whiny and too emotional in the androgynous way everyone seems to fear so much these days (cf. the intense hate against so-called "emo" music). I, by contrast, am convinced that anyone unable to appreciate the beauty of Rice's music would benefit greatly from psychotherapy to get at least sporadic contact with their feelings. But then again, maybe I'm just a sucker for sentimentality.

3. R.E.M.: Automatic for the people
Favourite track: Nightswimming

The soundtrack to the year I turned 18. Back then, Nightswimming evoked feelings of freedom and independence at the beginning of my adult life. Listening to the lyrics again now, I realize I've become the first person in the song longing for the recklessness and irresponsibility of adolescence. Unfortunately, "September's coming soon".

4. death cab for cutie:plans
Favourite track: i will follow you into the dark

I don't understand why this album is not as critically acclaimed as DCFC's earlier efforts. Maybe it's too mainstream. Maybe because it has melodies that are going somewhere. But there are so many gems here, particularly "I Will Follow You Into the Dark", a truly sentimental love song about sharing life and death, "from Bangkok to Calgary" - the exotisms and the daily strife. Not to mention the beauty of the two musical themes that perfectly complement each other on "Marching Bands of Manhattan".

5. Bright Eyes: i'm wide awake, it's morning
Favourite track: we are nowhere and it's now

I recognize the desperation in "We are nowhere and it's now" embarrassingly well. "Land locked blues" is probably the most sincerely felt pacifist anthem I have ever heard. The simple, but oh so true statement - "if we walk away, they'll walk away" - is contrasted with the frustration of the realization that we are not masters of our destinies ("our freedom's a joke, they're just taking a piss") and with the inner turmoil that Conor Oberst obviously feels as a second, intertwining theme "we made love on the living room floor/with the noise in the background of a televised war". I could go on and on about this album - except for a couple of fillers it is simply immaculate and soul-shaking.

6. Norah jones: come away with me
Favourite track: don't know why

Bit of a surprise there. I have to admit I'm a bit embarrassed to have this one so far up my list. But the fact remains that the album is sheer, lush beauty. A guilty pleasure.

7. snow patrol: final straw
Favourite track: grazed knees

In 2004, I started to listen to a lot more music than I had for years. Snow Patrol was one of the bands I discovered at that time. I went to see them in concert, and was surprised to see that I was surrounded only by 18 year old girls in the audience (did I make that sound like a bad thing?). Oh well, blow politically correct musical taste. I still love four or five tracks on this album.

8. Elliott SmithEither/or
Favourite track: say yes

I have three Elliott Smith albums in my top 16, and it's a close call between them. Although I don't have the faintest clue about the experiences he's usually singing about (taking drugs and the ensuing problems), the contrast between his serene subject matter and almost angelic, innocent voice is incredibly moving.

9. belle and sebastian: the life pursuit
Favourite track: dress up in you

I actually consider this to be the best B&S album. The absence of renewal from previous efforts is total. But the quality of songs on this album, the humour in the lyrics, and the sheer joy that one of my heroes from the 90's are still able to churn out quality material gives "The Life Pursuit" the no.1 spot. dress up in you is a fantastic and funny song, narrated by a malevolent manicurist jealous of his former girlfriend: "Now you're an actress, so says your resume/you're made of card, you couldn't act your way out of a paper bag".

10. meredith bragg and the terminals: vol. 1
Favourite track: Seventeen

Now where did that one come from? I heard this song on Pandora and could not shake it. I was unable to find the CD in any stores, but found some mp3's on the net, and it turned out the entire album was of astounding quality, lyrically and musically. I don't know what Meredith Bragg is doing today, but I hope he's still making music. And I hope his Terminals are still with him.

11. Elliott Smith: From a basement on the hill
Favourite track: Little one

This is the first posthumous release after Smith's untimely death by self-inflicted multiple stabwounds to the chest. If it hadn't been for a totally meaningless track called ostriches and chirping, this one would be right up in the top five. Little one is a heart-wrenching song to a sleeping child (or is it girlfriend?) from a person knowing he's about to self-destruct. It is almost too painful to listen to.

12. the national: boxer
Favourite track: gospel

Perhaps I'm overrating this because of its novelty. But the dark, ominous character of these beautiful melodies really appeal to me. And for once I'm aligned with the Pitchforks of the world (except those people will always claim that the previous, lesser known album was way better, not to speak of the vinyl EP printed in 50 copies and sold only in a dark, back alley of Brooklyn.

13. Damien Rice: 9
Favourite track: 9 crimes

OK, so I gave this album quite a few sympathy points, because I was so intensely hoping that it would be as good as O. Alas, it is not. But there are some highlights, such as 9 crimes, which seems to indicate that Damien hasn't been quite monogamous over the past few years, and rootless tree, save for the slightly annoying "fuck you"-chorus.

14. Elbow: leaders of the free world
Favourite track: the stops

The atmosphere in Elbow's songs is not unlike the National - dark, melancholy and melodious. My favourite track on the album is available for free streaming, so judge for yourselves.

15. Stars: Heart
Favourite track:
elevator love letter

This is simply an energy pill of intelligent pop music.

And here's the rest of my list:
16. Elliott smith: new moon
17. arctic monkeys: Whatever People Say I am
18. The Kooks: Inside in/inside out
19. Arcade fire: Neon Bible
20. Bob Dylan: Time out of mind
21. Franz Ferdinand: Franz Ferdinand
22. The Shins: Oh Inverted World
23. Madredeus: Un Amor Infinito
24. Zero 7: Simple Things
25. Feist: The Reminder
26. Blonde Redhead: 23
27. Beck: Mutations
28. Modest Mouse: We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank
29. The New Pornographers: Mass Romantic
30. Josh Rouse: 1972
31. Josh Rouse: Subtitulo (UNDERRATED!)
32. Radiohead: In Rainbows
33. The Shins: Chutes Too Narrow
34. The Strokes: Is This It?
35. Belle and Sebastian: The Boy With the Arab Strap
36. Travis: The Invisible Band
37. The New Pornographers: Electric Version
38. View: Hats Off to the Buskers
39. Nick Drake: Pink Moon
40. The Decemberists: Picaresque
41. Kaiser Chiefs:Employment
42. Bruce Springsteen:Magic
43. Maria MenaWhite Turns Blue
44. I Am Kloot: Gods And Monsters
45. Saint Germain: Tourist
46. Damien Rice: B-sides
47. Nine Horses: Snow Borne Sorrow
48. Belle and Sebastian: If You're Feeling Sinister
49. Bob DylanBlood on the Tracks
50. Grand Tone MusicGo To Hell
51. Radiohead: OK Computer
52. Portishead: Dummy
53. Madredeus: Antologia
54. Iron & Wine: The Shepherd's Dog
55. Grandaddy: Sumday
56. The Magic Numbers: The Magic Numbers
57. Coldplay: X&Y
58. The Verve: Urban Hymns
59. Kings of Convenience: Versus
60. Bonnie Prince Billy: Master and Everyone
61. The Decemberists: The Crane Wife
62. Midnight Choir: Amsterdam Stranded
63. Madrugada: Industrial Silence
64. The Holloways: So This Is Great Britain
65. The KillersSam's Town
66. Bruce Springsteen: The Ghost of Tom Joad
67. Guillemots: Through the Windowpane
68. I Am Kloot: I Am Kloot
69. British Sea Power: Open Season
70. The Killers: Hot Fuss
71. Beulah: Yoko
72. Nick Drake: Bryter Layter
73. Phoenix: Alphabetical
74. Phoenix: It's Never Been Like That
75. Spoon: Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
76. Stereolab: Dots and Loops
77. The Academy Is...: Almost Here
78. Ryan Adams: Love is Hell
79. Bob Dylan: Blonde on Blonde
80. Franz Ferdinand: You Could Have It So Much Better
81. Belle and Sebastian: Dear Catastrophe Waitress
82. Isolation Years: Cover the Distance
83. Ron Sexsmith: Retriever
84. Death Cab For Cutie: Transatlanticism
85. Interpol: Our Love To Admire
86. R.E.M.: Out of Time
87. The Shins: Wincing the Night Away
88. Leonard Cohen: Ten New Songs
89. Lily AllenAlright, Still
90. Madredeus: Faluas do Tejo
91. Erykah Badu: Baduizm
92. Stars: Set Yourself on Fire
93. Arctic Monkeys: Your Favourite Worst Nightmare
94. Brendan Benson: The Alternative to Love
95. Carla Werner: Departure
96. The Sleepy Jackson: Lovers
97. Hard-Fi: Stars of CCTV
98. Erlend Øye: Unrest
99. Gotan Project: La Revancha del Tango
100. Jeff Buckley: Grace