Best Albums of the Noughties

Free, Rivermaya (2000). First great album of the century. Thanks to the internet, fans who weren't lucky enough to get a physical copy, may still enjoy this in all its 320kpbs glory.

 

Is That Ciudad? Yes, Son, It’s Me, Ciudad (2003). This is just perfect from start to finish, the Cutterpillow for the zeroes, one of those truly rare gems in the local music scene.

 

Sa Wakas, Sugarfree (2003) This is Circus for the noughties, only more radio-friendly. 

 

Formika, Narda (2005). Narda, one of the best band to grace the local indie scene, underwent many line-up changes, went from indie-pop to disco, and released 4 EP’s and two full-lengths all in span of five years. Too bad they never got popular beyond that Kamikazee song.

  

Flowerfish, Sheila & the Insects (2005). This is arguably the best album by arguably the best band from the south.

 

Flipino, dongabay (2006). Every nineties kid knows most of the songs from Yano. It’s a shame not every indie-kid from the noughties heard of Flipino.

Tangina Mo Andaming Nagugutom sa Mundo Fashionista Ka Pa Rin, Radioactive Sago Project (2007). “Mahaba ang kay Mikey Amistoso, pero mas mahaba ang kay Marcus Adoro. Pero pinakamahaba sa lahat ang kay Lourd. At lahat sila tigas.”

Behold! Rejoice! Surfernando Is Here Nah!, Markus Highway (2008). The best among albums by any post-Eraserheads band, a tough call between this and Wildlife, but this is definitely better than any by Sandwich, but doesn’t mean Sandwich albums were necessarily bad.

Peryodiko, Peryodiko (2009). Just when every rock record was leaning towards the-louder-the-better sound, Robin Rivera and Peryodiko went for dynamics in this album (ditto with Flipino and Tala-Arawan). Of course, Vin Dancel’s songwriting’s top-notch here, which shows he’s really Ebe’s older brother, as in wiser. 

Nut House, Hilera (2009). Another Cutterpillow, no, this is Fruitcake. Yes, but better than Fruitcake.

Runner-ups:

Hello! How Are You, Mico the Happy Bear?, Ciudad (2000)

Probably Not But Most Definitely, Imago (2002)

A Poscard From/Suwerte, Narda (2002)

Noontime Show, Itchyworms (2005)

Wildlife, Pupil (2007)

Moonlane Gardens, Orange & Lemons (2007)

Is Love, Out of Body Special (2007)

Todo Combo, Moonstar88 (2007)

Bipolar, Up Dharma Down (2008)

Travel Advisories, Archipelago (2009)