I love listening to the classics as much as anybody, but I also love discovering new music. These are the 20 best albums I've discovered released within the last 10 years. Included are my brief thoughts on the record, the cover (so you know what to look for) and a song from the album that you should listen to now.
Arctic Monkeys – Whatever People Say
I Am, That’s What I’m Not
One of the greatest debut albums
ever.
My Chemical Romance – The Black
Parade
Forget the emo tag, this is a great
rock record. The closest any band has come to the spirit of Pink Floyd, without
sounding anything like Pink Floyd.
Snow Patrol – Eyes Open
Big album for me just after I moved
to Calgary. Saw them on this tour and still one of the best shows I’ve been to.
They had a set for an arena stuffed into a hall for 2,000.
Chris Whitley – Reiter In
His final album, a mix of covers and
originals recorded 5 months before his death. If you don’t know Chris Whitley,
listen to this album. He’s one of the greatest singer, songwriters America has
ever produced.
Killers – Sam’s Town
Every song is like a movie that tells
the tale of life in a desert town.
Metric – Fantasies
I listened to this album every day
for about 6 months after it came out.
Deer Tick – War Elephant
Any Deer Tick album could be on this
list, but always best to start with the first. Everyone should hear “Ashamed”.
The Kills – Midnight Boom
Every Kills record could be on this
list, before and after 2006.
Duffy – Rockferry
She came out in the wake of the Amy
Winehouse, 60’s throwback sound. But with much more class, depth and fantastic
songs. 
Dandy Warhols – Earth To The Dandy
Warhols
My old roommate exposed me to the
Dandy’s, gave me this disc too. Every time I hear it, it sounds brand new.
Die Mannequin – Fino & Bleed
“Dead Honey” is probably the greatest
Canadian rock song of the last 20 years, ditto for the album.
Gorillaz – Plastic Beach
I got this album right when it came
out, but it actually took me a couple of years before I finally “got it”. Now
it’s one of my favourites.
Ladyhawke – Ladyhawke
A New Zealander with Euro style
playing electro rock. Every song on this album sounds like a dream, one of them
is even called “Morning Dreams”.
Band Of Skulls – Baby Darling Doll
Face Honey
Out of nowhere I heard “Death By
Diamonds And Pearls” on the radio and was hooked! Funky guitar rock with 2 lead
singers, one guy and one girl and tunes catchier than a baseball mitt.
Yann Perreau – Un Serpent Sous Les
Fleurs
I started listening to French music
after visiting France in 2011. This guy is from Quebec, I discovered the album
in 2012 and listened to it every day that summer.
Los Lobos – Tin Can Trust
Just a legendary band from east L.A.
delivering their finest album 40 years into their career.
Black Keys – El Camino
The early 2 man band stuff is cool,
but this is the album these guys were meant to make.
Rival Sons – Pressure and Time
To be honest, I’m not a big fan of
side 2, but that just gives you all the more reason to just listen to side 1
again.
Lorde – Pure Heroine
Great singer, great songs, great
album.
Santigold – 99 Cents
The newest one on this list, it came
out in late February 2016. Santigold is the future and the future sounds
awesome!
