Hello all,
Happy holidays! I hope everyone had a great year. I am sending this letter to invite everyone to have fun and participate in the sixth annual best music poll. For those of you who are new (or forget things easily like myself), the way the yearly list works is the following:
Send me an email (robert.knaack at good ol' gmail.com) with your list of the best music you've LISTENED to this year (not necessarily published this year.) It can be your top 10, 20, or even just a couple. Some of the iTunes generation submit songs...which is great as well.
The goal is to let other people find new music that they might otherwise have missed. This isn't a contest, it is about fun and sharing. Lastly, don't be worried the music you listen to isn't good enough or that people aren't interested in your musical tastes...you'd be surprised, so please join in!
I will send out one more reminder at the end of the year and publish the results after the first of the year. In previous years I sent a single email with everyone's lists. This year, I will put together all of the lists received into a blog (and most likely an email as well.)
If someone you know would be interested in participating and hasn't gotten this email forward it to them. The more the merrier. I also welcome people to submit their kid's music lists as well. Please include the child's age as well.
I'm enclosing the results of last years poll at the bottom of this email.
I'm excited to see what music I've missed this year!
Take care,
Rob
December 15, 2006
Best Music 2005 - the web
"Best Of"s on the 'Net
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Best Music 2005 - Robert Knaack
01) Brakes – Give Blood [quirky, frivolous, and fun rock]
02) Sleater-Kinney – the Woods
03) Buck 65 – This Right Here Is [country indie rap is the best description I can come up with]
04) New Pornographers – Twin Cinema
05) M Ward – Transistor Radio
06) Soviettes – III [energetic, playful punk]
07) Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah – CYHASY
08) Russian Futurists – Our Thickness [one man indie-pop band]
09) Band of Bees – Free the Bees [new psychedelia – wonderful]
10) Rakes – Capture/Release [not to be confused with the Brakes – snotty British punk-rock ala the Clash]
11) Josh Rouse – Nashville [a great Americana follow-up to 2003's winning "1972"]
12) Supergrass – Road to Rouen [just when I had given up on them they make a great record]
13) Joseph Arthur – Our Shadows Will Remain [alt-pop songs that get into your brain]
14) Eels – Blinking Lights and Other Revelations [2 discs is too long, but incredible songs throughout]
15) Sons and Daughters – Repulsion Box [folk-rock songs that m-o-v-e]
16) MIA – Arular [dance music is usually not my thing, but something about this works for me]
17) Andrew Bird – Mysterious Production of Eggs [I hate to use the phrase 'adult alternative pop', but it seems to fit here. Beautiful songs]
18) Perceptionists – Black Dialogue [political rap that thumps]
19) Decemberists – Picaresque
20) White Stripes – Get Behind Me Satan
Bands just missing the cut:
Of Montreal – Sunlandic Twins
Spoon – Gimme Friction
Brights Eyes – I'm Awake…
Mando Diao – Hurricane Bar
Antony and the Johnsons – I Am A Bird Now
Adrian Belew – Side One
02) Sleater-Kinney – the Woods
03) Buck 65 – This Right Here Is [country indie rap is the best description I can come up with]
04) New Pornographers – Twin Cinema
05) M Ward – Transistor Radio
06) Soviettes – III [energetic, playful punk]
07) Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah – CYHASY
08) Russian Futurists – Our Thickness [one man indie-pop band]
09) Band of Bees – Free the Bees [new psychedelia – wonderful]
10) Rakes – Capture/Release [not to be confused with the Brakes – snotty British punk-rock ala the Clash]
11) Josh Rouse – Nashville [a great Americana follow-up to 2003's winning "1972"]
12) Supergrass – Road to Rouen [just when I had given up on them they make a great record]
13) Joseph Arthur – Our Shadows Will Remain [alt-pop songs that get into your brain]
14) Eels – Blinking Lights and Other Revelations [2 discs is too long, but incredible songs throughout]
15) Sons and Daughters – Repulsion Box [folk-rock songs that m-o-v-e]
16) MIA – Arular [dance music is usually not my thing, but something about this works for me]
17) Andrew Bird – Mysterious Production of Eggs [I hate to use the phrase 'adult alternative pop', but it seems to fit here. Beautiful songs]
18) Perceptionists – Black Dialogue [political rap that thumps]
19) Decemberists – Picaresque
20) White Stripes – Get Behind Me Satan
Bands just missing the cut:
Of Montreal – Sunlandic Twins
Spoon – Gimme Friction
Brights Eyes – I'm Awake…
Mando Diao – Hurricane Bar
Antony and the Johnsons – I Am A Bird Now
Adrian Belew – Side One
Best Music 2005 - Dexter Knaack (3.5 y/o)
1) Captain Bogg and Salty – Bedtime Stories for Pirates
2) Ralph's World – Under the Sea
3) Ralph's World – Ralph's World
4) Captain Bogg and Salty – Pegleg Tango
5) Ralph's World – Lemon
6) Ralph's World – Peggy Pie Parlor
7) Ralph's World – Amazing Adventures of Kid Astro
8) Ralph's World – Green Gorilla
9) They Might Be Giants – ABCs
Songs:
1) Spiderman 67 theme song
2) Batman theme song
3) Jingle Bells (the "batman smells" version)
[editor's note: if you have kids and haven't heard of Captain Bogg's CDs seek them out. They are fantastic!]
2) Ralph's World – Under the Sea
3) Ralph's World – Ralph's World
4) Captain Bogg and Salty – Pegleg Tango
5) Ralph's World – Lemon
6) Ralph's World – Peggy Pie Parlor
7) Ralph's World – Amazing Adventures of Kid Astro
8) Ralph's World – Green Gorilla
9) They Might Be Giants – ABCs
Songs:
1) Spiderman 67 theme song
2) Batman theme song
3) Jingle Bells (the "batman smells" version)
[editor's note: if you have kids and haven't heard of Captain Bogg's CDs seek them out. They are fantastic!]
Best Music 2005 - Bryan Waterman
i've been stewing over my top 10 for 2005, wondering if i can even come up with one. i haven't heard from anyone else yet, so for all i know i may be either so predictable i'm pathetic or so out of tune (for spending my whole year listening to wfmu rather than new music) that i have no idea what's what and i'm starting to slide into routine in my buying habits. some years i have no problem hitting a top 20, this year i could probably have hit 15 if i were lucky. here's where i am this year. am i an aging indie rocker or what? all i have to say is: no antony and the johnsons, new pornographers, or sufjan stevens. fuck the demographic! not that i didn't enjoy some songs by any of the above scrolling across my ipod at random. i just didn't take to their albums as a whole. i'm writing this quickly, late at night, and with more than a couple drinks in me, so i'll reserve the right to amend if someone really lets me have it. for 2006 i aspire to buy an ecclectic enough selection of new releases to rival trouble's or hatch's awesome 2005 top 10s and break out of my little narrow indie window. (see trouble's and hatch's kickass picks at the dj picks at http://wfmu.org/bestof/bestof2005.html ).
these are all released in 2005. they probably don't match up with my favorite purchases of the year, but that's a different list for another night.
10. smog, A River Ain't Too Much to Love: smog grows up on this one, settles into his late 30s. countrified. i may be listing him (and listening to him) out of habit, but bill's songs still work for me by and large. between me and stephanie he got good air time.
9. superwolf, Superwolf. matt sweeny (chavez) and will oldham. the first song still gives me chills. it's a delicate little album with a hard edge nonetheless. i didn't care much for the live show: billy was too ironic, dancing his little jigs, though sweeny was fantastic. an amazing musician.
8. richard hawley, Cole's Corner. pulp's guitarist on a nick lowe groove. nothing can compete with this in terms of orchestration this year. he makes jens lekman sound like junior high school, though i liked the new jens lekman just fine. if anything defines the sound of my sensibility at age 35, this is probably it.
7. broken social scene, Broken Social Scene. it took me a long while to warm up to it. it's no You Forgot It In People, to be sure. but it gets better with repetition (as did YFIP, i have to remind myself). file under: bedroom rock for the 00s.
6. lyrics born, same !@#$ different day. Unlike Guerelito or The Silent Alarm Remixed, this one actually works. In fact, it's better than the album. This isn't just my token hiphop album of the year, it's my party album of the year. This man's voice trumps all the other motherfuckers.
5. my morning jacket, Z. on which the heroes of the post-Dead deadheads take an island vacation. i enjoy this entire album, but i would have included it on the merits of the second half of "off the record" alone.
4. devendra banhardt, cripple crow. I've enjoyed him to a degree before, never to the extent that i wanted to listen to his albums straight through. but this one has a gentleness and a coyness that really balance out. "heard somebody say" is my favorite song of the year.
4. caribou, Milk of Human Kindness. easily one of the most listened to discs i purchased this year. it's from early on--march or april?--but i still listen to it once a week at least.
2. sam prekop, who's your new professor? One of our two summer CDs this year. We couldn't stop listening to it. I did not enjoy the live show at Mercury, which was packed and hot as hell. Plus the band was not as attractive as I expected. (I imagined he looked something like Sufjan.)
1. feist, Let It Die. The album--and series of live performances--that defined my music listening year. I even bought the Bee Gees number ones because of her. Oh Lord what I wouldn't do to make this woman my friend. the other summer CD. but this was winter, spring, summer, and fall. I melt.
honorable mentions: paul mccartney, the fall, kings of leon, andrew bird, jens lekman, clap your hands, deerhoof, jennifer gentle, broadcast, magnolia electric co., animal collective with vashti bunyan, blackalicious, nouvelle vague, silver jews.
compilations: _hearing is believing: the jack nitzche story_; that french new wave anthology trouble played songs from (so young and so cold--i bought it and it's great too: also file under bedroom), the soundtrack to life aquatic
favorite song someone played at record club: jason spinning "lose that skin" by the clash. blew my mind.
favorite new alternatives to pitchfork in 2005: www.3hive.com and www.dustedmagazine.com (why did i arrive so late on these scenes?)
thing that's on everyone's list that my brother nathan told me about early, early in the year and he was actually cool enough to go and see live but like a lame-ass i missed: konono no. 1.
these are all released in 2005. they probably don't match up with my favorite purchases of the year, but that's a different list for another night.
10. smog, A River Ain't Too Much to Love: smog grows up on this one, settles into his late 30s. countrified. i may be listing him (and listening to him) out of habit, but bill's songs still work for me by and large. between me and stephanie he got good air time.
9. superwolf, Superwolf. matt sweeny (chavez) and will oldham. the first song still gives me chills. it's a delicate little album with a hard edge nonetheless. i didn't care much for the live show: billy was too ironic, dancing his little jigs, though sweeny was fantastic. an amazing musician.
8. richard hawley, Cole's Corner. pulp's guitarist on a nick lowe groove. nothing can compete with this in terms of orchestration this year. he makes jens lekman sound like junior high school, though i liked the new jens lekman just fine. if anything defines the sound of my sensibility at age 35, this is probably it.
7. broken social scene, Broken Social Scene. it took me a long while to warm up to it. it's no You Forgot It In People, to be sure. but it gets better with repetition (as did YFIP, i have to remind myself). file under: bedroom rock for the 00s.
6. lyrics born, same !@#$ different day. Unlike Guerelito or The Silent Alarm Remixed, this one actually works. In fact, it's better than the album. This isn't just my token hiphop album of the year, it's my party album of the year. This man's voice trumps all the other motherfuckers.
5. my morning jacket, Z. on which the heroes of the post-Dead deadheads take an island vacation. i enjoy this entire album, but i would have included it on the merits of the second half of "off the record" alone.
4. devendra banhardt, cripple crow. I've enjoyed him to a degree before, never to the extent that i wanted to listen to his albums straight through. but this one has a gentleness and a coyness that really balance out. "heard somebody say" is my favorite song of the year.
4. caribou, Milk of Human Kindness. easily one of the most listened to discs i purchased this year. it's from early on--march or april?--but i still listen to it once a week at least.
2. sam prekop, who's your new professor? One of our two summer CDs this year. We couldn't stop listening to it. I did not enjoy the live show at Mercury, which was packed and hot as hell. Plus the band was not as attractive as I expected. (I imagined he looked something like Sufjan.)
1. feist, Let It Die. The album--and series of live performances--that defined my music listening year. I even bought the Bee Gees number ones because of her. Oh Lord what I wouldn't do to make this woman my friend. the other summer CD. but this was winter, spring, summer, and fall. I melt.
honorable mentions: paul mccartney, the fall, kings of leon, andrew bird, jens lekman, clap your hands, deerhoof, jennifer gentle, broadcast, magnolia electric co., animal collective with vashti bunyan, blackalicious, nouvelle vague, silver jews.
compilations: _hearing is believing: the jack nitzche story_; that french new wave anthology trouble played songs from (so young and so cold--i bought it and it's great too: also file under bedroom), the soundtrack to life aquatic
favorite song someone played at record club: jason spinning "lose that skin" by the clash. blew my mind.
favorite new alternatives to pitchfork in 2005: www.3hive.com
thing that's on everyone's list that my brother nathan told me about early, early in the year and he was actually cool enough to go and see live but like a lame-ass i missed: konono no. 1.
Best Music 2005 - Doug McLaughlin
http://stinksgood.blogspot.com /
In no particular order:
1. Warlocks - Surgery: My vote for best "stoner rock" psychedelic album of the year.
2. Wedding Present - Take Fountain: I never get tired of this band.
3. Soundtrack of Our Lives - Origin, Vol. 1
4. Spoon - Gimme Fiction: If you haven't heard it yet, well then thats just silly
5. New Pornographers - Twin Cinema: Ditto
6. Of Montreal - Sunlandic Twins: Best Montreal band not from Montreal .
7. M. Ward - Transistor Radio:
8. Super Furry Animals - Love Kraft: Again, These guys just keep putting out good albums.
Good Live too.
9. Tosca - JAC: Didnt really listen to much "dance" music this year, but i'll always check out these guys.
10. The Fall - Fall Heads Roll: Back with a vengance, this under-rated original punk group still kicks.
11. Sons and Daughters - Repulsion Box: Like stripped down PJ Harvey meets the Pogues or somethin.
12.Deerhoof - The Runners Four: Still totally left of center, but just a little more center.
13 The Mae Shi - Terrorbird: Like Deerhoof's hyper younger brother.
14. The Futureheads - Futureheads: Best 80's revival band bar none.
15. Arctic Monkey - Single: They'll be kickin it in 2006
16. M83 - Before the Dawn Heals Us: Like My Bloody Valentine meets Vangelis or something. Epic fuzzy electronica.
17. Dungen - Ta Det Lugnt: Like if Hendrix was a Swedish multi-intrumentalist with friends from the band Can. Rock.
Download the podcasts at http://www.actiondynamics.org/podcast/pt1.rss
In no particular order:
1. Warlocks - Surgery: My vote for best "stoner rock" psychedelic album of the year.
2. Wedding Present - Take Fountain: I never get tired of this band.
3. Soundtrack of Our Lives - Origin, Vol. 1
4. Spoon - Gimme Fiction: If you haven't heard it yet, well then thats just silly
5. New Pornographers - Twin Cinema: Ditto
6. Of Montreal - Sunlandic Twins: Best Montreal band not from Montreal .
7. M. Ward - Transistor Radio:
8. Super Furry Animals - Love Kraft: Again, These guys just keep putting out good albums.
Good Live too.
9. Tosca - JAC: Didnt really listen to much "dance" music this year, but i'll always check out these guys.
10. The Fall - Fall Heads Roll: Back with a vengance, this under-rated original punk group still kicks.
11. Sons and Daughters - Repulsion Box: Like stripped down PJ Harvey meets the Pogues or somethin.
12.Deerhoof - The Runners Four: Still totally left of center, but just a little more center.
13 The Mae Shi - Terrorbird: Like Deerhoof's hyper younger brother.
14. The Futureheads - Futureheads: Best 80's revival band bar none.
15. Arctic Monkey - Single: They'll be kickin it in 2006
16. M83 - Before the Dawn Heals Us: Like My Bloody Valentine meets Vangelis or something. Epic fuzzy electronica.
17. Dungen - Ta Det Lugnt: Like if Hendrix was a Swedish multi-intrumentalist with friends from the band Can. Rock.
Download the podcasts at http://www.actiondynamics.org/podcast/pt1.rss
Best Music 2005 - Dave Davis
You know me - a sucker for a catchy hook and more mainstream than I'd like to be...
Annie - Anniemal
Bebel Gilberto - Bebel Gilberto
Beck - Guero
Benny Benassi - Hypnotica
Creedence Clearwater Revival - Chronicle
Damian 'Jr. Gong' Marley - Welcome To Jamrock
Danger Doom - The Mouse And The Mask
Fatboy Slim - Palookaville
Flaming Lips- Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots
G. Love And Special Sauce - G. Love And Special Sauce
Gorillaz - Demon Days
Kaiser Chiefs - Employment
Kanye West -Late Registration
Killers -Hot Fuss
Limbomaniacs - Stinky Grooves
Liz Phair - Somebody's Miracle
Neil Diamond - 12 Songs
Nick Drake - Pink Moon
Social Distortion -Sex, Love, And Rock 'n' Roll
Transplants - Haunted Cities
Walkmen - Bows Plus Arrows
Weezer - Make Believe
and unfortunately WAY too much Radio Disney and their 5 song playlist...
Annie - Anniemal
Bebel Gilberto - Bebel Gilberto
Beck - Guero
Benny Benassi - Hypnotica
Creedence Clearwater Revival - Chronicle
Damian 'Jr. Gong' Marley - Welcome To Jamrock
Danger Doom - The Mouse And The Mask
Fatboy Slim - Palookaville
Flaming Lips- Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots
G. Love And Special Sauce - G. Love And Special Sauce
Gorillaz - Demon Days
Kaiser Chiefs - Employment
Kanye West -Late Registration
Killers -Hot Fuss
Limbomaniacs - Stinky Grooves
Liz Phair - Somebody's Miracle
Neil Diamond - 12 Songs
Nick Drake - Pink Moon
Social Distortion -Sex, Love, And Rock 'n' Roll
Transplants - Haunted Cities
Walkmen - Bows Plus Arrows
Weezer - Make Believe
and unfortunately WAY too much Radio Disney and their 5 song playlist...
Best Music 2005 - Pete Limbrick
Here's my top 10:
Konono No. 1--Congotronics.
Fela Kuti--Shuffering and Shmiling/No Agreement
Fela Kuti-- Confusion/Gentleman
Fela Kuti-- Stalemate/Fear Not Man
Fela Kuti--Yellow Fever
[Okay I know that's four albums but I bought one of this series of reissues and went right back for another 3, and now I can't stop listening to them!]
Stereolab--Oscillations from the Anti-Sun
Dengue Fever--Escape from Dragon House
Mulatu Astatke--Ethiopiques Vol. 4
Galaxie 500--This is Our Music
Go-Betweens--Tallulah (reissue)
Beck--Guero
Konono No. 1--Congotronics.
Fela Kuti--Shuffering and Shmiling/No Agreement
Fela Kuti-- Confusion/Gentleman
Fela Kuti-- Stalemate/Fear Not Man
Fela Kuti--Yellow Fever
[Okay I know that's four albums but I bought one of this series of reissues and went right back for another 3, and now I can't stop listening to them!]
Stereolab--Oscillations from the Anti-Sun
Dengue Fever--Escape from Dragon House
Mulatu Astatke--Ethiopiques Vol. 4
Galaxie 500--This is Our Music
Go-Betweens--Tallulah (reissue)
Beck--Guero
Best Music 2005 - Alfred and Julius Kopald (5 + 3 y/o)
Here are some things Alfred (5) and Julius ( 3-ish) have been listening to.
The Beach Boys-Endless Summer
Stereolab-Mars Audiac Quintet
The Ramones-Ramones Mania
Beta Band-Three EPs
The Smithsonian Folkways Children's Collection
The Dandy Warhols-13 Tales From Urban Bohemia
The Beach Boys-Endless Summer
Stereolab-Mars Audiac Quintet
The Ramones-Ramones Mania
Beta Band-Three EPs
The Smithsonian Folkways Children's Collection
The Dandy Warhols-13 Tales From Urban Bohemia
Best Music 2005 - Adam Kopald
Jason Falkner-Bliss Descending EP
Ambulance Ltd.-LP (2004)
Doves-Some Cities
The Libertines-The Libertines
The High Strung-These Are Good Times
Kaiser Chiefs-Employment
Brendan Benson-The Alternative to Love
The Long Winters-The Worst You Can Do Is Harm (2002)
Tegan and Sarah-So Jealous
n. lannon-Chemical Friends
Ladytron-Witching Hour
The New Pornographers-Twin Cinema
HollAnd -Your Orgasm (released 1997, just discovered by me)
The Faint-Wet From Birth (2004)
Ambulance Ltd.-LP (2004)
Doves-Some Cities
The Libertines-The Libertines
The High Strung-These Are Good Times
Kaiser Chiefs-Employment
Brendan Benson-The Alternative to Love
The Long Winters-The Worst You Can Do Is Harm (2002)
Tegan and Sarah-So Jealous
n. lannon-Chemical Friends
Ladytron-Witching Hour
The New Pornographers-Twin Cinema
HollAnd -Your Orgasm (released 1997, just discovered by me)
The Faint-Wet From Birth (2004)
Best Music 2005 - Tiffany Hope
I think I got 3 cds in 2005 — How pathetic! So I wish to substitute the recommendations of my good buddy Dave Jenne. He sent me the following list after a conversation about how pathetic it is that I am no longer hip to what The Kids are listening to. Dave is a Fresno Nerd, guitar genius and all around seriously funny human being. He is Eddie Van Halen to my David Lee Roth (no joke, he still hounds me about doing VH Christmas). Like Doug, his musical knowledge shames me. Please add him to the End Of Year list as he is always on the hunt for new stuff. Dave Jenne
P.s. Why the hell can't I be in a band called jackie O mutherfucker? That's even better than Legitimate Midget!
-tiff
Here is my music buying guide:
Album of the YEAR:
"The Woods" by Sleater-Kinney
Other groovy tunes:
"Z" by My Morning Jacket
"Horses 2 Disc Special Thingy" by Patty Smith
"So Much for the City" by The Thrills
"Decline of British Sea Power" by British Sea Power
"Smile" by Brian Wilson (this is a fucking great
album)
Under the heading New To Me:
"Bad News" by Bad News – it's the guys from The Young Ones in a Spinal Tap like show from about the same
era, in fact I think this might have come out just before Spinal Tap.
"Myra Lee" and "The Covers Record" and "What Would the Community Think" by Cat Power
"Fire" by Electric Six
"The Grey Album" Jay-Z / Beatles / DJ Danger Mouse -- which is a mash-up of Jay-Z's "Black Album" and the
Beatles "White Album" thus the grey title. Super rare, I have a copy of it not an orig, he got sued by Jay-Z
and the Beatles to stop production of it. Brilliant though, and until this I had not interest in Jay-Z at
all, he isn't half bad, in fact some is very good. I say Thumbs UP!
"I don't mean to insult you but you look like Bobcat Goldthwait" by Bobcat Goldthwait very funny, not david cross funny but funny.
"The Raincoats" by The Raincoats – early punk girl band. Best. Version. Of. The Kinks "Lola". Ever.
"The Stooges" and "Funhouse" by the Stooges. I am a big fan of raw power, but these two so SO SOOOO rock.
"Apocalypse Dudes" and "Ass Cobra" Turbonegro
"Anton Maiden" by this guy called Anton whom lived in like Norway or Finland. This is an album of cheesy
synth covers (with him singing!) of his favorite band…Iron Maiden. Oh, my GOD!
Anything by Deerhoof. Nutty Japanese punk thingy
"Jackie-o-motherfucker" by Jackie-o-Motherfucker wow is this good. Wow.
That's all I can think of for now! Enjoy!
P.s. Why the hell can't I be in a band called jackie O mutherfucker? That's even better than Legitimate Midget!
-tiff
Here is my music buying guide:
Album of the YEAR:
"The Woods" by Sleater-Kinney
Other groovy tunes:
"Z" by My Morning Jacket
"Horses 2 Disc Special Thingy" by Patty Smith
"So Much for the City" by The Thrills
"Decline of British Sea Power" by British Sea Power
"Smile" by Brian Wilson (this is a fucking great
album)
Under the heading New To Me:
"Bad News" by Bad News – it's the guys from The Young Ones in a Spinal Tap like show from about the same
era, in fact I think this might have come out just before Spinal Tap.
"Myra Lee" and "The Covers Record" and "What Would the Community Think" by Cat Power
"Fire" by Electric Six
"The Grey Album" Jay-Z / Beatles / DJ Danger Mouse -- which is a mash-up of Jay-Z's "Black Album" and the
Beatles "White Album" thus the grey title. Super rare, I have a copy of it not an orig, he got sued by Jay-Z
and the Beatles to stop production of it. Brilliant though, and until this I had not interest in Jay-Z at
all, he isn't half bad, in fact some is very good. I say Thumbs UP!
"I don't mean to insult you but you look like Bobcat Goldthwait" by Bobcat Goldthwait very funny, not david cross funny but funny.
"The Raincoats" by The Raincoats – early punk girl band. Best. Version. Of. The Kinks "Lola". Ever.
"The Stooges" and "Funhouse" by the Stooges. I am a big fan of raw power, but these two so SO SOOOO rock.
"Apocalypse Dudes" and "Ass Cobra" Turbonegro
"Anton Maiden" by this guy called Anton whom lived in like Norway or Finland. This is an album of cheesy
synth covers (with him singing!) of his favorite band…Iron Maiden. Oh, my GOD!
Anything by Deerhoof. Nutty Japanese punk thingy
"Jackie-o-motherfucker" by Jackie-o-Motherfucker wow is this good. Wow.
That's all I can think of for now! Enjoy!
Best Music 2005 - Wendy West
So each month I make a new disc to for car listening and I thought I'd make a list of what would be on my disc of '05's greatest hits. Sufjan Stevens & Clap Your Hands Say Yeah sort of go without saying (although apparently, I am saying right now). No songs from either record made it onto any of my discs since I preferred listening to the records in their entirety. And no Bloc Party makes the final cut – I listened to them a lot in the first part of the year, but skip through their songs when I hear them now. I was lucky enough to see a lot of shows last year and some songs are closely tied to those experiences.
So. Songs of '05. Here goes.
1. Arcade Fire, "Wake Up." This was the first show I saw in the New Year and it was one of the best shows I have seen. We sardined into the Troubadour and waited and sweat on one another and then these kids – too many of them for the stage – spewed forth, eyes closed and mouths wide open and opened with this song making me feel both incredibly old and incredibly alive at the same time. It is a well-titled song.
2. Tegan and Sara (with a nod to The White Stripes), "Walking with the Ghost." So damn catchy.
3. The New Pornographers, "These are the Fables." "From Blown Speakers," is one of my favorite favorite songs and has nothing to do with Twin Cinema but whenever I think of the New Pornographers, I think of "Speakers" and not anything new. But, I did like Twin Cinema a lot.
4. Hartley Goldstein, "A Love Song for Annie Hall." The title of this record is "Songs in the key of Zoloft."
5. Kate Bush, " Wuthering Heights ." The Decemberists covered this in their show, and I craved the original and then could not get it out of my head for loooong periods of time. Kind of a Kate Bush year – her new record came out, "Hounds of Love" was covered – I hadn't thought about her for a few years. Nice to find her again.
6. Tracy Chapman, "Fast Car." She was live on KCRW one morning and hearing this song gave me pause – suddenly I was back in college, working the early shift, washing dishes on a snowy morning before the first customers came into the deli. This song became part of a script I was writing at the time, and became synonymous with the main character.
7. The White Stripes, "My Doorbell." I liked their new record a lot, but love most the twang Jack has in his voice, a crisscross of delight and stoned laugher and getting away with something all at once. Straight up, and not, at the same time.
8. Dr. Dre/Snoop Dogg, "Nuthin' but a G Thang." What can I say? 2005 was the year I came to know, really know Snoop.
9. Beck, "Scarecrow." Like the original, like the remixes. Don't like Scientology so much. Also, Beck's cover of "True Love Will Find You In The End," is great.
10. The Kills, "No Wow." They almost – but don't – have sex on stage, and it's the almost that is the most sexy.
11. The Malinks, "If Only." Bummer that the band released their best song just as they broke up.
12. Fiona Apple, "Extraordinary Machine." I have often repeated her first line, hoping to be believed, even though it's never true when I say, "I certainly haven't been shopping for any new shoes… and…"
13. Aqualung, "Strange & Beautiful." This song is like wading into warm water one step at a time until you are enveloped, surrounded, and you surrender.
14. n.Lannon, "Spy." Again with the college memories. This song reminds me of night before snowfall, when the sky is pregnant and white.
15. Morcheeba, "Wonders Never Cease." Get packin' and head out the door.
And if there were a second disc of '05 greats, these songs would be on it:
Smashing Pumpkins, "Muzzle." Elliott Smith, "Independence Day." Kanye West, who is, I believe, my long lost brother, "Gold Digger." Arctic Monkeys, "Perhaps Vampire Is A Bit Strong, but…" This was another fun "I feel old and young at the same time" show – these monkey guys weren't old enough to drink at Spaceland. The Outfield, "Your Love." The Devics, "Distant Radio." Bill Withers, "Who is He (And What Is He To You)?" Sia's "Breathe Me," but the Ulrich Schnauss remix. Death Cab for Cutie, "World Shut Your Mouth," not a revolutionary cover, but fun nonetheless. "There is a Light That Never Goes Out," I'll listen to almost anyone cover this song. Stevie Nicks & Tom Petty, "Stop Dragging My Heart Around."
So. Songs of '05. Here goes.
1. Arcade Fire, "Wake Up." This was the first show I saw in the New Year and it was one of the best shows I have seen. We sardined into the Troubadour and waited and sweat on one another and then these kids – too many of them for the stage – spewed forth, eyes closed and mouths wide open and opened with this song making me feel both incredibly old and incredibly alive at the same time. It is a well-titled song.
2. Tegan and Sara (with a nod to The White Stripes), "Walking with the Ghost." So damn catchy.
3. The New Pornographers, "These are the Fables." "From Blown Speakers," is one of my favorite favorite songs and has nothing to do with Twin Cinema but whenever I think of the New Pornographers, I think of "Speakers" and not anything new. But, I did like Twin Cinema a lot.
4. Hartley Goldstein, "A Love Song for Annie Hall." The title of this record is "Songs in the key of Zoloft."
5. Kate Bush, " Wuthering Heights ." The Decemberists covered this in their show, and I craved the original and then could not get it out of my head for loooong periods of time. Kind of a Kate Bush year – her new record came out, "Hounds of Love" was covered – I hadn't thought about her for a few years. Nice to find her again.
6. Tracy Chapman, "Fast Car." She was live on KCRW one morning and hearing this song gave me pause – suddenly I was back in college, working the early shift, washing dishes on a snowy morning before the first customers came into the deli. This song became part of a script I was writing at the time, and became synonymous with the main character.
7. The White Stripes, "My Doorbell." I liked their new record a lot, but love most the twang Jack has in his voice, a crisscross of delight and stoned laugher and getting away with something all at once. Straight up, and not, at the same time.
8. Dr. Dre/Snoop Dogg, "Nuthin' but a G Thang." What can I say? 2005 was the year I came to know, really know Snoop.
9. Beck, "Scarecrow." Like the original, like the remixes. Don't like Scientology so much. Also, Beck's cover of "True Love Will Find You In The End," is great.
10. The Kills, "No Wow." They almost – but don't – have sex on stage, and it's the almost that is the most sexy.
11. The Malinks, "If Only." Bummer that the band released their best song just as they broke up.
12. Fiona Apple, "Extraordinary Machine." I have often repeated her first line, hoping to be believed, even though it's never true when I say, "I certainly haven't been shopping for any new shoes… and…"
13. Aqualung, "Strange & Beautiful." This song is like wading into warm water one step at a time until you are enveloped, surrounded, and you surrender.
14. n.Lannon, "Spy." Again with the college memories. This song reminds me of night before snowfall, when the sky is pregnant and white.
15. Morcheeba, "Wonders Never Cease." Get packin' and head out the door.
And if there were a second disc of '05 greats, these songs would be on it:
Smashing Pumpkins, "Muzzle." Elliott Smith, "Independence Day." Kanye West, who is, I believe, my long lost brother, "Gold Digger." Arctic Monkeys, "Perhaps Vampire Is A Bit Strong, but…" This was another fun "I feel old and young at the same time" show – these monkey guys weren't old enough to drink at Spaceland. The Outfield, "Your Love." The Devics, "Distant Radio." Bill Withers, "Who is He (And What Is He To You)?" Sia's "Breathe Me," but the Ulrich Schnauss remix. Death Cab for Cutie, "World Shut Your Mouth," not a revolutionary cover, but fun nonetheless. "There is a Light That Never Goes Out," I'll listen to almost anyone cover this song. Stevie Nicks & Tom Petty, "Stop Dragging My Heart Around."
Best Music 2005 - Jeremy Zitter
My list:
1. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah: "Clap Your Hands Say Yeah"
2. Sufjan Stevens: " Illinois" (aka, "Come on Feel the Illinoise")
3. American Analog Set: "Set Free"
4. (Smog): "A River Ain't Too Much to Love"
5. CocoRosie: "Noah's Ark"
6. Silversun Pickups: "Pikul" (technically, an e.p.)
7. Devics: "Push the Heart"
8. Antony and the Johnsons: "I Am a Bird Now"
9. Stars: "Set Yourself on Fire"
10. Other Albums I Liked:
Dustin O'Halloran's "Piano Solos," Rex Aquarium's "The Back of the Room," Broken Social Scene's "Broken Social Scene," Bright Eyes' "I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning," Neil Diamond's "12 Songs," The New Pornographers' "Twin Cinema," Death Cab for Cutie's "Plans," Sigur Ros' "Takk," Wolf Parade's "Apologies to Queen Mary," Spoon's "Gimme Fiction," The Grabs' "Sex, Fashion, and Money"
1. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah: "Clap Your Hands Say Yeah"
2. Sufjan Stevens: " Illinois" (aka, "Come on Feel the Illinoise")
3. American Analog Set: "Set Free"
4. (Smog): "A River Ain't Too Much to Love"
5. CocoRosie: "Noah's Ark"
6. Silversun Pickups: "Pikul" (technically, an e.p.)
7. Devics: "Push the Heart"
8. Antony and the Johnsons: "I Am a Bird Now"
9. Stars: "Set Yourself on Fire"
10. Other Albums I Liked:
Dustin O'Halloran's "Piano Solos," Rex Aquarium's "The Back of the Room," Broken Social Scene's "Broken Social Scene," Bright Eyes' "I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning," Neil Diamond's "12 Songs," The New Pornographers' "Twin Cinema," Death Cab for Cutie's "Plans," Sigur Ros' "Takk," Wolf Parade's "Apologies to Queen Mary," Spoon's "Gimme Fiction," The Grabs' "Sex, Fashion, and Money"
Best Music 2005 - Adam Chrystie
Happy New Year to ya..here it is:
LadyTron
Conjur One
Franz Ferdinand
Deathcab For Cutie
LadyTron
Conjur One
Franz Ferdinand
Deathcab For Cutie
Best Music 2005 - Alex Sokoloff
Here's my top 10, in no particular order:
1. Amadou & Mariam Dimanche A Bamako (amazing - no other word to describe it)
2. White Stripes Get Behind Me Satan
3. My Morning Jacket Z
4. Ry Cooder Chavez Ravine
5. Los Lobos The Ride (this may have come out in 2004 - still awesome!)
6. Thievery Corporation The Cosmic Game
7. Ray Charles Visionary Soul (don't buy the "duets" album - it sucks. Get this new complitation - you won't be dissapointed!!!)
8. Paul Weller As is Now (not his best, but damn good - he has a bunch of excellent solo albums)
9. Gorillaz Demon Days
10. Coldplay X&Y
1. Amadou & Mariam Dimanche A Bamako (amazing - no other word to describe it)
2. White Stripes Get Behind Me Satan
3. My Morning Jacket Z
4. Ry Cooder Chavez Ravine
5. Los Lobos The Ride (this may have come out in 2004 - still awesome!)
6. Thievery Corporation The Cosmic Game
7. Ray Charles Visionary Soul (don't buy the "duets" album - it sucks. Get this new complitation - you won't be dissapointed!!!)
8. Paul Weller As is Now (not his best, but damn good - he has a bunch of excellent solo albums)
9. Gorillaz Demon Days
10. Coldplay X&Y
Best Music 2005 - David Bokser
Death Cab for Cutie - Plans - although it's too mainstream for me to really like it
Sparklehorse - It's a Wonderful Life - I just got this and I really like it
Sparklehorse - It's a Wonderful Life - I just got this and I really like it
Best Music 2005 - Chris Jess
I'm actually not sure about the ranking, so don't take it too serious.
1. Matisyahu - Live at Stubb's
2. Nightmare of You - Nightmare of You
3. System of a Down - Mezmerize
4. System of a Down - Hypnotize
5. Paul Anka - Rock Swings
6. Depeche Mode - Playing the Angel
Honorable Mentions:
Not Another Teen Movie - Soundtrack
(It's from 2001 but I finally bought the CD which is actually pretty good - fairly funny movie too)
1. Matisyahu - Live at Stubb's
2. Nightmare of You - Nightmare of You
3. System of a Down - Mezmerize
4. System of a Down - Hypnotize
5. Paul Anka - Rock Swings
6. Depeche Mode - Playing the Angel
Honorable Mentions:
Not Another Teen Movie - Soundtrack
(It's from 2001 but I finally bought the CD which is actually pretty good - fairly funny movie too)
Best Music 2005 - Michael Schwartz
* Broken Social Scene - Broken Social Scene
* Decemberists - Picaresque
* Fiery Furnaces - EP
* Fiona Apple - Extraordinary Machine
* Grandaddy - Excerpts from the Diary of Todd Zilla
* New Pornographers - Twin Cinema
* Sigur Rós - Takk...
* Sleater Kinney - The Woods
* Super Furry Animals - Love Kraft
* White Stripes - Get Behind Me Satan
* Decemberists - Picaresque
* Fiery Furnaces - EP
* Fiona Apple - Extraordinary Machine
* Grandaddy - Excerpts from the Diary of Todd Zilla
* New Pornographers - Twin Cinema
* Sigur Rós - Takk...
* Sleater Kinney - The Woods
* Super Furry Animals - Love Kraft
* White Stripes - Get Behind Me Satan
Best Music 2005 - Lynn Roof
Howdy! Just going to list a few:
Rob Dickenson - Fresh Wine for the Horses : GREAT album with an amazing single, "My Name is Love". He was the lead singer for Catherine Wheel, which I didn't listen to, but now may have to check out.
Nickel Creek - Why Should the Fire Die? : Another stellar album from them. If you EVER get the chance to see them live, jump on it. One of the best live acts I've ever seen (and that's saying a lot). Anyone who can pull off Britney Spears' "Toxic" and make it sound better is all right by me.
Death Cab For Cutie - Plans : Just got on this bandwagon. Love it.
Sia - Breathe Me : And no, I'm not listing this song because of the Six Feet Under finale. I've been hearing it on Indie 103.1 and I LOVE it. I don't think she?they? have an album out, but when they do, I'm there. It's just a really evocative song.
And speaking of Indie - they are, besides Morning Becomes Eclectic on KCRW, the best radio station in LA. Not afraid to play whatever they want, and not afraid to make fun of KROQ all the time. Plus, any station that gives Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols his own show and just lets him go on about anything and everything? They are the coolest.
Rob Dickenson - Fresh Wine for the Horses : GREAT album with an amazing single, "My Name is Love". He was the lead singer for Catherine Wheel, which I didn't listen to, but now may have to check out.
Nickel Creek - Why Should the Fire Die? : Another stellar album from them. If you EVER get the chance to see them live, jump on it. One of the best live acts I've ever seen (and that's saying a lot). Anyone who can pull off Britney Spears' "Toxic" and make it sound better is all right by me.
Death Cab For Cutie - Plans : Just got on this bandwagon. Love it.
Sia - Breathe Me : And no, I'm not listing this song because of the Six Feet Under finale. I've been hearing it on Indie 103.1 and I LOVE it. I don't think she?they? have an album out, but when they do, I'm there. It's just a really evocative song.
And speaking of Indie - they are, besides Morning Becomes Eclectic on KCRW, the best radio station in LA. Not afraid to play whatever they want, and not afraid to make fun of KROQ all the time. Plus, any station that gives Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols his own show and just lets him go on about anything and everything? They are the coolest.
Best Music 2005 - Tim Grierson
I just finished my Pazz & Jop ballot -- so here ya go
Ten Best Albums
1. Spoon - Gimme Fiction
2. New Pornographers - Twin Cinema
3. Fruit Bats - Spelled in Bones
4. White Stripes - Get Behind Me Satan
5. Dangerdoom - The Mouse and the Mask
6. My Morning Jacket - Z
7. Rogue Wave - Descended Like Vultures
8. LCD Soundsystem - LCD Soundsystem
9. M.I.A. - Arular
10. Fiona Apple - Extraordinary Machine
Ten Best Singles/Songs
1. Depeche Mode - Precious
2. Beck - Que Onda Guero
3. New Pornographers - The Bones of an Idol
4. 50 Cent (featuring Olivia) - Candy Shop
5. Death Cab For Cutie - Soul Meets Body
6. Beck - Missing
7. Rob Dickinson - My Name Is Love
8. Coldplay - Talk
9. Ladytron - Destroy Everything You Touch
10. Mariah Carey (featuring Jadakiss and Styles P.) - We Belong Together Remix
Ten Best Albums
1. Spoon - Gimme Fiction
2. New Pornographers - Twin Cinema
3. Fruit Bats - Spelled in Bones
4. White Stripes - Get Behind Me Satan
5. Dangerdoom - The Mouse and the Mask
6. My Morning Jacket - Z
7. Rogue Wave - Descended Like Vultures
8. LCD Soundsystem - LCD Soundsystem
9. M.I.A. - Arular
10. Fiona Apple - Extraordinary Machine
Ten Best Singles/Songs
1. Depeche Mode - Precious
2. Beck - Que Onda Guero
3. New Pornographers - The Bones of an Idol
4. 50 Cent (featuring Olivia) - Candy Shop
5. Death Cab For Cutie - Soul Meets Body
6. Beck - Missing
7. Rob Dickinson - My Name Is Love
8. Coldplay - Talk
9. Ladytron - Destroy Everything You Touch
10. Mariah Carey (featuring Jadakiss and Styles P.) - We Belong Together Remix
Best Music 2005 - Jack and Bess Higgins (Scott's kids)
P.S. I Love You -- Billie Holiday
Chocolata -- Ella Fitzgerald
Milkshake Song -- Ann-Marie Akin
I'm a Witch --- (Traditional?)
Mr. Pumpkin --- (to the tune of Frere Jacques, Traditional?)
Chocolata -- Ella Fitzgerald
Milkshake Song -- Ann-Marie Akin
I'm a Witch --- (Traditional?)
Mr. Pumpkin --- (to the tune of Frere Jacques, Traditional?)
Best Music 2005 - Scott Higgins
here's my list. I'm down to songs, mostly, given my attention span and time to devote to listening I've gained renewed respect for the three-minute pop song.
[LP]I Lucifer – The Real Tuesday Weld
[LP]Return of the Clerkenwell Kid – The Real Tuesday Weld
[LP]Guest Room – Ivy
[SONG]Mexican Flyer – Ken Woodman
[SONG]Teenage – Tribeca
[SONG]You're gonna make me lonesome when you go – Madeleine Peyroux
[SONG]I'd Rather Dance With You – Kings of Convenience
[SONG]Keep it Clean – Camera Obscura
[SONG]Air – The Owls
[SONG]Wraith Pinned to the Mist and Other Games – Of Montreal
[LP]I Lucifer – The Real Tuesday Weld
[LP]Return of the Clerkenwell Kid – The Real Tuesday Weld
[LP]Guest Room – Ivy
[SONG]Mexican Flyer – Ken Woodman
[SONG]Teenage – Tribeca
[SONG]You're gonna make me lonesome when you go – Madeleine Peyroux
[SONG]I'd Rather Dance With You – Kings of Convenience
[SONG]Keep it Clean – Camera Obscura
[SONG]Air – The Owls
[SONG]Wraith Pinned to the Mist and Other Games – Of Montreal
December 14, 2006
Best Music 2005 - Dan Toloudis
My list. Hard to single out certain albums. In many cases I listen to anything the artist did... which is easy when you use launch.yahoo.com.
1. Rush, Moving Pictures, and just about anything they did before 1984
2. King Crimson, In The Court of the Crimson King
3. King Crimson, Larks' Tongues In Aspic, and just about anything they did before 1984
3. Pink Floyd, Meddle
4. Pink Floyd, Animals, and everything they did before The Wall
5. Wes Montgomery, Smokin' At The Half Note
6. Sonny Rollins, The Bridge
7. Joni Mitchell, Hits (1996)
8. Clifford Brown, Study In Brown
9. Bill Evans, At The Village Vanguard 1961
10. Rage Against The Machine, Rage Against The Machine (1st album)
11. Simon and Garfunkel, Concert in Central Park
12. New Radicals, Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too
and anything by:
13. The Police
14. Ozric Tentacles
15. The Who
16. Coheed and Cambria (a current band! for real!)
17. Jimi Hendrix
18. Jane's Addiction
19. Cream
20. Santana
Best Music 2005 - Brian Anderson
Only a few albums this year, I've been using iTunes Germany mostly.
Albums
Röyksopp - The Understanding
2Raum Wohnung - Melancholisch Schön
Beck - Guero
Songs
Seeed - "Aufstehn!"
The White Stripes - "My Doorbell"
Kanye West - "Gold Digger"
Fettes Brot - "An Tagen wie diesen"
But the most remarkable thing about German radio is how many gimmicky covers and remakes there are. Here is some of the worst, weirdest stuff I've heard this year:
The BossHoss - Internashville Urban Hymns
( Berlin band doing redneck covers of urban music : "Hey Ya!", "Word Up", "Hot in Herre" )
Fler - "Neue Deutsche Welle"
(samples Falco's "Rock me Amadeus")
DJ Tomekk - "Jump,Jump"
( remake of Kriss Kross )
Alcazar - "This Is the World We Live In"
( Swedish disco remake of Genesis )
Die Firma - "Die Eine"
( repetitive German rap over Pachelbel's Canon )
Albums
Röyksopp - The Understanding
2Raum Wohnung - Melancholisch Schön
Beck - Guero
Songs
Seeed - "Aufstehn!"
The White Stripes - "My Doorbell"
Kanye West - "Gold Digger"
Fettes Brot - "An Tagen wie diesen"
But the most remarkable thing about German radio is how many gimmicky covers and remakes there are. Here is some of the worst, weirdest stuff I've heard this year:
The BossHoss - Internashville Urban Hymns
( Berlin band doing redneck covers of urban music : "Hey Ya!", "Word Up", "Hot in Herre" )
Fler - "Neue Deutsche Welle"
(samples Falco's "Rock me Amadeus")
DJ Tomekk - "Jump,Jump"
( remake of Kriss Kross )
Alcazar - "This Is the World We Live In"
( Swedish disco remake of Genesis )
Die Firma - "Die Eine"
( repetitive German rap over Pachelbel's Canon )
Best Music 2005 - Juan Devis
1- Hip Hop Essentials Volume 1-9
2- Shakira - Fijacion Oral 1
3- Kanye West - Late Registration
4- The Clash - Sandinista
5- Yaz - Upstairs at Eric
6- New Order - Movement
7- Panorama - Panorama
8- Hugh Masakela - Still Grazing
9- The Undertakers - Crucify Me
10- Sismo – Pueblo
2- Shakira - Fijacion Oral 1
3- Kanye West - Late Registration
4- The Clash - Sandinista
5- Yaz - Upstairs at Eric
6- New Order - Movement
7- Panorama - Panorama
8- Hugh Masakela - Still Grazing
9- The Undertakers - Crucify Me
10- Sismo – Pueblo
Best Music 2005 - Chris Poehlmann
Favorite albums of late:
Sleater-Kinney/ the Woods
Calamalka Shredders Dub
RL Burnside / a bothered mind
Pat MacDonald / in the red room
Keren Ann / Nolita
Tom Waits / Real Gone
Jon Langford + Sally Timms
Best concert in 2005: The Bad Plus
Sleater-Kinney/ the Woods
Calamalka Shredders Dub
RL Burnside / a bothered mind
Pat MacDonald / in the red room
Keren Ann / Nolita
Tom Waits / Real Gone
Jon Langford + Sally Timms
Best concert in 2005: The Bad Plus
Best Music 2004 - the web
What the critics say:
http://www.metacritic.com/music/bests/2004.shtml
http://pitchforkmedia.com/top/2004/lists.shtml
http://www.glidemagazine.com/articles142.html
http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/12/17/123610.php
http://www.popmatters.com/music/features/041206-best2004lundy.shtml
http://www.theonionavclub.com/feature/index.php?issue=4049
http://www.lasvegasmercury.com/2004/MERC-Dec-16-Thu-2004/25446804.html
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1174082,00110005.htm
http://www.junkmedia.org/2004/albums.htm
http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/_/id/6768041?rnd=1105139780703&has-pl
ayer=true&version=6.0.12.857
http://pub37.bravenet.com/forum/3172289350/show/431510
http://www.billboard.com/bb/yearend/2004/top10.jsp
http://www.acclaimedmusic.net/
http://www.metacritic.com/music/bests/2004.shtml
http://pitchforkmedia.com/top/2004/lists.shtml
http://www.glidemagazine.com/articles142.html
http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/12/17/123610.php
http://www.popmatters.com/music/features/041206-best2004lundy.shtml
http://www.theonionavclub.com/feature/index.php?issue=4049
http://www.lasvegasmercury.com/2004/MERC-Dec-16-Thu-2004/25446804.html
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1174082,00110005.htm
http://www.junkmedia.org/2004/albums.htm
http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/_/id/6768041?rnd=1105139780703&has-pl
ayer=true&version=6.0.12.857
http://pub37.bravenet.com/forum/3172289350/show/431510
http://www.billboard.com/bb/yearend/2004/top10.jsp
http://www.acclaimedmusic.net/
Best Music 2004 - Dimitri Mendoza (1 y/o)
marlo thomas "free to be you and me" album bjork "debut"
glenn gould, "goldberg variations" (first recording
1960s?)
danny thomas, hans christian anderson favorites
glenn gould, "goldberg variations" (first recording
1960s?)
danny thomas, hans christian anderson favorites
Best Music 2004 - Vickie Mendoza
stereolab, the album before the old lead singer passed away
nina simone, greatest hits
the story, first album
nina simone, greatest hits
the story, first album
Best Music 2004 - Eric Stracener
I'm digging:
Tom Waits- Real Gone
Dolorean-Violence in a Snowy Field
Bonnie Prince Billy -- Master and Everything
Mississippi John Hurt- The Best Of (not exactly new)
Bunch of old stuff too-- but that Bonnie Prince Billy is the one that freaks me out. It's GREAT.
Tom Waits- Real Gone
Dolorean-Violence in a Snowy Field
Bonnie Prince Billy -- Master and Everything
Mississippi John Hurt- The Best Of (not exactly new)
Bunch of old stuff too-- but that Bonnie Prince Billy is the one that freaks me out. It's GREAT.
Best Music 2004 - Bryan Waterman
I threw this together kind of fast. I'm sure I left something out. Of Montreal should have been in the top 10 somewhere, for instance. But as you'll see below, I started one of these last year and never sent it out, so I wanted to make sure I got it out this year, since the critics'lists are kind of annoying. happy new year. bw
Bryan's Top 10 of 2004
10. Sufjan Stevens - Seven Swans
He also played a nice set in DC over Thanksgiving weekend. Nice little guy from Michigan. Lots of Christian lyrics-so many that it can be annoying, but it can also catch you off guard, especially if you have a lot of Christian text backed up on your own harddrive. This isn't as good as his Michigan album, but it's a tender little number.
9. A.C. Newman - The Slow Wonder
The guy from New Pornographers. McCartneyesque structures, mean-ass hooks. Music for interstate driving in the summer.
8. Erlend Oye - DJ Kicks
The guy from the Norwegian folk duo Kings of Convenience. My favorite voice of the year. Here he plays the role of "The Singing DJ," laying his vocals over other people's tracks on half the songs. Highlights include a cover of The Smith's "There Is a Light": Morrissey never made the opening request sound so plaintive. Another highlight is a cover of the first track off KoC's Quiet Is the New Loud. I think it's track 16 here.
7. The Go! Team - Thunder, Lightning, Strike
The Avalanches meet TV music of the early 80s, mixed with a little Grandmaster Flash. One of the most fun things I've listened to this year.
6. Iron and Wine - Our Endless Numbered Days
Back to softsville. I liked this better than the debut because of the additional instrumentation. Best track: "Love and Some Verses." You have to love philosophy professors from Florida who make this kind of a career change.
5. Bjork - Medulla
I think it's her best album. It's of a piece with the folk freak scene, though people haven't generally made that observation. It's the best vocal album of the year, for sure-the best use of human voices.
4. various artists - The Late Great Daniel Johnston: Discovered, Covered
Treasure chest of the year. There's so much here-a disc of fantastic songs by the man himself, and another disc full of covers by fantastic bands and singers from Mercury Rev and Flaming Lips and Beck to Vic Chesnutt, Tom Waits, and M Ward. On my iPod, when I play songs in alphabetical order, I get the original followed by the cover or vice versa, which is also a great way to listen to these two amazing sets.
3. Animal Collective - Sung Tongs
They spawned the freak folk movement, together with Devendra and Joanna. Pure pleasure to listen to-primal yet happy, fully modern yet old as hills and musical instruments and campfires. Made me wistful for Navajo singing, so I bought an old CD of recordings from the 50s called Natay, Navajo Singer. The most original rock album of my year.
Plus they played a fantastic live set.
2. Electrelane - The Power Out
Sounds a little like a lot of different things-Stereolab, early post-punk bands (esp in the drums), but also has great choral tracks and rough-edged female vocals in at least three languages. Infectious, driving, sexy as hell.
1. Joanna Newsom - The Milk-Eyed Mender
The girl who made the harp an indie rock instrument. I can listen to this one hours on end, her whiny, sing-song voice working its way deep into my subconscious. It wins my top slot by sheer virtue of its staying power: while others above have come and gone, this one is still in my CD player more often than not. A little Appalachian, a little Bjork, a little Cat Power imitating Devendra, a little Elizabeth Smart, a little e.e. cummings, a little bit country, a little bit rock and roll. Well, not so much of the latter, but we'll keep her around for good company.
Top 20 of 2003
20. dm and jemini -- ghetto pop life
19. !!! -- me and giuliani down by the schoolyard (a true story) EP
18. my morning jacket -- it still moves
17. manitoba -- up in flames=20
16. lost in translation
15. death cab for cutie -- transatlanticism / the postal service -- give up
14. radiohead -- hail to the thief
13. lyrics born -- later that day
12. grandaddy - sumday
11. (smog) -- supper=20
10. cat power -- you are free
9. outkast -- speakerboxxx/the love below
8. m ward -- the transfiguration of Vincent
7. bonnie "prince" billy -- master and everyone
6. belle and sebastian -- dear catastrophe waitress
5. fruit bats -- mouthfuls
4. the decemberists -- her majesty
3. the shins -- chutes too narrow
2. broken social scene -- you forgot it in people
1. magnolia electric co. + bonus disc
Bryan's Top 10 of 2004
10. Sufjan Stevens - Seven Swans
He also played a nice set in DC over Thanksgiving weekend. Nice little guy from Michigan. Lots of Christian lyrics-so many that it can be annoying, but it can also catch you off guard, especially if you have a lot of Christian text backed up on your own harddrive. This isn't as good as his Michigan album, but it's a tender little number.
9. A.C. Newman - The Slow Wonder
The guy from New Pornographers. McCartneyesque structures, mean-ass hooks. Music for interstate driving in the summer.
8. Erlend Oye - DJ Kicks
The guy from the Norwegian folk duo Kings of Convenience. My favorite voice of the year. Here he plays the role of "The Singing DJ," laying his vocals over other people's tracks on half the songs. Highlights include a cover of The Smith's "There Is a Light": Morrissey never made the opening request sound so plaintive. Another highlight is a cover of the first track off KoC's Quiet Is the New Loud. I think it's track 16 here.
7. The Go! Team - Thunder, Lightning, Strike
The Avalanches meet TV music of the early 80s, mixed with a little Grandmaster Flash. One of the most fun things I've listened to this year.
6. Iron and Wine - Our Endless Numbered Days
Back to softsville. I liked this better than the debut because of the additional instrumentation. Best track: "Love and Some Verses." You have to love philosophy professors from Florida who make this kind of a career change.
5. Bjork - Medulla
I think it's her best album. It's of a piece with the folk freak scene, though people haven't generally made that observation. It's the best vocal album of the year, for sure-the best use of human voices.
4. various artists - The Late Great Daniel Johnston: Discovered, Covered
Treasure chest of the year. There's so much here-a disc of fantastic songs by the man himself, and another disc full of covers by fantastic bands and singers from Mercury Rev and Flaming Lips and Beck to Vic Chesnutt, Tom Waits, and M Ward. On my iPod, when I play songs in alphabetical order, I get the original followed by the cover or vice versa, which is also a great way to listen to these two amazing sets.
3. Animal Collective - Sung Tongs
They spawned the freak folk movement, together with Devendra and Joanna. Pure pleasure to listen to-primal yet happy, fully modern yet old as hills and musical instruments and campfires. Made me wistful for Navajo singing, so I bought an old CD of recordings from the 50s called Natay, Navajo Singer. The most original rock album of my year.
Plus they played a fantastic live set.
2. Electrelane - The Power Out
Sounds a little like a lot of different things-Stereolab, early post-punk bands (esp in the drums), but also has great choral tracks and rough-edged female vocals in at least three languages. Infectious, driving, sexy as hell.
1. Joanna Newsom - The Milk-Eyed Mender
The girl who made the harp an indie rock instrument. I can listen to this one hours on end, her whiny, sing-song voice working its way deep into my subconscious. It wins my top slot by sheer virtue of its staying power: while others above have come and gone, this one is still in my CD player more often than not. A little Appalachian, a little Bjork, a little Cat Power imitating Devendra, a little Elizabeth Smart, a little e.e. cummings, a little bit country, a little bit rock and roll. Well, not so much of the latter, but we'll keep her around for good company.
Top 20 of 2003
20. dm and jemini -- ghetto pop life
19. !!! -- me and giuliani down by the schoolyard (a true story) EP
18. my morning jacket -- it still moves
17. manitoba -- up in flames=20
16. lost in translation
15. death cab for cutie -- transatlanticism / the postal service -- give up
14. radiohead -- hail to the thief
13. lyrics born -- later that day
12. grandaddy - sumday
11. (smog) -- supper=20
10. cat power -- you are free
9. outkast -- speakerboxxx/the love below
8. m ward -- the transfiguration of Vincent
7. bonnie "prince" billy -- master and everyone
6. belle and sebastian -- dear catastrophe waitress
5. fruit bats -- mouthfuls
4. the decemberists -- her majesty
3. the shins -- chutes too narrow
2. broken social scene -- you forgot it in people
1. magnolia electric co. + bonus disc
Best Music 2004 - Michael Schwartz
Broken Social Scene - You Forgot it in People
Fiery Furnaces - Gallowsbird's Bark
Fiery Furnaces - Blueberry Boat
Delgados - Hate Delgados - Great Eastern
Nellie McKay - Get Away From Me
Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand
Social Distortion - Sex, Love, and Rock 'n' Roll
U2 - How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
Sonic Youth - Sonic Nurse
Fiery Furnaces - Gallowsbird's Bark
Fiery Furnaces - Blueberry Boat
Delgados - Hate Delgados - Great Eastern
Nellie McKay - Get Away From Me
Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand
Social Distortion - Sex, Love, and Rock 'n' Roll
U2 - How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
Sonic Youth - Sonic Nurse
Best Music 2004 - Tara McPherson
not all 2004 but almost all on the ipod:
loretta lynn, /van lear rose
the real tuesday weld, /i, lucifer
old 97s, /drag it up
outkast, /speakerboxxx/ the love below
hayseed dixie, /a hillbilly tribute to ac/dc + kiss my grass
girlyman, /remember who i am
bonnie prince billy, /ease down the road
dangermouse – /the gray album
pj harvey – /uh huh her
wilco - /a ghost is born
steve earle – /the revolution starts now
eric stracener, /sockeye (acoustic guitar from a college pal)
sonic youth – /sonic nurse
tv on the radio/, desperate youth, blood thirsty babes
ray charles, /genius loves company
the hives, tyrannosaurus hives
the drive-by truckers, /the dirty south
loretta lynn, /van lear rose
the real tuesday weld, /i, lucifer
old 97s, /drag it up
outkast, /speakerboxxx/ the love below
hayseed dixie, /a hillbilly tribute to ac/dc + kiss my grass
girlyman, /remember who i am
bonnie prince billy, /ease down the road
dangermouse – /the gray album
pj harvey – /uh huh her
wilco - /a ghost is born
steve earle – /the revolution starts now
eric stracener, /sockeye (acoustic guitar from a college pal)
sonic youth – /sonic nurse
tv on the radio/, desperate youth, blood thirsty babes
ray charles, /genius loves company
the hives, tyrannosaurus hives
the drive-by truckers, /the dirty south
Best Music 2004 - Brian Weir
My top 5 picks:
Scissor Sisters
KD Lang - Hymns of the 49th parallel (got to love those Canadian song
writers)
Garden State soundtrack
Jerry Springer: The Opera
Avenue Q (titles include Everyone's a Litte Bit Racist, It Sucks to be Me, and The Internet is for Porn)
I forgot Keane - Hopes and Fears . . . brilliant!
Scissor Sisters
KD Lang - Hymns of the 49th parallel (got to love those Canadian song
writers)
Garden State soundtrack
Jerry Springer: The Opera
Avenue Q (titles include Everyone's a Litte Bit Racist, It Sucks to be Me, and The Internet is for Porn)
I forgot Keane - Hopes and Fears . . . brilliant!
Best Music 2004 - Tiffany Hope
I'm not good at following directions so I've added a few categories of my own.
BEST CDs
Loretta Lynn - "Van Lear Rose". Stunning, Stunning, Stunning! PJ Harvey "uh huh her" Sorry, I'm obsessed with her.
WORST CD
The Mars Volta - "Deloused in the Comatorium". What a miserable piece of crap. I shoulda known from the stack of used copies at Amoeba -- always a bad sign.
BEST SINGLE
Louis Xiv "Finding Out true Love is Blind" This is the best tune I've heard in like, 4 years. Think The Fall times The Jazz Butcher minus The Buzzcocks. I wanted to jump up and down and scream it out loud! I don't know where to get it yet but when I find out, it's mine!
FINALLY REPLACED WORN VINYL COPY
Husker Du - Zen Arcade. Just as good as it was back in the day! Only now, without scratches!
Cant wait for everyone else's recommendations!
BEST CDs
Loretta Lynn - "Van Lear Rose". Stunning, Stunning, Stunning! PJ Harvey "uh huh her" Sorry, I'm obsessed with her.
WORST CD
The Mars Volta - "Deloused in the Comatorium". What a miserable piece of crap. I shoulda known from the stack of used copies at Amoeba -- always a bad sign.
BEST SINGLE
Louis Xiv "Finding Out true Love is Blind" This is the best tune I've heard in like, 4 years. Think The Fall times The Jazz Butcher minus The Buzzcocks. I wanted to jump up and down and scream it out loud! I don't know where to get it yet but when I find out, it's mine!
FINALLY REPLACED WORN VINYL COPY
Husker Du - Zen Arcade. Just as good as it was back in the day! Only now, without scratches!
Cant wait for everyone else's recommendations!
Best Music 2004 - Govind Seshadri
In no particular order (they are all good!):
Mylene ~ Mylene Pires
Egypt ~ Youssou N'Dour
O ~ Damien Rice
Dellali ~ Cheb Mami
Tourist ~ St. Germain
Miss Perfumado ~ Cesaria Evora
Hot Pants ~ James Brown
Arabic Groove ~ Various Artists (Putumayo) Si Soy Llanero: Joropo Music From Orinoco Pirates Choice ~ Orchestra Baobab
Mylene ~ Mylene Pires
Egypt ~ Youssou N'Dour
O ~ Damien Rice
Dellali ~ Cheb Mami
Tourist ~ St. Germain
Miss Perfumado ~ Cesaria Evora
Hot Pants ~ James Brown
Arabic Groove ~ Various Artists (Putumayo) Si Soy Llanero: Joropo Music From Orinoco Pirates Choice ~ Orchestra Baobab
Best Music 2004 - Irene Turner
The Roots // Albums: Phrenology, The Tipping Point The
Singles: Sacrifice, The Seed - LOVE THEM LIVE
Tiziano Ferro // Album: Ciento Once The Singles: No me lo puede explicar, Temple bar, Mia Nonna (aka Mi Abuela) - best artist to hold a torch with Bacilos // Album: Sinverguenza Single: Porque Brillamos -- emotion without sap
Cafe Quijano // Album: Que Grande es este de amor Singles: La taberna
del Buda, Nada de Na, Desde Brasil, Tequila – pulp fiction meets squirrel nut zippers in spain Nelly Furtado // Album: Folklore single: explode, try Bob Dylan // singles: Things have changed, Just Like a woman, Subterranean homesick blues, Gotta serve somebody Ely Guerra // album: Sweet & Sour, Hot y Spicy singles: quiereme mucho -- chick rock en español Compilation Album: Nuevo Latino // single: Por que te vas Jazz/Reggae to write by:
Bill Evans // Peace Piece, A House is not a home Bob Marley // Dreams of Freedom: Ambient translations of Bob Marley in Dub Miles Davis // Concierto de Aranjuez Vangelis // Le Singe Bleu
Uptempo Workout Mix: Against Politics as Usual (Reagan Era) X // Los Angeles, This must be the new world, I must not think bad thoughts Oingo Boingo // Nothing Bad Ever Happens, Grey Matter, Who do you want to be Dead Kennedys // Holiday in Cambodia The Clash // Know your rights Public Enemy // Fight the Power Violent Femmes // Old Mother Reagan Talking Heads // Life during wartime Girl Power- Inspiration Mix:
Ani Difranco // Not a Pretty Girl
Pink // Respect
No Doubt // Hey Baby
X // Breathless
Elton John // The Bitch is back
Destiny's Child // Survivor
RIP: Cousinlovers
Singles: Sacrifice, The Seed - LOVE THEM LIVE
Tiziano Ferro // Album: Ciento Once The Singles: No me lo puede explicar, Temple bar, Mia Nonna (aka Mi Abuela) - best artist to hold a torch with Bacilos // Album: Sinverguenza Single: Porque Brillamos -- emotion without sap
Cafe Quijano // Album: Que Grande es este de amor Singles: La taberna
del Buda, Nada de Na, Desde Brasil, Tequila – pulp fiction meets squirrel nut zippers in spain Nelly Furtado // Album: Folklore single: explode, try Bob Dylan // singles: Things have changed, Just Like a woman, Subterranean homesick blues, Gotta serve somebody Ely Guerra // album: Sweet & Sour, Hot y Spicy singles: quiereme mucho -- chick rock en español Compilation Album: Nuevo Latino // single: Por que te vas Jazz/Reggae to write by:
Bill Evans // Peace Piece, A House is not a home Bob Marley // Dreams of Freedom: Ambient translations of Bob Marley in Dub Miles Davis // Concierto de Aranjuez Vangelis // Le Singe Bleu
Uptempo Workout Mix: Against Politics as Usual (Reagan Era) X // Los Angeles, This must be the new world, I must not think bad thoughts Oingo Boingo // Nothing Bad Ever Happens, Grey Matter, Who do you want to be Dead Kennedys // Holiday in Cambodia The Clash // Know your rights Public Enemy // Fight the Power Violent Femmes // Old Mother Reagan Talking Heads // Life during wartime Girl Power- Inspiration Mix:
Ani Difranco // Not a Pretty Girl
Pink // Respect
No Doubt // Hey Baby
X // Breathless
Elton John // The Bitch is back
Destiny's Child // Survivor
RIP: Cousinlovers
Best Music 2004 - Mark Morris
Best of 2004
Joanna Newsom - The Milk Eyes Mender - sounds like she an 8 year old Bjork playing a Harp.
The Rapture - Echoes - bring on that Proto Punk Funk
Liars - They were Wrong so we Drowned - If Edgar Allen Poe were a hipster from Brooklyn he might have sounded like these dudes.
Iron & Wine - Our Endless Numbered Days - best sounding folk album I never bothered to buy
Eliot Smith - From a basement on the Hill - Sad Sad Album
Modest Mouse - Good News for Bad People who love Bad News - If Nic Harcourt says this is a top album of 2004 then he must be right...
The Shin - Chutes too Narrow - It came out in 2003 but I didn't buy it until 2004 so I'm including it, suck it.
The Von Bondies - Pawn Shoppe Heart - Has the best intro song for a TV show ever (Rescue Me)
Yves Montand - D'or - makes me want to wear a Beret.
Blonde RedHead - Misery is a Butterfly - just because, suck it.
The Catheters - Iggy lives!!! Wait he never died.
Mclusky - Hard to go wrong with a Steve Albini produced band... or actually it might be pretty easy to go wrong.
Joanna Newsom - The Milk Eyes Mender - sounds like she an 8 year old Bjork playing a Harp.
The Rapture - Echoes - bring on that Proto Punk Funk
Liars - They were Wrong so we Drowned - If Edgar Allen Poe were a hipster from Brooklyn he might have sounded like these dudes.
Iron & Wine - Our Endless Numbered Days - best sounding folk album I never bothered to buy
Eliot Smith - From a basement on the Hill - Sad Sad Album
Modest Mouse - Good News for Bad People who love Bad News - If Nic Harcourt says this is a top album of 2004 then he must be right...
The Shin - Chutes too Narrow - It came out in 2003 but I didn't buy it until 2004 so I'm including it, suck it.
The Von Bondies - Pawn Shoppe Heart - Has the best intro song for a TV show ever (Rescue Me)
Yves Montand - D'or - makes me want to wear a Beret.
Blonde RedHead - Misery is a Butterfly - just because, suck it.
The Catheters - Iggy lives!!! Wait he never died.
Mclusky - Hard to go wrong with a Steve Albini produced band... or actually it might be pretty easy to go wrong.
Best Music 2004 - Brian Anderson
Jem - Finally Woken
Medeski, Martin & Wood - End of the World Party
White Stripes - Elephant
Calexico - Feast of Wire
Beastie Boys - To the 5 Boroughs
Die Fantastischen Vier - Troy
Wir Sind Helden - Die Reklamation
Herbie Hancock - Headhunters
Medeski, Martin & Wood - End of the World Party
White Stripes - Elephant
Calexico - Feast of Wire
Beastie Boys - To the 5 Boroughs
Die Fantastischen Vier - Troy
Wir Sind Helden - Die Reklamation
Herbie Hancock - Headhunters
Best Music 2004 - Pete Limbrick
Here's my 2004 top 10.3 acquired this year, in more or less no order, except the Bonnie Prince Billy probably is my hands down favorite from the year...
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy--Master and Everyone Blond Redhead--Misery is a Butterfly Magnetic Fields - i Future Bible Heroes - Eternal Youth David Bowie - Low Mekons - Punk Rock Mekons--Me The Clean--Anthology The Go-Betweens--Bright Yellow Bright Orange Yeah Yeah Yeahs--Fever to Tell
and just sneaking in over the holidays...
The Hotel Alexis--The Shining Example is Lying on the Floor The Coctails--Popcorn Woven Hand--Woven Hand
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy--Master and Everyone Blond Redhead--Misery is a Butterfly Magnetic Fields - i Future Bible Heroes - Eternal Youth David Bowie - Low Mekons - Punk Rock Mekons--Me The Clean--Anthology The Go-Betweens--Bright Yellow Bright Orange Yeah Yeah Yeahs--Fever to Tell
and just sneaking in over the holidays...
The Hotel Alexis--The Shining Example is Lying on the Floor The Coctails--Popcorn Woven Hand--Woven Hand
Best Music 2004 - Elena Crane
I have a very short list:
2 new releases this year:
Loretta Lynn, Van Lear Rose
Bonnie Prince Billy Sings Greatest Palace Music
And 3 old ones I bought this year:
Dolly Parton, Just Because I'm a Woman
Nick Cave, The Boatman's Call
Pater Gabriel, So (I had a very old tape of this and finally got the CD, so it's not "new" to me, but oh so wonderful)
2 new releases this year:
Loretta Lynn, Van Lear Rose
Bonnie Prince Billy Sings Greatest Palace Music
And 3 old ones I bought this year:
Dolly Parton, Just Because I'm a Woman
Nick Cave, The Boatman's Call
Pater Gabriel, So (I had a very old tape of this and finally got the CD, so it's not "new" to me, but oh so wonderful)
Best Music 2004 - Jeremy Zitter
So, here goes:
My list (in no particular order, actually):
1. Iron and Wine: Our Endless Numbered Days: A typical pick for me, of course, but, god, these are some gorgeous, heartbreaking songs.
(Didn't I say the exact same thing last year?) Best tracks (sorry
Bryan): "Naked as We Came" and then "Sodom, South Georgia" and THEN "Love and Some Verses." Actually....(and excuse me for being a vulgarian, China): fuck it: they're all good.
2. Joanna Newsom: The Milk-Eyed Mender. Perhaps my most-listened-to song of 2004 is the impossibly addictive "Sadie," and I'm still not even close to being done with it. The highlight was when my mp3 player fell into the tub (at Rebecca's mom's house in D.C.), as I was bathing while simultaneously trying to hit the replay button to hear the song, yet again. Thanks, Bryan, for imploring me to give this album another try. Initially unsettling (it might take a few listens, as I've found), Newsom's voice grows and grows and grows on you. (And the mp3 player is back up and running).
3. The Walkmen: Bows and Arrows: I know, I know. They were on an episode of the O.C., music's new-millennium version of now-defunct Sassy magazine's "cute band alert," but, oh well. Languid and almost sensual at times, howling/screaming/growling at others.
4. Mirah: C'mon Miracle: I saw her play in a tiny club in Long Beach last year, and she was as sweet and engaging and accessible as each of the songs on this lovely album. She actually had everyone lie on the floor for one song, which wasn't nearly as annoying as it sounds.
5. Electrelane: The Power Out: Just listen to it. I can't believe I missed them play in L.A. twice and even once in Long Beach. For shame!
The first time I heard this album, it reminded me of why I first fell in love with Stereolab back in, like, 1991, before they decided to innovate.
6. The One A.M. Radio: A Name Writ on Water: Another typical pick for me, this album is quiet, quiet, quiet. Shhhh! Any band with a guy named Hrishikesh Hirway calling the shots gets an a-OK on my list.
7. Sufjan Stevens: Seven Swans: I have Bryan to thank (again!) for foisting this annoyingly good (sigh) Christian music on me (sorry for being reductive, but it's true!). Alas, I'm hooked. If an album can overcome the dreadful repetition of the title-track chorus, "and He is the lllllooorrrrrdddd!" it has to be considered, really and truly, a work of implausible genius. P.S.: I agree that Greetings from Michigan is a better album, and if it hadn't been released the year prior, that would be listed here as well.
8. The Fiery Furnaces: Blueberry Boat: One of the more challenging and often frustrating albums for me this year, but one that keeps giving.
Having said that, the guilty-pleasure, "Chris Michaels," will always remind me of my trip to visit Farrell, Rebecca, and Bryan this summer (more specific memories: devouring Philly Vietnamese (followed by gelato), debating the supposed earnestness or irony of the Polyphonic Spree, watching Bryan channel Bill Clinton, strolling through the Hirshorn with Farrell, and marveling at Rebecca carrying the yet-to-be born Baby Max). Music should always come attached to such splendid memories. P.S.: However, Gallowsbird's Bark is still the better album.
9. Rogue Wave: Out of the Shadow: Just typically fun, hook-laden, guilty-pleasure, retro-indie rock.
10(a). The Magnetic Fields: I: I was skeptical at first, since I've always been attracted to Merritt's lo-fi, low-budget charm, and the reviews lamented his abandonment of these very roots, but the album still has the cynicism and humor (the real draw), as well as the requisite hooks.
10(b). Cat Power: Willie Deadwilder: This is not an album; in fact, really, it's just one 18-minute song with Chan singing and M. Ward accompanying on guitar. And it's just this wonderfully rambling song.
Try downloading it, though. Don't buy that horrible DVD that comes packaged with it. Unless you want to see Chan doing her usual incompetent-shy-girl thing in one looooong, 2-hour shot.
'04 honorable mentions AND albums not released in '04 (but still new to me this year):
--Hawksley Workman: For Him and the Girls (thanks, Tim) (2001)
--Blonde Redhead: Misery is a Butterfly (2004)
--(the aforementioned) Sufjan Stevens: Greetings from Michigan (2003)
--The Cardigans: Long Gone Before Daylight (2004)
--Lali Puna: Faking the Books (2004)
--Kings of Convenience: Riot on a Quiet Street (2004)
--Adem: Homesongs (thanks, Farrell) (2004)
--The Innnocence Mission: Befriended (2003)
--The Album Leaf: In a Safe Place (2004)
--Broken Social Scene: You Forgot it in People (2002)
I'm pretty sure I'm missing something....
My list (in no particular order, actually):
1. Iron and Wine: Our Endless Numbered Days: A typical pick for me, of course, but, god, these are some gorgeous, heartbreaking songs.
(Didn't I say the exact same thing last year?) Best tracks (sorry
Bryan): "Naked as We Came" and then "Sodom, South Georgia" and THEN "Love and Some Verses." Actually....(and excuse me for being a vulgarian, China): fuck it: they're all good.
2. Joanna Newsom: The Milk-Eyed Mender. Perhaps my most-listened-to song of 2004 is the impossibly addictive "Sadie," and I'm still not even close to being done with it. The highlight was when my mp3 player fell into the tub (at Rebecca's mom's house in D.C.), as I was bathing while simultaneously trying to hit the replay button to hear the song, yet again. Thanks, Bryan, for imploring me to give this album another try. Initially unsettling (it might take a few listens, as I've found), Newsom's voice grows and grows and grows on you. (And the mp3 player is back up and running).
3. The Walkmen: Bows and Arrows: I know, I know. They were on an episode of the O.C., music's new-millennium version of now-defunct Sassy magazine's "cute band alert," but, oh well. Languid and almost sensual at times, howling/screaming/growling at others.
4. Mirah: C'mon Miracle: I saw her play in a tiny club in Long Beach last year, and she was as sweet and engaging and accessible as each of the songs on this lovely album. She actually had everyone lie on the floor for one song, which wasn't nearly as annoying as it sounds.
5. Electrelane: The Power Out: Just listen to it. I can't believe I missed them play in L.A. twice and even once in Long Beach. For shame!
The first time I heard this album, it reminded me of why I first fell in love with Stereolab back in, like, 1991, before they decided to innovate.
6. The One A.M. Radio: A Name Writ on Water: Another typical pick for me, this album is quiet, quiet, quiet. Shhhh! Any band with a guy named Hrishikesh Hirway calling the shots gets an a-OK on my list.
7. Sufjan Stevens: Seven Swans: I have Bryan to thank (again!) for foisting this annoyingly good (sigh) Christian music on me (sorry for being reductive, but it's true!). Alas, I'm hooked. If an album can overcome the dreadful repetition of the title-track chorus, "and He is the lllllooorrrrrdddd!" it has to be considered, really and truly, a work of implausible genius. P.S.: I agree that Greetings from Michigan is a better album, and if it hadn't been released the year prior, that would be listed here as well.
8. The Fiery Furnaces: Blueberry Boat: One of the more challenging and often frustrating albums for me this year, but one that keeps giving.
Having said that, the guilty-pleasure, "Chris Michaels," will always remind me of my trip to visit Farrell, Rebecca, and Bryan this summer (more specific memories: devouring Philly Vietnamese (followed by gelato), debating the supposed earnestness or irony of the Polyphonic Spree, watching Bryan channel Bill Clinton, strolling through the Hirshorn with Farrell, and marveling at Rebecca carrying the yet-to-be born Baby Max). Music should always come attached to such splendid memories. P.S.: However, Gallowsbird's Bark is still the better album.
9. Rogue Wave: Out of the Shadow: Just typically fun, hook-laden, guilty-pleasure, retro-indie rock.
10(a). The Magnetic Fields: I: I was skeptical at first, since I've always been attracted to Merritt's lo-fi, low-budget charm, and the reviews lamented his abandonment of these very roots, but the album still has the cynicism and humor (the real draw), as well as the requisite hooks.
10(b). Cat Power: Willie Deadwilder: This is not an album; in fact, really, it's just one 18-minute song with Chan singing and M. Ward accompanying on guitar. And it's just this wonderfully rambling song.
Try downloading it, though. Don't buy that horrible DVD that comes packaged with it. Unless you want to see Chan doing her usual incompetent-shy-girl thing in one looooong, 2-hour shot.
'04 honorable mentions AND albums not released in '04 (but still new to me this year):
--Hawksley Workman: For Him and the Girls (thanks, Tim) (2001)
--Blonde Redhead: Misery is a Butterfly (2004)
--(the aforementioned) Sufjan Stevens: Greetings from Michigan (2003)
--The Cardigans: Long Gone Before Daylight (2004)
--Lali Puna: Faking the Books (2004)
--Kings of Convenience: Riot on a Quiet Street (2004)
--Adem: Homesongs (thanks, Farrell) (2004)
--The Innnocence Mission: Befriended (2003)
--The Album Leaf: In a Safe Place (2004)
--Broken Social Scene: You Forgot it in People (2002)
I'm pretty sure I'm missing something....
Best Music 2004 - Chris Jess
so, here goes nothing... I tried to put it in an order of me liking it, but it always depends on my mood I guess.
1. The Killers - Hot Fuss
2. Snow Patrol - Final Straw
3. Keane - Hopes And Fears
4. Incubus - A Crow Left To A Murder
5. Jem - Finally Woken
6. Tantric - After We Go
7. Morrissey - You Are The Quarry
8. Velvet Revolver - Contraband
Honorable Mentions:
Probot - Probot
Death Cab For Cutie - Transatlanticism (ok, it's from 2003, but I got it in 2004...)
1. The Killers - Hot Fuss
2. Snow Patrol - Final Straw
3. Keane - Hopes And Fears
4. Incubus - A Crow Left To A Murder
5. Jem - Finally Woken
6. Tantric - After We Go
7. Morrissey - You Are The Quarry
8. Velvet Revolver - Contraband
Honorable Mentions:
Probot - Probot
Death Cab For Cutie - Transatlanticism (ok, it's from 2003, but I got it in 2004...)
Best Music 2004 - Dexter Knaack (2.75 y/o)
top albums in 2004
- Gwendolyne and the Good Time Gang - Rockin' Christmas
- Best of Disney CD 1 (Mickey Mouse March, It's A Small World, Following the Leader,...)
- Montossouri Nutcracker Concert Songs
- [SONG] - B-I-N-G-O
- [SONG] - Old MacDonald Had A Farm
- [SONG] - Hokey Pokey
- [SONG] - Happy Birthday
- [SONG] - Tigger Song
- [SONG] - Itsy Bitsy Spider
- [SONG] - Do Your Ears Hang Low
- Gwendolyne and the Good Time Gang - Rockin' Christmas
- Best of Disney CD 1 (Mickey Mouse March, It's A Small World, Following the Leader,...)
- Montossouri Nutcracker Concert Songs
- [SONG] - B-I-N-G-O
- [SONG] - Old MacDonald Had A Farm
- [SONG] - Hokey Pokey
- [SONG] - Happy Birthday
- [SONG] - Tigger Song
- [SONG] - Itsy Bitsy Spider
- [SONG] - Do Your Ears Hang Low
Best Music 2004 - Robert Knaack
An interesting year. A lot more good stuff than I realized.
top 10 albums in 2004
01 - Loretta Lynn - Van Lear Rose
02 - Rogue Wave - Out of the Shadow
03 - Black Keys - Rubber Factory
04 - Old 97s - Drag It Up
05 - Okkervil River - Down the River of Golden Dreams
06 - Magnetic Fields - i
07 - Elliot Smith - From A Basement On The Hill
08 - Minus 5 - In Rock
09 - Fiery Furnaces - Blueberry Boat
10 - Arcade Fire - Funeral
top next 10 albums
11 - Nick Cave - Abattoir Blues / Lyre of Orpheus
12 - Ted Leo and the Pharmacists - Shake the Sheets
13 - Mark Lanegan - Bubblegum
14 - Southern Culture on the Skids - Mojo Box
15 - Iron and Wine - Our Endless Numbered Days
16 - the Go! Team - Thunder, Lightning, Strike
17 - Modest Mouse - Good News...
18 - Futureheads - Futureheads
19 - The Streets - A Grand Don't Come For Free 20 - Drive-By Truckers - Dirty South
honorable mentions
Wilco - A Ghost is Born
Steve Earle - The Revolution Starts...Now
PJ Harvey - Uh Huh Her
Killers - Hot Fuss
top 10 albums in 2004
01 - Loretta Lynn - Van Lear Rose
02 - Rogue Wave - Out of the Shadow
03 - Black Keys - Rubber Factory
04 - Old 97s - Drag It Up
05 - Okkervil River - Down the River of Golden Dreams
06 - Magnetic Fields - i
07 - Elliot Smith - From A Basement On The Hill
08 - Minus 5 - In Rock
09 - Fiery Furnaces - Blueberry Boat
10 - Arcade Fire - Funeral
top next 10 albums
11 - Nick Cave - Abattoir Blues / Lyre of Orpheus
12 - Ted Leo and the Pharmacists - Shake the Sheets
13 - Mark Lanegan - Bubblegum
14 - Southern Culture on the Skids - Mojo Box
15 - Iron and Wine - Our Endless Numbered Days
16 - the Go! Team - Thunder, Lightning, Strike
17 - Modest Mouse - Good News...
18 - Futureheads - Futureheads
19 - The Streets - A Grand Don't Come For Free 20 - Drive-By Truckers - Dirty South
honorable mentions
Wilco - A Ghost is Born
Steve Earle - The Revolution Starts...Now
PJ Harvey - Uh Huh Her
Killers - Hot Fuss
Best Music 2004 - Doug McLaughlin
the order that they currently reside on my cd.
1. The Dears - No Cities Left : I personally think this album by the mutually montreal band is much more catchy and moving then the Arcade Fire album. Yeah, so sometimes he sounds way too much like morrisey....at least he admits it.
2. Nouvelle Vague - Nouvelle Vague : a pretty solid compilation of covers for what could have seemed like too much of a novelty album.
3. The Beta Band - Heros to Zero's : Every album by these guys has been enjoyable. some of the songs took a while to grow on me.
4. Phoenix - Alphabetical : My choice for the most enjoyable pop album of the summer. the songs are just so damn pleasant.
5. Blonde Redhead - Misery is a butterfly : Good songs and great production (by Guy from fugazi no less). I tested my new speakers out with this album.
6. Electralane - The Power Out: Equal parts Stereolab and the Pretenders.
This album just kept giving, except for that weird choral song....i could do without that.
7. Sonic Youth - Sonic Nurse : Man these guys keep making great albums.
8. The Icarus Line - Penance Soiree : I don't know how to describe this album. this album is insane in a great way.
9. Liars - They were wrong so we drowned : Another insane album that will either draw you in or totally offend you.
10. Chk Chik Chick - Louden Up Now : These guys are so damn obnoxious that i really wish i didn't like this album so much. Same goes for their live show (tied with P.J. Harvey for the best show of the year).
11. Bumblebeez 81 - the Printz : I put this in the list because i didn't here it get much airplay, but its really got some great moments. in a year when every indie band is referencing some 80's band, these guys and girl are pretty refreshing.
12. Nas - Streets Disciple : Very few hip-hop albums keep my attention all the way through....and this is no acception but there is some amazing stuff on this album.
13. Beans - Now Soon Someday : Know what i said about hiphop albums. i think i like every track on this....good idea to keep it short.
14. Kelis - Tasty : So, i didn't download the whole album.....but there are about 4 or 5 tracks on this album that are so fucking catchy. yeah, i even get a kick out of the Milkshake song (you know you love it).
discoveries of 2004
Genesis - The Lamb Lies down on Broadway : man give them a chance, they were fronted by Peter Gabriel and no matter what you think of Phil he could actually play the drums.
Cymande - Renegades of Funk : I might be a little late in discovering these guys (as well as Rufus and chaka kahn) but this a great 70's funk band that totally slipped by.
I've discovered so much good reggae and soul music this year its nuts(ask me for a cd)....oh yeah and some stuff off of the first few ZZtop albums that are great.
honorable mentions: Autolux, Bjork, UNKLE, PJ Harvey, Iron and Wine(deserves to be on the list, but hey its on everyones), Modest Mouse(again, deserves to be on the list....but the earlier albums are even better)
rebuttle: Oh man, tiff i can't believe you like that Luis XIV song. that shit annoys the hell out of me, and i have no idea how you compare them to the Fall (one of my favorite bands of all time)
1. The Dears - No Cities Left : I personally think this album by the mutually montreal band is much more catchy and moving then the Arcade Fire album. Yeah, so sometimes he sounds way too much like morrisey....at least he admits it.
2. Nouvelle Vague - Nouvelle Vague : a pretty solid compilation of covers for what could have seemed like too much of a novelty album.
3. The Beta Band - Heros to Zero's : Every album by these guys has been enjoyable. some of the songs took a while to grow on me.
4. Phoenix - Alphabetical : My choice for the most enjoyable pop album of the summer. the songs are just so damn pleasant.
5. Blonde Redhead - Misery is a butterfly : Good songs and great production (by Guy from fugazi no less). I tested my new speakers out with this album.
6. Electralane - The Power Out: Equal parts Stereolab and the Pretenders.
This album just kept giving, except for that weird choral song....i could do without that.
7. Sonic Youth - Sonic Nurse : Man these guys keep making great albums.
8. The Icarus Line - Penance Soiree : I don't know how to describe this album. this album is insane in a great way.
9. Liars - They were wrong so we drowned : Another insane album that will either draw you in or totally offend you.
10. Chk Chik Chick - Louden Up Now : These guys are so damn obnoxious that i really wish i didn't like this album so much. Same goes for their live show (tied with P.J. Harvey for the best show of the year).
11. Bumblebeez 81 - the Printz : I put this in the list because i didn't here it get much airplay, but its really got some great moments. in a year when every indie band is referencing some 80's band, these guys and girl are pretty refreshing.
12. Nas - Streets Disciple : Very few hip-hop albums keep my attention all the way through....and this is no acception but there is some amazing stuff on this album.
13. Beans - Now Soon Someday : Know what i said about hiphop albums. i think i like every track on this....good idea to keep it short.
14. Kelis - Tasty : So, i didn't download the whole album.....but there are about 4 or 5 tracks on this album that are so fucking catchy. yeah, i even get a kick out of the Milkshake song (you know you love it).
discoveries of 2004
Genesis - The Lamb Lies down on Broadway : man give them a chance, they were fronted by Peter Gabriel and no matter what you think of Phil he could actually play the drums.
Cymande - Renegades of Funk : I might be a little late in discovering these guys (as well as Rufus and chaka kahn) but this a great 70's funk band that totally slipped by.
I've discovered so much good reggae and soul music this year its nuts(ask me for a cd)....oh yeah and some stuff off of the first few ZZtop albums that are great.
honorable mentions: Autolux, Bjork, UNKLE, PJ Harvey, Iron and Wine(deserves to be on the list, but hey its on everyones), Modest Mouse(again, deserves to be on the list....but the earlier albums are even better)
rebuttle: Oh man, tiff i can't believe you like that Luis XIV song. that shit annoys the hell out of me, and i have no idea how you compare them to the Fall (one of my favorite bands of all time)
Best Music 2003 - the web
Web sites with best music of 2003
http://www.metacritic.com/music/bests/2003.shtml (lots of lists at bottom
too)
http://www.npr.org/programs/asc/
http://www.theonionavclub.com/3949/feature1.html
http://slate.msn.com/id/2092531/entry/2092839/
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/entertainment/7550407.htm
http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/2003/mtvvmas.htm
http://www.laweekly.com/ink/03/27/music-payne.php
http://www.popmatters.com/music/best2003/best2003-hermann.shtml
For the christians:
http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/reviews/2003/2003bestof.html
http://www.metacritic.com/music/bests/2003.shtml (lots of lists at bottom
too)
http://www.npr.org/programs/asc/
http://www.theonionavclub.com/3949/feature1.html
http://slate.msn.com/id/2092531/entry/2092839/
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/entertainment/7550407.htm
http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/2003/mtvvmas.htm
http://www.laweekly.com/ink/03/27/music-payne.php
http://www.popmatters.com/music/best2003/best2003-hermann.shtml
For the christians:
http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/reviews/2003/2003bestof.html
Best Music 2003 - Jeremy Zitter
1. iron and wine: the creek drank the cradle: i was completely bowled over by iron and wine this year, especially by my reaction to what is essentially an album of similar-sounding songs that have the feel of home recordings produced by a guy with an 8-track in his basement (probably because they were). but the songs are so incredibly sweet and poetic without ever feeling cliched and, more amazingly, without unleashing my usually merciless inner cynic. 2. cat power: you are free: my reaction to cat power's albums are usually similar to my reaction this year to iron and wine. i'm just stunned at how simple the songs are and yet how splendid.
3. shins: chutes too narrow: even better than the first album.
4. postal service: give up: indie rock goes a bit techno.
5. the notwist: neon golden: techno goes a bit indie.
6. american analog set: promise of love: there's just something about these guys.
7. grandaddy: sumday: and they're from modesto!
8. benjamin gibbard and andrew kenny: home: volume 5: this is an interesting album in which gibbard (of death cab) and kenny (of american analog set) cover each other's songs.
9. bonnie "prince" billy: master and everyone: this, for me, was the year of indie folk, as my new love for iron and wine and bonnie billy proves.
10. belle and sebastian: dear catastrophe waitress: good to see b&s finally have another great album after a few lackluster products.
special mention: (smog), whose albums i discovered recently and have come to love (indie-folk-type stuff, again, but with more instruments), but no one album in particular.
3. shins: chutes too narrow: even better than the first album.
4. postal service: give up: indie rock goes a bit techno.
5. the notwist: neon golden: techno goes a bit indie.
6. american analog set: promise of love: there's just something about these guys.
7. grandaddy: sumday: and they're from modesto!
8. benjamin gibbard and andrew kenny: home: volume 5: this is an interesting album in which gibbard (of death cab) and kenny (of american analog set) cover each other's songs.
9. bonnie "prince" billy: master and everyone: this, for me, was the year of indie folk, as my new love for iron and wine and bonnie billy proves.
10. belle and sebastian: dear catastrophe waitress: good to see b&s finally have another great album after a few lackluster products.
special mention: (smog), whose albums i discovered recently and have come to love (indie-folk-type stuff, again, but with more instruments), but no one album in particular.
Best Music 2003 - Amelie Hastie
1) Missy Elliott, Under Construction
2) Sleater-Kinney, All Hands on the Bad One
3) MC Solaar, Prose Combat
4) Butter O 8 (title?)
5) Soundtrack to In the Mood for Love)
2) Sleater-Kinney, All Hands on the Bad One
3) MC Solaar, Prose Combat
4) Butter O 8 (title?)
5) Soundtrack to In the Mood for Love)
Best Music 2003 - Dave Davis
Top 18 in no particular order:
- N.E.R.D. - In Search of...
- OutKast - Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
- The Blasters - Testament: The Complete Slash Recordings
- Ziggy Marley - Dragonfly
- Jane's Addiction - Strays
- 50 Cent - Get Rich or Die Trying
- Getz/Gilberto - Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto featuring Antonio Carlos Jobim
- Rubber City Rebels - Rubber City Rebels
- Warren Zevon - The Wind
- Rage Against The Machine - The Battle of Los Angeles
- Linkin Park - Meteora
- The The - 45 RPM
- G. Love & Special Sauce - Electric Mile
- Missy Elliott - Under Construction
- Jay Z - Vol. 3: Life and Times of S. Carter
- Coldplay - Parachutes
- Chaka Demus & Pliers - Ultimate Collection
- Jason & the Scorchers - A Blazing Grace
- Johnny Cash - The Man Comes Around
- N.E.R.D. - In Search of...
- OutKast - Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
- The Blasters - Testament: The Complete Slash Recordings
- Ziggy Marley - Dragonfly
- Jane's Addiction - Strays
- 50 Cent - Get Rich or Die Trying
- Getz/Gilberto - Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto featuring Antonio Carlos Jobim
- Rubber City Rebels - Rubber City Rebels
- Warren Zevon - The Wind
- Rage Against The Machine - The Battle of Los Angeles
- Linkin Park - Meteora
- The The - 45 RPM
- G. Love & Special Sauce - Electric Mile
- Missy Elliott - Under Construction
- Jay Z - Vol. 3: Life and Times of S. Carter
- Coldplay - Parachutes
- Chaka Demus & Pliers - Ultimate Collection
- Jason & the Scorchers - A Blazing Grace
- Johnny Cash - The Man Comes Around
Best Music 2003 - Tiffany Hope
1. Lucinda Williams World Without Tears
2. White Stripes Elephant
3. Hot Club of Cowtown Dev¹lish Mary
4. Handsome Boy Modeling School So How¹s your girl
5. Lucinda Williams Sweet Old World
6. Radiohead Hail to the Thief
7. Magnetic Fields 69 Love Songs
8. David Cross Shut Up You Fucking Baby
9. Calexico Feast of Wire
10. Calexico Hot Rail
11. Steely Dan - A Decade of Steely Dan (this is actually Bill's but I've been listening to it on repeat for like, 3 solid weeks)
12. Joe Henry's "Tiny Voices"
2. White Stripes Elephant
3. Hot Club of Cowtown Dev¹lish Mary
4. Handsome Boy Modeling School So How¹s your girl
5. Lucinda Williams Sweet Old World
6. Radiohead Hail to the Thief
7. Magnetic Fields 69 Love Songs
8. David Cross Shut Up You Fucking Baby
9. Calexico Feast of Wire
10. Calexico Hot Rail
11. Steely Dan - A Decade of Steely Dan (this is actually Bill's but I've been listening to it on repeat for like, 3 solid weeks)
12. Joe Henry's "Tiny Voices"
Best Music 2003 - Michael Schwartz
Best albums I bought in 2003 ( No Order )
-----------------------------------------
Shins - Chutes Too Narrow
Radiohead - Hail To The Thief
White Stripes - Elephant
Polyphonic Spree - The Beginning Stages Of Beth Gibbons & Rustin Man - Out Of Season The New Pornographers - Mass Romantic Mars Volta - De-loused in the Crematarium Grandaddy - Sumday / Sophtware Slump / Under The Western Freeway Super Furry Animals - Phantom Power Sigur Ros - ()
Honorable mention
-----------------
Pretty Girls Make Graves - The New Romance A Perfect Circle - Thirteenth Step Strokes - Room On Fire Longwave - The Strangest Things Jet - Get Born Audioslave - Audioslave Spirtualized - Amazing Grace The Streets - Origianl Pirate Material The Kills - Keep On Your Mean Side Raveonettes - Whip It On Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Take Them On, On Your Own The Libertines - Up The Bracket The Postal Service - Give Up
-----------------------------------------
Shins - Chutes Too Narrow
Radiohead - Hail To The Thief
White Stripes - Elephant
Polyphonic Spree - The Beginning Stages Of Beth Gibbons & Rustin Man - Out Of Season The New Pornographers - Mass Romantic Mars Volta - De-loused in the Crematarium Grandaddy - Sumday / Sophtware Slump / Under The Western Freeway Super Furry Animals - Phantom Power Sigur Ros - ()
Honorable mention
-----------------
Pretty Girls Make Graves - The New Romance A Perfect Circle - Thirteenth Step Strokes - Room On Fire Longwave - The Strangest Things Jet - Get Born Audioslave - Audioslave Spirtualized - Amazing Grace The Streets - Origianl Pirate Material The Kills - Keep On Your Mean Side Raveonettes - Whip It On Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Take Them On, On Your Own The Libertines - Up The Bracket The Postal Service - Give Up
Best Music 2003 - Chris Poehlmann
Here are a few of my new albums for this year:
R L Burnside - I wish I was in Heaven Sittng Down + Come On In DuOuD - Wild Serenade The Bad Plus -
MM+W - Uninvisible
Stanton Moore - Flyin the Koop
Mogwai -
Blacky Ranchette - Sage Advice
DJ Logic - Project Logic
Rob Wasserman - Space Island
April March and Los Cincos -
The Strokes -
Preston School of Industry - All This Sounds Gas Ry Cooder + Manuel Galban - Mambo Sinuendo Gilberto Gil - Kaya n Gana
R L Burnside - I wish I was in Heaven Sittng Down + Come On In DuOuD - Wild Serenade The Bad Plus -
MM+W - Uninvisible
Stanton Moore - Flyin the Koop
Mogwai -
Blacky Ranchette - Sage Advice
DJ Logic - Project Logic
Rob Wasserman - Space Island
April March and Los Cincos -
The Strokes -
Preston School of Industry - All This Sounds Gas Ry Cooder + Manuel Galban - Mambo Sinuendo Gilberto Gil - Kaya n Gana
Best Music 2003 - Pat Lavelle
I decree, in no particular order:
Killing Joke - Killing Joke
OutKast - The Love Below
Porcupine Tree - In Absentia
The Mars Volta - Deloused in the Comatorium Bent - The Everlasting Blink Goldfrapp - Felt Mountain Fiction Plane - Everything Will Never Be OK Cliff Martinez - Solaris (Soundtrack) Godspeed You Black Emperor - F#A#∞ Blur - Think Tank
Killing Joke - Killing Joke
OutKast - The Love Below
Porcupine Tree - In Absentia
The Mars Volta - Deloused in the Comatorium Bent - The Everlasting Blink Goldfrapp - Felt Mountain Fiction Plane - Everything Will Never Be OK Cliff Martinez - Solaris (Soundtrack) Godspeed You Black Emperor - F#A#∞ Blur - Think Tank
Best Music 2003 - Wendy West
Postal Service: Give Up
Chutes Too Narrow: The Shins
Did Sea Change come out this year?
Elton John's greatest (yes, I'll admit to it) Christopher O Riley's Radiohead Piano Stuff Azure Ray's album Bright Eyes mix that Jeremy made for me Cat Power: You are Free Death Cab For Cutie mix that Jeremy also made for me Iron and Wine's album The Very Best of Daryl Hall and John Oates
Chutes Too Narrow: The Shins
Did Sea Change come out this year?
Elton John's greatest (yes, I'll admit to it) Christopher O Riley's Radiohead Piano Stuff Azure Ray's album Bright Eyes mix that Jeremy made for me Cat Power: You are Free Death Cab For Cutie mix that Jeremy also made for me Iron and Wine's album The Very Best of Daryl Hall and John Oates
Best Music 2003 - Dexter Knaack (1.5 y/o)
top 10 albums i listened to in 2003
- Gwendolyn and the Good Time Gang - Gwendolyn and the Good Time Gang
- Gwendolyn and the Good Time Gang - (yeah, he likes it that much)
- the Wiggles - Toot! Toot!
- the Wiggles - A Wiggly Movie
- the Wiggles - A Wiggly Safari
- Music Together - Triangle
- Music Together - Fiddle
- TMBG - No!
- Beastie Boys - Ill Communication
- Sesame Street - Platinum Hits
top 5 albums i listened to in 2002
- Mozart - any
- Bach - any
- Beethoven - any
- Southern Culture on the Skids - Drive-Thru Daquiri (compilation)
- Music Together - Bells
- Gwendolyn and the Good Time Gang - Gwendolyn and the Good Time Gang
- Gwendolyn and the Good Time Gang - (yeah, he likes it that much)
- the Wiggles - Toot! Toot!
- the Wiggles - A Wiggly Movie
- the Wiggles - A Wiggly Safari
- Music Together - Triangle
- Music Together - Fiddle
- TMBG - No!
- Beastie Boys - Ill Communication
- Sesame Street - Platinum Hits
top 5 albums i listened to in 2002
- Mozart - any
- Bach - any
- Beethoven - any
- Southern Culture on the Skids - Drive-Thru Daquiri (compilation)
- Music Together - Bells
Best Music 2003 - Robert Knaack
The year started out slow, but picked up after a few months. Lots of good stuff.
top 20 albums i purchased in 2003 (IN ORDER)
- Kings of Leon - Youth and Young Manhood
- Norah Jones - Come Away With Me
- Mars Volta - De-loused in the Crematarium
- Nappy Roots - Wooden Leather
- the Libertines - Up the Bracket
- Longwave - endsongs
- Cursive - the Ugly Organ
- Radiohead - Hail to the Thief
- White Stripes - Elephant
- Pretty Girls Make Graves - the New Romance
- Bright Eyes - Letting Off The Happiness
- Mountain Goats - Tallahassee
- Superdrag - Head Trip In Every Key
- Super Furry Animals - Phantom Power
- Grandaddy - Sumday
- Longwave - strangest things
- Polyphonic Spree - the beginning stages of
- black keys - thickfreakness
- Raveonettes - Whip It On
- TMBG - No!
- immortal lee country killers - love is a charm of powerful trouble
- the Thrills - So Much For The City
- Strokes - Room On Fire
- Turbonegro - Apocalypse Dudes
- Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Take Them On, On Your Own
top 20 albums i purchased in 2003 (IN ORDER)
- Kings of Leon - Youth and Young Manhood
- Norah Jones - Come Away With Me
- Mars Volta - De-loused in the Crematarium
- Nappy Roots - Wooden Leather
- the Libertines - Up the Bracket
- Longwave - endsongs
- Cursive - the Ugly Organ
- Radiohead - Hail to the Thief
- White Stripes - Elephant
- Pretty Girls Make Graves - the New Romance
- Bright Eyes - Letting Off The Happiness
- Mountain Goats - Tallahassee
- Superdrag - Head Trip In Every Key
- Super Furry Animals - Phantom Power
- Grandaddy - Sumday
- Longwave - strangest things
- Polyphonic Spree - the beginning stages of
- black keys - thickfreakness
- Raveonettes - Whip It On
- TMBG - No!
- immortal lee country killers - love is a charm of powerful trouble
- the Thrills - So Much For The City
- Strokes - Room On Fire
- Turbonegro - Apocalypse Dudes
- Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Take Them On, On Your Own
Best Music 2002 - others
Top 106.7 Songs of 2002
1. The White Stripes Fell In Love With A Girl
2. System of a Down Toxicity
3. The Strokes Last Nite
4. Jimmy Eat World The Middle
5. Red Hot Chili Peppers By the Way
6. System of a Down Aerials
7. Eminem Lose Yourself
8. 311 Amber
9. Puddle of Mudd Blurry
10. P.O.D. Youth of a Nation
11. The Hives Hate to Say I Told You So
12. Nirvana You Know You're Right
13. No Doubt Underneath It All
14. Queens of the Stone Age No One Knows
15. The White Stripes Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground
Best Music 2002 - Chris Maag
CDs in heavy rotation at end of 2002 (not necessarily released in 2002, not in any order):
Spoon: Kill the Moonlight
Serge Gainsburg: Melody Wilson
Edith Frost: Wonder Wonder
Archer Prewitt: Three
Annie Hayden: The Rub
Antibalas: Liberation Afro Beat vol. 1
Lambchop: Viva la Woman
Best Music 2002 - Vanessa Kreuzriegler
Johnny Cash - the Man Comes Around
Tin Hat Trio
Shadow of A Vampire - Soundtrack to the Film
Todo Sobre Mi Madre - All About My Mother (Pedro Almodovar) Soundtrack
Django Rienhardt -Rare (1928-1938) - thanks Rob!
IVY - guestroom
Goran Bregovic - music for films
Balkan Blues (gypsy music from Macedonia to Serbia)
Mercedes Sousa - Misa Criolla
Tin Hat Trio
Shadow of A Vampire - Soundtrack to the Film
Todo Sobre Mi Madre - All About My Mother (Pedro Almodovar) Soundtrack
Django Rienhardt -Rare (1928-1938) - thanks Rob!
IVY - guestroom
Goran Bregovic - music for films
Balkan Blues (gypsy music from Macedonia to Serbia)
Mercedes Sousa - Misa Criolla
Best Music 2002 - Wendy West
1. Wilco (Yankee Hotel)
2. Wilco (Summer Teeth)
3. Wilco (Being There)
4. Wilco & Billy Brag (Mermaid Ave )
5. Beck (Sea Change)
6. Norah Jones ( Come Away with Me)
7. Zero 7 (Simple Things)
8. Lucinda Williams (Car Wheels on a Gravel Road )
9. Beth Orton (The New One, I forget what it's called) [Daybreaker -- rjk]
10. Aimee Mann (whatever her new one's called, too) [Lost In Space -- rjk]
11. Rosie Thomas: "When We Were Small"
12. Jeff Buckley "Grace"
2. Wilco (Summer Teeth)
3. Wilco (Being There)
4. Wilco & Billy Brag (Mermaid Ave )
5. Beck (Sea Change)
6. Norah Jones ( Come Away with Me)
7. Zero 7 (Simple Things)
8. Lucinda Williams (Car Wheels on a Gravel Road )
9. Beth Orton (The New One, I forget what it's called) [Daybreaker -- rjk]
10. Aimee Mann (whatever her new one's called, too) [Lost In Space -- rjk]
11. Rosie Thomas: "When We Were Small"
12. Jeff Buckley "Grace"
Best Music 2002 - Tiffany Hope
Might we change "purchased" to "procured"? I can honestly say I haven't bought a single CD this year, except for gifts. I download nearly everything. I know, I'm going to hell, whatever.
Anyway, here's my list, mostly singles (is there such a thing anymore?) as I don't have the patience for downloading entire albums, even with DSL. In no particular order, quote marks indicate individual songs.
1) "Whatever happened to Rock and Roll "- Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
2) "I am trying to break your heart" - Wilco. This gets my vote for the Best Goddam Single of the Year. When I first heard it on my car radio , I literally pulled over to listen. Blew me away.
3)"nobody girl" Ryan Adams
4) "Reproduction of death' - International Noise Conspiracy. I'm gonna say it. They are BETTER than the Hives.
5) Sigur Ros - Ágætis byrjun I got this last year, but I don't care cuz it's one of the best damn things I've heard in years.Their stuff is so outrageously beautiful it makes me cry.
6) The Buck Owens Collection 1959-1990 Double CD set!
7) Johnny Cash - The man comes around. Just got this last night from Vanessa and I LOVE it.
8) Serge Gainsbourge - Histoire de Melody Nelson
9) "Cold Fingers" -The Webb Brothers
10) Tie: Greatest Hits - Waylon Jennings, and The Ultimate Collection- Merle Haggard.
Anyway, here's my list, mostly singles (is there such a thing anymore?) as I don't have the patience for downloading entire albums, even with DSL. In no particular order, quote marks indicate individual songs.
1) "Whatever happened to Rock and Roll "- Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
2) "I am trying to break your heart" - Wilco. This gets my vote for the Best Goddam Single of the Year. When I first heard it on my car radio , I literally pulled over to listen. Blew me away.
3)"nobody girl" Ryan Adams
4) "Reproduction of death' - International Noise Conspiracy. I'm gonna say it. They are BETTER than the Hives.
5) Sigur Ros - Ágætis byrjun I got this last year, but I don't care cuz it's one of the best damn things I've heard in years.Their stuff is so outrageously beautiful it makes me cry.
6) The Buck Owens Collection 1959-1990 Double CD set!
7) Johnny Cash - The man comes around. Just got this last night from Vanessa and I LOVE it.
8) Serge Gainsbourge - Histoire de Melody Nelson
9) "Cold Fingers" -The Webb Brothers
10) Tie: Greatest Hits - Waylon Jennings, and The Ultimate Collection- Merle Haggard.
Best Music 2002 - Brian Anderson
1) Flogging Molly - drunken lullabies
2) Die Fantastischen Vier - live und direkt
3) Jovanotti - pasaporte
4) Control Machete - Artilleria Pesada
5) Cake - Prolonging the Magic
6) Bebel Gilberto - tanto tiempo
7) Fantastic Plastic Machine - beautiful
8) Weezer - maladroit
9) Twenty Years of Dischord (compilation)
10) Son Goku - Crashkurs
Best Music 2002 - Chris Poehlmann
Stanton Moore Flyin' the Coop
MM+W the dropper
John Scofield uberjam
Bill Frissel Good Dog Happy Man
Antibalas
The Word w/j medeski + North Mississippi allstars
The Sea + Cake Oui
Archer prewitt three
Bad Livers Blood + Mood
The Louvin Brothers Satan is Real
Beth Orton Daybreaker
Preston School of Industry all this sounds a gas
de Phaz
MM+W the dropper
John Scofield uberjam
Bill Frissel Good Dog Happy Man
Antibalas
The Word w/j medeski + North Mississippi allstars
The Sea + Cake Oui
Archer prewitt three
Bad Livers Blood + Mood
The Louvin Brothers Satan is Real
Beth Orton Daybreaker
Preston School of Industry all this sounds a gas
de Phaz
Best Music 2002 - Pat Lavelle
Beck - Sea Change
Sparta - Wiretap Scars
The Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
Air - The Virgin Suicides
Lovage - Music to Make Love to Your Old Lady By
Queens of the Stone Age - Songs for the Deaf
Dredg - El Cielo
Sigur Ros - ( )
Ours - Distorted Lullabies
Ash - 1977
Super Furry Animals - Rings Around the World
Sneaker Pimps - Bloodsport
Best Music 2002 - Elena Siegman
1.) Coldplay - A Rush of Blood to The Head
2.) Patty Griffin - 1000 Kisses
3.) Deerhoof - Reveille
4.) Le Tigre - Remixes (EP)
5.) Beck - Sea Change
6.) Dan Bern - New American Language (2001 release)
7.) The Sharp Ease - Self Titled 7" (SO GOOD!)
8.) Neko Case - Blacklisted
9.) Radio Vago - Black & White Photo Enterprise (EP)
10.) The Infinite X's - Self Titled
11.) The Anonymous Four - La Bele Marie
12.) Crowns on 45 - Insert Here, Sparks Fly!
13.) Ani DiFranco - So Much Shouting, So Much Laughter
14.) Toshi Reagon - Toshi
15.) Eleni Mandell - Snakebite
Best Music 2002 - Jeremy Zitter
the microphones: the glow, pt. 2
mum: and finally, we are no one
death cab for cutie: photo album
mos def: black on both sides
the shins: oh, inverted world
wilco: yankee hotel foxtrot
japan cakes: belmondo--bliss out vol. 19
jurassic 5: power in numbers
flaming lips: yoshimi battles the pink robots
black heart procession: self titled
amore del tropico
Best Music 2002 - Doug McLaughlin
fugazi- the argument
people under the stairs-ost
beck-sea changes
lift to experience-the texas jerusalem crossroads
fiver-here it comes
radar bros-and the surrounding mountains
tosca-sezuki
charles webster-born on the 24th of july
burning airlines-identikit
weezer-maladroit
solomon burke-dont give up on me
joe lovano nonet-52nd street themes
pretty girls dig graves
200% dynamite-souljazz comp
gorillaz
people under the stairs-ost
beck-sea changes
lift to experience-the texas jerusalem crossroads
fiver-here it comes
radar bros-and the surrounding mountains
tosca-sezuki
charles webster-born on the 24th of july
burning airlines-identikit
weezer-maladroit
solomon burke-dont give up on me
joe lovano nonet-52nd street themes
pretty girls dig graves
200% dynamite-souljazz comp
gorillaz
Best Music 2002 - Michael Schwartz
- Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots
- White Stripes - White Blood Cells
- Radiohead - Live at Salamanca
- Badly Drawn Boy - About A Boy
- Clinic - Walking With Thee
- Hives - Veni, Vidi, Vicious
- Beth Orton - Daybreaker
- Audioslave - Audioslave
- Tori Amos - Scarlet's Walk
- Apples In Stereo - Velocity Of Sound
- Red Hot Chili Peppers - By The Way
- Aimee Mann - Lost In Space
- Coldplay - A Rush Of Blood To The Head
- Trail Of The Dead - Source Tags & Codes
- Pixies - Pixies
Disclaimer: List of the top albums that I got in 2002 that came out around 2002 ordered by my perceptions at this very moment and is subject to change at a whim without prior notice.
Best Music 2002 - Robert Knaack
top 15 albums i bought in 2002
1. Bright Eyes - Lifted...
2. Desaparecidos - Read English, Speak Spanish
3. Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
4. Spoon - Kill The Moonlight
5. White Stripes - De Stijl
6. Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
7. White Stripes - White Blood Cells
8. Joe Pernice Chappaquiddick Skyline
9. Hives - Veni, Vidi, Vicious
10. Strokes - Is This It
11. Badly Drawn Boy - About A Boy
12. Spoon - Girls Can Tell
13. Trail of the Dead - Source Tags & Codes
14. Tom Waits - Alice
15. Charlie Patton - King of the Delta Blues
Note: I have been informed that I purchased the Strokes in 2001. oops
December 12, 2006
Welcome
Hello all,
I can't believe I've got a blog. I swore I would never have one, but we all change, don't we?
The main goal of this blog is to publish all the music "best of" lists that I organized over the years. I may post my favorite music throughout the year as well...we'll see.
The way the yearly list works is the following:
Send me an email with your list of the best music you've LISTENED to this year (not necessarily published this year.) It can be your top 10, 20, or even just a couple. Most people send their favorite albums, but some of the iTunes generation submitted songs...which is great as well. The goal is to let other people find new music that they might otherwise have missed. This isn't a contest, it is about fun and sharing.
In previous years the lists have been passed around via email and then a massive email with everyone's lists was sent out. This year, I will put together all of the lists received into blog entries here (and perhaps an email as well.)
I also welcome people to submit their kid's music lists as well. Please include the child's age as well.
I'm excited to see what music I've missed this year!
Take care,
Rob
I can't believe I've got a blog. I swore I would never have one, but we all change, don't we?
The main goal of this blog is to publish all the music "best of" lists that I organized over the years. I may post my favorite music throughout the year as well...we'll see.
The way the yearly list works is the following:
Send me an email with your list of the best music you've LISTENED to this year (not necessarily published this year.) It can be your top 10, 20, or even just a couple. Most people send their favorite albums, but some of the iTunes generation submitted songs...which is great as well. The goal is to let other people find new music that they might otherwise have missed. This isn't a contest, it is about fun and sharing.
In previous years the lists have been passed around via email and then a massive email with everyone's lists was sent out. This year, I will put together all of the lists received into blog entries here (and perhaps an email as well.)
I also welcome people to submit their kid's music lists as well. Please include the child's age as well.
I'm excited to see what music I've missed this year!
Take care,
Rob
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