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)