Bimmy PM'd me the other day and brought up something I'd never thought of before; the Top 50 CD's of 2004 feature I did for Nocturnal Storms (and is linked to in my sig) can no longer be viewed since Cal made Nocturnal Storms a private board and closed the place down. So, since I don't really have the list anywhere else and some people might be bored enough to read the whole thing, I've decided to copy and paste it into my blog.
For some bizarre reason, though, when I posted the top ten, it cut off the top four. I tried editing it, but it still continued not posting the top four. I tried making a new entry for the top five, and it turned up blank. I don't know if there's some code in there it just can't understand, or what, so I'll just have to post the names of the top four:
4. The Washdown, "Yes To Everything"
3. Aloha, "Here Comes Everyone"
2. The Mae Shi, "Terrorbird"
1. Rogue Wave, "Out of the Shadows"
Beyond that, when I was looking at the list I thought just how different the list would be if I made it now. I mean, I'm still pretty happy with the list, but like any year, the best records of the year I found after the year was over. The list should DEFINETELY include entries from the likes of Jason Andersen, Turf Talk, Champion, The Cribs, and others. My number one pick would probably now be either Shy Child's "One With the Sun" (which was on the original list, and should have been number one ... it's easily still my most listened to purchase of that year) or Champion's "Promises Kept" (a record than ANYONE who is even REMOTELY interested in hardcore must own).
Also, I just want to note that my upcoming (only 4 months away!) Best CD's of 2005 list will probably be posted in this blog, since there aren't really any great all-genre encompassing music forums left to post it in anymore, and we might also see a Top 25 Rap albums of 2005 and maybe even a Top 10 Emo Ablums of 2005. Oh, and even though I haven't posted anything new in like 2 months, the MP3 Blog part of this blog isn't dead! Expect updates soon.
50. Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, "Shake the Sheets" (Lookout! Records)
Sounds Like: Good old rock and roll
There are few albums released these days that could be filed as rock and roll and nothing more, given the deluge of sub-genres we've encountered, but I don't think there's any other way to describe this album. Another solid rock offering from Ted Leo and his band.
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, "Me and Mia" (go to the site and download it)
49. Scout Niblett, "Uptown Top Ranking" (Secretly Canadian Records)
Sounds Like: Mirah, Elliot Smith, Joanna Newsome
I'll admit, the inclusion of this 3-song EP to the list was not entirely fair. Becuase it was this EP that turned me on to her previous debut full-length, which is currently becoming a personal favorite. This is an EP steeped in singer-songwriter fare; mostly guitar and vocals only. But the vocals are one of Scout's biggest strengths, as she posses one of those rare, unique voices that can only be hers.
Scout Niblett, "Uptown Top Ranking"
48. Nedelle and Thom, "Summerland" (Kill Rock Stars Records)
Sounds Like: The Mates of State on downers?
This is some summery pop right'chere. Like many of their married-and-in-a-band peers, this duo specializes in happy pop. But unlike, say, Mates of State, the music here is rather calm and serene, choosing to roll and bounce around listlessly. Despite it's title and rediculously good nature, though, I've found this album is best suited for a snowy winter day.
Nedelle and Thom, "In Time It Snows"
47. Graves, "Yes Yes Okay Okay" (Hush Records)
Sounds Like: Slightly folksy, organic pop
This album sounds real atmospheric and organic, like a K Recs record. Perhaps that's because members of Little Wings perform on this record. This record is pretty down-tempo and minor, almost to the point of being sad. But not quite. It's hooky, it's earthy, and comes in handy as a backdrop to some serious meditation and self-searching.
46. Tilly and the Wall, "Wild Like Children" (Team Love Records)
Sounds Like: Mates of State, Rainer Maria, and a smidgen of Riverdance :-\
Yes, in the grand tradition of the aforementioned groups, Tilly and the Wall provides us with sang/shouted vocals and harmonies that you simply can NOT not sing along with. But here's the kicker: they also tap-dance. Lame gimmick? Yeah, probably. But you probably won't notice it, anyways; and, besides, it DOES seem to give the rhythms a more dancey feel. It has a great, youthful charm to it, and what's more, they've made the entire thing available to us as a free download.
45. The Lashes, "The Stupid Stupid" (Lookout! Records)
Sounds Like: The Exploding Hearts, The Undertones
If you listened to either of the bands mentioned above, you've already heard this song. But this band is so endearing you'll probably give in and listen to the song one more time. If you don't know those bands, well, this EP offers rollicking guitars and keyboards, with gorgeous power pop harmonies. A promising sign of what's to come.
The Lashes, "Death By Mixtape" (go to the site and download)
44. Ulrich Schnauss, "A Strangely Isolated Place" (Domino Records)
Sounds Like: Electronic ambient pop; many say M83
Whoooo boy, what a purdy record. Ulrich can almost be seen as somewhat of a grandoise composer here, with layers of swirling sound flying around, and occassional bombast now and then. I don't know about using the term ambient to describe this, as I know little about ambient, yet this doesn't seem quite ambient. Still, lots of reviews deemed this ambient. Ditto for referencing M83. Still, this is a gorgeous electronic record where everyone seems to lvoe the guitars, not realizing there are no guitars.
Sounds: None availabe =(
43. The Owls, "Our Hopes and Dreams" (Magic Marker Records)
Sounds Like: A slightly more upbeat Azure Ray
I went through this entire year thinking this band had a Kinsella connection until told otherwise. I mean, sure, the lyrics have a midwestern emo flair to them, but the Mirah-esque etheral female vocals intertwining combine with a sweeping sound that could only be Kinsella in Joan of Arc. But regardless of connections, this is a pretty record that's just great for wintry night drives =).
42. S, "Puking and Crying" (Suicide Squeeze Records)
Sounds Like: The Postal Service meets Rainer Maria?
This is the new project from Jen Ghetto (who is formerly of the apparently much-missed Carissa Weird, which I'm just now discovering). I'm really not sure where to begin describing the music, but I guess I could say that it has some of the Postal Service's electronic stylings, but with more live instrumentation. The vocals are emotional and desperate, sounding somewhere between Rainer Maria passion and Bjork drama. This one seemed to slip under the radar, but I doubt the next one will.
41. Call Me Lightning, "The Trouble We're In" (Revelation Records"
Sounds Like: The soundtrack to losing your sanity
This record is nuts. It doesn't rely on shocking imagery like The Blood Brotehrs nor does it over-use a push-pull sound -- it's just the sound of a band falling apart at the seams and trying to make the song follow suit (and they succeed on occasions). It ain't a perfect record, but it's an intriguing noteable for completsits.
Call Me Lightning, "Pizza Party" (have to go to the site, and it's only a Real Player track)
40. Automato, "Automato" (Coup De Grace)
Sounds Like: The Roots jamming out with the Beastie Boys on the mic
Everything about this album feels impromptu. It feels like the band is just jamming out to some freestyle lyrics. I guess that's what gives this album it's energy and immediacy -- it's just a pick-up-and-go good time.
Automato, "Walk Into the Light"
39. Architecture In Helsinki, "Fingers Crossed" (Bar-None Records)
Sounds Like: Apples In Stereo meets Rainer Maria
^^^ Yep, that pretty much sums it up. It's an odd combination, but it might work for you. These are some gorgeous summery soundscapes, ridden by some breathy boy/girl vocals (so I guess it's more precious than impassioned like Rainer Maria, but I stand by my comparison). For the longest time I just couldn't stand the fact that none of the other songs here were as good as "The Owls Go". Then I just realized they're *different*. Then I enjoyed the album. Still, by some means, listen to "The Owls Go". Although it's on the opposite end of the spectrum from Lil' Jon, I can only describe it as crunk.
Sounds: None available =(
38. TV On the Radio, "Desperate Youth, Bloodthirsty Babes" (Touch and Go Records)
Sounds Like: Peter Gabriel, The Beta Band ... but only to a certain extent.
Yeah, Pitchfork's year-end summation of the album pretty much nailed it -- the greatest thing about this group is how different they sound from anything else out there. I mean, there are certain hipster elements the band contains, and there are certian links you can make to artists that preceeded them ... but there's no denying this group has a very fresh sound. Nice rhythms, great shelf-life, and, as everyone must mention, barber-shop-esque harmonies! Yay!
TVOTR, "Starin' at the Sun"
TVOTR, "Dreams"
37. Despistado, "The Emergency Response" (Jade Tree)
Sounds Like: Cap'n Jazz meets Wire or Q and Not U
This debut EP ran the risk of sounding incredibly cliche, but rather than sounding like a calculated move, the band plays their music with enough conviction to sound like this is what they've wanted to play all their lives. Whether or not they'll weather the deluge of similar (but not half as good) bands is anybody's guess, but at least they'll be one of the few worth remembering.
Despisidato, "A Stirstick's Prediction"
36. Of Montreal, "Satanic Panic in the Attic" (Polyvinyl)
Sounds Like: Absurdly joyous indie pop in the Elephant 6 vein
When you think of the E6 collective, you might think of Apples in Stereo, or you might think of Neutral Milk Hotel. But you don't think of Of Montreal. "Satanic Panic in the Attic" (love that title) is perhaps the best case that you should. With lovely harmonies, fantastic rhythms, and nice atmosphere, the only question is whether the record might be TOO happy for your liking.
Hey Ping =)
Of Montreal, "Disconnect the Dots"
35. Rob Sonic, "Telicatessen" (Definitive Jux)
Sounds Like: Prefuse 73, Timbaland, Diplo
On his solo debut, Rob instantly joins the aforementioned producers in the elite group of producers who can make futuristic rap that doesn't suck (sorry, Dan the Automator, you don't count). Unlike many of his epic, apocalyptic Def Jux cohorts, though, Rob's music is more often than not just good fun. It feels ahead of it's time, and it isn't weighted down in philosophy. Promising work, indeed.
Rob Sonic, "Former Future"
Rob Sonic, "Strange Hammer"
Rob Sonic, "Shoplift"
*All Def Jux Player samples
34. The Hives, "Tyrannasaurus Hives" (Interscope Records)
Sounds Like: Iggy Pop w/ hints of Devo
Who would've thunk that The Hives, who've made several great bare bones albums, would go and make their most highly-produced (by a considerable amount) album and have it turn out so good? This is no doubt because of the band's persistent playfulness and energy always shine through. In fact, the playfulness has lent a bit of a Devo flavor to the album, such as the "Jocko Homo"-ish single "Walk, Idiot, Walk". Yeah, while the first half of the album is rock-solid, the second half is kinda hit-or-miss, but you're probably just listening for your Hives quick fix, so who says you'll make it to track 7, anyways?
Sounds: None, sorry =(
33. Time Machine, "Slow Your Roll" (Glow In the Dark Records)
Sounds Like: A new Quannum act
Like so many of the year's "best" (I use the term loosely, since just about none of the year's rap could be considered classic outside of Hangar 1
rap albums, this is nothing an indie rap enthusiast hasn't heard before. Yet, as we plot wisely how to lay down our hard earned cash, there's something to say about an album that's consistent the whole way through. Plus, the aesthetic of the album is great. Though alot of the tracks have a more modern, etheral sound to them, they also sound totally vintage. A fine addition to any collection.
You can listen to the Time Machine Player here
32. Matt Pond PA, "Emblems" (Altitude Records)
Sounds Like: A more hushed, delicate Saturday Looks Good To Me?
A shimmering, delicate pop record here. I often think of music in terms of season, and this is (and was) definetely a spring record. Too happy for fall or winter, but not quite exuberantly happy enough for summer; there may be some limit to the album's appeal, but at some time, in some occassion, the album will hit you.
Sounds: Nothing from his new record, but you can find some old stuff at www.polyvinyl.com
31. Modest Mouse, "Good News for People Who Love Bad News (Epic)
Sounds Like: Well ... erm ... yunno ... Modest Mouse
Alot of people are raving about how this album was 2004's surprise hit; how shocking it was for a band like this to succeed in the mainstream. But it really shouldn't come as much a surprise - almost every Modest Mouse song is, at heart, a relatively simple song, and then they twist it a bit. This record is a bit less twisted, but in the trade-off, there's a bit of added happiness. And you can't hate a record for being happy, can you, you sad bastard? This proved to be a pretty successful combo, with much of the Modest Mouse style intact. Kudos.
Sounds: None here, but you might've heard this song called "Float On this past summer.
30. Signer, "The New Face of Smiling" (Carpark Records)
Sounds Like: An alive (yet not quite lively) Sigur Ros
Yep. The only record of it's kind I enjoy. Rather than its sleep-inducing peers, this album that is equal parts hushed and shimmering reveals gorgeous chord progressions and hooks in good time. The sleeper album of the year - pun not intended.
Videos:
Signer, "Hurricane or Sunshine?"
Signer, "I Was Dressed as the Ant, You Dressed Up as a Beehive"
29. Animal Collective, "Sung Tongs" (Fat Cat Records)
Sounds Like: (to be trite) Forest collage pop
Animal Collective finally gain critical praise and mass attention for their most accessible album to date. Not that accessibility is bad here - there's a small trade-off of weirdness for more hooks. If the forest (albeit, a slightly nuts forest) was a pop band, this is the music they'd make. For some, it may be a mere novelty, but for others, it's something almost ... spiritual?!
28. Sondre Lerche, "Two Way Monologues" (Astralwerks Records)
Sounds Like: Brendan Benson, Grade-A Power Pop
Any other year, I might've crowned this "Album of the Year", or at least charted it in the top 3. But unfortunately for Mr. Lerche, '04 has been a remarkable year for indie pop, with so many variations, the old standby of power pop just seems a little stale in comparison. But trends are merely temporary, while great music is forever -- and as Big Star proves, power pop has staying power. So, who knows; a decade from now, this gem might just end up the only one standing.
Sounds: Real Player Tracks:
Sondre Lerche, "Two Way Monologues"
27. Typical Cats, "Civil Service" (Galapagos 4 Records)
Sounds Like: A Tribe Called Quest's "Peoples Instinctive Travels" meets Beastie Boys "Check Your Head"
With the Beastie Boys' new disc, Time Machine, and Typical Cats, the early 90's were alive in kicking in '04 rap. Typical Cats were perhaps the only group to make practically NO effort to sound up to date, though. I would not at all be surprised to find out that this album is really just a re-issue of a long-lost album from 1992. The flows are there in full Beastie Boys form, but the real star here may be the recording aesthetic ... alot of the album sounds like it must have been made with live instrumentation, which gives this album a real hard punch. This is one you'll want in your collection.
Sounds: A whole mess of MP3 format song samples (each about a minute or so)
Easy Cause It Is
Typical Flows
Justice Coming
Butterfly Knives
The Do
26. Pinback, "Summer In Abandon" (Touch and Go Records)
Sounds Like: Modest Mouse, Three Mile Pilot
While Modest Mouse may have been heralded as indie rock saviors for their unwillingness to fit nicely into any label or tag, it's a fact (which many of their fans either don't realize or don't want to) that the root of all their music is emo. Pinback edges off the weird a little bit and cranks up the emo a notch for this superb first Touch and Go release. Modest Mouse fans should enjoy.
25. Communique, "Poison Arrows" (Lookout! Records)
Communique, "Perfect Weapon" (go to the site and download)
24. Deerhoof, "Milking" and free live album "Bididi Badidi Boo" (Kill Rock Stars Records)
Sounds Like: Delightfully demented pop
I'll lump these two together since they both share some of the same songs. Deerhoof is headed by my future wife, Satomi Matsuzaki. The music they make is, unquestionably, pop - you know, The Beach Boys and such - but they aren't afraid to turn convention on its head. How about a metal breakdown? Or a foghorn stab? Why? Why not! And it turns out to be just as catchy as all of the standards. "Milking" is somewhat of a return to demented form after "Apple 'O", while "Bididi" is a free live disc that spans their three studio albums. Not the best track selection, but it's FREE.
23. Owen, "The EP" (Polyvinyl Records)
Sounds Like: Something new from the Kinsellas
The Kinsella saga continues to add more twists and turns - from the fantastically spastic and influential Cap'n Jazz, to the almost-completely-polar-opposite (but still generally great) noise expirentalists Joan of Arc, to the somewhere-in-between American Football, we now find Owen, which is much like American Football but with (maybe?) shades of folk and indie rockers that preceeded them. Mike is paying tribute to those who came before him (sometimes even in words, like where he name checks Morrisey and New Order in "In the Morning, Before Work"), yet keeping up the style he ushered in nearly a decade ago.
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