My Top 20 of 2004
Many of my peers expressed their feelings of disapointment in the music that was released in 2004. I couldn't disagree with them more; I think that 2004 was bursting at the seams with quality music. The music released in the last year only raises my expectations for the music to come in 2005. The following are listed in no specific order.
1. Ted Leo and The Pharmacists - Me and Mia
Ted Leo and The Pharmacists didn't fail to meet my expectations when he released Shake the Sheets this year. It was a fine follow-up to his awesome album, Hearts of Oak. This lead-off single from Shake the Sheets is so sugary-sweet, you won't be able to go on without listening to it another time or two. [
download]
2. Jens Lekman - Maple Leaves
Jens Lekman sort of came out of nowhere for me. I don't quite remember the first time I heard him (I know I randomly downloaded Black Cab [
download] off of the Secretly Canadian website), but the first time I heard Black Cab, I was hooked. I was pleased to find out he had produced a load of materal already, in which I hunted down immediately. His songs have a certain abundance of space to them that draws me in. Although the instrumentation seems low key and restrained, it completely surrounds you. With the trees bare and the air chilly at this time of year, it's easy to get lost in an entire album of his and not even realize it.
3. Badly Drawn Boy - Four Leaf Clover
I've always had a soft spot for Badly Drawn Boy's music. One Plus One Is One met my expectations, depsite not satisfying many others' desire for the "old" Badly Drawn Boy, like Something To Talk About [
download] or The Shining [
download]. Four Leaf Clover is a nice little song. My favorite part is when the piano kicks in. Bam.
4. Franz Ferdinand - Tell Her Tonight
Franz Ferdinand know how to kick some ass. It took absolutely no time for the album to grow on me. The first time I heard Take Me Out [
download], I had it on repeat for one straight hour. From the time Jacqueline [
download] begins, until the last few notes of 40 ft. [
download], it is a non-stop rock fest. This is the fastest album (in terms of going by fast) in recent memory. I cannot even begin to fathom how Franz Ferdinand will manage to follow up such a good debut, but I have a feeling they have the stuff to do it. [
download]
5. Junior Boys - Last Exit
The Junior Boys' Last Exit was, simply put, among the most consistently good and rewarding electronic albums released this year. It was among the few electronic albums that I could listen to from beginning to end without worrying about hitting the skip button. The music is literally hypnotizing -- 30 minutes would pass with listening to portions of the album before I knew it. The chilled vocals blended with the beats in a wonderful way. [
download]
6. Of Montreal - My British Tour Diary
My Brisith Tour Diary, along with Disconnect the Dots [
download] and the rest of Satanic Panic in the Attic, was a welcome addition to the Of Montreal catalogue for me. Each song on the album is so freaking catchy. Normally, I wouldn't listen to something so catchy in the morning for the fear of having it stuck in my head the rest of the day, but I could listen to this album with no hesitation -- it was a pleasure to have their hooks and melodies replaying in my mind.
7. Elliott Smith - Twilight
This past year, some of Elliott Smith's most beautiful music was released to the public after a long three year wait. Despite David McConnell (the album's original producer -- once Elliott died, his parents turned production duties over to his old producer, Rob Schnapf, and Joanna Bolme from McConnell) saying that, "obviously Elliott did not get his wishes," From A Basement On The Hill still manages to function as an album. It's just a shame that he wasn't able to finish it and release it himself. Twilight is a perfect representation of the quiet, effective music featured on From A Basement On The Hill [
download]
8. Ratatat - Seventeen Years
Seventeen Years is a wonderful mix of guitar and thumping beats. The album Ratatat on a whole is equally satisfying in it's rollicking ways. Before you know it, you'll be tapping your foot along with it. [
download]
9. Fiery Furnaces - Birdie Brain
Fiery Furnaces created an album that I couldn't imagine in my wildest dreams. It is as sonically lush as the deepest parts of the Amazon. Somehow, they crammed all of the wild ideas they had expanded into eight or nine minute epics (i.e. Blueberry Boat [
download] or Quay Cur [
download]) into a three minute ditty that anyone can enjoy. If you listen to any album from beginning to finish that was released in 2004, make it Blueberry Boat. Any possible sound that you were searching for was sure to be played on Blueberry Boat. [
download]
10. n.Lannon - Hollow Heart
In one of Nyles Lannon's many musical incarnations, he produces a pleasing amalgamation of electronic pop and quiet acoustic rock. It is a mixture that should be pleasing to anyone's ears. Hollow Heart, along with Demons [
download], Turn Time Around [
download], and the whole of Chemical Friends, totally blindsided me. Whenever I needed to take a breather, I could listen to any number off of Chemical Friends and be relaxed. Be sure to check it out, yo. [
download]
11. Murs - The Pain
Murs released perhaps the most underrated album of the year. From start to finish, 3:16 The 9th Edition is a solid album. Each track is so blissfully sturdy with its lyrics, it's scary. This album is just screaming for mainstream attention, and it deserves it more than any release put out this year. It is imperative that you listen to just one of his songs -- you'll be hooked then and there. [
download]
12. Feist - Mushaboom
Leslie Feist's Let It Die was just what I wanted: an album I could nod my head, mow the lawn, and hum/sing along to all at the same time. Not only does she provide her original work, she also covers Ron Sexsmith's Secret Heart (by the way, Ron Sexsmith is a freaking genius. Check out all of his work) and the Bee Gee's Inside Out. (which I haven't had the pleasure of hearing the original [I don't think]) The only way I can describe her voice is "fine;" it sounds as if it is a wire, and the music surrounding it is balancing on it. Mushaboom is a freaking awesome song, take my word for it.
13. The Arcade Fire - Wake Up
The first time I heard The Arcade Fire, I was hardly impressed (for some reason). I couldn't seem to really connect with the music. It was nice and all, but it wasn't the timeless release it was made out to be. After three or four more spins of the album, it really started to grow on me. Now, I can say with zero reservations that it deserves all of the accolades that it has received in the few short months it has been available to the public. I feel that Wake Up is the zenith of the album, with its crashing center which melts into the nice, "happy" ending. Trust me when I say it's good. [
download]
14. Iron and Wine - Naked as We Came
Sam Beam followed up The Creek Drank The Cradle in a way that I thought I would hate; he ditched his four-track and left his bedroom for the comforts of a studio. Upon my first listen, I realized that the music lost nothing from it's transition. Even after hearing the grainy demos of Our Endless Numbered Days, I enjoy the sleek, clean takes on the songs. (the addition of his sister's voice was a great move) Naked As We Came is the song that blew the door open of Our Endless Numbered Days for me; it's just a plain song, but sometimes the plainest of songs turn out to be the best. [
download]
15. Belle and Sebastian - Your Cover's Blown
Easily the best song released this year, Your Cover's Blown is a monster of a song. In its three progressions, it evolves as to keep the listener from becoming bored. (not that this song could ever, EVER be boring) If you have listened to Belle and Sebastian in the past and not enjoyed them, forget your old opinion. This song is something totally, wonderfully different. I knew that Belle and Sebastian were good, really good even, but this? This is amazing. Nothing else released in 2004 even comes close to touching Your Cover's Blown in quality. Do yourself a huge favor and listen to this work of art.
16. Wilco - The High Heat
How could I leave old Wilco out of the mix? They followed up Yankee Hotel Foxtrot in a most satisfying matter with A Ghost Is Born, released two books, and toured like there was no tomorrow. Wilco still has it, whether you like it or not. This track, taken from A Ghost Is Born outtakes released with The Wilco Book, is on par with the songs released on A Ghost Is Born. When a band's b-sides are this good, you know what kind of a band Wilco is.
17. Phoenix - If It's Not With You
When an indie band can come along and start a craze at my good old Auburn High School, you know something is up. Back in February, when their sophomore effort Alphabetical was released, I got it from none other than Mr. Jones. Upon listening to a few tracks during an English class, several students were dumbfounded upon how freaking good Phoenix is. A few people would request a copy here, a few would request a copy there. (keep in mind, this album was pretty much unavailable here in Auburn [unless you buy online, in which an import copy was a whopping $40.00]) Suddenly, AHS was full of Phoenix-heads. People couldn't get enough of it. If It's Not With You was the first track I heard from Alphabetical. (thanks to trusty Fluxblog) It has since remained my favorite song from the album, with it's groovy bassline and cool vocal delivery thanks to Thomas Mars. Alphabetical has my vote for album of the year, folks -- that's how good it is.
18. Kings of Convenience - I'd Rather Dance With You
Riot on an Empty Street is definitely my favorite Kings of Convenience album to date. (I don't count Versus, even though I feel that may be my overall favorite) Even though many of the songs featured on the album sound very similar, I feel it doesn't take away from each song's quality. I'd Rather Dance With You sort of surprises you, jumping out at you during the middle of the album, with its speed. It is significantly faster than the other songs featured on Riot on an Empty Street, and is perfect single material. (
the video for I'd Rather Dance With You is awesome, check it out) Again, if you have written them off as a couple of Simon and Garfunkel-copying-hacks, try this song out; I can assure you of its quality. [
download, live 8/31/04]
19. Camera Obscura - Keep It Clean
Camera Obscura is like Belle and Sebastian. Now that that statement is out of the way, Camera Obscura create music of a high caliber. Their sophomore album, Underachievers Please Try Harder, only adds on to the foundation that they laid with Biggest Bluest Hi-Fi. They have that subdued characteristic to their music that I find charming. Keep It Clean is a bewitching pop song that takes you down a nice, smooth road. Give it a spin.
20. Stars - One More Night
Stars ceases to amaze me, with their third album, Set Yourself On Fire. Despite minor overproduction on the album, Amy Millan and co. continue to give pop music a good name. One More Night is akin to other Stars songs, with Torq Campbell and Amy Millan trading off vocal duties, with provocative and irresistable music to accompany them. Stars' music draws you in like a magnet; you simply cannot escape its genius. Don't be afraid to listen to Stars -- they are easily among the most engaging and gratifying bands that you will encounter.
chandler at 8:36 PM | |
