Your favorite album of 2002
12-08-02, 02:35 AM
#105
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Alrighty,
Hands down, no close competition, my favorite has got to be
The Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots.
I've listened to this cd every few days since it came out.
I also went to their concert with Beck a couple of weeks ago. If they are still touring and anybody can go, I would HIGHLY recommend it. The Lips put one of the best, if not the best concert I've every been to. (Then they played as Beck's back up band). It was like a huge utopia party.
Hands down, no close competition, my favorite has got to be
The Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots.
I've listened to this cd every few days since it came out.
I also went to their concert with Beck a couple of weeks ago. If they are still touring and anybody can go, I would HIGHLY recommend it. The Lips put one of the best, if not the best concert I've every been to. (Then they played as Beck's back up band). It was like a huge utopia party.
12-08-02, 04:17 PM
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...trail of dead - source tags and codes
beck - sea change
pulp - we love life
flaming lips - yoshimi
super furry animals - rings around the world
sleater-kinney - one beat
the vines - highly evolved
norah jones - come away with me
beck - sea change
pulp - we love life
flaming lips - yoshimi
super furry animals - rings around the world
sleater-kinney - one beat
the vines - highly evolved
norah jones - come away with me
12-09-02, 05:01 PM
#108
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1) Clinic - Walking With Thee
I've had this since April and I cannot stop listening to it. The whole album just has such a great vibe. It's postpunk by way of the UK, mixed with some harmonicas and organs. Basically a very original sound that induces you to tap your foot along with the beat.
2) Interpol - Turn On the Bright Lights
Yeah, they have a strong Joy Division influence, but that's a great band to influence you. NYC based postpunk band who manage to make the listener feel overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of NYC no matter where the listener lives.
3) Boards of Canada - Geogaddi
A heady mix of glitch, IDM and soothing electronic orchestrations. Not quite up to Music Has the Right to Children, but a deserving followup. Put this on and chill to the groove.
4) Roni Size - Touching Down
Roni alone, minus Reprazent, gives us the best pure drum n bass album of the year. The beats, the basslines, the cuts, the mix, everything screams top notch production. A word of warning, I've found myself tearing down the highway at 85 MPH while listening to this.
5) Fischerspooner - #1
Sleazy NYC based electroclash/performance art troupe. They're rude, crude, slutty and wallow in eurotrash dance, but it's oh so catchy. I dare you not to dance to it.
6) Coldplay - A Rush of Blood to the Head
A great sign when a band's sophomore effort manages to outshine an audacious debut. I like the way the band is building on their previous work, yet adding more depth to both the sound and lyrics.
7) Peter Gabriel - Up
The long awaited new studio album is finally here and Gabriel has outdone himself. The songs are more complex than ever, yet still retain that pop sheen. In fact, if you listen carefully, you can almost hear some of his 80s sound buried in the background, as if the CD depicts a struggle between the old and new Gabriel. Absolutely brilliant.
8) David Bowie - Heathen
IMHO, Bowie's best work since his Berlin era. He's learned from his excursions into industrial and techno in the 90s and married his lessons to his popcraft of the 70s, assembled a fine group of musicians and managed to reinvent himself yet again.
9) Sigur Ros - ( )
Beautiful, ethereal and melancholic, their new album continues the sound they created on Aegitis Byrjun and shows them mastering their unique brand of Icelandic music crossed with UK styled lush melodies a la Dead Can Dance.
10) The Notwist - Neon Golden
German electroacoustic punk with soothing melodies, guitar front and center in the sound mix and warm lyrics. Makes me feel comfortable when I curl up under a blanket on a cold night.
Runners up:
And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead - Source Tags & Codes
Antipop Consortium - Arrhythmia
Astrobotnia - Parts 01 and 03
Badly Drawn Boy - About a Boy
Coil - The Remote Viewer
Cornelius - Point
Doves - The Last Broadcast
The Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
Foo Fighters - One By One
Beth Gibbons & Rustin Man - Out of Season
Girls Against Boys - You Can't Fight What You Can't See
Global Goon - Vatican Nitez
Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Yanqui U.X.O.
Richie Hawtin & Sven Vath - The Sound of the Third Season (*** best mix cd of the year ***)
Kinky - Kinky
Low - Trust
Lustmord - Zoetrope
Mum - Finally We Are No One
The Polyphonic Spree - The Beginning Stages of...
Queens of the Stone Age - Songs for the Deaf
Joey Ramone - Don't Worry About Me
Matthew Shipp - Nu Bop
Erika Simonian - 29 1/2
Skinny Puppy - Puppy Gristle
Sonic Youth - Murray Street
Squarepusher - Do You Know Squarepusher
Starsailor - Love Is Here
Steroid Maximus - Ectopia
Thievery Corporation - The Richest Man in Babylon
Zoar - Clouds Without Water
John Zorn - IAO: Music in Sacred Light
Disappointments:
Moby - 18
He doesn't write songs anymore, he writes soundtracks for car commercials. Nothing on this comes close to the majesty of "God Moving Across the Face of the Waters".
Underworld - A Hundred Days Off
The loss of Darren Emerson has effected the band negatively. The trademark Underworld sound is gone, replaced by a mellower mix of electronics that could have been done by anyone.
Audioslave - Audioslave
Sounds exactly like Rage Against the Machine with Chris Cornell singing. Maybe that's what some people wanted, but I was hoping each party would bring out something more in the other. And, Cornell sounds like his voice is shot. He doesn't reach the high registers he did with Soundgarden.
Red Hot Chili Peppers - By the Way
Ugh! Just ugh. They peaked with Mother's Milk, plateaued with Blood Sugar Sex Magick and it's been all downhill since. Too many ballads, too much mainstream pop rock. The attitude of the 80s version of the band is long gone.
I've had this since April and I cannot stop listening to it. The whole album just has such a great vibe. It's postpunk by way of the UK, mixed with some harmonicas and organs. Basically a very original sound that induces you to tap your foot along with the beat.
2) Interpol - Turn On the Bright Lights
Yeah, they have a strong Joy Division influence, but that's a great band to influence you. NYC based postpunk band who manage to make the listener feel overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of NYC no matter where the listener lives.
3) Boards of Canada - Geogaddi
A heady mix of glitch, IDM and soothing electronic orchestrations. Not quite up to Music Has the Right to Children, but a deserving followup. Put this on and chill to the groove.
4) Roni Size - Touching Down
Roni alone, minus Reprazent, gives us the best pure drum n bass album of the year. The beats, the basslines, the cuts, the mix, everything screams top notch production. A word of warning, I've found myself tearing down the highway at 85 MPH while listening to this.
5) Fischerspooner - #1
Sleazy NYC based electroclash/performance art troupe. They're rude, crude, slutty and wallow in eurotrash dance, but it's oh so catchy. I dare you not to dance to it.
6) Coldplay - A Rush of Blood to the Head
A great sign when a band's sophomore effort manages to outshine an audacious debut. I like the way the band is building on their previous work, yet adding more depth to both the sound and lyrics.
7) Peter Gabriel - Up
The long awaited new studio album is finally here and Gabriel has outdone himself. The songs are more complex than ever, yet still retain that pop sheen. In fact, if you listen carefully, you can almost hear some of his 80s sound buried in the background, as if the CD depicts a struggle between the old and new Gabriel. Absolutely brilliant.
8) David Bowie - Heathen
IMHO, Bowie's best work since his Berlin era. He's learned from his excursions into industrial and techno in the 90s and married his lessons to his popcraft of the 70s, assembled a fine group of musicians and managed to reinvent himself yet again.
9) Sigur Ros - ( )
Beautiful, ethereal and melancholic, their new album continues the sound they created on Aegitis Byrjun and shows them mastering their unique brand of Icelandic music crossed with UK styled lush melodies a la Dead Can Dance.
10) The Notwist - Neon Golden
German electroacoustic punk with soothing melodies, guitar front and center in the sound mix and warm lyrics. Makes me feel comfortable when I curl up under a blanket on a cold night.
Runners up:
And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead - Source Tags & Codes
Antipop Consortium - Arrhythmia
Astrobotnia - Parts 01 and 03
Badly Drawn Boy - About a Boy
Coil - The Remote Viewer
Cornelius - Point
Doves - The Last Broadcast
The Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
Foo Fighters - One By One
Beth Gibbons & Rustin Man - Out of Season
Girls Against Boys - You Can't Fight What You Can't See
Global Goon - Vatican Nitez
Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Yanqui U.X.O.
Richie Hawtin & Sven Vath - The Sound of the Third Season (*** best mix cd of the year ***)
Kinky - Kinky
Low - Trust
Lustmord - Zoetrope
Mum - Finally We Are No One
The Polyphonic Spree - The Beginning Stages of...
Queens of the Stone Age - Songs for the Deaf
Joey Ramone - Don't Worry About Me
Matthew Shipp - Nu Bop
Erika Simonian - 29 1/2
Skinny Puppy - Puppy Gristle
Sonic Youth - Murray Street
Squarepusher - Do You Know Squarepusher
Starsailor - Love Is Here
Steroid Maximus - Ectopia
Thievery Corporation - The Richest Man in Babylon
Zoar - Clouds Without Water
John Zorn - IAO: Music in Sacred Light
Disappointments:
Moby - 18
He doesn't write songs anymore, he writes soundtracks for car commercials. Nothing on this comes close to the majesty of "God Moving Across the Face of the Waters".
Underworld - A Hundred Days Off
The loss of Darren Emerson has effected the band negatively. The trademark Underworld sound is gone, replaced by a mellower mix of electronics that could have been done by anyone.
Audioslave - Audioslave
Sounds exactly like Rage Against the Machine with Chris Cornell singing. Maybe that's what some people wanted, but I was hoping each party would bring out something more in the other. And, Cornell sounds like his voice is shot. He doesn't reach the high registers he did with Soundgarden.
Red Hot Chili Peppers - By the Way
Ugh! Just ugh. They peaked with Mother's Milk, plateaued with Blood Sugar Sex Magick and it's been all downhill since. Too many ballads, too much mainstream pop rock. The attitude of the 80s version of the band is long gone.
12-09-02, 05:09 PM
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Originally posted by RevLiver
And, Cornell sounds like his voice is shot. He doesn't reach the high registers he did with Soundgarden.
And, Cornell sounds like his voice is shot. He doesn't reach the high registers he did with Soundgarden.
12-09-02, 05:21 PM
#112
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Originally posted by MJKTool
I really dont think its fair to expect a vocalist to maintain those kind of highs throughout their career. Thats gotta be extremely damaging to your vocal cords screaming like that for years, especially if you have to do it so often on the road. Your right he doesnt have that high voice anymore, but I still think he has a powerfull voice.
I really dont think its fair to expect a vocalist to maintain those kind of highs throughout their career. Thats gotta be extremely damaging to your vocal cords screaming like that for years, especially if you have to do it so often on the road. Your right he doesnt have that high voice anymore, but I still think he has a powerfull voice.
12-12-02, 12:32 AM
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I know my music tastes aren't varied enough for some, but here's what I've loved and can't stop listening to from this year:
1) Pearl Jam - Riot Act
2) Bruce Springsteen - The Rising
3) Eminem - The Eminem Show
4) DMB - Busted Stuff
5) Alanis Morissette - Under Rug Swept
Of course that's all I've actually bought this year... the Alanis album is the only one that I haven't listened to in a while. The other 4 I've listened to, well, all in the last 24 hours! So those are definitely new faves of mine.
I'll eventually pick up the Coldplay and Audioslave, but I'm not desperate for them. I bought my top 5 all on the release date... oops, 'cept for Bruce.
1) Pearl Jam - Riot Act
2) Bruce Springsteen - The Rising
3) Eminem - The Eminem Show
4) DMB - Busted Stuff
5) Alanis Morissette - Under Rug Swept
Of course that's all I've actually bought this year... the Alanis album is the only one that I haven't listened to in a while. The other 4 I've listened to, well, all in the last 24 hours! So those are definitely new faves of mine.
I'll eventually pick up the Coldplay and Audioslave, but I'm not desperate for them. I bought my top 5 all on the release date... oops, 'cept for Bruce.
12-12-02, 11:38 AM
#115
DVD Talk Hero
Two of em:
No Use for a Name - Hard Rock Bottom
Finch - What It Is To Burn
Oh wait, was I supposed to put at least one title by a media darling here? How about some coldplay or eminem?
No Use for a Name - Hard Rock Bottom
Finch - What It Is To Burn
Oh wait, was I supposed to put at least one title by a media darling here? How about some coldplay or eminem?
12-12-02, 12:21 PM
#116
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My complete list:
1. And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead, Source Tags & Codes (Interscope)
2. 90 Day Men, To Everybody (Southern)
3. Hella, Hold Your Horse Is (5RC)
4. Michael Mayer, Immer (Kompakt)
5. The Streets, Original Pirate Material (Vice)
6. Wilco, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (Nonesuch)
7. Thomas Fehlmann, Visions of Blah (Kompakt)
8. Metro Area, Metro Area (Environ)
9. Missy Elliott, Under Construction (Elektra)
10. Isis, Oceanic (Ipecac)
11. Hot Snakes, Suicide Invoice (Swami)
12. Solomon Burke, Don't Give Up On Me (Fat Possum)
13. Secret Machines, September 000 (Ace Fu)
14. tenEcke, Block Terrain (K20)
15. El-P, Fantastic Damage (Definite Jux)
16. Xinlisupreme, Tomorrow Never Comes (Fat Cat)
17. Liars, They Threw Us All in a Trench and Stuck a Monument On Top (Gern Blandsten)
18. The Blood Brothers, March On Electric Children (Three One G)
19. Spoon, Kill the Moonlight (Merge)
20. Out Hud, S.T.R.E.E.T. D.A.D. (Kranky)
21. Superdrag, Last Call for Vitriol (Arena Rock)
22. Oneida, Each One Teach One (Jagjaguwar)
23. Do Make Say Think, & Yet & Yet (Constellation)
24. Nina Nastasia, The Blackened Air (Touch & Go)
1. And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead, Source Tags & Codes (Interscope)
2. 90 Day Men, To Everybody (Southern)
3. Hella, Hold Your Horse Is (5RC)
4. Michael Mayer, Immer (Kompakt)
5. The Streets, Original Pirate Material (Vice)
6. Wilco, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (Nonesuch)
7. Thomas Fehlmann, Visions of Blah (Kompakt)
8. Metro Area, Metro Area (Environ)
9. Missy Elliott, Under Construction (Elektra)
10. Isis, Oceanic (Ipecac)
11. Hot Snakes, Suicide Invoice (Swami)
12. Solomon Burke, Don't Give Up On Me (Fat Possum)
13. Secret Machines, September 000 (Ace Fu)
14. tenEcke, Block Terrain (K20)
15. El-P, Fantastic Damage (Definite Jux)
16. Xinlisupreme, Tomorrow Never Comes (Fat Cat)
17. Liars, They Threw Us All in a Trench and Stuck a Monument On Top (Gern Blandsten)
18. The Blood Brothers, March On Electric Children (Three One G)
19. Spoon, Kill the Moonlight (Merge)
20. Out Hud, S.T.R.E.E.T. D.A.D. (Kranky)
21. Superdrag, Last Call for Vitriol (Arena Rock)
22. Oneida, Each One Teach One (Jagjaguwar)
23. Do Make Say Think, & Yet & Yet (Constellation)
24. Nina Nastasia, The Blackened Air (Touch & Go)
12-13-02, 03:35 PM
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I've taken this very seriously since 1988. Every December since 1988, I've "nominated" a bunch of CDs for "Album of the Year".
I also choose my favorite 3 songs of the year. This year there were about 30 or so competiting. I listen to them all in succession over a few days and rank them as I listen to them. It's really interesting to look at my previous "Albums" of the year, to see how my tastes have changed and evolved. This year my list is as follows:
01.Wilco-Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
02.Coldplay-A Rush of Blood to the Head
03.Interpol-Turn on the Bright Lights
04.The Flaming Lips-Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
05.Bruce Springsteen-The Rising
06.Red Hot Chili Peppers-By the Way
07.OK Go-OK Go
08.Spoon-Kill the Moonlight
09.Boxcar Racer-Boxcar Racer
10.Damien Jurado & Gathered in Song-I Break Chairs
11.Rhett Miller-The Instigator
12.Moby-18
13.A-Ha-Lifelines
14.Weezer-Maladroit
15.Chris Isaak-Always Got Tonight
Honorable Mentions
Pedro the Lion-Control
Beck-Sea of Change
Ours-Precious
DJ Shadow-The Private Press
Badly Drawn Boy-About a Boy
I also choose my favorite 3 songs of the year. This year there were about 30 or so competiting. I listen to them all in succession over a few days and rank them as I listen to them. It's really interesting to look at my previous "Albums" of the year, to see how my tastes have changed and evolved. This year my list is as follows:
01.Wilco-Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
02.Coldplay-A Rush of Blood to the Head
03.Interpol-Turn on the Bright Lights
04.The Flaming Lips-Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
05.Bruce Springsteen-The Rising
06.Red Hot Chili Peppers-By the Way
07.OK Go-OK Go
08.Spoon-Kill the Moonlight
09.Boxcar Racer-Boxcar Racer
10.Damien Jurado & Gathered in Song-I Break Chairs
11.Rhett Miller-The Instigator
12.Moby-18
13.A-Ha-Lifelines
14.Weezer-Maladroit
15.Chris Isaak-Always Got Tonight
Honorable Mentions
Pedro the Lion-Control
Beck-Sea of Change
Ours-Precious
DJ Shadow-The Private Press
Badly Drawn Boy-About a Boy
12-13-02, 03:40 PM
#120
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Originally posted by BadlyDrawnBoy
interpol - turn on the bright lights
interpol - turn on the bright lights
finally caved in and bought this album after the 20th person told me that I would love and they were all right.
sigur ros ( ) was also an outstanding release this year.
12-13-02, 04:01 PM
#121
DVD Talk Limited Edition
No particular order for me but....
Elvis Costello "When I Was Cruel"
David Bowie "Heathen"
Peter Gabriel "Up"
Johnny Cash "American IV: When The Man Comes Around"
Paul Westerberg "Stereo/Mono"
Wilco "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot"
Moby "18"
Queens Of The Stone Age "Songs For The Deaf"
Joey Ramone "Don't Worry About Me"
Sonic Youth "Murray Street"
Beck "Sea Change"
Elvis Costello "When I Was Cruel"
David Bowie "Heathen"
Peter Gabriel "Up"
Johnny Cash "American IV: When The Man Comes Around"
Paul Westerberg "Stereo/Mono"
Wilco "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot"
Moby "18"
Queens Of The Stone Age "Songs For The Deaf"
Joey Ramone "Don't Worry About Me"
Sonic Youth "Murray Street"
Beck "Sea Change"
Last edited by The Antipodean; 12-21-02 at 07:31 PM.
12-13-02, 06:43 PM
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My top 20 with a few comments....
1.) When I Was A Cruel - Elvis Costello
I always look forward to a new Elvis album, but even moreso with this release. No collaborations. No covers. The furthest thing from the dreadful "For The Stars". Early reports were contradictory, with some saying that it was a return to form and others saying it was an experimentation. We get a bit of both on this, the best Elvis record in over 15 years (since 1986's "King Of America").
2.) Don't Give Up On Me - Solomon Burke
Before someone accuses me of putting this on the list just for the song written by Elvis Costello, let me just say that his contribution is probably my least favorite on this flawless album. (The best being the title track and Tom Waits' "Diamond In Your Mind") How old is this guy??? And that voice never falters. A wonderful album.
3.) The Execution Of All Things - Rilo Kiley
Let's not try to categorize it, and just leave it as it is...one of the year's best
4.) Dual Mono - The Greenhornes
Yeah, the hype surrounging the garage rock revival has grown tiresome, but why complain when it's this good?
5.) Alice - Tom Waits
Well, it's no "Mule Variations", but it is pretty darn great.
6.) The Creek Drank The Cradle - Iron And Wine
Stumbled upon this one and fell in love with it.
7.) Italian Platinum - Silkworm
I don't care what anyone else says, the new album is even better than "Lifestyle".
8.) Lapalco - Brendan Benson
See? Detroit is so much more than The White Stripes
9.) Yankee Hotel Foxtrot - Wilco
It's been covered. I won't add to the debate.
10.) Source Codes And Tags - ....Trail of Dead
Is there anyone who didn't like this album???
11.) One Beat - Sleater Kinney
It would be even higher if Carrie Brownstein would just break down and finally accept my marriage proposals.
12.) Stereo/Mono - Paul Westerberg
Well, more "Stereo" than "Mono". His best and most consistent solo work.
13.) Electric Sweat - The Mooney Suzuki
Worth it just for the confused looks I get when I mention their name.
14.) Blood Money - Tom Waits
Not as good as "Alice", but still worth a spot here.
15.) A Rush Of Blood To The Head - Coldplay
Well, the cynics can complain all they want about Coldplay being a Radiohead knock-off (I don't agree), but I'll stick with them until Radiohead remembers how to write actual songs again.
16.) They Threw Us All In A Trench And Stuck On Monument On Top - Liars
Glad to see that I'm not the only one with this on my list.
17.) Lost In Space - Aimee Mann
A bit of a disappointment after "Bachelor #2", but that says more about the strengths of "Bachelor #2" than any possible weaknesses of the new disc.
18.) The Coral
Hated it at first. Then began liking it. Then took a break. Now I like it again. I'm so confused.
19.) Mayflies USA
Nothing too unusual here. Just a solid, catchy collection of songs. (They're no "Fountains of Wayne", but I guess we won't get their new album until next year.
)
20.) The Last DJ - Tom Petty
Tom Petty??? What the hell is he doing here?!? I don't like Tom Petty! But I came across a special about the new album on VH-1 (Wait! What the hell am I doing watching VH-1??? What's happening to me???), and found myself humming the title track throughout the next day (even though I didn't really know the words). Picked up the album and was surprised by how much I like it. (But please don't tell anyone else, okay?)
And some great reissues in 2002....
Rhino continued their great job on the Elvis Costello reissues. They're so good that I can't even complain too much about having to buy these discs for the third time.
Slanted and Enchanted - Pavement
I may be in the minority, but I prefer Stephen Malkmus' solo disc to any Pavement album. This, however, is a very good set. Sounds great and tons of extras.
The The
The bonus material in the box set was worthless (Good thing that it was nearly impossible to find) and there were no other extras. Just some long overdue remastering of some great albums.
Other discs of note...
Shut Up You F***ing Baby - David Cross
"Mr. Show" was brilliant, but Cross' standup always seemed like a let down.....until now. Sometimes unconfortable, but always hysterical. Kudos, David. Kudos.
Another Shot Of Redeye
A fine compilation found only in select independent music stores. A great mix with something for everyone. And it's only four bucks.
Biggest disappointments....
Don't want to start a flame war by saying anything negative about albums that have made other lists, so I'll just add a few comments here.
Mark Eitzel - Music For Courage And Confidence (...or "Mark Eitzel Sings The Homoerotic Hits of the 60s - 80s")
Mark, you're a wonderful songwriter. These covers aren't bad. (In fact, some are quite good) The problem is that these covers are...well...they're covers. We need new songs written by you. Don't make us wait too long, okay?
Fountains Of Wayne - I don't blame you guys. Your label dropped you, and that's sure to hold things up. But please take a break from the side projects and television soundtracks to finish that new album. It's been far too long since "Utopia Parkway".
Sting
Sting. The Police were one of my favorite bands of all time. I even liked the first couple of solo albums. But you totally lost it after "The Soul Cages". Please, Sting. Come back! Come back or retire.
Still surprised about the whole Tom Petty thing.....
jim
1.) When I Was A Cruel - Elvis Costello
I always look forward to a new Elvis album, but even moreso with this release. No collaborations. No covers. The furthest thing from the dreadful "For The Stars". Early reports were contradictory, with some saying that it was a return to form and others saying it was an experimentation. We get a bit of both on this, the best Elvis record in over 15 years (since 1986's "King Of America").
2.) Don't Give Up On Me - Solomon Burke
Before someone accuses me of putting this on the list just for the song written by Elvis Costello, let me just say that his contribution is probably my least favorite on this flawless album. (The best being the title track and Tom Waits' "Diamond In Your Mind") How old is this guy??? And that voice never falters. A wonderful album.
3.) The Execution Of All Things - Rilo Kiley
Let's not try to categorize it, and just leave it as it is...one of the year's best
4.) Dual Mono - The Greenhornes
Yeah, the hype surrounging the garage rock revival has grown tiresome, but why complain when it's this good?
5.) Alice - Tom Waits
Well, it's no "Mule Variations", but it is pretty darn great.
6.) The Creek Drank The Cradle - Iron And Wine
Stumbled upon this one and fell in love with it.
7.) Italian Platinum - Silkworm
I don't care what anyone else says, the new album is even better than "Lifestyle".
8.) Lapalco - Brendan Benson
See? Detroit is so much more than The White Stripes
9.) Yankee Hotel Foxtrot - Wilco
It's been covered. I won't add to the debate.
10.) Source Codes And Tags - ....Trail of Dead
Is there anyone who didn't like this album???
11.) One Beat - Sleater Kinney
It would be even higher if Carrie Brownstein would just break down and finally accept my marriage proposals.
12.) Stereo/Mono - Paul Westerberg
Well, more "Stereo" than "Mono". His best and most consistent solo work.
13.) Electric Sweat - The Mooney Suzuki
Worth it just for the confused looks I get when I mention their name.
14.) Blood Money - Tom Waits
Not as good as "Alice", but still worth a spot here.
15.) A Rush Of Blood To The Head - Coldplay
Well, the cynics can complain all they want about Coldplay being a Radiohead knock-off (I don't agree), but I'll stick with them until Radiohead remembers how to write actual songs again.
16.) They Threw Us All In A Trench And Stuck On Monument On Top - Liars
Glad to see that I'm not the only one with this on my list.
17.) Lost In Space - Aimee Mann
A bit of a disappointment after "Bachelor #2", but that says more about the strengths of "Bachelor #2" than any possible weaknesses of the new disc.
18.) The Coral
Hated it at first. Then began liking it. Then took a break. Now I like it again. I'm so confused.
19.) Mayflies USA
Nothing too unusual here. Just a solid, catchy collection of songs. (They're no "Fountains of Wayne", but I guess we won't get their new album until next year.
)20.) The Last DJ - Tom Petty
Tom Petty??? What the hell is he doing here?!? I don't like Tom Petty! But I came across a special about the new album on VH-1 (Wait! What the hell am I doing watching VH-1??? What's happening to me???), and found myself humming the title track throughout the next day (even though I didn't really know the words). Picked up the album and was surprised by how much I like it. (But please don't tell anyone else, okay?)
And some great reissues in 2002....
Rhino continued their great job on the Elvis Costello reissues. They're so good that I can't even complain too much about having to buy these discs for the third time.
Slanted and Enchanted - Pavement
I may be in the minority, but I prefer Stephen Malkmus' solo disc to any Pavement album. This, however, is a very good set. Sounds great and tons of extras.
The The
The bonus material in the box set was worthless (Good thing that it was nearly impossible to find) and there were no other extras. Just some long overdue remastering of some great albums.
Other discs of note...
Shut Up You F***ing Baby - David Cross
"Mr. Show" was brilliant, but Cross' standup always seemed like a let down.....until now. Sometimes unconfortable, but always hysterical. Kudos, David. Kudos.
Another Shot Of Redeye
A fine compilation found only in select independent music stores. A great mix with something for everyone. And it's only four bucks.
Biggest disappointments....
Don't want to start a flame war by saying anything negative about albums that have made other lists, so I'll just add a few comments here.
Mark Eitzel - Music For Courage And Confidence (...or "Mark Eitzel Sings The Homoerotic Hits of the 60s - 80s")
Mark, you're a wonderful songwriter. These covers aren't bad. (In fact, some are quite good) The problem is that these covers are...well...they're covers. We need new songs written by you. Don't make us wait too long, okay?
Fountains Of Wayne - I don't blame you guys. Your label dropped you, and that's sure to hold things up. But please take a break from the side projects and television soundtracks to finish that new album. It's been far too long since "Utopia Parkway".
Sting
Sting. The Police were one of my favorite bands of all time. I even liked the first couple of solo albums. But you totally lost it after "The Soul Cages". Please, Sting. Come back! Come back or retire.
Still surprised about the whole Tom Petty thing.....
jim
12-14-02, 03:54 PM
#125
DVD Talk Legend
I just picked up the new Johnny Cash CD, American IV:The Man Comes Around and it is without a doubt my favorite album of the year. A truly remarkable performance from the man in black.