930 Forums

=> GENERAL DISCUSSION => Topic started by: brennser on December 06, 2004, 02:34:00 pm

Title: 2004
Post by: brennser on December 06, 2004, 02:34:00 pm
so how was it for you (musically or non)?
 
 I bought about 20-25 CDs - Overall I didn't think it was a great year for new music (but maybe I'm not listening to the right stuff). My top ten would look something like this
 
 Nick Cave
 Ted Leo
 Mark Lanegan
 Old 97s
 Hives
 Magnetic Fields
 Burning Brides
 50 foot wave
 The Charlatans
 PJ Harvey
 Mclusky/Arcade Fire
 
 Least favorite CD by a mile, The Fiery Furnaces
 
 Gig-wise I went to 19 that I can recall (incl the Pixies tomorrow). Favorites were The Hives, The Undertones, PJ Harvey, Mclusky in June, Delgados in March, Sleater Kinney at the Recher, Old 97s in January, The Shins, and seeing Ted Leo outdoors at Ft Reno w/ my daughter
 
 Worst gig by a mile, 50 Foot Wave at Iota
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: vansmack on December 06, 2004, 02:37:00 pm
Before this gets out of hand, posts like this are better served when they are broken up into seperate Best Albums of 2004  and Best Shows of 2004 posts.
 
 Having both in one post will surely make for one or the other forgotten and and will always be a debate about who was good live and who wasn't.
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: bellenseb on December 06, 2004, 02:42:00 pm
Favorite 2004 releases:
 
 The Robot Ate Me - On Vacation (exuberant bedroom lofi pop)
 Freedy Johnston - The Way I Were (early demos)
 Greg Brown - Live from the Kate Wolf Music Festival
 The Microphones - Live in Japan
 The Legends - Up Against the Legends
 Dan Bern - My Country II/Anthems
 Sodastream -  A Minor Revival
 
 Honorable Mentions:
 
 For Stars- ...It Falls Apart
 David Dondero- Live from the Hemlock
 Various Bright Eyes EPs
 Mirah - C'mon Miracle
 Camera Obscura - Underachievers Please Try Harder
 Damien Jurado - Just in Time for Something
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: Guiny on December 06, 2004, 03:34:00 pm
I've bought about 150-200 cd's and gone to well over 30 shows.....So I can't remember all those to be able to create lists.
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: distance on December 06, 2004, 03:48:00 pm
not going to think about cds, but as far as shows, i've been to 22 and it will be 24 by the end of the year (pixies tonight and then nye)
 
 best shows of the year:
 kraftwerk
 the hives
 explosions in the sky (columbus/toronto)
 interpol (toronto)
 mogwai (pittsburgh)
 some of the sets i saw at coachella/acl were very good, but the overall experiences i wouldn't put up with the others.
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: brennser on December 06, 2004, 03:54:00 pm
you don't have to remember all of them - just the good ones   :p  
 
 out of curiosity, how many of the 150-200 CDs you bought have you listened to more than 5 times? not being snarky, just thats a ton of cds to be listening to on top of the ones you already own
 
   
Quote
Originally posted by Rob_Gee:
  I've bought about 150-200 cd's and gone to well over 30 shows.....So I can't remember all those to be able to create lists.
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: sonickteam2 on December 06, 2004, 04:08:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Rob_Gee:
  I've bought about 150-200 cd's and gone to well over 30 shows.....So I can't remember all those to be able to create lists.
then dont.
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: kosmo vinyl on December 06, 2004, 04:08:00 pm
I've been more actively buying new stuff this year than usual... But, have no idea how many total cds were released this year.  I know what you mean by not looking in the right place, even based on a good review I'm not willing to plunk down $13+ dollars for a CD with getting a chance to audition it.  There are several CDs I resisted buying because of this.
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: brennser on December 06, 2004, 04:13:00 pm
Quote
 I know what you mean by not looking in the right place, even based on a good review I'm not willing to plunk down $13+ dollars for a CD with getting a chance to audition it.  
thats why I was floored by Robs 150-200 estimate - every CD purchase for me is a tortured excercise in case I 'waste' $15
 
 which is why this board is so good coz there are lots of beta listeners out there
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: markie on December 06, 2004, 04:18:00 pm
I might have turned curmudgeon. A number of bands released albums I was eagerly anticipating only for them to turn out to be mild disappointments.
 
 These would include :
 
 The fiery furnaces
 Delgados
 McLusky
 Lambchop
 Rilo Kiley
 
 There are a number of others which I have not bought because the reviews have been poor or what I heard sounded bad:
 
 Ash
 Sparta
 badly drawn boy (although this has grown on me)
 
 I cant say any new recorded music has particularly dazzled me all year. Nor have I discovered any great new bands for myself.
 
 All in all a pretty poor year for music for me.
 
 
 I do like Matt Pond PA and Graham Coxon though. My favourite album that I can think of from this year is Malcolm Middleton.
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: sonickteam2 on December 06, 2004, 04:21:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by brennser:
 thats why I was floored by Robs 150-200 estimate -  
rob gets a big fat paycheck every week, dont you know that by now?
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: markie on December 06, 2004, 04:24:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by sonickteam2:
   
rob gets a big fat paycheck every week, dont you know that by now? [/QB][/QUOTE]
 
 What startles me is, how come he does not own every album released in the 80's by now?
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: sonickteam2 on December 06, 2004, 04:31:00 pm
I agree that 2004 was not as great as 2003 for new CD releases, but a few were great.
 
   Obviously, Muse, although its hardly 2004, since it came out in like August of 2003 in Europe
 
  so I'll go with....
 
   Secret Machines - Now Here Is Nowhere
   The Streets - A Grand Don't Come For Free
   Lali Puna - Faking The Books
   Electric Soft Parade - American Adventure (2003 maybe)
   The Killers - Hot Fuss
 
  and that new Mos Def CD is amazing too.
 
    thats what i can think of right now...
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: Guiny on December 06, 2004, 04:51:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by sonickteam2:
   
Quote
Originally posted by Rob_Gee:
  I've bought about 150-200 cd's and gone to well over 30 shows.....So I can't remember all those to be able to create lists.
then dont. [/b]
Are we in a bad mood today? Or just an anti Rob Gee mood? And just to think over the weekend I told Crystal we should meet up at Sonar with the two of you soon.   :confused:
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: Guiny on December 06, 2004, 04:56:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by brennser:
   
 out of curiosity, how many of the 150-200 CDs you bought have you listened to more than 5 times? not being snarky, just thats a ton of cds to be listening to on top of the ones you already own
 
[/QB][/QUOTE]
 
 Honestly, I've probably listened to about 10% of them more than five times. Some of them not at all. I just like collecting cd's and am starting to download them onto the computer so I can make mixed tapes. I havent quite figured out the whole ITUNES thing yet, so for now I'll just keep buying cd's.
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: Guiny on December 06, 2004, 04:57:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Deepak Chopra:
 What startles me is, how come he does not own every album released in the 80's by now? [/QB]
That's part of the plan.
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: sonickteam2 on December 06, 2004, 05:08:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Rob_Gee:
 Are we in a bad mood today? Or just an anti Rob Gee mood? And just to think over the weekend I told Crystal we should meet up at Sonar with the two of you soon.    :confused:  
no.  i have been very sick over the weekend
 
 maybe i am just cranky. i sorry.
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: brennser on December 09, 2004, 10:37:00 am
I don't care if noone else likes this thread, I do   :p  
 
  The Onions Best of 2004 (http://www.theonionavclub.com/feature/index.php?issue=4049)
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: brennser on December 09, 2004, 10:39:00 am
and lily, there must be some Frames fans at The Onion - last line of article (talking about 05 releases)
 
 Best of all, The Frames' Burn The Maps (out Feb. 8, though it's available as an import) offers an epic, moody, bruising collection of songs about disillusionment, dissolution, and disappointmentâ??all prime fodder for what may well prove to be 2005's best, and certainly most heart-rending, album.
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: Celeste on December 09, 2004, 10:54:00 am
Quote
Originally posted by Rob_Gee:
  I just like collecting cd's and am starting to download them onto the computer so I can make mixed tapes.
tapes? seriously?
 
 I made a tape for a long drive a few weeks back because my ipod is broken and I felt so weird. It was fun, though. But I'm not cutting edge, technologically, so I figured nobody made tapes anymore.
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: lily1 on December 09, 2004, 11:01:00 am
hell yeah! that album is great. those two shows at joe's pub last friday were fanfeckintastic! stunning! joe's pub has got to be one of the single best concert venues in america.
 
 
Quote
Originally posted by brennser:
  and lily, there must be some Frames fans at The Onion - last line of article (talking about 05 releases)
 
 Best of all, The Frames' Burn The Maps (out Feb. 8, though it's available as an import) offers an epic, moody, bruising collection of songs about disillusionment, dissolution, and disappointmentâ??all prime fodder for what may well prove to be 2005's best, and certainly most heart-rending, album.
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: lily1 on December 09, 2004, 11:07:00 am
quite frankly, i don't think 2004 was a top year for gigs. a lot of good gigs, but very few GREAT gigs. the kind of gig that leaves you buzzing for days.
 
 that said, i'd vote for the following for shows as a top 45:
 
 1. damien rice/frames at university of toronto
 2. nerd/black eyed peas at 930 club
 3. the frames at joe's pub
 4. paul kelly at 930 club
 
 
 lots of other shows were good-delgados, badly drawn boy, ted leo, matt pond, interpol, the streets, finn brothers, etc., but the above 5 absolutely wowed me 10 times over.
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: chaz on December 09, 2004, 11:16:00 am
Favorite show of the year - Love at the State Theater!
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: eltee on December 09, 2004, 11:58:00 am
Quote
Originally posted by lily1:
  quite frankly, i don't think 2004 was a top year for gigs.
I'm w/ ya. Same on albums for 2004 nothing grabbed me. Except for Endochine.
 Best show(s) I suppose (incorporating everything from crowd to artist to sound): Dylan, Air, Snow Patrol (1st show), all at 9:30.
 Best Sound: Velvet Revolver, Dylan (tie). Or, Air. All at 9:30.
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: Guiny on December 09, 2004, 12:00:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Celeste:
 
Quote
tapes? seriously?
 
 I made a tape for a long drive a few weeks back because my ipod is broken and I felt so weird. It was fun, though. But I'm not cutting edge, technologically, so I figured nobody made tapes anymore. [/b]
Oops....Meant CD's. Sorry.
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: sonickteam2 on December 09, 2004, 12:01:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by lily1:
  quite frankly, i don't think 2004 was a top year for gigs.
the greatest band ever, played at the greatest US concert ever....this year.
 
   you werent there?
 
   i'm STILL buzzing, 7 months later.
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: kosmo vinyl on December 09, 2004, 12:24:00 pm
i'd have to look at my calendar for shows... Supergrass, Decemberists, Franz Ferdinand, Matthew Sweet, Love come to mind. i'm always playing catch up with cds, so alot of my favored albums were from late 2003. i.e. De Novo Dahl, Myracle Brah, Splitsville, etc.  
 
 i'm with o'markie on the follow-up records.  delgados, ash, phoenix and jimmy eat world all released new material after records that have been in heavy rotation for a while now.  And they just didn't stand up as well.  i suspect that in a couple years i'll toss on the new Delgados and be amazed by it.  which happened all the time with XTC records for me.
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: boweswana on December 09, 2004, 01:17:00 pm
Good shows small and large -
 
 Twilight Singers, the Twinemen, Velvet Revolver for the nostalgia of it all, Kung Fury a couple weeks ago for the rock of it all.  There were more but I remember those most fondly.
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: bellenseb on December 09, 2004, 01:36:00 pm
Favorite shows of 04:
 
 Smog @ Iota
 Camera Obscura @ Iota
 American Music Club @ Iota
 Ron Sexsmith @ Iota
 Innocence Mission @ Jammin Java
 Matthew Sweet @ 9:30
 Mountain Goats @ Black Cat
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: chaz on December 09, 2004, 02:59:00 pm
How could I have forgotten the Detroit Cobras at Iota?
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: SalParadise on December 09, 2004, 03:04:00 pm
shows:
 
 broken social scene @ black cat
 los amigos invisibles @ black cat
 pixies @ coachella
 air @ 930 club
 the hives @ 930 club
 joanna newsom @ IOTA
 kid koala @ iceland airwaves
 
 albums:
 
 the bees - 'free the bees'
 kanye west - 'college dropout'
 air - 'talkie walkie'
 erlend oye - 'dj kicks'
 kings of convenience - 'riot on an empty street'
 leslie feist - 'let it die'
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: eltee on December 09, 2004, 04:28:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by SalParadise:
  shows:
 kid koala @ iceland airwaves
 
Oh yeah, I've forgotten. Are you the one who won that trip? How was it??
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: SalParadise on December 09, 2004, 05:47:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by El Tee:
   
Quote
Originally posted by SalParadise:
  shows:
 kid koala @ iceland airwaves
 
Oh yeah, I've forgotten. Are you the one who won that trip? How was it?? [/b]
nah, that's not me.
 
 the trip itself was great (i'd still say that even if i hadn't heard a single note of music, kid koala just happened to play possibly the most brilliant dj set i'd ever heard). i think it's worth it just for the blue lagoon.
 
 reykjavik is small...and expensive. very friendly people, and gorgeous women.
 
 we're probably going back next year.
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: Darth Ed on December 09, 2004, 06:02:00 pm
I've been to 40 shows in 2004 and I still have a few more coming up. Here's my list of best concerts of 2004 (in chronological order):
 
 2004/03/23 The Decemberists/Clearlake/Tom Heinl (Black Cat)
 2004/04/22 Sleater-Kinney/The Thermals (9:30 Club)
 2004/05/13 TV on the Radio/The Birdland/The Apollo Heights/The Six Parts Seven/The Hush (Supreme Imperial, Baltimore)
 2004/06/01 Beulah/Dios (Black Cat)
 2004/06/09 Wilco/The M's (9:30 Club)
 2004/06/20 Franz Ferdinand/Sons and Daughters (9:30 Club)
 2004/10/14 Mission of Burma/Channels (Black Cat)
 2004/11/08 Muse/The Zutons (9:30 Club)
 2004/12/02 Ted Leo+Pharmacists/Matt Pond PA/Vague Angels (Black Cat)
 2004/12/08 Pixies/TV on the Radio/The Bennies (D.A.R. Constitution Hall)
 
 I'd probably put Wilco, Mission of Burma, TV on the Radio (Supreme Imperial), Beulah, and The Decemberists, and Sleater-Kinney at the top, if I were ranking them in order.
 
 Worst shows: Carbon Leaf (I had a free ticket that someone gave me, I just hated them), PJ Harvey (most disappointing, lamest audience ever)
 
 Personally, I rather liked the 50 Foot Wave concert at Iota.
 
 Favorite albums: I'm still catching up. I just got Nick Cave and Secret Machines last week and haven't had time to listen to them yet because I've been listening to the Pixies non-stop in preparation for last night's concert. I'll think about it and maybe post some albums later.
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: kurosawa-b/w on December 09, 2004, 11:19:00 pm
Well, I've been to 56 shows this year, and believe it or not I've cut back in the last two  months in order to save money. I have to agree that this year wasn't as good as last year. I feel like I went to a lot of "okay" or "good but not transcendent" shows. However, several do stand out as being special. Here they are in no particular order:
 
 Stars @ Black Cat opening for BSS
 The Cooper Temple Clause @ The Khyber in Philly
 TV on the Radio @ Black Cat backstage
 Phaser @ Iota
 Pixies + Radiohead @ Coachella
 The High Dials @ Black Cat backstage
 The Blueskins @ Mercury Lounge in NYC
 Hope of the States @ Double Door in Chicago
 Uncut @ Pianos in NYC
 Soledad Brothers @ Iota
 Interpol @ 9:30 Club
 
 I'm looking forward to 2005. After all, Idlewild will be touring again!
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: ratioci nation on December 10, 2004, 12:52:00 am
my top 10 non gbv shows
 
 Unicorns, The
 Black Cat - Backstage
 2/1/2004
 
 Shins, The
 Black Cat
 2/11/2004
 
 Metric opening for South
 9:30 Club
 2/14/2004
 
 Elefant
 Velvet Lounge
 2/18/2004
 
 Decemberists, The
 Black Cat
 3/23/2004
 
 Pernice Brothers w/ Long Winters
 Black Cat
 4/15/2004
 
 Okkervil River w/ Shearwater
 Common Grounds
 5/22/2004
 
 Mclusky
 Black Cat
 6/19/2004
 
 Secret Machines
 Black Cat
 7/15/2004
 
 Mountain Goats
 Black Cat
 
 Top 12 non gbv albums  ;)
 
 Von Bondies - Pawn Shoppe Heart
 Shearwater - Winged Life
 Of Montreal - Satanic Panic In The Attic
 Icarus Line - Penance Soiree
 Mountain Goats - We Shall All Be Healed
 Q and not U - Power
 Mirah - C'mon Miracle
 Burning Brides - Leave No Ashes
 Secret Machines - Now Here Is Nowhere
 Magnetic Fields - I
 Thermals - Fuckin A
 Destroyer - Your Blues
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: chaz on December 10, 2004, 09:05:00 am
Quote
Originally posted by kurosawa-b/w:
  The High Dials @ Black Cat backstage
 
I forgot about this one too....I really enjoyed this show.
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: shoot ur shot on December 10, 2004, 04:24:00 pm
show-wise, heres the rundown for me in 2004 in no order:
 
 -converge/cave in/between the buried and me @ alley katz
 -suicide @ knitting factory
 -andrew wk/the locust - 930 club
 -slick rick @ ottobar
 -m.o.p. @ ottobar
 -leo kottke @ lewis ginter botanical gardens
 -an albatross/karate/circle takes the square - vcu student commons building
 -cursive/darkest hour - 930 club
 -mogwai/interpol - merriweather
 -sonic youth - 930 club
 
 records:
 wolf eyes - burned mind
 converge - you fail me
 madvillain - madvillainy
 the un - un or u out
 mission of burma - onoffon
 today is the day - kiss the pig
 pig destroyer - terrifyer
 animal collective - sung tongs
 the arcade fire - the funeral
 comets on fire - blue cathedral
 the gris gris - s/t (thanks snail)
 xiu xiu - fabulous muscles
 wilco - a ghost is born
 sonic youth - sonic nurse
 the microphones - mount eerie
 six strings of admittance - for octavio paz
 mare - s/t ep
 jolie holland - escondida
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: markie on December 10, 2004, 05:07:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by pollard:
 
 Mirah - C'mon Miracle
 
Did you give me that then?
 
 Every time a song comes on the ipod it pricks up my ears. You might like the concretes. I can barely guess which is which when they play randomly.
 
 I thought both were too slow and girly for you.
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: ratioci nation on December 10, 2004, 05:14:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Deepak Chopra:
  Did you give me that then?
 
 Every time a song comes on the ipod it pricks up my ears. You might like the concretes. I can barely guess which is which when they play randomly.
 
 I thought both were too slow and girly for you.
yes I did, Concretes are a band I keep my eye out for because of reviews I have read, but have never heard them
 
 i can like slow and girly, doesnt hurt that some of it was produced by phil elvrum of The Microphones, the influence is audible
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: palahniukkubrick on December 10, 2004, 05:27:00 pm
Shows:
 
 Primus at D.A.R.
 Morrissey at Radio City Music Hall
 The Hives & Reigning Sound at 930 (Sahara hotnights sucks)
 Pixies & TV on the Radio at D.A.R. on wednesday
 
 Albums:
 Brian Wilson's Smile, PJ Harvey's Uh Huh Her, Loretta Lynn's Van Lear Rose, Bjork's Medulla, Mos Def's the New Danger
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: Guiny on December 10, 2004, 05:47:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by palahniukkubrick:
 Primus at D.A.R.
 [/QB]
Definetely!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: twangirl on December 10, 2004, 06:24:00 pm
my favorite 11 shows of the year:
 
 Alejandro Escovedo w/ Jim Lauderdale â?˘ 3/21 â?˘ Continental Club
 16 Horsepower â?˘ 4/10 â?˘ Bowery Ballroom
 Slim Cessna's Auto Club â?˘ 4/20 â?˘ Black Cat
 Kraftwerk â?˘ 4/23 â?˘ some small arena in Toronto
 Unknown Hinson â?˘ 5/6 â?˘ Iota
 The Mavericks w/a bitchin horn section â?˘ 6/2 â?˘ Stubbs BBQ
 Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder â?˘ 7/1 â?˘ Ryman Auditorium
 The Hives â?˘ 7/2 â?˘ 9:30
 Dave Alvin & Los Straitjackets â?˘ 7/28 â?˘ Birchmere
 Laibach â?˘ 11/5 â?˘ TLA
 John Fogerty â?˘ 11/12 â?˘ 9:30
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: helicon1 on December 10, 2004, 06:36:00 pm
1. Elbow/Alfie at Brixton Academy
 2. The Polyphonic Spree at the Kennedy Centre
 3. Morrisey at Constitution Hall
 4. The Faint w/ TV on the Radio at 9:30 Club
 5. Curiosa Festival at Merriweather Post
 6. The Secret Machines w/ The Helio Sequence at Black Cat
 7. Air/Joy Zipper at Brixton Academy
 8. Zero 7 at 9:30 Club
 9. Velvet Revolver at 9:30 Club
 10. Super Furry Animals/Papa M at 9:30 Club
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: Bags on December 11, 2004, 03:07:00 pm
Out of 50 shows this year, my faves in chronological order --the best shows were Sloan in NYC, GBV in NYC, and the Hives, which surprised the hell out of me:
 
 - Urge Overkill, the Shazam, Bowery Ballroom,  NYC (Feb 7)
 - Metric (but not South), 9:30 (Feb 14)
 - The Decemberists, BC (Mar 23)
 - Long Winters (opening for Pernice Bros). BC (4/15)
 - Snow Patrol, 930 (4/17)
 - GBV, Bowery Ballroom in NY, (Sat., 4/24)
 - Sloan, BC (5/13)
 - Sloan (opening for, and NOT including, Jet) Roseland Ballroom, NYC (7/10)
 - The Rosebuds, BC Backstage ( 7/13)
 - The Hives, 930 (7/20)
 - Muse, 930 (11/8)
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: RatBastard on December 11, 2004, 03:18:00 pm
So far 45 shows this year.  Everything from Arlo Guthrie (Birchmere), John Prine (Wolf Trap), and Bowie (Hershey) to Marilyn Manson (930), Deftones (930), and Drowning Pool (Richmond).  Bought CDs at damn near every show and just plain old had a kick ass good time.  Hope to see as many great shows in '05.
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: andyrichter on December 11, 2004, 06:17:00 pm
20 Shows for me this year.  Sonic Youth, Beastie Boys (thanks Ratbastard for the tix), Deftones, The Pixies, and Social Distortion were some of my favorites.
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: brennser on December 15, 2004, 11:59:00 am
salon.com top 10
 
 1. "Cherry Tree EP," the National
 A near perfect EP, both delicate and rugged -- like a beaten and battered but very butch butterfly. Profoundly moving, but without any big emotional gestures, any trace of sentimentality. I expect great things from this band.
 
 2. "Funeral," the Arcade Fire
 Passionate, unashamed and bold, arranged with precision and performed with joyful, sloppy fervor. A record worthy of all the hype.
 
 3. "Real Gone," Tom Waits
 It all started with Waits beat-boxing into a tape recorder in his bathroom -- how badass is that -- and out comes this clanging, clattering run-down steamroller of a record, welcome proof that Waits isn't losing his edge. His best in over a decade.
 
 4. "Flashpapr," Flashpapr
 A hushed, retiring record, all muted sounds melted together.
 
 5. "Madvillain," Madvillain
 The best of underground hip-hop in 2004, with Madlib's lush, gently counterintuitive beats, and MF Doom's hypnotic dream logic raps.
 
 6. "La Maison de Mon Reve," Cocorosie
 The atmosphere piece of the year, a cloistered, rainy-day reverie of a record made in a Parisian apartment by two sisters with the voices of mournful, aged cats.
 
 7. "Cee-lo Green Is the Soul Machine," Cee-lo
 It's a mystery that Cee-lo, one of the great producers and rappers in today's hip-hop scene, not to mention hands down the best singer, has yet to achieve greater success. An up-and-down record, but with some of the highest highs of the year, including brilliant tracks from Timbaland and the Neptunes. The best, though, were produced by Cee-lo himself.
 
 8. "Rejoicing in the Hands," Devendra Banhart
 A legend in the making, the charismatic, enigmatic young songwriter is the locus of a burgeoning new folk movement. His perfect miniatures are by turns profound, naive, mystifying and almost always touching.
 
 9. "Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus," Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds
 The songwriting record of the year, an extraordinary display by a master of the craft, the poetry all banged out and burnished, and shining with the kind of workmanship that only obsessive drive combined with genius can achieve.
 
 10. "Misery Is a Butterfly," Blonde Redhead
 The most cerebral of bands gives in to long-repressed romantic urges and creates a dark, cinematic beauty.
 
 Honorable mentions: "Medulla," Bjork; "Not Going Anywhere," Keren Ann; "Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes," TV on the Radio; "Heroes to Zeroes," the Beta Band; "The College Dropout," Kanye West; "Uh Huh Her," PJ Harvey.
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: brennser on December 22, 2004, 11:40:00 am
playlouder.com's top 50 (http://www.playlouder.com/top50/2004/)
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: kosmo vinyl on December 22, 2004, 12:03:00 pm
I see Bresnner is playing the part of GGW this year  ;)
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: brennser on December 22, 2004, 12:14:00 pm
its a dirty job but someones gotta do it - who's this bresnner guy anyway?
 
 while I'm at it
 
  tiny mix tapes (http://www.tinymixtapes.com/index.shtml)
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer on December 22, 2004, 12:15:00 pm
Wasn't it a little too soon to start this thread 26 days before the end of 2004?
 
 I know most albums are released before Dec 5, but that still leaves us almost 4 weeks to discover albums that have been previously released in 2004...
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer on December 22, 2004, 03:00:00 pm
Well between my wife and I, we bought around 20 albums released in 2004. So those are the albums I will make a list from.
 
 1. BR549- Tangled in the Pines. The boys finally make an album that is the equal of their fantastic live show.
 
 2. Drive By Truckers- The Dirty South. Fifteen years ago, I would have turned my nose up to a band that garners (undeserved) Skynard comparisons. But this is 2004, and these guys just simply make music that is both pretty AND balls to the wall.
 
 3. Nellie McKay- Get Away From Me. When I first read about this one, I was very skeptical. But upon the first listen, I was hooked, and continue to be.
 
 4. Jolie Holland- Escondida. Tom Waits likes it. That's enough to make most music snobs take notice, but once thet do, they'll find something that is quite lovely.
 
 5. Bobby Bare Jr.-End of Your Leash. Not quite as good as his previous effort, but nobody blends folk, rock, country, and soul in quite as unique a way as Bobby does.
 
 6. Ted Leo and the Pharmacists- Shake the Sheets. When people mention the word "punk" and apply it to anything recorded post-1985, chances are it will be cringeworthy to me. But thankfully, this album has such kick ass hooks, that it should be required listening for anyone making music.
 
 7. Old 97's: Drag It Up. Their strongest effort since Too Far to Care, but still not in the same league as that. Still, far better than most music out there.
 
 8. Ollabelle- Ollabelle. This is what it would have sounded like if the Band did a gospel album. Gospel music is usually kinda cheesy, but these guys do it with respect for the genre without sounding like Christian blowhards.
 
 9. Jesse Sykes- Oh, My Girl. As much as I abhor smoking, this album makes me want to lie around and chain smoke. Ok, maybe not really, but it is a lazy, hazy winner.
 
 10. Grant Lee Phillips- Virginia Creeper. It's tough to sit through Grant Lee Buffalo's albums without thinking, "How did I ever like this bombastic, overdone early 90's modern rock crap?" That being said, this one gets rid of all the gross histrionics of his early work and shows a fine songwriter with a nice voice.
 
 Albums we bought that didn't make the list: Allison Moorer, Two Cow Garage, Rilo Kiley, Rogue Wave, Tony Joe White, Loretta Lynn and a handful of others.
 
 Best shows: BR549 in Richmond and at Jammin Java, Drive By Truckers at Recher and 9:30 (9:30 show was best because Allison Moorer was a great opener). Old 97's twice at 9:30, Pernice Brothers and Long Winters at Black Cat Robbie Fulks at Iota, Ollabelle at Iota.
 
 Most overrated album: Loretta Lynn-Van Lear Rose. This sounds like a Jack White country album with Loretta Lynn doing vocal chores. Which is fine if you like Jack White. Personally, I prefer the Emmylou Harris-Daniel Lanois and Willie Nelson-Daniel Lanois collaborations, as well as the seemingly more hands-off Rick Rubin approach to Johnny Cash.
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: kurosawa-b/w on December 23, 2004, 12:13:00 pm
A few 2004-released albums I enjoyed this year:
 
 The Blueskins - Word of Mouth (I can't recommend them enough.)
 22-20s - 22-20s (This album will be out in the US next year.)
 Hope of the States - The Lost Riots
 Ambulance Ltd - Ambulance Ltd
 Interpol - Antics
 Highspire - Your Everything
 
 I know there must be a couple of others but these are the ones that spring to mind first.
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: Relaxer on December 31, 2004, 02:17:00 pm
I'm still sick about missing the Muse show from a month or so ago, so much so that I've not read any of the follow-up posts or reviews. So I'm kind of glad to see that it's not at the top of everyone's Best Concert lists. God, I wanted to go to that so bad, but new baby at home beckoned.
 
 Favorite discs of this year, only in the order that I think of them:
 Futureheads
 Muse
 Franz Ferdinand
 Interpol
 M83
 Scissor Sisters (the kid loves this one)
 Arcade Fire
 Green Day
 Secret Machines
 Morrissey
 
 I just got the new Walkmen album and that is really growing on me. If I was doing this a week from now, it would probably be on it.
 
 But as usual, by a long shot the records/discs that I spun the most were by the Minutemen, Husker Du, Jesus and Mary Chain, and the Meat Puppets.
 
 I feel like the Stellastarr*, Ambulance, Killers show at the Black Cat was a 2004 show, and if so, that was the best one by a mile. Stellastarr* is going to come back in a big way soon.
 
 And thank Christ nothing from that loaf of talentless dross that is Sleater-Kinney.
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: Jaguär on December 31, 2004, 03:02:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Relaxer:
  And thank Christ nothing from that loaf of talentless dross that is Sleater-Kinney.
I'll toast a glass of paint with you at midnight about that one!!!   ;)
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: helicon1 on December 31, 2004, 04:35:00 pm
Top 10 albums of 2004 (I purchased, not necessarily released):
 
 1. The Helio Sequence - Young Effectuals
 2. Tom McRae - Just Like Blood
 3. Jon Hopkins - Opalescent
 4. The Music - Welcome to the North
 5. Secret Machines - Now Here is Nowhere
 6. The Polyphonic Spree - Together We're Heavy
 7. Trespassers William - Different Stars
 8. Blackfield - Self Titled
 9. Interpol - Antics
 10. The Cooper Temple Clause- Kick up the fire and let the flames loose
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: Relaxer on January 01, 2005, 12:50:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Jaguär:
   
Quote
Originally posted by Relaxer:
  And thank Christ nothing from that loaf of talentless dross that is Sleater-Kinney.
I'll toast a glass of paint with you at midnight about that one!!!    ;)  [/b]
Right on sister!
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: Guiny on January 01, 2005, 02:30:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Jaguär:
   
Quote
Originally posted by Relaxer:
  And thank Christ nothing from that loaf of talentless dross that is Sleater-Kinney.
I'll toast a glass of paint with you at midnight about that one!!!    ;)  [/b]
Don't be hatin'.
   ;)
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: brennser on January 03, 2005, 10:39:00 am
yeah don't be hatin'
 
 I will attribute your testy outburst to sleep deprivation - congrats on the new baby!
 
 and just think, the new Sleater-Kinney will make 2005 all the more wonderful   ;)   [/b][/quote]Don't be hatin'.
    ;)  [/b][/quote]
Title: Re: 2004
Post by: Relaxer on January 03, 2005, 06:38:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by brennser:
  yeah don't be hatin'
 
 I will attribute your testy outburst to sleep deprivation - congrats on the new baby!
 
Thanks! I'll be sneaking him into shows in no time at all.