| 1998 Top Albums | 1999 Top Albums | 2000 Top Albums | 2001 Top Albums | 2002 Top Albums | 2003 Top Albums |
Main Page |
| 1998 Lists | 1999 Lists | 2000 Lists | 2001 Lists | 2002 Lists | 2003 Lists |
|
|
|
|
Wouter Pronk |
||
| I've thought long and deep too: the results of the Dutch jury (from Linoleumville): 1. Natalie Merchant - Motherland 2. Ron Sexsmith - Blue Boy 3. Gillian Welch - Time (The Revelator) 4. Richard Shindell - Courier 5. Varous Artists - Songcatcher 6. Dar Williams - Out There Live 7. Fred Eaglesmith - Ralph's Last Show 8. Kenny White - Uninvited Guest 9. Various Artists - Voices On The Verge 10. Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer - Drum Hat Buddha Drum Hat Buddha might make a considerable rise on the list after I have gotten some more time to listen to it. And damn, I should buy that Nick Lowe CD it looks like. |
||
|
Eric Condon |
||
| Well, really only top 5 of 2001, but here goes: 1. Neil Finn - One Nil 2. Elton John - Songs From the West Coast 3. Paul McCartney - Driving Rain 4. NewOrder - Get Ready 5. Ron Sexsmith - Blue Boy Song of the Year: Elton John, "I Want Love". Yeah, thats about it. |
||
|
Carol Rousseau |
||
| (Editor's note: This is Carol's second list, posted upon reflection:)
1) Rufus Wainwright, "Poses" |
||
|
Lang Zimmerman |
||
| 1. Mink Car - They Might Be Giants. Not an "important" release by any means but their best in years and the one CD I continually turned the volume up for. 2. Travis - The Invisible Band 3. REM - Reveal 4. Radiohead - Amnesiac. I've overcome initial disgust and now tolerate it as a staggeringly high reaching attempt at something which I don't understand. Bring back the guitars, please. 5. Neil Finn - One Nil. Why doesn't Neil have a US label? It's fun to get mail from New Zealand, though. |
||
|
Scott Hudson |
||
| Like the characters portrayed by Jack Black and John Cusack in High Fidelity, I love lists. When I was a kid I would visit Lewis Drug every week to pick up KISD's pamphlets listing their most played songs, and would tape their year end countdown on New Year's Eve. So it's no surprise that every December I gather up all of my purchases for the year and spread them out on my living room floor. After narrowing them down to 50 or so, I start the seemingly inane task of putting them in numerical order. When that task is finished they're turned into a CDR compilation like the one you're holding in your hands. This task was especially difficult this year. While there were very few truly great albums, there were a ton of very good releases that deserved recognition. How could I not include Frank Black's best solo album? Or the glorious comeback of 70's punkers the Damned? Hell, even Mick Jagger's slick yet surprisingly strong solo album would have made previous lists. But the real question concerns Wilco's unreleased Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, easily the best album recorded this year. Record company morons deemed it unfit for our ears, so it remained in the vaults. (I decided that it's ineligible until it's release next April.) After hours and hours of personal debate, here's what I came up with for the best albums of 2001. 1. Bob Dylan, Love and Theft. In a year of geezer comebacks, it's only fitting that Dylan would lead the charge. Released on the day of the World Trade Center attacks, Love and Theft is a modern-day hi-fi version of 1967's Basement Tapes, using old-school music styles (country blues, swing, Tex-Mex) to tell compelling tales of messed up relationships amid an evil world. Dour topics, indeed, but Dylan's sense of humor transforms these downtrodden stories into songs of hope. 2. Weezer. Another great comeback story. When 1996's Pinkerton album bombed, it seemed obvious that Weezer was destined to be a one-hit novelty act. Instead, their third album is a wonderful bubble-gum power pop classic. „Hash Pipe‰ may have been the MTV hit, but songs like „Don't Let Go‰ and „Photograph‰ are the grooviest pop songs since they heyday of Tommy James, the Monkees, and the 1910 Fruitgum Company. 3. The Strokes, Is This It. The Strokes may have been the most hyped new band since Nirvana, but for once the hype is deserved. Is This It may not change the rock Œn' roll landscape, but it's one of the most exciting and energetic debuts to spring from New York since the late 70's glory days of the Ramones and Talking Heads. 4. White Stripes, White Blood Cells. Jack and Meg White claim to be siblings; they're reportedly actually a married couple. Does it matter which is the true story? It's the music that counts, and on White Blood Cells the duo make quite a racket. Jack has a raw yet melodic voice and plays a mean blues-influenced guitar, while Meg keeps him in check with a simple yet compelling drumming style. A brilliant collection of garage-rock, swamp blues, Zeppelin-ish vocals, and Beatles-esque pop. 5. Radiohead, Amnesiac. Recorded at the same sessions that yielded last year's surprise hit, Kid A, Amnesiac contains much of the same weirdness that confounded many Radiohead fans but is much more song-driven. The electronics is downplayed a bit, and one can actually find melodies on songs such as „You and Whose Army?‰ and „I Might Be Wrong.‰ Radiohead may not be for everyone, but one has to appreciate any band that refuses to play by the rules yet can still top the charts with zero airplay. 6. R.E.M., Reveal. Although a commercial bomb, Reveal is an album that will probably be better appreciated as time goes on. While their last album, Up, seemed a bit forced and contrived, Reveal sounds relaxed and effortless. The keyboards and electronics that dominated Up are still present, but the songs and melodies are straight out of the Automatic For the People era. 7. Pernice Brothers, The World Won't End. Imagine, if you can, a supergroup of alternative country superstars recording songs by Brian Wilson with Burt Bachrach as producer. Joe Pernice throws all of these elements (plus many more) into a blender and somehow comes up with a winning combination that is lush and elegant but yet has an edge. 8. Jay Farrar, Sebastopol. When Son Volt disbanded in late 1999, few expected Jay Farrar's next project to differ much from his former band. While Sebastopol's acoustic base is no surprise, little else is typical of anything he has ever recorded. Weird guitar tunings, strange instrumentation (including the uses of synthesizers, drum machines, and the sitar-like tambura), and even an occasional falsetto vocal make Sebastopol Jay Farrar's most experimental album to date. 9. Guided By Voices, Isolation Drills. Robert Pollard writes more great pop songs on any given day than anybody in the world, and in a perfect world Guided By Voices would be household names. On his second major studio release of his career (most of his umpteen albums have been recorded on simple setups in his garage) Pollard sheds away the shields and lets us into his private life. Inspired by a temporary breakup with his wife, Isolation Drills deals with Pollard's excessive drinking and the toll of a life on the road. 10. Ryan Adams, Gold. Former Whiskeytown frontman Ryan Adams has quickly become the most controversial figure in the alt-country movement. Is he the Dylan of the new century or just a over-publicized media hound? Gold doesn't answer the question. It's definitely overlong, and many songs are nothing more than pedestrian vocal and lyrical rewrites of VanMorrison, Neil Young, and Exile in Main Street-era Stones. But one can't count out anyone who can write songs such as „New York, New York,‰ „Firecracker,‰ and the bonus-track only „Rosalie Come and Go.‰ Adams reportedly has four albums in the works for 2002. Let's hope they're a tad more focused than this album. 11. Lucinda Williams, Essence. After taking almost a decade to write and record 1999's Car Wheels on a Gravel Road, Williams took only a few weeks to put Essence to bed. The album also marks a different style of songwriting for Williams. Instead of lengthy, word-y stories that may or may not have an autobiographical basis, Essence is a collection of short, moody pop songs that reportedly came from the breakup of a long-term relationship. The results are a bit of a disappointment, edging dangerously close at times to sounding like Sheryl Crow. But songs like the title track and „Lonely Girls‰ rank up with anything she has ever recorded. 12. Old 97's, Satellite Rides. Formerly one of the seemingly millions of bands inspired by Uncle Tupelo, the Old 97's have transformed themselves into a crack power pop band. Songs like „King of All the World‰ and „Rollerskate Skinny‰ should have blasted up the rock charts; instead the band is a well-kept secret to a growing clique of diehard fans. 13. Whiskeytown, Pnumonia. Recorded over two years ago, Pnumonia languished in the archives when Outpost Records went out of business. When leader Ryan Adams signed to the newly-formed Lost Highway Records, their first release was this often-bootlegged album. Pnumonia has its moments, but in retrospect marks the exact moment when Adams lost his ability to edit himself and is also the bridge between his alt-country beginnings and his quieter, Fleetwood Mac-ish future. 14. The Cash Brothers, How Was Tomorrow. Andrew and Peter Cash are no relations of Johnny, and on this album they actually sound like the long-lost cousins of Steve Earle. These Canadians have an uncanny resemblance to Earle in their vocal stylings; musically, they're a rootsier version of Tom Petty. 15. Idlewild, 100 Broken Windows. After a landmark 2000, British pop went into a bit of a decline in the past 12 months. Enter Idlewild to attempt to salvage the year. Imagine a combination of early R.E.M. with the Smiths (and a dozen other 80's British acts), and then energize them with just a pinch of punk rock. 16. Travis, The Invisible Band. Last year's The Man Who... was an unexpected treat; the pop album that Radiohead refuses to record. The Invisible Band varies little from that winning formula, which explains it's surprisingly low showing on this year's ballot. Still, it's a pretty fine album, highlighted by songs such as „Sing‰ and „Side.‰ 17. B.R.M.C., Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. The Jesus and Mary Chain may have disbanded a year or so ago, but San Francisco's B.R.M.C. is hear to take up the noise-pop slack. 18. Pete Yorn, Musicforthemorningafter. Pete Yorn may live a bit of a charmed life (his brother is one of the music industry's most sought-after attorneys) but he's quickly becoming one of the grittiest songwriters of our time. Imagine if Tom Petty had grown up listening to Dinosaur Jr. and Husker Du instead of the Byrds. „Strange Condition‰ was one of the great singles you never heard this year, and the rest of the album wasn't far behind. 19. Steve Wynn, Here Comes the Miracles. The sticker on this album dares to compare this double disc set to classics such as Exile on Main Street, Zen Arcade, and Physical Graffitti. You know what? They're not far off. The former leader of the Dream Syndicate finally put together the album of his career, and it's a two disc set. 20. Tim Easton, The Truth About Us. If you're yearning for Wilco as they used to sound check out the second album by singer-songwriter Tim Easton. If the album sounds a lot like Wilco's debut, A.M., well, it should as three members of said band are the core band on this album. Actually, Easton is a bit too smart to completely ape the sounds of Mr. Tweedy, and The Truth About Us has elements of a young Elvis Costello and the radio-friendly side of the Wallflowers. 21. Lloyd Cole, The Negatives. One of the great British songwriters of the 80's, Cole had seemingly disappeared for most of the last decade before releasing this fine record. Always a sarcastic bastard, Cole hasn't lost a step as he combines some of the most biting lyrics under a pure pop banner. 22. Vigilantes of Love, Summershine. In the past, this veteran band was just another of the seemingly endless parade of alt-country bands. On this album, Americana is replaced with Beatles-esque 60's Brit-Pop, which is a perfect backing for leader Bill Malone's smart lyrics. 23. Graham Parker, Deepcut to Nowhere. 25 years after releasing his first record, Parker is as good today as he was back then. Deepcut to Nowhere is one of his most varied albums ever, mixing various elements of rock and soul with wit and sarcasm. While his main competitor throughout the late 70's, Elvis Costello, refrains from doing what he does best, Parker is still banging out great songs. 24. Grant Lee Phillips, Mobilize. Phillips previous band, Grant Lee Buffalo, was one of the most underrated acts of the mid-to-late 90's. On his first real solo album (there was a previous internet-only release) Phillips plays almost all of the instruments. But it's that voice that will always haunt you - one of the most beautiful voices in all of rock today. 25. Robbie Fulks, Couples in Trouble. Fulks is probably the most intelligent songwriter in the music industry...which probably has hurt his chances for stardom. Recorded by acclaimed producer Steve Albini, Couples in Trouble finds Fulks eschewing the country sounds of most of his material. There's still some twang evident on the album, but Fulks shifts styles like most people change their underwear. Fulks proves that it's the songs that matter, and no matter what he uses as a backing track, each song on this album stands on its own. 26. Fugazi, The Argument. Easily the only act that has stayed true to their mission. Fugazi's latest disc finds them expanding their sound a bit, even subtly moving at times to an almost pop sound. Each tune is a surprise that changes at the least expected moment. Yet this album is one of the few that lives up to the rock Œn' roll cliche of a „natural progression.‰ 27. Jimmy Eat World, Bleed American. Originally lumped in with the emo-crowd, Jimmy Eat World jumped out of their clique with this great collection of Brit-Pop inspired punk/pop. The title track was one of the great singles of the year, and the rest of the album (save a couple of less than inspired ballads) 28. The Yayhoos, Fear Not the Obvious. Almost a supergroup, this bar band consists of the former leader of the Georgia Satellites (Dan Baird) and a cast of studio pros (most notably Eric „Roscoe‰ Ambel). One can imagine this impassioned, greasy album being played in its entirety in roadhouses all across the country. 29. Steven Malkmus, Steven Malkmus. The former leader of Pavement is just as loopy as he was during the glory days of his former band. His first solo album sees him musically expanding, which is probably mainly due to utilizing the services of a stronger crop of musicians. Malkmus is still a wiseass, and his silly wisecracks sprinkle every track. 30. Paul McCartney, Driving Rain. In a year when even Elton John made a concerted effort to reclaim his career, Paul McCartney released his most relaxed recording of his career. Instead of the labored, over-produced recordings that has plagued his post-Beatles career, McCartney reportedly bashed this album out over the course of a few weeks. He hired a group of young unknowns to back him, and focused on his bass, which gives the backing tracks an energy that's been missing since the Band on the Run days. Although a patchy album, it's refreshing to see McCartney reemerging as something other than an oldies act. Other Categories: Best Unreleased Album: Wilco, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Reprise Records, founded in the early 60's as an artists-friendly label, clearly fumbled the ball in their handling of this great album. Handed to the label during a tumultuous period which saw a changing of the guard in the Reprise executive rank, the new President demanded more „radio-friendly‰ recording. The band balked at this request, and were shown their walking papers. One has to wonder what the Reprise execs were smoking when they turned down this album, as YHF is the album of Wilco's career, combining the sparse acoustics of their debut, A.M., with the experimental Brian Wilson-ish experimental pop of 1999's Summerteeth. The good news for Wilco fans is that the band recently signed with Nonesuch Records, which plans on releasing the album next April. The interesting twist is that Nonesuch, like Reprise, is a subsidiary of AOL/Warner. Best Tribute: Hank Williams, Timeless. Tribute albums are generally a drag, but the likes of Bob Dylan, Keith Richards, Lucinda Williams, and Ryan Adams make this album a rare exception. Most of the artists actually do pay tribute to Hank, offering little variety to the already perfect tunes, but still manage to put their own personal stamp on the performance. Best Reissue 1. George Harrison, All Things Must Pass. By the time the Beatles broke up in 1970, Harrison had a stockpile of great tunes that he unloaded on what is quite possibly the greatest solo album ever released by a Beatle...and it's a triple album. This reissue features a wonderful mastering job, a few outtakes, and a virtually unlistenable rerecording of „My Sweet Lord.‰ Rest in peace, George, and thanks for some great music. 2. X, Under the Big Black Sun. One of the most underrated bands of the early 80's, the X catalog was in dire need of a remastering job. Their first three albums was recently re-released with extensive liner notes, b-sides, and outtakes. Under the Big Black Sun is described by singer Exene Cervenka as their „best in terms of songwriting and production;‰ and it certainly expanded their sound away from the ferocious punk rock that first made them (semi)famous. Best Compilation 1. Nuggets II, Original Artifacts From the British Empire and Beyond. The first box of „nuggets‰ compiled one-hit garage wonders from the U.S. It was probably inevitable that a second box would come out to include the rest of the world, and Nuggets II probably eclipses the original. I guarantee that you've never heard of most of the bands included on this set, which makes the first sitting a great joy. 2. Sacred Hearts and Fallen Angels, The Gram Parsons Anthology. One could say that Gram Parsons is country music's version of the Velvet Underground - seemingly everyone who saw him picked up a guitar and began writing songs. Born with a silver spoon in his mouth, Parsons almost single-handedly invented the concept of combining rock and country. This two disc set compiles his work with the International Submarine Band, the Byrds, and the Flying Burrito Brothers, along with his three solo albums. One could argue that there's little of the unreleased variety here, but any set that includes songs such as „Hickory Wind,‰ „Sin City,‰ and „Brass Buttons‰ is worth owning. Best Local Album: Violet, Soundtrack of a Man Who Will Never Amount to Anything. A triple album by a local band? What the hell were they thinking? Not happy with their previous recordings, Violet discovered a comfortable environment and emptied the vaults of their unrecorded tunes from the past few years. While 48 songs may sound excessive, there's really no lull in the proceedings, and each disc (imaginatively marked as Brown, Avocado, and White) stands up on their own. Best Covers Album: Mark Kozelek, What's Next to the Moon. An entire album of acoustic versions of AC/DC songs? Former Red House Painter leader Kozelek had the audacity to release such an album, and surprisingly it works. Best Live Album: Bruce Springsteen, Live in New York City. There's certainly plenty to complain about here. It's not a full show, the sequencing is strange, and the song selection is arguable. Still, it's almost the live album that Springsteen fans have been begging for decades, and the sound and performance is exemplary. Better yet is the recent DVD issue of the concert, which includes a further 80 minutes of material from his lengthy series of New York City concerts which concluded his 1999-2000 tour. |
||
|
Michael Deasy |
||
| 1 Days of speed - Paul Weller 2 All this useless beauty (reissue ) - Elvis Costello 3 The Convincer - Nick Lowe 4 Spike (Reissue) - Elvis Costello 5 Supernatural - The Raphaels 6 Get ready - New Order 7 For the stars - EC/SVO 8 Driving rain - Paul McCartney 9 O brother where art thou - Soundtrack 10 All things must pass (reissue) - George Harrison I only bought the Nick Lowe one as it came up on so many top ten's on this list.The Raphaels was the late great Stuart Adamson's last album.The concert of the year has to be Elvis at the Festival hall in the summer,especially being down the front for the last half an hour. Happy new year. |
||
|
Jim Pelak |
||
| Sadly, No Costello to be found here. I'm not a fan of "For The Stars" and the rereleases, while excellent, were left of my list to make room for previously unreleased material. 1.) The Invisible Man + tour CDs - Mark Eitzel - I must admit that I was a bit apprehensive when I heard that this album would have a bit of an electronic feel to it. Luckily, my concern was unwarranted. A stunning album, his best since "60 Watt Silver Lining". And since Eitzel fans seem to be ultra critical, the tour CDs provide plenty of great material for those who couldn't get into "The Invisible Man". "WFMU" contains live acoustic version of the new songs for those who couldn't take that little tinge of electronics. "Superhits International" is a collection of all new demos that deserved an album of their own. 2.) Stephen Malkmus - Does for me what Pavement was never able to do. 3.) The World Won't End - The Pernice Brothers - Beautiful, lush, lyrical pop songs. I may be in the minority, but I've actually come to prefer this album over "Overcome By Happiness". 4.) Rockin' The Suburbs - Ben Folds - A fine return to form after the ambitious but uneven "Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner" and lousy "Fear Of Pop". 5.) Essence - Lucinda Williams - By stripping everything down, Lucinda came up with the best possible follow-up to "Car Wheels On A Gravel Road". 6.) Live At The Sands - The Rat Pack - If you're overly concerned with political correctness, avoid this at all costs. Otherwise, it's a fascinating and funny glimpse at what it was all about. 7.) Look Into The Eyeball - David Byrne - Just when I was about to give up on David Byrne ever making a truly great solo album, this one comes along. There are a few songs that feel a bit like filler material, but the best songs are so good that they make up for it. 8.) Bright Flight - Silver Jews - Not quite as good as "American Water", but pretty damn close. 9.) White Blood Cells - The White Stripes - Hoe could I not include an album with a song based on "Citizen Kane" (The Union Forever)???? 10.) Poses - Rufus Wainwright - The best songs on this album are not quite as good as the best songs on his debut, but, taken as a whole, the album is much more consistent and full of promise. (Later, Jim added:) Although I've already listed my ten, I would also like to lavish some high praise upon "Souljacker", the new album by The Eels. It will not be released in the U.S. until the spring, but I got a very early advance copy thank to a guy at the friendly neighborhood record store (Record Time in Roseville, MI...Thanks again!). I've never been much of an Eels fan, but this is a great album. Sure to be on my list for the best of 2002. |
||
|
Erik Pepple |
||
| 1. The Shins, "Oh Inverted World" 2. Andrew Bird's Bowl of Fire, "The Swimming Hour" 3. Ben Folds, "Rockin' the Suburbs 4. Bob Dylan, "Love & Theft" 5. Guided by Voices, "Isolation Drills" 6. Ryan Adams, "Gold" 7. Spoon, "Girls Can Tell" 8. The Pernice Brothers, "World Won't End" 9. The Greenhornes, "The Greenhornes" 10. The Strokes, "Is this it?" Honorable Mentions: Dismemberment Plan, "Change," Fugazi, "The Argument," Gorillaz, "Gorillaz," Lucinda Williams, "Essence," Moviola, "Rumors of the Faithful." |
||
|
Scott Gibbs |
||
| 10.The Sadies-Tremendous Efforts 9. Whiskeytown-Pneumonia 8. Bob Dylan-Love & Theft 7. Sparklehorse-It's a Wonderful Life 6. Jim O'Rourke-Insignificance 5. Guided by Voices-Isolation Drills 4. My Morning Jacket-At Dawn 3. Old 97's-Satellite Rides 2. Alejandro Escovedo-A Man Under the Influence 1. Pernice Brothers-The World Won't End 0. Wilco-Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (This *will* be numero uno next year...there hasn't been a record this good in years and I'd be surprised if anything comes close next year, even our man won't be able to touch this one. Seriously, Jeff Tweedy is at the height of his powers and bringing in Jim O'Rourke to master this Monster was a genius move. Nothing is gonna touch this record next year and I'll stand on EC's coffee table in my cowboy boots and...wait a minute, that's not me.) Honorable Mentions: Nick Lowe-The Convincer/Jay Farrar-Sebastopol/T. Rex-Electric Warrior Reissue/Beulah-The Coast Is Never Clear/Robbie Fulks-Couples In Trouble/White Stripes-White Blood Cells/Kelly Hogan-Because It Feel Good/Ryan Adams-Gold +Bonus Disc/Pete Yorn-musicforthemorningafter/REM-Reveal |
||
|
Ken McKenna |
||
| I'll briefly slip out of lurk mode to offer up my favorite 2001 releases. I didn't purchase many 2001 releases, but I think these are all worthy of a Top Ten standing. 1) Ben Folds: Rockin' The Suburbs - for my money, this guy has been the most consistent songwriter of the past 5 or 6 years (with the exception of his "Fear of Pop" electronic noodling disc). Catchy pure pop from start to finish. 2) John Hiatt: The Tiki Bar Is Open - the Goners return, with Hiatt in a more rocking mode. 3) Richard Thompson: Action-Packed (Best of the Capitol Years) - not necessarily the songs I'd have chosen, but this guy doesn't write many wobblers. A good introduction to the uninitiated. 4) David Byrne: Look Into The Eyeball - maybe his best solo work, although maybe not as creative as his TH days. 5) Neil Finn: One Nil - has he ever put out a bad record, at least since the CH days? Too bad it isn't available in America. 6) ELO: Zoom - really, this is a Jeff Lynne solo album, since he wrote all the songs and played many of the instruments. With the exception of one song, a very enjoyable disc. 7) Nick Lowe: The Convincer - while I wouldn't mind hearing the pure pop Nick again, this is another strong recording from a woefully overlooked songwriter (not on this list, though!). 8) Glenn Tilbrook: The Incomplete Glenn Tilbrook - a fine outing from Mr. Tilbrook, but even better if you get the limited edition bonus disc of GT's solo versions of some of the TIGT songs. 9) Graham Parker: Deep Cut To Nowhere - certainly his best disc since "Struck By Lightning", and proof that Graham has lost none of his bite. 10) Pete Yorn: Musicforthemorningafter - a good debut disc from a guy who would appear to be more than just a flash in the pan. And now, back to lurking... |
||
|
MnnyMoNHak |
||
| 1. Love and Theft, Bob Dylan 2. Tropical Brainstorm, Kirsty MacColl 3. Live in New York City, Bruce Springsteen 4. The Lillywhite Sessions, Dave Matthews Band 5. Survivor, Destiny's Child 6. Rockin' the Suburbs, Ben Folds 7. Time (the Revelator), Gillian Welch 8. Mahogany Soul, Angie Stone 9. Buddy & Julie Miller, Buddy & Julie Miller 10. Meaningless, Jon Brion best cast album: Bat Boy--The Musical (which includes the name "Elvis Costello" as a joke in the libretto!) |
||
|
Mark Bromley |
||
| I've only got time for a top 1 - and it's The Convincer by Nick Lowe. I've only had an on/off liking of Nick before - I love songs like Marie Provost but have never really been interested in his country-rock stuff. This album has changed the way that I think about music slightly - how can something that on the surface is so simple be so good? Beautiful lyrics and melodies that could have been composed by birds on the high wire. It's never truly compelling but that just makes me even more intrigued. | ||
|
Andrew Dodge |
||
| I haven't found a good CD listening bar (hell, I haven't found any!), and haven't found any good live venues after moving to Spain, so my exposure to good new music has been greatly diminished. (If I didn't think it'd swamp the servers and overload Loki, I'd say we do this "best of" on a monthly basis so that I know what to buy! The plus side is that since we give gifts on King's Day instead of Christmas here, my friends and adopted family now have longs wish lists of CD thanks to you all!). En fin, My list for the five top albums of 2001 (some of which stretch the 2001 a bit) revolves around a little bit of magic in LA called Largo (I've seen ever artist on this list there except for one). 1. Jon Brion--Meaningless (The label says copyright 2000, I've had a pre-release copy for quite some time, and I know it was recorded years ago, but I've seen it on a couple of lists and it definitely merits stretching the definition--I love it. And if you live in LA--go see the man any given Friday. If you don't like it, go back the next). 2. Old 97s--Satellite Rides (Great album, but doesn't live up to the live versions that Rhett plays at Largo, but now that he's rumoured to have his own deal for a solo disc, maybe that will be on next year's list). 3. Eels--SoulJacker (Talk about a change in direction. But don't buy this album if you just loved his earlier sounds). 4. Neil Finn--One Nil 5. U2--All That You Can't Leave Behind |
||
|
David Hamel |
||
| In currrent order of preference: 1. Last Man on Earth, Loudon Wainwright 2. New American Language, Dan Bern and the International Jewish Banking Conspiracy 3. Wicked Grin, John Hammond 4. Royal Blue, Koko Taylor (2000 relaese but new to me) 5. Villains?, The Saw Doctors 6. Oh, Shit Demos, Elvis Costello 7. The Tiki Bar Is Open, John Hiatt and the Goners 8. Tropical Brainstorm, Kirsty MacColl 9. Love and Theft, Bob 10. Live in NYC, Bruce |
||
|
John Harrison |
||
| My top ten of 2001, by the number of characters in their name: 1. Marshall Crenshaw - I've Suffered For My Art, Now It's Your Turn 2. Elvis Costello - All This Useless Beauty, reissue 3. Graham Parker - Deep Cut To Nowhere 4. Joe Strummer - Global a Go-Go 5. Paul Weller - Days of Speed 6. John Hiatt - The Tiki Bar Is Open 7. Nick Lowe - The Convincer 8. Various - Labour of Love, The Music of Nick Lowe 9. R.E.M. - Reveal 10. XTC - Homegrown runner-uppers: Bruce Springsteen - Live in New York City Elvis Costello - Spike reissue David Byrne - Look Into The Eyeball Ian Hunter - Rant Bob Dylan - Love & Theft These are the same folks I was listening to 20 years ago -- how sad is that? |
||
|
Dave Edney |
||
| O.K., I have finally bowed to pressure but my Top 10 is NOT the finished article as it does not include The Strokes, Bob Dylan, Nick Lowe and countless other releases that I haven't yet heard and which no doubt would have made the cut. 1. Since I Left You - The Avalanches - Australian cut and paste samplers, almost out DJ's DJ Shadow 2. Poses - Rufus Wainwright - Stunning record, this guy has talent to burn. 3. No More Shall We Part - Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Doom-laden, humourously depressing and melancholy. I love it! 4. Dave Godin's Deep Soul Treasures Volume 3 - Various Artists - Probably a late 2000 release but what the hell! 5. Gorillaz 6. Amnesiac - Radiohead - Better than its' Kid A brother. 7. Little Lights - Kate Rusby 8. Reveal - R.E.M. 9. Essence - Lucinda Williams 10. One Nil - Neil Finn |
||
|
Lorenzo (Alfonso Cardenas) |
||
| OK let me try this again...I had this all done this morning, but sent it to the wrong address, duh. Anyway I found a lot to like & listen to in 2001. I've actually got more than 10 favorites, but not in any particular order. So here are the discs that took over the CD player at some point in 2001: (in random order) Mercury Rev-All Is Dream: another majestic aural landscape Bob Dylan-Love & Theft: Zimmy continues to deliver the goods on disc as well as the superb live show on the never ending tour (I hope EC gets into this touring groove when he hits those middle years) Guided By Voices-Isolation Drills: took a chance on this & was immediately infected by this power pop collection especially the great single Glad Girls (I quickly delved into the voluminous back catalog, but that is a more spotty endeavor) Pernice Brothers-The World Won't End: got this on a whim & was more than delighted with Joe Pernices wonderful pop songs especially Working Girls & 7:01 (I find this more refined than the debut album & pre PB work as the Scud Mountain Boys) Nick Lowe-The Convincer: the Silver Haired Fox of East London continues to write & sing these beautiful love songs (and he used to be known as the Basher-sure hope he tours in 2002!) Anne Sofie von Otter meets Elvis Costello-For The Stars: a fine idea at the time especially the vocal on Like An Angel Passing Through My Room (sure was the shortest EC tour ever, but glad I got to go!) Ryan Adams-Gold: has weasled its' way onto the playlist this month & getting better with each listening, love NY, NY John Hiatt-The Tiki Bar Is Open: comeback of the year as Hiatt reunites with Sonny Landreth & the Goners to make his best album in years (I just wish he would tour near RI so I could check it out in person) The White Stripes-White Blood Cells: lots of UK/NME hype but worthy of taking a chance as this diverse collection of sound will reward repeated listening The Strokes-Is This It?: it certainly is as this hyped band put out a 36 minute rock'n'roll gem worthy of modern NYC Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds-No More Shall We Part: well worth the 5 years wait since the last superb album Spiritualized-Let It Come Down: another new find for me Sparklehorse-It's A Wonderful Life: an eclectic collection featuring guest vocals by PJ Harvey & Tom Waits That makes a baker's dozen. Of course there was even more music that I indulged in....like these heavyweights: U2-All That You Can't Leave Behind: I've loved them since the first single & this was a triumphant return to form Radiohead-Amnesiac: I liked this one better than Kid A, but the live album is the one to listen to And a couple of imports that should be selling in the US in 2002: Pulp-We Love Life: the oft delayed album produced by Scott Walker showcases Jarvis Cocker & band in fine form The Eels-Souljacker: nice double CD limited edition from the UK There are a couple of guilty pleasures that I loved to indulge in: Garbage-Beautiful Garbage: love Shirley Manson & the guys guitar pop Travis-The Invisible Band-pure pop for the masses as only these Scots can do it Unfortunately there were a few artists that use to deliver the goods, but not in 2001: Lucinda Williams-Essence: I tried with repeated listenings, but this one just didn't catch fire like the prior albums (not even the EC connection could convince on this one) Stereolab-Sound Dust: even bought tix for the Boston show & couldn't bother to go Bjork-Vespertine: I've followed her since the Sugarcube days but the song remains the same, in a rut Tori Amos-Strange Little Girls: another fine idea, but it just didn't work for me Of course there are a bunch of albums that are queing up on the bench waiting to get a chance to show their stuff: Ben Folds-Rockin In The Suburbs: Leonard Cohen-Ten New Songs (in fact just listened to this mellow album, I guess the Future was just too much as it came too true ("Get ready for the future: it is murder"...no wonder he needed to spend time in the Zen monastry) Graham Parker-Deepcut To Nowhere: maybe this one will be like the Hiatt New Order-Get Ready: Joy Division & early New Order were faves, so I'll see what the latest version is up to The reissues of 2001 that I rushed out to get: Blondie-Eat To The Beat: Clem Burke's drummer's masterpiece The Ramones-the first four albums: sound even better thanks to Rhino's mastering X-LA, Wild Gift & Under The Big Black Sun-still sounds great, ditto Rhino's remastering Echo & The Bunnymen-Crystal Days: reminds me of why they were as big as U2 at one time (I also loved there new album Flowers, which continues the modern day Bunnymen's return to form) George Harrison-All Things Must Pass: a fine reminder of what I listened to incessantly during 1970, of course George was my fave of the Fab Four during those exciting days of Beatlemania A few live shows that I enjoyed in 2001: U2-the final show in Boston with EC in the house, but why won't he join Bono at the microphone?/also a fine return to Providence in October with mucho passion for the US post 9/11 (unfortunately subjected to Stereophonics, one of the worst bands I've had to endure as opening act) PJ Harvey-opening act for U2 with only a few hundred people in the arena, in NYC & Boston pre 9/11 with the most awesome band of the year (also the best concert moment: PJ doing Rid Of Me solo on electric guitar!) The Strokes-at Lupos in Providence, 40 minutes of straight ahead rock with no bullshit encores going on & on Guided By Voices-at the Middle East in Boston, finally a chance to catch the legendary Robert Pollard drink as many beers as the number of songs played including a great cover of Baba O'Riley Nick Cave-both with the stipped down band at Town Hall & the Bad Seeds at the Academy in Brixton & looking forward to the make up dates in May in Boston & NYC with the Bad Seeds Bob Dylan-final show of 2001 at the Fleet Center in Boston, dressed in white doing the toe jam with his black cowboy boots & that superb band that just keeps getting better with age Wilco-at the Avalon in Boston, didn't have the new album, but the new lineup delivered & it should be better the next time when I know the new songs Travis-at the Electric Factory in Philadelphia, a solid show ending with superb covers of AC-DC's Back In Black & Mott The Hoople's All The Young Dudes, but they didn't do their spot on version of Queen's Killer Queen Elvis Costello-at the Royal Festival Hall at both Meltdown shows, loved the compact solo EC in May & the diverse EC in June with Steve, but had mixed emotions about the semi-Attractions greatest hits run through without BT. I hope that the Cruel tour will feature some of the obscure back catalog instead of the usual suspects (you know which ones I mean) And a few shows that I missed or didn't come into my sphere: Mercury Rev/Pernice Brothers/Radiohead/Spiritualized/Sparklehorse/Ryan Adams/Eels/John Hiatt & The Goners And a few that I did go to that didn't light my fire: Bjork-at Radio City, almost fell asleep Lucinda Williams-at the Orpheum in Boston, a fine band that just didn't peak like her prior bands would And to finish off with the 2 great albums recorded in 2001 which will be released in 2002: Wilco-Yankee Foxtrot Hotel: it takes a few listenings to be rewarded with another Jeff Tweedy masterpiece Elvis Costello-When I Was Cruel: based on those Meltdown performances this will be an AWESOME sonic experience! I've had these lists in my head every year, but never got around to putting it down in print. Thanks to everyone for their faves as it has piqued my interest in hearing some new music I might have otherwise missed. Can't wait to see you all on the Cruel in 02' Tour coming to a town near you! Thanks for enduring my indulgence! |
||
|
Deb Kinsella |
||
| In no particular order (and, for the record, I developed this list long BEFORE I read CW's list in Entertainment Weekly!): 1. Global A Go-Go - Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros 2. Tropical Brainstrom - Kirsty MacColl 3. Rebuild the Wall - Luterh Wright and the Wrongs - if you haven't heard this yet, a re-telling of Floyd's The Wall with a country twang, you should seek it out 4. The Convincer - Nick Lowe 5. No More Shall we Part - Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds 6. musicforthemorningafter - Pete Yorn 7. Is This It? - The Strokes 8. White Blood Cells - the White Stripes 9. Gold - Ryan Adams 10. Time (the Revelator) - Gillian Welch Almost Rans: 11. Weezer - Green Album 12. The New Pornographers - Mass Romantic (released, technically I think, in 2000) 13. Essence - Lucinda Williams 14. Cake - Comfort Eagle 15. Ben Folds - Rockin' the Suburbs And, finally, the best new albums not YET released this year: 1. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot - Wilco 2. Once More With Feeling - Buffy the Musical |
||
|
Chris Kearns |
||
| In no particular order- Bjork-Vespertine Dylan-Love and Theft David Byrne-Look into the Eyeball Baaba Maal-Missing You Robin Williamson-Carmina Nick Cave-And No More Shall We Part Eno-Drawn From Life John Coltrane-The Olatunji Concert Radiohead-Amnesiac Leonard Cohen-Ten New Songs |
||
|
Jay Miller |
||
| I'm usually a lurker but have finally come out with my Top Ten for this year. For a so-called down year in music it was hard to get it down to 10...Here goes in no particular order. Nick Lowe- The Convincer EC & ASVO- For the Stars Lucinda Williams- Essence Kristy MacColl- Tropical Brain Freeze REM- Reveal John Hammond- Wicked Grin Bob Dylan - Love and Theft Ben Folds- Rockin The Suburbs Old 97's-Satellite Rides Driving rain- Paul McCartney I probably have a few more to put down just can't remember...like I said too many good ones |
||
|
Slackmoth |
||
| 1. Jim O'Rourke - Insignificance 2. Prefab Sprout - The Gunman and Other Stories 3. Bob Dylan - Love and Theft 4. The Divine Comedy - Regeneration 5. Puffy Amiyumi - Spike 6. Sloan - Pretty Together 7. David Byrne - Look Into The Eyeball 8. Pulp - We Love Life 9. I am Kloot - Natural History 10. Phil Ochs - Pleasures of the Harbor - FINALLY ON CD!!!!!!! 2002 - Looking Forward Sixpence None The Richer - should've been out in 2000, but Squint had some financial difficulties Wilco - Everyone's heard it! Elvis Costello - 15 new songs, thank god Matthew Sweet - Hopefully? Billy Bragg - For Sure Ryan Adams - Another 5 or 6 albums? BTW. . . Look up the word "Over-rated" in a dictionary, and you will see a picture of: Radiohead. Band of the Year - The Lucksmiths Tearful goodbye - The Divine Comedy Best band of the future - I am Kloot |
||
|
FBT |
||
| Live music and independent releases have generally been more exciting for me this year than most of the music from the big names, and that's reflected in my list: 1. Oh Susanna - Sleepy Little Sailor Strong songwriter and a great live performer. I can't understand why she's not better known. 2. Danny Michel - In the Belly of a Whale Best live show I saw all year, and a fine album of original songs. Highly varied musically and (according to his website) he's a fan of Brutal Youth and ATUB. 3. Sparklehorse - It's a Wonderful Life Needs no introductin (I hope). 4. Avalanches - Since I Let You Crazy and wonderful. 5. Sigur Ros - Ágætis Byrjun I have somebody on this list to thank for alerting me to Sigur Ros. 6. Be Good Tanyas - Blue Horse Another great live act with a unique sound of three female voices and simple instrumentation. The album's beautiful, and there are some great original songs. 7. Neko Case - Canadian Amp Not her best, but still very good (particularly for a limited release). Amazing vocalist live. 8. Shannon Wright - Dyed in the Wool Not entirely sure about this one, but both on album and (particularly) live she demands attention with uncompromising vocals and instrumentation. (Only half the audience made it to the end of the set when I saw her.) 9. Bill Bourne, Lester Quitzau and Madagascar Slim - Tri-Continental Three veteran singer/songwriter/guitarists who collaborated to produce a fine album, and truly memorable performances in the open air at the folk festivals in Canada last year. 10. Leonard Cohen - Ten New Songs I never expected to be including this in my list, but it really is good (if not much of a development from previous work). Just outside: Sam Phillips - Fan Dance Mercury Rev - All Is Dream Ed Harcourt - Here Be Monsters Jim White - No Such Place Strokes - Is This It? Waifs - Sink or Swim Starsailor - Love Is Here Wyrd Sisters - Sin and Other Salvations I always look for names I don't know in everybody else's lists, so that I can go and investigate. I hope there are a few names in my list that aren't widely known (but should be). |
||
|
Kim Coddington |
||
| Off the top of my head... 1) Bob Dylan - Love and Theft (also best show) 2) Pernice Brothers - The World Won't End (YAY!) 3) Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (wheee, 2002's list too) 4) Travis - The Invisible Band (wonderfulness) 5) Neil Finn - One Nil (Where is the U.S. release??) 6) Neil Finn and Friends - 7 Worlds Collide (Preliminarily to be released in the U.S. in Feb--wheee, 2002's list too) 7) Ike Reilly - Salesmen and Racists (terrific album) 8) Ryan Adams - Gold (what's not to love?) 9) Nick Lowe - The Convincer (long-awaited from a distant Borders store, well worth the delay!) 10) Tori Amos - Strange Little Girls (sue me, I like it) (the order is subject to change on any particular day) Could've beens: EC-ATUB reissue EC-Spike reissue Ghost World - OST Lucinda Williams - Essence Ben Folds - Rockin the Suburbs John Mayer - Room For Squares Ben Harper - Live From Mars Dawn Upshaw - Angels Hide Their Faces EC-MAIT 2001 CD purchase I could use as a coaster: EC and ASvO -- For the Stars (dislike it so much it almost makes me mad!) Still so many 2001 releases I haven't heard yet... |
||
|
Sverre Ronny Sætrum |
||
| Here´s my top of the toppermost of 2001, in no particular order... Røyksopp: "Melody A.M" Kings Of Convenience: "Quiet is the new loud" Nick Lowe: "The Convincer" Travis: "The Invisible Band" Christy Moore: "This is the day" Ryan Adams: "Gold" Gillian Welch: "Time" Paul McCartney: "Driving rain" (sans "Freedom"....) Tindersticks: "Can our love" Leonard Cohen: "10 new songs" Shelby Lynne: "Love, Shelby" EC & A.S.V.O: "For the stars" ( Yes, I DO like it, OK ?????) Ed Harcourt: "Here be monsters" John Hiatt: "The tiki-bar is open" Pulp: "We love life" Sissel Endresen: "Undertow" Leif Ove Andsnes: "A portrait" Hellbillies: "Urban twang" Prefab Sprout: "The gunman and other stories" Reissues: George Harrison "All things must pass" T.Rex "Electric warrior" Biggest let-down: Bjork: "Vespertine" (Largely unlistenable blips and blops) |
||
|
Dick Dickenbrook |
||
| I'm a lurker here myself but after what I consider a pretty nifty damn year in music I'll share my top ten (then my second top ten): I'll put it in alphabetical order so as not to seem to be playing favorites. Adult., "Resuscitation" Don't know where they're from but they capture the whole 80's cold, lonely synth sound in a way that's compelling as Kraftwerk. Bearsuit, "Fears Of Moonpilot Ben" single (along with a Peel Session & a BBC Maida Vale session I found on mp3) Cute, noisy, ramshackle pop from a British indie band that has too much fun. I pray for a full album this year. Bran Van 3000, "Discosis" Odd Canadian electro-pop outfit made an embarassingly fun record with guests like Momus, Eek-A-Mouse, the late Curtis Mayfield, & Big Daddy Kane. I listened to this record over & over this past year. Fall, "I Wake Up In The City" 7" The Greatest Band In The World fell short with their new record (also, I didn't get to see them tour), but this single was a shining moment for me. I don't guess many Costelloheads dig the Fall, but pound for pound, they deliver. Figurine, "The Heartfelt" Another band indebted to early 80's synth, Figurine made the sweetest, saddest record of the year. Langley Schools Music Project, "Innocence & Despair" Or maybe they didn't - this surprising collection of 60's & 70's pop tunes covered by a 60-child choir in Western Canada seems weird at first, but finds its way into your heart after a couple of listenings. Songs I can't bear sound gorgeous when sung by these kids. Lucksmiths, "Why That Doesn't Surprise Me" If anyone is heir to Costello's long-dead verbal cleverness, it's this Australian indiepop trio, who make the best pop around. They're probably the best band you guys have never heard. Saw them live TWICE this year. Wish I could've seenmore. Momus, "Folktronic" I've found his last couple of records (including the overrated "Stars Forever") mostly unlistenable, but Nick Currie came back this year with a brilliant mix of folk music & electronica. Smarter than me, catchy as hell (he uses familiar folk melodies, so, of course), & extremely well done. Mouse On Mars, "Idiology" German glitchers getting their groove on. Saw them live this year - astounding. Orange Peels, "So Far" San Francsico's supreme pop stylists. Also got to see them live. Superb. Allen Clapp is without doubt second tier (without commentaty, because I fear I am boring you): Barcelona, "TransHuman Revolution" California Oranges, "s/t" Fall, "Are You Are Missing Winner" I Am Robot & Proud, "The Catch" ISAN, "Lucky Cat" Kait0, "You've Seen Us... You Must Have Seen Us..." Microphones, "The Glow, Pt. 2" Spearmint, "A Different Lifetime" Squarepusher, "Go Plastic" Strokes, "Is This It?" biggest fucking disappointments: Chameleons, "Why Call It Anything?" Leonard Cohen, "Ten New Songs" Brian Eno & J Peter Schwalm, "Drawn From Life" Fantastic Plastic Machine, "Beautiful" I won't add the "For The Stars" thing because, while it was generally listenable, it's not really my cup of tea, & Elvis has long stopped disappointing me. When he finally returns with something brilliant, I'll be happily surprised, like with the Wendy James demos or "Brutal Youth." There you go, friends. |
||
|
Mike Bodayle |
||
| Here's my list, finally, with some useless commentary at the bottom. Top Ten Albums Released in 2001 1. Nick Lowe - The Convincer (Yep Roc) 2. Swan Dive - June (V2) 3. Kirsty MacColl - Tropical Brainstorm (Instinct) 4. Ben Folds - Rockin' the Suburbs (Epic) 5. The Raphaels - Supernatural (Western Beat) 6. Pete Yorn - musicforthemorningafter (Sony) 7. Loudon Wainwright III - Last Man on Earth (Red House) 8. Rufus Wainwright - Poses (Dreamworks) 9. Prefab Sprout - The Gunman and Other Stories (Liberty) 10. Tom Russell - Borderland (Hightone) For some reason, I found myself listening to more radio this past year. Fortunately, there are two decent (I said "decent" not great?) stations here is Nashville (sister stations WRLT-FM and WYBB-FM). And what did this do to my music habit? It seemed to make me focus more on LP tracks (Would they at one-time have been singles?) than it did in listening to whole LP's. Therefore, that made picking this list just a bit harder. As was the case with 2000, I definitely spent more on catalog items and reissues rather than new releases. I also spent a bunch on blank CD's as my fervor for trading live music became revived in the digital age. Disappointments? IMHO, my fave artist and the subject of my former fanzine, Elvis Costello, put out the worst thing he has ever done (For the Stars with Anne Sofie von Otter). And unlike most others, I disliked my second Dylan album in a row and I just didn't get into The Strokes. In lamenting over my top-ten list, its fun to see a father and son in the Wainwrights. But then it's sad to see the passing of Kirsty MacColl and Stuart Adamson of The Raphaels. It's also pitiful that two of my fave bands, Swan Dive and prefab Sprout don't have US record deals! |
||
|
Greg Odegaard |
||
| Better late than never. I feel this has been a very good music year overall. Much to enjoy, many new artists, so many great live shows. 1. Ben Folds - Rockin' the Suburbs, amazing, can't go a week without a very loud listen 2. Glenn Tilbrook - The Incomplete, great solo effort, looking forward to more. Chris Difford is supposed to have a solo release out soon, and his new website is great, check it out 3. Grateful Dead - Roads 12 CD boxset (only boxset), buy it and set a long Saturday aside. 4. Soft Boys - Underwater Moonlight (only reissue) I have rounded up all their stuff and truly do enjoy it, but the show in April was the tops, thanks again Jason for the heads up. 5. Macca - Driving Rain (frankly better than expected) 6. Live Phish releases, what an ambitious release, with 6 now and more to come every 6 months. The packaging frankly is brilliant and at a reasonable price no less. I thought that Seattle band had a big live project, which they did, but many of theirs, don't worry I only bought the last show, don't sound any different from the last. The Phish shows are somewhat like the Dick's Picks for the Dead, meaning they are vastly different, which I hope will continue with the next 6 from the Phish folks. What is the name of Trey's new band btw? Catch Phish while you can. 7. Nick Lowe - The Convincer (the bonus disc maybe the best music here) 8. Pink Floyd - Echoes (only GH issue), very nice sequencing, and overall production 9. PD Heaton - Biscuit Boy (BS and company continue to create great sounds), new song for BS on another GH release, nicely titled Solid Bronze Hits 10. Cake - Comfort Eagle (late intro to the band) I love their style, though my coworkers think I am nuts (which of course is about 90% right) HM to Pete Townshend Oceanic Concerts, w/ Paul Rud, a wonderful listen, Pete also just released Scoop 3 and 2 more live shows on his website. Much more to come in 2002!! Jon Brion, hope to hear more very soon from this guy and since I don't get to LA ever, I can't hear him live because he apparently isn't aware there are any roads out of town. David Lewis, who opened and colloborates with JW Harding. A great item on Appleseed Records which releases the older JWH stuff. Check it out. JWH has a new item due in April, so says he. Also Concert for Americas - just to get the kickin Who, Bon Jovi and Bowie sets Good stuff for the new year include Clive Gregson (Comfort and Joy), though I got it from the UK and it is great, and a rumored new release from THE WHO!!!! Maybe one also from XTC, and the much anticipated Joe Jackson live, website exclusive of the Seattle and Portland shows from April. Also enjoyed the new Mercury Rev Cd this year, though that does take some getting used to I must say, as well as the Old 97's and the new Neil Finn. Kudos too to the new Nuggets box which led me to get the first one. Those Rhino folks are saints, given the nice EC stuff and more to come. Fun to here the Tenacious D stuff on disc and on Conan. They are the greatest.........right??? Enjoyed both tribute CD's to Macca and very much the one for the Kinks. Some very obscure stuff on each disc...cool. Wish I could add the reissue of Dave Edmund's 74 release Rockpile, which was only released in small batch in Germany under Dave's direct supervision (apparently) and therefore I have not been able to get a copy, but I keep looking. Lastly still working to get the new Swan Dive, but this should be easy as I am getting ready to making a first purchase from Amazon UK which has so many gems. All their stuff is available from Bill direct off their website. Swan Dive is a great find, as Mike would also attest to. A great live show year, maybe the best including, Soft Boys, Ben Folds, U2, David Gray, Joe Jackson, Ray Davies, Clive Gregson, Marshall Crenshaw (great new live CD), JWHarding, Stereophonics, and not music but great none the less, and mostly healthy but more importantly alive Spalding Gray, who almost died this summer in an auto accident. Soon to see Sleater Kinney (these chicks are overdue for something new, Jason ??) and Graham Parker, which will lead me to finally get his new one. |
||
|
Jeff |
||
| Been catching up on about 3 weeks of Digests, and if you are still taking votes (or even if not), I'd like to submit my top 10 out of the 200 or so CDs I bought last year... 1. Satellite Rides - Old 97's 2. A Man Under The Influence - Alejandro Escovedo 3. Films for Radio - Over The Rhine 4. The World Won't End - Pernice Brothers 5. Buddy & Julie Miller - Buddy & Julie Miller 6. Concussion - Matthew Ryan 7. musicforthemorningafter - Pete Yorn 8. Gold - Ryan Adams 9. Overdub - David Garza 10. The Invisible Band - Travis If you'd like to hear a mix CD of tracks from these bands and other artists including Lucinda Williams, Bob Schneider, Will Kimbrough, the Cash Brothers, the Strokes, Gillian Welch, Ron Sexsmith, and the Honeydogs that I made to promote my webcast to my friends, send me an email at musicaljustice4u@aol.com. I burned several extras that I ended up not giving out over the holidays and I'm happy to send them out for free until I've gotten rid of them. |
||
|
Marcus Kuley (Coni) |
||
| 1. Prefab Sprout - 'The Gunman and Other Stories' It's a concept album. About the Wild West (groan!). The song about the showdown 'The Gunman' is eight minutes long and starts with the lines I know that on some narrow streets Our paths will cross, our eyes will meet And love will leave me at his feet I'm waiting for the gunman And then you get some three minutes of pointless guitar noodling. By all received standards of good taste this ought to be absolutely hideous, but it's not. In fact, I have been listening to this album almost daily for the last six months and I still can't help being moved. Today, Paddy McAloon is the only songwriter who can pull off the great art of writing daft songs that still get to you. For me 'The Gunman and Other Stories' is the most rewarding album since XTC's 'AVV I'. 2. Travis - 'The Invisible Band' Lovely. Their most consistent album yet. 3. Weezer - same The finest rock album of the year. Ric Ocasek is still the best rock producer around. Come to think of it, this is the only rock album I bought all year long. I still can't get this 'Hipp - Hipp' chorus out of my mind. 4. Divine Comedy - 'Regeneration' More restrained than their earlier albums but still a delightful album. Shame that they had to split up (you could see the signs at their disappointing live show). 5. PeterLicht - 'Vierzehn Lieder' The best set of novelty songs I heard all year long. Catchy and funny. 6. Pulp - 'We Love Life' This band is getting better with every release. Why wasn't this a huge hit? 7. Super Furry Animals - 'Rings around Saturn' 8. ASvO - 'For the Stars' I love EC's arrangements of the songs. With a good pop singer this would have been an excellent album. |
||
|
krey |
||
| my humble offerings: 1. Ryan Adams -- Gold 2. Various Artists -- Poet: A Tribute to Townes Van Zandt 3. Bill Morrissey -- Something I Saw or Thought I Saw 4. Bob Dylan -- Love and Theft 5. John Hammond -- Wicked Grin 6. June Tabor -- Rosa Mundi 7. Neil Finn -- One Nil 8. Whiskeytown -- Pneumonia 9. Natalie Merchant -- Motherland 10. Martin Carthy -- The Carthy Chronicles (box set/reissue) (Later, just under the wire:) I'd like to remove my inclusion of the june Tabor album. Was working on my wife's rec and upon listening, it is truly one of her weaker efforts. Swap it with TMBG's Mink Car |
||
|
Jill Rydman |
||
| You guys may enjoy my newest find and guilty pleasure on the net (I am sure some of you guys have already discovered this guy). I found the "Crap from the Past" show on the web. He does themed shows from midnight to 2AM on a radio station in Minneapolis. Just reading his playlists is fun! Go check out his website! He has sound clips of a rare Go-Go's single, a (used to be) rare Nick Lowe "Cruel to be Kind" and an obscure Pretenders single. He also has all of his shows archived, wow, his October 8th show has three versions of Mah Na Mah Na!! The reason I found him is that he actually has a clip of Big Rick (a favorite DJ) on his last night at my favorite, now defunct station KQAK...go to: http://www.crapfromthepast.com/playlists/kfai10.htm Show of November 5, 2001 - The seventh game of the World Series, and the Emmys (no one listening at all), plus an aircheck from KQAK, San Francisco, from 1985 You can play the archives of the Crap from the Past shows by clicking on the date...the last third of the show (you can forward through them using Realplayer) has clips of Big Rick and of course some of that great 80's KQAK music :-)! Yes, I kinda live in the past, but I look forward to buying some of the music on y'alls top ten lists to get me caught up with current music...unfortunately if I tried to put together my top ten new releases of 2001, that I *actually purchased and played* (the only way I could make any list at all!), it would have to look like the following going by approximately how much I played it. I won't count bootlegs which took up most of my music listening year and I still haven't really purchased all the new music that I have wanted to and your lists keep reminding me of all that I have missed!!!...I have been replacing vinyl and catching up with years past this year so here goes: 1. REM - Reveal (yes, I know you all were disappointed but I do listen to it quite a bit, maybe because I took it to work and it makes me relax when my computer freezes because it reminds me of summer) 2. Emmylou Harris - Anthology 3. Elvis Costello - ATUB bonus disc I love 4. Suzanne Vega - Songs in Red and Gray 5. Elvis Costello - Spike bonus disc 6. Anne Sofie Von Otter/ EC - For the Stars (I bought it and listened to it a lot, still not sure how I feel about it although I enjoy some of it! I did play it more than the Old 97's for some reason...they played the 97's enough on the radio and I saw them live, so they should be on my list but I never opened the CD I purchased...I listened to my housemate's. It is still sitting in my pile of unopened stuff! ooops!! There will be a lot of eliminations since I have restricted myself) 7. Nick Lowe - Convincer 8. Bob Dylan - Love and Theft 9. Elvis Costello - MAIT bonus disc 10. Travis - The Invisible Band a long list of things/music that will always remind me of 2001 just because!: Elvis Costello and Bill Frisell - Deep Dead Blue* REM - Reveal Old 97's - Sattlite Rides Go-Go's - God Bless the Go-Go's EC - Such Unlikely Covers* the Mingus Costello shows the looooong Harry Smith Tribute with the odd O'Hara, not to mention EC and River of Shit and The Folksmen...which reminds me of my first viewing of Spinal Tap...how great is that?? Can't believe I finally saw it! Oh and finally seeing "Straight to Hell" much to the chagrin of Jeanlass! UCLA in general!! the Meltdown shows the Jack Shit show The Getty Museum Seeing Rozy a lot! Bridge School Benefit Bob Dylan The Kinks tape that Slo made to prep me for London Emmylou Harris Anthology* Old 97's by myself at the KFOG Kaboom! Jonathan Richman at the Bottom of the Hill Simon and Garfunkle's GH (see, the Boxer was on the Emmylou anthology and S&G just needed to be played last year) U2, All That You Can't Leave Behind (tour too! oh, and seeing Bono at Harry Smith!) Crowded House - the very best of CH* Suzanne Vega Aerosmith, Big Ones (this was mostly on the trip down to LA and around LA and back :-)...it was theme music for the car!!) Elvis Costello - Goodbye Cruel World (ryko reissue, esp the bonus tracks!!) Elvis Costello and ASvO - For the Stars (and driving around whine country with Pete and Jean) buying my first Tom Waits albums! Olivia Newton John - Back to Basics (yes, I have no shame, I love ELO, and songs from Xanadu, great for walking around the lake!) U2 - the B-sides George Harrison Lots of Theatre at ACT! Bill Irwin was super! My First Fantasy Baseball league and the Cafe! Mill Valley with listers! Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros, my first time at the Fillmore!! (oops! another album I have to hear!) France London, England (shows, great weather and listers...can't beat that!) Spain New Year's and meeting up with lister Andrew in Madrid!! Amusement parks and Concerts all over the place! And, of course, "Different Finger" (a little more than drilled into my head...speaking of which...am I to start the tree for Poor Fractured Elvis, or are we holding off?...I will offer my organiz/sational time to grow the tree if there is interest! Just lemme know! Heck, it's almost been a year since our deadline was called!) *selections of music that I play before I sleep! Goodness (a little self-indulgent huh? Ah well! That was my goal this year to cut down on doing shows and to get out there and actually attend some!), looking at that list I'd say it was a pretty good year, ignoring the crap!! 2002 can only get better! |
||
|
John Fredland |
||
| Thanks to some last-minute acquisitions, I've been tinkering with my list quite a bit over the last two weeks. Here's what I have: 1. Ben Folds, "Rockin' The Suburbs" 2. Garbage, "Beautifulgarbage" 3. No Doubt, "Rock Steady" 4. Weezer, "Weezer" 5. Spiritualized, "Let It Come Down" 6. Kid Rock, "Cocky" 7. Sugar Ray, "Sugar Ray" 8. Strokes, "Is This It" 9. Gorillaz, "Gorillaz" 10. Old '97s, "Satellite Rides" Honorable Mention: Sloan, "Pretty Together"; Guided By Voices, "Isolation Drills"; Radiohead, "Amnesiac"; American Hi-Fi, "American Hi-Fi"; Blink 182, "Take Off Your Pants & Jacket"; Pete Yorn, "Musicforthemorningafter"; Janet Jackson, "All For You". Disappointing Follow-Up To My Favorite '90s Album: Monster Magnet, "God Says No". Other Artists Whose Discs Might Have Shown Up On My List If I Had More Time And Money, But I'll Try To Hunt Them Down In The Future: Nick Lowe, Bob Dylan, Shelby Lynne, Minus 5/Young Fresh Fellows, REM, Tenacious D, Destiny's Child, BMRC, Brittany Spears, Jimmy Eat World, Spoon, Chamber Strings, Pink... "Come Hither, Young Man" Album Cover Award: Shelby Lynne, "Love, Shelby" (the last time I saw something from a recording artist that so captured my imagination was Janet Jackson's "Love Will Never Do Without You" video, back in tenth grade...) Video Shoots That It Would Have Been Cool To Hang Around: Jimmy Eat World, "The Middle" (plenty of attractive young ladies in lingerie); Bubba Sparxxx, "I'm Ugly" (running with pigs looks like fun) Potential Kool Moe Dee-LL Cool J Recording Skirmish: Kid Rock v. Radiohead (provoked by Kid Rock's line about "while all you Radioheads are reinventing the wheel" on "Cocky") |
||
|
RobBob Peter Parker |
||
| Laura Nyro - Angel In The Dark From the hauntingly beautiful artist who Alice Cooper called, "the greatest female songwriter ever" comes this hauntingly beautiful album containing her final recordings. Laura Nyro, for those who may not know, was a remarkable artist who wrote such songs as "Stoned Soul Picnic", "Wedding Bell Blues", "Save The Country", "Time And Love", "Stoney End", "Eli's Coming", and "And When I Die". These songs became popularized by The Fifth Dimension, Barbara Striesand and Three Dog Night. David Geffen's career began when he fell in love with her music and quit his job to become her manager. EC included her "Gonna Take A Miracle" record on his list of 500 essential albums. (I would have also added "Eli And The 13th Confession" and her best of compilation, "Stoned Soul Picnic", or if you just want an overview, I'd recommend "Time and Love: the Music of Laura Nyro". Not to be sentimental about it, but Laura Nyro knew that she was dying when she recorded "Angel in the Dark". She intended this record to be her last statement to her fans and to the world. Sadly, it took years for her family to find a record company willing to release it. Now, in fairness, Laura Nyro's career had been uneven. She appeared out of nowhere, an impossibly gifted writer at the age of 18, recorded some fantastic songs that were poorly produced, saw them become hits for other artists but never for her, went to the Newport Festival, but was poorly received by the crowd. Some say she was practically booed off the stage, others say there were just a handful of rude hecklers. Whatever really happened, the experience made her shun large crowds and for a while she quit performing altogether. Anyway, this is just to say that I discovered Laura Nyro posthumously after having known and loved her songs all my life, and I've got a bit of the evangelist in me now. I want others to experience the glory of this great great artist. "Angel in the Dark" is a wonderful record. Once you've had enough of your Ann Sophie Von Otter and Green Day CD's, give it a try. RobBob (who would also recommend buying Galore by the late Kirsty MacColl, with whom he is equally impressed) "Laura Nyro you can lump me in with, because Laura exerted an influence on me. I looked to her & took some direction from her. On account of her, I started playing piano again." - Joni Mitchell (RobBob then corrected:) By the way, I meant to reccommend Time and Love: The Essential Masters, not Time and Love: The Music Of Laura Nyro. |
||
|
...and the last word goes to John Ottaviano: |
||
| Yea, I know I'm too late, but I've just been so damn busy and I got a lot of music for Christmas, and, well, there was just a lot of great music this year. I have been surprised to see so many male heavy lists this year when I have felt such a musical presence from strong women this year. I highly recommend checking some of them out. Oh, and by the way, the best TV show this year by far is '24'. I actually can feel my heart beating faster when I watch it. It's like doing cocaine again. 2002 Top Ten 1 - D J Krush - Zen - Proving hip-hop is alive and well and living in Japan. Collaborations with Zap Mama, Black Thought, N'dea Davenport, Questlove, etc., this combines the best of current electronica with organic hip-hop. And funky to boot. Highly recommended to rapophobes. 2 - Brassy - Got It Made - Actually released in 2000, this didn't hit the U.S. until February. Led by Jon Spencer's lil sis, Muffy, now an ex-pat in the U.K., this album has everything: rock, funk, hip-hop, ballads, electronica, with sexiness and a sense of humour. A true revitilization of the indie record scene. 3 - Pete Yorn: Music for the Morning Agter - Unbelievable beautiful melodies, reminding me of Jeff Buckley, Matthew Sweet, Bob Schneider, R.E.M., Neil Young and New Order. Lyrically vague, but still beautiful. As is his pretty face. 4 - Tenacious D - I'm sure this won't make many females lists, but this is album is so funny yet so melodic and easily the funniest thing I've heard in years. It's funnier and sounds better than Spinal Tap. It makes me jealous to think how talented Jack Black is 5 - Angie Stone - Mahogony Soul - In the year of great r & b divas, this may have been my favorite and contains the best single of the year, Bottles & Cans. For all of those who miss the days of Stax and Motown, Angie's your girl. 5 - Alicia Keys - Songs in A Minor - Got more press because she's one of the most beautiful women on the planet. In addition, she makes gorgeous music and has a Œwise-beyond-her-years' voice. And she's from NYC! 5 - Macy Gray - The Id - People complained because it wasn't a great R & B album. Of course not, it's a great POP album, far more influenced by Paul Williams than Marvin Gaye. And her voice is CERTAINLY better than Tom Waits 5 - India.Arie - Acoustic Soul - The most sensuous groove of all of these albums, she plays great, organic R & B with a message. A maybe the best voice of the bunch. 9 - Bjork - Vespertine - No, it's not Homogenic or even Selma Songs, just bright, beautiful uplifting electronic pop just when we really needed it. Probably the most moving concert I saw all year. 10 - Julia Brown - Jubilant Newborn Alien Haze - Yea, I know, I put this on the list last year, but it wasn't officially listed until this year. I am offering a money back guarantee on this one, so go to www.juliabrown.com to but it!!! 10.5 - Weezer - Really only a half album by today's long play standards, all this do is make great rock. Honorable Mention Ozomatli - Embrace the Chaos - cool synthesis of latin, funk & hip-hop G Love & Special Sauce - A little too jammy for my taste, but he's still givin up the funk Zia - Big Bang - Another strong woman from the NY area, this time from Long Island Foxy Brown - Broken Silence - Strong woman from NY, this time from BK Sunshine Anderson - One of the first R & B diva releases of 2001 and still the sunniest Nikka Costa - Like a Feather - This one hit me like a ton of bricks in January. I thought for sure Nikka was the next big thing. The writing was not as strong as some other releases, but this girl can cook!! The hottest show I saw last year. Bob Schneider - Lonelyland - Better sense of humour than Pete Yorn, just not quite as catchy Radiohead - Amnesiac - Not because it was too much like Kid A, but because it was not enough like Kid A. Still a cool CD nonetheless. Best Compilations Soca Gold 2001 & Soca 101 - Volume 1 - Both from VP records, the former are top hits, the latter a history lesson. Both proof that Soca will be the the 00's what Reggae was to the 80's Best Reissue Elvis Costello - All This Useless Beauty - If only for ŒThe Bridge I Burned‰ and Tricky's Distorted Angel mix Watch for more from: Chaotic Lynk & Jill Gioia - both from Long Island, both due to release debut CD's, one hip-hop, the other power pop. Both ready to blow up! Biggest Dissapointments: Prince - The Rainbow Children - Great musically, but the vocals and the lyrics are too far over the top. I'll take my preaching at church, thank you. Elvis Costello & For the Stars - Not a bad album, per se, just a poor Elvis album. Maybe next year... The Blake Babies - God Bless the Blake Babies - Juliana Hatfield proves on Madder Rose's Baby Gets High' that she can still sing a heartbreaking lyric. She just can't right them anymore Stuff I would have listed if I listened to them more and hope to in 2002: Le Tigre Moldy Peaches Gorillaz Polysics Anthony B Shuggie Otis Gbv Missy Elliot Michael Franti & Spearhead Bilal Built to spill Manu Chao Beta Band Afro Celt Soundsystem Pink Shakira David Byrne Don't Believe the Hype: Bob Dylan - Love & Theft - I love Bob, but this isn't even as good as the last one, and his voice makes Tom Waits sound like Pavarotti. Ryan Adams - What do we need this for? We already had the Byrds and they did it waaaaaayyyy better. Top Musical losses: Papa John Phillips Joey Ramone Boozoo Chavis Susannah McCorkle John Lee Hooker Chet Atkins Aaliyah Issac Stern And other losses far too numerous to list |
||
| 1998 Top Albums | 1999 Top Albums | 2000 Top Albums | 2001 Top Albums | 2002 Top Albums | 2003 Top Albums |
Main Page |
| 1998 Lists | 1999 Lists | 2000 Lists | 2001 Lists | 2002 Lists | 2003 Lists |