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Gary Vollano (I've included some links for those of you who wish to explore a bit of my musical world) in reverse order to hold the suspense. 10. Billy Bragg & Wilco - Mermaid Ave. II for some reason just didn't capture me as completely as Mermaid Ave. 9. Coven 13 - Book Of Shadows The resurrection of Prog. Rock http://www.independisc.com/coven13.htm 8. Various Artists - The Power Puff Girls, Heroes & Villains My daughters have had to take this out of my CD changer more than I've had to take it from theirs 7. Joe Jackson - Summer In The City, Live In New York I'll take Joe and Graham Maby over Joe and an Orchestra any day. Great stuff. 6. Uncle Carl - Uncle Carl Tom Waits influenced Jazz flavored Blues that'll have you growing a goatee and wearing a beret. http://www.independisc.com/unclecarl.htm 5. Red Betty - Swim 5a. Red Betty - Sister Rubber Limbs A slice of Pop Rock heaven using Byrds style guitars with a soaring vocal that brings to mind Amiee Mann. Swim was released in 2000 bringing me to discover Sister Rubber Limbs which was released in 1998. Listed both, because they are both that good. http://www.independisc.com/redbetty.htm 4. The Differents - This Years Model 4a. The Differents - VIVA! Rock-n-Roll for the ages. At 1st put off buy copping the title of our man's classic, I found myself immersed in songs that covered all the territories of Rock from the 50s on up. Again TYM was released in 2000 bringing me to discover VIVA! which was released in 98(?). VIVA! is more of the same, but it stays to the MOD/Stax Volt area stylings. I would rate VIVA! higher than TYM, but I'm trying to stay within Loki's guidelines ;-) http://www.independisc.com/differents.htm 3. Gargantua Soul - The First The Last The Tribe Hard Rock/Heavy Metal with a Groove and a Soul. (Mike Carter you should check this one out) http://www.independisc.com/Gsoul.htm 2. Eels - Daisies Of The Galaxy 2a. Eels - Electro-Shock Blues In this case ESB released in '98 led me to DofG released in 2000 ESB gets the nod over DofG from me, but it's so emotionally intense I feel most would find DofG more accessible. In either case you can't go wrong. I have no way of describing how amazing this music is. Finally.................drum roll please................................rimshot................. 1. The Dan Emery Mystery Band - Natural Selection The Holy Grail of music in 2000 I said it when I first reviewed it in April, I'll say it again; "This is the best album I have heard in over 20 years. It sets the *New* musical standard." http://www.independisc.com/DanEmeryMysteryBand.htm (a "Discs I Got" addendum:) U2 - All That You Can't Leave Behind. How this made so many Top 10 lists this year is beyond me. One word: Uninspired. This was suppose to be a return to the old days/ways? Retro some said, Early U2??? You've got to be kidding me! This is so vanilla it's sickening. Stick this with all the dreck they've produced since "The Joshua Tree", with exception going to "Actung Baby". Sorry guys but you left it ALL behind. Joe Jackson - Night & Day II If I wanted to screw with Loki's spread sheets I'd re-do my Top 10 to include this ;-) JJ returns with a stunning piece that transcends time & does actually pick up where N&D left off. Coming on the heels of "Summer In The City - Live In New York" this is a double header that gets my "Come Back of the Year" award. Joe successfully pulls off what U2 failed to do, a return to familiar style yet refreshingly new. Ian Hunter - Once Bitten Twice Shy (Best of..2 CD Anthology) AMAZING! Being an old school Mott The Hoople fan and someone who followed Ian Hunter's solo career, this retrospective of Ian's post-Mott solo days comes as a welcome surprise (the surprise being 18 rare & unreleased tracks). Couple this along with the 1993 release "The Ballad Of Mott: A Retrospective" (another 2 CD Anthology) and you've got 4 CD's spanning Ian's career that'll have you in awe of his song writing abilities, Emphasis on lyrics. Granted some of his arrangements over the years did get a bit excessive and overblown, but those are primarily the ones where Mick Ronson <bows head> wasn't able to reel him in. Speaking of Mick Ronson, Ian was blessed to have first Mick Ralphs (Mott The Hoople) then Mick Ronson (Mott & Solo) helping him out with blistering guitar work, the like you won't find much of elsewhere. Highly recommend for those who like their Rock-n-Roll to dance them around, punch them in the face, knock them down, and then weep along with them as they lay in wonder of the range of emotions emerging from this one mystical, manic, tortured soul, sweetheart of a sensitive Rock-n-Roller who can kick out the jams as well as cry in his beer. There were several other fillers into my daughters Beatles collections, but we've all been there done that before, so... Wouter Pronk Hoi No time to explain but please convince for yourself by listening if needed: Definitely in order of preference: 1. Erin McKeown - Distillation 2. Dar Williams - The Green World 3. The Innocence Mission - Christ Is My Hope 4. Johnny Cash - American III: Solitary Man 5. Belle & Sebastian - Fold Your Hands Child 6. Neil Young - Silver & Gold 7. Aimee Mann - Bachelor No. 2 8. John Prine - Souvenirs 9. The Nields - If You Lived Here You'd Be Home Now 10. Neko Case & Her Boyfriends - Furnace Room Lullaby No honourable mentions so in my opinion a pretty poor year for music. Susie Witterick Hi all...these are the albums which I've loved this year. I should point out that at least two of them (in fact, probably most of them!) were released LAST year, I know that, but I only found them this year. So, erm...cope! In no particular order: U2 - all that you can't leave behind David Gray - white ladder Foo Fighters - there is nothing left to lose Red Hot Chili Peppers - californication Eminem - the marshall mathers lp Alex Wettreich 1. Elliott Smith, Figure 8 2. Radiohead, Kid A 3. Aimee Mann, Bachelor #2 4. Pamela Miller, Pictures From The Other Side (she gigs around New York, the Living Room/CB's Gallery and the like -- check her out if you see she's playing!) 5. Cotton Mather, Hotel Baltimore EP 5. John Wesley Harding, Confessions of St. Ace 6. Neko Case, Furnace Room Lullaby 7. Spoon, Love Ways EP 8. Doves, Lost Souls 10. Nina Nastasia, Dogs (see #4, except she's more the Mercury/Tonic type) 11. Duke Ellington, Far East Suite (to be honest, 2000 was all about Duke Ellington for me.) All the good hip-hop I heard this year was from '99, same for the most part with dance music, 2000 wasn't a country year, so I'm left with a bunch of white British or American alt-pop names on the list. Plus Duke, whose music I listened to more often than the other 10 combined. Benjamin Herman My list: 1. U2, All That You Can't Leave Behind 2. Sleater-Kinney, All Hands On The Bad One 3. Belle & Sebastian, Fold Your Hands Child.... 4. XTC, Wasp Star 5. Peter Case, Flying Saucer Blues 6. Bettie Serveert, Private Suit 7. Radiohead, Kid A 8. Yo La Tengo, And Then Nothing Turned Itself.... 9. PJ Harvey, Stories from the City.... 10. The Jayhawks, Smile Wally Ingram Overall I found 2000 to be a less than exciting year musically, but here are my top ten 2000 releases: 10. Josh Rouse - Home 9. Dan Emery and the Mystery Band (the title escapes me but I bet Linus or Gary could chime in...) 8. The Gourds - Bolsa de Agua (an Austin version of the Band) 7. Peter Case - Flying Saucer Blues (his albums keep getting better) 6. Eels - Daisies of the Galaxy 5. Ryan Adams - Heartbreaker (my wife saw the disk and tried to make fun of me for buyin Bryan Adams - no offense to you Canadians) 4. Marah - Kids in Philly (I'm surprised I haven't seen this on more lists) 3. Lou Reed - Ecstasy 2. Johnny Cash - American III:Solitary Man (a tough call but I rally couldn't pick it over #1 - I do love it though) 1. Bob Neuwirth - Havana Midnight (I got an advance of this in January or so and it's still being played constantly - my wife even chose this album for the delivery room. A stunningly gorgeous album) Greg Odegaard My List: David Gray - White Ladder Simply one of the best albums I have heard in recent years Swan Dive - same A great listen, added to by the live CD I got from a list HOFer. Joe Jackson - Night and Day 2 Gets better each time I listen and I something about that "woman" in the middle that keeps me awake at nights. Beautiful South - Painting it Red Always tight and loads of fun. Only wish I could have scored a copy of the UK only limited bonus CD. Joe Jackson - Summer in the City A great prelude to the N/D2. What a great year and comeback from this guy (?) BNL - Maroon Really developing an all around style JWH - St. Ace Very good release, more than straight acoustical material Pete Townsend - Lifehouse Projects Not new material, but new release. Validates Pete's pure genius. Pink Floyd - Is There Anybody Out There/The Wall Live Again not new material, but new release. Easily one of the best live releases I have ever heard. Johnny Cash - Complete live at San Quentin Last re-release. Complete show. Strange book end to PF, but a brilliant show, better complete. Haven't picked up JC's new true new release, but will soon. A sleeper favorite of mine, who I spent visiting with in a hotel bar in Pendleton, Oregon one summer evening between gigs, for over an hour. A few other group members came in and out, and a few other fans, but he, myself and a manager didn't move for the whole time and he was very gracious. No sign of June. JC drank soda water btw. Honorable mention to Dan Hicks (new EC of course, sort of), Jimi Hendrix box set, live at Woodstock, Bowie at the Beeb (Wow!), A long overdue compilation/greatest for Mashall Crenshaw, Clash on Broadway and a crazy little reissue called of all things The Cars. Single cuts to a cute item on The Family Man Soundtrack, which grows on me each time I listen to it more; very nice. Lastly, most anticipating the solo release by Glenn Tillbrook after hearing the single Parallel World. Available pretty cheap on his record company website, with the album due I think in March. Pretty good year overall. Steve Castan Best CD's: lou reed - ecstasy neil young - silver and gold the go betweens - friends of rachel worth the white stripes - destijl lloyd cole and the negatives all the beach boys reissues XTC - Wasp Star best of fela kuti elvis presley - suspicious minds (1969 sessions) / the sun sessions / elvis 56 yo la tengo - and then nothing..... many more...brain is failing..... happy xmas/chanukkah/new year c'mon elvis...where's the next fucken record dude!!!!!!! David Lifton Not the most diverse list I've ever made, I'll admit, and I don't think there are any surprises for those of you who live and breathe on my every post, but these were the releases that stood out for me this year. 1). Emmylou Harris&Mac246; Red Dirt Girl: One word: Wow. 2). Billy Bragg & Wilco&Mac246; Mermaid Avenue #2: Every bit as good as the first, and Wilco gave the best concert I saw all year. 3). Steve Earle&Mac246; Transcendental Blues: More of the same. 4). Steely Dan&Mac246; Two Against Nature: Hey, I waited 20 years for this. Not up there with their best, but what is? 5). John Hiatt&Mac246; Crossing Muddy Waters: See #3. 6). Paul Simon&Mac246; You&Mac226;re The One: Some of the loosest music he's made. 7). XTC&Mac246; Wasp Star: Andy plugs in again! 8). Elliott Smith&Mac246; Figure 8: It's only fault was not being its predecessor. 9). Fastball&Mac246; All The Pain Money Can Buy: Solid power pop -- smart and tuneful. 10). Johnny Cash&Mac246; American III: Solitary Man: A bit of a fall off from Unchained, because the voice isn't as strong anymore, but a solid collection nonetheless. Just bubbling under: Aimee Mann&Mac246; Bachelor #2 (not included because I heard most of it on Magnolia in 1999), Heartbreaker&Mac246; Ryan Adams, Howdy!&Mac246; Teenage Fanclub. Josue Gentil My list, tough I'm not sure if all the albums were released in 2000, but in Brazil things take time: 1 - My Beauty, Kevin Rowland (i guess this album is from 2000, I only took knowledge of it this year.... and It was released without the cover of Bruce Springsteen's THUNDER ROAD) 2 - Rickie Lee Jones, It's like this 3 - Bjork, Selmasongs (Dancer in the dark soundtrack, also in my top ten movies.... I'VE SEEN IT ALL is wonderful) 4 - Radiohead, Kid A 5 - Blink 182 6 - Joni Mitchell, Both sides now 7 - High Fidelity soundtrack (top ten movies could include this one) 8 - U2, All that you cant leave behind 9 - Red Hot Chillipeppers, Californication 10 - Paul Simon, you're the one I wish I could include Lou Reed, Neil Young and LLoyd Cole new albums, but I haven't listened to them yet. I'm sure that Neil Young would be among the five. And I only know a few songs of Elliot Smith, so... Woody Taylor I don't think I bought ten CDs all year, but I sure got a lot of bootlegs and compilations thanks to list members everywhere. One disc of note I purchased was Aaron Neville's "Devotion." Check it out, the man sings like an angel. Mary Averill I'm not sure I can come up with ten, either, this year, but here goes, in no particular order: XTC - Wasp Star Steely Dan - Two Against Nature Paul Simon - You're the One (It's not Graceland, one of my DIDs, but it's pretty fun anyway) Dan Hicks - Beatin' the Heat John Wesley Harding - Confessions of St. Ace Susan Tedeschi - Just Won't Burn Radiohead - Kid A (I never would have gotten this if not for the List. Thanks, you guys!) BB King & the other EC - Ridin' with the King Jimmy Thackery - Sinner Street Costello-L - 45 Alibis (Had to include this one) Honourable mention to the Beatles - Live at the BBC (I know, this didn't come out in 2000, but I couldn't spring for it new. I found it used a couple of months ago and couldn't stop playing it. I imagine this would be what it was like to hear them live in their heydays) Jennifer Senft This year I fell in love with women, music and books (to be honest, I read a lot more than I listen to music). So, I really like: 1. Shelby Lynne - though the one that I bought is Temptation, which didn't come out this year. I really want I Am Shelby Lynne; I like the songs they play on the radio from there. 2. Aimee Mann - Bachelor #2. I would have never bought this on my own; I've never liked the songs that get radio play of hers and I wrongly assumed that people here recommend her just because of the EC connection. But, Craig Montoya gave this to me as a gift and I love the album. 3. Shivaree - I Oughtta Give You A shot in the Head for Making Me Live in This Dump. I couldn't get anyone to here to give this a try, but the song Goodnight Moon (which gets airplay) is easily my favorite song of the year. When it comes on the radio I think of it as my song. 4. Didn't buy it, it isn't from this year, but thanks to a listmember I got EC & Anne Sofie Von Otter, Meeting of Masters. Great music. And the only male artist to go on my list, also thanks to Craig is 5. John Wesley Harding - Confessions of St. Ace. I actually work out to this one (but I'm a little weird). On my wish list: Joni Mitchell - Both Sides Now, Paul Simon - You're the One. I'm interested to hear the Susan Tedesci album, I like the single that was released a whole lot. Kerri Price 1. Richard Buckner- "The Hill" Surely no other recording of this year has brought me as much joy (and of course pain) as the new Richard. 2. XTC - "Apple Venus Vol. 2" I feel like this is their finest recording in their 20+ year history. If you like crisp, poppy music with yell-singing you can't ask for more than this really. 3. Grandaddy - "The Sophtware Slump" It's goofy, but I'm convinced it's sincere and that's what usually matters to me. 4. Billy Bragg and Wilco - "Mermaid Ave. Vol 2" This sure isn't as good as the first one overall, but it has wonderful bright shining moments. (The Wilco songs) 5. Radiohead - "Kid A" Even though it's not what I had dreamed it would be, it has grown on me enough to make it #5. 6. Elliott Smith - "Figure 8" 7. Mekons - "Journey To the Edge of Night" 8. Belle & Sebastian - "Fold your Hands Child, You Walk Like a Peasant" Nothing new, but still quite good. 9. Home - "IVX" It's interesting and also fun and also a concept album, a short story accompanies it. 10. Jayhawks - "Smile" There are a few great songs hidden behind the ultra-slick and flat production. Ernie Engebretson Well, I didn't buy/download/what-have-you 10 CDs released this year, but I will list my favorites from what I did get: In no particular order: Warren Zevon - Life'll Kill Ya - his best album since Transverse City. No real standout tracks, but no clunkers, either. 'Porcelain Monkey' is a nice take on the other Elvis. Various Artists - Duluth Does Dylan - 15 Duluth area artists paying tribute to the Zenith City's most famous son through cover songs. Can't recommend this enough. Of course, I have friends or acquaintances in over half the bands contained herein, so I'm not terribly objective. Even the casual Dylan fan should check it out. You can read about it at www.spinoutrecords.com/duluth, and buy it online at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/duluthdoes. Johnny Cash - America III - Good, but his voice is going. I think we'll only get one or 2 more records out of him before he doesn't sound like Johnny Cash anymore. Merle Haggard - If I Could Only Fly - real country music. I can only assume it's getting zero air play as a result. Joe Jackson - Summer In The City - nothing earth shaking here, but it is a damn nice concert recording. I'm sure that 'Red Dirt Girl' and 'Kid A' will make the list whenever I get around to listening to them. Bill Nemec In no particular order: Warren Zevon - Life'll Kill Ya Zevon returns with one of his best efforts, showcasing his scathingly witty songwriting. Crowded House - Afterglow Not the best Crowded House album, but still very good. XTC - Wasp Star XTC's second part to the more sedate Apple Venus Vol. 1 is proof that Andy Partridge can still write and produce snappy pop/rock songs with intriguing lyrical themes better than most. EmmyLou Harris - Red Dirt Girl My first EmmyLou, but it won't be my last. Steely Dan - Two Against Nature Not the best 'Dan, but still a fine collection. U2 - All That You Can't Leave Behind I've never been a real big fan of Bono and the boys, but this one, retro though it may be, really hits home for me. PJ Harvey - Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea Sounding like the bastard child of Patti Smith, Harvey makes her finest and most accessible album. Pickles Not Pancakes - Spongeworthy From the opening hit title song to the closing "No Sleep," this one rocks like the B-52s crossed with the Ramones by way of the Carpenters - not to be missed. CDB - Buzz Buzz Ambient noise/music that puts Radiohead's Kid A to shame. Elvis Costello & the Subtractions - Loud Rock Album Opening with the fan-baiting question "So is this what you wanted?" and closing with the beautiful-yet-eerie "Wearing Clown's Shoes," EC manages to return to his punk and rock roots without sounding dated. Reportedly written in a "drunken weekend" and recorded in a two-week period, LRA once again proves that Costello is one of the best songwriters working today. Backed by 2/3s of the Attractions on most tracks (bassist Bruce Thomas is replaced by the surprising Geddy Lee of Rush!), and with guest stars like Eminem and Courtney Love, LRA consistently delivers on the title's promise. Standout tracks include "When She Wasn't There," "Weaker Than You," "Stained Sheets" (w/Eminem), "Catatonic," (w/C.Love) and the incendiary "Model Behaviour." With Costello promising a full-band tour in support of LRA beginning in April 2001, we can answer his opening question with a resounding "Yes!" (OK OK, so I made up the last three to pad the list to 10). BillN, played theremin on the Pickles Not Pancakes song "Shoregasmic" James O'Keefe I could not resist. Some of you have seen earlier versions of this list before, but this is how it looks at year's end. No particular order here. _I am Shelby Lynne_ (wins out over sister Allison Moorer's _Hardest Part_; Moorer is more country than Shelby's r&b inclinations) Chumbawamba: _WYSIWYG_ (like listening to 70s radio with a 70s consciousness: all good) Gunnar Madsen: _Old Mr Mackle-Hackle_ (kids album that sometimes rocks. two great songs about dinosaurs, and two stunners about chickens) Calexico: _Hot Rail_ (half-instrumental zings from the borderline) Charles Lloyd: _The Water is Wide_ (thoughtful, spiritual--and my cousin Larry plays bass!) Rhonda Vincent: _Back Home Again_ (another Nashville dropout finds her way to her own vision) Severin & Bailey: _Too Many Miles_ (sixteen-year-olds from Salem OR do bluegrass. Amazing!) _Nickel Creek_ (bluegrass from Sugar Hill; Alison Krauss produced) Oliver Mtukudzi: _Paivepo_ (best guitar ever played) Britney Spears: _"Oops!...I did it again" Remixes_ (features seven versions of this beloved tune, including two by Riprock 'N' Alex G.) Elijah Carey - Wasp Star - XTC (two left and they go electric again - the ANDY EXPERIENCE) - Stories From The City - PJ Harvey (If I was numbering this list, it'd be #1) - American III - Johnny Cash (voice failing, but it's Johnny being Johnny - pure) - Warning - Green Day (Green Day grows up and records wonderful pop songs) - Songs from an American Movie vol. 2 - Everclear (I almost gave up after vol. 1) - Tubbin' at Mitch's - Dick's Dog (My band. Just a little plug) - Kid A - Radiohead (Sit back with this one and your headphones) - Ecstasy - Lou Reed (Every track is amazing) Harson Flenco Okay, under the wire, here are my top 10 cds, at least how I feel at 1:50 PM Pacific time: Radiohead: Kid A (I hated this so much when it came out it made me angry. Now I dig it. Go figure) Madonna: Music (this album rocks) Dan Penn: Blue Nite Lounge ("Where You Gettin' It?" is the most salacious song of the year) Irma Thomas: My Heart's In Memphis (Another album of Dan Penn songs from the Soul Queen of New Orleans. A great year for Dan Penn fans!) Morcheeba: Fragments of Freedom Uppercrust: Entitled Supreme Beings of Leisure: Supreme Beings of Leisure U2: All That You Can't Leave Behind (I hope the dudes in Radiohead hear this and realize there's nothing wrong with a classic three minute rock song) Jackie Wilson: Uptown & Upnorth (finally, "Soul Galore" on CD!) Radiohead: No Kid, No Computer (live concert bootleg with a bunch of new songs that aren't on Kid A) Special Mention: The Beatles: 30 Days (A very impressive bootleg collection from the "Get Back" sessions). Ida Miller For the first time in a long time of doing this, I actually had trouble narrowing down to a Top Ten list: 1. DANDY WARHOLS: 13 Tales From Urban Bohemia 2. DAVID BOWIE: Bowie At The Beeb 3. JOHNNY CASH: American III: Solitary Man 4. THE DOORS: Bright Midnight Sampler 5. STONE TEMPLE PILOTS: Four 6. DAVID GRAY: White Ladder 7. HUGH CORNWELL: HiFi 8. ROBBY KRIEGER: Cinematix 9. JOHN HIATT: Crossing Muddy Waters 10. JEFF BUCKLEY: Mystery White Boy David Hamel Okay, I'll give ya what I got: Dar Williams - The Green World eels - Daisies of the Galaxy John Hiatt - Crossing Muddy Waters Steve Earle - Transcendental Blues (and why can't our man be this prolific again?) Willie Nile - Beautiful Wreck of the World - One of the best things I've heard in many years. Of course, I'm still working my way through the Great Unknown and all the other great stuff Peter sent me. Thank you, thank you, thank you to Peter and Jennifer and all those involved. In the FWIW dept., and taking in consideration that I don't get out much: Best concerts of the year: Dan Bern (aka Bernstein) at the Iron Horse in Northampton, MA. The guy puts on an amazing show, always evolving as he interacts with the crowd. Definately a do not miss. The Saw Doctors outdoor concert at the Look Park Amphitheatre, also in Northampton. Always a great live band. This time, the show was cut short by a nasty thunderstorm combined with a local curfew. The Docs however, always aim to please. They rewarded the 100 or so diehards who braved the elements and 1 hour interuption with an off the cuff acoustic performance under the arch leading to the amphitheatre. Great craic. Willie Nile - a "house concert" held in Palmer, MA. Never heard of such a thing but was lucky enough to be a friend of the couple putting it on. Wow. Sixty people in your living room and one artist who is just happy to have everyone's attention and then proceeds to put on a show no one there will soon forget. All the while making a friend of everyone present. This is what it's all about IMHO. Be happy, proud and strong David Hamel(who realizes his list dates him as a forty-something white dude but figures "What the hell! That's what I am!") Mark Perry Right, it's my first day back at work and there's a pile of stuff to do, so let's get my priorities right. I'll start with a Best of 2000 list, naturally. (I held off until the year was actually over in the hope that EC might suddenly put out a classic at the last minute, but hell he hasn't delivered anything approaching that status since 1986, so I knew it was a long shot...) Top 10 Albums 2000: 1. Kid A - Radiohead So what was all that fuss about no guitars and Aphex Twin? I was fearing the worst when I heard those angst-ridden interviews beforehand, but the more I listen to this, the more I just hear another great Radiohead record. "We've got heads on sticks..." Huh? 2. In The Air - The Handsome Family Scary stuff. I keep reading that this is their best record yet, but presumably this is being written by people who haven't heard their earlier albums. So Much Wine is one of the toughest love songs I've ever heard. "When you fell asleep with blood on your teeth..." Excuse me? 3. Community Music - Asian Dub Foundation There's a riot going on. Thank goodness somebody can be arsed. "Blairful of Thatcher stuck on the 45..." Respect is due. 4. Nixon - Lambchop Great singing, arrangements worthy of Scott Walker himself, intelligent lyrics. If it's that easy, why doesn't everyone do it? 5. Fire At Keaton's Bar & Grill - Roy Nathanson It took the live show to unlock this one for me, but now I can't get enough. Nathanson is an unbelievable musician. Don't label it "jazz" - it's just great music. 6. The Confessions Of St Ace - John Wesley Harding Wes returns to his pop roots. Actually I preferred the previous album of Nic Jones songs, but this is a fine record too. Enough with all that shit about how much like Costello he is. And he's just sent me his Christmas single - top man! 7. Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea - PJ Harvey It doesn't seem 5 minutes ago that I was skiving off work one afternoon to watch her play to a disinterested handful of punters in a Taunton record shop. All those phone calls to Captain Beefheart don't seem to be doing her any harm... 8. Punishing Kiss - Ute Lemper I didn't go overboard for the EC cast-offs, but there's a whole lot of great music on this one, especially Nick Cave's Little Water Song. In concert, she went even closer to the border which separates West End musical schlock from good taste, but still got away with it. 9. If I Could Only Fly - Merle Haggard I didn't think anyone was making good old-fashioned country records like this any more. Best singing of the year by some area (as Big Ron Atkinson might say). Music for grown-ups. 10. The Menace - Elastica Good to have what's left of them back. So what took so long? Great set at Glastonbury, too. Best compilation: Songs In The Key Of Z "Outsider music" collection compiled by the mighty Irwin Chusid. Hear Congress-Woman Malinda Jackson Parker sing the word "cousin" 204 times in 3 mins 27 secs. Or Joe Meek's "tone-deaf" demo of Telstar. Or the Swedish Elvis murdering Jailhouse Rock. Inspiring stuff! I Thought You Were Dead Comeback Award: David Bowie for his fab set at Glasto & the Beeb album (even if EMI did fuck up the latter by using the same version of Ziggy Stardust twice). Musical Moment of 2000: Michael Eavis belting out a stunning, heartfelt version of How Great Thou Art in a tent at Glastonbury. Where were you when we needed you? Award: Elvis Costello, Pulp, Leonard Cohen, Louise Wener RIP Ian D & Kirsty. Spooky that I was in the hairdressers waiting for Mrs P & reading the excellent Lives Of The Great Songs chapter on The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face when the news about Kirsty came through on the radio. (Naturally, I swiftly thumbed through the remaining chapters hoping to find one on Martine McCutcheon or Robbie Williams's dad's songwriting efforts ... no such luck.) Best TV show: North Square. Sharpest TV writing since Cardiac Arrest, plus plenty of gratuitous references to The Clash and Leeds United. How could it lose? This is the way to do a smart-arsed legal drama with wit and imagination. Are you watching, Ally McBeal? Best music TV show: You're kidding, right? Even Jools is having the mainstream dross like Martine and All Saints on Later these days. Most Disappointing TV show: The Sopranos. Just what is all the fuss about? Best radio show: Late Junction (BBC Radio 3), The Mystery Train (RTE Radio 1), Evening Session (BBC Radio 2), Mark Lamarr (BBC Radio 2). What's with all this good radio these days and why am I listening to Radio 2 so much? Sporting event of 2000: Lazio 0 Leeds United 1 Most Depressing Moment of 2000: The puffed up, posturing politicians representing the "loose affiliation of millionaires and billionaires" who really run the planet failing to agree on a mutually acceptable conservation policy. Listen, you wankers, how long do you think we've got? "Let me hear both sides," indeed. Best Christmas TV Special: The League Of Gentlemen making up for their slightly under par second series in style. And look out for the DVD of the classic first series with extra "special stuff". That scene where Mr Chinnery attempts to deliver a calf through the wrong orifice is almost unwatchably funny. ("That IS it's rectum, Mr Chinnery. Our father knows about these things..."). Mike Bodayle Late in posting and I must say not a very diverse list. But here's my faves. Note that 1/2 of my list eminates from here in Nashville. I guess that's why theu call it Music City! Top Ten Albums Released in 2000 1. Swan Dive - Swan Dive (Compass) 2. Steve Earle - Transcendental Blues (E-Squared) 3. Guster - Lost & Gone Forever (Sire) 4. Roy Nathanson - Fire at Keaton s Bar & Grill (Six Degrees) 5. U2 - All That You Can Leave Behind (Interscope) 6. Will Kimbrough - This (Waxysilver) 7. The Wallflowers - Breach (Interscope) 8. Johnny Cash - American III - Solitary Man (American) 9. Ute Lemper - Punishing Kiss (Decca) 10.Jason Ringenberg - A Pocketful of Soul (Courageous Chicken) Kristina Engberg here goes: 10. no doubt, return of saturn 9. the cure, bloodflowers 8. poe, haunted 7. aimee mann, bachelor #2 6. belle & sebastian, fold your hands.... 5. badly drawn boy, hour of the bewilderbeast 4. morphine, the night 3. radiohead, kid a 2. elliott smith, figure 8 1. p.j. harvey, stories from the city... John Ottaviano Dear Friends, OK, here I am hoping to make Paul's deadline. Here's my list with comments, extras and another, sadder list. Top Ten Albums of 2000 1. Sleater-Kinney - All Hands on the Bad One For those, like myself, who have become disenchanted with rock, these talented women put the fun back with great hooks, huge energy and a wall of sound. For any who liked the Powerpuff Girl soundtrack, this is the real deal. 2. Tahiti 80 - Puzzle A French band who sing in English, they are obviously influenced by Air, but also by '60's lounge pop. The tracks are gorgeous, light (as Air) and fun. You can't possibly be in a bad mood listening to this album. 3. Spring Heel Jack - Disappeared Pure driving electronica, this is the best jazz album of the year by decidely non-jazz artists. Think of Massive Attack but more experimental and greater variety. Easily the most dynamic music I heard all year. 4. D'Angelo - Voodoo Has picked up the torch that Prince dropped, and comes up with the best R & B album in years. He channels Marvin Gaye with an obvious nod to his purple highness. If you play this album with your lover present and your not getting it on within a half-hour, there's no hope. Easily the sexiest album of the year. 5. Everclear - Songs from An American Movie Vol I I've always like this band, but Art Alexakis creates one of the most personal albums by anyone in years. His songs about relationships, parenting, and alienation are powerful and poignant and the tunes are infectuous. 6. (tie) Guru&Mac226;s Jazzamatazz - Streetsongs 6. (tie) Outkast - Stankonia Guru (of Gang Starr fame) is the true conscience of hip-hop. His message is pure and powerful, his beats are smoking, and everybody who's anybody guests on this disc. For anyone who dismisses hip-hop, this album is undismissable. The Outkast alubm is merely the most fun you can have without getting naked. Big, phat, funky beats and sharp lyrics. If George Clinton rapped, this is how it would sound. 7. Julia Brown - Jubilant Newborn Alien Haze While we often have listers offering their own discs on top ten lists, I don't know that I've seen them end up on anyone else's. There are songs on this disc that I couldn't get out of my head with a crowbar. The EC influences on melody and lyrics are obvious, but I also hear Aimee Mann, Patti Rothberg. Ben Folds Five and lots of others. Julia doesn't break new ground, she just writes and sings great songs. The late release of this album will probably cause it to make a lot of best of lists in 2001. 8. Show Business Giants - Self-Aggrandizement Keeps Us Going OK, so this is going to blow my secret Santa cover, but if you can imagine They Might Be Giants with a mean streak and a PCP habit, this is about what you get. Alternating pure melody with raw angst, and biting sarcasm. Titles include 'Why Don't You Fuck Off', 'Generic Children's song a la Yngwe Malmsteen' and "My Brother's Kid's A Waste of Sperm'. Just gives me a warm fuzzy. 9. Eminem - The Marshall Mathers LP It would be so easy to dismiss him as a pure trash talker and say he only sells because he's white. But I know a lot of hip-hop people of all types who thinks this guy is the real deal. It may seem blasphemous, but he writes the most scathing social commentary since Bob Dylan. Listen carefully to his current hit 'Stan', and you will be blown away by his insight and depth. 10. Kevin Gilbert - Thud I had mentioned this last year from a bootleg copy I received and it was officially released in 2000. The most scathing indictment of the music industry ever, the music runs the gamut from folky acoustic to Pink Floyd inspired progressive. While the quality of the tunes varies, some of it is pure genius. Known mainly for his work in Sheryl Crow's Tuesday Night Music Club and a kick-ass cover of Zep's Kashmir, Kevin was unfortunately taken from us at a very early age. It is a terrible loss. Honorable Mentions P J Harvey - Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea Pj is to the '90's as Patti Smith was to the '80's Everclear - Songs from An American Movie Vol II Good, but not as good as I Sade - Lovers Rock Another terribly sexy album. Pure audio afrodisiac with a few message songs mixed in St. Germain - Tourist French Electro disco jazz - nuff said Supergenerous - Supergenerous Acoustic blues jazz. Medeski, Martin & Wood - The Dropper Jazz for Phish fans Elvis Costello - 45 Alibis Great job, Dave!! Elliot Smith- Figure 8 Now if he would just throw out his Beatles records, he could be a genius! Bjork - Selmasongs Good, but no Homogenic Radiohead - Kid A This one took a lot of guts. 10 years from now this will be considered a milestone Lima Sugar - Demo Friend of Carol Rousseau, sounds like Sleater-Kinney Go Nuts - Dunk & Cover funniest album of the year, hands down Dandy Warhols - 13 Songs from the Urban Bohemia A blast from the '80's Best Compilations Revolution (Deep Summer, LRD (Les Rythmes Digitales), Electroliday, Departure (Thievery Corp) Received these FREE with Revolution magazine and they merely represent the best in recent dance and electronica. V/A - Powerpuff Girls Heroes & Villains Lots of fun, but a little too cute. V/A - Loud Rocks Compilation Give this to the hip-hop loving kid in your life and you will be a hero. Disappointments Deftones - White Pony too slodgy Belle & Sebastian - Fold Your Hands Child & Walk Like A Peasant Please, have a cup of coffee or lower the prozac Steve Earle - Transcendental Blues Good, certainly not great. Tom Tom Club - The Good, The Bad and the Funky If only they sounded as good on disc as live and included their cover of Hot Chocolate's "You Sexy Thing" Didn't Get to Listen to but may have made the list Green Day - Warning Rage Against the Machine - Renegades The new Wu Tang Clan countless others... Top Ten Musical Losses (no particular order) Tito Puente Big Pun Ian Dury Screamin' Jay Hawkins Vicki Sue Robinson Johnnie Taylor Kirsty MacColl Pops Staples Stanley Turrntine Ofra Haza Peace. Joanne Allard Well bust my buttons; if I'da known "Figure 8" was a 2000 release, I'da entered my vote a lot sooner. If you're listening, Paul, put me down for Figure 8 for Number 1. Oh and Kid A, too, while you're at it in the B slot. I'm sure there woulda been more, but it was a lean year here in the music collecting department. |
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