The Best Albums of 2004
It's practically 2006, but here is my much anticipated (by Bil) best of 2004 music list. At first when I looked back I thought that 2004 was a great year for music. Upon further examination I realized that 2004 actually was a misstep - what actually increased was my love for music. I hope that my musical appetite continues to grow this year, but I also hope that 2005 brings a few more mind-blowingly good discs.
10.) The Thermals - Fuckin A (Punknews.org review) - 30 minutes of lo-fi garage rock that isn't trendy, pretentious, or any of the other annoying things that usually get associated with lo-fi garage rock. Fast rock songs that bleed into each other so well that you will probably just press play when the album ends and start the whole thing again. Nothing new here, but still very refreshing.
9.) The Good Life - Album Of The Year (Pitchfork Review) - You either like Tim Kasher, or you don't. If you like him, this is a thick moody ride that you should check out. This album isn't number 9 because of the gimmicky 12 songs = 12 months of a failed relationship motif - it's here because every time I listen to it the story becomes clearer and the characters become more lifelike. It's one of those albums that create pictures in my head.
8.) The Living End - Modern ARTillery (Punknews.org Review) - I don't have much to say about this one. If you put out a pop-punk CD in 2004 that isn't a steaming pile of dog shit, then you have my attention. The Living End is a great band and Modern ARTillery sees them refining their sound, reaching out, and experimenting. This is one of those albums that is as good on shuffle as it is in order.
7.) The Life Aquatic - Soundtrack - (Pitchfork Review) - What the hell is a soundtrack doing on this list? Well for one, as a soundtrack this disk is pretty much perfect. The original compositions hold up outside of the film, the Portuguese Bowie covers are good enough to deserve their own disk, and I'm now staring to realize how great old David Bowie and Devo songs are. That’s one hell of a multi-tasker.
6.) Death From Above 1979 - I'm a Woman, You're a Machine (Punknews.org Review) - How can I put this nicely? This album will rape you. Dirty, sex fueled dance/noise punk that just won't let go. Did I mention that this is only a 2 man act playing drums, keys and bass? The best songs on this album are songs that you will want to hear right away when they finish. It's like sex in so many ways…
5.) Wilco - A Ghost Is Born (Pitchfork Review) - This year I have a lot of respect for a 'grower' - an album that is at first underwhelming, but gets better every time you hear it. This is one of two big growers on this list. Ghost is an enigmatic marathon with self gratifying guitar solos, songs breaking the 10 minute mark alongside short pop songs, and extended periods of ambient noise. That being said, it’s a great CD. And if you have the good fortune to see Wilco live this year this disc will take on new meaning. These songs rock balls live.
4.) Blood Brothers - Crimes (Punknews.org Review) - As far as I can see, there are only two types of people left in the music scene - people who get the Blood Brothers and people who don't. Sadly the majority of the world falls into the don't category. Let's me take a second to speak frankly. If you don't like these guys, then I don't like you. 'Crimes' is what your kids will be listening to in 2025. Dual vocals so high pitched that will make Alvin, Simon and Theodore will cover their ears. Songs that stop and start on a dime, finding structure in their complete lack of structure. Lyrics that sound like they were cribbed from the journal of a madman. It ain't easy listening, but if you have the ears for it this is an incredibly rewarding album. A departure for the Blood Brothers that only hints at the ground these guys will cover over the next few years.
3.) Say Anything - …Is A Real Boy (Punknews.org Review) - As I mentioned above, if you put out a good pop punk CD in 2004, then you have my attention. This one is about as good as it gets. Originally conceived as a rock opera, 'Real Boy' is one of the most clever concept albums to hit in years. It's an anti emo rant consisting of songs that tread on every existing emo cliché. Retarded song titles, John Cusack References, the acoustic love song, New Found glory type pop hooks, songs about girls, mentioning love and death in the same sentence (in a concentration camp love song, I shit you not). Sure this shit has been done before, but never so well, never so angry and never so tongue-in-cheek. Did I mention that aside from drums, one 20 year old kid wrote and recorded every note on this? Highlights include amazing sing along gang vocals, and 'Admit It!' a 5+ min rant going after stuck up indie kids across the U.S. This could easily have been #1. Highly suggested.
2.) The Arcade Fire - Funeral (Pitchfork Review) - This is the other 'grower' - I have spun this thing hundreds of times by now and every time I hear it, it gets better. It's a CD that tells a vivid story, and each listen reveals a new layer brining more details to light. This one also brings up another important pattern this year, bands who want to sound like The Talking Heads. Aside from those two general leanings, this disc is really difficult to classify - it's loaded with tons of creative instrumentation (most band members are multi-instrumentalists), and songs that shift from dark and cryptic to bright and dancy (often within seconds). 'Funeral' is also dripping with emotion without it feeling forced, or dare I say 'emo'. A great discovery for those who don't mind music that feels like literature.
1.) Modest Mouse - Good News For People Who Love Bad News (Punknews.org Review) - I doubt that this CD will hold up as well as 'Funeral' in the future (I expect "Funeral' to grow to be one of my favorite albums of all time), but I can't deny Modest Mouse of the top spot this year. 'Good News' is a great album - eccentric, diverse, and fun as all hell. It's a wonderful thing when an artist embraces major label production values and comes out better because of it. What could have been a slick, over-produced misstep arrived on store shelves as a wonderful next step for Brock and company. Here great production values emphasize what was already amazing about the sound of this band. Plus, 'Float On' is one of the greatest singles released in my lifetime. This CD is greater than the sum of its parts - it finally forced me to fully explore the Modest Mouse back catalog, which is a gift in and of itself. What is more important here is that this CD was a huge commercial success. The fact that a band like Modest Mouse can get airtime says something really good for rock music over the next few years. I'm looking forward to it.
Worth Noting - Black Keys - Rubber Factory, Bad Religion - The Empire Strikes First, Jimmy Eat World - Futures.
Guilty Pleasure of the Year - My Chemical Romance - Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge (Please don't tell anyone).
CDs that I wish I caught in 2003 - Lucero - That Much Further West, Bear Vs. Shark - Right Now You're In The Best Of Hands
As always – everyone is highly encouraged to comment with their own personal top 10.