Post by Chad Wilkens on Feb 29, 2004 19:42:46 GMT -5
Bob Dubilina's Best EP of 2002
Llama / The World From Here
Unfortunately, in a year when so many artists released such phenomenal work, the fact that the tireless musicians of Llama (who spent most of 2002 on the road) only released a four-song EP hurt their chances of making the Top 10. But here's the good news: if their next full release is as promising as this EP, they'll easily take a top slot on the Best of 2003.
Bob Dubilina's 2002 Honorable Mentions
Joseph Arthur / Redemption's Son
David Bowie / Heathen
Tracy Chapman / Let It Rain
Coldplay / A Rush of Blood to the Head
Beth Orton / Daybreaker
Tom Petty / The Last DJ
The Tragically Hip / In Violet Light
Tom Waits / Blood Money
Paul Weller / Illumination
Bob Dubilina's Top 10 "Discovered" Albums of 2002
These albums came out before 2002, but it's better to hear them now than later:
1. Tie: The Blessing (William Topley) / Prince of the Deep Water and Locusts & Wild Honey
2. The Great Crusades / The First Spilled Drink of the Evening
3. The Tea Party / Transmission
4. Pete Townshend / White City: A Novel
5. Pete Townshend / Empty Glass
6. Peter Gabriel / OVO: The Millennium Dome Show
7. Porcupine Tree / Stupid Dream
8. Superdrag / In the Valley of Dying Stars
9. Powderfinger / The Internationalist
Bob Dubilina's Top 5 Concerts of 2002
My beloved power of tracking managers and record labels really worked to our advantage, and the BFN SPAMWagon was able to see some phenomenal live performances this year.
1. Josh Joplin -- Schubas -- 08/19/02
This sounds sappy, but Josh Joplin infected me with optimism and the notion that the future is bright and that I'm on the right track. It's not every day a folk-rock musician empowers me to believe that life is beautiful because I'm playing a part in it, and he deserves credit for that.
2. Llama -- University of Madison, Wisconsin -- 09/06/02
A four-hour show on a warm September night that involved a road trip to a college town overflowing with gorgeous co-eds. This was an experience where the crowd was just as funky and energetic as the music, and I was glad to be a part of it.
3. Joseph Arthur -- Martyrs' Live / Superdrag -- Metro -- 11/09/02
Not only did Joseph Arthur put on an amazing show, but I also got to see Chad well up with tears over the experience of meeting his hero. Then we walked to the Metro and watched Superdrag destroy the place. Great stuff.
4. Sense Field -- House of Blues -- 03/28/02
Although this was only a two-man acoustic set (not the whole band) in a crowded bar with terrible acoustics, this show makes the list because it was the first BFN outing and I was able to score us front row seats. How cool is that?
5. Guster -- A. Finkl & Sons -- 07/29/02
A hot day in July in a steelworks parking lot watching Guster put on an awesome show. Heard great music, saw a girl flash the security guards, puked from dehydration . . . probably my best Saturday night in years!
Wild Cards:
Porcupine Tree -- Morris Performing Arts Center -- 10/27/02
Joe Bonamassa -- Tweeder Center -- 08/15/02
Porcupine Tree and Joe Bonamassa -- both opening for over-hyped, sub par headliners -- quietly came on stage, played like there were millions screaming their name and made their presence known. Both artists were on for only thirty minutes, but they were certainly the best damn part of the shows.
Bob Dubilina's Noteworthy Albums of 2002 That I Still Need to Listen To
Joseph Arthur / Junkyard Hearts 1-4[/i]
Indigo Girls / Become You
John Mooney / All I Want
Shivaree / Rough Dreams
Bruce Springsteen / he Rising
Paul Weller / Days of Speed
Neil Young / Are You Passionate?