Post by JVH (f/k/a Bob Dubilina) on Apr 4, 2005 19:19:46 GMT -5
One Top 10 list served, one Knuckle Sammich on the way!
BobbyDobbyD
Bob@BFNinYourEars.com
1. Scissor Sisters / Scissor Sisters
Three Tracks You Need to Hear: Filthy/Gorgeous; Tits On The Radio; Lovers In The Backseat
An oh-so-fabulous gay rock opera that pays homage to 70’s Elton, Glam Bowie, Pink Floyd, Prince and even Toto? (In a sing-song tone.) Lovin’ it! Word to the wise (as well as your mother): Ditch any reservations you may have regarding the Scissor Sisters’ music. This feel-good album may be rife with gay subtext, but that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable to the straight ear.
www.scissorsisters.com
2. Jimmy Eat World / Futures
Three Tracks You Need to Hear: Kill; Night Drive; Just Tonight . . .
In a year where one relationship after another turned sour, Jimmy Eat World delivered a knife to my heart – and then twisted it just enough for full effect.
www.jimmyeatworld.com
3. Paris, Texas / Like You Like an Arsonist
Three Tracks You Need to Hear: Bombs Away; Strike My Heart; Gemini
Despite poor living conditions and ominous threats from the powers that be (read their bio page on the New Line Records link below for all the gritty details), Paris, Texas was able to pull it together and create one sinfully clever batch of songs. Hey, these guys dodged the Hand of God several times just to deliver the goods, so you better enjoy it!
www.paris-texas.com
www.newlinerecords.com/bands/paristexas/
4. The Great Crusades / Welcome to the Hiawatha Inn
Three Tracks You Need to Hear: God Gave Me; Badlands; Pilsen
The Midwest never seemed so cold and lonely as it does on this latest venture from Brian Krumm & Co. Although not as accessible as their previous releases (it takes a few spins in the CD player to fully appreciate), …Hiawatha Inn is without a doubt their most musically refined work to date.
www.thegreatcrusades.com
5. William Topley / Sea Fever
Three Tracks You Need to Hear: Handle With Care; Whipping Boy; Paramount 1009
Once again William Topley sets off for destinations unknown with high hopes and a heavy heart.
www.williamtopley.com
6. The Ike Reilly Assassination / Sparkle in the Finish
Three Tracks You Need to Hear: Holiday In New York; Ex-Americans; Whatever Happened To The Girl In Me?
After what seemed like forever, Ike Reilly reappeared on the scene with plenty of wild stories worth hanging around long past closing time to hear.
[Editor’s Note: While I Don’t Want What You Got (Goin’ On); The Boat Song (We’re Getting Loaded); St. Joe’s Band and Garbage Day were more than worthy of replacing any (or all) of the suggested songs above, I had to disqualify them from the list because they first appeared in 2003 on the stellar Cars & Girls & Drinks & Songs EP. In fact, I think those original versions are even better (i.e., more rockin’) than those found on Sparkle in the Finish. So there.]
www.ikereilly.com
7. David Cross / It’s Not Funny
The most scathing commentary on the Bush administration (and its incredibly ignorant following) ever made. Well, that and electric scissors.
www.bobanddavid.com
8. Joseph Arthur / Our Shadows Will Remain
Three Tracks You Need to Hear: Even Tho; Devil’s Broom; Wasted
The most mainstream release to date from the world’s most tortured singer/songwriter. It’s kinda nice to hear that his personal demons have a place in the pop-rock continuum.
www.josepharthur.com
9. Daby Touré / Diam
Three Tracks You Need to Hear: Mi Wawa; Iris; Fabe
Put the universal translator down. With his melodious voice, enchanting lyrics and fluid rhythm, Mauritania native Daby Touré produces a thrilling harmony that crosses all cultural boundaries.
realworldrecords.com/dabytoure/
10. Bobby Bare, Jr. / From the End of Your Leash
Three Tracks You Need to Hear: The Terrible Sunrise; Borrow Your Girl; Things I Didn’t Say
Nashville royalty adds just the right amount of playfulness to his sorrow.
www.bobbybarejr.com
The Black Keys / Rubber Factory
Three Tracks You Need to Hear: All Hands Against His Own; When The Lights Go Out; Just Couldn’t Tie Me Down
Two white boys from Akron, OH creating brilliant dirty garage-rock blues while channeling the spirit of Jimi Hendrix – what’s not to like?
www.theblackkeys.com
Mark Knopfler / Shangri-La
Three Tracks You Need to Hear: Boom, Like That; Sucker Row; Song for Sonny Liston
The Sultan of Swing goes on sabbatical to a remote island in the Pacific and takes up residency at a local open-air tiki bar. The only thing missing here is the sound of high tide coming in.
www.mark-knopfler.com/ragpickers_dream/
Velvet Revolver / Contraband
Three Tracks You Need to Hear: Big Machine; Slither; Sucker Train Blues
All rock stars exiled to the Betty Ford Clinic unite!
www.velvetrevolver.com
Fleetwood Mac / Rumours [Remastered]
Three Tracks You Need to Hear: The Chain; Go Your Own Way; Second Hand News
One of the best albums ever made finally gets the opportunity to sound even better. If that’s not enough, there’s also a second disc of demos, roughs and outtakes.
www.fleetwoodmac.com
Powderfinger / Vulture Street
Three Tracks You Need to Hear: Roll Right By You, A Song Called Everything, Stumblin’
Does love make you stronger or weaker? Is it okay if it does both?
[Editor’s Note: Vulture Street was originally released in Australia in July 2003. It may have made a few 2004 lists because it finally made its way to North America in November 2004.]
www.powderfinger.com
A Perfect Circle / aMOTION
A Perfect Circle / eMOTIVe
Blackfield / Blackfield
Joe Bonamassa / Had to Cry Today
Buddahead / Crossing the Invisible Line
Jen Chapin / Linger
Collective Soul / Youth
Faultline / Your Love Means Everything
Fleetwood Mac / Fleetwood Mac [Remastered]
Fleetwood Mac / Tusk [Remastered]
Flickerstick / Tarantula
Further Seems Forever / Hide Nothing
Goo Goo Dolls / Live in Buffalo: July 4th, 2004
Green Day / American Idiot
Handsome Boy Modeling School / White People
Iron & Wine / Our Endless Numbered Days
Los Lonely Boys / Los Lonely Boys
Mike + The Mechanics / Rewired
Pinback / Summer In Abaddon
Finley Quaye / Much More Than Love
R.E.M. / Around the Sun
The Rockwells / Tear It Down EP
Joss Stone / Mind, Body & Soul
The Tea Party / Seven Circles
Tom Waits / Real Gone
Ray Wilson / These Are The Changes
BobbyDobbyD
Bob@BFNinYourEars.com
Bob Dubilina's Top Ten Albums of 2004
1. Scissor Sisters / Scissor Sisters
Three Tracks You Need to Hear: Filthy/Gorgeous; Tits On The Radio; Lovers In The Backseat
An oh-so-fabulous gay rock opera that pays homage to 70’s Elton, Glam Bowie, Pink Floyd, Prince and even Toto? (In a sing-song tone.) Lovin’ it! Word to the wise (as well as your mother): Ditch any reservations you may have regarding the Scissor Sisters’ music. This feel-good album may be rife with gay subtext, but that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable to the straight ear.
www.scissorsisters.com
2. Jimmy Eat World / Futures
Three Tracks You Need to Hear: Kill; Night Drive; Just Tonight . . .
In a year where one relationship after another turned sour, Jimmy Eat World delivered a knife to my heart – and then twisted it just enough for full effect.
www.jimmyeatworld.com
3. Paris, Texas / Like You Like an Arsonist
Three Tracks You Need to Hear: Bombs Away; Strike My Heart; Gemini
Despite poor living conditions and ominous threats from the powers that be (read their bio page on the New Line Records link below for all the gritty details), Paris, Texas was able to pull it together and create one sinfully clever batch of songs. Hey, these guys dodged the Hand of God several times just to deliver the goods, so you better enjoy it!
www.paris-texas.com
www.newlinerecords.com/bands/paristexas/
4. The Great Crusades / Welcome to the Hiawatha Inn
Three Tracks You Need to Hear: God Gave Me; Badlands; Pilsen
The Midwest never seemed so cold and lonely as it does on this latest venture from Brian Krumm & Co. Although not as accessible as their previous releases (it takes a few spins in the CD player to fully appreciate), …Hiawatha Inn is without a doubt their most musically refined work to date.
www.thegreatcrusades.com
5. William Topley / Sea Fever
Three Tracks You Need to Hear: Handle With Care; Whipping Boy; Paramount 1009
Once again William Topley sets off for destinations unknown with high hopes and a heavy heart.
www.williamtopley.com
6. The Ike Reilly Assassination / Sparkle in the Finish
Three Tracks You Need to Hear: Holiday In New York; Ex-Americans; Whatever Happened To The Girl In Me?
After what seemed like forever, Ike Reilly reappeared on the scene with plenty of wild stories worth hanging around long past closing time to hear.
[Editor’s Note: While I Don’t Want What You Got (Goin’ On); The Boat Song (We’re Getting Loaded); St. Joe’s Band and Garbage Day were more than worthy of replacing any (or all) of the suggested songs above, I had to disqualify them from the list because they first appeared in 2003 on the stellar Cars & Girls & Drinks & Songs EP. In fact, I think those original versions are even better (i.e., more rockin’) than those found on Sparkle in the Finish. So there.]
www.ikereilly.com
7. David Cross / It’s Not Funny
The most scathing commentary on the Bush administration (and its incredibly ignorant following) ever made. Well, that and electric scissors.
www.bobanddavid.com
8. Joseph Arthur / Our Shadows Will Remain
Three Tracks You Need to Hear: Even Tho; Devil’s Broom; Wasted
The most mainstream release to date from the world’s most tortured singer/songwriter. It’s kinda nice to hear that his personal demons have a place in the pop-rock continuum.
www.josepharthur.com
9. Daby Touré / Diam
Three Tracks You Need to Hear: Mi Wawa; Iris; Fabe
Put the universal translator down. With his melodious voice, enchanting lyrics and fluid rhythm, Mauritania native Daby Touré produces a thrilling harmony that crosses all cultural boundaries.
realworldrecords.com/dabytoure/
10. Bobby Bare, Jr. / From the End of Your Leash
Three Tracks You Need to Hear: The Terrible Sunrise; Borrow Your Girl; Things I Didn’t Say
Nashville royalty adds just the right amount of playfulness to his sorrow.
www.bobbybarejr.com
Bob Dubilina’s Hot‘n’Nasty Three-Way for #11
[/center]The Black Keys / Rubber Factory
Three Tracks You Need to Hear: All Hands Against His Own; When The Lights Go Out; Just Couldn’t Tie Me Down
Two white boys from Akron, OH creating brilliant dirty garage-rock blues while channeling the spirit of Jimi Hendrix – what’s not to like?
www.theblackkeys.com
Mark Knopfler / Shangri-La
Three Tracks You Need to Hear: Boom, Like That; Sucker Row; Song for Sonny Liston
The Sultan of Swing goes on sabbatical to a remote island in the Pacific and takes up residency at a local open-air tiki bar. The only thing missing here is the sound of high tide coming in.
www.mark-knopfler.com/ragpickers_dream/
Velvet Revolver / Contraband
Three Tracks You Need to Hear: Big Machine; Slither; Sucker Train Blues
All rock stars exiled to the Betty Ford Clinic unite!
www.velvetrevolver.com
Best Reissue of 2004
[/center]Fleetwood Mac / Rumours [Remastered]
Three Tracks You Need to Hear: The Chain; Go Your Own Way; Second Hand News
One of the best albums ever made finally gets the opportunity to sound even better. If that’s not enough, there’s also a second disc of demos, roughs and outtakes.
www.fleetwoodmac.com
2nd Time’s A Charm
[/center]Powderfinger / Vulture Street
Three Tracks You Need to Hear: Roll Right By You, A Song Called Everything, Stumblin’
Does love make you stronger or weaker? Is it okay if it does both?
[Editor’s Note: Vulture Street was originally released in Australia in July 2003. It may have made a few 2004 lists because it finally made its way to North America in November 2004.]
www.powderfinger.com
Bob Dubilina's Honorable Mentions of 2004
[/center]A Perfect Circle / aMOTION
A Perfect Circle / eMOTIVe
Blackfield / Blackfield
Joe Bonamassa / Had to Cry Today
Buddahead / Crossing the Invisible Line
Jen Chapin / Linger
Collective Soul / Youth
Faultline / Your Love Means Everything
Fleetwood Mac / Fleetwood Mac [Remastered]
Fleetwood Mac / Tusk [Remastered]
Flickerstick / Tarantula
Further Seems Forever / Hide Nothing
Goo Goo Dolls / Live in Buffalo: July 4th, 2004
Green Day / American Idiot
Handsome Boy Modeling School / White People
Iron & Wine / Our Endless Numbered Days
Los Lonely Boys / Los Lonely Boys
Mike + The Mechanics / Rewired
Pinback / Summer In Abaddon
Finley Quaye / Much More Than Love
R.E.M. / Around the Sun
The Rockwells / Tear It Down EP
Joss Stone / Mind, Body & Soul
The Tea Party / Seven Circles
Tom Waits / Real Gone
Ray Wilson / These Are The Changes
