Post by Chad Wilkens on Feb 1, 2005 1:48:16 GMT -5
Unlike previous years where I've gone through and made a Top Ten Best of list, I'm just going to be listing my favorite albums of 2004. Chalk it up to laziness, but the main motivators here are the fact that there was just so much great music this year that limiting my choices to 10, and then ranking between them, seems downright unfair. So here, in no particular order, are my favorite albums of 2004:
The Delgados / Universal Audio
Their recent effort is cited as their "pop" album, but it also happens to be their most solid effort to date. This one forgoes symphonic touches to embrace guitar rock and catchy licks. It's awesome.
Must-hear track: Keep on Breathing
Joseph Arthur / Our Shadows Will Remain
Inching closer and closer to the mainstream, Joseph Arthur is becoming a music-industry darling. This is most mainstream-acceptable effort to date, so it lacks some of the darkness of almost decade-long career. Many of these songs show a refinement of Joseph's craft, and the results are a well-built album.
Must-hear track: Even Tho
Mark Knopfler / Shangri-La
Dire Straight's front man Mark Knopfler has a distinctive voice and and even more meorable style. He come into his own here, filled with subtlety and realism, a work of maturity.
Must-hear track: Boom Like That
The Great Crusades / Welcome to the Hiawatha Inn
The Crusades have perfected bar rock, and this album is the proof. Every track oozes with amazing power - I hesitate yet succumb to using the term tour de force - that leaves you breathless. This simply rocks.
Must-hear track: Drunkard on a Drunkard's Grave
The Beta Band / Heroes To Zeroes
The prog rock stalwarts know how to make a soundscape that is all-encompassing and accessible. It's easy to fall into obscurity doing this stuff, yet they managed to make want to hear it over again.
Must-hear track: Simple
Gomez / Split the Difference
These Brit-rockers don't get too much love Stateside, but release solid albums that are pleasing and simple. Not afraid to throw in strings or Jazz tones, they may not be as flashy as the current Brits, but they sure can create an amazing set of tunes.
Must-hear track: Do One
Jem / Finally Woken
There is just something about a female voice that exhibits power - it knocks me off of my feet. Jem's debut is filled with cross-genre takes from reggae to sultry bar tunes, but her voice is what resonates.
Must-hear track: Missing You
Rachael Yamagata / Happenstance
Rachael will be compared to Norah way too much - what a shame. I find her much more interesting, more gritty, more passionate, more... real. There's just something here that I can relate to.
Must-hear track: Reason Why
Finley Quaye / Much More Than Much Love
An unmistakable style and a great voice - Finley Quaye has a unique talent. Don't let the pop-accessibility fool you, though. He's a great lyricist and wonderful musician, and this album showcases considerable progress over earlier efforts.
Must-hear track: Living Without You
Snow Patrol / Final Straw
A solid rock album, part of that rush of bands that hit it doing a poppy-punk-esque style. This one is my favorite simply because it shows the most depth and variety.
Must-hear track: Somewhere a Clock is Ticking
Pete Yorn / Day I Forgot
Don't forget Pete Yorn! A super-soulful album from a darling singer-songwriter... how can you go wrong? Pete Yorn's second effort leave little to be desired - pleases to the last track.
Must-hear track: Crystal Village
VAST / Nude
So under-appreciated it hurts. Please buy this album - you won't hear anything else this haunting and real coming out of 2004. It's epic, really - in scope, sound, reach, feeling - you can tell that it's all here.
Must-hear track: Don't Take Your Love Away
The Crystal Method / Legion of Boom
Rock and electronica fused - and masterfully so. These guys really have it here. It's non-stop, pounding, serious... Jump right in and hold on.
Must-hear track: I Know It's You
I'm sure that I'm missing some, so check back soon for a follow up and maybe some honorable mentions, too!
The Delgados / Universal Audio
Their recent effort is cited as their "pop" album, but it also happens to be their most solid effort to date. This one forgoes symphonic touches to embrace guitar rock and catchy licks. It's awesome.
Must-hear track: Keep on Breathing
Joseph Arthur / Our Shadows Will Remain
Inching closer and closer to the mainstream, Joseph Arthur is becoming a music-industry darling. This is most mainstream-acceptable effort to date, so it lacks some of the darkness of almost decade-long career. Many of these songs show a refinement of Joseph's craft, and the results are a well-built album.
Must-hear track: Even Tho
Mark Knopfler / Shangri-La
Dire Straight's front man Mark Knopfler has a distinctive voice and and even more meorable style. He come into his own here, filled with subtlety and realism, a work of maturity.
Must-hear track: Boom Like That
The Great Crusades / Welcome to the Hiawatha Inn
The Crusades have perfected bar rock, and this album is the proof. Every track oozes with amazing power - I hesitate yet succumb to using the term tour de force - that leaves you breathless. This simply rocks.
Must-hear track: Drunkard on a Drunkard's Grave
The Beta Band / Heroes To Zeroes
The prog rock stalwarts know how to make a soundscape that is all-encompassing and accessible. It's easy to fall into obscurity doing this stuff, yet they managed to make want to hear it over again.
Must-hear track: Simple
Gomez / Split the Difference
These Brit-rockers don't get too much love Stateside, but release solid albums that are pleasing and simple. Not afraid to throw in strings or Jazz tones, they may not be as flashy as the current Brits, but they sure can create an amazing set of tunes.
Must-hear track: Do One
Jem / Finally Woken
There is just something about a female voice that exhibits power - it knocks me off of my feet. Jem's debut is filled with cross-genre takes from reggae to sultry bar tunes, but her voice is what resonates.
Must-hear track: Missing You
Rachael Yamagata / Happenstance
Rachael will be compared to Norah way too much - what a shame. I find her much more interesting, more gritty, more passionate, more... real. There's just something here that I can relate to.
Must-hear track: Reason Why
Finley Quaye / Much More Than Much Love
An unmistakable style and a great voice - Finley Quaye has a unique talent. Don't let the pop-accessibility fool you, though. He's a great lyricist and wonderful musician, and this album showcases considerable progress over earlier efforts.
Must-hear track: Living Without You
Snow Patrol / Final Straw
A solid rock album, part of that rush of bands that hit it doing a poppy-punk-esque style. This one is my favorite simply because it shows the most depth and variety.
Must-hear track: Somewhere a Clock is Ticking
Pete Yorn / Day I Forgot
Don't forget Pete Yorn! A super-soulful album from a darling singer-songwriter... how can you go wrong? Pete Yorn's second effort leave little to be desired - pleases to the last track.
Must-hear track: Crystal Village
VAST / Nude
So under-appreciated it hurts. Please buy this album - you won't hear anything else this haunting and real coming out of 2004. It's epic, really - in scope, sound, reach, feeling - you can tell that it's all here.
Must-hear track: Don't Take Your Love Away
The Crystal Method / Legion of Boom
Rock and electronica fused - and masterfully so. These guys really have it here. It's non-stop, pounding, serious... Jump right in and hold on.
Must-hear track: I Know It's You
I'm sure that I'm missing some, so check back soon for a follow up and maybe some honorable mentions, too!
