smoe.org mailing lists
ivan@stellysee.de
| From | "David Bash" <bashpop@earthlink.net> |
| Subject | John Borack's Favorites of 2003 |
| Date | Wed, 14 Jan 2004 00:29:39 -0800 |
[Part 1 text/plain Windows-1252 (3.1 kilobytes)]
(View Text in a separate window)
John Borack asked me to post his lists of favorites for 2003. To quote Jim
Lange, "and here they are..."
David
1. Fountains of Wayne - Welcome Interstate Managers (S-Curve)
OK, this may not be the most imaginative choice for a numero uno, but show
me any record that has this many grabby tunes and cheeky-smart lyrics and
I'll show you the last FOW album. Not perfect---some of the slower tunes
drag---but still, it's the level to which all other "pop" bands should
aspire to reaching.
2. Soul Engines - Closer Still (no label listed)
Whoa, this baby sure came out of nowhere. From what I've been told, all of
the previous releases by this east coast combo sucked pretty severely, but
the combination of the band's ace vocal harmonies, ringing guitars and
strong song after strong song makes this one golden.
3. Walter Clevenger and the Dairy Kings - Full Tilt & Swing (Brewery)
Clevenger's mastery of the Nick Lowe-like brand of country rockin' seems
almost effortless at this point, and this release finds him to be at the top
of his game. His band just so happens to kick ass, too.
4. The Singles - Better Than Before (Rainbow Quartz)
A smashing debut by this young Detroit quartet that sounds like the Cavern
Club-era Beatles wired on uppers, with the ghost of Buddy Holly showing up
to crash the party.
5. The Blondes - Swedish Heat (Teenacide)
Glam lives and these guys are out to prove it, with insanely catchy tunes
littered with glitter among the homages to teenage foxes, California
sunshine and Suzi Quatro.
6. Farrah - Me Too (Rock Indiana)
Old school power pop lives and these Brits do it up right, throwing in a
marvelous, downcast version of Joe Jackson's "It's Different For Girls."
7. The Winnerys - and...The Winnerys (Rock Indiana)
The Spanish Spongetones? The Rutles en Espanol? "Deface el Musico?" Whatever
you wanna dub it, these Spaniards have their Beatles moves down pat, and
they up the ante with a whole crowd of sturdy tunes.
8. The Playmates - Listen! (K.O.G.A.)
Ace Japanese power pop, brimming with fun, energy and lyrics I can't
understand for the life of me. No matter---these boys rock and have fun
doing while doing so.
9. Myracle Brah - Treblemaker (Rainbow Quartz)
Definitely the best since their debut, methinks, but leaning more towards
garagey sounds than the debut album's Badfingery pure pop that so many loved
(and a few detested).
10. Jet - Get Born (Elektra)
Any band that can rip off---oh, excuse me, BORROW---riffs from hoary '70s
icons like Iggy Pop, T. Rex and Bachman Turner Freaking Overdrive and turn
them all into something quite memorable is worthy of attention. Note: in
addition to rocking like the proverbial mother, the Jet boys also can pen a
nice ballad.
10 GREAT SONGS NOT ON ANY OF THE ABOVE ALBUMS:
1. "Cover Letter" - The Preoccupied Pipers
2. "Doll Revolution" - The Bangles
3. "Drop the Pilot" - Mandy Moore
4. "Maria" - The Effection
5. "This is a Valentine" - Model Rockets
6. "Ooh Mama Mama" - Chris von Sneidern
7. "Planet Tokyo" - Puffy AmiYumi
8. "Girlfriend" - Matt Beckley
9. "More Than I Can Do" - The Villas
10. "Desperation Time" - The Popdudes
For assistance, please contact
the smoe.org administrators.