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| From | Richard Gagnon <gasp@aga.ca> |
| Subject | Top 15 |
| Date | Fri, 16 Jan 2004 23:04:13 -0500 |
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1. Sparks Lil Beethoven
This would have been my #1 in almost any year. What a joy of an
album, and what a great show they gave in New York. It was their
year, as far as I'm concerned.
2. Pernice Brothers Yours, Mine And Ours
Another lovely album, but boy, the show they gave in Montreal last
summer *really* sucked. That was because the band showed up late for
their sound check and the sound guy was a spiteful little weasel who
didn't care about the audience caught between him and the band. The
Tyde, who'd arrived with the Pernice Bros got muddy sound. The
Sadies. who were there early, got crystal-clear sound. Then it was
back to muddy for the Brothers. Joe had to shout every song, which
clearly does his voice a disservice. Subtlety? Harmonies? Sure didn't
hear any of that. And the solo acoustic sections Joe did everywhere
else? Nope. All Joe said all evening was a string of icily sarcastic
"thanks, we really appreciate it. Thanks very much" while staring at
the sound guy. But hey, it doesn't take anything away from my
enjoyment of the album.
3. Alain Chamfort Le Plaisir
The big surprise for me this year. I hadn't enjoyed anything of his
since 1975. After that, he worked with Serge Gainsbourg, which turned
his work to utter sh*t if you ask me. This one shouldn't be any
different, but somehow that arrangements and melodies really stick
this time. There's a very amusing video online for the single, "Le
grand retour" at http://www.delabel.com (chamfort's listed under
"rock").
4. The Minus 5 Down With Wilco
5. Webb Brothers s/t
6. Mandy Moore Coverage
Okay, that was a surprise too. She's certainly won my respect. Let's
see what she does next.
7. The Darkness Permission to land
8. Warren Zevon The Wind
9. Lindsay Buckingham Gift of Screws
Someone on this list was complaining about the Fleetwood Mac album
and how an ideal version would remove most of the Stevie Nicks songs.
How about all of them? Don't know if this is eligible, since it's a
boot, but I don't care. I love it.
10. Dwight Yoakam - Population: Me
11. Outkast Speakerboxx
12. Eels Shootenanny
13. Steely Dan Everything must go
14. Shalabi Effect - Osama
15. Bangles Doll Revolution
I got my hands on the Bangles' first ep a couple of days before my
friend bought Doll Revolution. The loss of spirit between the two is
so palpable that it really dampened my enthusiasm for the new
material. ONce again, the difference between passion and mere
professionalism.
Rick
np: David & Jonathan sing the Hits (a fan club collection of Roger
Cook & Reger Greenaway demos. Splendid!)
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