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| From | "Chuck Limmer" <climmer@cox.net> |
| Subject | Audities Member Poll: 2003 Top 20 CDs |
| Date | Wed, 14 Jan 2004 23:39:48 -0700 |
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Mike and other Auditeers:
I tried to paint inside the lines with the following, attempting to stay more-or-less inside the bounds of Audities' well-established pop sensibilities. Whether you call it Indie Pop, Pop Underground, Adult Alternative Pop Rock, or some other label-du-jour, here's what stuck in my ear this year (with brief comments, if I had something to say):
01 WELCOME INTERSTATE MANAGERS--Fountains Of Wayne (S-Curve) A hundred listens later, I still love "Stacy's Mom." So does my seven-year-old son.
02 ON AND ON--Jack Johnson (Moonshine Conspiracy/ Universal) Worthy sequel to Johnson's platinum debut, BRUSHFIRE FAIRYTALES. Warmly evocative, acoustic singer-songwriter pop, with influences ranging from folk to blues.
03 THE THORNS--The Thorns (Aware/ Columbia) The classic rock touchpoints may be too obvious at times, but the group's harmonies are still terrific.
04 BRIGHT YELLOW BRIGHT ORANGE--The Go-Betweens (Jetset) Overlooked in the U.S. during their '80s heyday, the Go-Betweens reunited in 2000 after a 12-year split. Core members Robert Forster and Grant McLennan are still brilliant, and they trade off songwriting duties and lead vocals here on a strong set of smart, melodic pop-rock.
05 BLACKBIRD ON A LONELY WIRE--Will Hoge (Atlantic) Major-label follow-up to his remarkable DIY debut, 2001's CAROUSEL. Guitar-based roots rock that benefits from Hoge's alternately gritty and tender vocals. Listen to the heartbroken ballad, "King Of Grey," and you'll want to hear more.
06 HEROES AND VILLAINS--Paloalto (American Recordings) Featuring the songwriting and soaring tenor of of lead vocalist James Grundler, this includes one of the most-gorgeous pop songs I heard in 2003, "Sleeping Citizens."
07 DOLL REVOLUTION--The Bangles (Koch) With harmonies and jangling guitars still intact, a solid return after 15 years apart.
08 LIZ PHAIR--Liz Phair (Capitol) Blatantly commercial, but it worked.
09 HEAVIER THINGS--John Mayer (Columbia) Worth owning for the irresistable pop-rock of "Only Heart," alone.
10 WHAT'S IN THE BAG--Marshall Crenshaw (Razor & Tie) After 20+ years, a true pop survivor. One of my heroes.
11 STOP ALL THE WORLD NOW--Howie Day (Epic) Another artist who got the majors' attention with a successful indie release (2000's AUSTRALIA, recorded when Day was all of 19). This one's better; stronger songs and expert production, well-served by Day's heartfelt vocals.
12 SKYWATCHING--Pete Droge (Puzzle Tree) One-third of The Thorns, and worth hearing in his own right.
13 SO MUCH FOR THE CITY--The Thrills (Virgin) Who would've guessed it? The most-convincing evocation of '60s-'70s California rock to be recorded in 2003, from a bunch of Dubliners. Can't wait to hear what they do next.
14 CHUTES TOO NARROW--The Shins (Sub Pop) Atmospheric, bittersweet guitar pop with airy lead and harmony vocals, wonderfully inventive melodies, and retro touches of late '60s psychedelia.
15 SHOOTENANNY!--Eels (Dreamworks) More idiosyncratic pop-rock from one-man-band Mark Everett ("E").
16 DAY I FORGOT--Pete Yorn (Columbia)
17 SOME DEVIL--Dave Matthews (RCA)
18 ROONEY--Rooney (Geffen) Power pop by-the-numbers. Great if you're a fan of the genre; otherwise, not so much.
19 KINGS RD WORKS--Michael Carpenter & King's Rd (Not Lame) Good stuff, but didn't connect for me the same way Michael's solo recodings have.
20 AFTERGLOW--Sarah McLachlan (Arista)
Wish I'd had more time to spend with the year-end releases, but deadlines are deadlines, right? As always, kudos to Mike for his hard work in crunching the numbers (and keeping track of revised ballots).
Looking forward to the final poll results,
Chuck Limmer
n.p. "Throwing Stones," Paloalto, HEROES AND VILLAINS
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