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| From | "Greg York" <yorkgreg@hotmail.com> |
| Subject | Top 20 |
| Date | Mon, 10 Jan 2005 11:47:49 -0600 |
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A tough year for me to rank. Lots of good ones, but nothing that jumps out
as the clear cut #1. No offense to any of you BB fanatics, but I wonder
what it means if something that was written/composed almost 40 years ago
ends up being the Audities #1 of 2004. Regardless,
1. Cliff Hillis - Better Living
Is John Faye influencing Cliff, or vice versa? Either way, it's all good.
2. Doug Gillard - Salamander
Who would've thought the best GBV related release of the year wouldn't have
the name Pollard on it somewhere? Pure pop, a guitar record that is somehow
hauntingly subdued yet rocking at the same time. Has occupied a permanent
place in my bedside CD player since I bought it.
3. Green Day - American Idiot
I'm not a fan, but this is really, really good. A solid collection of
tunes, offset only by the god-awful nasal whining of Billy Joe..
4. Tal Bachman - Staring Down the Sun
A fine 2nd effort, albeit 5 years in the making. If you enjoyed his first,
nothing that would turn you away here. Unfortunately, it remains criminally
unreleased everywhere but Canada.
5. The Rosenbergs - Department Store Girl
6. Digby - Fallin Up
Maybe not eligible, since it's some old/some new tunes. A lister earlier
noted a Cotton Mather vibe, and that's not far off.
7. AC Newman - Slow Wonder
8. Chris Stamey - Travels in South
Initially, I was disappointed. Repeated listening has allowed this to
reveal it's wonders to me. (I wish I could say the same about
Stringfellow's 2004 release, which I obtained about the same time as this).
9. Hindu Rodeo - Nalladaloobr
again, probably pushing eligibility as I know it rec'd some votes last year.
Loud guitars, stellar vocals, catchy tunes, and smart-ass lyrics. Fans
of FOW would probably enjoy.
10. My Brother - Open the Sky
It's Graham Elvis, bay-bee! Glammy/psychedelic/Beatles inspired pop of the
finest magnitude.
11. Velvet Crush - Stereo Blues
12. Neal Morse - One
Cheating, because I like this mostly for the bonus disk.
13. Bigger Lovers - This Affair Never Happened
14. Dogs Die In Hot Cars
Sometimes I like it, sometimes I don't. I guess I do more than I don't.
The bastard offspring of Andy Partridge, David Byrne & A-ha.
15. Adam Marsland - You Don't Know Me
16. King Radio - You Are the Sick Passenger
17. Soundtrack of Our Lives - Origin I
18. Eugene Edwards - My Favorite Revolution
19. Guided By Voices - Half Smiles of the Decomposed
A swansong of sorts. However, I was hoping for something a little better.
20. Chris Stamey & Yo La Tengo - V.O.T.E.
Again, the number of covers probably makes this ineligible. But props for
taking one of my favorite songs ever (Venus De Milo) and making it even
cooler.
thanks for the indulgence.
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