Favorite Albums of 2004

[ToroRojo]

Autolux - Future Perfect

Mastodon - Leviathan

[soundguy]

did Metallica St. Anger come out in 1994?

dave

[NeglectedFred]

I'm sure everyone here will belittle me for this one, but I'd have to say I really love the sound of the new Nickelback album. I don't care for the band, and don't care for their songs, but everytime I hear it I want to burn down my studio because it sounds so freaking huge. I think it's called 'the long road', or something like that?? That sound may not be for everyone, but even those of us who want it can't get it. Props to the engineer!

I can't wait to see how many negative responses I get!

[soundguy]

I posted something similar to that in regards to the last jet record, good for a great laugh if you can search for that thread.

dave

[ccjones]

Mark Lanegan-Bubblegum

[Ivon]

I posted something similar to that in regards to the last jet record, good for a great laugh if you can search for that thread.

dave

I haven't read the entire thread yet, but so far I'm larghing me arse off. I love how we all get bitchy and protective about music. I was actually going to post a thread asking, "Bands like JET...How do they get away with it?!" But, forget it. It's been covered.

Anyway, I honestly want to like that song, "Look What You've Done"...I'm a Uuge Beatles fan...but - HOW do they (bands like JET) get away with it?!!! It's a complete fucking rip off, completey unoriginal, yet it's getting major airplay 35+ years after the fact! My only guess is that it's because the record companies know they're dealing with a formula that's been tried and true for nearly 40 years. Cute boys + proven formula = ducats. Am I wrong?!

So...I've been listening to some new stuff (2004). I'm digging The Postal Service, Ruby Doe, Bjork/Medulla, Aqueduct...but I gotta say nothing in 2004 gave me a proverbial hard on. But, for hump sakes, I'll vote Modest Mouse. I'm not so hard for their compositions, but I really dig their sound and feel. Bad News honestly puts me to sleep in a good way. I feel comfortable listening to it. Listening to the album is like living through one of the many melancholy, rainy days of the pacific northwest. After I've listened to the whole thing, I feel lighter, I feel surreal, I am at home. I really dig their instrumentation too...banjos with horns, I dig it. Original.

[Marc Alan Goodman]

The Book of Knots. For real. This will break your brain.

Medulla

A Ghost is Born - Wilco

Smile - Brian Wilson (does that count?)

Jolie Holland

Real Gone - (Not my all time favorite Tom yet, but I'll give it some time to grow on me. It rambles a little bit, but it's still amazing)


I dunno. Most of what I fell for this year is old stuff I'd never listen too before.

[dumbangel]

Joanna Newsom -- Milk-eyed mender

Sufjan Stevens -- 7 swans

David Grubbs -- a guess at the riddle

Bjork -- Medulla

Thomas Belhom -- Remedios

Gonzales -- Solo piano

The necks -- Mosquito/See through

and Brian Wilson -- Smile

[rfbutter]

MF Doom, mm food
Elliot Smith, From a basement on a hill
Madvillian, Madvillany

[denial]

Nick Cave:
Abattoir Blues & The Lyre of Orpheus.

Although released in 2002, check out:
"Strange Bird" by an Australian band called "Augie March".
Fantastic record.

[punkrockdude]

.:Rise Against - The Siren Song Of Counter Culture:.
This is their debut on a major label and some things shows that. For example the acoustic guitars in one or two of the songs. Anyway, this record is great. It isn't as good as their 2003 album Revolutions Per Minute but it is close. If you like high punk/hardcore, high speed drums, screaming and ordinary sang vocals.

.:Keane - Hopes And Fears:.
Lovely, smooth and relaxing music. Track number one is amazing and so are the rest of the album.

.:None More Black - Loud About Loathing EP:.
I love this band. The singer sings like he has been drinking whiskey his whole life and nothing else. Normal speed Punk Rock which sounds refreshing.

.ulley - Matters:.
This is the first album with Pulley which really caught my attention. Strange that their earlier records hasn't made me interested even though they are really good. Melodic, fast punk rock like Lagwagon, NOFX, but with their own touch.

.:The Distance - Your Closest Enemies EP:.
This is angry music. These guys haven't had an easily life i guess. The music is pissed off Punk Hardcore which may create a riot so don't put it on in public.

There are other great album from 2004 from bands like Strung Out, Damn Sunday Drivers, Teen Foot Pole, Social Distortion, The Vandals etc...

[syrupcore]

I'm old. I keep buying old records. Some one convinced me to buy that 'The Streets' record. wtf?

I liked the JN record too. the cover alone was reason to own it.
Kanye West. Yup.
bjork
fennesz. he still amazes me.

biggest dissappointment: sonic nurse

[Ivon]

.:Keane - Hopes And Fears:.
Lovely, smooth and relaxing music. Track number one is amazing and so are the rest of the album.

Ya know, I like that album too, come to think of it. Some good bass grooves on the record. I think Sunshine and Untitled are my favorites from that one. Kinda Smiths with some Beach Boy-esque ambient backing vox at times.

[Cellotron]

stuff to groove with:
Antibalas: Who Is This America?
Sanda Weigl: Gypsy Killer
Mission Of Burma: On Off On

and for the cello/string fanatics out there:
Zoe Keating: One Cello x 16
Maya Beiser: World To Come
Philip Glass: Naqoyqatsi
Rachels: Systems/Layers
Invert: Between The Seconds (shameless self promotion on this one!!)

Best regards,
Steve Berson

[segaface]

Although released in 2002, check out:
"Strange Bird" by an Australian band called "Augie March".
Fantastic record.

Ahh yes, my favorite record of 2004!

I thought I was the only one...