As the music director of a college radio station that no one listens to, mainly because it doesn't even have a frequency, I often think myself more important than I actually am. But it appears someone agrees with me.
I got an e-mail this past week from Kyle Munson, music critic/columnist for The Des Moines Register. Actually, KDCS Bulldog Radio got the e-mail, but anything music is my domain, foo. So back off. In it, he said that he was preparing for his year-end wrap up and was looking to hear from various other people with "deeply held convictions about music." He then asked for my top 5 albums of 2004.
Several hours later, I awoke in a daze. The sheer power and perceived influence I felt at that one moment had apparently overwhelmed my nervous system and I failed to maintain biological homostasis. In other words, I fainted like a little girl. But now I was beside myself with joy and also, trepidation. This is quite a bit of pressure. My musical opinions published for the world (well, Greater Des Moines area) to see, my very self laid bare for ridicule and scorn. What do I do? Do I go with my gut and talk about my favorite albums? Do I pick five random indie albums from our collection in a desperate grab for street cred?
This incredible dilemma has not yet been resolved. I think my list is almost solid and settled, but I need to hear from my favorite Internet people before I make up my mind. So hit me - what have your favorite albums been this year? And apparently, live and reissued albums count, if that's your sort of thing. And remember, my life depends on this.
Okay, not really. But the fact that I've thought more about this than any of my projects due this week probably says something about my priorities.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
16 comments:
I don't even think I bought any new albums this year, Tim. But I doubt you were asking my advice anyways. Nevertheless, the top album this year, along with every year, has to be Goldfinger's self-titled debut album from 1996. THERE's your list right there.
argh, I keep forgetting to put the little "--Jake" after my comments. I guess I'll have to sign up for your damn blogger whathaveyou after all, just out of convinence.
Here we go. Hahahahaha, now you think you have three interesting comments when you just have one long stupid one from me. VICTORY IS MINE.
This year? Well, let me think. I really enjoyed lots of releases this year, but I think you want some indie groups that no one has heard of right? Or something with some indie cred, but a solidified mainstream following perhaps. Well in any case here are the bands that I most enjoyed in 2004.
1. Cake: Not nessarily their most recent album "Pressure Cheif," although it did offer two good songs "No Phone" and "Wheels" which rock my socks off. The rest are so-so. But it made me go back and listen to all the glory Cake albums (all the ones before this one). Good stuff.
2. Franz Ferdinand's self titled debut. I know, how hipster of me to like FF. But they put out a solid CD. Plus they're Scotish. And my NAME is Scott. Coincedence, yeah. Like the Republican National Convention and the killing of children/puppies/care bears is a coincedence. Also, there's this hilarious gay love song on the album called "Michael" but they claim they didn't know it had any homo-overtones. But seriously, after hearing that I want to wear tight cutoff jeans and hang out at the YMCA. Possibly because I planned on those things anyway, but it's enough to make you wonder.
Not to mention how rare it is to find a CD where every track agrees with you. It's not necessarily a musically genious production, nor is it revolutionary, but every song says *something* it speaks to me, and it makes me want to shake my moneymaker. Which I promptly do.
3. The Arcade Fire: Funeral. Excellent offering from one of Canada's best indie bands. This is music for me when I'm in that certain Arcade Fire type mood. Really cleverly done and musically intricate. The 7 song CD includes a suite of four inter-related songs that tell the tale of a neighborhood important to the band. In fact, each track is named Neighborhood (Fill in name here). For instance, Neigborhood #1 (Laika). Good stuff, I suggest you check it out.
4. The everlasting Social Distortion. They came out with an album this year (Sex, Love and Rock 'n Roll) that I really enjoyed. Then I heard it on Smallville. Bonus! The track "Reach for the Sky" pretty much makes you want to run a mile, break something, and then kick someone's ass. Which should be the new Triathlon. Any band that has been around as longs as these guys and doesn't suck ass is always worth checking out.
5. The Shins: Chutes Too Narrow. Yeah I know it came out in 2003, but I didn't get into them much until after Garden State. So it's new to me. Great album, I mean; it's The Shins. They have a capitol "the" before their name. Who's gonna question that? Nobody, that's who.
So, that's my list. It's not in any particular order except the one that I thought of them in, and it's completely arbitrary. And in 10 minutes I might not feel the same way. In fact, I've already changed my mind on a few. But what can I say? It's set in stone. And pixels. So there it is - Scott
Tim...
I don't care if you're filling out #2 through #5 with albums put out by Radio Disney, but you know that #1 should be the new Jimmy Eat World. Because if it isn't, I'm gonna make you buy a tattered rugby jersey so you can kill yourself.
What the hell is this?! No one posting? I really wanted to see everyone's top five. Maybe we should re-post over at Rob's. My site gets no comments these days either. Seriously people, post something even if it's lame. - Scott
Alright. So here's my picks:
Top CD that I wish would have came out just a hair later so it could be your #1 pick, and I think it's awesome: Zebrahead (MFZB)
Top New "Rock" Band on the Scene: Shinedown (Leave a Whisper)
Top 80s/90s Throwback Band (a.k.a. Best usage of MIDI Synth): The Killers (Hot Fuzz)
Top Band That I expected to be dead in the industry by now but thier new CD isn't near as bad as thier last 12: Green Day (American Idiot)
Top Overhyped CD: U2 (Atomic Bomb)
Top Should Never Have Happened CD(s): Nelly (Suit) and (Sweat)
But the one I REALLY think you should include: I'm going with Jake and saying Goldfinger... or Zebrahead. Man, I wonder when Lisa Loeb is going to be putting out a new album...
Tim!
I not only read your blog but now I'm posting! Props for finally blogging about a topic worth the time to chime in about. That's a joke.
But I won't actually, because:
1) We've already discussed it
2) We came to ALMOST the same conclusions- Western Front and the Killers rock, but I've never been too into Jimmy Eat World (sorry)
3) Your friend "Scotty" is a genius and my new best friend for putting Franz Ferdinand and the Arcade Fire on his list, but he loses points for naming the Shins because Chutes Too Narrow was released in 2003. The Garden State and Spongebob soundtrack, however, was 2004... so I guess that's partial credit.
Sorry, Scotty...are you a hotty? Because I think we could make this work between us, you and I.
So there you go. And I don't care if you don't care. You'll all be sorry when I'm Mrs. Westernfrontband... or Mrs. Bosby.
JENNY RICHARDS!!!! The end.
-Keri
Keri, first of all yes: I am a hotty. And just for a little added info, I didn't give myself that name. And it isn't one of those ironic names like 'Tiny' and the guy's a linebacker. No, it's one of those obvious name. Like Oscar the Grouch. Or "the scarecrow" for the scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz.
Secondly, I *know* it came out in 2003. But I liked it, and I mentioned that so I left it in. And Thirdly, there's no 'making' it work with me. When the Scotty charm starts flowing you can't stop it. You can divert it with sandbags, but that only buys you a little time. Time you should spend dolling up. - Scott
Scott-
See you almost had me there for a second until you committed the cardinal message board sin of triple posting. And don't blame it on our computer. We all know you just got excited by my advances and in your haste to win me, posted not once but three times.
And I KNOW you know about the shins album. I can read you know. I was just reiterating to make sure everyone else knew... I think its important to note that you failed to mention the Spongebob album on the list of 2004 albums with the Shins on it.
So anyway, I'm glad you're hot. It's a relief, honestly. So are you free this weekend? I'll be sure to get "dolled up" and show you around the fabulous metropolis that is Dez Moinez.
Thank you, Tim, by the way for allowing us to turn your blog into a online dating service. You're a good friend.
Travis- see I have a hard time listing Elliott Smith, because he is... well... dead. I know, I know... it just creeps me out a little.
-Keri
Hey, speaking of Travis, I accidentally deleted his reply. That's what I get for trying to clean up after Scott's triple posting mess like he's a bad puppy. (Yeah, I stole the joke, Scott.) Man, it was his first time too. Sorry, Trav. Come back sometime. I promise I won't delete your post. Anyway, he brought up Elliot Smith's "From a Basment on a Hill." And also posted a link to his blog - xanga.com/chickenthug7
Which is a great name for a blog.
Dez Moinez? Wow, sounds just a bit too urban for me. That Iowa is a rough state, it really is the New York of the Midwest. I'll just go ahead and apologize to everyone for Tim's mad deletion of posts, it's not his fault he just has no aim with that thing. Don't worry I don't have that problem.
Sorry for acting like you didn't know I knew it was released in 2003. I just thought you didn't know that I knew, but now I know that you knew that I knew. So it's all good. As far as the 'dolled up' thing goes, Timmy assured me that you're fine. So don't worry about it.
So, Timmy when are you going to post *your* list. The one you wanted our opinions on? Mr. Post-a-demand-and-delete-other's-comments. Pfft. Well I'm in that writing class again, so I'm out for now. - Scott
Here are my top 5 albums. They are genius. No joke. And to add some suspense I shall put them in reverse order.
5. A Clay Aiken Christmas.
4. Ashlee Simpson "Sings" Autobiography
3. Lindsey Lohan (I dont know the name of this album--I'm too busy drooling over the album cover.
2.Kermit the Frog sings Rolling Stones greatest hits
1.William Shatner's spoken word disc.
GENIUS I TELL YOU!!!
Post a Comment