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Michael Scrutchin · Posted: 08.09.2004 1:58 am Post subject: Music of 2004

In homage to Cold's Music of 2003 thread, which he started last year around this time...

(Where is Cold, by the way?)

As usual, I'm far behind on the year's releases, but I've been loving Wilco's A Ghost is Born and Sonic Youth's Sonic Nurse. Sonic Youth has always been a band I admired more than loved, but I'm head-over-heels for this album. The allmusic.com critic said it's "probably the band's best balance of pop melodies and avant-leaning structures since Washing Machine." I'd agree, and I can't get enough of it. Sonic Nurse and A Ghost is Born are my two favorites of the year so far, and they have a common link in Sonic Youth's Jim O'Rourke, who co-produced and mixed A Ghost is Born (he had previously mixed Wilco's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot).

I regrettably picked up The Cure's self-titled CD. Bleh. I suppose it's not bad, but Robert Smith's unfocused wailing gets really annoying really quick. None of the songs stick for me. My favorite Cure albums are Pornography, Disintegration, and Bloodflowers -- I love those dark, sweeping, beautiful soundscapes -- but the rest of The Cure's catalog has been a mixed bag for me. I should've known better.

Albums I've heard a bit of and I'm eager to listen to entirely include Modest Mouse's Good News for People Who Love Bad News, Sufjan Stevens' Seven Swans, Loretta Lynn's Van Lear Rose, Dizzee Rascal's Boy in Da Corner, and the new records by Guided by Voices, Paul Kelly, and Onelinedrawing.

I'm also eagerly awaiting Elliott Smith's final album (out in November, I think).

What about you? Got any favorites from this year yet? Disappointments?
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the night watchman · Posted: 08.09.2004 7:44 pm Post subject:

I'm so far behind the times it's almost embarrassing. Just heard the Velvet Revolver record last Thursday. Not bad; I liked the late-80s/early 90s non-grunge sound (not that I have anything against grunge; just trying to catagorized that which needs no catagorization, like any good American). The last album I really dug was Audioslave's first effort. Jazz and Classical have been drawing my interest more than anything else lately. Is this the onset of fogey-itis?
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"If you're talking about censorship, and what things should be shown and what things shouldn't be shown, I've said that as an artist you have no social responsibility whatsoever."

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The Short Bus · Key Grip Joined: 23 Mar 2004 Posts: 36

the former fat boys are way better than wilco or any other garbage

i aint the typical dino you meet on the street

im 69 million year olds but only look 3

the night watchman · Posted: 08.09.2004 10:37 pm Post subject:

I still can't believe the Fat Boys didn't even get nominated for an Oscar for "Are You Ready for Freddy." I think that was the day I gave up on the Academy Awards.
_________________
"If you're talking about censorship, and what things should be shown and what things shouldn't be shown, I've said that as an artist you have no social responsibility whatsoever."

-David Cronenberg

matt header · Posted: 08.10.2004 6:17 pm Post subject:

My favorite album of the year so far is Madvillainy by Madvillain, which is absolutely brilliant. I've also liked Heroes to Zeros by The Beta Band, A Grand Don't Come For Free by the Streets, a ghost is born, E&A by Eyedea & Abilities, Uh Huh Her by PJ Harvey, and Since We Last Spoke by RJD2.

Ones I've heard and don't like: the new Coheed & Cambria album (I forget what it's called), Ghetto Pop Life by Danger Mouse & Jemini, and D12 World.

Oh, Van Lear Rose rocks as well.
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beltmann · Posted: 08.11.2004 1:56 am Post subject:

I've been meaning to buy Heroes to Zeros. I love the Beta Band. Thanks for the reminder!

Eric
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"When I was in Barcelona they showed pornography on regular television. I'm assuming it's the same way in Mexico since they also speak Spanish." - IMDb user comment

matt header · Posted: 08.11.2004 2:46 pm Post subject:

No problem! Supposedly it's the only album since their Three EPs that the band is entirely happy with (while "promoting" their self-titled album, they reportedly told everybody not to buy it since they disliked it so much). "Lion Thief" and "Liquid Bird" are highlights.
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"I don't like talking to people I know, but strangers I have no problem with." -- Larry David, "Curb Your Enthusiasm"

Erickson · Camera Operator Joined: 15 Mar 2004 Posts: 81

The new Rise Against album, Siren Song of The Counter Culture , in my opinion, is amazing, as well as the new Descendents release, Cool to be You .
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beltmann · Posted: 12.11.2004 9:01 pm Post subject:

I don't have the time (or initiative) to keep up with all the new music--there are dozens I've been meaning to check out--but of the albums I did buy this year, these are the ones I've listened to the most:

1. Wilco - a ghost is born ( an obvious choice for me, I know, but it can't be helped; played it more than any other by a wide margin)

2. A.C. Newman - The Slow Wonder

3. Bjork - Medulla

4. Loretta Lynn - Van Lear Rose

5. Snow Patrol - Final Straw

6. Elvis Costello - Delivery Man

7. Beta Band - Heroes to Zeros

8. John Cale - HoboSapiens

9. Tommy Stinson - Village Gorilla Head

10. Starsailor - Silence Is Easy

Close are Elbow, Brian Wilson, U2, Modest Mouse, Elliott Smith, and, I confess, Green Day. And I wish I could include The Format's Interventions & Lullabies, which I guess is technically 2003 but was a huge part of my 2004. (Thanks Stef!)

Eric
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"When I was in Barcelona they showed pornography on regular television. I'm assuming it's the same way in Mexico since they also speak Spanish." - IMDb user comment

the night watchman · Posted: 12.27.2004 8:32 pm Post subject:

So far the only new music I've listened to this year was (in order of preference):

A Perfect Circle Thirteenth Step

Audioslave Audioslave

Velvet Revolver Contraband

I also got Nirvana's With the Lights Out, which is technically new, but contains a lot of familiar songs.
_________________
"If you're talking about censorship, and what things should be shown and what things shouldn't be shown, I've said that as an artist you have no social responsibility whatsoever."

-David Cronenberg

beltmann · Posted: 12.27.2004 9:09 pm Post subject:

the night watchman · Posted: 12.27.2004 10:09 pm Post subject:

If you're a Nirvana fan, without a doubt. The DVD, which I haven't gotten all the way through yet, is especially fascinating--it could be home videos of people you knew way back when (well, people I knew). There are also many songs I've never heard, as well as different versions of familiar songs. If this kind of thing interests you, you certainly get your money's worth. It's the sort of thing that makes a celebrity "real."
_________________
"If you're talking about censorship, and what things should be shown and what things shouldn't be shown, I've said that as an artist you have no social responsibility whatsoever."

-David Cronenberg

beltmann · Posted: 12.27.2004 11:41 pm Post subject:

Even after all these years, I still think "All Apologies" is one of the greatest rock songs ever. I was a big fan of the "Seattle Sound" in the early Nineties, but Nirvana is the only band I keep returning to. Their material really holds up, and I remain a huge fan--is it strange that I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when I learned of Cobain's death? (Scouting apartments in Green Bay with my soon-to-be wife.)

Eric
_________________
"When I was in Barcelona they showed pornography on regular television. I'm assuming it's the same way in Mexico since they also speak Spanish." - IMDb user comment

the night watchman · Posted: 12.28.2004 1:42 am Post subject:

I heard it on KLOS, a rock station from LA, as I was driving to lunch from work. Strange day.

I still listen to a lot of that Seattle 90s rock, which is why I'm currently so out of sync with new music. I checked-out when rap-metal became popular, and am only now easing back into it.
_________________
"If you're talking about censorship, and what things should be shown and what things shouldn't be shown, I've said that as an artist you have no social responsibility whatsoever."

-David Cronenberg

Michael Scrutchin · Posted: 12.28.2004 2:11 am Post subject:

Although Elliott Smith's From a Basement on the Hill is basically a rough, unfinished album, it has quickly become one of my favorite Smith records -- almost up there with Either/Or and XO. The final mixes kinda sound like they were trying to polish what was intended to be rough and jagged, but somehow it works pretty well, and the songs are some of Smith's best -- so many warm, soft, beautiful melodies, occasionally giving way to chaotic but carefully orchestrated dissonance. It's hard not to wonder what could have been, but what's here is great.

If you haven't heard "Twilight," I urge you to download the MP3 here:

http://www.anti.com/artist.php?id=20

It's one of the best tracks on the album, beautiful and heartbreaking.

So, yeah, From a Basement on the Hill is one of my faves of the year, along with Wilco's A Ghost is Born, Sonic Youth's Sonic Nurse, Brian Wilson's Smile, and Green Day's American Idiot. But, regretfully, I haven't heard the new Elvis Costello and Tom Waits records -- and many, many others. So much music, so little time.
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