Tuesday, February 03, 2004
I’ve always thought it was somewhat egotistical and misleading that many so-called ‘music critics’ listen to perhaps 1% (or less) of all the albums released each year and then boldly proclaim their 5 or 10 favorites “the best” of that particular year. As such, I’ve always taken those critics’ polls with several large grains of salt (whatever that means) while still finding them to be very useful and entertaining reading. After browsing many annual ‘best of’ polls recently, I’ve discovered several seemingly worthwhile CDs that I’d missed or ignored previously. With all of that in mind, I’ve selected my favorite (not to be confused with ‘the best’) albums released in 2003 and am glad to share them here. I also picked a few other categories of dubious interest.
Bruce’s Favorite Albums of 2003 (in no particular order):
Kathleen Edwards – Failer
White Stripes – Elephant
New Pornographers – The Electric Version
Fountains Of Wayne – Welcome Interstate Managers
Drive-By Truckers – Decoration Day
Neil Young - Greendale
Ryan Adams – Love Is Hell Pt 1 & Pt 2
Jesse Malin – The Fine Art Of Self Destruction
Radiohead – Hail To The Thief
Likely to make Favorite Albums list after further listening: The Jayhawks – Rainy Day Music
Most Disappointing Album of 2003: Ryan Adams – Rock N Roll
Most Unjustly Overlooked Album of 2003: Shelby Lynne – Identity Crisis
Biggest Loss of 2003: Johnny Cash; Warren Zevon
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Shame on all of my alleged friends that missed the Strong Beer Festival in Scottsdale last month. Remember that a very wise man once said “a day not wasted….is a day wasted.”
Enough babbling already. Here’s what’s currently loaded in my CD player:
1) Elvis Costello – North
Over 25 years of listening, I’ve heard Costello transform himself from the ‘angry young man of the new wave’ circa 1979 into the cocktail lounge crooner he’s become. This sounds like a good late-night scotch drinking album. However, since I rarely stay up late these days and seldom drink scotch, it’s going to take a long time to fully absorb this album
2) Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – Take Them On, On Your Own
In this, my first dose of BRMC, I found lots of loud bluesy guitar and fuzzy bass and distortion and swagger. What’s not to like?
3) The Jayhawks – Rainy Day Music
The laidback harmonies remind me of the BoDeans or CS&N or any number of 70s era country rock bands. With a few more listens I’m sure this’ll make the favorites list of 2003.
4) Sun Kil Moon – Ghosts Of The Great Highway
This folk rock album by former Red House Painter leader Mark Kozelek got nothing but rave reviews upon release in late 2003. I find the acoustic numbers to be very satisfying, but overall the album could use some editing. Most of the 10 songs clock in at over 6 minutes; one drags on for 14:32. As most everybody who’s ever drank tequila with me knows, there can be too much of a good thing.
5) The Bad Plus – These Are The Vistas
This is the debut album from adventurous jazz trio that does clever takes on Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen spirit” and Blondie’s “Heart Of Glass”. Playful, dynamic, and irreverent, this is clearly not your grandfather’s jazz band.
6) White Stripes – Elephant
Finally an album good enough to justify all the hype over this band of the last few years. Great stuff.
TURNTABLE CORNER: Believe it or not, I still have a turntable. These are the most recent albums to cross it.
Garland Jeffreys – One Eyed Jack
I don’t remember how or when I got this 1978 album by the New York singer songwriter Jeffreys. The album is pleasant enough; sorta like Springsteen-lite.
Green On Red – Gas Food Lodging
This debut album by the late great former Tucson psychedelic alt-country band Green On Red was pressed out of translucent green vinyl in 1982. Really cool.
UK – Danger Money
I’ve always liked the self-titled debut album of this short-lived late 70s progressive rock band. This second LP from 1979 just wasn’t the same.
Thanks to all of you that have e-mailed using the link at the top of this page. Keep the e-mails coming, as it makes me feel like this is somewhat less of a waste of time.
As you were.
Bruce’s Favorite Albums of 2003 (in no particular order):
Kathleen Edwards – Failer
White Stripes – Elephant
New Pornographers – The Electric Version
Fountains Of Wayne – Welcome Interstate Managers
Drive-By Truckers – Decoration Day
Neil Young - Greendale
Ryan Adams – Love Is Hell Pt 1 & Pt 2
Jesse Malin – The Fine Art Of Self Destruction
Radiohead – Hail To The Thief
Likely to make Favorite Albums list after further listening: The Jayhawks – Rainy Day Music
Most Disappointing Album of 2003: Ryan Adams – Rock N Roll
Most Unjustly Overlooked Album of 2003: Shelby Lynne – Identity Crisis
Biggest Loss of 2003: Johnny Cash; Warren Zevon
____________________________________________________
Shame on all of my alleged friends that missed the Strong Beer Festival in Scottsdale last month. Remember that a very wise man once said “a day not wasted….is a day wasted.”
Enough babbling already. Here’s what’s currently loaded in my CD player:
1) Elvis Costello – North
Over 25 years of listening, I’ve heard Costello transform himself from the ‘angry young man of the new wave’ circa 1979 into the cocktail lounge crooner he’s become. This sounds like a good late-night scotch drinking album. However, since I rarely stay up late these days and seldom drink scotch, it’s going to take a long time to fully absorb this album
2) Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – Take Them On, On Your Own
In this, my first dose of BRMC, I found lots of loud bluesy guitar and fuzzy bass and distortion and swagger. What’s not to like?
3) The Jayhawks – Rainy Day Music
The laidback harmonies remind me of the BoDeans or CS&N or any number of 70s era country rock bands. With a few more listens I’m sure this’ll make the favorites list of 2003.
4) Sun Kil Moon – Ghosts Of The Great Highway
This folk rock album by former Red House Painter leader Mark Kozelek got nothing but rave reviews upon release in late 2003. I find the acoustic numbers to be very satisfying, but overall the album could use some editing. Most of the 10 songs clock in at over 6 minutes; one drags on for 14:32. As most everybody who’s ever drank tequila with me knows, there can be too much of a good thing.
5) The Bad Plus – These Are The Vistas
This is the debut album from adventurous jazz trio that does clever takes on Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen spirit” and Blondie’s “Heart Of Glass”. Playful, dynamic, and irreverent, this is clearly not your grandfather’s jazz band.
6) White Stripes – Elephant
Finally an album good enough to justify all the hype over this band of the last few years. Great stuff.
TURNTABLE CORNER: Believe it or not, I still have a turntable. These are the most recent albums to cross it.
Garland Jeffreys – One Eyed Jack
I don’t remember how or when I got this 1978 album by the New York singer songwriter Jeffreys. The album is pleasant enough; sorta like Springsteen-lite.
Green On Red – Gas Food Lodging
This debut album by the late great former Tucson psychedelic alt-country band Green On Red was pressed out of translucent green vinyl in 1982. Really cool.
UK – Danger Money
I’ve always liked the self-titled debut album of this short-lived late 70s progressive rock band. This second LP from 1979 just wasn’t the same.
Thanks to all of you that have e-mailed using the link at the top of this page. Keep the e-mails coming, as it makes me feel like this is somewhat less of a waste of time.
As you were.
