best of 2004 (so far)

[earl grey]

now that we're into march, i think we've hit critical mass of new stuff (released or leaked) to start talking about top albums. so - what are your favorite 2004 releases so far?

for me:

franz ferdinand - franz ferdinand
TV on the radio - desperate youth, blood thirsty babes
ghost - hypnotic underworld
electrelane - the power out
sufjan stevens - seven swans

also, i might throw the air album up there. i wasn't a huge fan at first, but it grew on me and continues to get better and better. and there's a ton of stuff i feel i still need to hear. (partly the reason for this thread....)

[johansen smith]

electrelane : the power out
nellie mckay : get away from me
sufjan stevens : seven swans

[Futureman]

For me:

The Walkmen--Bows and Arrows (this will be edged out before the year is over)
Deerhoof--Milk Man (awesome)

I'm still undecided on Ghost. It's the whole prog rock thing. Is it great? Or is it cheese?

Still waiting to hear:

TV on the Radio
Sufjan Stevens
90 Day Men
Weird War

[earl grey]

Originally posted by Futureman

I'm still undecided on Ghost. It's the whole prog rock thing. Is it great? Or is it cheese?


both, i think, but mainly great. it's totally over the top in spots but i don't mind. my main issue with it is that too many of the songs feel like interludes between the louder tracks.

[9000]

top listens so far:

thomas fehlmann - visions of blah
dj koze - all people is my friends
liars - they were wrong (here comes the shit storm)

still want to hear: weird war, sufjan stevens, walkmen
if the LP is like the EP, i still won't understand the hype: franz ferdinand

[earl grey]

Originally posted by 9000

if the LP is like the EP, i still won't understand the hype: franz ferdinand

it's catchy as hell - more than any other discopunk i know - and i love the beats. i'm not sure what they'll do for their next album, or if i'll be past it in six months, but right now i am loving it. the EP is good, but the album is way better. (the morgan geist mix of "take me out" is ace too.)

[vesper]

TV on the Radio, Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes
Electrelane, The Power Out
Tortoise, It's All Around You

Those are the only 3 that I've consistenly loved. Oneida and Weird War grow on me every time I hear them. Deerhoof sounded better today than it did a week ago. Kanye West, Liars, The Walkmen, Destroyer and Kaada have each lost a little steam, though the latter two haven't lost much. I haven't heard Ghost yet -- someone tell me: given the little you know about me, will I dig it?

[9000]

Originally posted by earl grey
it's catchy as hell - more than any other discopunk i know - and i love the beats.

first, collectively, something needs to be done about the term "discopunk". i too am guilty of using this henious terminology when too lazy to come up other descriptions, but discopunk has just got to go. the 70's coined "no wave" and we're stuck with "discopunk" geesh.

there is just something too clean and glossy about the FF tracks i've heard. i wouldn't even put them in that aforementioned category above. maybe the music is just too happy for me. bah. i'll let you know if i come around.

[tinobeat]

the 2004 awesomest-so-far list:

The Mountain Goats - We Shall All Be Healed (this one might be the super-awesomest right now)
Destroyer - Your Blues
Sun City Girls - Carnival Folklore Resurrection Radio
Weird War - If You Can't Beat 'Em, Bite 'Em
Oneida - Secret Wars
Brian Jonestown Massacre - And This Is Our Music
The Walkmen - Bows & Arrows
Liars - They Were Wrong So We Drowned

yep.

[Paul]

I've actually been maintaining a list. How nerdy is that? However, only 3 albums so far have gotten A+ marks:

Blonde Redhead, Misery is a Butterfly
Moonbabies, The Orange Billboard
Weird War, If You Can't Beat 'em, Bite 'em

The year's still young, though...

[johansen smith]

and I give a big healthy "meh" to all three of Paul's selections. they weren't bad, but hardly "A+" material.

[fuzztony]

Have only bought 2 new albums this year, still previewing and buying last year's albums. But I'm enjoying them both heaps:

The Mountain Goats - We Shall All Be Healed
Electrelane - The Power Out

Still wanna buy:

TV On the Radio, Oneida, The Walkmen.

Getting Liars to review this week, can't wait!

[tinobeat]

Originally posted by johansen smith
and I give a big healthy "meh" to all three of Paul's selections. they weren't bad, but hardly "A+" material.

Weird War is definitely an A+ in my book, but the other two there are snoozers.

This new Destroyer record (I'm listening to it now) is possibly the best one yet. Its like he's channeling fucking Scott Walker or something, but without the overbearing vocals...

Franz Ferdinand has been sockin it to me as well...

[johansen smith]

I think the Weird War album certainly has it's inspired moments ("Grand Fraud" is one of my favorite songs of the year), but I wouldn't call it a potential year-end topper.

[tinobeat]

I can understand that sentiment...

See, for me its all the more special because it gives me hope that Ian and Michelle might just have a renaissance after two pretty great albums post-makeup (see, for me, a rabid Make-Up fan, "pretty great" is a little below standard). This one is a return to form, and with a new sense of direction, not just a rehash of old styles...

I can't imagine it not being in the top 5.

I'm pleasantly surprised that the Mountain Goats album is still my fave. It didn't have any internal hype, no anticipation. It just dropped, I bought it, liked it OK at first, and now realize its one of the best albums by far. It just snuck up on me. I *love* that.

Is it just me, or has this year already practically topped '03 in quality of stuff released?

[Paul]

Originally posted by tinobeat
I'm pleasantly surprised that the Mountain Goats album is still my fave. It didn't have any internal hype, no anticipation. It just dropped, I bought it, liked it OK at first, and now realize its one of the best albums by far. It just snuck up on me. I *love* that.

Oh, that's right. You don't read ILM. Darnielle's a regular poster there, so the Mountain Goats are always at the tip of my brain whether I like it or not.

As for my own list of A+ albums and you guys being disagreeable...well, point me to your pantry, please, so that I may piss in your Corn Flakes.

[vesper]

It's just because you have so much clout, Paul. Yr like 3rd on the damning P(ee)-list: Pitchfork, Pazz & Jop, Paul Cox.*

[Paul]

Ha!

[jef]

Still haven't heard a lot yet but these are my favorites so far:

Walkmen - Bows and Arrows
Electralane - The Power Out
Destroyer - Your Blues
Weird War - If you can't etc.
the Ponys - Laced with Romance
TV on the Radio, Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes

[pabost]

Yeah, I haven't heard much, but this is what I like:

Walkmen - Bows and Arrows (this is a great album)
Weird War - If You Can't Beat 'em . . .

So many that I want to hear that I haven't yet: Deerhoof, Blonde Redhead, Kanye West, Sufjan Stevens, Destroyer, Electrelane, etc . . .

I bought the Franz Ferdinand yesterday and am digging it, so far. I wanted to buy the new Bigger Lovers but Tower wasn't stocking it. I've come to realize that there are no good record stores on the westside of L.A. It's a shame. I need some capital to rectify that shit.

[Paul Davis]

The Walkmen - Bows & Arrows
PSOI - Monsoon
Snow Patrol - Final Straw

[vesper]

Originally posted by pabost
I've come to realize that there are no good record stores on the westside of L.A. It's a shame. I need some capital to rectify that shit.

Isn't there an Amoeba somewhere near you?

[pabost]

Yeah, but it's in Hollywood. I'm glad to have it in the general vicinity but we're lacking your regular old independent record store west of Hollywood and LA. The best I've found is Tower. Rhino Records is alright, but it's always renovating and is poor at re-stocking.

[wut wut]

deerhoof- 'milkman' ... a bit of a disappointment, actually.
it's not bad, but definitely not an 'apple o'

i don't think i've listened to anything 2004 otherwise...

i'm most excited for:

sonic youth- 'nurse'-----(awwwww yeah!)
lightning bolt- 'frenzy'---(yeahhhhhhhhh!)
beck------------------------(say it again!)
!!!---------------------------(uh uh uh!)
wilco
loose fur
weezer--------------------(rick rubin? epic? i'm all ears)
beastie boys
interpol

and pixies? pixies? pixies? maybe i'm getting my hopes up.

[Dayne1234]

I've heard about 5 tracks off the new album and they are all great! Yes, once again the polished production but the songs are brilliant. I'm sure this one will easily be in the top 5 albums of 2004.
"And We'll All Float On Ok..."

[fuzztony]

Originally posted by Paul Davis
Snow Patrol - Final Straw

What's this like Mr Davis? A mate's offered me his copy to check out...isn't this band part of that large Scottish clan, Reindeer Section?

[bmmello]

Air - Talkie Walkie
Stereolab - Margerine Eclipse

Can't wait for:

Next GBV, of course

[Arkady]

John Vanderslice - Cellar Door
Grant-Lee Phillips - Virginia Creeper
The Walkmen - Bows and Arrows
Liars - They Were Wrong, So We Drowned
The Decemberists - The Tain EP

These are the standouts to me so far. I've heard other good stuff (Hella, Xiu Xiu, Iron and Wine, Ghost, Destroyer) but I need to give 'em a few more listens.

[wut wut]

shit, i forgot about gbv

bring that shit on, man

bring it fucking on

[Futureman]

No one has mentioned the new 90 Day Men album yet. Anyone inclined to add it to your 'best of' list?

[vesper]

I would probably put it way up if it wasn't for that catastrophe "Silver and Snow." Seriously, how did they write a song so bad?

[Futureman]

I haven't hear one note from the album, but my hopes have been high.

[Paul Davis]

Originally posted by fuzztony
What's this like Mr Davis? A mate's offered me his copy to check out...isn't this band part of that large Scottish clan, Reindeer Section?

Gary Lightbody, Snow Patrol's vocalist, is the ring leader of the Reindeer Section supergroup. If you like Reindeer Section, you will definitely like this.

[Paul Davis]

I'll have to add Franz Ferdinand to my list. I just got it and I am really enjoying it.

[fuzztony]

Originally posted by Paul Davis
Gary Lightbody, Snow Patrol's vocalist, is the ring leader of the Reindeer Section supergroup. If you like Reindeer Section, you will definitely like this.

Cool, thanks. Same guy who is lending me his Snow Patrol copy digs Reindeer Section. I quite like them, looking forward to it anyhow.

[9000]

add tv on the radio to my list. i wasn't a fan after their EP (save for staring at the sun) and live show, but i'm digging the new album.

[wut wut]

new beta band should be good

is sigur ros coming out with a new one this year?

[Arkady]

Yeah, I'm gonna add Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes to my list as well. In fact, based on the fact that I haven't been able to stop listening to it since Tuesday, it might be my favorite release of the year so far.

It's so dark and dense and heavy, without really ever outwardly being any of those things. Fantastic.

[vesper]

Animal Collective, Sung Tongs

Jesus Christ, this is so fucking good.

[johansen smith]

oh wow, I'm going to have to add the new Shannon Wright to this list. just wow, this SO blows away her early stuff.

[Salman]

I got a chance to listen to half of the new Destroyer album and it was very good.

[Funk]

Originally posted by tinobeat

I'm pleasantly surprised that the Mountain Goats album is still my fave. It didn't have any internal hype, no anticipation. It just dropped, I bought it, liked it OK at first, and now realize its one of the best albums by far. It just snuck up on me. I *love* that.

Is it just me, or has this year already practically topped '03 in quality of stuff released?

1) God, could yr taste be any worse? The Mountain Goats?! That's actually fucking worse than Bright Eyes. I used to believe in you, Martin.

2) It's you. Aside from Ghost and the Unintended CD, I can't think of anything good that's come out yet. I've got high hopes for the new Reigning Sound LP, though.

[johansen smith]

Originally posted by Funk

Aside from Ghost and the Unintended CD, I can't think of anything good that's come out yet. I've got high hopes for the new Reigning Sound LP, though.
if those are the only two CDs you've heard this year, then yep.

[tinobeat]

Originally posted by Funk
1) God, could yr taste be any worse? The Mountain Goats?! That's actually fucking worse than Bright Eyes. I used to believe in you, Martin.

a single teardrop is slowly working its way down my cheek...

[9000]

chromatics - plaster hounds

[jef]

I can't wait for the new Reigning Sound album too. It should be great.

[vesper]

Devendra Banhart, Rejoicing in the Hands Damn. *scribbles furiously*