Best Albums of 2004 ?
I love making lists: things-to-do and favorites. When it comes to lists of the former nature, I'm crap at following. Sad as it sounds, I love making year-end favorites lists; and my favorite lists of favorites is the best albums of 2004. I don't know if it has anything to do with age, but seems like less and less bands can impress me these days and thereupon enter my top-10 year end list. Anyway, here goes:
1. The Killers - Hot Fuss
I just can't get enough. The first 5 songs are so kick-ass. The singer looks freakishly like Eddie Izzard and his mannerisms the Duran Duran guy (sorry I can't be "arsed" to look it up cos I don't really care for them). These guys can write killer hooks (bad pun, hence not intended) and they not only got the tunes but they got the lyrics too. This Brandan Flowers guy can write. Watch their "Mr. Brightside" on their website and you'll be entranced too.
2. Mull Historical Society - This Is Hope
It was my favorite for a good portion of the year. Meeting the guy certainly helps. He was almost too nice and too friendly. But that aside, the CD is amazing. I'd say it's the best of his. Not unlike Hot Fuss, the first 5 tracks are killers. But the whole thing is tied together tightly (alliteration alert, my English major friends) by his quirky idosyncracies, ie. little weird plinky-plonky sounds that have become his signature. His melodicism is right up my very narrow alley.
3. Interpol - Antics
Being a fan of Joy Division, I always guiltily (yes, it's a freakin' word!) wished that they could write catchier tunes. That wish came true when Interpol released Antics.
4. The Libertines - The Libertines
Apparently these guys are very tabloid worthy. I know one of them went to rehab or jail or something. None of that interests me really. I really like their songs. They remind me of those early Clash songs written by Mick Jones before the reggae thing. A lot of new bands out there seem poseur-ish. These guys sound genuine.
5. Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand
When I first heard Take Me Out, it blew me all the way from Kowloon to Cheung Chau. But the rest of the album ... well, good. In fact, very good. But to me, it hasn't reached the great level.
6. Morrissey - You Are The Quarry
Certainly one of his most enjoyable solo efforts. I'm one of those very few people who got to know his solo first and then got interested in the Smiths stuff. While he's always able to deliver the lyrics (albeit very VERY self-obssessed), he's a little iffy when it comes to melodies (in my opinion, at least). But maybe he's gotten better, Irish Blood English Hearts and First of the Gang are evidence.
Can't think of any more that's worth an entry, but the following are honorable mentions (possibly merely due to the fact that I hadn't had the time to truly listen to them):
Air - Talkie Walkie
Ryan Adams - Love Is Hell
REM - Around the Sun
The Streets - A Grand Don't Come Easy
1. The Killers - Hot Fuss
I just can't get enough. The first 5 songs are so kick-ass. The singer looks freakishly like Eddie Izzard and his mannerisms the Duran Duran guy (sorry I can't be "arsed" to look it up cos I don't really care for them). These guys can write killer hooks (bad pun, hence not intended) and they not only got the tunes but they got the lyrics too. This Brandan Flowers guy can write. Watch their "Mr. Brightside" on their website and you'll be entranced too.
2. Mull Historical Society - This Is Hope
It was my favorite for a good portion of the year. Meeting the guy certainly helps. He was almost too nice and too friendly. But that aside, the CD is amazing. I'd say it's the best of his. Not unlike Hot Fuss, the first 5 tracks are killers. But the whole thing is tied together tightly (alliteration alert, my English major friends) by his quirky idosyncracies, ie. little weird plinky-plonky sounds that have become his signature. His melodicism is right up my very narrow alley.
3. Interpol - Antics
Being a fan of Joy Division, I always guiltily (yes, it's a freakin' word!) wished that they could write catchier tunes. That wish came true when Interpol released Antics.
4. The Libertines - The Libertines
Apparently these guys are very tabloid worthy. I know one of them went to rehab or jail or something. None of that interests me really. I really like their songs. They remind me of those early Clash songs written by Mick Jones before the reggae thing. A lot of new bands out there seem poseur-ish. These guys sound genuine.
5. Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand
When I first heard Take Me Out, it blew me all the way from Kowloon to Cheung Chau. But the rest of the album ... well, good. In fact, very good. But to me, it hasn't reached the great level.
6. Morrissey - You Are The Quarry
Certainly one of his most enjoyable solo efforts. I'm one of those very few people who got to know his solo first and then got interested in the Smiths stuff. While he's always able to deliver the lyrics (albeit very VERY self-obssessed), he's a little iffy when it comes to melodies (in my opinion, at least). But maybe he's gotten better, Irish Blood English Hearts and First of the Gang are evidence.
Can't think of any more that's worth an entry, but the following are honorable mentions (possibly merely due to the fact that I hadn't had the time to truly listen to them):
Air - Talkie Walkie
Ryan Adams - Love Is Hell
REM - Around the Sun
The Streets - A Grand Don't Come Easy
posted by Mr. M at
2:54 pm
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