Music: borborygmus 2004
In a High Fidelity moment, I made a compilation CD of the best tracks of 2004. In the old days, as in the book, one made compilation tapes. I can't recall how many tracks you could get on a C90, but with a CD, I was able to cram on 19 tracks.
I lied about the "best tracks of 2004" - some come from records released in 2003, but, probably because they were at the end of the year, didn't appear on my radar until 2004. Therefore, they couldn't have been on my "best tracks of 2003" compilation, and so I've rescued them from a potential inter-year purgatory. And if I was really pedantic, I'd probably just pick all the tracks from Post to Wire and A Ghost is Born, and call them the best.
Just a few notes to justify the list. I am sure that if Brian Wilson released SMiLE in the late 60's, it would have been an even worse commercial failure than Pet Sounds - was the pop world ready for this? It's been one of the few albums which I have made time to just sit and listen to - not in the car, not writing or working, just sitting on the sofa, musing at the CD sleeve and hearing the music. With a theme of early Americana, it is a delightful work. I wonder how many people have made the comparison with the likes of, say, Aaron Copland (Billy the Kid)? And harmonies to die for.
The Delays have been the soundtrack to many of my gym sessions this year; uplifting and bouncy. Pity there were not enough gym sessions... Iron & Wine is modern folk music, laid back and relaxing. REM made a slightly disappointing record by their standards, and U2 did the reverse. Loretta Lynn, 70 year old country music icon, was produced by the Red Stripes' Jack White, and they made a sprightly and strong recording.
Demi-god Steve Earle's 2004 album was probably not a good as the preceding Jerusalem, but the man cannot do much wrong. KT Tunstall is the star of my music TV moment of the year, an appearance on Later... with Jools Holland, where she performed Black Horse & The Cherry Tree. She built the song up layer by layer with just voice, guitar and tambourine, effectively multi-tracking the whole thing... live.
Richmond Fontaine are the discovery of the year - thanks, Uncut magazine. Alison Krauss... yes, bluegrass, but what a voice. Ray LaMontagne is a grower. The Polyphonic Spree and the Drive-By Truckers are both here as a result of a sampler CD from Paste magazine.
Wilco were the first and best band we saw at Glastonbury this year; they also produced a great and challenging album. Prog-country? Grant Lee Phillips is accomplished. Damien Rice soaring (missed him at Glastonbury, too muddy). The Replacements passed me by at the time (or I passed them by...), but I discovered the solo Paul Westerberg this year. The Stereo/Mono set from 2002 is actually my favourite, but since I had to get him into the list, Folker will do. Lambchop soundtrack. The Clash are... 'nuff said.
- Surf's Up
Brian Wilson from SMiLE - Hey Girl
Delays from Faded Seaside Glamour - Each Coming Night
Iron & Wine from Our Endless Numbered Days - Leaving New York
REM from Around the Sun - Portland Oregon
Loretta Lynn from Van Lear Rose - Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
U2 from How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb - Home to Houston
Steve Earle from The Revolution Starts... Now - Other Side of the World
KT Tunstall from Eye to the Telescope - Post to Wire
Richmond Fontaine from Post to Wire - Goodbye Is All We Have
Alison Krauss & Union Station from Lonely Runs Both Ways - Forever My Friend
Ray LaMontagne from Trouble - Section 12: Hold Me Now
The Polyphonic Spree from Together We're Heavy - Handshake Drugs
Wilco from A Ghost Is Born - Mona Lisa
Grant Lee Phillips from Virginia Creeper - Amie
Damien Rice from O - As Far As I Know
Paul Westerberg from Folker - The Day John Henry Died
Drive-By Truckers from The Dirty South - Steve McQueen
Lambchop from Aw C'Mon/No You C'Mon - London Calling
The Clash from London Calling: 25th Anniversary Legacy Edition
I lied about the "best tracks of 2004" - some come from records released in 2003, but, probably because they were at the end of the year, didn't appear on my radar until 2004. Therefore, they couldn't have been on my "best tracks of 2003" compilation, and so I've rescued them from a potential inter-year purgatory. And if I was really pedantic, I'd probably just pick all the tracks from Post to Wire and A Ghost is Born, and call them the best.
Just a few notes to justify the list. I am sure that if Brian Wilson released SMiLE in the late 60's, it would have been an even worse commercial failure than Pet Sounds - was the pop world ready for this? It's been one of the few albums which I have made time to just sit and listen to - not in the car, not writing or working, just sitting on the sofa, musing at the CD sleeve and hearing the music. With a theme of early Americana, it is a delightful work. I wonder how many people have made the comparison with the likes of, say, Aaron Copland (Billy the Kid)? And harmonies to die for.
The Delays have been the soundtrack to many of my gym sessions this year; uplifting and bouncy. Pity there were not enough gym sessions... Iron & Wine is modern folk music, laid back and relaxing. REM made a slightly disappointing record by their standards, and U2 did the reverse. Loretta Lynn, 70 year old country music icon, was produced by the Red Stripes' Jack White, and they made a sprightly and strong recording.
Demi-god Steve Earle's 2004 album was probably not a good as the preceding Jerusalem, but the man cannot do much wrong. KT Tunstall is the star of my music TV moment of the year, an appearance on Later... with Jools Holland, where she performed Black Horse & The Cherry Tree. She built the song up layer by layer with just voice, guitar and tambourine, effectively multi-tracking the whole thing... live.
Richmond Fontaine are the discovery of the year - thanks, Uncut magazine. Alison Krauss... yes, bluegrass, but what a voice. Ray LaMontagne is a grower. The Polyphonic Spree and the Drive-By Truckers are both here as a result of a sampler CD from Paste magazine.
Wilco were the first and best band we saw at Glastonbury this year; they also produced a great and challenging album. Prog-country? Grant Lee Phillips is accomplished. Damien Rice soaring (missed him at Glastonbury, too muddy). The Replacements passed me by at the time (or I passed them by...), but I discovered the solo Paul Westerberg this year. The Stereo/Mono set from 2002 is actually my favourite, but since I had to get him into the list, Folker will do. Lambchop soundtrack. The Clash are... 'nuff said.
posted by peter @ 2:01 pm
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