Dec 9 2003
A Year Is A Long Time In Music
It's that time again. List makers rejoice! Below is my liststravaganza for the year 2003. Loyal readers know this year hasn't exactly been my finest hour, what with losing my job and getting knee surgery. But one good thing that happened to me was starting this blog (which people actually read! So Best!) and getting myself in the habit of writing every day, something I had been trying to do for a very long time.
So join me in counting down the seconds until 2004 by reading my recap of the year that was in music. One note before we begin...I really didn't listen to much new music this year. I think this was a reaction of me losing my job in the music industry and not trying to feed the machine. I spent much of the year going back and listening to some of the older CD's in my collection, trying to recapture my love for music and the reasons that drove me toward this god forsaken hell hole of an industry in the first place. Basically, my Top 10 probably isn't going to surprise anyone. You have been warned.
ALBUMS OF THE YEAR (in alphabetical order by artist)
Blur / Think Tank – Hated this record for most of the year. Crazy Beat is possibly the most annoying non-Creed song ever written. Just horrible. However, there are some great moments on this record that balance it out. A total grower. Lately I can’t stop listening to it. I read a comment somewhere that this was like a collection of B Sides that would make for a friend and that seems spot on. I still think Damon is a ponce though. Blur is not Blur without Graham. Period. End Of Story. I think of this as Blur’s All Shook Down. It’s a Blur record in name only. It’s more of a Damon solo effort.
Favorite Lyric - So I stayed in the club / Just rewarding myself / Happiness, it turned into something else / And I just wanna be, darling, with you / The music’s made that way / My eyes are blue there’s nothing I can do
Coldplay / A Rush Of Blood To The Head – I know this record came out last year but none of the good singles from the album came out until this year and it didn’t crack my Top 10 of 2002 so it’s eligible under Grammy (or is that Grahammy) rules. I still think they are a bunch of twats and are definitely in the running for most boring live band on the planet but it’s hard to deny that this is simply a great record. As much as I want to hate them, and it, I just can’t. The perfect example of background music. Even my Mom likes this record.
Favorite Lyric - A warning sign / I missed the good part then I realized / I started looking and the bubble burst / I started looking for excuses / Come on in / I've got to tell you what a state I'm in
Dandy Warhols / Welcome To The Monkeyhouse – Another typical Dandy’s release. 4 or 5 amazing songs with a bunch of throw away tracks in between. Still, the great songs really blew me away. I loved the whole 80’s vibe this record throws out. Remember that Grand Theft Auto, Vice City commercial that had the Flock of Seaguls tune in it? I thought that The Dope would have worked much better for the vibe they were trying to get. It’s a total couples skate at the roller rink booty jam.
Favorite Lyric - I was the first to have spoken / And I said just about / All of the things you shouldn't say / So maybe you loved me but now / Maybe you don’t / And maybe you'll call me / Maybe you wont
elastica / The Radio One Sessions – It says a lot on my Top 10 of the year that a compilation of live studio performances can merit this honor but this record really grabbed my attention when I sat down and listened to it. When they were a band, I never really paid much attention to Justine and Co., I kinda considered them the british Hole, but this group of performances is super tight and definitely on point. The seeds of the Strokes were sewn here folks. Oh, who am I kidding. I just miss 1996 like a motherfucker.
Favorite Lyric - I'd work very hard but I'm lazy / I can't take the pressure and it's starting to show / In my heart you know that it pains me / A life of leisure is no life you know / Waking up and getting up has never been easy / Oh-a oh-a, I think you should know-ah.
Massive Attack / 100th Window – A February release date seems to mean that everyone is sleeping on this release in their Best Of lists, and it’s a damn shame as I listened to this record over and over. Its sultry, laid back grooves are easy to get lost in. It’s 3 AM incarnate. The guest vocal performances by Sinead O’Connor remind everyone why she was such a big deal in the first place.
Favorite Lyric - Jah forgive us for forgetting / Jah help us, we need more loving / You see the teachers are representing you / So badly that not many can see you / Let not another child be slain / Let not another search be made in vain
The Music / The Music – Moments of stadium rock brilliance were sprinkled throughout this uneven effort. Reminds me of the Verve’s first record in the fact that even though the kids are young and still learning to write proper tunes, you know they will be the goods once they get it all together. Ashcroft and Co. are an obvious influence and that is by no means a bad thing. Extra points for touring the US more than once even though I never got to see them. However, worst band name ever. Obvs.
Favorite Lyric - The the the the the / truth truth truth truth truth / is is is / no wooooooooooooooords
Outkast / Speakerboxxx/The Love Below – Not to toot my own horn, but I’ve been down with the ‘Kast since Ain’t No Thang But A Chicken Wing. It's been a real treat to watch them grow. The Parliament of our generation or the Radiohead of hip hop? Both? Not their best work (that would be Aquemini) but not many people in hip hop are willing to take chances (see: DMX, Ja Rule, etc.) or NOT use the Neptunes. I’m in the minority but I think Speakerboxxx is the tighter group of tracks.
Favorite Lyric - If what they say is "Nothing is forever" / Then what makes, then what makes, then what makes / then what makes, then what makes Love the exception?
Radiohead / Hail To The Thief – Although I got burned out on this record faster than I thought I would (probably because I downloaded the advance copy 2 months before it’s official release), it still resonates in the back of my sports addled mind on a daily basis. Sit Down, Stand Up, There There and Where I End And You Begin are among the finest tunes the band has ever created. Not the “return to the rock” that everyone was saying it would be, but there were still plenty of good riffs on this record while any and all computer doodles enhanced the songs, unlike most of their last 2 records. The MSG Show was buzztastic, even if our seats weren’t. And any record that takes a shot at Dubya with it’s title is to be recommended. Highly.
Favorite Lyric - Maybe you'll / be president / but know right from wrong / or in the flood / you'll build an Ark / and sail us to the moon
Super Furry Animals / Phantom Power – Man, what more can I say about my favorite band on the planet? Their last opus was deemed Album Of The Year by no less an authority than MOJO Magazine and this record is easily better than that one. The 5.1 mix on the DVD is choice. Genre tripping, thought provoking, booty shaking, yeti suit costume wearing. .. You name it and they do it and do it well. Their heading back stateside in April and are promising to dust off a few oldies for the tour. Don’t sleep yo!
Favorite Lyric – Keep your eye upon the ball / write your thoughts upon the wall / There's some words of advice / Save them up for a clear day / Venus and Serena understand
Ted Leo & Rx / Hearts Of Oak – Loyal readers know by now that I fucking heart Ted Leo. It’s good to see some other people coming around on him too. Saw him 4 times this year (maybe 5 as he is playing the Bowery next week) and loved every minute of it. This album wasn’t as strong as his amazing debut but that’s like saying Revolver isn’t as good as Rubber Soul. Solid and entertaining and one of the songs of the year with the title track. When that tune clicked with me, I listened to it for like 4 days straight. Seriously. Cool points for his amazing vocabulary as well.
Favorite Lyric - I was walking along some downtown avenue / I was sharing the sidewalk with my friend / we were singing this song together and it sounded so good / we said, we said "let's sing it again!" / (and it had no end)...
BEST RECORDS FROM LAST YEAR THAT I'M JUST NOW LISTENING TO
Queens Of The Stone Age / Songs For The Deaf – HOLY FUCKING SHIT. Every limpshitlips fan in the country needs to get a free copy of this so they can understand what The Rawk is all about. Have two cooler guys ever made a more kick ass rock n’ roll record and toured the shit out of it like Josh and Nick? Why the hell did I sleep on this album for so long? It’s kicked my ass all year. This should probably be in my Top 10. Best Rock record I've listened to in ages.
Velvet Teen – A friend of a friend has been singing their praises for a while now and I finally “got it”. Now all I have to do is go out and get the actual record instead of the 3 free MP3’s I found online.
Electric Soft Parade / Holes In The Wall - Brilliant Brit Indie Rock that kept me entertained all year.
RECORDS I HAVE THAT ARE REALLY GOOD BUT FOR SOME REASON I STILL HAVEN’T LISTENED TO
White Stripes / Elephant
Libertines / Up The Bracket (ducks from things Glamorama throws at me)
Ed Harcourt / From Every Sphere
The 22/20's / 05/03
BIGGEST FAILURES
Madonna / American Life – pffffffffft. Has she used up all the cool points William Orbit gave her yet?
Liz Phair / Liz Phair – Not so much a dig at la lovely Liz as a misstep on Capitol’s behalf by employing The Matrix as producers. They’ve had like 4 projects since Avril come out and all have done less than stellar. I’m very happy to say this does not bode well for the Mooney Suzuki.
Jane’s Addiction / Strays – Jane’s used to be about revolution. Now they just want to know when you will cut them the check. Sad.
Richard Ashcroft / Human Conditions – Another lackluster clunker from Captain Rock. Getting married and having a kid stole his mojo in a big bad way.
RECORDS I WANT TO HEAR BUT HAVE NO CHEDDA TO BUY
(meaning please burn me a copy if you have it)
Rufus Wainwright / Want One
Dizzee Rascal / Boy In The Corner
British Sea Power / The Decline of British Sea Power
My Morning Jacket / It Still Moves
Stellastar***** / Self titled
Athelete / Vehicles & Animals
Elbow / Cast Of Thousands
Ride / BBC Sessions
Bob Marley / Live in California
Ted Leo / Tell Balgeary Balgury Is Dead
Ryan Adams / Rock N Roll
The Streets / Original Pirate Material
BEST EP
And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead / The Secret Of Elana’s Tomb – Yo, these playa’s from Austin are on some outerspace shit for this EP. Gone is the Sonic Youth rawk, replaced by slow jams, synths and danceable anthems that make you want to shake your shit. Proves to the haters that they aren’t a one trick pony. Love it.
SONGS I HAD ON REPEAT ALL YEAR
Bandages – Hot Hot Heat
Wonderwall – Ryan Adams (Noel was right, he owns this now.)
Hearts of Oak – Ted Leo
On The Way To The Club – Blur
Where I End And You Begin – Radiohead
Intelligence - …Trail of Dead
The Undefeated - Super Furry Animals
Sleep Alone - Electric Soft Parade
The Truth Is No Words – The Music
Naked Girl – Velvet Teen
Under Control – The Strokes
She Lives In My Lap – Andre 3000
GhettoMuisck – Big Boi
Beautiful Occupation – Travis
The Hardest Button to Button – The White Stripes
The Dope – Dandy Warhols
Save Our City – Radio 4
Waking Up(live) - Elastica
Vapour Trail(live) – Mark Gardener
You Think I Ain't Worth A Dollar But I Feel Like A Millionaire – QOTSA
Irish Blood, English Heart(live) – Morrissey
BEST GIGS OF THE YEAR
3/29/03 - Ted Leo @ Southpaw, Brooklyn – Fucking Ted throws down like 7 blocks from my crib! Sweet. I literally drank like 37 beers at this gig and had the time of my life. He broke into Hearts of Oak right when I walked past the stage from returning from the loo and I went apeshit in the “pit”. Ah, youth. It’s grand.
4/17/03 - Mark Gardener(acoustic) @ Knitting Factory, NYC – I never got to see shoegazer gods Ride, so this was the next best thing and it really turned out to be just that. The la la la’s at the end of Vapour Trail were to die for. Rumours are he is releasing the gig as an EP next year. Sweet.
6/7/03 – Field Day Festival @ Meadowlands, NJ – This day started off as pure crap. Car broke down before we left Brooklyn, it POURED most of the day, I was soaked throughout, the security at the venue was at Nazi like levels but I was determined to have fun as I was going under the knife for my knee surgery 2 days later. Finally got to see Underworld, they ruled!, Beck hurt himself so I didn’t have to listen to him and even though the Beasties sucked ass, Radiohead came out at the end of the night and made everything all better. Stadium rock indeed.
7/19/03 – Siren Festival @ Coney Island – One of my first public appearances after knee surgery. I went out there late in the day but still caught Ted Leo, Radio 4 and Idlewild and had as much fun as I could while being sober with a busted wheel. The best of the 3 Sirens by far.
7/24/03 – Spoon @ Castle Clinton, NYC – Free shows are always choice. The space was packed so we retreated to the rear of the venue and although we couldn’t see a thing, we had seats and access to the bar. Britt and Co. launched into a greatest hits set similar to the one I had programmed on my iPod, it was a beautiful summer evening and life was good.
10/3/03 & 10/4/03 – Super Furry Animals @ Irving Plaza, NYC – Phantom Power in the flesh audio wise. The Piccolo Snare was just dreamy and the yeti suits during The Man Don’t Give A Fuck were just off the heazy. All the drunken antics with the band that ensued post show didn’t hurt things either. Every time the Furries come to town, I lose a year off of my life. It’s worth it.
10/9/03 – Radiohead @ Madison Square Garden, NYC – They didn’t play Creep.
REVOLUTION OF THE YEAR
iTunes Music Store – Leave it to the world’s greatest computer company to take the steps into an area the music industry was afraid to go. Quite simply, the iTMS works. Great albums and songs by great artists available to buy at a reasonable price with one click and, depending on your internet connection, download to your computer in seconds. Most importantly, the restrictions on using the music are geared towards the consumer, not the labels. Seamless integration with the iPod makes this service worth every penny and for someone like me with limited apartment space and too many CD’s, a godsend.
Now, as usual, the rest of the world is catching up by offering their own version of a downloadable music store. This idea is soooooo 1998, why did it take so long?
MOST ANTICIPATED MUSICAL EVENT OF 2004
NEW MORRISSEY RECORD! DUE IN MAY? MAKE IT HAPPEN MOZ!
Posted by Kyle in Permalink
Comments
I'll hook you up with Dizzie Rascal, but only if you REALLY want it. In other words, it blows.
Posted by: cashilini at December 9, 2003 11:36 AM
i can throw stellastar atcha, if you want it, because i'm so...not...a...fan...
Posted by: foxy jess at December 9, 2003 12:32 PM
From your "Need to Listen To" list, I'd stay away from Dizzee, Stellastarr and Athelete. Boar-ring.
You're right about Massive Attack--it's easy to forget about an album that came out early in the year. Massive Attack is also graded on a different curve. Anything short of brilliant is just another day at the office.
If Steve Malkmus' album came out two months ago it'd probably be on a lot of lists. But it's only an okay record, and once the Malkmus excitement dies down it takes a few months to realize this.
Agree about Coldplay. Can't hate this band. It's a great album. I saw them over the summer and thought they were really good. And to think when I bought the import of the "Yellow" single, I thought it was a nice little song but didn't see a whole lot in the band.
Radiohead...it's a good album but I only listened to it twice. Seriously. As a political statement, I think it stumbles. How can a band be so damn esoteric and make political statements?
Think Tank could be Blur's All Shook Down. Which means it's fine on its own, but if you take into account the band's track record, it's one step away from the cut-out bin. Mali Music was a much better record, and I'll bet Albarn's solo album (on Honest Jon's) will be better.
Posted by: Coolfer at December 9, 2003 1:01 PM
your veiled attempts at Liz Phair bashing (putting the blame on The Matrix and Capitol for the "Liz Phair" LP) will not soon be forgotten.
other than that, awesome list. i've finally heard enough good things about Ted Leo that i think i have to go buy his cd (read: download it from Soulseek). but i gotta disagree with the "100th Window" props ... i was mega disappointed by that record. the best Massive Attack release of the year wasn't even recorded by Massive Attack, it was the Muggs LP. for reals, yo.
Posted by: Uncle Grambo at December 9, 2003 4:36 PM
You never got to see Ride? They were a great live band. Seeing as how I didn't have a car, lived in a music backwater and didn't have much time on my hands (a note to all high school kids: go to college in a good music market) it took me until the Going Blank Again tour, but I was lucky enough to catch them with Slowdive. Now that was serious shoegazing that night. I passed on that Gardener show at the Knit (tend to not care about acoustic shows) but would love to check out the album if/when it comes out.
Posted by: Coolfer at December 9, 2003 5:58 PM
coldplay boring live! no way, when ive seen them in the past chris martin has been a comedy genius, his dry wit and subtle side swipes are very amusing. and you just cant complain about the music, theyre a spot on live band.
youve got to get the streets album its amazing, although its been out for a while now its should be getting all the dizzee rascal buzz, as that album is a steaming pile
Posted by: tom123 at December 10, 2003 6:03 AM
i was at that ted leo show at southpaw. i drank way too much, made out with some hipster boy, and proceeded to drink more at a friends house at 5am. also, i hated the fiery furnaces set that night. it took me months for that brother and sister act to grow on me.
i completely forgot about blur in my list for 2003.
Posted by: aeki tuesday at December 11, 2003 9:57 AM
i love this list.
OTHER SONGS I HAD ON REPEAT ALL YEAR:
+ the stone roses - i am the resurrection
+ supergrass - caught by the fuzz
+ manic street preachers - she's suffering
+ suede - metal mickey
Posted by: ank at December 16, 2003 2:45 AM
