My Top 10 Albums of 2004...FINALLY
I apologize for the belatedness of this, but I've been very busy. Here are my Top 10 music albums for the year 2004, plus honorable mentions. I chose these simply because by year's end they were most pleasing to my ear. If you want a more obscure list please check out Pitchforkmedia.com or Buddyhead.com. And I'm no scientist, so a lot of the ordering in the list is arbitrary; that is to say basically all these albums are almost just as likely to get played in my car. I just had to order it somehow.
NOW CHECK THIS OUT BECAUSE I WENT THROUGH ALL THE TROUBLE TO MAKE IT!!!!1
10 - The Curse (Atreyu)
I'm going to get a lot of heat for this but I have a certain level of admiration for this band hailing from my high school, as they are actually becoming one of the most popular hard rock bands of the new millenium. "Bleeding Mascara" is one of the most rocking opening songs I've heard in a while, "Right Side of the Bed" is a near-flawless pop-metal single, and "You Eclipsed By Me" is crushing. Ignoring all the naysayers, this album is worthy of blasting in my car stereo minus some filler songs and some crappy lyrics. I look forward to where they go next.
9 - Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge (My Chemical Romance)
I never was a real fan of this band but their insanely catchy Misfits-meets-emo songs are slowly being branded into my brain. Most of the songs on here are memorable, energetic, and relatively distinct from each other to make for fun music.
8 - A Crow Left of the Murder (Incubus)
"Make Yourself" was metallic, "Morning View" was doped up classic rock - would Incubus deliver the goods thsi time around? Their latest album is a mix of raw indie rock influence, a downplaying of heavy metal testosterone, and (the best part) a surprisingly large amount of cues taken from the boys in The Police, pretty much my favorite band ever. Along with Maxeen I was glad to find some modern day bands acknowledging Sting and the gang's accomplishments. I'm definitely digging the exotic & trippy extended jams; the only beef I have is a few too many songs (14 total). Good albums = 10-13 max.
7 - Miss Machine (The Dillinger Escape Plan)
A year or so ago, ask me about their 1999 math-tech-noise-jazz-metal classic "Calculating Infinity" and I'd tell you it was cool but too much gave me a headache. And I didn't plan on including this on the list but I recently realized this was actually a pretty damn good album, more for its artistic achievements than its
memorable hooks. Working on my musical project Ghostbuster gave me more appreciation for this sort of musical art. If you're looking for some of the most creative heavy music out there, this is clearly my first recommendation. "Baby's First Coffin" is my favorite.
6 - Futures (Jimmy Eat World)
Jimmy Eat World's breakthrough "Bleed American" was the soundtrack to the beginning of my senior year of high school in 2001. These guys are chill, they write *excellent* straight-forward emo-rock songs...I much prefer these mature guys to the wussy sounds of 20-year-olds jumping on the Taking Back Sunday and Yellowcard bandwagons of whining because you didn't get laid last night so all the 17-year old groupies want you even more. "Just Tonight" is an instant classic. Combines maturity and depth not found on the last album with the pop hooks that everyone's come to love. Rock and roll!
5 - An Accidental Memory In The Case of Death (Eluvium)
THE surprise album of the year. Saw this dude live at the LA Knitting Factory with Explosions In The Sky. If you want quiet, moving piano songs that sound like a soundtrack to blurry childhood memories..this is it. Reminds me of that old Christmas animation about the snowman, if you know what I'm talking about. No vocals, only piano, but it's especially peaceful. Every song is good... so good. Put this on your study music playlist.
4 - Hot Fuss (The Killers)
One of my favorite "The" bands...a mix of The Cure, 80s new wave, indie/emo, dance music... The opener "Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine" mixes a nice dance groove with an unforgettable Cure-inspired bass line. Sometimes the singer sounds like Robert Smith but it's much more than a Cure ripoff. Definitely one of my favorites of this year. Check out "On Top" for the best album track...
3 - Ashes of the Wake (Lamb of God)
Top metal release of the year. For the nonconverted understand that it's fun to listen to, oh, "evil" music every once in a while...just because. :) That having been said, the vocalist has the perfect menacing garowl, the drums are razor sharp, and the guitars are straight from hell. A modern day thrash metal beast mixing the best of Megadeth, Pantera, Metallica, and Slayer, and I think this is their best album yet. Blasting this in my car sounds like the march of the armaggedon army, lol.
2 - They're Only Chasing Safety (Underoath)
Despite my inner loathing for many things related to this trendy new scene of fashionable, sexy emo music...this album deserves several awards. One of the best, most memorable albums of the year - nearly every song is a winner - and certainly of its own genre. Screamy vocals for the aggressive people, a strong emo singer for the girls and sensitive emo boys, and a very solid band playing edgy rock music that delivers a strong aural punch. The subtle inclusion of electronics is also nice. Melodies galore, Christian values but still secular-sounding enough for the mainstream, and lyrics just waiting to be permanently planted in your memory. Great album for hip teens to young adults and the rare ones outside that demographic.
1 - American Idiot (Green Day)
Yeah, yeah...this is everyone's #1 album. But I don't care for a series of reasons: 1) Dookie was my favorite Green Day album. 2) Aside from Dookie I wasn't a huge Green Day fan. 3) When I first heard this I loved it immediately. Therefore it's on the same level as Dookie. And I see this as very important because Green Day is a band that will be historically tied to my generation. And with this album they are garnering new fans almost 10 years younger than me who were just babies when Dookie came out. Longevity. "American Idiot" is a flawless rock single, their rock opera experiment is great...I haven't read the lyrics all the way through but just by listening you feel like you're being told an epic story. Songs flow into each other, there are a couple 9-minute pieces comprised of multiple movements, and by the end you just feel a big closure. It's funny comparing this to Dookie - in one sense they are returning to their straight ahead punk rocking, but also the eclectic instrumentation throughout the album puts them above the term "punk rock". And seeing them live just affirms all this. American Idiot is a landmark album for one of the defining bands of my generation.
Honorable Mention
The Oncoming Storm (Unearth) - Powerful, technical metalcore that just makes you want to grow out your hair and play air guitar in your bedroom. Some truly awesome music but the lack of memorable tunage keeps it from making the list. Favs: "The Great Dividers", "Black Hearts Now Reign"
Siren Song of the Counter Culture (Rise Against) - Truth be told, I was greatly looking forward to this and wanted to put it on the list but unfortunately this album was a tad disappointing. It's got plently of energy, sure, but just doesn't match up to their masterpiece "Revolutions Per Minute." Melodic hardcore pop-punk in the vein of a sing-songier Bad Religion as always, but a bit too overproduced and mechanical songwriting at times.
Antics (Interpol) - I would have liked to give this album some more time because I listened to it once and liked it. More memorable than their last release aside from the singles...given more time maybe it would have made the list. For the uninformed Interpol is artful 80s-style dance rock.
The End of Heartache (Killswitch Engage) - Another great metal release from earlier in the year...I don't know why it didn't make the list. I suppose it's nothing too special aside from good songwriting mixing the best of American and European styles with an ear for radio rock melodies.
Of Malice and the Magnum Heart (Misery Signals) - Like the Interpol album, I just didn't have enough time to consider it for the list having listened to it a few days ago. But in one listen it reminded me of hearing a very melodic metalcore release before the genre was flooded with boring imitators...like early Poison The Well or Shai Hulud. Certainly not boring.
Special Honorable Mention
That's The Worst Thing I've Ever Heard In My Entire Life (Ghostbuster) - Hehe. If you want to hear some crazy music with Ghostbuster sound clips, this is what you want. www.myspace.com/ghostbuster
Hard Times (Rattleface)
This is my old guitar teacher's second album from his band Rattleface...they play serious 80s metal with Iron Maiden-style vocals. He is a master shredder on guitar.
So there you go...my review of the year 2004 in music. Props to you if you made it this far...I command you to leave a comment so I know how many people actually took the time to read this. :-P Let me know what you think of my picks and what your picks were.
NOW CHECK THIS OUT BECAUSE I WENT THROUGH ALL THE TROUBLE TO MAKE IT!!!!1
10 - The Curse (Atreyu)
I'm going to get a lot of heat for this but I have a certain level of admiration for this band hailing from my high school, as they are actually becoming one of the most popular hard rock bands of the new millenium. "Bleeding Mascara" is one of the most rocking opening songs I've heard in a while, "Right Side of the Bed" is a near-flawless pop-metal single, and "You Eclipsed By Me" is crushing. Ignoring all the naysayers, this album is worthy of blasting in my car stereo minus some filler songs and some crappy lyrics. I look forward to where they go next.
9 - Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge (My Chemical Romance)
I never was a real fan of this band but their insanely catchy Misfits-meets-emo songs are slowly being branded into my brain. Most of the songs on here are memorable, energetic, and relatively distinct from each other to make for fun music.
8 - A Crow Left of the Murder (Incubus)
"Make Yourself" was metallic, "Morning View" was doped up classic rock - would Incubus deliver the goods thsi time around? Their latest album is a mix of raw indie rock influence, a downplaying of heavy metal testosterone, and (the best part) a surprisingly large amount of cues taken from the boys in The Police, pretty much my favorite band ever. Along with Maxeen I was glad to find some modern day bands acknowledging Sting and the gang's accomplishments. I'm definitely digging the exotic & trippy extended jams; the only beef I have is a few too many songs (14 total). Good albums = 10-13 max.
7 - Miss Machine (The Dillinger Escape Plan)
A year or so ago, ask me about their 1999 math-tech-noise-jazz-metal classic "Calculating Infinity" and I'd tell you it was cool but too much gave me a headache. And I didn't plan on including this on the list but I recently realized this was actually a pretty damn good album, more for its artistic achievements than its
memorable hooks. Working on my musical project Ghostbuster gave me more appreciation for this sort of musical art. If you're looking for some of the most creative heavy music out there, this is clearly my first recommendation. "Baby's First Coffin" is my favorite.
6 - Futures (Jimmy Eat World)
Jimmy Eat World's breakthrough "Bleed American" was the soundtrack to the beginning of my senior year of high school in 2001. These guys are chill, they write *excellent* straight-forward emo-rock songs...I much prefer these mature guys to the wussy sounds of 20-year-olds jumping on the Taking Back Sunday and Yellowcard bandwagons of whining because you didn't get laid last night so all the 17-year old groupies want you even more. "Just Tonight" is an instant classic. Combines maturity and depth not found on the last album with the pop hooks that everyone's come to love. Rock and roll!
5 - An Accidental Memory In The Case of Death (Eluvium)
THE surprise album of the year. Saw this dude live at the LA Knitting Factory with Explosions In The Sky. If you want quiet, moving piano songs that sound like a soundtrack to blurry childhood memories..this is it. Reminds me of that old Christmas animation about the snowman, if you know what I'm talking about. No vocals, only piano, but it's especially peaceful. Every song is good... so good. Put this on your study music playlist.
4 - Hot Fuss (The Killers)
One of my favorite "The" bands...a mix of The Cure, 80s new wave, indie/emo, dance music... The opener "Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine" mixes a nice dance groove with an unforgettable Cure-inspired bass line. Sometimes the singer sounds like Robert Smith but it's much more than a Cure ripoff. Definitely one of my favorites of this year. Check out "On Top" for the best album track...
3 - Ashes of the Wake (Lamb of God)
Top metal release of the year. For the nonconverted understand that it's fun to listen to, oh, "evil" music every once in a while...just because. :) That having been said, the vocalist has the perfect menacing garowl, the drums are razor sharp, and the guitars are straight from hell. A modern day thrash metal beast mixing the best of Megadeth, Pantera, Metallica, and Slayer, and I think this is their best album yet. Blasting this in my car sounds like the march of the armaggedon army, lol.
2 - They're Only Chasing Safety (Underoath)
Despite my inner loathing for many things related to this trendy new scene of fashionable, sexy emo music...this album deserves several awards. One of the best, most memorable albums of the year - nearly every song is a winner - and certainly of its own genre. Screamy vocals for the aggressive people, a strong emo singer for the girls and sensitive emo boys, and a very solid band playing edgy rock music that delivers a strong aural punch. The subtle inclusion of electronics is also nice. Melodies galore, Christian values but still secular-sounding enough for the mainstream, and lyrics just waiting to be permanently planted in your memory. Great album for hip teens to young adults and the rare ones outside that demographic.
1 - American Idiot (Green Day)
Yeah, yeah...this is everyone's #1 album. But I don't care for a series of reasons: 1) Dookie was my favorite Green Day album. 2) Aside from Dookie I wasn't a huge Green Day fan. 3) When I first heard this I loved it immediately. Therefore it's on the same level as Dookie. And I see this as very important because Green Day is a band that will be historically tied to my generation. And with this album they are garnering new fans almost 10 years younger than me who were just babies when Dookie came out. Longevity. "American Idiot" is a flawless rock single, their rock opera experiment is great...I haven't read the lyrics all the way through but just by listening you feel like you're being told an epic story. Songs flow into each other, there are a couple 9-minute pieces comprised of multiple movements, and by the end you just feel a big closure. It's funny comparing this to Dookie - in one sense they are returning to their straight ahead punk rocking, but also the eclectic instrumentation throughout the album puts them above the term "punk rock". And seeing them live just affirms all this. American Idiot is a landmark album for one of the defining bands of my generation.
Honorable Mention
The Oncoming Storm (Unearth) - Powerful, technical metalcore that just makes you want to grow out your hair and play air guitar in your bedroom. Some truly awesome music but the lack of memorable tunage keeps it from making the list. Favs: "The Great Dividers", "Black Hearts Now Reign"
Siren Song of the Counter Culture (Rise Against) - Truth be told, I was greatly looking forward to this and wanted to put it on the list but unfortunately this album was a tad disappointing. It's got plently of energy, sure, but just doesn't match up to their masterpiece "Revolutions Per Minute." Melodic hardcore pop-punk in the vein of a sing-songier Bad Religion as always, but a bit too overproduced and mechanical songwriting at times.
Antics (Interpol) - I would have liked to give this album some more time because I listened to it once and liked it. More memorable than their last release aside from the singles...given more time maybe it would have made the list. For the uninformed Interpol is artful 80s-style dance rock.
The End of Heartache (Killswitch Engage) - Another great metal release from earlier in the year...I don't know why it didn't make the list. I suppose it's nothing too special aside from good songwriting mixing the best of American and European styles with an ear for radio rock melodies.
Of Malice and the Magnum Heart (Misery Signals) - Like the Interpol album, I just didn't have enough time to consider it for the list having listened to it a few days ago. But in one listen it reminded me of hearing a very melodic metalcore release before the genre was flooded with boring imitators...like early Poison The Well or Shai Hulud. Certainly not boring.
Special Honorable Mention
That's The Worst Thing I've Ever Heard In My Entire Life (Ghostbuster) - Hehe. If you want to hear some crazy music with Ghostbuster sound clips, this is what you want. www.myspace.com/ghostbuster
Hard Times (Rattleface)
This is my old guitar teacher's second album from his band Rattleface...they play serious 80s metal with Iron Maiden-style vocals. He is a master shredder on guitar.
So there you go...my review of the year 2004 in music. Props to you if you made it this far...I command you to leave a comment so I know how many people actually took the time to read this. :-P Let me know what you think of my picks and what your picks were.