My Top 20 Albums of 2004

My Top 20 Albums of 2004

01 - FRANZ FERDINAND / Franz Ferdinand (Domino) - Arty post-punk pop that’s smart, fun, tightly played, and totally captivating. This record is so loaded with favorite songs that it plays like a singles collection.

02 - A.C. NEWMAN - The Slow Wonder (Matador) - AC Newman delivers a minor pop masterpiece that combines the best elements of his past bands (New Pornographers and Zumpano) along with bits of the Posies, Zombies, ELO, Brian Wilson, Kinks, and assorted classic power pop outfits.

03 - AMBULANCE LTD - Ambulance Ltd (TVT) - New York band that sounds very British - at times it’s shoegazer pop similar to Ride and other times it’s Teenage Fanclub midtempo pop.

04 - THE KILLERS - Hot Fuss (Island) - Vegas band with a big bombastic rhythm section, blazing guitars, sharp synth lines, and an over the top lead vocalist. This was one of the records I always had in my car and if the second half of the album was even close to being as strong as the first 6 songs it could been my #2.

05 - THE FUTUREHEADS - The Futureheads (679 Records) - England’s Futureheads make herky jerky art punk/pop that recalls early albums from Wire, XTC, Adam and the Ants, the Jam, and Gang of Four.

06 - DIVISION OF LAURA LEE - Das Not Compute (Burning Heart) - For their second album these Swedes get a bit moodier with their meld of American garage rock and British new wave.

07 - MORRISSEY - You Are the Quarry (Attack/Sanctuary) - Morrissey returns after 7 years with his strongest solo album yet.

08 - PEDRO THE LION - Achilles Heel (Jade Tree) - Confident melodic melancholia that sounds like it could be the Lemonheads album Evan Dando always tried to make.

09 - EVENING - Other Victorians (Lookout!) - Imagine Bends era Radiohead melodies and guitars with some of the sound experimentation and sonic effects of OK Computer and you have an idea of where Evening are coming from.

10 - DOGS DIE IN HOT CARS - Please Describe Yourself (V2) - Fun new wave pop with the ska bounce of Madness and the quirkiness of Drums and Wires era XTC.

11 - THE FINN BROTHERS - Everyone Is Here (Nettwerk) - Impeccable harmonies and intricately crafted melodies make this a subtle pop gem. It’s an album that takes a few listens to fully sink in, but also one that stands up to endless plays.

12 - GREEN DAY - American Idiot (Reprise) - I was a little frightened by the idea of Green Day tackling a political concept album, but the riffs are strong and the hooks are plentiful and it just plain rocks. More mature but still Green Day, which for me, is a very good thing.

13 - DYKEHOUSE - Midrange (Ghostly International) - Lush electronica shoegazer recorded entirely on a home computer by one Michigan college art student with a My Bloody Valentine fixation.

14 - THE LEGENDS - Up Against the Legends (Lakeshore Records) - They steal from the brighter Jesus and Mary Chain songs and the more rocking side of the Smiths and deliver a summer pop album of fuzzy guitars and sugary choruses (and a lot of handclaps).

15 - THE STREETS - A Grand Don’t Come For Free (Vice/679) - Mike Skinner weaves stories of life’s everyday minutia on top of minimalist hip-hop beats and lo-fi production with a thick, monotone British accent. It doesn’t sound like the ingredients for a great album, but somehow he pulls it all together and makes one of the years most interesting records.

16 - MISSION OF BURMA / OnOffOn (Matador) - After 22 years, MoB pick up exactly where they left off with the same intensity and sonic energy of their younger selves.

17 - THE BLUE STATES - The Soundings (Memphis Industries UK) - Pastoral pop from the UK in the vein of Talk Talk or the Chameleons.

18 - CHRIS STAMEY - Travels in the South (Yep Roc) - Relaxed mature pop that isn’t as immediate as what he was doing 20 years ago, but the melodies are beautiful, the musicianship is stellar, and the songwriting recalls the charms of the Holsapple/Stamey album.

19 - SNOW PATROL - Final Straw (A&M/Polydor) - Scotland’s Snow Patrol take the Coldplay playbook and fuzz up the guitars a bit and give all of the songs some extra oomph. Nothing new here, but every song is worth repeated plays.

20 - THIRDIMENSION - Permanent Holiday (Hidden Agenda) - Swedish band that plays a hook filled combination of 60’s psych rock and modern Britpop - like a catchier Soundtrack of Our Lives.


SOME CLOSE CONTENDERS: GRAHAM COXON, THE LIVING END, JEM, CAMERA OBSCURA, CHOMSKY, SCISSOR SISTERS, INTERPOL, MANIC STREET PREACHERS, REIGNING SOUND, AIR, KEREN ANN, AMERICAN MUSIC CLUB, and HINT HINT.

My Top 20 Albums of 2003

My Top 20 Albums of 2003

1. FOUNTAINS OF WAYNE / Welcome Interstate Managers (S-Curve)

www.fountainsofwayne.com

To my ears FOW have now made three consecutive perfect pop albums (the only other band I can say that about is the dBs back in the 80's). Like the other two, this album is loaded with memorable hooks, seemingly effortless harmonies, and lyrics that play out like short stories. Pop fun of the highest degree.

2. BUZZCOCKS / Buzzcocks (Merge)

www.buzzcocks.com

25 years into their career the Buzzcocks return with their most aggressive record ever and their strongest songs since 1993's comeback album, Trade Test Transmissions.

3. THE 88 / Kind of Light (EMK Records)

www.the88.net

LA band that owes a huge debt in sound and style to The Kinks (Village Green thru Muswell Hillbillies to be exact). They have a rootsy vibe without ever dipping their toes into the country pool. Retro without sounding dated.

4. PERNICE BROTHERS / Yours, Mine & Ours (Ashmont Records)

www.pernicebrothers.com

For the third album the band's sound is a bit fuller and the songs are a little poppier without losing any of the subtle charm that made their earlier records so special.

5. MULL HISTORICAL SOCIETY / Us (Blanco Y Negro)

www.mullhistoricalsociety.com

Giant lush production and summery melodies that sounds like a Brit-pop Pet Sounds.

6. THE KINGSBURY MANX / Aztec Discipline (Overcoat Records)

www.thekingsburymanx.com

Dreamy pop with a slightly psychedelic folk slant that falls somewhere between early Pink Floyd and a less morose Elliott Smith.

7. SLOAN / Action Pact (VIK/BMG Canada)

www.sloanmusic.com

Sloan records are always a sampler platter of rock/pop references, but for me they are at their best when the guitars are louder and the rhythms have some ooomph. This record rocks the way One Chord To Another did oh so many years ago.

8. NEW PORNOGRAPHERS / Electric Version (Matador)

www.thenewpornographers.com

Jangley guitars and bouncy choruses that expand and improve on where the debut left off. I thought that their first album didn't quite live up to the hype (partly driven by the music press' deserved devotion to Neko Case) while this exceeded it.

9. WIRE / Send (Pink Flag)

www.pinkflag.com/

Compiling cuts from two EPs with some new songs, Wire's first new album in a decade is a cohesive collection of edgy buzz punk that seamlessly combines the art angst of the early records with the dance grooves of the band's second phase in the late 80's.

10. KENNA / New Sacred Cow (Columbia)

www.kennaonline.com

Synthpop revivalism with herky-jerky keyboards and new wave riffs that sound at home along side Soft Cell and the first Depeche Mode records. At times the vocals shift between Dave Gahan and Simon LeBon and thanks to production from Chad Hugo (Neptunes) the grooves are always tight and upfront.

11. JOE STRUMMER & THE MESCALEROS / Streetcore (Hellcat Records)

www.strummersite.com

I can't think of anybody better than Joe Strummer at merging diverse cultural influences into the punk rock aesthetic and still make the songs so damn catchy.

12. PLACEBO / Sleeping With Ghosts (Astralwerks)

www.placeboworld.co.uk

Glam punk pop with an edgy tension on the fast songs and a slightly creepy vibe on the slow songs (like a rock version of Massive Attack). The production is great and highlights the innovative rhythm section (I love the drumming throughout) and the whiney vocals that should bug me, but don't.

13. BELLE & SEBASTIAN / Dear Catastrophe Waitress (Rough Trade)

www.belleandsebastian.com/home.php

This is the first B&S album I've loved since Sinister. The band has abandoned the blander twee leanings of their last few records in favor of stronger songs with interesting melodies and lyrics with a subtle sense of humor that recalls the early Smiths.

14. EXPLODING HEARTS / Guitar Romantic (Dirtnap)

www.explodinghearts.com

This record is totally out of place with today - it successfully emulates the pop punk sound and energy of The Boys, Rich Kids, Radiators From Space, and Vibrators. Unapologetically retro from the artwork to the snotty vocals that sound like Pete Shelley (Buzzcocks) mixed with Jake Burns (Stiff Little Fingers). Sadly three members of the band were killed in a van accident shortly after the record came out.

15. LAPTOP / Don't Try This At Home (Gammon)

www.laptopic.com

More 80's new wave revivalism - this time from New York and the reference points are Heaven 17, OMD, and most of all, the Human League. Along with the loads of synths are crunching guitar chords and droll Bowie-esque vocals that half sing, half speak the always interesting lyrics.

16. BEULAH / Yoko (Velocette Records)

www.beulahmania.com

Combine Wilco's Summerteeth with Spoon's Girls Can Tell and you're in the ballpark of Beulah. Every song's great individually, but the it plays out better as an album. They jump genres a bit, but the record has a slightly melancholy flow that is captivating.

17. THE FLESHTONES / Do You Swing? (Yep Roc Records)

www.fleshtones.org/

This album breaks no new ground and doesn't even rank in the better half of the Fleshtones repertoire, but a by-the-numbers Fleshtones album is still something to celebrate. Party garage music made to be danced to and sung along with.

18. THE TYDE / Twice (Rough Trade)

www.thetyde.com

California pop that mines the same reference points as the Thrills, but with a better ratio of catchy summery songs. Think later Byrds mixed in with the Church and Felt. Three of the guys are from Beechwood Sparks, but this is much better than anything that band did.

19. BOSS MARTIANS / The Set-up (MuSick Records)

http://home.earthlink.net/~bossmartians

Garagey punk/pop from Washington state that sounds like an adrenalin charged Graham Parker.

20. REDWALLS / Universal Blues (Undertow)

www.theredwalls.com

Less than two years ago they were in their teens and called the Pages and sounded exactly like Hamburg-era Beatles. Now they comfortably shift between the early fabs and the more relaxed feel of early 70's John Lennon, the Faces, and a looser Traffic. Depending on your perspective, they either steal riffs like crazy or reference their heroes frequently. The music is so damn sincere I vote for the latter.

21. EL GUAPO / Fake French (Dischord)

www.dischord.com

Electro art punks making angular grooves that are at times mesmerizing and always intriguing. They sound like a catchier Suicide or a less angry Gang of Four.

22. THE HEAVENLY STATES / The Heavenly States (Future Farmer Recordings)

www.theheavenlystates.com/

Textbook American indie rock somewhere between Archers of Loaf and Pavement.

23. THE SPACE TWINS / The End of Imagining (Raga Drop)

www.spacetwins.com

Side project from Weezer guitarist Brian Bell that is mostly laid back but catchy.

24. SLEEPY JACKSON / Lovers (Astralwerks)

www.thesleepyjackson.com

The first song sounds like George Harrison leading the Flaming Lips. The next song is like a rootsier indie rock Stones. The next song is different from those. The band genre jumps and dabbles in everything - usually to great effect.

25. THE ORANGES BAND / All Around (Lookout! Records)

www.theorangesband.com

Edgy, jangley guitars and some delightfully off-kilter rhythms with an ear for a memorable pop hook.

26. ROONEY / Rooney (Geffen)

www.rooney-band.com

Generic college radio power pop that still managed to spend a lot of time in my CD player.

27. BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB / Take Them On, On Your Own (Virgin)

http://brmc.webphilia.com

They tone down the Jesus and Mary Chain influence (let the Ravonettes carry that torch) and turn up the love and Rockets influence this go around.

28. FORTY FOOT RINGO / Funny Thing (Atenzia)

www.40ftringo.com/

Big guitar radio friendly pop that delves into the same terrain as Enuff Znuff. I'm a little leary of even admitting this, but I recently found out that the two main guys in the band were from 80's hair metal goons Trixter.

29. MYRACLE BRAH / Treblemaker (Rainbow Quartz)

www.rainbowquartz.com

Every other MB record has ended up in my top 10, but this go around the songs are a little flatter and the record lacks charm. But there are still some songs so great I kept returning it.

30. IGGY POP / Skull Ring (Virgin)

After two misfires Iggy returns with a records that rocks and has a lot of memorable hooks. With the exception of Peeches all of the collaborations work well - and the Stooges reunion manage to live up to expectations (well, two of the Stooges cuts do).

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My Top 30 albums of 2002

My Top 30 albums of 2002

1   IDLEWILD - Remote Part (EMI UK)
For their third album Idlewild are less punky and a bit more accessible without sacrificing any of the ferocious energy and powerful riffs of 100 Broken Windows. The Idlewild trademarks are all here - anthematic choruses, a forceful rhythm section, gigantic hooks, smart lyrics, and lots of guitar. But the Scots have matured and learned restraint, turning in a few slower songs that somehow still deliver the angst and tension of their earlier rockers.   www.idlewild.co.uk/

2   ARLO - Stab the Unstoppable Hero (Sub Pop)
Distinctly American meat and potatoes pop rock with a whole lot of oomph. LA's Arlo don't do anything new, they just do it better than most. Muscular guitars, 60's garage styled songs run through the 2002 indie rock machine, and fun, catchy hooks-o-plenty. Amazingly great follow up to a mediocre debut.  www.subpop.com

3   OK GO - OK Go (Capitol)
On their debut album, Chicago's OK Go merge skinny tie new wave with power pop and glam with a hint of art rock. They excel at energetic rockers with sing-a-long choruses (and verses!), tight harmonies, punchy guitars, and keyboards right off the first Cars album. But they also succeed at songs with more erratic experimental rhythms and on the slower moody pieces. The band takes chances and seems to always be pushing their limits, usually with stellar results. And having the best song of the year ("Get Over It") doesn't hurt either.  www.okgo.net/

4   MODEL ROCKETS - Tell the Kids (The Cops Are Here) (Not Lame)
Model Rockets sound like Sound of Music era dBs if Chris Stamey stuck around to still sing leads on half of the songs. Produced by Scott McCaughey (Young Fresh Fellows) and Kurt Bloch (Fatbacks), the album is full of jangley guitars, carefree lyrics, and an overall sense of summery fun. The Model Rockets venture into Americana without getting country and they touch on mid 60's and early 80's pop without sounding retro. www.notlame.com

5   HOT HOT HEAT - Make Up the Breakdown (Sub Pop)
This British Columbia quartet sound like nobody else. They make herky-jerky new wave with manic energy like a crazed Wire or a way-over-the-top Go-2 era XTC. Whirling keyboards, eccentric funk basslines, and angular guitars play second fiddle to the erratic drumbeats and wailing vocals that sound like a totally cut loose Robert Smith.   www.hothotheat.com

6   TOMMY KEENE - Merry-Go-Round Broke Down (Spin Art)
Tommy Keene is one of pop's most consistently great artists, always delivering high quality songs with killer hooks. In recent years he's turned up the guitars, and this go round the sound is even bigger, dabbling with horns and keyboards and even throwing in a sixteen minute epic in the middle of the album that fits in perfectly. www.tommykeene.com

7   FOOLS FACE - Fools Face (Fools Face)
Letter perfect, by the book, power pop from Springfield Missouri's great-underrated band, returning after a two-decade absence. They pick up right where they left off, with multi-layered harmonies and crisp pop hooks. This album sounds more like a career spanning singles collection rather than an album from a band that's been away for so long. www.notlame.com

8   MILES - Structure Vs Happiness (Feel)
German band that brings to mind a more rocking Teenage Fanclub or a poppier Ride or Swervedriver. Miles make energetic guitar pop with big power chords and head bobbing choruses. www.miles-music.com www.feelrecords.com

9   MYRACLE BRAH - Bleeder (Not Lame)
Myracle Brah originally started out as a side project for Love Nut's front man Andy Bopp, but has evolved into one of the most consistently interesting pop bands around. Armed with a collection of classic power pop songs, Bopp delivers about half of them as straight ahead pop rockers. For the other half he plays around with the arrangements and production, delving into more dissonant moody pop songs on some and loops on another and acoustic guitar and congas on yet another. www.notlame.com

10  THE SHAZAM - Tomorrow The World (Not Lame) 
For their third album Nashville's The Shazam have given in to their rock roots. This is an album of meaty hooks that show influences of UK glam, the Move and early Who with the pop-rock sensibilities of Cheap Trick without sounding like any of those bands. www.theshazam.com www.notlame.com

11  APPLES IN STEREO - Velocity of Sound (Spin Art)
Stripping back their sound, the Apples make a hyper bubblegum garage album of bouncy psychedelic indie rock. applesinstereo.com

12  JURASSIC 5 - Power In Numbers (Interscope)
J5 write smart hip-hop songs heavily rooted in old school rhythms, and for their second album the pace is kept at a midtempo retro-funk groove. It's been a while since a hip-hop record excited me this much (Product Placement, also featuring master mixologist Cut Chemist), but J5 merge great mixing with a positive vibe and top-drawer vocal interplay. www.jurassic5.com

13  SUPERDRAG - Last Call for Vitriol (Arena Rock) 
A return to form for the Knoxville quartet's fourth album: some big guitar radio-ready rockers, some classic power pop gems, and a few acoustic based numbers thrown in for good measure. www.superdrag.com

14  MULL HISTORICAL SOCIETY - Loss (Blanco Y Negro) 
Lush Scottish pop that has elements of the Zombies, Beta Band, Badly Drawn Boy, and the melancholy late 60's songs of the Beach Boys. While there are many fine upbeat singles, the album works best as a whole piece. And I'm glad to see that someone else has a healthy Olivia Newton John obsession ("Watching Xanadu"). www.mullhistoricalsociety.com

15  MENTHOL - Danger: Rock Science! (Hidden Agenda) 
A totally re-recorded version of the album they made for Capitol 3 years ago that never saw the light of day. Dipping heavily into the early Devo and Cars bag of tricks, Menthol bring their Midwestern rock back to the 80s with a collection of synth filled retro new wave rock songs. www.menthol-music.com  www.parasol.com

16  FOO FIGHTERS - One By One (RCA)
For their fourth album the Foos are back on their game after the less-than-stellar last album. They rock harder this time, making Dave Grohl's whisper-to-scream delivery even more dynamic. www.foofighters.com

17  BRYAN FERRY - Frantic (Virgin)
Bryan's best solo album since...well, it's actually his best solo album. He seems to make references to his entire career without blatantly repeating any particular song or era. I had given up hope on Bryan making another great record, so this album was a welcome surprise. www.bryanferry.com

18  POSSIBILITIES - Way Out (Parasol)
The Possibilities are all over the board, going from a lush Phil Spector-ish epic to somewhat sloppy barroom pop. They appear to be most influenced by the heyday of AM radio from the mid 60s through the mid 70s. www.parasol.com

19  JETS TO BRAZIL - Perfecting Loneliness (Jade Tree)
JTB rehash a lot of ideas from their first two albums in a small step backwards. The pace is slowed down a bit (emo-core with more emo, less core) and many of the songs start out fine but go on too long. And would it kill them to at least act like they're having a little fun? A really good album that should have been great. www.jetstobrazilonline.com www.jadetree.com

20  PAUL WESTERBERG - Stereo (Mono) (Vagrant) 
Another guy that I had written off that totally floored me! Armed with his best batch of songs since Tim, Paul tosses off song after song in the same seemingly effortlessly fashion he did in the first decade of his career. I love both albums, but prefer the looser recklessness of Mono. www.vagrant.com

21  BRENDAN BENSON - Lapalco (Star Time) 
Brendan performs just about everything on this sophomore album (Jason Falkner helps a bit), which is filled with simple, catchy and vaguely rootsy pop melodies.  www.brendanbenson.com

22  COLDPLAY - A Rush of Blood to the Head (Capitol)
It took the wonderment of "Clocks" to make me continually return to this album and finally realize that there's more to Coldplay than just "Yellow".  www.coldplay.com

23  DOLEFUL LIONS - Out Like A Lamb (Parasol) 
4th album, even more subdued than past efforts. Veering into orch pop at times, Doleful Lions are always challenging alternative conventions by playing songs that don't belong to any era or movement.  www.parasol.com

24  SOUNDTRACK OF OUR LIVES - Behind the Music (Universal)
Much hyped Swedish band that actually lives up to the hype. 1970 Detroit sound and melded to early 70's Stones, all with psychedelic grooves. www.tsool.com

25  ALEX LLOYD - Watching Angels Mend (Nettwerk)
One of the stronger singer-songwriters out there, Alex is armed with a spectacular voice and a well-crafted bunch of songs. He's one of the few new artists that can tackle emotional depths without sounding sappy.
www.nettwerkamerica.com

26  FINE CHINA - You Make Me Hate Music (Tooth and Nail)
American band that sound remarkably close to early 80's Britpop (Chameleons, Smiths, etc). www.toothandnail.com  www.finechina.cc

27  HONEYRIDER - Sunshine Skyway (Orange Sky/Dionysus) 
Light hearted pop from Florida that makes a perfect summer soundtrack, sounding a bit like the Primitives meets the Pooh Sticks with an almost cartoony early Beach Boys element thrown in.  www.dionysusrecords.com

28  DOUG POWELL - The Lost Chord (Parasol)
4th album from Nashville one-man-band and former member of Swag (as well as a well publicized co-hort of Rundgren) - lots of ideas and studio effects wrapped around some fine songs, but I wish he spent a bit less time on the studio showboating and put some more effort on the songwriting. www.parasol.com

29  SPOON - Kill the Moonlight (Merge)
4th album from Britt Daniels is a disappointing follow-up to last year's Girls Can Tell (my #1 album of 2001). Many great moments, but unfortunately many unfulfilled ideas and apparently unfinished songs. www.spoontheband.com/

30  TOOTHPASTE 2000 - Instant Action (Hidden Agenda)
Seattle pop trio that alternates between male and female lead vocals. His songs are great, hers are good. Produced by Adam Schmitt www.toothpaste2000.org

My Top 30 albums of 2001

My Top 30 albums of 2001

1. SPOON - Girls Can Tell (Merge) - Spoon make smart, innovative pop songs that sound like nobody else. They merge hauntingly beautiful melodies with jagged riffs and spooky arrangements, topped off with odd, instrospective lyrics. I cannot get these songs out of my head.

2. IDLEWILD - 100 Broken Windows (Capitol) - Idlewild make aggressive, powerful pop songs with lots of noisy guitars the way Husker Du did in the 80's, only updated for modern times and coming from the other side of the Atlantic. I swear this album spent over a month on my car's stereo before I finally started worrying I'd kill the speakers if I kept playing it (it works best loud).

3. MOODS FOR MODERNS - Loud & Clear (Doghouse Records) - This Detroit power pop trio's debut blew me away on the first listen and hasn't let up yet. All the songs have that extra oomph missing in so many recent pop albums. Big guitar chords, stripped down arrangements, powerhouse drumming, and more hooks than a tackle box.

4. SLOAN - Pretty Together (Murderecords) - Sloan are obviously music nerds with a million rock and pop reference points that they can effortlessly infuse into every song. And they do it without sounding derivative of anyone - they just sound like Sloan. This is my fave Sloan album since One Chord To Another, which was one of my favorite albums of the 90s.

5. THE NINES - Properties of Sound ( ? ) - After a three plus year wait, these Canadian popsters return with a diverse album of remarkable pop songs. Imagine Andy Partridge fronting the Velvet Crush, throw in some Beatles For Sale era McCartney and a little Ben Folds Five and you have a good idea what this sounds like.

6. NEIL FINN - One Nil (Parlophone/EMI Australia) - As one of my favorite songwriters ever, Neil is about as reliable as they come. This time the songs are more subtle; low-key numbers rich in texture that seem to grow with each listen.

7. THE ORGONE BOX - The Orgone Box (Minus Zero Records) - Full blown British psychedelia with Sgt Pepper type production and ringing Rickenbackers. It's like the Dukes of Stratosphere times three, Martin Newell times ten.

8. TIM FINN - Feeding the Gods (What Are Records) - When he's focused, Tim Finn makes some incredibly great music, but I don't think he's ever been focused for an entire album - until now. Half the album is comprised of sharp, upbeat guitar driven rockers with monster hooks. The other half is an eclectic mix of odd pop numbers and ballads that bring to mid his earlier solo records and even a bit of Crowded House.

9. ROSENBERGS - Mission: You (Discipline) - Text book power pop in the tradition of 20/20, the Records, Shoes, Posies, Fountains of Wayne, and Sloan. Strong harmonies, punchy arrangements, instantly lovable choruses, and enough Cheap Trick-like muscle in the songs to keep them from becoming precious.

10. COSMIC ROUGH RIDERS - Enjoy The Melodic Sunshine (Poptones) - These Scots sound very West Coast circa 1970 - the more hippy/psychedelic side of country influenced pop scene. You have to mention the Byrds, but I also hear a little CSNY, Jimmy Webb, late 60's Beach Boys, and even a touch of the Las.

11. BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB - Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (Virgin) - 60% Love and Rockets, 40% Jesus and Mary Chain.

12. THE STRAWBERRY SMELL - Odorama (Rainbow Quartz) - Pyschedelic mod pop from France that sounds like a mix of every era of Britpop, starting with the Who and ending up at Supergrass. Fun, fun, fun!

13. WEEZER - Weezer (Geffen) - The most economical record of the year - not a single wasted riff, melody, chorus, or moment. Ten hook-filled gems in under thirty minutes. Always leave 'em wanting more.

14. NEW ORDER - Get Ready (Reprise) - Good god, did I put a New Order record in my top 20?!? Without deviating much from the "New Order sound", this is their best record since Low-life. It sounds more like a latter day hits collection than a regular album.

15. THE FLETCHER PRATT - Nine By Nine (Rainbow Quartz) - Chunky, high energy 60's style rock out of Detroit  that sounds a bit like the Creation. The vocals and guitar are pure pop rock, but the driving rhythm section gives them a garage edge.

16. YOU AM I - Dress Me Slowly (BMG Australia) Quite simply, You Am I are an Australian rock band that play catchy, potentially mainstream pop rock. But what makes them so special is that they are super tight and the songwriting is consistently stronger than most band's best song.

17. GORILLAZ - Gorillaz (Virgin) - Damon Albarn makes up for two consecutive shakey Blur albums with a brilliant side project with Dan the Automator. One of the few hip-hop/rock/pop mergers that actually works, namely because it actually has a whole album worth of ideas. The fun songs are actually fun, the moody songs really are moody, and I've been told that you actually dance to dancey stuff.

19. THE AUTUMN DEFENSE - The Green Hour (Broadmoor) - Sixties-ish light pop from Wilco bassist John Stirratt. This is a great lazy summer album full of gentle melodies that vaguely bring to mind Love.

20. LINUS OF HOLLYWOOD - Let Yourself Be Happy (Franklin Castle) - 2nd album from one-man band LOH - soft pop/lounge pop recalling everything from Supertramp to Sgt Pepper to Nilson to Peter Ivers to early Todd Rundgren. Extra points for two great covers: a faithful reading of Ozzy's "Goodbye To Romance" and a Smoking Popes song that sounds like it came right out of a mid seventies Holiday Inn lounge.

21. ADAM SCHMITT - Demolition (Parasol) - American pop rock with an emphasis on big guitars and anthematic choruses. After seven years of waiting, Adam delivers.

22. LAPTOP - The Old Me vs the New You (Trust Me Records) - A smart ass with a plethora of synth pop references - like a less funky Beck or a more danceable Eels. His monotone take on Wreckless Eric's "Whole Wide Word" gets my vote for coversong of the year.

23. SUPERCHUNK - Here's To Shutting Up (Merge) - The first listen was a little weird - Mac singing, not so much angst, and a pedal steel (!?!), but now it sounds right at home with rest of the Superchunk catalog. They were always about the songs first, and they still deliver solid songs.

24. WEBB BROTHERS - Maroon (Mews 5) - Jimmy Webb siblings mix up catchy retro rock with downbeat hangover ballads. This record would much higher up if there were a one or two more upbeat numbers. Extra points for making the best summer song in ages ("Summer People").

25. DAVID BYRNE - Look Into The Eyeball (Virgin) - I lost my enthusiasm for David Byrne after Little Creatures, but this new one has rekindled why I loved him all those years ago.. He finally gets the right balance of pop melodies, assorted world influences, smart lyrics, and an unrestrained sense of fun. And I just love hearing him sing. This is his most comfortable album ever - nothing seems forced.

26. LIQUOR GIANTS - Up With People (Elastic/BMG Australia) - What kind of screwed up world is it when you have to go to Australia to get an album from one of America's finer pop bands? Americana pop that delves into, jangle, glampop and the three B's of pop (Beatles, Big Star, and the Beach Boys).

27. BURNING AIRLINES - Identikit (DeSoto) - 2nd album from former Jawbox frontman J Robbins - one of the few guys that can consistently make dissonant noise catchy. Sort of an American indierock Catherine Wheel.

28. GUIDED BY VOICES - Isolation Drills (TVT) - GBV manage to continue their long line of seemingly endless little musical gems. Musically they never forge new ground, but they put the chords together in just the right order to always keep my toes tapping. And the lyrics are as whacked as ever.

29. MANIC STREET PREACHERS - Know Your Enemy (Virgin) - I've never cared for the Manics, so I expected nothing from this album. I thought the first song or two were flukes since I enjoyed them, but the next thing I knew the album was over and I really liked the whole thing. Message-wise I don't agree with them most of the time, but musically I right with them this time.

30. PERNICE BROTHERS - The World Won't End (Ashmont) - More fine rootsy pop, but Joe Pernice may be in need of an FTD Tickler gift basket and a hug.

My Favorite Albums of 2000

My Favorite Albums of 2000

1   XTC - Wasp Star - Apple Venus Volume 2 (TVT)

       -XTC's strongest album in over a decade - these would all be hit singles in a perfect world     

2   DANDY WARHOLS - Thirteen Tales from Urban Bohemia (Capitol)

       -At various times the sound like Iggy, the Velvets, Bowie, Stones, Blur, Peter Murphy, etc etc...yet no one sounds like them.   

3   TSAR - Tsar (Hollywood)

       -Supercharged glam pop from LA - lots of Cheap Trick with a little Sweet and Redd Kross 

4   WAXWINGS - Low to the Ground (Bobsled)     

       -Sounding like a power pop Byrds at times - excellent songwriting, solid hooks, and tight playing - and it's only their debut!

5   MYRACLE BRAH - Miracle Brah (Not Lame)

       -One of the best and most consistent pop bands out there today - classic pop - and their third in a row to make my top 10       

6   DROWNERS - Is There Something On Your Mind? (Wind Up)

       -More straight ahead pop (are you noticing a trend on this list yet?)    rock

7   APPLES IN STEREO - Discovery of a World Inside the Moone (SpinArt)

       -A weird little bubblegummy record that stuck with me - I love the guy's vocals, but I've heard that it drives most people crazy

8   EELS - Daisies of the Galaxy (Dreamwerks)

       -Strange production and instrumentation and even stranger lyrics - E may be a one trick pony, but he does that trick so damn well       

9   JETS TO BRAZIL - Four Cornered Night (Jade Tree)

       -A grossly under praised record of 2000 - top drawer lyrics and just plain great songs - I would have killed for this record in my college radio days!  

10  TIM FINN - Say It Is So (What Are Records) 

       -Another one I can't believe how little I heard about - being a Tim Finn record, it's a little weird and eclectic, but has some killer melodies

11  SUPERGRASS - Supergrass (Island)

       -When I first heard this I only loved 3 songs, then four, then five, etc etc - now I love the whole damn thing. 

12  BILLY BRAGG & WILCO - Mermaid Avenue Vol. II (Elektra)

       -Volume 1 was just OK, so I thought this would be a little less than OK, but it looks like they saved the best stuff for this volume    

13  FROM BUBBLEGUM TO SKY - Me and Amy and the Two French Boys (Eenie Meenie Records)

       -Emphasis on the bubblegum - more sugar than a pack of Lick Em Stix - new wave meets 60's orchestral pop meets Saturday morning cartoons - F-U-N!       

14  DEATHRAY - Deathray (Capricorn)    

       -Pop from a band that seems to listen to the first few Cars albums quite a bit

15  JUPITER AFFECT - Instructions for the Two Ways of Becoming Alice (Eggbert)

       -Three O'Clock/Permanent Green Light frontman has a new band and his strongest album ever - 60's-ish psychedelic pop meets modern pop   

16  U2 - All That You Can't Leave Behind (Interscope)

       -Good God - I haven't loved an entire U2 record since War - they're finally writing real songs again, and they sound just wonderful     

17  CHRIS KNOX - Beat (Thirsty Ear)

       -New Zealand DIY lofi - Chris plays everything, records it in his home studio, and has done it that way for years - a favorite artist of mine that never disappoints    

18  POSTER CHILDREN - DDD (SpinArt)

       -Champaign Illinois' most consistent band - angsty college rock 

19  GAZA STRIPPERS - 1000 Watt Confessions (Lookout)

       -Equal parts 70's hard rock and 80's/90's punk - Rick Simms (former Didjits frontman) just plain rocks - his best record since Hornet Piñata    

20  FLASHING LIGHTS - Where The Change Is (SpinArt)    

       -Sloan-mates from Canada, fronted by former SuperFriendz leader - your basic meat and potatoes pop rock

21  CATHERINE WHEEL - Wishville (Columbia)

       -A slightly more song oriented record from the band that does the wall of guitar better than anyone (except maybe the Wedding Present)  

22  TAHITI 80 - Puzzle (Minty Fresh)

       -Lounge pop     

23  GROOVIE GHOULIES - Travels With My Amp (Lookout)

       -Carrying the 70's era Ramones punk pop torch   

24  ROBBIE WILLIAMS - Sing When You're Winning (Capitol)

       -And Robbie's not the biggest pop star because why?     

25  THE SIXTHS - Hyacinths and Thistles (Merge)

       -Stephen Merritt writes eccentric and eclectic songs and manages to get some wonderfully odd results from Gary Numan, Marc Almond, Melanie, Bob Mould, and 10 more guest vocalists      

26  FRISBEE - The Subversive Sounds of Love (Hear Diagonally)

       -Great sound, top notch musicianship, fabulous harmonies, they just need a few stronger hooks for me to get as excited about them as many critics and friends have      

27  SWINGIN' NECKBREAKERS - Return of Rock (Telstar)

       -Quite simply the best garage band working today

28  SHELBY LYNNE - I Am Shelby Lynne (Island)

       -I avoided this record for a long time because of the hype, but it ended up being as good as everyone said      

29  BADLY DRAWN BOY - Hour of Bewilderbeast (XL)

       -Um, I don't even know what to say about this   

30  WARREN ZEVON - Life'll Kill Ya (Artemis)

       -I don't think I've ever loved an entire Warren Zevon album before - but he nails all my fave Zevonisms on this one