23 Dec 04

Best Albums of 2004

Oh, aught-four. Is it already that time again? Indeed it is. I've mulled over this list for quite some time, and I've listened to more crappy music than you can shake a stick at - from the numerous indie pop bands which thoroughly disappointed me to the bizarre Ralph Wiggum-on-a-harp that is Joanna Newsom. But let's not belabour the point. I'm Frankie Dintino, and I approve this list.
1. Of Montreal - Satanic Panic in the Attic
Satanic Panic in the Attic As far as music goes, Of Montreal's album is the closest that you're going to get to the sublime. The songs, though quite varied, are still a shift from their earlier work - ranging from the psychedelic synth-pop of "Disconnect the Dots" and "Rapture Rapes the Muses" to the more folk-pop style found in "City Bird." There isn't a song on this album that I would class as inessential, though the highlights on the album definitely come from "Eros' Entropic Tundra" and "Spike the Senses." In short, this album is marked by catchy beats, infectious melodies, and lovely vocal harmonies.
2. Brian Wilson - Smile
Smile 2004 will go down in the rock and pop history books as the year Brian Wilson finally released Smile, his once-abandoned love-child from the late sixties. Although originally conceived as a "teenage symphony to God" it's turned out in fact to be something like a sexagenarian symphony to God. This is most clearly evident in the vocals: Wilson no longer has that boyish timbre that made me fall in love with Pet Sounds and the bootlegs of Smile. But don't get me wrong, Wilson can sing, quite well in fact. Aided by The Wondermints, Brian has done stunning work in reviving the masterpiece that seemed, until this year, condemned to obscurity. Three-and-a-half decades of antipsychotics haven't killed off the spark in Wilson, and we can only hope his future work continues in the vein of the pure genius that is Smile.
3. Elliott Smith - From a Basement on the Hill
From a Basement on the Hill Elliott Smith doesn't need an introduction. At the time of his untimely death he was finished recording what was to be his newest album and, with the permission of his father, From a Basement on the Hill was put together from these recordings. Fans of Smith will notice a more somber and dark hue on his post-humous work, most notably in songs like "Twilight." But then again, aren't almost all of Smith's songs somewhat somber? It took a few listens before I realized it, but this ranks up there with the best of his work.
4. Ben Kweller - On My Way
On My WayWhat is one to make of the cover for On My Way? Perhaps it suggests that Ben Kweller is "running with the big dogs." It would seem he desperately wants to at least shake off the image he's acquired as indie rock's little brother. When I saw him live, he seems to be attempting to pull off an odd alchemical formula: one part Ben Folds, one part macho cowboy, two parts rock star. Although this makes for some ridiculous posturing and theatrics on Kweller's part, the result is (if you'll excuse the terrible extended metaphor) music gold. The album covers a wide variety of styles, from ballads such as "On My Way" to catchy piano-driven songs as is found in "Hospital Bed," to the harder rock of "Ann Disaster." A definite must-listen for any devotees of the indie rock/pop spectrum.
5. The Advantage - The Advantage
The Advantage It's really hard to understand why so many NES-cover bands suck - given that the music is great and is already pre-written - but for various reasons they do. The Advantage is the exception to that rule. Perhaps it is because they manage to pull of an incredible balancing act: between catchiness and repetitiveness, between kitsch and cool. Everyone in the band comes off as very talented, the post-punk style suits the music they play well, and they have indie cred to boot. Even if NES-music isn't your thing, you should check them out. It's hard to single out any song or songs as the best on the album, but I have to admit that "Castlevania - stage 3" was for a while the soundtrack to my life.
6. Morrissey - You Are The Quarry
You Are The Quarry Yes, he's pretentious and pompous. Like it or not, he's also rather good. At first I was disappointed with the album, considering it in the light of The Smiths, but after a few listens it became clear to me that this album without a doubt deserves a place on this list. It is, I'll be the first to admit, excessive at times - such as in his tirade against America entitled "America is not the World." But it has some real quality songs on it, notably "First of the Gang to Die" and "The World is Full of Crashing Bores." The rest of the songs are hit-or-miss, though mostly hit. As a whole the album is hands down the best solo album he's had (which doesn't say much) but is additionally a great work in its own right.
7. Phantom Planet - Phantom Planet
Phantom Planet As many people know, I am an unabashed fan of indie-pop. There's a fine line for me between causticity and assuasiveness, and if music crosses a certain threshold, I can't seem to like it (with a few notable exceptions, such as Nirvana). That's why Ted Leo & The Pharmacists isn't on here. This threshold isn't fixed though. At first the new Phantom Planet album crossed the threshold. Over time, though, and with listening to the acoustic demos of the songs, it's grown on me. Lead singer Alex Greenwald has an amazing voice, even if it is masked by the fact that he tries at times to sing as if he has a testicular tortion. And despite all this, the album (although inferior to their last album, in my opinion) is quite good, and songs like "The Happy Ending" and "Big Brat" have had me return for multiple listens.
8. Rilo Kiley - More Adventurous
More Adventurous I have a love-hate relationship with this album. Lead singer Jenny Lewis has an incredible voice, and I never really noticed it as much on Rilo Kiley's previous albums. More Adventurous is definitely a transitional album, from a band trying to figure out where they're going. This is evident in the stylistic range found across the album. There are a few gems though on here. First is fittingly titled, "It's a hit", which even has potential to have mass appeal. Another notable track is "portions for foxes," which relates a, all-too-common theme. The low of the album though is when Jenny Lewis gets all Alanis Morrissette on us in the last minute or so of "does he love you?" Despite the album's excesses, this is Rilo Kiley's best album yet, and unlike their older albums, is much less likely to induce one to snores.
9. The Kings of Convenience - Riot on an Empty Street
Riot on an Empty Street I had a last-minute change of heart with this album. One might wonder why it was ever excluded from my list in the first place - I, who was brought up listening to Peter, Paul and Mary on my Playskool turntable. Well frankly I didn't give it much of a chance, mostly because the arrangements and lyrics just smack of a Simon and Garfunkel copy-band. But besides that one minor quip, the production is flawless, and the album definitely has its moments. Plus the girl on the cover is hot.
10. Snow Patrol - Final Straw
Final Straw "Snow Patrol?!" exclaims the imaginary reader of this review, "aren't they that really mediocre band, the ones that sound like a more boring version of Grandaddy?" Yes, that's the one. Can you sense that I'm grasping for straws at this point? Let me be honest: it was between this, the self-titled Franz Ferdinand album, and Modest Mouse's "Good News for People Who Like Excessively Long Album Titles." So can you really blame me? Incidentally, they provide a decent background soundtrack to doing lewis-dot structures. By far the best track on this album is "Run," which partially renders the rest of the album unnecessary. In conclusion: sometimes bland, sometimes catchy, worth a listen (your mileage might vary).

Best Re-release of the Year

The Zombies - Odessey & Oracle
Odessey & Oracle I always pegged The Zombies as one of those typical sixties bands, famous for "Time of the Season," but relatively unessential like The Hollies or The Turtles. Boy, was I ever wrong. Odessey and Oracle is a masterpiece - in my book it ranks up there with Pet Sounds. Although often grouped with other bands as part of the psychedelia moviement, the most psychedelic thing about this album is the cover - which is a good thing. Songs like "Care of Cell 44," "A Rose for Emily," and "This Will Be Our Year" show a level of pop finesse that is unparalleled. I could go on and on about this album, but you simply have to listen to it. The first 12 songs, with the exception perhaps of "Changes," are incredible. As far as differences between previous editions of the album, the tracks are remastered, as well as some additional stereo mixes are thrown in for Zombies completists. The original mono mix of "This Will Be Our Year" is put in place of the inferior stereo version that came out on the last edition. I made this category solely for this album, that's how good it is. Listen!!!

Honorable Mentions

A.C. Newman - Slow Wonder | site | mp3
Air - Talkie Walkie | site
The Arcade Fire - Funeral | site | mp3 | mp3 | mp3 | mp3
Cyann & Ben - Happy Like An Autumn Tree | site | mp3 | mp3
Modest Mouse - Good News for People Who Like Bad News | site
The Streets - A Grand Don't Come For Free | site | video
The Thrills - Let's Bottle Bohemia | site | video


2 comments

Hm, yeah I wonder what persuaded you to add the Kings of Convenience to your list. Hmm.... =D

Ashley, on December 24, 2004 5:44 PM

Thanks for posting some mp3. I can't find The Arcade Fire's album here in Peru.

Renato, on January 11, 2005 11:31 AM

Post a comment









Remember personal info?





Type the characters you see in the picture above.