well, it's that time again. here's my top 10 of the year.

in no order

-wilco-yhf
-mayflies usa-walking in a straight line
-badly drawn boy-have you fed the fish?
-clinic-walking with thee
-steve earl-jerusalem
-beck-sea change
-spoon-kill the moonlight
-queens of the stone age-songs for the deaf
-andrew w.k.-i get wet
-sleater-kinney-one beat

Well, seeing as how I only bought 47 CDs this year and only 11 of them were actual albums from this year, my list is pretty sucky. But here it is, in order.

1. The White Stripes "White Blood Cells"
2. Coldplay "A Rush Of Blood To The Head"
3. Interpol "Turn On The Bright Lights"
4. The Hives "Your New Favourite Band"
5. Oasis "Heathen Chemistry"
6. Weezer "Maladroit"
7. Buffy The Vampire Slayer "Once More, With Feeling" original soundtrack
8. Beck "Sea Change"
9. The Apples In Stereo "Velocity Of Sound"
10. Sheryl Crow "C'mon C'mon"

Basically, this year was the year that my three favorite bands (Oasis, Weezer, and Sheryl Crow) put out very average releases. I liked "Heathen Chemistry" but it just didn't live up to "Standing On The Shoulder Of Giants." I still stand by "The Globe Sessions" as being great and I do think that "Soak Up The Sun" is a great pop song, but Sheryl Crow DOES have more to offer than "C'mon C'mon." I chalk that album up to a Kid Rock corruption. "Maladroit" was also a good album with good songs and it was a step in the right direction for the band....but I hope the glossy-metal sound goes away. I don't think I could take another album with that sound.

So, in my books, 2002 was the year of my new favourite bands (The White Stripes and The Hives, and lately Interpol and Coldplay). Let's hope 2003 sees a Features release.

Again, I didn't buy too many albums that were released in 2002. Here goes nothing...

The great:

Sea Change - Beck
Yankee Hotel Foxtrot - Wilco
A Rush of Blood to the Head - Coldplay
Hard Candy - the Counting Crows


The good:

Walking With Thee - Clinic
Maladroit - Weezer
In Search of... - N.E.R.D.
When I Was Cruel - Elvis Costello

Didn't get around to buying, but am looking forward to buying in 2003:

Kill the Moonlight - Spoon
Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots - the Flaming Lips
Phrenology - the Roots
Turn on the Bright Lights - Interpol
Have You Fed the Fish? - Badly Drawn Boy
A New Morning - Suede
Home - the Dixie Chicks
Justified - Justin Timberlake
Brainwashed - George Harrison
( ) - Sigur Ros
Storytelling - Belle & Sebastian
Under Cold Blue Stars - Josh Rouse
Is a Woman - Lambchop

I need more money...

wow. that seems like the answer to one of those "which does not belong" questions.

1. Ryan Adams///Demolition
2. The Distillers///sing SING death HOUSE
3. Division of Laura Lee///black city
4. Faith Hill///cry
5. Aimee Mann///lost in space
6. Eve///eve-olution
7. yeah yeah yeahs
8. Taking Back Sunday///tell all your friends
9. The Kills///black rooster e.p.
10. Finch///what it is to burn

In no particular order...

Beck - Sea Change
Foo Fighters - One by One
Get Up Kids - On a Wire
Flaming Lips - Yoshimi
Coldplay - AROBTTH
Pearl Jam - Riot Act
Death Cab for Cutie- You Can Play these songs...
the falling - Cardinal EP
verde - hola chica EP
jetpack - jetpack

Obviously, I stick mostly to bands that are pretty much well established and just hope that I'll be pleased with their new ones. Usually, I'm not disappointed (unless you're talking about Weezer). I thought the first four stacked up as one of the best albums for each respective band. The other three were good by virtue of being released by a quality band. The last three are my favorite local releases (obviously).

If I didn't have a rule about including Greatest Hits CDs on these lists, I would have definitely included Bjork's latest release. I'm finally coming around on her stuff.

1 and 2: Changed the way I look at music:

Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot

3-7: The Great

Beck - Sea Change
Coldplay - A Rush of Blood to the Head
Interpol - Turn on the Bright Lights
Sigur Ros - ( )
The White Stripes - White Blood Cells

8-10: The Good

Counting Crows - Hard Candy
Foo Fighters - One by One
Weezer - Maladroit

Will

i know all these weren't actually released this year, but they became new to me this year

white stripes - white blood cells
countnig crows - hard candy
tori amos - scarlet's walk
weezer - maladroit
the hives - veni vedi vicious
sleater kinney - one beat
david gray - a new day at midnight


my mind is wandering... im at a loss.

1. "turn on the bright lights" by interpol
2. "the jam at the bbc" by the jam
3. "yankee hotel foxtrot" by wilco
4. "brainwashed" by george harrison
5. "we love life" by pulp
6. "slanted and enchanted: luxe and deluxe" by pavement
7. "dust sucker: the bat chain puller sessions" by captain beefheart
8. "yoshimi battles the pink robots" by flaming lips
9. "sea change" by beck
10. "close cover before striking" by luna


my favorite single: "buffalo head/oh my love" by the features

i forgot about this one. great band, amazing album. take out andrew w.k. and put this one in.

i do a great impression of brodie armstrong.
are you ready to be liberaaaated?

sugarplum does a great impression of the chick with the big face in sleater kinney.

we dislike them both.

(Edited by sinasugarsick at 7:44 pm on Jan. 2, 2003)

k...
so like...here's the deal und stuff...

next time hear sina trash brody or VIN Diesel
fo' real...ya'll gonna see teeth flyin.

Man, I know I'm gonna forget something, but here goes:

1. Cornelius- Point
2. Joe Pisapia- Daydreams
3. Lambchop- Is A Woman
4. Colplay- A Rush Of Blood To The Head
5. Beck- Sea Change
6. Supergrass- Life On Other Planets
7. Character- A Flashing Of Knives And Green Water
8. Mellow- Soundtrack to CQ
9. Weezer- Maladroit
10. Watercolor- Beautiful Mistake

Yes, Keith. I forgot about that one. It definitely goes in the "great" category.

It took me a long time to remember what I bought last year & what came out last year & most of this is redundant, but here it is:

Great:

Coldplay- A Rush of Blood to the Head
The Prom- Under the Same Stars
Belle & Sebastian- Storytelling
The Flaming Lips- Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots

Good:

Apples in Stereo- Velocity of Sound
Beck- Sea Change
Josh Rouse- Under Cold Blue Stars
Character- A Flashing of Knives and Green Water

Overrated but not bad:

Queens of the Stone Age- Songs for the Deaf
Spoon- Kill the Moonlight
Weezer- Maladroit

Even though you didn't ask, things I think are overrated and also bad:

White Stripes- Red Blood Cells
Interpol- Turn on the Bright Lights

wow. these two are probably my most favorite albums of this year. though not my favorite white stripes album, "white blood cells" is still amazing and i still listen to it all the time. and "turn on the bright lights" i only got recently but i absolutely love it and haven't been able to take it out of the cd player. but hey, whatever tops your taco, right? here's a ninja for you lauren, just for good measure.

Gotta disagree here. I didn't buy this album until recently because all I heard for so long was how bad this album was and how bad Weezer had become, etc. Finally I found it for $7 sealed at Great Escape, so I thought what the hell? It is no Pinkerton for sure, or even as good as the first album, but I thought it was, if anything, underrated.

I heard the Interpol album once thru the other day and thought it sounded really cool.

But...

I think that the White Stripes may be the most over-rated band of the new millenium so far.

Well, I guess that's just a matter of opinion, now isn't it?

Personally The Vines get my vote...

(Edited by ray davies at 8:04 pm on Jan. 6, 2003)

The Vines would have to get mine as well. I know of no other bands today that juggle as many sounds and styles as The White Stripes, as well as making so much noise come out of two instruments. Sure Meg's drumming is simple, but Jack's crazy guitars (and the way he plays, it sounds like there are 2+ at all times) and voice make up for it. Overrated or underrated, the White Stripes are just good. In my opinion..

(Edited by DigsySlattery at 8:18 pm on Jan. 6, 2003)

Yeah, the Vines are pretty over-rated, too, not to mention pretty unoriginal. Really, let's just go ahead and say it: all of those "saviors of rock" bands are over-rated, now aren't they? That's not to say that they suck - they don't, necissarily - but they're NOWHERE near as good as the journalistic fellatio they've been receiving from rock critics over the last 2 years. It's like WAKE UP - this has been done before, and much better. Go buy a Television record, for God's sake...

this is beginning to remind me of the thread where i said i didn't like the strokes.
and i will openly admit to liking the white stripes mainly because jack is hot (and nice.)

Thank you for being honest, Sina.

even though i do happen to find jack white to be the most attractive man in the history of the world, that has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that they are my favorite band. he blows me away with his crazy guitar-playing skills and eccentrically beautiful voice. i guess it's their clever simplicity and utter rawness that draws me to them. i started off with "white blood cells" and was blown away, but when i progresed to their frst two albums i found myself even moreso drowning in their tsunami of rock and roll. your taste in music is your taste i music, but i still think that too many people still know them as "the lego band" to say that they're overrated.

truer words have never been spoken, havesomesoma....i feel that the only reason that some people find these bands to be overrated is because they have been overexposed....and if you really think about it, the only reason that they (the white stripes, the strokes, etc.) have been overexposed is because they are the most exciting thing to happen to "rock" music in a very long time.....personally, i find the white stripes to be a phenomenal band, and the strokes are even better than that...

To weigh in on my side:

The Vines suck hardcore and are easily the most overrated ROCK act of the new milenium. As for act, I don't know if I'm equipped to say...

The White Stripes and Interpol rock me™ and I think that the Stripes, if anything, are misunderstood. I can't believe how many friends I've changed from hating them to loving them just by playing them a randomly selected track that isn't Fell in Love with a Girl. That song was just a poor decision for a single.

Will

I wouldnt exactly say that.....it was a very catchy song and it did get them heavy airplay on mtv, but it made them appear to be just another "new rock" band.....it's a double-edged sword....

Yeah, I didn't word what I said properly, but you hit at what I was saying. A better thing to say would have been "poor representation of the band's overall sound."

Will

Personally, I enjoy "Fell in Love with a Girl" quite a bit. Of course, there are many other White Stripes songs that I would rather have seen selected as a single.

I think the idea of The White Stripes being overrated is completely wrong. If you have that feeling about them, just listen to "Hand Springs" or "Your Southern Can is Mine", and I'm sure you're view on the subject will be greatly affected.

Now, on the subject of Interpol... it is just plain absurd to call them overrated.

(Edited by Sexy Sadie at 12:39 am on Jan. 7, 2003)

My thoughts exactly..."turn on the bright lights" is a magnificent album....

you just dislike the strokes because they don't write songs about you.

i know, right

cause as soon as they do i'm going to run to hot topic and buy the red and black strokes shirt.

aw yeah.

My feelings exactly. I'm impressed by the fervor of White Stripes & Interpol fans on this board, though, and I have to admit something here: I haven't given either band more than a surface listen. I downloaded a sampling of their stuff when people started talking about them & was very disappointed. That, combined with their overwhelming hype, made me totally uninterested in listening to their music in a comprehensive way. Maybe one day when I'm bored I'll try them again & see if they still annoy me.

When that day comes, Lauren, download songs from De Stijl for The White Stripes. Such a great record.

Will

Results of my boredom:

White Stripes- I listened to all recommended tracks & some others and I'm still unimpressed. I can't get past the intentionally fuzzy production & the guy's voice. The simplicity of the music is boring to me, probably partly because I'm easily annoyed by rock music that is heavily blues-influenced (aka Jon Spencer). I WILL admit, however, that I really like "We're Going to be Friends", and I didn't realize that was a song of theirs. Instead of the White Stripes, I would listen to the Makeup.

Interpol- More interesting than I initially thought. I think I originally just happened to download tracks I didn't like- like NYC & Stella was a Diver. But now I've found that I like Obstacle 1 & PDA & a couple of others pretty well. Again, the guy's voice is sometimes annoying, and I still think Television or the Talking Heads did the same thing better 2 decades ago. But not as "bad" as I thought.

Best Albums of 2002 and why

Blackalicious - Blazing Arrow (Best feel good record)
Beck - Sea Change (Best depressing record since Nick Drake)
Hot Hot Heat - Make Up The Breakdown (Best Friday night record)
Hot Hot Heat EP - Knock, Knock, Knock (same)
The Roots - Phrenology (Best smoking record while hanging with good friends)
Trans Am - TA (Best workout record)
N.E.R.D. - In Search Of... (Best party record)
Interpol - Turn On The Bright Lights (Best nostalgia record)
John Coltrane - A Love Supreme, reissue (Best lovemakin' record)

Honorable Mentions:
DJ Shadow - The Private Press
Doves - The Last Broadcast
Spoon - Kill The Moonlight
Red, Hot, and Riot - A Tribute To Fela Kuti

Ah, I did forget that doves CD. I liked that one too.

I agree Lauren on Interpol. It was those two songs, PDA and Obstacle 1 that really did it for me and I think the record as a whole is pretty worthy of a full listen... but I think those two tracks in particular are really strong (Of course I could do without the line "her stories are boring and stuff, she's always calling my bluff" in Obstacle 1).

there's this old band called the sound that interpol seems to jip a lot from(in addition to joy division). anyone interested should try to find their album "from the lion's mouth". i like some of the interpol guy's lyrics. "untitled", in particular, is great. i don't hear any television or talking heads in interpol. joy division, the sound, & echo & the bunnymen have a lot more to do with their sound.

Yeah, it all has to do with your frame of reference. I'm too ignorant of Joy Division, etc. to determine whether they sound alike. I don't think they sound like Television as much as I think that people who like them might also like Television.

I appreciate the use of the word "jip". One time I used it and some PC freak said it was a slur against gypsies. I think gypsies are proud of their robbing heritage.

i get irritated with pc people. to me, it seems like a different form of racism. maybe "jip" would be spelled "gyp" then. if you're interested, i'll gladly make you a joy division compilation.

I've always thought that it was spelled "gyp," but I've never known why until Lauren said that about gypsies.

And meanwhile I always thought it was spelled "gyp" and always assumed that was because it was derived from "gypsy."

Who needs political-correctness?

Will

You guys better not talk too much about gypsies as they might set up camp in your backyard and make all kinds of noise with their nightly fireside parties and they might eat your babies. No, wait, part of that is probably entirely wrong. Anyway, be careful what you say about others is what I'm getting at I think.

Some gypsies maim their children so they'll look more pitiful. This allows them to collect more money when they beg on the subways of Bucharest. Sad but true.

i fucking hate pikies!

The coolest gypsy trick I ever heard of was having one child ram you in the stomach with a sheet of wood and leave it there, interfering with your ability to swat the two other kids going through your pockets. I never saw it, though. The only 'gyp' problem I ever encountered in europe was constant begging and nagging, never outright theft.

My senior english teacher in high school told us a story about being on a bus in Rome and suddenly this 15 year old girl walked up to him and started making out with him... meanwhile 4 nine year old boys did a quick pass of his pockets and as soon as he could realize what was happening, they were all off the bus. I thought that was an interesting scam.

Will

One of my friends' grandfather was stolen by gypsies from his house. HaveSomeSoma is more familiar with the tale, but I think it involved the baby being stuffed in a chimney...

At least he got something for his money.

ah yes, the gypsy kidnapping story. i could fill everyone in on the details, but i might come up missing in the next few days. gypsies hear everything you know.

Looks like someone needs to get a fucking life if they actually count how many cds they bought.

I just want to say...starfish, I like you. Rock on with your bad self!

wow, that was probably the meanest post i have seen in a long time. congratulations for being an asshole.

(Edited by ray davies at 9:28 pm on Jan. 14, 2003)

i agree. how childish...

that was harsh

but at the moment all I can think of, is about what i could do with the money digsy spent on 47 cd's...

being poor

Better watch out- Digsy's very prone to punching people in the face cause he's SOOO mad. Especially when they can't use the html code properly

(Edited by Lauren at 10:18 am on Jan. 15, 2003)

OOWWWWW...it's gettin DIRRTY in here...

gonna be sweatin til my close come off.,

If I need to get a life, then you need to look at what you just did: You went back through old posts, read all of them, and then singled out one to make a rude comment to. I swear, people like you make me miss BrianEno2 and Neuboy, who could be insulting but still intelligent about it. Do you realize how lame it is to tell someone to "get a life"? What are we in, third grade? If that's the case, I think you're the one who "needs to get a fucking life" and stop being so rude.

And in response to your other thread, yes I do get quite angry and feel the urge to hit people often. It's the quiet ones who have the temper...and I just realized that this was my 800th post. Huh...

(Edited by DigsySlattery at 2:13 pm on Jan. 15, 2003)

being mean to digsy is so last week.

it's someone else's turn.

I nominate me.

Ceeze, you need to get a life.

Who's next?

Ooh! Ooh! Me! Me next!!

pick me! pick me!

Wow, I'm really gonna be disappointed if I am not picked first to be told I dont have a life. I think that is an ultimate low.

I'm mean to Digsy on a daily basis, so it's time for someone else to step up.

I didn't go through all the old posts, because it was my first time on the site. I was actually seeing all of that for the first time. I don't care if people think I'm an asshole. I just thought that it was stupid that someone would count all the cds they bought. i bet you bought them with your parents money (because you probably have never had a job). If you guys want to judge me for the things I say, go ahead. I really don't mind being judged by people I will never meet and by people who mean nothing to me. That's the beauty of the message board...critique is opened upon anyone and everyone. Some are too shallow and childish to laugh at themselves. However, I hope that everyone has a great day.

All of that is true, but it also says something about the poster when they feel the need to make rude and cruel comments about people that they will never meet or see. Despite what many people say, being a bitch is not a compliment, it's a personal defect that could be remedied if the person actually cared about other people's feelings. So yes, have a nice day.

Amen, brother.....

Ok, these 4 CDs out this year are worth money:

Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots - The Flaming Lips

Trust - Low (Their single with the Pink Floyd Cover kicks ass too)

Solaris the Soundtrack. The movie is not as good as the original Tarkovsky but the soundtrack is by far better than the single Bach organ communion track that comprise almost the entire soundtrack in the first one.

DJ Shadow - The Private Press


(Edited by Buckley at 7:48 pm on Jan. 20, 2003)

I Heart the flaming lips. :)