Wednesday, January 29, 2003
Here is Lost at Sea's top 20 for 2002. Collectively, I think we've mentioned most of these:
1. Spoon
2. Liars
3. Wilco
4. ... Trail of Dead
5. Notwist
6. Beck
7. The Walkmen
7. Bright Eyes
9. Sugar Ros
9. Pedro the Lion
9. Q and not U
12. My Morning Jacket
12. Doves
14. Clinic
14. Flaming Lips
14. Queens of the Stone Age
17. Sparta
17. Aloha
19. Godspeed You Black Emporer!
19. Interpol
19. Mountain Goats
1. Spoon
2. Liars
3. Wilco
4. ... Trail of Dead
5. Notwist
6. Beck
7. The Walkmen
7. Bright Eyes
9. Sugar Ros
9. Pedro the Lion
9. Q and not U
12. My Morning Jacket
12. Doves
14. Clinic
14. Flaming Lips
14. Queens of the Stone Age
17. Sparta
17. Aloha
19. Godspeed You Black Emporer!
19. Interpol
19. Mountain Goats
Friday, January 24, 2003
I found this interesting passage in Pitchforkmedia's review of The Moon and Antarctica:
[E]very so often-- whether due to astronomical occurrences, economic fluctuations, or inherent quality cycles ... an album comes along that inhibits our serotonin uptake, cleans our ears, palpitates our hearts, ignites our passion, and justifies our existence. I've argued that this occurs approximately every three years, due to slight financial recessions. It's that time again. At this point, I think the world agrees on OK Computer as the last major event in album rock. For at least a few months, the world can stop waiting for Radiohead's next album, and start wondering how in the hell Modest Mouse will ever top the monumental, ground-breaking, hypnotic, sublime The Moon & Antarctica.
Query:
(1) Is this guy right that such albums come along once every three years?
(2) If so, is OK Computer really such an album?
(3) Is The Moon and Antarctica such an album?
(4) If no to either (2) or (3), which albums are worthy of such a distinction?
(5) Given that TM&A is almost three years old, have any monumental albums come out since?
Things to think about.
[E]very so often-- whether due to astronomical occurrences, economic fluctuations, or inherent quality cycles ... an album comes along that inhibits our serotonin uptake, cleans our ears, palpitates our hearts, ignites our passion, and justifies our existence. I've argued that this occurs approximately every three years, due to slight financial recessions. It's that time again. At this point, I think the world agrees on OK Computer as the last major event in album rock. For at least a few months, the world can stop waiting for Radiohead's next album, and start wondering how in the hell Modest Mouse will ever top the monumental, ground-breaking, hypnotic, sublime The Moon & Antarctica.
Query:
(1) Is this guy right that such albums come along once every three years?
(2) If so, is OK Computer really such an album?
(3) Is The Moon and Antarctica such an album?
(4) If no to either (2) or (3), which albums are worthy of such a distinction?
(5) Given that TM&A is almost three years old, have any monumental albums come out since?
Things to think about.
Monday, January 20, 2003
Interesting you should say "The Moon and Antarctica" (Copyright Tony Seragusa, for those of you who have seen 25th Hour, which I though was excellent, by the way).
Like I said, "Sharpen Your Teeth" did virtually nothing for me the first two or three times I listened to it. But that's the same way I felt about "The Moon and Antarctica" before my drive out west this summer when I discovered that it's not only Modest Mouse's best album, but one of my all-time favorites (although qualification for the former might automatically qualify it for the latter). So when I saw SYT on your 2002 list and Matt's 2002 list, I thought I might need to re-examine it. And I plan to do just that.
Out.
PS: This year's Super Bowl demonstrates a fundamental flaw in NFL uniforms: THERE ARE TWO TEAMS WITH THE SKULL AND CROSSBONES ON THEIR HELMETS! The powers that be should address that this offseason, right after they construct a plan to make the NFL "compelling."
Like I said, "Sharpen Your Teeth" did virtually nothing for me the first two or three times I listened to it. But that's the same way I felt about "The Moon and Antarctica" before my drive out west this summer when I discovered that it's not only Modest Mouse's best album, but one of my all-time favorites (although qualification for the former might automatically qualify it for the latter). So when I saw SYT on your 2002 list and Matt's 2002 list, I thought I might need to re-examine it. And I plan to do just that.
Out.
PS: This year's Super Bowl demonstrates a fundamental flaw in NFL uniforms: THERE ARE TWO TEAMS WITH THE SKULL AND CROSSBONES ON THEIR HELMETS! The powers that be should address that this offseason, right after they construct a plan to make the NFL "compelling."
Friday, January 17, 2003
I'd be curious to know which songs you liked on "Sharpen Your Teeth." I didn't enjoy any of them (even a little bit), but maybe it needs another listen on my part. Anyhow, I agree that the "supporting" members of Modest Mouse must bring something to the table, because Brock doesn't deliver the goods by himself.
Thursday, January 16, 2003
Hi. If anyone is interested, Spoon will appear on Austin City Limits this Saturday. The show airs at midnight. Check it out.
Joel Howe
Customer Service Representative
Spoon Publicity, Inc.
Joel Howe
Customer Service Representative
Spoon Publicity, Inc.
Tuesday, January 14, 2003
Here is Pitchfork Media's Top 50 for the year. I don't know what to make of a list that contains And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, Missy Elliot, Beck, and Eminem. Regardless, here are some things to note:
--Kill the Moonlight finished at number 6, for God's sake. It really is an indie hit.
--Beck was 42nd.
--Interpol was #1! What a joke. Indefensible, really. When all is said and done, I don't care what Pitchfork thinks of an album. But to rank that album as THE BEST FUCKING ALBUM of the fucking year is just silly. What's going on over there?
If you guys run across other "Best of 2002" lists, link 'em here. I like mining them for records to check out. And I like ripping on them.
--Kill the Moonlight finished at number 6, for God's sake. It really is an indie hit.
--Beck was 42nd.
--Interpol was #1! What a joke. Indefensible, really. When all is said and done, I don't care what Pitchfork thinks of an album. But to rank that album as THE BEST FUCKING ALBUM of the fucking year is just silly. What's going on over there?
If you guys run across other "Best of 2002" lists, link 'em here. I like mining them for records to check out. And I like ripping on them.
Monday, January 13, 2003
As near as I can tell, I've purchased 15 releases this year. I am willing to proclaim only six of them worthy of a top 10 rating, so similar to Nolan, mine will be a "Top 6" list.
Beck: Sea Change
A great album.
If you haven't heard it, Sea Change is slow, sad, very produced, and beautifully written. It's not one of Beck's sexier releases, and it's not the kind of release he's famous for (you know, the albums that are just "different" enough to be labeled "influential"), but if you want awesome, powerful, slow songwriting, I don't think you can do better.
Girls Against Boys: You Can't Fight What You Can't See
I don't care if these guys are old, okay? We'll be old soon, too, and wouldn't it suck if people didn't listen to us or laughed at our press photos just because of our receeding hair lines?
This album freakin' rawks. And you can all GO. TO. HELL.
Spoon: Kill the Moonlight
Definitely Spoon's weirdest album. And although I wouldn't call it their best, there are some really great songs on this album. I'm surprised this album has turned into an indie hit (at least it seems like one) given that it takes a while for the album to sink in. Worth the money, for sure, if you don't already own it.
Sunday's Best: The Californian
I this guy's voice wasn't sooooooooo wimpy, I think these guys could enjoy some popular success. I never heard Sunday's Best's emo phase, and as I hear it, that's a good thing.
"The Californian" is a great song.
Sparta
A classic. Yep. You heard it hear first. This album is a classic.
At the Drive In + Fugazi
Rocks the house.
The Malachai Constant: Zenith
Totally chaotic, and really cool. Too bad they're from Macalaster.
Kinda Cool
Vaz: Demonstrations in Micronesia
Remember Hammerhead? This actually pretty cool. Glad they're still here.
Exercize: We Gotta Tonight
Good noise rock. Like it.
Bright Eyes/Britt Daniel: Volume IV of the Split Series
If this wasn't just four songs, it would have been in my top albums. A few really good songs.
Bright Eyes: The Story in the Soil ...
Haven't listened to it, yet.
BAD
Hey Mercedes: The Weekend EP
This EP accompanies the "Everynight Fireworks" album. The album is awesome. The EP sucks.
Top 6 of 2002
Beck: Sea Change
A great album.
If you haven't heard it, Sea Change is slow, sad, very produced, and beautifully written. It's not one of Beck's sexier releases, and it's not the kind of release he's famous for (you know, the albums that are just "different" enough to be labeled "influential"), but if you want awesome, powerful, slow songwriting, I don't think you can do better.
Girls Against Boys: You Can't Fight What You Can't See
I don't care if these guys are old, okay? We'll be old soon, too, and wouldn't it suck if people didn't listen to us or laughed at our press photos just because of our receeding hair lines?
This album freakin' rawks. And you can all GO. TO. HELL.
Spoon: Kill the Moonlight
Definitely Spoon's weirdest album. And although I wouldn't call it their best, there are some really great songs on this album. I'm surprised this album has turned into an indie hit (at least it seems like one) given that it takes a while for the album to sink in. Worth the money, for sure, if you don't already own it.
Sunday's Best: The Californian
I this guy's voice wasn't sooooooooo wimpy, I think these guys could enjoy some popular success. I never heard Sunday's Best's emo phase, and as I hear it, that's a good thing.
"The Californian" is a great song.
Sparta
A classic. Yep. You heard it hear first. This album is a classic.
At the Drive In + Fugazi
Rocks the house.
The Malachai Constant: Zenith
Totally chaotic, and really cool. Too bad they're from Macalaster.
Kinda Cool
Vaz: Demonstrations in Micronesia
Remember Hammerhead? This actually pretty cool. Glad they're still here.
Exercize: We Gotta Tonight
Good noise rock. Like it.
Bright Eyes/Britt Daniel: Volume IV of the Split Series
If this wasn't just four songs, it would have been in my top albums. A few really good songs.
Bright Eyes: The Story in the Soil ...
Haven't listened to it, yet.
BAD
Hey Mercedes: The Weekend EP
This EP accompanies the "Everynight Fireworks" album. The album is awesome. The EP sucks.
