This is the time of year when Top 10 lists are almost obligatory, so it seemed only right to list my favorite cd releases of the last twelve months. I separated the list into two parts, the Top Top Albums and the Bottom Top Albums. Otherwise the list is in no particular order. I almost titled this the Top Indie Albums of 2004, but then I realized I wasn’t limiting myself to indie music, it’s just that no one else is releasing music of any quality or relevance. This is also not an especially exhaustive list, since there were many albums released that I did not listen to and many albums that were critically acclaimed and supposedly great that I simply didn’t like. I’m picky like that. The list then:

Top Top Albums

The Streets- A Grand Don’t Come for Free
“I joke about this album being emo hip hop, and if you ignore all the baggage that the emo tag entails then the definition is almost appropriate. In other words, A Grand Don’t Come for Free succeeds in conveying real emotion; emotion that has nothing to do with bling, guns, or playas. Anyone who has ever been in a relationship will be able to connect to this album in some way. Some people write off The Streets for having relatively simple beats and trivial lyrics, but they are missing the point. This is hip-hop for the working man, for the regular guy. I know most people will never worry about the size of the diamond encrusted chain around their neck, but we will all deal with a dead cell phone battery, a troubled relationship, and sketchy friends. That’s life, and that’s what The Streets are all about.”

Mclusky- The Difference Between You and Me is I’m Not On Fire
“Maybe I like Mclusky because they are the drunken angry irish Pixies, but their explorations with fun and weird pop songs set this album apart. At first listen, most would scoff at my labeling Mclusky as ‘pop.’ Listen five more times the subtle hooks and addictive weirdness will find you. Many of the songs on The Difference have moments of tribute to bands like the Pixies and Nirvana that are pleasant reminders of where this style of music originated without seeming derivative or trivial. In addition, this album features the perfectly crafted pop gem She Will Only Bring You Happiness, which I can say with little exaggeration is probably the best song released this year.

What a shame these guys broke up just after new years.”

Modest Mouse- Good News For People Who Love Bad News.
“Everytime I see Modest Mouse on The OC or hear Float On on the adult worktime hits radio station I die a little on the inside. Every time some clueless vapid MTV-head asks me if I’ve heard ‘the great new band Modest Mouse?’ I kill them. In the face.

Or at least I imagine killing them, my hipster-snob therapist says that’s a healthy use of my Snob Chi. But I digress. Despite popularity, which is the indie rock assassin, Good News is a great album. We can’t blame Modest Mouse for the industry machine whoring them out to the world. Just be happy that everyone else can now hear the drugged-out, Tom Waits worshipping, and lispily sung music of Isaac Brock. And when you see those annoying 14 year old teenyboppers dancing to Float On, just smile and remember that you are better than them, because you heard of Modest Mouse before they knew how to tie their own shoes.

The Mountain Goats- We Shall All Be Healed
“Call it folk-emo. Or perhaps post-folk lofi-core. Or just stop labeling things and listen to the music, you snob. If you follow the Mountain Goats (and you really should) you know what to expect from We Shall All Be Healed. There is slightly more instrumentation here than on previous LPs, and in my mind it works perfectly. I sometimes wonder how his songs ever worked without the great bass parts that are everywhere on this album. Of course the lyrics are always the center-piece of any Mountain Goats album, and this one does not disappoint. They are at times very clear and emotional, and then in the next line cryptic and odd. This album is not as cohesive as Tallahassee was (it is also not a concept album), but all the songs stand on their own. There is little here to disappoint anyone who enjoys well crafted and interesting folk-rock.

They Might Be Giants- The Spine
“After toying with mediocrity with Mink Car in 2001, and then toying with children’s music with NO! in 2002, They Might Be Giants seem to have recovered to produce an album that is reminiscent of their best work in the early 90’s. Songs like Experimental Film and Thunderbird are among the best they have recorded in their 20+ year career. I could go on and on about this band, but that would be pointless. If you are a fan of TMBG and don’t yet own this, slap yourself and get thee to a record store. If you aren’t a fan of TMBG, go get some free mp3’s from their website and become a fan. Then buy The Spine. It’s not like I’m trying to get you to pick up some over-orchestrated, a-melodic, impossible to listen to piece of indie rock snobbery that is only good to own for name-dropping cred. No, this is fun music for everyone. Unless, of course, you hate yourself.”

Bottom Top Albums

The Owls- Our Hopes and Dreams
“Such a chill and moody album. Put this on next time you need music for homework or chilling out. I can almost forgive them for trying to be The Beatles with a female lead singer.”

The Galactic Heros- Every Sidewalk
“Happiest…album…ever. Listen to it and try not to prance around like a over-caffeinated clown on nitrous. Listening to this seriously made Mr. Andy do the safety dance in the radio station. Behold the Power Of Pop.”

Phantom Planet- Phantom Planet
“I liked them better when the weren’t trying to be the California Strokes, but its still a solid album. If they continue to rework their sound as they have, we can expect more great things from them in the future.”

Cake- Pressure Chief
“Some people were disappointed by this album. I liked it, but a handful of mediocre tracks prevent it from really blowing me away. Mostly it is exactly what you would expect from a Cake album. And I like Cake albums.”

Things Explode- It’s Never Worked Before
“I think this is technically an EP, but whatever. These guys show real promise. How do I know this? One time I was absent mindedly listening to them and thought, “Hey, this sounds like a Pavement B-side.” “Except, unlike a Pavement b-side….it sounds good!”