Fall, Glimmer, Sparkle and Fade

:: Saturday, January 15, 2005 ::

Top 20 of 2004

No story, just the list. Enjoy!

1. Jimmy Eat World 'Futures'
- The last album from Jimmy Eat World, 'Bleed American', accomplished two things. It alienated some long time fans who felt it was too "pop" and at the same time it exposed the band to millions who had never heard of them before. This time around, both the old time fans and those who just jumped on the Jimmy bandwagon will no doubt walk away happy after one listen of 'Futures'. If you were to mix their best album 'Clarity' with the aforementioned 'Bleed American', this is what you would get.
Standout Track: Kill

2. Green Day 'American Idiot'
- By my count, it's been since 1997's 'Nimrod' that the boys of Green Day have pumped out a Top 20 caliber album. Not only is this their best album to date, but it's not even close.
Standout Track: Whatsername

3. Avion 'Avion'
- After making the rounds at college radio with The Tories, lead singer Steve Bertrand decided to go after commercial radio this time around. He independently recorded the album, took his band to stations around the country and showed the decisions makers Avion was for real. After getting a ton of airplay, Columbia Records picked up the album and re-released it as 'Seven Days Without You', the title of their first single. It's the best pure pop you'll find from 2004.
Standout Track: Beautiful

4. U2 'How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb'
- Remember when Bono couldn't write bad music? Well, I'm happy to report that we might be on our way back to those times. 2000's 'All That You Can't Leave Behind' was their best record in years and 'HTDAAB' is an even stronger offering. Too many bands that have been around as long as U2 has, tend to over produce their records and forget about letting the songs tell a story. Bono and Co. have apparently learned from their mistakes (Pop) and made sure not to litter this album with too many overdubs or fancy effects.
Standout Track: Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own

5. Roger Clyne And The Peacemakers '¡Americano!'
- Still the best band in America that not enough people know about. Roger's previous band, The Refreshments, has sold over 500,000 records and there's no reason why The Peacemakers shouldn't be able to do the same thing. In an age where the term "singer-songwriter" is given to anyone with an acoustic guitar, Roger Clyne shows what it truly means to be one.
Standout Track: Leave An Open Door

6. Sugarcult 'Palm Trees & Power Lines'
- I'm well aware this one will shake the most heads, but this isn't your list, it's mine. If you need a little driving, contagious rock in your life, than Sugarcult is just what you're looking for.
Standout Track: Worst December

8. Joseph Arthur 'Our Shadows Will Remain'
- Certainly not your average singer-songwriter, Joseph Arthur finally captured the energy and depth of his live show. The album ranges from straightforward rock to borderline folk without anything seeming out of place.
Standout Track: Can't Exist

9. Franz Ferdinand 'Franz Ferdinand'
- I understand these kids have garnered plenty of critical acclaim, but I will never understand how The Strokes are the saviors of rock & roll, but Franz Ferdinand are just a good little band. To me, this is the type of album I expected to hear from those darling Strokes.
Standout Track: Darts of Pleasure

10. Snow Patrol 'Final Straw'
- For those of you looking for the best Pop album of the year and are unwilling to give Avion a chance, here is what you've been looking for.
Standout Track: Splitting Games

11. R.E.M. 'Around the Sun'
Standout Track: The Worst Joke Ever

13. Jamie Cullum 'Twentysomething'
Standout Track: High and Dry

14. The Killers 'Hot Fuss'
Standout Track: Change Your Mind

15. Interpol 'Antics'
Standout Track: C'mere

16. Ryan Adams 'Love Is Hell'
Standout Track: Avalanche

17. The Music 'Welcome to the North'
Standout Track: Cessation

18. Butterfly Boucher 'Flutterby'
Standout Track: Another White Dash

19. Straylight Run 'Straylight Run'
Standout Track: Your Name Here (Sunrise Highway)

20. Phantom Planet 'Phantom Planet'
Standout Track: Big Brat


Top 20 of 2003

1. Fountains of Wayne 'Welcome Interstate Managers'
2. Vendetta Red 'Between The Never And The Now'
3. Everclear 'Slowmotion Daydream'
4. Jude 'Sarah'
5. Ben Folds 'Speed Graphic' and 'Sunny 16' EPs
6. John Mayer 'Heavier Things'
7. Howie Day 'Stop All The World Now'
8. Third Eye Blind 'Out of the Vein'
9. Brand New 'Deja Entendu'
10. Blink 182 'Blink 182'
11. The Ataris 'So Long Astoria'
12. Pete Yorn 'Day I Forgot'
13. Travis '12 Memories'
14. Something Corporate 'North'
15. Dashboard Confessional 'A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar'
16. Hootie and the Blowfish 'Hootie and the Blowfish'
17. Sarah McLachlan 'Afterglow'
18. Fuel 'Natural Selection'
19. Train 'My Private Nation'
20. Maroon 5 'Songs About Jane'

:: Ryan 8:25 PM [+] ::
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