The year in music (or at least a glance)
| Published 12/03/04

Graphic by: Doni Neel

9 – Morrissey - You are the Quarry: The mysterious former Smiths' singer made a comeback this year, releasing an album on his Attack Records imprint. Though his mystique has dwindled over time and his solo career draws only a tiny fraction of the attention his former band garnered, the aging Morrissey still fares better than musicians with triple the energy and intensity.

8 – Maritime - Maritime Glass Floor: Comprised of members from the Promise Ring and the Dismemberment Plan, Maritime doesn’t quite live up to the musicians’ past accomplishments. But the band was able to create an album that is lively, engaging, catchy and overall a fun listen. Simplistic and maybe even a little cheesy, but Maritime has charm on their side.

7 – Ghost Mice - The Debt of the Dead: I wish there were more bands similar to Ghost Mice — fun, folky, acoustic-based punk rock that ignores slick production, shuns fashion and sells for a mere 5 bucks. What could be better? Plus, the band does a cover of the Smiths’ classic “There is a Light that Never Goes Out,” which can only boost their cool points.

6 – Piebald - All Ears All Eyes All the Time: I adored this band since the latter part of my senior year of high school and, though that love has diminished in time, Piebald can still paint a smile on this pathetic face. Surviving a label change, relocation and then re-relocating (Boston to California and back again), Piebald still rocks like the “bastard child of Weezer and the Pixies” tag that they earned so long ago.

5 – Bad Religion - The Empire Strikes First : This is one of the few albums I actually reviewed for Whim this season, and I spoke highly that time -- as I’ll do now. Bad Religion: old, rarely changing, but still as relevant and welcome as ever. If you care enough about music to have made it this far in the list, I’ll assume you’re familiar with Bad Religion; therefore, I won’t delve into more detail. Yeah, I’m lazy, so what?

4 – Blood Brothers - Crimes: This record had to grow on me a little bit. The shrillness of the vocals increased drastically, while the intensity of the music took a mild step back. The Blood Brothers are still the reigning champions for sassy, artsy punk rock that manages to be poetically chaotic and deafeningly beautiful at the same time.

3 – Modest Mouse - Good News for People Who Love Bad News: This record should be resting in a lot of people’s Top 10 lists this year. The year that the limelight finally found the heroes of the indie rock world. Isaac Brock’s bizarre lyrics combined with his even odder voice led this band to the mainstream. While it’s probably unlikely you’ll be seeing the band performing with Snoop Dogg or Britney Spears, I wouldn’t be surprised if they came away with some kind of annual award. Also, “The Ocean Breathes Salty” may have become one of my favorite songs ever.

2 – Of Montreal - Satanic Panic in the Attic: Kevin Barnes is a musical magician — think of the Beatles and the Beach Boys dropping acid on a candy island filled with unicorns and elves, and you might have an idea of what this sounds like. Of Montreal succeeds in giving birth to instantly memorable and enjoyable pop songs that sound nothing like you’ll find on today’s radio. www.ofmontreal.net

1 – Ted Leo & the Pharmacists - Shake the Sheets: I knew long ago that this record would take my #1 position. Hopefully you read my thoughts of the album in Whim a couple weeks back, but if not, you’re just going have to check out this one for yourselves.

Now that we’ve got that covered, it’s time for the “Five Albums that Almost-Made-It-But-Not-Quite” awards:

VHS Or Beta - Night on Fire
The Mountain Goats - We Shall All Be Healed
Bagheera - Twelves
The Detachment Kit - Of This Blood
Planes Mistaken for Stars - Up in Them Guts

Since I’m a lowly college student, scrapping together what I hope will one day be an enviable collection of music, I haven’t been able to afford all the music I consider “essential” for 2004. So in order to cover everything I deem necessary, I’ll also hope you take note of these three releases in particular:

Q and Not U - Power
AC Newman - The Slow Wonder
The Futureheads - The Futureheads
Elliott Smith - From a Basement on the Hill

If you made it this far, please take the time to check out the links. Find some mp3s, some streaming audio, and maybe even find the power to say “No!” to bands like New Found Glory and Chevelle.