Post by 3 on Dec 25, 2004 19:18:16 GMT 1
albums of 2004
Ten of the best, in no particular order…
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Futureheads
The Futureheads
Yelping like dogs on heat from one blast of jaunty guitar pop to the next, this Sunderland quartet deserve their acclaim. It’s hardly varied, but the catchy refrains and punctuated arrangements have a charm that grows.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Franz Ferdinand
Franz Ferdinand
Not much left to be said about the band who’ve made 2004 their own. But no amount of hype in the pages of NME should divert us from the fact that they’ve created a cracking debut. Just ignore the trousers
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Madvillain
Madvillainy
The multi-monikered dream team that is Madlib and MF Doom deliver the best hip-hop album of the year. Full of ingenuity, fun and funk in equal measures.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Black Keys
Rubber Factory
Proof that you can get away with revisiting old styles, you just have to be extremely good at it. This fuzzed-out bluesy rock duo from Ohio pick up where the likes of Free and Led Zep left off and, by jiminy, it works a treat.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Earlies
These Were...
This Anglo/American partnership use everything from bassoons to drum machines to create their lush cinematic soundscapes. Part Polyphonic Spree, part Flaming Lips, part Boards Of Canada. Delicious.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Secret Machines
Now Here Is Nowhere
While endless garage rockers daren’t stray past the three-minute threshold, this NYC trio are striding forth into epic rock territory, and making it sound really rather cool. Floyd and Led Zep diehards take note, here’s something new to try.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Eighties B-Line Matchbox Disaster
The Royal Society
Coming on like Addams Family rejects crawling from the swamp, the Brighton four-piece build on the acclaim of their growly debut with this advanced lesson in swaggering horrorbilly. Let ‘em blow out your cobwebs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joy Zipper
American Whip
With the original 2003 release delayed by label politics, this slice of skewed boy/girl guitar pop was definitely worth the wait. Produced by My Bloody Valentine’s Kevin Shields, its hooky melodies, tender harmonies and woozy production have an otherworldly quality.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adem
Homesongs
One of the leaders of the UK folk renaissance, ex-Fridge member and Four Tet pal Adem Ilhan’s solo debut wraps you up in a sonic duvet. It’s comforting and cosy singer-songwriting, but with just enough edge to keep it interesting.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TV On The Radio
Desperate Youth, Bloodthirsty Babes
This dense, dark and daring debut, once again from New York, is surprising at every turn. One minute it’s menacing synth rock, next minute it’s barbershop. Nobody else sounds like this.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
www.bbc.co.uk
Alastair Lee 10 December 04
Ten of the best, in no particular order…
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Futureheads
The Futureheads
Yelping like dogs on heat from one blast of jaunty guitar pop to the next, this Sunderland quartet deserve their acclaim. It’s hardly varied, but the catchy refrains and punctuated arrangements have a charm that grows.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Franz Ferdinand
Franz Ferdinand
Not much left to be said about the band who’ve made 2004 their own. But no amount of hype in the pages of NME should divert us from the fact that they’ve created a cracking debut. Just ignore the trousers
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Madvillain
Madvillainy
The multi-monikered dream team that is Madlib and MF Doom deliver the best hip-hop album of the year. Full of ingenuity, fun and funk in equal measures.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Black Keys
Rubber Factory
Proof that you can get away with revisiting old styles, you just have to be extremely good at it. This fuzzed-out bluesy rock duo from Ohio pick up where the likes of Free and Led Zep left off and, by jiminy, it works a treat.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Earlies
These Were...
This Anglo/American partnership use everything from bassoons to drum machines to create their lush cinematic soundscapes. Part Polyphonic Spree, part Flaming Lips, part Boards Of Canada. Delicious.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Secret Machines
Now Here Is Nowhere
While endless garage rockers daren’t stray past the three-minute threshold, this NYC trio are striding forth into epic rock territory, and making it sound really rather cool. Floyd and Led Zep diehards take note, here’s something new to try.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Eighties B-Line Matchbox Disaster
The Royal Society
Coming on like Addams Family rejects crawling from the swamp, the Brighton four-piece build on the acclaim of their growly debut with this advanced lesson in swaggering horrorbilly. Let ‘em blow out your cobwebs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joy Zipper
American Whip
With the original 2003 release delayed by label politics, this slice of skewed boy/girl guitar pop was definitely worth the wait. Produced by My Bloody Valentine’s Kevin Shields, its hooky melodies, tender harmonies and woozy production have an otherworldly quality.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adem
Homesongs
One of the leaders of the UK folk renaissance, ex-Fridge member and Four Tet pal Adem Ilhan’s solo debut wraps you up in a sonic duvet. It’s comforting and cosy singer-songwriting, but with just enough edge to keep it interesting.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TV On The Radio
Desperate Youth, Bloodthirsty Babes
This dense, dark and daring debut, once again from New York, is surprising at every turn. One minute it’s menacing synth rock, next minute it’s barbershop. Nobody else sounds like this.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
www.bbc.co.uk
Alastair Lee 10 December 04