A Litte Best of

I don't usually even like reading best of lists, but I do sometimes make one up for a mailing list I'm on. This year my best records of 2004 included a lot from 2003--they were new to me in 04 I guess.

In no particular order, some of my favorite records of 2004:

American Music Club - Love Songs for Patriots
Seeing them live in support of this record was amazing. Mr. Eitzel never disappoints me (well, except for once when he got way too agitated on stage).

Bobby Bare, Jr - From the End of Your Leash
Bittersweet alt country or whatever it's called. "I was born at the Ryman Auditorium during the Martha White portion of the Grand Ole Opry/Roy Acuff cut off my umbilical and tied me off with his yo-yo string" makes me so happy.

The Decemberists - Her Magesty The Decemberists (end of 2003)
Really great words.

Iron & Wine - I don't own Our Endless Numbered Days (yet), but have been digging the iTunes Exclusive EP and also the cover of the Postal Service songs from Give Up.

Lucinda Williams - World Without Tears (mid 2003)
Ok it's from last year, but it's a cd I've listened to over & over in 2004.

Richmond Fontaine - Post to Wire
This fella's voice breaks like Richard Buckner's a bit, but with more of a twang and I like that. And yes, they remind me of the Replacements sometimes.

Wilco - A Ghost is Born
It's taken me forever to really listen to enough Wilco to love one of their records & I really dig this one. Kidsmoke is one of my favorites which is surprising since it's a 10min song.

Clem Snide - A Beautiful EP (late 2003)
I adore the Velvet Underground cover, I'll Be Your Mirror.

Richard Buckner - Dents and Shells
I haven't figured out what the hell he's saying yet, but Picture Day is my favorite song off this. Seeing him sing from behind his hair in Somerville this year made me like him even more.

I originally had the Black Eyed Peas album Elephunk here, but if I'm sticking to 10 I have to include Kanye West - College Dropout instead. He deserves all of the press he's getting.

For Christmas I received Loretta Lynn's Van Lear Rose which I'm enjoying. Jack White produced it and you can tell. It's funny to hear Loretta with White Stripes guitars behind her.