Stuff I enjoyed listening to (and, as far as I can remember, acquired) in 2004
*Disclaimer: As with most non-professional music listeners, I have heard but a small fraction of the albums released in 2004. So I won’t try to make a Best of 2004 list. But, mostly for my own gratification, I have compiled this list of albums, EPs, etc., released in any year, that I bought (or otherwise obtained) in 2004 and found myself returning to frequently or just liking a lot. They’re in no particular order.


·The Chap The Horse (2003): Lots of variety and absurdity, and melody too. The first song I heard sounded kind of like Stereolab, but the rest of the album is fairly indescribable. I only wish the songs were about something.

·Devendra Banhart Rejoicing in the Hands (2004): This is one that is probably going to show up on many actual Best of 2004 lists. I still haven’t heard its companion piece, Niño Rojo, but I’d like to. He’s got intriguing songs and a singular delivery. And good guitar pickin’.

·Vetiver S/T (2004): Another one featuring Mr. Banhart. This is one of my favorites because it reminds me of shoegazer music from 1992 done with acoustic guitars and cellos. And sometimes Neil Young. Very nice.

·Joanna Newsom The Milk-Eyed Mender (2004): Joanna toured with the above two artists, and it was a very enjoyable and laid-back show. To some extent this album sounds old-timey and folky, but the intricate harp gives it a mysterious, classical vibe. Which I’m a sucker for.

·Animal Collective Sung Tongs (2004): Another popular favorite (in some circles anyway). It’s often hard to tell how this music was conceived or even created, and I think that’s a good compliment. Baffling and beautiful.

·Panda Bear Young Prayer (2004): One of the Animal Collective. Again, hard to explain, but let me throw out some random adjectives: fragile, primal, unselfconscious, sad, unplanned. I like this one a lot; I can’t think of anything else quite like it.

·Piano Magic Saint Marie EP (2004): Another pretty one. And like D. Banhart’s album, it features Vashti Bunyan. The cover’s nice. However, I’m not really into “Wrong Turn” that much.

·The Heavy Blinkers The Night and I are Still So Young (2004): Lush, catchy pop in the Beach Boys tradition. I know that doesn’t really sell it because tons of people are compared to the Beach Boys, but this group is just very good. And Canadian.

·Brian Wilson SMiLE* (2004): *I actually don’t own this as of this writing, but I saw the live show. Plus, I have two bootlegs of the 1966/67 Smile sessions, so I know and love this music.

·10cc The Complete UK Recordings 1972-1974 (2004): Wow, how come I didn’t know that these guys were so crazy? If you only know their soft rock hits (which I still enjoy), you may be very surprised. Wacky, pretty, heavy, melodic, funny. Perhaps my favorite discovery of 2004.

·Godley & Crème L (1978) and Freeze Frame (1979): Two dudes from 10cc after the breakup. Not as catchy and direct as 10cc, but surely intriguing and bizarre. Consistently interesting and clever arrangements. I’m curious to hear some of the other Godley & Crème stuff.

·Sparks Propaganda (1974): I just recently heard of these guys. Very enjoyable, warped, catchy pop-rock. Some have said they’re Queen-like. Lots of clever words; I’d like to hear more by them.

·The Move The Collection (1995): Relatively unknown in the US but I enjoy their stuff. They combine the best elements of their better-known pop contemporaries—the Beatles, the Who, etc. with eccentricity and originality. They were active in the mid ‘60s until 1970, then they evolved into ELO. I’d like to hear their full albums.

·Joni Mitchell The Hissing of Summer Lawns (1975): I guess I’m turning into my parents with this and the next one on the list. My mom has always had this record, but I don’t remember hearing it. Allmusic.com calls it “complex” and “shimmering,” which I think are pretty good descriptors. I’m kind of obsessed with “Shades of Scarlett Conquering.”

·Steely Dan Citizen Steely Dan 1972-1980 Box Set (1993): God, I must be getting old now … this didn’t totally get me at first (and I’m still not wild about all the songs, especially the ones from Gaucho), but the songcraft really grew on me. And the über-production makes it very listenable. I can now hear them in the High Llamas, Super Furry Animals, maybe Stereolab. But if I start getting into the Eagles or the Doobie Brothers … well, that might be a little scary.

·Venetian Snares Infolepsy EP & Huge Chrome Cylinder Box Unfolding (2004): Ah, maybe now I’ll get my credibility back. I didn’t get a ton of what you might call “electronic” music this year, but I can’t deny the Snares. He satisfies my need for ridiculous, aggressive spaz-soundz. I think he’s taken the place of the elusive Aphex Twin in the hearts of us electro-nerds.

·Squarepusher Ultravisitor (2004): Another aggressive electro-spaz. I think this album’s pretty good, but what makes it for me are three tracks: “Iambic 9 Poetry,” “Steinbolt,” and “Tetra-Sync.”

·Soundmurderer + SK1 S/T (2003): I’m not 100% positive that I got this in 2004, but at the earliest it was the very end of 2003. I’m a sucker for this nutty ragga-jungle stuff.

·Steve Reich Another Look at Counterpoint (1993): Long, hypnotic, shifting pieces with lots of percussion instruments. From what I’ve heard, he’s my favorite of the so-called minimalists (of “classical” music).


Other stuff I enjoyed, but maybe didn’t move me or surprise me quite as much


·The Shins Chutes Too Narrow (2003): I did enjoy this album quite a bit, but at times it’s a tad too straightforward for me. Which, in some ways, may be what will make it a classic. Who knows?

·Polmo Polpo The Science of Breathing (2002): Some nice, dark electro-throbs with haunting bits.

·The Byrds The Notorious Byrd Brothers (1968): I’m always up for some mid-60s Byrds. Some nice 5/4 songs on here. David Crosby’s stuff always intrigues me, although he left during this period.

·Great Lake Swimmers S/T (2003): I think I got this one in early 2004, or late 2003. Nice late night field recordings and acoustic songs, although a couple are a bit repetitive.

·Mouse on Mars Radical Connector (2004): I’m always interested to hear what these guys are doing. I like this album, but there are times when I feel it’s a little dry.

·The Great Depression Unconscious Pilot (2004): I’m all for a return to the days of dreampop, shoegaze, what-have-you. The vocals at times remind me of Neil Halstead’s. I’ve just gotten this one and it hasn’t totally sunk in yet.

·The Fiery Furnaces EP (2005): I traveled to the future and brought this EP back to 2004. Or maybe it’s just a promo. Anyway, a lot of people are writing about these guys and I liked what I heard on Brave New Waves. I had to check this out, and so far it’s pretty enjoyable.

·Interpol Antics (2004): Dark, catchy, melodic. I’m not sure I buy into the whole vibe of the band, but it’s hard not to get into the music.


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