Kittens for Christian – ‘The Privilege of Your Company’
CD Truth – ‘Chemically Dependent’
Entombed – ‘Inferno’
Terminal Lovers – ‘Drama Pit and Loan‘
Massive Attack – ‘100th Window’
Lords of the Highway – ‘Lost in Sin’
Dimmu Borgir – ‘Death Cult Armageddon‘
The Sabians – ‘Shiver’
Kill the Hippies – ‘Spasms in the New Age’
Rubber City Rebels – ‘Pierce My Brain‘
The Professional Againsters - demo
Midnight – demo
Moonspell – ‘The Antidote’
Kiddo - 'Kiddo'
Viva Caramel – ‘Viva Caramel’
Arch Enemy – ‘Anthems of Rebellion‘
Old Man’s Child – ‘In Defiance of Existence‘
California Speedbag – ‘The Fire of Misery’
Friends of Dean Martinez - 'On the Shore'
You may notice a lot of local releases in this list. That's because in
my opinion they deserve to be there. Thanks to bands like Terminal Lovers,
Kill the Hippies, CD Truth, and Speaker/Cranker (who almost made the list), NE
Ohio still leads the world in weird mutant rock that never seems to get the
appreciation it deserves. The other locals who made the list (Lords of the
Highway, Midnight, Kiddo, Viva Caramel, The Professional Againsters, California
Speedbag and ex-Akronites Rubber City Rebels) just happened to put out discs
that I felt were among the best this year in their respective genres. If
you're from around here and you haven't given these bands a listen, what are you
waiting for? Most of the local albums in this list can be found at
independent record stores like My Mind's Eye and Bent Crayon in Lakewood, Square
Records in Akron, Record Revolution in Cleveland Heights, My Generation in
Westlake, and Ultrasound or Record Den in Mentor. And of course you can
catch most of the bands live and, after they blow you away, buy a disc from the
merch table.
Due to the fact that this was
a rather dissapointing year for new music, my top ten list includes EPs and
re-issues. Deal with it.
Television - ‘Marquee Moon’
(re-release)
As I
approach thirty I hope I don't become one of those assholes who thinks that all
the good music was made before they grew up. But, seriously there wasn't
anything better than this released this year, was there? The all-time classic
'Marquee Moon' album and, as an added bonus, the classic single track "Little
Johnny Jewel" and some other stuff.
Do Make Say Think - ‘Winter
Hymn, Country Hymn, Secret Hymn’
This
record just floored me. Do Make Say Think create instrumental masterpieces that
leave you scratching your head.
The Clientele - ‘The Violet
Hour’
There is
no reason in the world why I should like this. Sometimes I make fun of music
like this, but somehow this one got me. Sorta dreary dreamy tragic brit-pop
that just sticks in your head. I dunno.
This Moment in Black
History - ‘The Cleveland Finger’ EP
My
favorite Cleveland band in a long time. These smartasses should rule the scene
in 2004.
Yo La Tengo - ‘Today is the
Day’ EP
They
released a toilet loaf of an album in the spring, but made up for it with this
snappy six song ep that is vintage YLT. Feedback squalls, gentle crooning and
smartly done cover songs.
The Deadly Snakes - ‘I'm
Not Your Soldier Anymore’
I thought
this would finally be the record that would make these guys the rock stars they
ought to be, but alas people are more concerned about Jack White's thumb.
Glenn Branca - ‘The
Ascension’ (re-release)
A re-issue
of an early 80's recording of Branca's guitar ensemble. Noisy as hell, but not
as innaccesible as you might think.
TV on the Radio - ‘Young
Liars’ EP
Just cuz
it was totally unexpected and wasn't afraid to take chances. Eagerly awaiting
the full length.
Black Eyes - 'Black Eyes'
Combining
screamo freakouts with avant-garde jazz, Black Eyes debut album only hints at
how good they may become.
Hella- 2 EPs and live split
CD
Hella
create music so layered and spastic that you can't believe it's just two dudes.
Sounds more like five or six. Along with Lightning Bolt they've redefined the
musical duo taking cues from Godheadsilo and the Crom-Tech.
Others to consider:
The Constantines - ‘Shine a
Light’
Blood Brothers - ‘Burn Piano Island Burn’
Mogwai - ‘Happy Songs for Happy People’
Silver Mt. Zion - ‘This is Our Punk Rock’
Shins - ‘Chutes Too Narrow’
Rachel's - ‘Systems/Layers’
Dirty Three - ‘She Has No Strings Apollo’
The Slumber Party - ‘3’
Spits - ‘Spits’
Bizarros - ‘Can't Fight Your Way Uptown from Here’
