Your Best of 2004

Danielle Sander - Poloroid princess, Southern Records Top 5 places to eat in 2oo4 1. that korean bbq place that is too far north on western 2. sultan's market 3. paprikash 4. thai classic 5. raw bar ---------------------------------------------------- Erik Roldan - "Think Pink" host, WLUW-FM Top eleven studio albums 1. the organ-grab that gun smiths/early cure guitars with debbie harry's voice? you couldn't have concocted a more perfect album for me. 2. tv on the radio-desperate youth, blood thirsty babes all the hype is true true true 3. electrelane-the power out after all this time, the velvet underground's four studio albums can still be distilled in truly great ways 4. black eyes-cough a second album that got noisier and more groovin with every listen, this band tears up your speakers and ears, not to mention hearts 5. blonde redhead-misery is a butterfly that accident really got kazu to step up and write the most beautifully somber songs ever 6. die monitr batss-girls of war noisy and dissonant, gossip's brace can experiment on his guitar and scream his angry political rants 7. styrofoam-nothing's lost this guy is the torch bearer for what is becoming a new genre where glitch-light and folk come together 8. bjork-medulla okay, you naysayers, "it's too weird, i skip tracks!!" bjork is always weird and has always been moody, and this album has all you want--her voice over and over again 9. faint-wet from birth not too much of a departure, but still--dark new wave that loves new order as much as fugazi? yes please. 10. interpol-antics it reveals more than before that paul banks is the hottest, (and will bear my children as well) and that carlos d, while such a wanker, is the anchor of this band. 11. animal collective-sun tongs considering this is their "pop"album, it always surprises me how far pop can go and still be weird Best album that isn't an album erlend oye-dj kicks the most tasteful and understated dance album ever--a smooth mix going from cornelius to avenue d to the smiths--who knew this folky could get the party started? Great Efforts and Still Getting Spins at Home bloc party--just an ep, so the upcoming full length excites me morrissey--my love and affection's still got it loretta lynn-most hyped schtick that actually delivered some cool sounds modest mouse--i don't care about q101, the songs are strong and isaac brock is still a freak sonic youth--coasting, yes, but experts in the field that they created walkmen--smooth and delightful frank black francis--the demo disc makes me wish i was his friend hives-garage doesn't get so perfect these days (fuck the vines! fuck the libertines!) pj harvey--baby, you know i love you pinback--the bassist is my idol magnetic fields--stephin merritt's got something that we don't even know yet streets--serious story telling here folks mission of burma--so old and yet so right !!!--how to better dance my ass off? Matthew Dear/Audion--micro house is the perfect stuff for one man dance parties Top Twelve Concerts, in order 1. the ex @ empty bottle 2. gossip @ metro 3. erase errata @ coachella 4. matmos @ teatro fondamanta in venice, italy (hoo ha!) 5. morrissey @ house of blues 6. ted leo/electrelane @ logan square 7. faint @ metro 8. cure/interpol/rapture @ tweeter 9. xiu xiu @ fireside 10. modest mouse/death cab for cutie/walkmen @ new city ymca 11. peaches/magas @ logan square 12. scissor sisters @ metro Side notes Dim Mak is the new Kill Rock Stars, Ersatz Audio is the new Mute, Kraftwerk is the new Beatles SNORES -wilco so the guy gets rid of all the talent in his band, gets off drugs and now can't find his muse and has a crappy crappy album that sounds like the cheapest americana ever. -iron and wine folky and depressed just doesn't cut it anymore -rjd2 live strictly boring, not even good as a house party -air c'mon, folks--two chords synth riffs and light acoustic strumming? who turned on the light? -wolf eyes for the biggest nerds ever, see this band's fan base -r.e.m. i think my boys are totally getting old, like neil young style -(john spencer) blues explosion judah bauer needs to start piping up