I love the end of the year. Especially on the internet, when bloggers and magazines alike put out their Best of Year lists; ranging from music, movies, TV shows, and more. I like to take this opportunity to discover artists I somehow missed all year, and relish the new-found talents. So here’s my Best Of 2004 Albums Gleaned From Other Best Of Album 2004 Lists; albums I’ve just recently discovered and clapped my hand giddily as I enjoyed them thoroughly.
Here they are in no particular order:
- The Black Keys – Rubber Factor: Sweet, sweet blues by two mid-20’s white guys. I mean, just … wow! If there’s one album to start off 2005, by all means, grab this one.
- The Arcade Fires – Funeral: Indie rock? Sure, I used to think it was just emo on crack, but now I know better. Their sound reminds me of David Bowie before he became a mega-star; all raw talent without the fuzzy materials hanging around. Just superb.
- The Go! Team – Thunder Lightning Strike: I didn’t think a band could top Andrew W.K.’s frenetic energy, but The Go! Team surely tries. Their brand of music is infectious and fun.
- Drive-By Truckers – The Dirty South: Lynyrd Skynyrd-inspired modern southern rock with a slight punk edge. Oh man, it’s great. It’s so good to see southern rock kicking with my generation.
- The Zutons – Who Killed … The Zutons?: Imagine a new-wave band frozen in the 80’s, and showing up in 2004. That’s the Zutons, where they bring in their unique flavor of 80’s new wave, combined it with funk, and does it all with a rockabilly attitude.
Oh, I’m definitely with you on the Black Keys. I have yet to hear their newest, but I’ve listened to “The Big Come Up” about a zillion times now. I discovered them when they played a gig on Conan about two years ago and haven’t looked back since. I love some good blues!
Don’t know if you’ve heard of them or not, but for the best funk/jazz you’ve ever heard, check out Galactic (by far, the best live show I’ve ever been to, btw).
Also worthwhile is Mofro, a couple of Jacksonville boys doing some really great southern-fried jookhouse music.
If you go to Fog City Records’ listening page, you can listen to Mofro’s entire first album via streaming audio. Stanton Moore’s stuff is well worth a listen, too.
If you mean Jacksonville, FL, then I’m surprised I haven’t heard of them. I’m from Jacksonville, and try to keep up with talents from there when I can. I’ll definitely have to check them out, and Galactic. I’m up for some good funky jazz.
Definitely get The Black Keys’s new album, excellent music. :)
Check out Ted Leo’s “Shake the Sheets”. And who didn’t love William Shatner’s “Has Been”????
I remember reading that William Shatner came out with a second album called Has Been. After hearing David Hasselhoff’s material, I vowed not to listen to any TV actor’s singing. However, I’ll give Shatner a chance. He didn’t talk to a car.
Never heard of Ted Leo, I’ll look him up. :)