Music that is not Crap for 2004
Presenting a Life Sucks and then You Die new year special...
While sifting through the various year-end top albums / singles listings in the various music e-zines, one cannot help but guffaw at the stuff these so-called music critics write about: 'the next big thing' , 'defining music' etc etc. 2004 was a crap year for music, and it showed with the less than quality releases that came out throughout the year. To top it all off, there was Singapore Idol. In order to save my soul from being tainted by utter crappiness, yours truly is coming up with an obligatory blogger's year end ( or year begin in this case) top ten favourite music kind of stuff.
It is really hard to find good music amongnst all the crap, furthermore the amount of quality music that is actually broadcasted in Singapore is nearly zlich, therefore the list is going to be a combined album / single catalog of what I can get my hand on through various er-hmm means, which includes regular visits to HMV to listen to music for free (there's very few credible record stores around) and of course, constant usage of the PC (cough cough).
2004 has been a year defined by heavy club beats, electro-funk-thrash, lots of acoustic and the occasional random nutcase moments. So here goes, in no particular order:
Outkast
Roses (Single)
'I know you'd like to thank your shit don't stank
But lean a little bit closer
See that roses really smell like poo-poo'
Yeah that's the chorus for the song. String all these lines together, add some upbeat drums, a piano starter, a smooth melody and a little bit of Andre 3000 magic... Ta da! You get a great song with a socio-commentary story to boot. The whole song reeks of Prince, Andre 3000 does a fitting tribute to the story-type songs plus musical and vocal style of the nameless one. Oh, did I mention the single came out of the Grammy Award's Album of the Year?
Erlend Oye
DJ Kicks (Album)
This is one of those DJ mix compilation that features a different DJ for each new album. Erlend Oye (one half of the Kings of Convenience - quiet is the new loud!??!) stars in this one with his unique blend of mixing and singing over the songs, thus you get unique but ear-pleasing 'remixes' like Royskopp's 'Poor Leno' with the lyrics from a Smith's song sung over it. Erlend's soft and melancholic voice blends seamlessly into the club tracks with great effect! I try to do this kind of things during my sets but I usually get some beer bottle fragments stuck on my head once I open my mouth. He is not as good in mixing as me though (hahahaha). However, the selection of the best micro-house numbers around will definitely keep you entertained for about 55 minutes of your life. Oh yah, there a song inside which I would have included inside my list 'Alan Braxe & Fred Falke - Rubicon'.
Modest Mouse
Float On (Single)
It doesn't get as indie as this. They have been producing music for ages and finally out comes a single which finally shoots up the charts. Bounce along to optimism and sugary goodness of this song.
'Now don't worry we'll all float on...'
Brian Wilson
SMiLE (album)
It is really hard to find good music amongnst all the crap, furthermore the amount of quality music that is actually broadcasted in Singapore is nearly zlich, therefore the list is going to be a combined album / single catalog of what I can get my hand on through various er-hmm means, which includes regular visits to HMV to listen to music for free (there's very few credible record stores around) and of course, constant usage of the PC (cough cough).
2004 has been a year defined by heavy club beats, electro-funk-thrash, lots of acoustic and the occasional random nutcase moments. So here goes, in no particular order:
Outkast
Roses (Single)
'I know you'd like to thank your shit don't stank
But lean a little bit closer
See that roses really smell like poo-poo'
Yeah that's the chorus for the song. String all these lines together, add some upbeat drums, a piano starter, a smooth melody and a little bit of Andre 3000 magic... Ta da! You get a great song with a socio-commentary story to boot. The whole song reeks of Prince, Andre 3000 does a fitting tribute to the story-type songs plus musical and vocal style of the nameless one. Oh, did I mention the single came out of the Grammy Award's Album of the Year?
Erlend Oye
DJ Kicks (Album)
This is one of those DJ mix compilation that features a different DJ for each new album. Erlend Oye (one half of the Kings of Convenience - quiet is the new loud!??!) stars in this one with his unique blend of mixing and singing over the songs, thus you get unique but ear-pleasing 'remixes' like Royskopp's 'Poor Leno' with the lyrics from a Smith's song sung over it. Erlend's soft and melancholic voice blends seamlessly into the club tracks with great effect! I try to do this kind of things during my sets but I usually get some beer bottle fragments stuck on my head once I open my mouth. He is not as good in mixing as me though (hahahaha). However, the selection of the best micro-house numbers around will definitely keep you entertained for about 55 minutes of your life. Oh yah, there a song inside which I would have included inside my list 'Alan Braxe & Fred Falke - Rubicon'.
Modest Mouse
Float On (Single)
It doesn't get as indie as this. They have been producing music for ages and finally out comes a single which finally shoots up the charts. Bounce along to optimism and sugary goodness of this song.
'Now don't worry we'll all float on...'
Brian Wilson
The lost Beach Boys album, the supposed follow up to 'Pet Sounds' (A regular number 1 on best albums ever charts), it got scrapped due to the mental state Brian Wilson was in at the time of production (1967). Now several decades later, the finished album is finally out... and it is beautiful. Though not on par with 'Pet Sounds', it is a classic on its own. Snap your fingers, tap your feet and hum along as the record plays on your stereo, this little gem which transcends time... and smile!
Kylie Minogue
I Believe in You (Single)
Gwen Stefani
What are You Waiting For? (Single)
Britney Spears
Toxic (Single)
Infectious beats, smooth production, magical effects. This female trinity follows the same formulae: collaborate with producer(s) with a deep reputation, make sure it's dancefloor friendly and shake a lot of ass. Together, they blow the competition miles away...
The Fiery Furnaces
Blueberry Boat (Album)
The first time I listened to this album I thought it was crap. After a few listens, the music really grew on me. This is one of those albums where you have to listen from start to finish in order to appreciate how good it is. Full of highs and lows, weird outtakes and cut-ins, lots of instruments, the song structures really takes time to get used to. That is the beauty of this album, it does not sound like any one thing at a time, a most unique output from the year 2004. A brilliant psychedelic ride.
The first time I listened to this album I thought it was crap. After a few listens, the music really grew on me. This is one of those albums where you have to listen from start to finish in order to appreciate how good it is. Full of highs and lows, weird outtakes and cut-ins, lots of instruments, the song structures really takes time to get used to. That is the beauty of this album, it does not sound like any one thing at a time, a most unique output from the year 2004. A brilliant psychedelic ride.
The Walkmen
The Rat (Single)
The Stills
Love & Death (Single)
While the 'Blueberry Boat' bubbles slowly up, these two singles practically engulfs the listener straightaway. Guitars blaring, drums thumping, turn the volume up to 10 with these songs on the stereo. At their core, the songs are thesis of life, a paper on loneliness and disenchantment. Shout along!
Camera Obscura
Underachievers Please Try Harder (Album)
Twee pop at its best. With Belle & Sebastian going Hollywood on its last album, Camera Obscura has produced an album which ranks among the best of B & S. Words like charming and sweet can be used to describe the acoustic laden tracks with that all so tender voice and occasionally funny lyrics topping the cake off. A must have for all Belle & Sebastian fans!
The Vines
Winning Days (Single)
Despite the negative press that the band has been getting this year, this has to be the single of the year for me. It is what one would call a pop moment, listening to it makes you feel like you're actually playing an instrument in the song during one of those lovely late evening jam sessions with all your good pals. The almost perfect harmonies, holding rhythms and bittersweet lyrics makes you feel lazy. Lie on your bed and listen to it over and over again!
Honourary Re-release of the Year
Manic Street Preachers
The Holy Bible (10th Anniversary Edition) (Album)
Listening to this album when I was fourteen was a most harrowing experience. Richey James immortalised himself by using a knife to carve 'FOR REAL' on his arm to show that he was for real (duh), and he just signed off by literally disappearing from the face of the earth shortly after the release of this album. This makes the album is his last will and testament to the world, a journey into frightening issues and imagery. Tales like 'Of Walking Abortion', 'She is Suffering' and 'Die in the Summertime' punctured the album with their unflinching bleakness. The worst of them all was '4st 7lb', a chilling tale of anorexia. The album in itself is a critcism on the lack of realism and action on social issues affecting the world.
One of the singles goes out with the line: 'MAN KILLS EVERYTHING!'
Ok so that's the end of my listing. Feel free to add comments or point me to any other good music that sprouted out during 2004. No Jay Chou or SHE please, they may be good, but no thanks...
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