Top 10 albums and movies of 2004. Let's hear your picks! - Printable Version
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Top 10 albums and movies of 2004. Let's hear your picks! - direwolf74 - 12-14-2004
Hey everybody! It's that time of year again, and I'm dying to hear everyone's picks for albums and movies of the year. So let's have 'em! And feel free to write a little blurb for each one. It's more fun that way. Alright, here we go:
ALBUMS
1. The Tragically Hip- In Between Evolution
"In most of these songs, there seems- in my mind anyway- a TV flickering away off in the corner of the frame. It's always there. And on that TV is FOX News."
-Gord Downie, July 2004
This sentiment pretty much sums up the general feel of the Hip's 10th album, which is a little angrier and more menacing than previous efforts. As always the songwriting from the boys is top notch, with tightly-focused arrangements, warm melodies, catchy hooks, gritty guitars cranked up to 11 and an exceptionally passionate vocal performance by Downie.
Gord takes brilliantly veiled swipes at George Dubya, American foreign policy, and even jingoistic right-wing country star Toby Keith, but he approaches these subjects in such a unique way that the politics never get in the way of the music. All together it makes for an edgy, urgent rock album full of heart, soul and intelligence. Put it on and crank er up!
2. Tom Waits- Real Gone
72 whopping minutes of some of the craziest, most absorbing music I’ve ever heard, full of darkly humorous tales of mortality, greed, war, murder, down-on-their-luck carnival freaks, and characters with names like Bowlegged Sal, Knocky Parker, Skinny Bones Jones and Mike of the Weeds. Waits’ gravelly vocals and bizarre instrumentation aren’t the easiest thing to listen to, but it’s worth the challenge just to immerse yourself in his fucked-up world for a while. I love it!
3. Lowest of the Low- Sordid Fiction
One of my favorite Canadian bands of all time returns with their best album in, well, 10 years. After breaking up in 1994 and embarking on various solo projects, the mighty Low have finally come out of hiding to proudly kick our asses once again. Singer/songwriter Ron Hawkins has some truly great moments on this record, most notably the catchy-as-hell “Last Recidivist” and my favorite song of the year, the awesome and tuneful “Everywhere and Nowhere”.
4. Elliott Smith- From a Basement on the Hill
It’s a damn tragedy that this guy had to go and stab himself in the chest with a kitchen knife, because judging by this stunning record he was an incredibly gifted singer/songwriter who will be sorrily missed. Before his death last year I didn’t know much about him other than the fact that he was nominated for an Oscar for his contribution to the Good Will Hunting soundtrack. Who knew he was this good? What a shame.
5. U2- How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
Another solid offering from Ireland‘s favorite sons, full of grand sweeping soundscapes, sing-a-long anthems, gorgeous ballads, Bono‘s soaring vocals, and most importantly the Edge‘s big chiming guitar right up in your face. The end result is their most U2-ish sounding album since the Joshua Tree, and that certainly ain’t a bad thing. It's been a while since they rocked this hard. They’ve been together almost 25 years now, and with all the different fads, fashions and musical trends that have come and gone over the years, they’ve still managed to not only remain musically relevant, but they’ve also been the biggest freakin’ band on the planet for as long as I can remember. I’m guessing that’s not an easy thing to do. Long may they run!
6. Sarah Harmer- All of Our Names
Solidifies Sarah’s growing reputation as one of Canada’s premiere singer/songwriters. The songs are sparse, gorgeous, full of warmth and wisdom, and they’re all framed perfectly by her beautifully angelic vocals. She can rock it up, she can folk it down, or even dip into a bit of country if the mood strikes her, and it all fits together like a glove. Did I mention her marvelous singing voice? I did? Ok, good.
7. Wilco- A Ghost is Born
One thing you can say about Wilco is that they’re never predictable. This is yet another great record in a long line of great records brilliantly conceived by singer/songwriter Jeff Tweedy, who has never failed to deliver some of the most honest, heartfelt, mind-blowing music of the last 15 years. This album is a challenging listen, and it certainly isn’t for everybody, but if ya give it a few spins and let it sink in you’ll discover how satisfying and rewarding a Wilco album can be.
8. Neko Case- The Tigers Have Spoken
The main selling point here are Neko’s magnificently gorgeous pipes. This woman can belt out a tune like nobody‘s business. If that’s not enough to make you buy the album, you also get some kick-ass songwriting and a fantastically cool backing band (The Sadies) to complete the package. I often have dreams where Neko sings me to sleep at night.
9. Nirvana- With the Lights Out
An exhausting and fascinating 4-disc retrospective of arguably the most influential band of the last 15 years. Rather than focusing on the greatest hits like most boxed sets do, this one features mostly unreleased material including various B-sides, live tracks, radio performances, and acoustic home demos recorded by Cobain himself using nothing more than a 4-track. It’s incredible stuff. A must have for any Nirvana fan, and anybody who came of age during the early 90s rock explosion.
10. C’mon- Midnight is the Answer
25 glorious minutes of full-throttled, foot stompin, ass-kickin rawk n’ fuckin roll, courtesy of ex-Change of Heart/producer extraordinaire Ian Blurton. In the album’s liner notes it says the disc was recorded entirely using old-school analog equipment. How cool is that!
MOVIES
1. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Another brilliantly twisted piece of cinema from the warped mind of Charlie Kaufman. Possibly the most romantic film I‘ve ever seen, with incredibly solid performances from Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet.
2. Spider-Man 2
Best superhero movie EVER. A non-stop rollercoaster ride from start to finish. Great story, great character development, great acting, great stunts, and great special effects. I loved every minute of it.
3. Garden State
The sweetest, most heartfelt film I’ve seen since Lost in Translation. Zach Braff (from TV’s Scrubs) plays a slightly messed up, overly-medicated struggling actor who travels back to his home state of New Jersey for his mother’s funeral. During his four-day stay he manages to re-connect with himself, his past, his best friend, his estranged father, and ends up falling in love in the process. Braff also wrote the screenplay and directed the film.
4. Kill Bill: Vol. 2
The awesome concluding chapter to Tarantino’s violent revenge epic. Don’t be surprised to see this movie get a few Oscar nods this year for best actress (Uma Thurman), best supporting actor (David Carradine) and best screenplay (Tarantino).
5. Fahrenheit 9/11
Whether you like Michael Moore (like me) or hate him, ya gotta admit the guy knows how to make entertaining, thought-provoking films. As many have pointed out, this flick isn’t exactly 100 percent “documentary“ per say, but damn if it isn’t a powerful piece of filmmaking.
6. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
Funny, funny, funny. It’s been a while since a movie has made me laugh this hard. Will Ferrell is hilarious as usual, but the Daily Show’s Steve Carell steals every scene he’s in. Needless to say I giggled myself silly all the way through it. Mark my words, this one’s gonna become a cult classic in a few years.
7. Touching the Void
Absolutely incredible. I dare anybody to walk out of this thing and not be totally inspired.
8. The Station Agent
A beautiful little film about an unexpected friendship that develops between three lonely people. Peter Dinklage (who you may remember as the dwarf who beats the crap out of Will Ferrell in “Elf”) delivers an incredible performance. If he doesn’t get an Oscar nod for this, there truly is no justice in the world.
9. Finding Neverland
Another amazing performance from Johnny Depp as author J.M. Barrie, the dude who wrote Peter Pan. Kate Winslet isn’t too shabby either. Anyone who doesn’t get a little misty-eyed watching this thing obviously has no heart. It's a great film.
10. Shaun of the Dead
A hilarious mixture of witty British humor, extreme gore, and excessive violence. Now THAT’S a movie!
- Roy-at-tth - 12-14-2004
Albums -- not really a top 10 but 4 good ones, in order:
1. U2 - How to dismantle an atomic bomb
2. The Hip - IBE
3. Green Day - American Idiot
4. Jimmy Eat World - whatever its called.
- Lizard King - 12-14-2004
Roy-at-tth Wrote:Albums -- not really a top 10 but 4 good ones, in order:Its called Futures. :thumb:
1. U2 - How to dismantle an atomic bomb
2. The Hip - IBE
3. Green Day - American Idiot
4. Jimmy Eat World - whatever its called.
- Stephen Dame - 12-14-2004
Anything involving those delightful Simpson sisters.
- jkdiamond - 12-14-2004
Got to agree aside from IBE, the Green Day CD is one of the few i've enjoyed this year.
Movie of the yr - festival Express, I havn't even seen it but it has the band/joplin/the dead on a train, so really how could anything be better than that. I'll have my dvd today or tommorow
- direwolf74 - 12-14-2004
jkdiamond Wrote:Got to agree aside from IBE, the Green Day CD is one of the few i've enjoyed this year.
Movie of the yr - festival Express, I havn't even seen it but it has the band/joplin/the dead on a train, so really how could anything be better than that. I'll have my dvd today or tommorow
Damn, I can't believe I left that one out. Festival Express is probably one of the best music documentaries I've ever seen. The performances, especially the ones from Janis and the Band, are freakin' amazing.
- NMAS - 12-14-2004
don'e think I can get 10 Movies or Albums
Albums
1. Drive By Truckers- The Dirty South
2.North Mississippi Allstars- Hill COuntry Review-Live at Bonnaroo
3. U2- How to DIsmantle....
4. The Black Keys- Rubber Factory
5.Wilco- A Ghost is Born
6. Eric Clapton- Me and Mr Johnson ( think it is 2004)
Movies no order
The Cooler
Shrek 2
Spiderman 2
Bourne Supremacy
Far 9/11
collateral
- Littleproud - 12-14-2004
In no particular order...
Ron Sexsmith - Retriever: In my opinion, this album blows away "slow-burn" efforts from Wilco and the like by hitting us with memorable songs. The production is rich, with each tune getting proper treatment. Amazing for anytime of the day.
Phantom Planet - s/t: One of the most over-looked albums of the year, their 2nd album delivers catchy power-pop anthems, with some of the most daring guitar work I have heard in years. Dave Fridman's (Flaming Lips) production is stellar, capturing the band somewhere between Television, Fugazi, The Specials, and at times, early Blur. It's a really fun record, with teeth.
Brian Wilson - SMILE: Well, it took him long enough to finish it, but here it is...and I kind of understand why he didn't release it then. Jeebus, it's even ahead of it's time NOW! Everything is over-the-top here, showcasing the god of unorthodox arrangements. Pristine and twisted.
Elliot Smith - From A Basement On A Hill: So many good songs. This posthumous effort is classic Smith, without treading on anyone's coat-tails. The world lost a true genius.
Jill Barber - Oh, Heart: I met this girl a little while ago in Toronto. Her songs are delicate in arrangement, and her voice has a strength and quiver that's trancendental. It's only 6 songs, but I found myself listening to it over and over. A real jem. Almost like Stevie Nicks singing "Songs for Clem".
Black Eyed Peas - Elephunk (Special Edition): How many parents "shat trou" when they found out the harmless radio hit their kids were into was actually an edited version of "Let's Get Retarded". Whatever you PC values may be, this album is a great party record, with out-of-this-world production. The actual album came out last year, but this version (including wicked remixes) takes the cake.
The Tragically Hip - In Betweeen Evolution: What else can i say that hasn't been said? The boys beefed up their sound with dramatic results. Cerebral and raw at once.
Lhasa - The Living Road: This is a near perfect record for fans of instrumental, world beat textures. Just...great.
The Futureheads - This album actually made "indie rock" listenable for me again. These Scots blipped and Brian quirked their way into my heart. Fans of XTC, Brian Wilson and all things indie, rejoyce.
Green Day - American Idiot: Ya know, it seems like everyone hopped on the Bush Bashing Bandwagon this year. Green Day did it right.
In the "Close, but no cigar" bin:
Beastie Boys "To The 5 Boroughs", Tom Waits' "Real Gone", Wilco "A Ghost Is Born", Interpol "Antics.
Movies (in no order):
Napolean Dynamite - amazing. I can't wait for the dvd.
Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind.
Team America: World Police
Fahrenheit 9/11
Shawn Of The Dead
Festival Express
End of The Century (The Ramones)
Hero
Bukowski: Born Into This
The Love Crimes Of Gillian Guess (sure, my band-mate is in it, but Bruce MacDonald really came through with a twisted classic).
- fingernailsonhull - 12-14-2004
Yes, kudos on mentioning the Ron Sexsmith album. It is excellent. Other than that, any movies or albums I would have mentioned already have benn.
- The Darkest Canuck - 12-14-2004
first off, the blackeyed peas album blows if you want a real party album all i have to say to you is GET CRUNK MOTHERFUCKER GET CRUNK! YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAH! WHUT?!?!?!?! nuff said.
i can't pick 10 albums either, and even if i did, i doubt that anybody would've ever heard of half of them, so here's my...
top 5 albums:
1. The Tragically Hip - In Between Evolution
2. K-OS - Joyful Rebellion (vinyl)
3. Green Day - American Idiot
4. The Beastie Boys - To The Five Boroughs
5. Into Eternity - Buried In Oblivion
top 5 movies:
1. Fahreneit 911
2. Collateral
3. Saw
4. Spider-Man 2
5. The Bourne Supremecy
Re: Top 10 albums and movies of 2004. Let's hear your picks - The Darkest Canuck - 12-14-2004
direwolf74 Wrote:9. Nirvana- With the Lights Out
An exhausting and fascinating 4-disc retrospective of arguably the most influential band of the last 15 years. Rather than focusing on the greatest hits like most boxed sets do, this one features mostly unreleased material including various B-sides, live tracks, radio performances, and acoustic home demos recorded by Cobain himself using nothing more than a 4-track. It’s incredible stuff. A must have for any Nirvana fan, and anybody who came of age during the early 90s rock explosion.
10. C’mon- Midnight is the Answer
25 glorious minutes of full-throttled, foot stompin, ass-kickin rawk n’ fuckin roll, courtesy of ex-Change of Heart/producer extraordinaire Ian Blurton. In the album’s liner notes it says the disc was recorded entirely using old-school analog equipment. How cool is that!
2. Spider-Man 2
Best superhero movie EVER. A non-stop rollercoaster ride from start to finish. Great story, great character development, great acting, great stunts, and great special effects. I loved every minute of it.
1. I don't think you can count the Nirvana box as an album...none of it was recorded in 2004, and more importantly it's not an album!
2. C'mon are good stuff :thumb:, i saw them live and they rocked the house. If You like C'mon, you'll also like The Illuminati, I haven't been able to get my hands on a copy of their album yet, but the 4 songs i've heard kick my ass.
3. Spider-Man 2 the best superhero movie of all-time? :roll: it doesn't even begin to touch Batman or Batman Returns, Batman Begins will own it, it's not as good as either of the X-men movies, and i'm betting that Blade Trinity will be better too. still a decent flick nonetheless though.
- Littleproud - 12-14-2004
The Darkest Canuck Wrote:i can't pick 10 albums either, and even if i did, i doubt that anybody would've ever heard of half of them,
Try us.
Re: Top 10 albums and movies of 2004. Let's hear your picks - opiated - 12-14-2004
The Darkest Canuck Wrote:direwolf74 Wrote:[b]
3. Spider-Man 2 the best superhero movie of all-time? :roll: it doesn't even begin to touch Batman or Batman Returns, Batman Begins will own it, it's not as good as either of the X-men movies, and i'm betting that Blade Trinity will be better too. still a decent flick nonetheless though.
personally i think Hulk is the best superhero movie ever..it really felt like the comic book, and ang lee did a great job of bringing it to the big screen...a lot of early bad press hurt this movie big time, and the sfx were a lot better than what was shown on the early commercials
- akoso - 12-14-2004
Nice call with From a Basement on a Hill. That disc still occupies most of my non-Hip related music now-a-days.
My only addition is Interpol's Antics. I already started a thread (http://www.hipbase.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5349) on Interpol, cause I've been diggin their albums so much. If you haven't heard it, check it out... or at least check out that thread.
Anthony
- opiated - 12-14-2004
movies i'll have to think about..but as for music....
green day's american idiot
the hip.IBE
clapton.me and mr. johnson
eagles of death metal..peace,love,death metal
velvet revolver..s/t
gomez(can't remember the name of the cd right now)
beastie boys.5 burroughs
ween..live in chicago
pearl jam..live at benyora(not sure of spelling) hall
modest mouse..good news for people who love bad news