The 2004 Baker's Dozen List

Here are the top 13 albums of 2004. They are not up for debate and any disputing of the standings is entirely wrong. I only reviewed a few or more of 'em, then I got bored. Maybe in a few days I'll throw out the rest for viewing; I think I've got 1 through 30 lined up enough, but I was thinking about doing a top 40 like Jack Rabid does. What can I say? I'm a big fan of lists. Add a fucking comment if you think you're so smart.

THE 2004 BAKER'S DOZEN

1. LORETTA LYNN-”Van Lear Rose”
   This is the way to do a comeback. Get back to the basics that brought you stardom and sing what you know. Loretta knows a lot and could probably teach people 50 years her junior a thing or two. Thanks to some amazing and complimentary basic production from Jack White, Loretta easily makes the most country sounding album Nashville has seen in 20 years. It shouldn’t have come this way, but I’m glad it finally came.
2. MODEST MOUSE-”Good News For People Who Love Bad News”
   If you see these guys live, you’d never expect they could amount to much. But turn them loose in a studio and something magical happens. They managed to hint at greatness in previous efforts, but “Good News” demonstrates that they’re in full capacity of their remaining brain cells, and consistently deliver some of the best quirk rock in the past decade. There’s no other band sounding like them today.
3. FRANZ FERDINAND-”Franz Ferdinand”
   You gotta love 80’s retro particularly when the new bands pick a sub-genre that really never had much of a moment in the sun. For those fans of that bass-heavy, choppy rhythm guitars that graced a lot of overlooked gems from the early 80’s, here’s a band that finally seals the deal. This album was successful for a reason: because it’s good. Memorable, hook laden, and up tempo, this debut may be hard to top, but right now it’s hard to put down.
4. THE FALL-”The Real New Fall L.P.”
   For almost 30 years, The Fall have been making albums. Some of them are groundbreaking or, at the very least, great while a few could be listed a frustrating. But no one could have expected Mark E. Smith to reach in and provide with a truly remarkable title at this stage in the game. Mark delivers his lyrics with as much fire as a man half his age and for some reason, this Fall line up seems positively energized.
5. COMETS ON FIRE-“Blue Cathedral”
   Blue Cheer were a band from the late sixties that had some minor success and influence. Comets On Fire would like to sonically remind you about Blue Cheer. In the meantime, Comets On Fire’s music is performed with such enthusiasm that one may just take their word for it, and nod in agreement. The nodding will eerily match the tempo on any song from “Blue Cathedral” and cause an inner need to witness a liquid light show.
6. BRIAN WILSON-”Smile”
   Few`people can return to a shelved product some 37 years later and expect it to work. Add a little bit of bi-polar to the mix and a probable recipe for disaster is in the mix. But Brian’s demons seem to be controlled when he remains focused on his crafter, and his craft is deserving of some distinction. The album sounds like it was recorded in 1966, and it sounds like nothing recorded in 2004. Brian is a master at vocal harmonies and in arrangements, and the “Smile” completion lets one ponder the “what ifs” had it been released when it was originally scheduled to.
7. A.C. NEWMAN-”The Slow Wonder”
   It sounds like a New Pornographers album and, surprise, most of that band are on it. As the leader and creative force behind that band, it makes no sense to release a solo album as it’s essentially the N.P. without the democracy or Neko Case. But hey, that’s not a bad thing since “The Slow Wonder” is filled with more hooks than a candy cane and with just enough sugar to make the most fervent crit tap their feet. It’s a great summertime record in the tradition of great summertime records. And drink up kids, cuz the thing clocks in a just a hair over a half hour.
8. BJORK-”Medulla”
9. WILCO-"A Ghost Is Born"
10. THE ARCADE FIRE-”Funeral”
11. IRON & WINE-”Our Endless Numbered Days”
12. DUNGEN-”Ta Det Lugnt”
13. DANGER MOUSE-"The Grey Album"

Best Reissue:

THE CLASH-"London Calling"

Best Single:

JAY Z-"99 Problems"