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posted by cataphoresis @ 11:45 PM
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After having too many titles the past few years, 2002 was "limited" to a scant 18 titles. This STILL was not an easy task, as there were many, many good albums released in the year - 2002 was rediculously strong with quality albums. In 2002 I experienced life overseas and dealing with heartache. Music helped me out, specifically this music. Here's 2002...
18. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot - Wilco
Reflections: The story behind this album is almost as good as the music itself - almost. This is one album you need to hear. The critical acclaim is merited, it's a good album. I thought it was okay but nothing mindblowing. Still a decent listen though.
Best tracks: Track Names
17. A Rush of Blood to the Head - Coldplay
Reflections: Coldplay has gotten huge, and for good reason. This was the album that turned them into big stars - "Parachutes" was good, but this album is great. Some call them a more accessable, toned-down version of Radiohead. I don't necessarily agree with that comparison, but they are very listenable.
Best tracks: Clocks, The Scientist, Politik
16. Phrenology - The Roots
Reflections: The Roots returned with Phrenology in 2002 and didn't miss a beat. This album proves one thing to me though - Black Thought, the lead vocalist, is the most underrated rapper ever. This album showcases the many talents of the band, and Thought's lyrics are intelligent and thought-provoking. Great stuff.
Best tracks: The Seed 2.0, Thought At Work, Break You Off, Rock You
15. In Search Of... - N.E.R.D.
Reflections: The Neptunes, or N.E.R.D. as they prefer on this disc, put out the amazing In Search Of..., which proves that they're the hottest thing in hip-hop. An amazing blend of rock, rap, funk, and pop, this disc is something you've just got to hear. One of the best, most unique albums I've ever heard.
Best tracks: Lapdance, Rock Star, Truth or Dare, Brain, Provider
14. Life's A Bitch (and I'm Her Pimp) - mc chris
Reflections: Nerdcore? This is nerdy, geeky rap at its finest. Sure, Chris might have the screechiest vocals ever, but you've got to give him credit, the man can lay rhymes. This album is also FREE, so go download it! (Click on "Raps" on the main page).
Best tracks: The Tussin, Fett's Vette
13. The Execution of All Things - Rilo
Reflections: This album is mellow and beautiful. Rilo Kiley is one of those bands that's hard to describe. You should listen and figure out for yourself.
Best tracks: The Good That Won't Come Out, Paint's Peeling
12. American Cheese - Nerf Herder
Reflections: This is slack, sophomoric rock at its best. Just a bunch of guys singing songs about random crazy stuff. A very fun album, great pop hooks. This disc has tunes that will get seriously stuck in your head for days. (I use "Don't Worry Get Happy" to get the tunes out.)
Best tracks: Jenna Bush Army, High Five Anxiety, Mr. Spock
11. Ben Folds Live - Ben Folds
Reflections: This is Ben at his finest. Just Ben, a piano, and a couple screaming crazy fans. The "horn" breakdown during "Army" has to be heard to be believed. This album is fun, sounds great, and makes me mad that I haven't seen Ben on tour recently. One of the best live albums I've ever heard, right up there with TMBG's "Severe Tire Damage".
Best tracks: Not The Same, Army,
10. Lord Willin' - The Clipse
Reflections: Virginia's first real rap stars, The Clipse are raw and dirty, and their debut album Lord Willin' was full of refreshing new sounds. Produced by the now famous Neptunes, this album laced raw vocals with insanely catchy beats and instrumentation. This might not be everybody's style, but this album is hot.
Best tracks: Grindin', Cot Damn, When The Last Time, Virginia
9. ELV1S: 30 #1 Hits - Elvis Presley
Reflections: After the success of The Beatles' One, a similar package was released for the King, Elvis Presley. ELV1S is great in the same way that One was great - it gave casual fans like me a chance to hear a great number of Elvis tracks, without having to buy 10 or 11 CDs. This CD is definitely one to pick up, along with One.
Best tracks: Don't Be Cruel, All Shook Up, Jailhouse Rock, Too Much, many others
8. Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots - The Flaming Lips
Reflections: This album truly is a journey in sound. Some of the most amazing symphonic choruses ever can be found on this album. I love this disc because everything is so grand-scale, so blown out of proportion. There's nothing humble about this album.
Best tracks: One More Robot, Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots Part 1, Do You Realize??, Fight Test
7. Songs For The Deaf - Queens of the Stone Age
Reflections: Not just a Dave Grohl side project, Songs For The Deaf stands on its own as one of the best rock albums in quite a long time. The album is a romp through late night FM radio, and you can't help but love it. The rock is fresh, and a year later, sounds just as good. You don't get tired of this disc.
Best tracks: Go With The Flow, No One Knows, Another Love Song, Mosquito Song
6. Justified - Justin Timberlake
Reflections: Yes, I put a Justin Timberlake album in my list. Why? Because this album is pop music, and pop music at its finest. Seriously, Justified is the Thriller for our time. Amazing pop lyrics and melodies, and Justin's phenomenal vocal performance is second to none. While you might hate his teeny-bopper roots, this album is
good.
Best tracks: What You Got (Oh No), Cry Me A River, Senorita, Like I Love You
5. Does This Look Infected? - Sum 41
Reflections: Sum 41's last album was good, but it pales in comparison with 2002's Does This Look Infected? in terms of quality. This album is good pop-punk, something impossible to find nowadays (thanks Good Charlotte - you blow). This album is a lot meatier than All Killer, with more emphasis put on the heavy rock riffs. A great CD.
Best tracks: this one's solid from beginning to end.
4. The Eminem Show - Eminem
Reflections: The most famous rapper in the world returned in 2002 with The Eminem Show, and at least to me, it's his best work ever. Darker and more heartfelt, this album wasn't the wacky drug-induced trip the Slim Shady LP, or the angry backlash that the Marshall Mathers LP was. This is a work of art, even if you won't believe Em's an artist.
Best tracks: Sings For The Moment, When The Music Stops, Business - and the rest of the disc.
3. By The Way - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Reflections: After "Californication", I questioned if the Chili Peppers could do it again. They didn't - they did even better. "By The Way" is one of the best rock/pop albums ever created. This is a must-own.
Best tracks: Cabron, On Mercury, By The Way, Can't Stop, The Zephyr Song, Dosed
2. Home From Home - Millencolin
Reflections: The third 'perfect' CD of 2002 was Millencolin's
Home From Home. A followup to one of the best punk rock albums ever, Home From Home picked up right where Pennybridge Pioneers left off. It would've been the best of the year if not for one even better punk rock album. Even so, this is a must own.
Best tracks: I love this whole CD, especially the first two
tracks
1. The Process of Belief - Bad Religion
Reflections: Bad Religion returned to their roots in 2002 with The Process of Belief, back to the days of No Control and Suffer. Hard punk rock, harder and more intense than they've ever been, shows on every single track on this disc, and proves Bad Religion is the best punk rock act, nay, the best band ever. Listen to their albums. Learn to love them. They are the best.
Best tracks: Every single damned song on this disc is top notch punk rock. Even the B-sides rule.
Go back to the main page, or on to 2003
posted by cataphoresis @ 11:19 PM
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2001 was almost impossible to narrow down to just 10 albums, so I didn't. Here's my twelve personal favorites of 2K1...
12. Party Music - The Coup
Reflections: The Coup's 2001 album Party Music was shrouded in a sea of controversy due to it's original cover art, which is a shame, because the duo from Oakland put out one hell of an album. This is another funk-filled rap success, and it's a shame that it's so severely underrated. As counter-culture and counter-system as The Coup are, this album is great to listen to. Test your system's bass with 'Get Up'.
Best tracks: Get Up, 5 Million Ways To Kill A CEO, Pork and Beef, Everythang
11. Weezer (Green) - Weezer
Reflections: This album, while a decent pop album, was an immense let-down. The world had waited 5 years for a new Weezer album, and instead of a follow-up to the great Pinkerton we got fluff, sugar-pop completely devoid of substance. This album sounds pretty, pretty enough to make this list, but not good enough to top it.
Best tracks: Island in the Sun, Simple Pages, Crab, Photograph
10. Unplugged - Jay-Z
Reflections:I was not a Jay-Z fan until I heard this album. Completely live, with the Roots backing him up, this album was a hip-hop masterpiece. You can't hear this album and not love the hell out of it, and come to respect the genious that Jay-Z is. Everybody should have this album or at least watch an airing of Unplugged if MTV ever reruns it.
Best tracks:Ain't No Love (In The Heart Of The City), Big Pimpin', H To The Izzo
9. I Was Dead For 7 Weeks In The City Of Angels - Dover
Reflections: Another amazing album by the Spanish quartet, Dover proves with 7 Weeks that they still know how to rock. Grunge very well may be dead, just don't tell Dover - they're still putting out quality albums. Rediculously hard to find, if you want to hear any Dover, your best bet is probably just to ask me for some. Check out their website too.
Best tracks: Better Day, My Secret People, Big Mistake, Recluser, King George
8. Bleed American - Jimmy Eat World
Reflections: Jimmy Eat World is an oddity: pop-emo. They may have sold their souls for this album, but it's solid from start to finish. You can't help but love the first handful of tracks, and it continues throughout the whole album.
Best tracks: Sweetness, A Praise Chorus, If You Don't Don't, The Middle
7. Even In Darkness - Dungeon Family
Reflections: This album is an Outkast side-project, combining that duo with the members of the Goodie Mob and Society of Soul - this is basically an Atlanta all-stars album. Soulful and funky, Even In Darkness is one hell of a ride. It's a musical cornucopia, and is really a treat for your ears. Give this disc a shot, especially if you're an Outkast fan. Which you should be.
Best tracks: Crooked Booty, Trans DF Express, Follow The Light, On & On & On, 6 Minutes
6. Rockin' The Suburbs - Ben Folds
Reflections: Ben Folds's first solo album, Rockin' The Suburbs is regarded by many as his finest work yet. While I think BFF's first album is better, there is no denying that this is a great album. Unlike BFF however, this is a really sad album. Sad, but still pretty damned good.
Best tracks: Still Fighting It, The Luckiest, Annie Waits, Not The Same
5. Coast Is Never Clear - Beulah
Reflections: Beulah's third album, Coast Is Never Clear, is near musical perfection. Amazing pop lyrics and melodies, Beulah really has the knack when it comes to putting together a solid album from start to finish. Amazing live, great on record, Beulah should be loved by all.
Best tracks: A Good Man Is Easy To Kill, Gene Autry, Silver Lining, Popular Mechanics for Lovers
4. Oh, Inverted World - The Shins
Reflections: In the movie Garden State, Natalie Portman's character describes a song that will "change your life" - that song is the creepy yet beautiful "New Slang" off this album. These songs, an absolute masterpiece by the Shins, have to be heard to be believed. The album starts strong and finishes strong too. An absolute joy to listen to.
Best tracks: New Slang, Caring is Creepy
3. Tenacious D - Tenacious D
Reflections: This is the funniest album ever put out. It is amazing in that it blends rediculously funny comedy with rocking tunes, and the two are interlaced almost perfectly. Tenacious D have to be heard to be believed, but once you listen to it, you'll be rocking and rolling -- with laughter! (Yeah, I'm sorry about that. But it's such an obvious pun. I had to do it. Once again, sorry).
Best tracks: Wonderboy, Fuck Her Gently, Karate, Friendship, One Note Song
2. Word of Mouf - Ludacris
Reflections: Chris Bridges, graduate of the 'school of hard knocks, sneak peaks, and low blows', returns with his second album Word of Mouf where he proves that he is the heir to the rap throne. Ludacris has a voice that's unique but amazing, and his lyrical stylings are second to none. He's magical at bending words to his whim, and amazing to listen to.
Best tracks: Rollout, Coming 2 America, Growing Pains, Area Codes, Move Bitch
1. Sing Loud, Sing Proud! - Dropkick Murphys
Reflections: Okay, imagine a late, cold night in Ireland. Nothing's alive in the town, with the exception of the town pub, where a drunken singalong has errupted. Now take that drunken Irish party, and put it in Boston, in 2001, and put it on CD. You've got Sing Loud, Sing Proud!, by Boston's favored sons, the Murphys. SLSP is amazing to listen to, especially when you've had a few beverages yourself.
Best tracks: the entire album, but 'Rocky Road to Dublin' is the best
Go back to the main page, or on to 2002
posted by cataphoresis @ 11:12 PM
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I'm a mechanical engineer who decided one day to pursue a career in medicine. Currently an osteopathic med student.
Up with the White and Gold, down with the Red and Black.
visitors since May 24, 2004.
