It was a pretty fine year for music. Twenty years from now I'll look back on 2004 and say, "Damn!" Just because it was so fine. So here's my top 15 of the year.

15) U2- How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb... Ok, so I'm not the biggest U2 fan (for instance, Pop is my favorite album by them for crying out loud!) but this album really grew on me. There are some skippers, namely the bookend tracks, "Vertigo" and "Yahweh," but in between is some really tight songs.

14) Kaada/Patton- Romances... A dreamy ocean of Mike Patton off-beat vocals and avant garde arrangements. An exploration of using vocals without needing lyrics.

13) Devendra Banhart- Rejoicing in the Hands and Nino Rojo... Two cds by Banhart in one year. his stuff paved the way for the freak folk's new popularity, as exploited by magazines like Spin. Each of Banhart's albums has high and low points... but it all feels starkly honest.

12) Eagles of Death Metal- Peace Love Death Metal... A shake your *** mix of stoner rock, country, and Elvis. So bad upon first listen... but then grows and you and has you singing the songs in the most awkward situations. Very dancable and fun.

11) Brian Wilson- Smile... This album sounds too happy to be good listening material for most of my moods. An album that's been delayed for decades needs to have some sadness to it. However, there is no denying Wilson's genius... it's a pop tour de force.

10) Tom Waits- Real Gone... Waits' voice sounds like he's smoked cigarette after cigarette while tipping back shots of the strongest whiskey available inbetween the recording of this album. The results are about as unique as they ever are with Tom Waits.

09) mewithoutYou- Catch For Us the Foxes... This album features some of the best lyrics ever shouted, spoken, or sung. Repeated listens elevate this album from merely good to fantastic.

08) Jem- Finally Woken... This is really just fine, magnificently layered pop. The songs don't just flirt with you... they kiss you square on the lips. Catchy and fun.

07) Brother Danielson- Brother : Son... The "solo" effort from Daniel Smith of the Danielson Famile will not appeal to haters of the Famile, but may reach a broader audience, thanks to Sufjan Stevens' recent fame and involvement with this album (and indeed, past Famile cds), who's banjo is all over this freak folk gem.