AF&O's The Year that Was: Top Music of 2004
Published January 04, 2005
And now, AF&O's favorite album of 2004:
American Idiot - Green Day This magnificent collection has been labeled as "punk opera." That's as good a description as any, I suppose. This hard-driving song cycle moves beyond punk's limitations — you'll find gorgeous melodies, tempo changes, and catchy sonic nods to the Beatles and Led Zeppelin — and, man, it rocks. You'll also get Billie Joe Armstrong's more mature take on life and the political landscape circa 2004 (yeah, he's anti-war and anti-Bush, but you don't have to be a lefty to dig this LP). American Idiot shows the power trio growing as musicians, artists, and humans. The next Green Day album should be really something. In the meantime, this one deserves all the accolades it receives.
Honorable Mentions: Eminem's "Mosh"; Richie Havens' Grace of the Sun; Leo Kottke's Try and Stop Me; Joss Stone's Mind, Body, and Soul; Kanye West's The College Dropout; Wilco's A Ghost Is Born; Bjork's Medulla
Natalie Davis is an award-winning journalist, progressive- and GLBT-issues activist, musician and broadcaster. Davis' All Facts and Opinions - The Armchair Activist has existed since 1996. She is general manager and program/music director of Grateful Dread Radio, an 11-year-old multigenre Internet station dedicated to presenting diverse sounds for open minds.
- AF&O's The Year that Was: Top Music of 2004
- Published: January 04, 2005
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- Section: Music
- Writer: Natalie Davis
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You got some great ones, Nat.
I loved the Loretta Lynn -- it's on my Top Ten too.
Andy Bey is a vocal freak for sure, and this is my favorite of his things since he came back a few years ago. Live, he can be really self-indulgent. His voice is soooo rich and velvety, I often wish he'd go easier on the histrionics, and here I think he has. The whole thing's kinda slow and easy-going, and it suits him.
I thought the Westerberg was disappointing, and didn't have any great songs. I have now been disappointed in everything this man has done since "Pleased to Meet Me," and I swear that if he puts out just five more mediocre albums, I'm giving up on him.
RIP Elliott, and I really want to hear the rest of these songs (Smith maniacs say the best stuff got left off!)
i thought u wer supposed to be givin an addie?
A what?
Postscript: Finally got past the hype and listened to the Franz Ferdinand LP. (Hey, I get to it when it's possible.) Now I know: In retrospect, I should have done a top 11 of 2004. Wotta band!
I was late to that one too Nat, nad agree they have a lot of energy, tunes and attitude
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a fascinating, eclectic and very well presendted list Nat, thanks! I am particularly interested in following up on the Andy Bey, which I have not heard