Top 25 Albums of 2004

This is my list of the year's 25 best full-length releases. The new talent that unveiled itself this year was unbeleivable, and I beleive that 2004 has been the most important, and best, year of the decade so far for music. This was a really tough list for me, much tougher than last year's list, due to the difficulty of organizing the vast talent and recalling everything that I heard and enjoyed.

Two important movements gained a lot of momentum and attention this year. The first is the rapidly growing indie folk scene. A large portion of this year's new talent rose from this spring to embrace the beauty of music past, recalling some of the earliest roots of contemporary music as a homage to beauty in it's essential form. The second important movement is the extremely energetic noise scene. Whereas the folk scene embraced music as we know it, the noise scene is about demolishing all previous musical conventions and advancing music in a completely new direction, paving the way for a new future in sound.

In 2004 we saw the art or hip-hop take a break from last year's barrage of stellar releases, although one extremely significant mainstream rap album was released. We also were given a bizarre hip-hop/classic rock mash-up album from an underground dj that directed much attention to the independent hip-hop scene, an album thats importance will increase as the decade rolls on.

Out of over 50 full-length albums that I heard this year, these 25 are the best. Each of the releases that you will see on this list were released in 2004. Enough said; here's my list, beginning with the 25th and working on down to the number one album of 2004. Enjoy.

25. Black Dice - "Miles of Smiles"
Although it is classified as an EP, "Miles of Smiles" clocks in at over 30 minutes. It acts as a transition peice between 2002's phenomenal "Beaches and Canyons" and this year's "Creature Comforts." The title track is as creepy as Black Dice have ever been, revovling around cut up and schewed marching band music.

24. Deerhoof - "Milkman"
"Milkman" lacks the expirementation of Deerhoof's earlier releases and it certainly is not as poppy as last year's "Apple O," but it just might be the group's finest album to date. The most noticeable difference from previous recordings is that all of the songs on "Milkman" are very organized and structured. And the cover art is brilliant.

23. Various Artists - "DFA Compilation #3"
This excessive compilation acts as a good representation of what the DFA are all about: stretched-out dance epics created on sp-1200's. Some of this material becomes a little too boring with it's expanded length, but there are some really bright spots such as Pixeltan's "Get Up Say What" and LCD Soundsystem's "Yeah."

22. Panda Bear - "Young Prayer"
"Young Prayer" is the musical equivalent to a young man ripping out fragments of his soul and peicing them together over echoed guitar arrangements. This album from the Animal Collective member packs so much emotion in such a short period of time that it will either leave you crying, dizzy, or both.

21. Mansbestfriend - "The New Human is Illegal"
Disappointingly, Anticon didn't release a single good album this entire year. But Sole did drop this self-produced bomb on the Morr Music label under the alias of Mansbestfriend. Why this album wasn't put out on Anticon escapes me, because it certainly is good enough. Sole's up-in-your face flow is matched by his very own rough production aesthetic, and his political rants fit perfectly in 2004. Sadly, this is one of very few solid independent hip-hop releases this year.

20. Beastie Boys - "To the Five Boroughs"
I like this album so much because it was a perfect soundtrack to my summer. When everything was so happy, nonsensically stupid b-boy rhymes really hit the spot. The Beastie Boys have never sucked this bad, but they are still the Beastie Boys, and no matter how bad they ever get, we will all still love them.

19. Bjork - "Medulla"
For some reason, it seems like this album never got the attention it deserves. Every noise on this album was created by human voice, but you would never know it unless somebody told you, because Rahzel's beatbox and Bjork's wails come off so convincingly as real instruments.

18. Interpol - "Antics"
Another album that couldn't meet it's inporportionate expectations that is best when not compared to it's predecessor. Post-punk is dying out very quickly, and the complete lack of originality here acts as proof. Interpol is pushed into ripping off the Pixies and deriving some sound from the already-stale dance-punk movement.

17. cLOUDDEAD - "Ten"
cLOUDDEAD's 2001 self-titled release is one of the best albums of the 2000's so far, so there were a lot of expectations for this one. Unfortunately, it did not come close to matching those expectations, instead leaving me with a very short collection of songs. However, when not compared to their other album, this is a fine recording of twisted pop songs for the new millenium.

16. Les Savy Fav - "Inches"
Another summer album, this one blew my socks of when I got it because I had such low expectations for it but it rocked. It is a 'singles collection' compiled of various 7" records released in the last eight years, and it is clear that Les Savy Fav have matured a lot as a group. IT also comes with a live DVD of some pretty crazy footage. LSF rule.

15. Sufjan Stevens - "Seven Swans"
I would never have thought that a Christian folk album would rank so high in my year-end list, but "Seven Swans" is completely deserving of this spot. There are some extremely powerful moments on record here, as proven by the frightening title track, one of the year's best songs. The song builds up to an unprecedented crescendo before Sufjan releases the intense chorus, all backed up by his beautiful banjo and voices of members of the Danielson Famile. Definitely one of the year's most beautiful and glorious records.

14. Danger Mouse - "The Grey Album"
I like the Beatles' "White Album" and I also like Jay-z's 2003 "Black Album." But when I heard that some DJ had somehow cut them both up and mixed them together as the "Grey Album," I was less than interested. However, curiosity grew and I decided to give it a try. The result is a thoroughly entertaining product, and it even is better than Jay-Z's version. Since this record dropped, Danger Mouse has gotten a ridiculous amount of media attention, which is starting to gain independent hip-hop some attention from mainstream outlets. The importance of "The Grey Album" will only grow as more and more people are turned on by it's inventive ways.

12. Devendra Banhart - "Nino Rojo"
Last year, Devendra Banhart recorded around 50 songs on an old 4-track recorder in some guy's house. Amazed by his performance, his record label decided to split up the songs and release two albums within the next year. "Nino Rojo" is the second Banhart album of 2004, and it brings together the more orchestrated songs of the bunch. This record is not as consistent as "Rejoicing in the Hands," the first release, but it does have some amazing high points that the best moments of that record cannot even touch.

11. The Walkmen - "Bows and Arrows"
The Walkmen played on "The O.C." last week, how low is that? Do they really have to pander to a bunch of misguided young girls in order to feel like they have fans? At least they didnt soundtrack the part where the one guy sleeps with his best friends mom, the same mom who slept with his girlfriend's brother, who just happens to like the other guy. Anyways; whatever the Walkmen have to do for money, it is tough to criticize them when they are releasing amazing albums like "Bows and Arrows."

10. Black Dice - "Creature Comforts"
If I had to choose three bands who I think are most important in relevance to music today, Black Dice would be a shoe-in. For the entire millenium, they have been at the forefront of the noise scene, expanding the limits of music like no other band. "Creature Comforts" lacks the epic qualities of their last release, but it makes up in mind-blowing expirementation. In that sense, this album is Black Dice's "Kid A." What Black Dice are doing with noise is unbeleivable, revolutionary, and extremely important.

9. Madvillain - "Madvillainy"
MF Doom is arguably the underground's best rapper, and Madlib has proven through a string of releases to be one of the best independent hip-hop producers. So what do you get when the two collaborate? A lot of pressure and unreachable expectations. However, somehow, the pair known as Madvillain overcame those expectations to mold one of the best underground hip-hop albums of all time. Both artists are at their best, and both bring fresh new material to the table. The most unique element of "Madvillainy" is the track structure; the album is divided into 23 songs, each hovering just around two minutes apeice. This form, reminiscent of early punk structures, is what gives "Madvillainy" the exciting fast pace that keeps it in my stereo. Note to Doom: stop flooding the market.

8. Animal Collective - "Sung Tongs"
In the introduction to this list, I mentioned that there are two unique movements rising up in the music today: the reminiscent folk, and the revolutionary noise. Animal Collective somehow manage to meld those two genres together, creating folk layered under coats of wild expirementation. "Sung Tongs" is far from their best release to date, mostly in part due to it's inconsistency, but some of these songs ("Leaf House," "Who Could Win a Rabbit") are individually some of the Collective's greatest acheivements. What isn't there to love about four guys who dress up as scary animals and trip out on acid all day?

7. Kanye West - "College Dropout"
Importance plays a large role in how high I place albums on this list, and this particular album is chalk-full of it. It is no mistake to anyone that mainstream hip-hop has been headed in an overall terrible direction for the past ten years. It has become one mass orgy of violence, sexism, and dare I say it.... crunk. So now all of the sudden there comes this egomaniacal guy named Kanye West who speaks of faith, self-consciousness, and points out the faults of rap today. On top of that, he is the mainstream's best producer who has the cred to work with anybody who he wants to. I hate to make broad, cliched statements like this, but... the savior of hip-hop?

6. Xiu Xiu - "Fabulous Muscles"
WTF. "Fabulous Muscles" is the most bizarre album of the year, by far. Jamie Stewart's point has never been to make us feel comfortable, and he certainly does not, as felt through his twisted pop dementia backed up by cutting freaktronica noise and disturbing strings. Like a psychotically beautiful nightmare, "Fabulous Muscles" is simultaneously sweet and harsh. One of the most solid and progressive indie releases of the decade.

5. Wolf Eyes - "Burned Mind"
"Burned Mind" is the most confrontational, abrasive, and utterly choatic album that I have ever heard, and that says a lot. In a year in which many of us, as a whole, feel headed in the wrong direction, Wolf Eyes have created the perfect soundtrack to a decimated future. What is most striking about Wolf Eyes is how they are able to convey human emotions such as fear, destruction, and death through pure noise. On top of that, "Burned Mind" still is quite accessible, which makes it not only the best noise album of the year, but also a true noise masterpeice.

4. Joanna Newsom - "The Milk-Eyed Mender"
The first time I heard "the Milk-Eyed Mender," I hated it. Joanna Newsom's high-pitched squeal of a voice was hard to take for an album's worth of material. However, upon repeat listens, the voice grew on me, revealing layers upon layers of beautiful melodies that accompanied her instrumentation graciously. Somehow, it all works together charmingly, and each listen it reveals more and more of it's beauty. "The Milk-Eyed Mender" is a landmark album for the freak-folk scene.

3. Arcade Fire - "Funeral"
Woven throughout Arcade Fire's "Funeral" are themes of growing up, responsibility, and loss of innocence. The emotions evoked throughout this record are extremely powerful and fitting to this important stage in life. The opening track, "Neighborhood #1," reveals the want for independence, and as "Funeral" progresses, that independence is given. However, with it becomes responsibility, leaving our narrator wondering if it was really worth it. "Funeral" is one of the best indie albums of the decade, without a doubt.

2. Fiery Furnaces - "Blueberry Boat"
"Blueberry Boat" is quite possibly the most dense, twisted, and puzzling indie rock album I have ever heard. Each of the album's 13 songs is compiled of multiple fragments, scatterbrained ideas peiced together to form one glorious collage. Thrown into the mix are shots of nearly every already-explored genre, bending them all into the Fiery Furnaces' schewed vision. It is masterful lyrically as well, with each song acting as it's own individual story, told from perspectives of child and adult, resulting in an homage to innocence and the loss of it. The bizzare instrumentation becomes increasingly mind-blowing with each listen. "Blueberry Boat," crammed with it's abundance of ideas, is one of the most solid albums that I have ever heard.


1. Devendra Banhart - "Rejoicing in the Hands"
In 2004, freak-folk went rampant, over-taking the indie scene stronger than any movement in recent memory. Most of that work can be credited to Devendra Banhart, who crafted two individual albums this year. The better of these two albums is "Rejoicing in the Hands." There is a magic quality about this album that I have only heard once beforehand, which was with Neutral Milk Hotel's 1998 classic "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea." Here, Banhart produces lyrical qualities reminiscent of early folk pioneers, and instead of putting his words to his music, like most other musicians, he crafts his music to fit his words. "Rejoicing..." is chalk-full of beauty and peacefulness, and although it barely progresses music to new areas, it does embrace and emulate everything good about music past.


There you have it, my top 25 albums of 2004. (Since making this list, I have heard many more exceptional 2004 releases that would rank very high. Some of these are Dungen's "Ta det Lugnt," Annie's "Anniemal," and Frog Eyes' "Folded Palm.")