Well, it’s that time of year again, that’s right, list time. I realized I didn’t have this stuff up on my blog, so I dug it up, and here it is for your commenting enjoyment.

The Best of 2004

1 (tie). Sufjan Stevens – Seven Swans – A real gem of a record, (but I actually didn’t hear it until after 2004 was over). [Incredibly, Sufjan would top himself in 2005, with his masterpiece, Illinois].
1 (tie). Modest Mouse – Good News for People… – My favorite album of the year from the minute I heard it.
2. Iron and Wine – Our Endless Numbered Days – Excellent. Another contender for the number 1 spot.
3. Franz Ferdinand – S/T – I played it out man.

The rest are in no particular order:
Ozomatli – Street Signs – Another strong effort from the LA collective.
Razorlight – Up All Night – It’s not original, but it is catchy.
Sarah Harmer – All of our Names – Very solid effort. Sarah always delivers.
Tegan and Sara – So Jealous – So catchy, you can’t help but like it. [The pop sensibility of this album still amazes me today].
Dios – Dios

Solid albums:
Richard Buckner – Dents and Shells – A return to form by Mr. Buckner
Joanna Newsom – Milk Eyed Mender – [Upon present day reflection, this album should have been in the top ten.]

Other good albums (but not Top Ten material IMHO):
A.C. Newman – Slow Wonder – I really only like the first track, Miracle Drug.
Mutual Admiration Society – I’m a Nickel Creek fan.
Wilco – A Ghost Is Born – Good album, but way overrated. Best track is Handshake Drugs (wish it didn’t have that annoying fade out).
Eleni Mandell – Afternoon – Good album.
Carolyn Mark – Solid album.

Albums I wanted to hear, but never did:
Devendra Banhart – Niño Rojo & Rejoicing in the Hands

Most overrated album of the year:
Arcade Fire – Funeral – It’s not bad, it’s good, but they didn’t reinvent the wheel. [As an aside, I still feel more or less the same way about this album today, but there is no denying they are a great live band. I am looking forward to their next release, whenever it finally comes out.]

Most overrated film of the year:
Sideways

Best film of the year
Napoleon Dynamite – Most original hilarious comedy in ages.

The Best of 2003

My Top 12 (In no real order)
Be Good Tanyas – Chinatown – The best album I heard last year.
The White Stripes – Elephant – The best rock album of the year.
Josh Rouse – 1972 – A good effort, but not quite as accomplished as last 2 albums.
The Waifs – Up All Night – A nice sophomore effort.
The Shins – Chutes Too Narrow – Ditto.
The Wrens – Meadowlands
The Weakerthans – Reconstruction Site – A great pop record.
Broken Social Scene – You Forgot it in People – Sort of a one song record, but a great one.
Po’ Girl – S/T
Ozomatli – Coming Up EP – A standout EP.
Yes New York – Various Artists – A compilation, what is this world coming to!
Yo La Tengo – Summer Sun

Reissues:
Jeff Buckley – Live at Sine (Sony Legacy 2CD)
Elvis Costello – Get Happy (Rhino)

Bubbling under:
Emmylou Harris – Stumble Into Grace
The Jayhawks – Rainy Day Music
Manuel Galban & Ry Cooder – Mambo Sinuendo

What I missed (but would like to hear):
Calexico – Feast of Wire
Songs: Ohia – Magnolia Electric Co.
The Decemberists – Her Majesty the Decemberists

Biggest Disappointments:
Elvis Costello – North
Radiohead – Hail to the Thief