2001

2003

Prior to commenting on my favorite releases of this year, I must discuss my philosophy on album reviews.   I firmly believe favorite album compilations should lag by two years for two primary time constraining reasons:  to address the staying power of the album and to acquire a suitable number of fine albums.  Finally, I must also add in order to be considered for top album awards, I must own the album. 

Now with the philosophy behind us, let's go back to 2000.......

2000 was a spectacular year for music.  The process was particularly difficult, even paring my list down to my top twenty albums proved difficult. I debated for some time whether to expand the list to my favorite twenty albums of the year, as this year there were at least 25 really good albums.   I guess when you purchase 49 albums in a year, there is bound to be a lot of good ones.  I ultimately decided to briefly mention the other fine albums that warranted several additional listens prior to be moved to the top twenty instead of top ten:   The Sea and Cake's Oui (Thrill Jockey), The Handsome Family's In the Air (Carrot Top), The Letter E's Number 5ive Longplayer (Tiger Style), Smog's Dongs of Sevotion (Drag City), Mates of State's My Solo Project (Omnibus), the Old 97's Early Tracks (Bloodshot), Kind of Like Spitting's Nothing Makes Sense Without It (New American), Pedro the Lion's Winners Never Quit (Jade Tree), Clem Snide's Your Favorite Music (Sire), Elf Power's The Winter is Coming (Sugar Free), the Olivia Tremor Control's Singles and Beyond (Emperor Norton), and Orso's Long Time By (Perishable).      With the albums that did make this list, I tried to focus on ordering as well as I could, but in this list like other lists I feel inclusion is just as important as order (any of the top five albums could have easily been my favorite album of the year).     

Drag City Records proved to be the top label of the year.   I purchased six releases from Drag City, three made the top ten, and one received an honorable mention.  It also worth pointing out that seven of the eight albums that I predicted would be great albums in 2000, are still in fact great albums.   The only exception is the Letter E's Number 5ive Longplayer, which I still think is a great album.  It barely missed inclusion and is still a great pickup for anyone who enjoys melodic instrumental rock.

With that said, the albums included in the favorite ten are nothing short of brilliant.   All of these albums are not simply excellent additions to any music lover’s album collection, they are necessary additions.   Fortunately, they can be bought at Insound, the premier online music store.

   

 

1		Modest Mouse's The Moon and Antarctica (Epic) - You always worry when a band you like leaves their independent home to record with a major label.   Modest's major debut proves it is possible to still make great music with commercial backing.  Sure we hear them on Miller Beer adds now, but this album still rocks.
2		David Grubb's The Spectrum Between (Drag City) - Grub's spectacular album, that was dedicated to the late Phil Bonnet, is a splendid acoustic  guitar with flashes of electric guitar, organ, trumpet, and saxophone.  The cast of musicians that accompany Grubbs on this album are all outstanding.
3		Songs: Ohia's The Lioness (Secretly Canadian) -  The Black Crow sets the tone for this somber trip filled with lost love or the pains with existing love.  The album is at its strongest when displaying the powers of love via a savage animal analogy:  Tigress and Lioness.   Cox  Jason Molina is accompanied by members of Arab Strap and Appendix Out on this magnificent album.
4		Dianogah's Battle Champions (Southern Records) -  One of Chicago's greatest live acts hit the studio with Steve Albini and the results were as  spectacular as you would expect.
5		Modest Mouse's Building Nothing Our of Something (Up) -  As Modest leaves their independent home goodbye, Up Records decided to release a collection of b-sides, 7 inches, other rare songs.   The result was outstanding.
6		Jim O'Rourke's Halfway to a Threeway (Drag City) -   I always struggle putting a four song EP in my favorite albums of the year, but these four songs are all so great, it simply could not be overlooked.   Delicate guitar with Jim's understated vocals and an excellent cast of accompanying musicians, make this a great listen.
7		Rian Murphy & Will Oldham's All Most Heaven (Drag City) - The onslaught of EPs continues with this four song gem.    With Rian Murphy's juice at Drag City this album turned into an all star cast including Jim O'Rourke, Archer Prewitt, Bill Callahan, Steve Albini, David Grubbs, Edith Frost and many others.
8		Pele's The Nudes (Polyvinyl) -  The Nudes is an instrumental gem.  It is sometimes difficult for outstanding live bands to translate their energy to a pressed recording, but Pele succeeded with the Nudes.
9		Kind of Like Spitting's Old Moon In the Arms of a New (Hush) -  Ben is back to his crooning ways, singing about loss, grief and the like.   However, he does though in a few peppy numbers, that helps give the album its proper balance.
10		Karate's Unsolved (Southern) - Slow core music with Geoff Farina's distinct voice make this jazz infused album a great listen.

Owen's No Good for No One Now  (Polyvinyl)	Kyle Fischer’s  Open Ground (Polyvinyl)	Iron and Wine’s  The Creek Drank the Cradle  (Sub Pop)	Ugly Casanova’s Sharpen Your Teeth (Sub Pop)
Songs: Ohia’s  Didn't It Rain (Secretly Canadian)	Matt Pond PA’s   The Nature of Maps (Polyvinyl)	Doug Martsch's Now You Know (Warner)	Wilco’s Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (Nonesuch)