Top ten: First half 2004
The summer is here and the solstice has passed, leaving us smack dab in the middle of the calendar. 'Bout time we took a look back, right? Back at the beginning of 2004 I declared it to be the year of the singer/songwriter and whaddya know - they make up the majority of the lists you're about to read. Lists? As in plural? Yup, while I count up my top album picks for the year so far (+ one EP), colleague Jim Kelly of Parasol chimes in with his top EP picks. So let's get to it! In no particular order...
Avi's top 10 albums of the year so far:
01. Sophie Zelmani - Love affair (Columbia)
Okay, so this technically came out in the final week of 2003, but as far as I'm concerned, it might as well be from 2004. Who the heck puts out a new album at that time anyways? Regardless of release date, it's a great record - quiet and understated and full of sweetness and beauty. It never quite whallops you over the head with it's positive qualities either, rather it slowly unfurls them like tentacles, slithering them into your brain.
02. David Sandström - The dominant need of the needy is to be needed (Mofab Teg)
Part of this album's appeal lies in its element of surprise. It's nothing like any of David's previous work with Refused and it really isn't much like his first solo album either. In no way did I expect something as folky as this. We're talking clever lyrics and good songs, the kind of stuff you can imagine playing around a campfire. A solid piece of work the whole way through.
03. Kristofer Åström - Loupita (Startracks)
Kristofer's last couple EP releases were good, but I was definitely not ready for how amazing \"Loupita\" is. I can't quite put my finger on what makes it so special though. Is it Mattias Friberg's (Logh) production? Britta Persson's guest vocals? The song selection themselves? I'm not sure, but the end result is amazing. I have no doubt that this will remain as one of my favorite albums for the entire year.
04. Tiger Lou - Is my head still on? (Startracks)
Startracks scores with yet another up-and-coming singer/songwriter. Tiger's earlier EPs never completely blew me away, but then I saw him live and was mightily impressed. Only then was I able to go back and listen to the older stuff with newfound appreciation. Something about hearing him play solo made me better understand what he was was about. Then this debut full-length came out and knocked me slack-jawed. The talent that was only hinted at from before finally became realized. Everything about him was stepped up a notch, be it the songwriting, the playing or the vocals. If he continues on like this, I think it's just the first step of what could be quite a career.
05. Sivert Høyem - Ladies and gentlemen of the opposition (EMI Norway)
With this record, Sivert faced the difficult job of distinguishing himself as a solo performer apart from his main act Madrugada. With a voice as distinctive as his, that's no easy task. But you know what? He succeeds, even outdoing that other band's more recent work. The mood is lighter and the songwriting is breezier and I think the excitement of doing something a bit different shines through. One can't wallow in gloom all the time, y'know. And that's not to say it's all sunshine either, there's still plenty of emotional depth, it's just conveyed differently. I knew I liked this record as soon as I first heard it, but it's getting even better with repeated listens. End-of-year contender? Yep.
06. The End Will Be Kicks - If you see them tell them I love them EP (Chalksounds)
As yes, my one EP pick of the lot. Niklas Quintana from Him Kerosene/Breach strikes back with a new band and kicks out the motherfucking jams. We're talking about huge intertwining guitar melodies, all done in Niklas' distinctive and unique style. Can I say best debut of 2004? My only complaint: it's only four songs long. More!
07. C.Aarmé - s/t (Burning Heart/Carcrash/Epitaph)
This album is simply vicious. Never once do they let up the full-throttle attack, from the moment they start to the very bitter end. So amazingly tight and energetic. I'm glad Epitaph had the good sense to license this for a US release as hopefully that means I'll get a chance to see 'em play live on these shores. Make it happen, dammit! Just don't send 'em out on a lame package tour. I'd feel bad for other sorry bands that'll be forced to follow them on stage night after night.
08. Koma - Tsunami (Black Star Foundation/Fullsteam Records)
I feel like a broken record I've said it so many times already, but this record truly surprised me. At first I was just like \"meh, more mid-tempo heavy melodic rock - I guess the Ozzfest crowd is still into this stuff,\" but then I made myself go back for repeated listens and was justly rewarded. This is good stuff: epic riffs, melodic vocals, good melodies, huge choruses and plenty of true heaviness. It's amazing that so many bands try to do this stuff (ahem, see anything recent from Roadrunner Records) and fail so miserably, but goshdarnit, Koma figured it out.
09. Marit Bergman - Baby dry your eye (BMG)
Marit creates perfect pop albums. She's got heartfelt ballads, goofy pop singalongs and everything in between. As always, a lot of her appeal for me lies in her straightforward accessibility and simplicity. There is just something so basic, honest, sweet and heartfelt about her. I'd even go as far to say there's something timeless about her. It's the kind of pop music that transcends the era in which it's created, as the sentiments and ideas are the sorts of things that will never sound dated. But is it a classic? Let's talk in another few years.
10. KVLR - s/t (Stickman/It's a trap!)
If I didn't love this album so much, I wouldn't have put it out. Simple as that. Just like TEWBK, it's got everything I look for in the music I love: loud guitars, complex, yet delicate melodies, and pounding drums. Perfect.
Jim's top 10 EPs of the year so far:
01. Jens Lekman - Maples Leaves EP (Secretly Canadian/Service)
02. Jens Lekman - Rocky Dennis EP (Secretly Canadian/Service)
Twenty-two-year-old wunderkind songwriter Jens Lekman, the artist formerly known as Rocky Dennis, is the Swedish Scott Walker, the Scandinavian Morrissey, a Nordic Stephin Merritt, and the Arctic's very own Divine Comedy... Lusciously lofi orchestral pop bliss combines late-60's soft pop, lotsa piano, sampled beats and a sweet voice full of camp and heartbreaking melancholy and distinctive turns of phrase, morose to the point of paralysis or catharsis he hasn't sorted out which.
03. Eskju Divine - Darkness All Around EP (Imperial Recordings)
Debut of melodramatic pop otherworldliness from Eskju Divine, who have chosen to eschew guitar and focus on piano, bass and drums. That said you will not believe the heights of anthemic grandeur the band can attain without the axe. Names are being dropped like Coldplay, Ben Folds, and even classic U2, along with being likened to 70s symphonic pop, but that doesn't begin to explain the overwhelming, incandescence beauty of ED's massive, melodious soundscapes balanced with timeless pop and beautiful voices, ambitious arrangements clothed in sweltering reverb. Out of all these EPs this is the strongest and most enticing, as I suspect the album will be even huger.
04. José González - Stay In The Shade EP (Imperial Recordings)
The newest EP from acclaimed Swedish/Argentine minstrel whose debut album, \"Veneer\", garnered José comparisons to Nick Drake, Mark Kozelek, Elliott Smith, and Father & Son Buckley. \"Stay In The Shade\" is taken from \"Veneer\", while the two new songs, \"Down The Hillside\" and \"Sensing Owls\" are among his very best tunes to date. Also included is a lovely cover of Kylie Minogue's \"Hand On Your Heart\" and a long lush instrumental. José's a total genius, there's no getting around it.
05. Pete Thompson - Self-Titled EP (Johnny Brattom)
Starkly psychedelic Nordic folkrock masquerading as melancholy Americana? Like British soft-popper John Cunningham with a Neil Young infatuation, Pete's voice is warm like the sun, blazing in fact, and backed strummy acoustic guitars and luminous harmonies. The highlight here is the simply described \"Folk Song\", with it's muted accordion lead and gloriously subdued falsetto harmonies on the chorus. This one is all about moonlight.
06. Rundfunk - Kings & Queens EP (A Westside Fabrication)
Stockholm's Rundfunk offers dizzying electro-pop and technofunk grooves bombarded with squiggly synths and guitar, shaded with hip-hop, house, Latin and 70s AM radio pop. The single \"Kings & Queens\" is a singalong psychedelic pomp-romp, rivaling the Elephant 6 and Kindercopre rosters for sheer opiate-ability, and kitchensinkness, plus there's even a bagpipe solo. Encompasses everything from Stones Roses to Pet Shop Boys to Avalanches to Magnetic Fields, with a mood-enhancing beatboxing loosey-goosey-ness.
07. Hip Whips - s/t EP (Dubious/S56)
Incredible debut from Scandinavian soul-pop-rock outfit Hip Whips, an organ-saturated riot! Songs range from pulse-racing rave-ups to eyelash-fluttering ballads to languid, luminous psychedelia? What propels The Hip Whips is The Holy Spirit of Rock 'n' Roll and Blue-Eyed Soul burning incandescently within the heart of mainman Markus Lindmark. Lindmark sings, possessed by phantoms of eras long past and kicks the Hammond organ-overdrive (actually a huge old wooden Korg) so hard you can hear the beast's veneers creaking and wheezing. while the rhythm section artfully swaggers or strolls, depending on their mood. Think Spencer Davis Group, ? And The Mysterians, The Stones, Procol Harum, Van Morrison. But what really sets Hip Whips apart is the most loving homage to late sixties recording values (or lack thereof?). It is such a freakin' timewarp, it is so very very very 1967 that it does not even qualify as \"retro\". A seance of classic rock, soul, and pop. Probably this came out in 2003, but new to me in 2004, and more likely qualifies as a mini-album with 9 tracks, although a couple are lovely little between-song interludes. But who cares?
08. Eric Beyond - Step Off EP (Flora & Fauna/Idiotwind)
Sir Eric Beyond redefines twee. Known as The Most Sensitive Guy In Stockholm, an eccentric singer-songwriter-nature-lover from Stockholm, has finally released his debut EP. Upon first listen there's no doubt Eric deserves the title. The four songs feature Eric's meek and moving, teensy tiny popsongs sung in his exquisitely squeaky falsetto (Beyond, indeed)? EP features guest appearances from Nina Persson (The Cardigans) and Ludvig Rylander (The Concretes, The Chrysler, Moder Jords Massiva), among others. The title track's chorus features one of the best listener double-takes of all time! Old highschool pal Nina Persson joins Eric for a duet on \"Prom Night\" and I had no idea Nina could sing so high! Or is that Eric?
09. David & The Citizens - Bill Chill EP (Adrian Recordings)
Bear Quartet vocalist Mattias Alkberg joins David & The Citizens for this brand new tune, \"Big Chill\", a guitar-pop romp with a rollicking punk edge. A great way for BQ fans to check out D+TC and vice versa. A mutual appreciation society might result. The EP also features an alternate version of \"Let's Not Fall Apart\" (with pal Sara Culler on background vocals), plus two exclusive tunes, both rather Belle & Sebastian-esque: \"Everything You'll Never See\" employs a dramatic trumpet while \"Kellerman's Song\" gently weeps. One of Sweden's best pop bands? Nifty fold out poster sleeve.
10. Monkeystrikes - Angry Knees EP (Planekonomi)
Simmering guitar-rock with a defiantly sultry swing from Stockholm's Monkeystrikes, like Blondie meets Babes In Toyland meets Bikini Kill, with some extremely feverish production. Monkeystrikes feature former members of The Souls, including vocalist-guitarist Cecelia Nordlund, who unveils an intensity bordering on immolation, what with her smoldering riffs and vocal pyrotechnics. For fans of high-octane action like Sahara Hotnights, the searing sensuality of The Cardigans, and fiery Pixies-styled riff-and-lick-blasts? \"Lost On The Lawn\" is my favorite here, and it, in keeping with the theme of heat and combustion, just explodes. Beautifully designed digipak...orange.