There have been a handful of standout bands in the last four years, but this decade still lacks a defining sound. The newsmakers of 2004 were veterans -- U2, Morrissey, Tom Waits, and the Pixies. But if you take the time to look a little closer, you'll see the beginnings of a new evolution in music. Geographically, Glasgow and Montreal emerged as new music hot spots while New York became as interesting as it has been since the days of Velvet Undergound and the Ramones. Collectively, we have seen a number of talented newcomers break through. While the music of 2004's newcomers seems to borrow heavily from past movements such as new wave and post-punk, it signals a change of course that will hopefully bring about a new great hybrid.

1. Elliott Smith From a Basement On the Hill (Anti) Released: 10/19/04
Listening to Elliott Smith is like watching a beautiful cherub-faced child laugh and play while reciting Sylvia Plath's darkest poetry. His music is at once heart-breaking and fulfilling. From a Basement on the Hill is every bit as orchestrated and full as his earlier works such as XO and Figure 8, but with an undercurrent of deliberate chaos. Guitars are bigger, sometimes untuned, sometimes competing with the melody. Pianos are less vaudevillian and more mysterious. Drums echo and pop in and out unexpectedly. It all fits together to encase Smith's delicate vocals. While it is impossible to listen to this album absent the context of his life and death, it should be recognized as more than a sad farewell from a troubled musician.
2. Muse Absolution (Warner Brothers) Released: 3/23/04
Many have been quick to write off Muse as another Radiohead clone. I'm still trying to figure out why it would be so terrible to have another Radiohead in the world, but the point is moot. While Matt Bellamy and Thom Yorke both follow the Jeff Buckley school of vocals, the blanket comparison ignores the vast musical differences between the bands. Where Radiohead is subtle, Muse is belligerent but also more melodic. On Absolution, the band ventures dangerously close to arrogant over-production, but instead delivers a well orchestrated and hook filled album that is magnificent from beginning to end.
3. Drive-By Truckers The Dirty South (New West Records) Released: 8/24/04
Drive-By Truckers are probably the only band with narratives about the rural South that don't make me wince. The band has three singer-songwriters and three guitars and still manages to pull together well-crafted, cohesive songs. The Dirty South is the best rock album to come out of the South in years.
4. Iron & Wine Our Endless Numbered Days (Sub Pop) Released: 3/23/04
Our Endless Numbered Days is the lullaby album I love to fall asleep to, as Sam Beam's soft acoustic ballads stretch before you like a fluffy cloud. The move to the studio thankfully did not destroy any of the stripped down intimacy we grew to love him by.

5. Franz Ferdinand Franz Ferdinand (Epic) Released: 5/20/04
Despite the overexposure, this album still puts a smile on my face. These spunky Scots managed to release a fantastic danceable debut with no disappointing filler songs.



6. Interpol Antics (Matador) Released: 9/28/04
Turn on the Bright Lights was so derivative of Joy Division and Sisters of Mercy that most didn't take Interpol seriously. With Antics they seem to finally be comfortable with their own sound.



7. U2 How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (Interscope) Released: 11/23/04
U2 delivers the raw emotion and loose production which defined their early work with a new, fresh spin. How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb is a guitar-heavy and bluesy reminder of why they have managed to stay on top for so long. No, this is not U2's greatest album, but it is nonetheless important.
8. Arcade Fire Funeral (Merge Records) Released: 9/14/04
On Funeral, Arcade Fire blends beautiful alt-folk music -- lavish strings, airy piano, and chunky guitars -- with sentimental lyrics telling stories of death and the loss of youthful naivete. The quirky eccentricity of this album doesn't distract from its strong emotional core.

9. The Walkmen Bows & Arrows (Record Collection) Released: 2/3/04
With Bows & Arrows the Walkmen lead a movement in New York that is closing the door on the Strokes dominated sound of the last couple of years and moving on to something more interesting and original. "The Rat" is easily a contender for the best song of the year.

10. Madvillain Madvillainy (Stones Throw) Released: 3/23/04
The underground rap collaboration made in heaven. Madlib lays down some muddy jazz beats while MF Doom contributes gritty rhymes with loads more wit than those watered down pretenders who have taken over the mainstream with played-out references to booty and bling.

11. Tom Waits Real Gone (Epitaph) Released: 10/5/04
Closing Time will always be my sentimental favorite. When I heard that Waits was to release a new album I was excited; when I heard his signature piano would be absent I was scared. Silly me to doubt such a brilliant songwriter.


12. Sonic Youth Sonic Nurse (Geffen Records) Released: 6/8/04
Sonic Youth reasserts their relevance with Sonic Nurse, their best since Daydream Nation. With this album, they have scaled back the experimentation without abandoning their unique garage rock sound altogether.


13. The Libertines Libertines (Sanctuary Records) Released: 8/31/04
Pete Doherty's crack and heroin driven escapades have kept the writers at the NME busy all year. This fragile band with all of its problems could never last, but at least they have left behind this hint at the greatness they might have achieved.


14. Patty Griffin Impossible Dream (ATO Records) Released: 4/20/04
I've always been a fan of Patty Griffin's, but wasn't prepared for the religious experience of Impossible Dream. She comes into her own as a songwriter on this album by incorporating more layers, including horns, synthesizers and moving gospel harmonies.

15. Graham Coxon Happiness in Magazines (EMI) Released: 5/17/04 (UK)
Coxon's solo work while with Blur seemed to be a reaction to the melodic pop produced by the band. It was almost laboriously lo-fi. In Happiness in Magazines, he embraces his ability to write great guitar-driven pop songs. It was released in the UK in May, but for some silly reason will not see the light of day in the US until January 25, 2005.
16. Morrissey You Are the Quarry (Sanctuary Records) Released: 5/18/04
The Moz is back and as wonderfully self-absorbed as ever. After a seven year hiatus and a couple of disappointments before that, Morrissey came back swinging with his best since Bona Drag. His non-apologetic lyrics are wordplay at its finest since Cole Porter.

17. Carina Round Disconnection (Interscope Records) Released: 3/9/04
With Disconnection, Carina Round proves that a woman's voice doesn't have to be pretty to be compelling. Don't misunderstand me, hers is as good as any of the Lillith Fair alumnae, but more visceral and energetic.

18. Ambulance LTD Ambulance LTD (TVT Records) Released: 3/9/04
Ambulance LTD is Brooklyn's answer to Oasis. They don't break any ground with this album, but they pack their songs with catchy riffs and sweet vocals. This album is one of the more accessible coming out of the New York scene this year.


19. Modest Mouse Good News for People Who Love Bad News (Sony) Released: 4/6/04
"Float On" makes this album worthy. We just wish the rest of the album was as good.



20. The Tragically Hip In Between Evolution (Zoe Records) Released: 6/29/04
Gordon Downie is the best vocalist/lyricist most of you don't know. In Between Evolution was produced by Adam Kasper (Pearl Jam, Queens of the Stone Age), who gives this release a more organic vibe. It's a little less radio friendly than what we're used to with the Hip, but only because it rocks more.

Best Reissue: Pavement, Crooked Rain. They made it more than worth your while to rebuy this classic by adding a ton of previously unreleased material including a cool REM cover. Stephen Malkmus seems to be hinting at a possible reunion or at least not ruling out the idea so cross your fingers.

Labels: Arcade Fire, Drive By Truckers, Elliot Smith, Franz Ferdinand, Interpol, Iron and Wine, Modest Mouse, Muse, Pete Doherty, Sonic Youth, The Libertines, U2