We're in the home stretch now. To see Numbers 10 - 8 click here; Numbers 7 -5 here;
And number 4 . . .
4. Wig Out at Jagbags - Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks
Pure Power Pop from the former leader of Pavement, this album was the first of the year to make it to the candidates' list and still managed to clock in at number 4 at year's end. Influences abound on this album while still being original as all get out. I hear a wee bit of Rundgren in the opening track:
There's a lot to make you uncomfortable about this album starting with the cover (below) and continuing on with the searingly personal lyrics from singer & guitarist Laura Jean Grace (nee Thomas James Gabel). That note should give you some idea of where the songs are coming from even if you didn't know what the 'gender dysphoria' in the title was.
What makes this album work is some of the most blistering punk music I've heard in ages and the universal feeling of frustration and resignation Grace manages to convey on behalf of those not feeling her specific 'Blues'.
2. Teeth Dreams - The Hold Steady
I am so glad there are still bands out there making Rock sound this good.
The origin legend has it that Craig Finn and Tad Kubler, both of Lifter Puller were watching The Last Waltz when Finn asked, "Dude, why aren't there any bands like this anymore?"
That was a pretty ambitious, if archaic, goal for a band to set for themselves in 2003 - akin to asking why no one makes silver chalices like Paul Revere anymore in this age of the red Solo cup.
I'll let you decide how they're doing.
And, of course, my Album of the Year - 2014 tomorrow!
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