Pop Culture Press: Best of 2004

BEST OF 2004

by Pop Culture Press staff and contributing writers

Brian Atkinson
Top Ten Albums of 2004:
1. Kasey Chambers - Wayward Angel
2. Nora O'Connor - Til the Dawn
3. Loretta Lynn - Van Lear Rose
4. Todd Snider - East Nashville Skyline
5. Mindy Smith - One Moment More
6. Steve Earle - The Revolution Starts…Now
7. Buckskin Stallion - Blue Ribbon Buzz
8. Scott H. Biram - Dirty Old One Man Band
9. Jay Farrar - Stone, Steel & Bright Lights
10. Dave Alvin - Ashgrove

Best Concert of 2004: Kasey Chambers on Nov. 12 at the Somerville Theatre, Somerville, Massachusetts

Greg Beets
Top Ten Albums of 2004:
1. Green Day - American Idiot
2. Brian Wilson - Brian Wilson Presents SMiLE
3. Scissor Sisters - Scissor Sisters
4. Calexico - Convict Pool
5. Gary Wilson - Mary Had Brown Hair
6. R.L. Burnside - A Bothered Mind
7. Penelope Houston - The Pale Green Girl
8. Eugene Merman - The Absurd Nightclub Comedy of Eugene Merman
9. The Volta Sound - Dandelion Wine
10. Ron Flynt - L.A. Story

Top Ten Singles of 2004:
1. Snoop Dogg Featuring. Pharrell - "Drop It Like It's Hot"
2. Alicia Keys - "You Don't Know My Name"
3. J-Kwon - "Tipsy"
4. Green Day - "American Idiot"
5. Alicia Keys - "If I Ain't Got You"
6. Scissor Sisters - "Take Your Mama"
7. Ray LaMontagne - "Trouble"
8. Beta Band - "Assessment"
9. Franz Ferdinand - "Take Me Out"
10. Danger Mouse - "99 Problems"

Best Reissues of 2004:
1. The Clash - London Calling 25th Anniversary Edition
2. James Brown - Live at the Apollo (Expanded Edition)
3. Various Artists - Wattstax: Highlights from the Soundtrack
4. The Kinks - The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society
5. The Residents - The Residents Commercial Album
6. Bubble Puppy - A Gathering of Promises
7. Daniel Johnston - Discovered Covered
8. Various Artists - Matador at 15
9. The Zombies - Odessey & Oracle
10. Slade - Get Yer Boots On: The Best of Slade

Best Concert of 2004:
Solomon Burke at the Austin City Limits Music Festival, September 2004

Best DVD:
Various Artists, Wattstax (30th Anniversary Special Edition)

Kent Benjamin
( Note: instead of annotating, I opted to list more CDs as 2004 was a terrific year for new music.)
Top 20 Albums of 2004:
1. The Libertines - s/t
2. Ron Flynt - L.A. Story
3. Bill Lloyd - Back to Even
4. Juliana Hatfield - In Exile Deo
5. The Delays - Faded Seaside Glamour
6. Mary Lou Lord - Baby Blue
7. Brian Wilson - Smile
8. The Futureheads - s/t
9. Elliott Smith - From A Basement on the Hill (Anti)
10. R.E.M. - Around the Sun
11. Ash - Meltdown
12. The Grip Weeds - Giant on the Beach
13. Eugene Edwards - My Favorite Revolution
14. The Lackloves - The Beat and the Time
15. Chris Robinson - This Magnificent Difference
16. Paul Westerberg - Folker
17. Martin Gordon - The Joy of More Hogwash
18. Ian McLagan & the Bump Band - Rise and Shine
19. Nancy Sinatra - s/t
20. Percy Sledge - Shining Through the Rain

Top 30 Songs of 2004:
1. The Who - "Real Good Looking Boy"
2. The Libertines - "Can't Stand Me Now"
3. Gary Jules w/Michael Andrews - "Mad World"
4. The Winnerys - "Every Day"
5. Ash - "Won't Be Saved"
6. The Secret Machines - "Nowhere Again"
7. John Hoskinson - "I Hope I Die Before You"
8. Paul Westerberg - "Looking Up in Heaven"
9. The Minus Five - "The Forgotten Fridays"
10. Ron Flynt - "Mary's World"
11. Peter Case - "Wake Up Call"
12. Mary Lou Lord - "The Wind Blew All Around Me"
13. Edward Rogers w/Rod Argent & Colin Blunstone - "Make It Go Away"
14. Bill Lloyd - "Back to Even"
15. R.E.M. - "Leaving New York"
16. The Fiery Furnaces - "Turning Round"
17. Juliana Hatfield - "Tourist"
18. Architecture in Helsinki - "Kindling [or The Owls Go]"
19. The Delays - "Hey Girl"
20. Franz Ferdinand - "Take Me Out"
21. Mindy Smith - "Come to Jesus"
22. Tommy Stinson - "Moment Too Soon"
23. The Well Wishers - "See For the First Time"
24. Paul Weller - "The Bottle"
25. Unbunny - "Casserole"
26. The Libertines - "The Man Who Would Be King"
27. Thee Shams - "Never Did Nothing"
28. Chris Robinson - "40 Days"
29. Antigone Rising - "Don't Look Back"
30. The Pieces - "The Wait" (note, a 2003 release belatedly loved)

Top 20 Reissues/Compilations of 2004:
1. The Faces - Five Guys Walk Into A Bar ...
2. Del Shannon - Home and Away (boxed set 1961-1970)
3. Blue Ash - Around Again: A Collection
4. The Jam - Snap (limited edition)
5. Rock City - Rock City
6. Van Duren - Idiot Optimism
7. Various Artists - Rockin' Memphis
8. Supergrass - Supergrass is 10
9. Nick Drake - Made to Love Magic
10. Jeff Buckley - Grace (expanded edition)
11. The Clash - London Calling (expanded edition)
12. Bob Marley & the Wailers - Burnin' (expanded edition)
13. Peter Case - Who's Gonna Go Your Crooked Mile?
14. Fleetwood Mac - Fleetwood Mac/Rumours/Tusk (expanded editions)
15. 10cc - The Complete UK Recordings 1972-1974
16. Cargoe - Live in Memphis
17. Mike Heron - Smiling Men With Bad Reputations
18. T. Rex - T. Rex (expanded/reissued)
19. The Animals - Retrospective
20. Herman's Hermits - Retrospective

Best Concert of 2004:
Brian Wilson - Smile, Houston, Texas, fall 2004
Pop Culture Press Party, Dog & Duck pub, SXSW March '04 w/Trashcan Sinatras, Oranger, Golden Apples, Boss Martians, Jessica Fletchers, The Bigger Lovers, Walter Clevenger & the Dairy Kings, plus Susan Cowsill, Ron Flynt, Mike Hall, and Harvey Sid Fisher

Best Television Shows in 2004:
Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars
Firefly (belatedly on DVD)
Lost
Wonderfalls
Everwood
The O. C.
Arrested Development
Angel (season five)
Deadwood
Smallville

Best Music Book of 2004:
Big Star: The Story of Rock's Forgotten Band by Rob Jovanovic

Best Novel of 2004:
Brass by Helen Walsh (Canongate Books)
( best guilty pleasure(s) in fiction: Laurell K. Hamilton's Merry Gentry and Anita Blake books

Nick Hennies
Top Ten Albums of 2004:
1. The Mountain Goats - We Shall All Be Healed
2. Deerhoof - Milk Man
3. The Married Monk - The Belgian Kick
4. The Curtains - Vehicles of Travel
5. Joanna Newsom - The Milk-Eyed Mender
6. Bonnie "Prince" Billy - Greatest Palace Music
7. Oakley Hall - s/t
8. of Montreal - Satanic Panic in the Attic
9. Baby Dee - A Book of Songs for Anne Marie
10. Michael Gira - I Am Singing to You From My Room

Top Ten Songs Not Represented In My Top 10 Albums:
1. Xiu Xiu - "Helsabot of Caraleebot"
2. Antony & the Johnsons - "Fistful of Love"
3. The Hidden Cameras - "The Fear is On"
4. Devendra Banhart - "At the Hop"
5. Bobby Conn - "Bus No. 243"
6. Wilco - "At Least That's What You Said"
7. Shearwater - "St. Mary's Walk"
8. Br. Danielson - "Hammers Sitting Still"
9. 7 Year Rabbit Cycle - "Skin of Ash"
10. Vetiver - "Angel's Share"

Best concert of 2004: Sun City Girls at Emo's (Austin), November 16, 2004

Bill Holmes
Top Ten Albums of 2004:
1. Green Day - American Idiot
Many had given them up for dead - or irrelevant, anyway -- especially the dozens of bands less successful at the art of blending punk power and pop hooks. And even their fans cringed when the acoustic guitar ballad hit the charts, fearing they'd sell out faster than a Goo Goo Doll. But I never expected this -- a punk concept album that is sonically adventurous, cryptic and clever and sprinkled with tips-of-the-cap to the bands that influenced them to begin with. And it's a popular hit! Blink 182 can now pull their pants back on and Good Charlotte can wear something that isn't black. Why pose when you've been dogpiled?

2. Squad Five-O - Late News Breaking
After years of grassroots punk touring, the Squad takes their shot with a major label to see if they can outrun the Rancid/Clash tag they’re been stuck with. Truth is they’re all over the map on this new release, from the Urge Overkill nod in "Always Talkin,’ Never On The Run" to the country-via-Del Lords "Train Of Shame." Naturally there’s the requisite ska-punk dalliances and the throaty vocals of yelper Jeff Fortsun, but it’s drummer Dave Petersen who really sells every song (and what do you expect from a guy from Ramones tribute band – lethargy?).

3. Finn Brothers - Everyone Is Here
Maybe it's the Southern Hemisphere. How else to explain why Neil and Tim Finn look around at the chaos that passes for popular music, shrug their collective shoulders and continue to make beautiful, poetic albums? It's not where Spilt Enz would have wound up, nor is it where Crowded House was headed, but the two enigmatic solo artists have learned from their past collaborations and finally figured out how to combine their vision into an unselfish musical partnership. Now if only those Davies boys would do that....

4. Eric Ambel - Knucklehead
I regret leaving Dan Baird's album off my list last year because it was a collection of outtakes and covers. I will not punish Eric Ambel the same way, because I'd be slighting a record that is a primer for American roots rock, from the interpretive cover songs to the gutbucket originals. If naming Terry Anderson, Warner Hodges, and the aforementioned Dan Baird doesn't spark your engine, the rehearsing Del Lords doing a Stones impression on "Shake Some Action" is worth the price of the album and then some.

5. Marah - 20,000 Streets Under The Sky
This is probably the record everyone hoped for after Kids In Philly, instead of the shiny gloss of Float Away With The Friday Night Gods. So once again, without the buzz and star associations (Steve Earle and The Boss dove off this bandwagon faster than they jumped on), the Bielanko brothers do what they do best - earthy, soulful rock and roll with a pop heart. It's not wall-to-wall great; a couple of the tracks play far better in concert than they do here. But when it clicks ("East," "Sure Thing," "Freedom Park," etc.) I have no hesitation dropping the words "classic" and "genius". The fact that they are among the best live bands I've ever seen is but icing in the cake.

6. The Forty-Fives - High Life High Volume
Hip-shakin,’ roof-raisin,’ ass-kickin’ rock and roll as Atlanta’s finest quartet hooks up with a producer who 'gets it' (Jim Diamond behind the knobs) for a jukebox full of dynamite. Echoing every great British Invasion band (with a special nod to the Small Faces), Bryan Malone’s stirring vocals and electrifying guitar chops lead the way, even daring an instrumental ("Backstage At Juanita’s" soulful Hammond – kudos Trey Tidwell - is worth the price of the record by itself). Did some jackass say rock and roll is dead?

7. The Lolas - Something You Oughta Know
Tim Boykin continues an amazing journey, churning out an updated version of classic chunky geetar powerpop. Great vocals, hooks galore, bubblegum punk and pop ballads are all over the menu at the Lola Café. Saying that a band like this is maturing would almost seem insulting, so can we just go with tighter arrangements, better songwriting and more passion? He’s on my automatic buy list for life.

8. Eric Burdon - My Secret Life
Hey, I thought you were dead! Burdon’s song selection has pulled a Lazarus along with his voice, making this possibly the best non-Animal record of his career. I know that’s not saying a whole lot, but I’d put this renaissance alongside Peter Wolf’s Sleepless and Ian Hunter’s Rant as great starts to another career trajectory.

9. The Detroit Cobras - Baby
With the exception of the ribald "Hot Dog," not as outright spunky as the past few efforts, but Baby is still an awesome slice of hot r&b buttered soul. Rachel Nagy can scream and belt, but she’s even more impressive when she oozes lust and heartbreak. Okay, now I have to take a shower.

10. Sahara Hotnights - Kiss And Tell
Every year there’s always a record that’s not a groundbreaking effort in any measure, but just plain fun to play often and loud. Last year The Donnas took care of this business, but this year it’s those Euro sweethearts rocking the joint. I don’t even care that it’s around 30 minutes long – some of the best albums of all time clock in like that.

Best Films of 2004:
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Dogville

Best Television Show of 2004:
Arrested Development
Lost
The single greatest thing on TV this year was Wayne Brady’s guest spot on Chappelle's Show.

Best Music DVD:
The New York Dolls Live In Waltham -- Permission to Film

Best Reissue of 2004:
The Faces - Five Guys Walk Into A Bar .... (boxed set)
The Kinks - The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society
Cactus - Fully Unleashed (boxed set)

Best Concert of 2004:
John Hiatt - Montage Grille, Rochester, NY
Muse - Water Street Music Hall, Rochester
Marah - Mohawk Tavern, Buffalo, NY

Best Song Title:
The Notorious Cherry Bombs - "It’s Hard To Kiss The Lips At Night That Chew Your Ass Out All Day Long"

Best Comedy CD: David Cross - That's Not Funny

Best Blues CD: Charles Caldwell – Remember Me

Most Critically Overrated CD:
Brian Wilson - Smile

David J. Klug
Top Ten Albums of 2004:
1. Anders Parker: Tell It To The Dust
2. Chuck Prophet: Age Of Miracles
3. Daniel Wylie: Ramshackle Beauty
4. Elvis Costello & The Imposters: The Delivery Man
5. Grant Lee Phillips: Virginia Creeper
6. Jon Dee Graham: The Great Battle
7. Mark Lanegan: Bubblegum
8. Morrisey: You Are The Quarry
9. Rilo Kiley: More Adventerous
10. The Silos: When The Telephone Rings

Top Reissues/Compilationsof 2004:
1. British Invasion: Celebrating The 40th Anniversary Of The British
Invasion
2. Elvis Costello: Almost Blue
3. Elvis Costello: Kojak Variety
4. Eric "Roscoe" Ambel: Knuckhead
5. Johnny Cash: Life
6. Pavement: Crooked Rain Crooked Rain
7. Por Vida: A Tribute To Alejandro Escovedo
8. Rockpile: Seconds Of Pleasure

Other favorites:
Ambulance Ltd: S/T
Blanche: If We Can't Trust The Doctors
Bob Dylan: Bootleg Series 6: Concert at Philharmonic Hall
Buddy Miller: Universal United House Of Prayer
Cam Penner & The Gravel Road: Get Up
Camper Van: New Roman Times
Dave Alvin: Ashgrove
Drive-By Truckers: The Dirty South
Eugene Edwards: My Favorite Revolution
Green Day: American Idiot
Ian Moore: Luminaria
Interpol: Antics
Iron & Wine: Our Endless Numbered Days
James Talley: Journey
Jason Ringenberg: Empire Builders (close top 10 miss)
Jay Farrar: Stone, Steel, Bright Lights
Jesse Malin: The Heat
John Wesley Harding: Adam's Apple
Kanye West: The College Dropout
Keane: Hopes And Fears
Laurie And John: Arabella
Loretta Lynn: Van Lear Rose
Mark Knopfler: Shangla La
Mindy Smith: One Moment More
Nick Cave: Abattoir Blues / Lyre of Orpheus
Paul Kelly: Ways And Means (close top 10 miss)
Paul Westerberg: Folker
Pinetpop Perkins: Ladies Man
R.E.M.: Around The Sun
Sam Phillips: A Boot And A Shoe
Shelby Lynne: Identity Crisis
Slaid Cleaves: Wishbones (close top 10 miss)
Social Distortion: Sex, Love, Peace * Rock 'N Roll
Sondre Lerche: Two Way Monologue
Tom Waits: Real Gone
Tommy Stinson: Village Gorilla Head
Trashcan Sinatras: Weightlifting
Wilco: A Ghost Is Born

Rachel Leibrock
Top Ten Albums of 2004:
1. Franz Ferdinand - s/t
A super-fun record that also had depth and stayed in my car stereo for months on end.

2. Arcade Fire - Funeral
A sad, complicated record that is officially about death, but it is also about so much more.

3. Elliot Smith - From a Basement on the Hill
Very mournful final offering from one of my favorite singer-songwriters --and yet somehow it also sounded hopeful.

4. Sufjan Stevens - Seven Swans
Just very, very pretty and also intelligent.

5. Concretes - The Concretes
Intricate, joyful girl group-ish pop.

6. The Elected - Me First
Dark and messy but full of hooks.

7. Libertines - The Libertines
I just couldn't get this record out of my head.

8. A.C. Newman - The Slow Wonder
Most of the songs here define the term "ear worm."

9. Stereolab - Margerine Eclipse
Just when I thought I'd heard everything Stereolab had to offer, they give me this pretty, haunting record. Not too far off from their previous efforts and yet somehow it sounded fresh.

10. French Kicks - Trial of the Century
Just a great album that really grew on me as the months wore on.

Top Ten Singles of 2004:
1. Franz Ferdinand - "Take Me Out"
2. !!! - "Pardon My Freedom"
3. Green Day - "American Idiot"
4. Kanye West - "Never Let Me Down"
5. Arcade Fire - "Neighborhood #2 (Laika)"
6. The Libertines - "Can't Stand Me Now"
7. A.C. Newman - "Miracle Drug"
8. Loretta Lynn - "Portland Oregon"
9. Scissor Sisters - "Take Your Mama"
10. The Elected - "Greetings in Braille"

Best Live Performance of 2004:
The Black Rider (At the A.C.T. in SF)
Getting to see Mary Margaret O'Hara in this theatrical production not once but twice this year was amazing. Oh yeah, and Marianne Faithfull and the rest of the cast were also super.

Favorite Films of 2004:
1. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
2. Sideways
3. Fahrenheit 9/11
4. I Heart Huckabees
5. Saved!
6. Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself
7. Mean Girls
8. Before Sunset
9. Super-Size Me
10. Mayor of the Sunset Strip

Best Television of 2004:
1. The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
2. The Office
3. Gilmore Girls
4. The Sopranos
5. Desperate Housewives
6. Entourage
7. Survivor
8. America's Next Top Model
9. Blow-Out
10. Freaks & Geeks

dnl
Top Ten Albums of 2004:
1. Johnny Cash - My Mother's HymnBook
2. Secret Machines - Now Here Is Nowhere
3. Fripp & Eno - Equatorial Stars
4. Wilco - A Ghost Is Born
5. Beastie Boys - To the 5 Boroughs
6. Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds - Abattoir Blues / Lyre of Orpheus
7. Brian Wilson - Smile
8. The Arcade Fire - Funeral
9. Tom Waits - Real Gone
10. A Five and Dime Ship - As It All Would End

Best Concert of 2004:
Secret Machines & Diet at Wexner Center, Columbus, Ohio, July

Matt Murphy
Top 10 Albums of 2004:
1. Brian Wilson – Smile
2. Joanna Newsom – The Milk-Eyed Mender
3. Devendra Banhart – Rejoicing in the Hands
4. Max Richter – The Blue Notebooks
5. Ghost – Hypnotic Underworld
6. Charalambides – Joy Shapes
7. Espers – Espers
8. Es- Kaikkeuden Kauneus Ja Kasittamattomyys
9. Califone – Heron King Blues
10. Tom Waits – Real Gone

Top Ten Singles of 2004:
Franz Ferdinand: “Take Me Out”
M.I.A: “Galang”
Belle and Sebastian: “I’m a Cuckoo"
Mos Def: “Sex Love & Money”
Goldfrapp: “Strict Machine (We Are All Glitter)"
Black Dice: “Miles of Smiles” EP
The Hunches : “Fuck Disco Beats”
Plastikman: “Nostagik.1”
Interpol: “Slow Hands”
Joanna Newsom: “Sprout and the Bean"

Top Ten Reissues of 2004:
1. The Clash: London Calling: 25th Anniversary Edition
2. Can: Ege Bamyasi, etc. (multiple titles reissued)
3. Brian Eno: Here Come the Warm Jets, etc. (multiple titles reissued)
4. Vashti Bunyan- Just Another Diamond Day
5. Six Organs of Admittance: The Manifestation
6. Judee Sill: Judee Sill
7. Jack Rose: Two Originals of...
8. Pavement: Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain
9. Talking Heads: The Name of This Band is Talking Heads
10. Various Artists: Left of the Dial: Dispatches from the 80s Underground

Andy Smith
Top Ten Records of 2004:
1. Snow Patrol- Final Straw
Big guitars come together with great songwriting on this fully realized record that deserved the acclaim it received.

2. Hope of the States- The Lost Riots
A sweeping epic of a record shrouded in tragedy but covered in a sense of hope and perseverance.

3. The Explosion- Black Tape
Finally, a punk band with a populist political stance and songs to match. Power, hooks, and passion all rolled together.

4. The Libertines- s/t
In what could be the last we hear of this meteoric band, Mr. Barat and Mr. Doherty share their troubled relationship in self-confessional songs.

5. The Futureheads- s/t
Jagged, energetic and exciting. Like a shot of great espresso.

6. Tinariwen- Amassakoul
Catchy, hypnotic tribal music from a group of Saharan nomads showcases the power that can be wielded by electric guitars.

7. Guided By Voices- Half Smiles of the Decomposed
A swan song that might be track for track the most consistent record in their catalog.

8. Uncut- Those Who Were Hung Hang Here
This Toronto band adds a streamlined rocking edge to the Joy Division revival with excellent results.

9. Franz Ferdinand- s/t
Worthy of the hype. Rock n' roll for the discotheque.

10. Iron and Wine- Our Endless Numbered Days
A little cleaner than The Creek That Drank the Cradle and without any truly stunning songs but just as graceful and lovely.

Top Ten Songs of 2004:
1. Hope of the States- "Enemies/Friends"
Great guitar riff builds into a gorgeous verse leading to the final refrain which offers a voice of optimism amidst its anguish.

2. The Veils- "The Tide That Left and Never Came Back"
A shining example of how to write a great three minute rock song.

3. The Streets- "Fit But You Know It"
The funniest and hookiest song ever written about hitting on women in line at the fast food restaurant.

4. The Uncle Devil Show- "Gilbert O' Sullivan"
Cheeky and instantly catchy ode to this 70's AM radio star

5. The Libertines- "Can't Stand Me Now"
Three and a half minutes that tells the story of the band's tragic saga in its lyrics and reminds us in its music why we even care.

6. Mock Orange- "Payroll"
Cool, slow-building angular song with great intertwining guitars and a great chorus.

7. Beangrowers- "The Priest"
Malta's finest band is rapidly gaining much deserved acclaim in both Europe and the US.

8. Hamell On Trial- "Halfway"
Blunt, evisceratingly satirical, and completely hilarious. Plus it rocks. Give 'em hell Ed!

9. The Datsuns- "Blacken My Thumb"
If all of this band's songs were this good, they would heirs to the hard rock throne.

10. Camera Obscura- "San Francisco Song"
A wonderfully breezy pop song guaranteed to put a bounce in your step.

Don Simpson
Top Ten Albums of 2004:
1. Brian Wilson - Smile
2. of Montreal - Satanic Panic in the Attic
3. Sunshine Fix - Green Imagination
4. Bitter Bitter Weeks - Revenge
5. Robyn Hitchcock - Spooked
6. Trashcan Sinatras - Weightlifting
7. Sondre Lerche - Two Way Monologue
8. Keren Ann - Not Going Anywhere
9. Caetano Veloso - A Foreign Sound
10. IQU – Sun Q

Best Reissues of 2004:
1. Brian Eno - Another Green World
2. Brian Eno - Before and After Science
3. Brian Eno - Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy)
4. The Clash - London Calling: 25th Anniversary Legacy Edition
5. Echo and the Bunnymen - Crocodiles
6. Echo and the Bunnymen - Heaven Up Here
7. Echo and the Bunnymen - Ocean Rain
8. Echo and the Bunnymen - Porcupine
9. Swell Maps - Jane from Occupied Europe
10. Swell Maps - Trip to Marineville

Best Film of 2004:
Notre Musique by Jean-Luc Godard

Best First Film of 2004:
Garden State by Zach Braff

Best DVD release of 2004:
3 Women (1977) by Robert Altman

Best Music DVD release of 2004:
SunRa: Space is the Place (1974) by John Coney

Best Television Show of 2004:
Arrested Development

Best Live Performance of 2004:
(tie) Pere Ubu’s live accompaniment to Roger Corman’s Man with X-Ray Eyes in Prospect Park, Brooklyn
(tie) Joel Plaskett Emergency at the Mercury, NYC

Best Unheard Band of 2004:
La Laque (http://www.lalaque.com)

A toast of the wine to the end of the line:
John Peel, O.D.B., Susan Sontag, Marlon Brando, Dave Blood.

And the editors would also like to toast the lives of Greg Shaw, Joe Bates (owner of Austin clubs: Joe's Generic Bar and the Bates Motel), Ray Charles, Johnny Ramone, Rick James, Bruce Palmer, Artie Shaw, "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott (and the other victims of the Columbus club shooting), John McGeoch, Rodney Dangerfield, Bob Keeshan (aka Captain Kangaroo), Christopher Reeve, Spalding Gray, Tony Randall, and Janet Leigh.