Addendum
One thing I would suggest, since you only have a week, is to concentrate on one area of Ireland. I'm not sure how set your plans are, but despite the relatively small size of the island, it is pretty tough getting around. 30 miles can take 2 hours in some areas -- esp. those areas w/o good roads.
I love the west -- Galway, Clare, and Kerry especially.
The best route to get to Galway from Shannon is to go through Co. Clare -- Clare is one of my favorite counties. (BTW, buy a map -- the Irish are renowned for poor markings of roads and confusing directions). You have to see the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren. Lahinch and Lisdoonvarna are neat little towns.
Galway is a really neat city. There are a number of things to do in Galway, but I would suggest wondering to nearby places -- Spiddal is about 20 miles west and is where the main Gaelic language school is located. The Kylemore Abbey is one of the most beautiful settings anywhere -- an castle on a clear lake surrounded by mountains. Clifden is a fun town -- one of the few places in the west that Cromwell thought worthy of colonizing. The Aran Islands are great -- but it is most likely going to take up a full day -- it is like going back in time. Buy an Aran sweater (you can get a nice one for around $40 -- a really nice one for over $200). Head to the American Bar on Inis Moor if you go -- you'll run into people of about 10-15 different nationalities. Padraic Pearse's (leader of the Easter Rising) cottage is near Galway. One thing about the area of Connemara (western Galway and Mayo) is that you are in the Gaeltacht -- Gaelic is the first language of most people in this region. They speak English, but converse with their friends and family in Gaelic.
When you head to Kilarney, make sure you do the Ring of Kerry around the Iveragh Peninsula if you have the time -- it will take a couple days at least, but it is incredible. Cahirciveen is a decent little town -- one of the best restaurants in that area is the Point -- incredible view of Dingle. Daniel O'Connell (father of Catholic Emancipation) is from nearby -- the Catholic church is named after him in fact. The Dingle peninsula is also beautiful.
While in Dublin, visit the Guinness Brewery and the Gravity Bar for the best pint you will ever have. Or check out Jameson's distillery. If you are into history, check out the General Post Office -- site of the Easter Rebellion; Kilmainham Gaol -- where numerous nationalists have been imprisoned; Clondalkin Round Tower; numerous castles -- Howth, Malahide, Drimnagh; Trinity College -- the Book of Kells is incredible, but the line might be a tad long. There are a number of walking tours that aren't too bad, but I prefer to see things on my own. Some fun bars include Chancery Inn (traditional music on weekends), the Auld Dubliner, Foley's, Stag's Head, Mulligan's, or O'Donaghue's. A great deal will depend on what part of the city you are staying. If you are into literature, there are a number of pub/literary tours that can be fun -- the Joyce one is particularly good.
Dublin can be pretty expensive, esp. lodging. You might want to get rid of the rental car when you get to Dublin -- parking is tough.
IrishCavan
Atkins Diet
There is a ton of information on the web about the official Atkins Diet.
Here's a good site for counting carbs.
A popular alternative to the strict Atkins Diet is a hybrid low-carb, high-protein diet. Here's the plan as described by gmurphy:
(1) Cut out alcohol for a month. A month is a good period of time for which to do so, as it is finite and one can count down the last days.
(2) Cut out starches for a month. Corn, rice, potatoes, beans, breads of all kinds.
(3) Add 100 ounces of water to your daily intake of fluids. This means figure out how much you drink in a given day, and add 100 ounces to that.
(4) Cut out sweets for a month. No candy, cookies, ice cream, soda/cola/pop etc.
(5) Cut from 3 meals per day to 2. I was close to this anyway, but I essentially cut a muffin out of my mornings. On the weekends, I had late breakfasts of meat, eggs and fruit.
(6) No coffee for a month.
(7) No snacking between meals. If you must snack, peanuts and cashews and raisins.
(8) Do not count carbs, calories, or anything else. Cutting your intake down to 2 meals a day - with no excess calories from sweets, no excess starches other than those in fruits/veggies, and the water "flushing" through your body, you'll lose weight.
After a month, see how much weight you've lost and figure out how serious you want to be from that point forward. I was rather happy. I also found that I preferred the way I feel when I'm on the diet. However, I did want to reintroduce some carbs. So now I drink beers on the weekends, eat pasta once a week, and have sweets now and then. I have salads or roasted chicken for lunch (or sometimes just fruit and peanuts). But I have a "normal" dinner, albeit without a starch. If I'm going to have something "bad," I make the most of it: Krispy Kreme donut instead of Starbuck's bagel.
The most important thing is training your mind and body to not desire the starchy and sweet foods. It takes a month to do that. Once you've done it, though, you can go back whenever you want (that is, when your weight is creeping up on you) without feeling like you've blown your diet. Chances are, you'll be like me and it will be more of a new nutritional plan than a one-time diet...
HDTV/Tivo/iPods
When it comes to questions about HDTV or home theater equipment in general, the AVS forum is the best place to find an answer.
As for Tivo, any question you can think of has probably already been asked and answered at TivoCommunity.com.
iTunes-- the free software-- can rip CDs to any of a number of formats, including MP3. Its default setting is to rip to a format called AAC-- essentially a newer MP4 format.
iPods, which sync most easily with the iTunes software, can play music stored in any format, including AAC and MP3. Most other portable music players do not play AAC files, but only play MP3.
The iTunes Music Store-- accessible through the iTunes software-- sells songs that download in a Protected AAC format. The raw purchased file will play on any computer, and can be burned to a CD to play in any stereo, but the only portable player the raw file will play on is the iPod.
Songs purchased from the iTMS-- the protected AAC files-- can be burned to an audio CD. That CD can then be re-ripped to a computer in any format you desire-- including unprotected AAC, and MP3. The new file has no protection or restrictions at all. This is all perfectly legal as well.
Some people think that taking an AAC file, burning to CD (which does not degrade the quality) then re-ripping to MP3 format (which uses a different kind of compression) degrades the quality of the sound. They're probably right. That is the trade-off to get the format you want.
Digital Cameras
Before purchasing a digital camera, it is very important for you to
consider how it is that you're going to be using it. Do you want something
small and stylish, always available in the briefcase or purse? Do you want
something with a longer zoom, and more manual controls? Do you want to
take pictures of kids and puppies scampering about the house, and need
fast response? Or do you mostly take landscapes and not really care
because the mountain isn't going anywhere? Are you really only ever going
to make 4x6 inch prints, or are you going to want to make a 11x14 or 13x19
to show off your artistic side? The answers to these questions should help
guide you in what direction you should go.
Digital cameras basically come in 3 different types: the compact or ultra
compact, the more "prosumer" type, and a digital SLR (single-lens reflex).
In general, the cameras in all types are shipping in the 3MP(megapixel)
range all the way up to the 7 to 8MP range. Do NOT get yourself caught up
in the megapixels hype! Sure, a 7 MP camera will have more absolute
resolution than a 3 MP camera, but if you're only going to make 4x6
pictures, you'll NEVER notice the difference! I'm going to go on record
here as saying the way you process your images in the editing software of
your choice has a LOT to do with the way you're prints are going to look.
(Hint: Unsharp Mask is your best friend and a filter found in any of the
Photoshop full versions or Photoshop Elements, 2.0-3.0 which ships free
sometimes, or similar Paint Shop, etc.. ) I've made professional quality
11x14 inch prints from a 4 MP camera that are capable of being sold as
artwork; looking like they came from a high resolution film camera. I've
also gone as high as 13 x19 inches from the same 4MP camera with results
99% of you would be delighted with, and I find completely acceptable. So,
to simplify: 3 MP = fantastic 8x10, 4MP = fantastic 11x14. Anything more
is just gravy for most people, but those extra megapixels give you the
option to crop your photos heavily (zoom in) and still maintain that
superior quality. And I'll go on record here as saying that a 8x10 size
photograph is absolutely HUGE for most people. For example, my Mom puts
4x6's(maybe a rare 5x7) in frames around the house, never larger.
The compact/ subcompact segment consists of small to unbelievably small
"point and shoot" type cameras. Most people get something like this and
simply turn it on and off, shooting primarily in Auto mode, and get great
snapshots. These cameras have been designed to be foolproof to use and to
download onto your computer. You can buy models which are utilitarian and
plastic; there's also stylish stainless steel models for the "gadget
lover" in you, the person with the latest tiniest cell phone in the
office, etc. Pros: size, portability, ease of use. Cons: limited features,
VERY limited flash, short zooms or no zooms.
The "prosumer" segment of cameras consists of larger , more fully featured
cameras. They usually have long to VERY long zooms, quick start-up times
and very short shutter lag, and higher resolution/megapixels. Some of
these cameras have the equivalent of a 28mm-300mm "35mm film camera" lens
built right in. What a convenience! You'll be able to reach out and grab
shots of Junior playing shortstop from your seat in the bleachers with no
problem at all! Also, more importantly, the shutter lag has been shortened
drastically, so you don't miss those perfect moments anymore. Those of you
who have tried to take pictures of kids or pets with your digital camera
know what I'm talking about. By the time the camera actually focuses and
fires, you've missed the moment! Well, the manufacturers have really
addressed this problem, and some of the cameras are much faster now. BUT,
seek out some info about the camera you want, and it also doesn't hurt to
actually try it out in the store. In addition, you also get a full
complement of manual controls and overides, so the more adventurous and
artistic of you can control your images more. The same rules apply with
megapixels as does above. Buy what you need; but it certainly doesn't hurt
to have more.
The digital SLR segment consists of SLR (single lens reflex) cameras. A
SLR camera is the type of camera you may have used when you took a photo
class in school; or the kind you imagine professionals using when you see
them on TV or at a wedding. The great advantage of these cameras is you
are looking directly through the lens which is taking the picture; you
focus, frame, and see exactly what you're going to get! These cameras have
the advantage of multiple interchangeable lenses, flashes, and
accessories. It is exciting what has happened in this segment. You can now
get an amazing 6 MP SLR camera from a couple of manufacturers for under
$1000(even more like $800) that will do ANYTHING you could possibly want
from your camera. The BEST part though is the absolutely instantaneous
shutter release and focusing mechanism. Getting great shots of your pets
or action shots of the kids are no longer a problem with the "what you see
is what you get" aspect of these cameras. These digital SLR's were once
only the domain of working professionals, but the price has dropped so
drastically that it is not a stretch at all for the typical ND person
hanging around here to consider one. It is my strong opinion that you
should look at one of these cameras BEFORE you go ahead and spend the $500
-$800 or so on an all-in-one prosumer model as discussed above; that is if
you are indeed looking in this price range.
Some other considerations:
-Buy a case, and use it. There are small, stylish cases out there that
don't get in the way at all, and these small compacts and ultracompacts do
not take kindly to being dropped...not even once. I cannot tell you how
many of these I saw come in for repair, simply as a result of being
dropped, sat on, etc. Of particular concern is the delicate lens mechanism
on these cameras; try not to bump the lens or force it at all. I will tell
you that the manufacturers do not cover impact damage, especially visible
impact damage. If you have it in a case and it falls, maybe it stops
working...but there's no "visible" impact for the repair place to quarrel
over. I will also tell you the manufacturers will want $150 or so to
repair that $200 camera you just broke...so in most cases, it's not even
worth it to make the repair. You go get a new one.
-Continuing on this theme, it's a good thing to have a full 1 Year
manufacturer's warranty on these cameras, so check with the salesperson
and inside the box. I can't tell you how many I've seen come in that just
"failed' or stopped working for no apparent reason whatsover. Think of
them as little computers. Beware: there's one highly regarded name brand
out there that begins with a "S" that only gives a 90 day warranty on its
cameras; they make a good stylish product, but that warranty policy
precludes their products with me. I'll also say I didn't see too many of
that brand come in for repair either, so take that for what it's worth.
Also, there's no need to purchase the extended warranty if offered to you
by the store, unless you're going higher end. Those warranties are HUGE
profit makers for the sales staff and store. If something is going to go
wrong, it will usually go wrong within the warranty. If it's past a year
or longer, the lower segment of the market changes so rapidly that you
just go buy something that has more megapixels, is faster, is smaller, and
3/4 of the price you paid for your last camera!
-Beware of "digital zoom", as it is a misleading feature. You want
"optical" zooming only, and want to disable the digital zoom feature on
your camera if possible. All digital zoom is doing is cropping in on the
center part of your photo digitally; basically the same effect as zooming
and cropping the Jpeg later in the image editor of your choice! It
magnifies the pixels, and results in image degradation. It is a false and
misleading feature, designed simply as a selling point. Turn this off, and
crop your photos later on.
-Try and shoot at the lowest ISO speed rating you can. That generally
means anywhere from 50-100 speed. As you go up in "film" speed, the pixels
become noisier, more magnified, "pixelated", "grainier"; very similar to
the way film gets grainier as you go up in speed. There is a big trade off
in quality as you go up in sensitivity. Most of you will just leave the
ISO setting on Auto, but you'll get better color and "smoothness"if you
can capture the same photo at the lowest speed setting possible.
-If you're looking at point and shoot types, consider buying cameras which
use cheap readily available batteries such as AA's. You'll be able to grab
a set of short-lasting alkaline batteries in a pinch. You'll also be able
to buy inexpensive, long lasting rechargeable NiMH AA's which you can use
in any number of devices around the house in addition to the camera! You
can get a charger with 4 batteries, and an extra set to always be ready.
Try and find the highest mah rated batteries you can find. Current tech
batteries are now in the 2300mah + range. The manufacturers don't put a
"cell phone" type battery in these cameras because of cost. At the lower
price point, the customer doesn't want to pay $50 for a spare battery,
when you can get cheapo rechargeable AA's. The more expensive, smaller
cameras get better batteries, but you pay for it. Those "proprietary" type
batteries from the manufacturer cost a fortune, and are a HUGE source of
profit. So that ultra stylish mini- stainless steel camera you want is
going to cost you if you want a spare battery. But, in many cases, these
cameras can't even fit AA's anymore as they've gotten so small.
-Get some memory as you want to shoot at the highest resolution Jpeg ALL
the time! I cannot stress this enough. Shooting a high resolution camera
at low resolution is like using a new Ferrari to drive up the street at
10mph in 1st gear to get a latte! Drive the thing would ya! Unless you
have specific needs and will never need to go higher (insurance claims/
emailing only of pics), you can always resize a picture DOWN to suit your
needs, but you cannot go UP in resolution! More experienced users can
probably come with a trade-off resolution that they like to use, but don't
get stuck with that once in a lifetime shot of Junior having been taken at
a low resolution; unsuitable for a 8x10 to give to your Mom, or for you to
remember with a big print when Junior is all grown up. At last check, a blazing fast 1 GB CF (Compact Flash) card or 1GB SD card is now in the
range of only a $100! (I remember a time when a very slow performing 128MB
CF card was around $1000!) For a rough idea of how many images you'll get
on a card, consider this. A 4 MP camera at highest Jpeg resolution will
generate a 1.5MB to 2MB file per shot. So, a very inexpensive 128MB CF
Card will store anywhere between 70-80 photos at highest resolution on a 4
MP camera ( for larger quantity cards, simply factor up in multiples of
128MB) So to summarize, shoot high; memory cost is low.
People often ask me what's the best camera to get or what's the best brand
to buy. It's a difficult thing to say, as I work in the field. I usually
say whatever works best for you. Some people have great experiences with
products from a manufacturer whose product I would never own in a million
years. Some people have bad experiences with product from whom I think is
the best manufacturer. I will state here, though, that I am a big fan of a
couple companies in particular: they are traditional Japanese camera
companies who have been around a long time and know photography. One
begins with a "C"; the other begins with a "N". Any professionals working
today are using cameras from one of these 2 companies. And the "C" company
is so good in design, style, ease, and technology (even more so in point
and shoots), that is is a clear cut winner for most people. They are a
huge company with R&D from many industries, and they utilize it.
I am a frequent lurker and poster, and I ask you to contact me via e-mail
with any questions, comments, or advice. My address can be found by
seeking out my profile. I can answer some questions in the public forum of
the Backroom; sometimes it's best if I do not. Good luck.
ferndog
Why we hate Michigan
Why I hate Meechigan:
My conscience dictates that I bear no hatred for a person or aggregate of people no matter how whiny, annoying, misguided or man-boobish they may be. Ideas are different, though. The truth demands revulsion at ideas that lead souls from her path. My hatred of the Meatchickens, then, must be grounded in the realm of ideas, not personalities.
On the surface, their football program appears to have much in common with the Blessed Mother’s University’s own. They are both ancient midwestern powers, at least by the temporal standards by which college football can be measured. Midwestern roots tend to flourish best in the rugged soil of a punishing ground attack. Both schools are competitive universities, drawing a relatively similar student body, at least in the ways that the many measure such things. The Michiganers fancy that they have a respectable national following. If it were true, that would be another similarity.
These superficial points of confluence, however, only heighten the essential dissonance between the schools, and the irreconcilable philosophies that guide each football program. EdMartinigan clings to an empty, deracinated philosophy of education. There is no Good; there are only subjective goods, many of which must be respected as equal idols. Education is an end unto itself, to be used to whatever purpose the customer may wish to apply it.
Notice well how they have no compunction about using their athletes as kinesiological pieces of meat, tools of profit for the greater institution. Notice the size of the school and the emphasis on research at the expense of the undergrad’s quest for wisdom and understanding. Concern for their reputation alone sets their path, straining to seem excellent rather than truly to be excellent, the aim of the sophist. Also note well how quickly they deride any mention of religious themes when mixed with athletic competition by their southron rival. The intellectual must be kept alienated from the spiritual and both from the physical, as if any person actually exists that way. In short, the University of RichardToddBranchigan has swallowed every error modernity has ever spewed into the wheels of human history. They cling desperately to these fallacies, believing that their obstinacy makes them valiant and will lead to victory, and ridiculing any with a wisdom that surpasses their own.
The yawning chasm separating this bastion of hubris from the University of Notre Dame cannot be plumbed, even if one could measure the distance between the east and the west. At Notre Dame, the soul is gently nurtured in the understanding that all things seek but one ultimate Truth, that every endeavor under the sun only finds fullness to the degree that it furthers that pursuit. Excellence in all things becomes the goal prized by worthy and dignified creatures. They are obligated to pursue it in all they do, with all of their faculties. There is a unity in life, with a single focal point that will consummate every part, transforming them into living stones. Athletes are not merely athletes. Students are not merely students. All must share in the essential life of the school, never used simply as an object.
This is why my heart leaps every time I see Notre Dame’s warrior-poets take the field, golden domes flashing in the sun. They embody the spirit of the agon, an all-encompassing pursuit of excellence alien to Ann Arbor, a wrestling with personal weakness to yield to transcendent strength. Her warriors are a visceral reminder of that very mystical body, every part dignified and fulfilled in its unique and blessed toil for the common good.
The Back Room Movie Poll
Thanks to everyone for submitting their favorites -- looks like we came up with a good, deep list. Some surprises bubbled to the top in round II. There are some really great, enjoyable films here, and I think we accomplished our goal of finding not just the most "respected" movies (note the absence of Citizen Kane), but movies that you enjoyed and that you'd want someone else to see.
Keep in mind that every movie on the list is, at the very least, recommended by someone -- so don't think that just because a movie got only 1 vote that it isn't worth seeing. It is. Somebody cared enough about it to include in his or her top 10, so keep them in mind for your Netflix queue. And at the end of the poll results is the list of "Obvious, Must See Movies".
Thanks for participating. Enjoy!
11 Princess Bride, the banshee, DEA, El Kabong, ewillND, gmurphy, lbbeachrat, Mr. Natural, PMan, PUgrad NDfan, scal_irish, shamrock
11 Rushmore Dillon1998, Domer25, Final_Flanner, Jameson, JPH, Legacy, minister, Mr. Natural, shamrock, SoCaliDomer, socalnd
10 Fargo banshee, BostonDomah, Denver Jim, ewillND, FourLeafDomer, Francisco Brothers, Khaddafi, MCB, rknsaw, shamrock
10 Groundhog Day banshee, FourLeafDomer, gmurphy, Irish96, JacksDaddy, minister, Mr. Natural, RJD, SoCaliDomer, Special_K
10 Memento banshee, bbill99, BostonDomah, DEA, ewillND, Final_Flanner, FOFM, Francisco Brothers, JacksDaddy, PUgrad NDfan
9 One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Angel, Denver Jim, drmurray, Fantom, FourLeafDomer, Francisco Brothers, Khaddafi, RJD, rknsaw
9 Tombstone DEA, gmurphy, Irish96, irishvol, MCB, minister, PMan, PUgrad NDfan, RJD
8 Amadeus drmurray, Final_Flanner, Irishted, JacksDaddy, MCB, Mike Embrey, NDFoil, PUgrad NDfan
8 Bottle Rocket Brandywells, Dillon1998, Final_Flanner, FOFM, Francisco Brothers, shamrock, SoCaliDomer, Spiral_Stairs
8 Chinatown Denver Jim, drmurray, Irishted, lbbeachrat, Nitschke, PUgrad NDfan, shadyirish, Special_K
8 Dr. Strangelove banshee, bbill99, drmurray, FONToKNOW, Irishted, JacksDaddy, RJD, shadyirish
8 Full Metal Jacket bbill99, Denver Jim, FourLeafDomer, NDEE01, Nitschke, PeteatND, PUgrad NDfan, tbsone
8 Gladiator drmurray, Irish96, Mike Embrey, NDEE01, NDoggie78, rknsaw, SoCaliDomer, tbsone
8 Glory drmurray, El Kabong, Glass, Irish96, irishvol, JacksDaddy, Marine Domer, PMan
8 L.A. Confidential BostonDomah, Denver Jim, ewillND, Irish96, Irishted, Nitschke, Rallying Son, Special_K
8 Raising Arizona drmurray, ewillND, FOFM, Francisco Brothers, JacksDaddy, Mickey, minister, shamrock
8 Seven BostonDomah, Final_Flanner, lbbeachrat, MCB, NDoggie78, PUgrad NDfan, rknsaw, tbsone
7 2001: A Space Odyssey bbill99, Denver Jim, Dillon1998, FourLeafDomer, Francisco Brothers, JacksDaddy, shadyirish
7 American History X Angel, banshee, Final_Flanner, lbbeachrat, minister, NDoggie78, PUgrad NDfan
7 Band of Brothers (HBO) bbill99, BostonDomah, El Kabong, Final_Flanner, NDoggie78, PUgrad NDfan, SoCaliDomer
7 Cinema Paradiso bbill99, BostonDomah, drmurray, ewillND, JacksDaddy, MCB, PMan
7 Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon DEA, Dillon1998, Final_Flanner, FONToKNOW, Francisco Brothers, JacksDaddy, Spiral_Stairs
7 Graduate, the Denver Jim, drmurray, Fantom, FourLeafDomer, JacksDaddy, Khaddafi, Special_K
7 Great Escape, the ewillND, FONToKNOW, FourLeafDomer, GMatous, PeteatND, PUgrad NDfan, shadyirish
7 Heat banshee, FONToKNOW, gmurphy, irishvol, NDFoil, PMan, Trosa
7 Hoosiers Domer73, ewillND, FourLeafDomer, Khaddafi, Mike Embrey, Mr. Natural, tbsone
7 Old School DEA, irishvol, NDEE01, PUgrad NDfan, rknsaw, SoCaliDomer, Special_K
7 Quiet Man, the El Kabong, Fantom, irishtattoo, Khaddafi, Mickey, NDoggie78, scal_irish
7 Sting, the drmurray, ewillND, FourLeafDomer, gmurphy, JacksDaddy, Mickey, PUgrad NDfan
6 Best in Show banshee, DEA, Domer25, Domer73, irishvol, lbbeachrat
6 Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid Denver Jim, drmurray, ewillND, Fantom, RJD, shadyirish
6 Clerks Dillon1998, El Kabong, Final_Flanner, irishvol, PUgrad NDfan, tbsone
6 Fish Called Wanda, A DEA, Domer73, El Kabong, ewillND, Fantom, Mr. Natural
6 Good, the Bad, the Ugly, the 47oft, Denver Jim, Irishjoeinnc, PMan, SoCaliDomer, Special_K
6 Hoop Dreams BostonDomah, ewillND, Final_Flanner, FOFM, Francisco Brothers, rknsaw
6 Life is Beautiful DEA, Fantom, FourLeafDomer, MCB, PMan, shamrock
6 Searching for Bobby Fisher Brandywells, ewillND, Final_Flanner, GMatous, JacksDaddy, SoCaliDomer
6 Silence of the Lambs, the Denver Jim, FourLeafDomer, lbbeachrat, NDEE01, NDoggie78, PeteatND
6 Super Troopers DEA, Final_Flanner, irishvol, NDEE01, PUgrad NDfan, Spiral_Stairs
6 Treasure of the Sierra Madre, the Buddy Jeans, Denver Jim, hobbs, Irishjoeinnc, Mr. Natural, Rallying Son
6 Unforgiven Fantom, JPH, minister, NDoggie78, Nitschke, PMan
6 Waiting for Guffman Domer25, Domer73, Fantom, Final_Flanner, FOFM, shamrock
6 Waking Ned Devine drmurray, ewillND, Fantom, gmurphy, NDoggie78, shamrock
5 Breaking Away Domer73, ewillND, JPH, Mr. Natural, shamrock
5 Bull Durham banshee, Dillon1998, ewillND, RJD, shamrock
5 Cool Hand Luke DEA, Fantom, Nitschke, RJD, shadyirish
5 Deer Hunter, the Francisco Brothers, Khaddafi, lbbeachrat, shadyirish, Spiral_Stairs
5 Fight Club BostonDomah, FONToKNOW, Francisco Brothers, MCB, tbsone
5 Good Will Hunting gmurphy, Irish96, MCB, NDoggie78, scal_irish
5 Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels BostonDomah, FONToKNOW, Francisco Brothers, Jameson, Trosa
5 Marathon Man, the 47oft, Fantom, FourLeafDomer, JacksDaddy, Khaddafi
5 Meet the Parents bbill99, Domer25, irishgambino, irishvol, SoCaliDomer
5 Mulholland Drive bbill99, Fantom, socalnd, Spiral_Stairs, Trosa
5 Natural, the Dillon1998, FourLeafDomer, MCB, Mike Embrey, tbsone
5 O Brother, Where Art Thou? banshee, NDoggie78, PMan, rknsaw, shamrock
5 Patton Dillon1998, drmurray, FONToKNOW, Irish96, shadyirish
5 Rear Window Dillon1998, Final_Flanner, Khaddafi, Mickey, shadyirish
5 Requiem for a Dream Angel, BostonDomah, Buddy Jeans, Francisco Brothers, Marine Domer
5 Rocky Dillon1998, irishvol, Mike Embrey, Mr. Natural, NDEE01
5 Rounders BostonDomah, ewillND, Final_Flanner, irishvol, Trosa
5 Royal Tennenbaums, the Francisco Brothers, gmurphy, Irishted, shamrock, SoCaliDomer
5 Run Lola Run DEA, Domer25, Final_Flanner, FONToKNOW, shamrock
5 Schindler's List irishvol, JacksDaddy, Khaddafi, Mike Embrey, Nitschke
5 Shrek DEA, drmurray, gmurphy, irishvol, NDoggie78
5 Terminator, the 47oft, Khaddafi, NDEE01, NDoggie78, PeteatND
4 After Hours FOFM, Francisco Brothers, socalnd, Special_K
4 Almost Famous GMatous, MCB, Rallying Son, socalnd
4 Amelie BostonDomah, DEA, FOFM, MCB
4 Big Chill, the 47oft, Domer73, drmurray, irishtattoo
4 Blade Runner Khaddafi, lbbeachrat, NDEE01, Trosa
4 Blue Velvet bbill99, Brandywells, Francisco Brothers, Spiral_Stairs
4 Body Heat Domer73, FourLeafDomer, hobbs, Rallying Son
4 Bronx Tale, a Brandywells, Irish96, minister, Mr. Natural
4 Diner FourLeafDomer, MCB, mkovac, shamrock
4 Do the Right Thing FOFM, Khaddafi, minister, Nitschke
4 Dumb and Dumber DEA, Dillon1998, irishvol, SoCaliDomer
4 Few Good Men, a gmurphy, Khaddafi, NDoggie78, shamrock
4 Four Weddings and a Funeral irishtattoo, NDFoil, NDoggie78, Special_K
4 Frailty DEA, Francisco Brothers, PeteatND, PUgrad NDfan
4 Game, the 47oft, Domer25, Final_Flanner, rknsaw
4 Glengarry Glen Ross Denver Jim, Domer73, Jameson, Special_K
4 House of Games drmurray, FOFM, Francisco Brothers, Mr. Natural
4 L.A. Story Domer73, El Kabong, Final_Flanner, gmurphy
4 Manchurian Candidate, the banshee, Denver Jim, FONToKNOW, Khaddafi
4 Miller's Crossing bbill99, Francisco Brothers, Irishted, Nitschke
4 No Way Out DEA, GMatous, NDFoil, Rallying Son
4 Ordinary People Angel, irishtattoo, Nitschke, rknsaw
4 Professional, the BostonDomah, Buddy Jeans, Mr. Natural, Spiral_Stairs
4 Scarface irishvol, minister, PMan, rknsaw
4 Shakespeare in Love FourLeafDomer, gmurphy, Mike Embrey, Trosa
4 Sixth Sense, the banshee, DEA, Domer25, drmurray
4 Sleeper drmurray, Khaddafi, RJD, shamrock
4 Sling Blade irishgambino, JacksDaddy, MCB, Nitschke
4 Taxi Driver bbill99, Khaddafi, mkovac, Nitschke
4 To Kill a Mockingbird Angel, Dillon1998, Khaddafi, Mr. Natural
4 Verdict, the Dillon1998, ewillND, GMatous, Mr. Natural
4 What About Bob? 47oft, banshee, irishvol, Mr. Natural
4 Zero Effect, the Dillon1998, JacksDaddy, Ohio Domer, Special_K
3 African Queen, the Angel, Fantom, Irishjoeinnc
3 Aliens Dillon1998, JacksDaddy, NDEE01
3 American Psycho bbill99, MCB, PeteatND
3 Apollo 13 47oft, El Kabong, SoCaliDomer
3 Babe banshee, FOFM, JacksDaddy
3 Being John Malkovich Buddy Jeans, Mickey, Trosa
3 Being There FONToKNOW, FourLeafDomer, Francisco Brothers
3 Big Trouble in Little China Buddy Jeans, Irishted, Special_K
3 Bridge on the River Kwai, the Denver Jim, FourLeafDomer, shadyirish
3 Bullets Over Broadway Domer73, ewillND, Mickey
3 Chariots of Fire Domer73, JacksDaddy, JPH
3 Christmas Story, a ewillND, Mr. Natural, rknsaw
3 Clockwork Orange, A Domer73, REM, shadyirish
3 Conversation, the Jameson, Khaddafi, Rallying Son
3 Dazed and Confused Dillon1998, irishvol, minister
3 Dead Again FOFM, Francisco Brothers, Jameson
3 Eyes Wide Shut bbill99, rknsaw, socalnd
3 Fast Times at Ridgemont High Mr. Natural, NDEE01, Special_K
3 Ferris Bueller's Day Off Dillon1998, ewillND, irishgambino
3 Fletch El Kabong, Irish96, lbbeachrat
3 French Connection, the BostonDomah, Irishted, Khaddafi
3 Gangs of New York Fantom, SoCaliDomer, Spiral_Stairs
3 Gods Must Be Crazy, The minister, Rallying Son, REM
3 Guns of Navarone, the GMatous, Khaddafi, PMan
3 Hard Day's Night, A 47oft, REM, RJD
3 Hunt for Red October, the DEA, FONToKNOW, NDFoil
3 It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World DEA, drmurray, hobbs
3 Kelly's Heroes irishgambino, PMan, RJD
3 Life of Brian BostonDomah, El Kabong, shamrock
3 Lone Star Brandywells, Rallying Son, REM
3 Longest Day, the drmurray, Glass, irishgambino
3 M*A*S*H Denver Jim, drmurray, Fantom
3 Major League DEA, Glass, irishvol
3 Mission, the Final_Flanner, FourLeafDomer, NDFoil
3 Mister Roberts Brandywells, Fantom, FourLeafDomer
3 Parenthood GMatous, Rallying Son, shamrock
3 Passion of the Christ, the bbill99, NDEE01, SoCaliDomer
3 Platoon PMan, rknsaw, tbsone
3 Right Stuff, the Irishted, PeteatND, Rallying Son
3 Ring, the DEA, Denver Jim, NDEE01
3 Road to Perdition BostonDomah, Domer25, SoCaliDomer
3 Road Warrior, the FOFM, lbbeachrat, Mike Embrey
3 Sandlot, the PeteatND, rknsaw, Spiral_Stairs
3 Scrooged banshee, bbill99, Mr. Natural
3 Seven Samurai, the BostonDomah, Mr. Natural, Rallying Son
3 Sleepers Domer25, Glass, minister
3 Straight Story, the Domer25, Francisco Brothers, JPH
3 Three Days of the Condor 47oft, Domer73, Mr. Natural
3 Virgin Suicides, the Angel, Special_K, Trosa
3 Wall Street FONToKNOW, irishvol, Trosa
3 Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory banshee, MCB, SoCaliDomer
3 Wonder Boys Brandywells, Jameson, minister
2 Aguirre: the Wrath of God 47oft, BostonDomah
2 Alien minister, NDoggie78
2 All About Eve hobbs, scal_irish
2 All That Jazz socalnd, Special_K
2 American Movie BostonDomah, FOFM
2 American Splendor Glass, Spiral_Stairs
2 Amores Perros BostonDomah, Spiral_Stairs
2 Andre Rublev Rallying Son, The Shrubberer
2 As Good As It Gets gmurphy, MCB
2 Babette's Feast FONToKNOW, Rallying Son
2 Bad News Bears, the GMatous, Mr. Natural
2 Bad Seed, the Buddy Jeans, Irishjoeinnc
2 Barton Fink bbill99, Francisco Brothers
2 Basquiat FOFM, Spiral_Stairs
2 Batman gmurphy, NDEE01
2 Before Sunrise Dillon1998, Rallying Son
2 Big Night ewillND, PMan
2 Black Cat White Cat Special_K, The Shrubberer
2 Blackhawk Down NDoggie78, SoCaliDomer
2 Bonnie and Clyde Fantom, RJD
2 Boondock Saints minister, Trosa
2 Brazil Jameson, Trosa
2 Breaking the Waves Rallying Son, REM
2 Brian's Song banshee, hobbs
2 Brothers McMullen, the rknsaw, Trosa
2 Chicken Run FONToKNOW, Spiral_Stairs
2 Clear and Present Danger bbill99, PeteatND
2 Crimson Tide NDFoil, PeteatND
2 Dead Presidents bbill99, minister
2 Dirty Dozen, the 47oft, RJD
2 Eight Men Out ewillND, irishvol
2 El Mariachi Spiral_Stairs, Trosa
2 Election banshee, Brandywells
2 Endless Summer, the Domer25, RJD
2 Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas Domer25, Trosa
2 Fever Pitch Mickey, Trosa
2 Finding Forrester Brandywells, GMatous
2 Five Easy Pieces Denver Jim, mkovac
2 Flirting With Disaster FOFM, Rallying Son
2 Forrest Gump DEA, Irish96
2 Freshman, the Domer73, ewillND
2 Gandhi Fantom, FONToKNOW
2 Gaslight ewillND, hobbs
2 Gattica Marine Domer, socalnd
2 Guess Who's Coming to Dinner FONToKNOW, Marine Domer
2 Hearts of Darkness FOFM, socalnd
2 Heathers banshee, DEA
2 High Fidelity Dillon1998, socalnd
2 Hope and Glory ewillND, JPH
2 Ideal Husband, an ewillND, MCB
2 Identity banshee, PUgrad NDfan
2 In America Final_Flanner, FOFM
2 Iron Giant, the Dillon1998, socalnd
2 Jaws JacksDaddy, Mike Embrey
2 King of New York, the MCB, Trosa
2 King of the Hill FOFM, Rallying Son
2 Knute Rockne, All-American NDFoil, RJD
2 Little Big Man Fantom, REM
2 Local Hero Francisco Brothers, irishtattoo
2 Love and Death JacksDaddy, shamrock
2 M BostonDomah, The Shrubberer
2 Man For All Seasons, a 47oft, Irishted
2 McCabe and Mrs. Miller Domer73, Special_K
2 Mean Streets 47oft, bbill99
2 Memphis Belle minister, PeteatND
2 Midnight Run Domer25, NDFoil
2 Moonstruck Jameson, scal_irish
2 Nashville Domer73, Special_K
2 North by Northwest Fantom, shadyirish
2 Omen, the FOFM, NDEE01
2 On Golden Pond Angel, FourLeafDomer
2 Once Upon a Time in America Rallying Son, REM
2 Outlaw Josey Wales, the irishtattoo, Nitschke
2 Philadelphia lbbeachrat, tbsone
2 Philadelphia Story, the Angel, scal_irish
2 Pi FONToKNOW, Spiral_Stairs
2 Pianist, the Final_Flanner, SoCaliDomer
2 Pitch Black minister, NDoggie78
2 Planes, Trains and Automobiles banshee, lbbeachrat
2 Raging Bull Khaddafi, RJD
2 Real Genius Dillon1998, Spiral_Stairs
2 Rififi BostonDomah, The Shrubberer
2 Say Anything banshee, Buddy Jeans
2 Scent of a Woman Fantom, Irish96
2 Simple Plan, a Domer73, minister
2 Singin' in the Rain Fantom, Special_K
2 Sirens Rallying Son, tbsone
2 Some Like it Hot PMan, scal_irish
2 Spaceballs banshee, irishvol
2 Spanish Prisoner, the BostonDomah, FONToKNOW
2 Stalag 17 Denver Jim, Mr. Natural
2 State of Grace MCB, Trosa
2 Three Kings Final_Flanner, Rallying Son
2 To Have and Have Not Buddy Jeans, irishtattoo
2 To Live and Die in LA Special_K, Trosa
2 Toy Story Mr. Natural, SoCaliDomer
2 Twelve Angry Men Dillon1998, Mickey
2 Vertigo Irishted, Khaddafi
2 When We Were Kings Brandywells, Domer25
2 Wings of Desire FOFM, JacksDaddy
2 Woman of the Year Angel, irishtattoo
2 Y Tu Mama Tambien Jameson, Legacy
2 Zelig FOFM, Jameson
1 10 Things I Hate About You MCB
1 1,000,000 Years BC mkovac
1 400 Blows, the Spiral_Stairs
1 About a Boy Final_Flanner
1 Ace in the Hole 47oft
1 Adam's Rib irishtattoo
1 Aladdin rknsaw
1 Alive PeteatND
1 All the President's Men JacksDaddy
1 All the Real Girls Special_K
1 Amarcord The Shrubberer
1 Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz 47oft
1 At Close Range Domer73
1 Awakenings rknsaw
1 Back to the Future NDEE01
1 Bad Day at Black Rock Irishjoeinnc
1 Ball of Fire socalnd
1 Band Wagon, the socalnd
1 Barbarella mkovac
1 Barcelona shamrock
1 Battle at Firebase Gloria PeteatND
1 Beautiful Thing lbbeachrat
1 Belle époque Legacy
1 Ben Hur PMan
1 Best Years of Our Lives, the hobbs
1 Big Deal on Madonna Street The Shrubberer
1 Black Narcissus socalnd
1 Black Robe JPH
1 Blind Date banshee
1 Bloody Sunday Spiral_Stairs
1 Blow Dry Legacy
1 Boogie Nights BostonDomah
1 Boot, Das JPH
1 Bounty, the Denver Jim
1 Bram Stoker's Dracula Denver Jim
1 Breaker Morant Brandywells
1 Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo Spiral_Stairs
1 Breathless Spiral_Stairs
1 Brewster's Millions Buddy Jeans
1 Bridge Too Far, a PMan
1 Bringing Up Baby 47oft
1 Buffalo 66 Spiral_Stairs
1 Cable Guy, the Domer25
1 Caine Mutiny, the FourLeafDomer
1 Car Wash 47oft
1 Carousel Irishjoeinnc
1 Chicago Fantom
1 Christmas Carol, A scal_irish
1 Cidade de Deus minister
1 Class GMatous
1 Cleopatra hobbs
1 Conan the Barbarian NDEE01
1 Contempt Special_K
1 Count of Monte Cristo, the PUgrad NDfan
1 Crossing Guard, the rknsaw
1 Damn Yankees! 47oft
1 Dark City Irishted
1 Deep Cover FOFM
1 Delicatessan The Shrubberer
1 Diabolique hobbs
1 Diggstown Domer73
1 Doctor Zhivago drmurray
1 Dogs of War, the FOFM
1 Empire of the Sun Final_Flanner
1 Englishman Who Went Up a Hill... NDoggie78
1 Escape from Alcatraz Denver Jim
1 Everlasting Piece, An Trosa
1 Family Man GMatous
1 Fatal Attraction NDFoil
1 Father of the Bride gmurphy
1 Field of Dreams Dillon1998
1 Finding Nemo irishvol
1 Fish that Saved Pittsburgh, the tbsone
1 Flirt FONToKNOW
1 Fog of War, the SoCaliDomer
1 Four Days in September FONToKNOW
1 From Russia With Love mkovac
1 From the Earth to the Moon (HBO) NDoggie78
1 Full Monty, the Buddy Jeans
1 Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, A Irishjoeinnc
1 Galaxy Quest PeteatND
1 Gettysburg irishvol
1 Ghengis Blues JPH
1 Ghost and Mrs. Muir, the socalnd
1 Giant Brandywells
1 Goin' South Fantom
1 Gone With the Wind Irishjoeinnc
1 Grease ewillND
1 Great Race, the scal_irish
1 Grifters, the rknsaw
1 Gung Ho Francisco Brothers
1 Half Baked Domer25
1 Harvey REM
1 Haunting, the (original) 47oft
1 Hidden Fortress, the The Shrubberer
1 High and the Mighty, the Irishjoeinnc
1 Highlander Trosa
1 His Girl Friday Irishted
1 Homicide FOFM
1 Hopscotch scal_irish
1 Horse Soldiers RJD
1 Ice Age irishvol
1 In the Name of the Father Spiral_Stairs
1 Intolerable Cruelty shamrock
1 Italian Job, the FONToKNOW
1 Jackie Brown Buddy Jeans
1 Jagged Edge GMatous
1 Jason and the Argonauts 47oft
1 Jean de Florette / Manon of the Springs The Shrubberer
1 Jeremiah Johnson REM
1 Jesus Christ Superstar Spiral_Stairs
1 JFK JacksDaddy
1 Johnny Stechino drmurray
1 Jules et Jim Special_K
1 Kaspar Hauser The Shrubberer
1 Kentucky Fried Movie Buddy Jeans
1 Killers, the The Shrubberer
1 King Kong (original) drmurray
1 Krays, the rknsaw
1 Kung Pow Domer25
1 La Femme Nikita shamrock
1 La Strada The Shrubberer
1 Last Detail, the The Shrubberer
1 Last Emperor, the hobbs
1 Last Waltz, the Irishted
1 Laura socalnd
1 Legends of the Fall tbsone
1 Life 47oft
1 Life and Death of Colonel Blimp socalnd
1 Lilies of the Field FourLeafDomer
1 Long Good Friday, the The Shrubberer
1 Long Riders, the RJD
1 Lost in Translation mkovac
1 Loved One, the The Shrubberer
1 Mac Francisco Brothers
1 Magnificent Seven, the RJD
1 Maltese Falcon, the shadyirish
1 Man Who Knew Too Little, the PUgrad NDfan
1 Man Who Shot Liberty Valence, the The Shrubberer
1 Man With Two Brains, the shamrock
1 Max Dugan Returns Domer25
1 McClintock irishtattoo
1 Metropolitan shamrock
1 Minus Man, the Spiral_Stairs
1 Mixed Nuts Domer73
1 Mosquito Coast, the minister
1 Mostro, Il PMan
1 Mr. Smith Goes to Washington Dillon1998
1 Narc Trosa
1 Near Dark Irishted
1 New York (documentary) Brandywells
1 Night at the Opera, A Mickey
1 Night of the Hunter, the hobbs
1 Noises Off Buddy Jeans
1 Notting Hill irishtattoo
1 Old Man and the Sea Irishjoeinnc
1 On the Edge Domer73
1 On the Waterfront Khaddafi
1 Once Upon a Time in the West RJD
1 One Hour Photo SoCaliDomer
1 Open Range PeteatND
1 Organizer, the 47oft
1 Paint Your Wagon Irishjoeinnc
1 Parent Trap, the GMatous
1 Pawnbroker, the Khaddafi
1 Payback Mickey
1 PCU banshee
1 Pelle the Conqueror FONToKNOW
1 Personal Best Domer73
1 Presumed Innocent GMatous
1 Prizzi's Honor rknsaw
1 Producers, the Irishjoeinnc
1 Promises rknsaw
1 Public Enemy bbill99
1 Quiz Show shamrock
1 Random Harvest socalnd
1 Rebecca shadyirish
1 Red River hobbs
1 Red Shoes, the socalnd
1 Ref, the PUgrad NDfan
1 Remains of the Day, the rknsaw
1 Return From the Ashes socalnd
1 Road Home, the JPH
1 Rob Roy NDoggie78
1 Rocco and his Brothers The Shrubberer
1 Rocky Horror Picture Show, the irishgambino
1 Rolling Thunder Denver Jim
1 Room With a View, A PMan
1 Rush minister
1 Ruthless People 47oft
1 Salton Sea, the Ohio Domer
1 Samurai, the Buddy Jeans
1 Sand Pebbles, the Domer73
1 Sans Soleil socalnd
1 Saving Silverman MCB
1 Secret of Roan Inish scal_irish
1 Seems Like Old Times rknsaw
1 Sense and Sensibility MCB
1 Serpico minister
1 Seven Days in May FONToKNOW
1 Seventh Seal, the The Shrubberer
1 Shadow of a Doubt hobbs
1 Shall We Dance Legacy
1 Shallow Grave Legacy
1 Shop on Main Street, the The Shrubberer
1 Shot in the Dark, A Mickey
1 Silverado Mickey
1 Simon Birch 47oft
1 Slapshot irishvol
1 Sleepy Hollow MCB
1 Sleuth Mickey
1 Some Came Running hobbs
1 Spellbound (the documentary) Final_Flanner
1 Spoorloos (the Vanishing) BostonDomah
1 Spy Kids drmurray
1 Stagecoach Buddy Jeans
1 Stardust Memories mkovac
1 Strangers on a Train shadyirish
1 Strictly Ballroom ewillND
1 Suicide Kings minister
1 Take the Money and Run Mickey
1 Tao of Steve, the MCB
1 They Died With Their Boots On RJD
1 Thief of Baghdad 47oft
1 Third Man, the Khaddafi
1 Time of Their Lives, the RJD
1 Titanic RJD
1 To Catch a Thief irishtattoo
1 Trading Places RJD
1 Trial at Nuremberg Irishjoeinnc
1 Trust Special_K
1 Truth or Consequences, N.M. Trosa
1 Twelve O'Clock High Mickey
1 Umbrellas of Cherbourg Special_K
1 Wages of Fear (original) The Shrubberer
1 Wait Until Dark ewillND
1 Way of the Gun, the minister
1 West Side Story Irishjoeinnc
1 What's Eating Gilbert Grape MCB
1 Wheeler Dealers, the irishtattoo
1 Where the Heart Is irishgambino
1 White Heat bbill99
1 White Hunter, Black Heart irishtattoo
1 Who Framed Roger Rabbit? 47oft
1 Wild at Heart bbill99
1 Wild Bunch, the Denver Jim
1 Without Limits Domer73
1 Witness for the Prosecution hobbs
1 Wolfen Mr. Natural
1 Women on the Verge... Legacy
1 Women, the hobbs
1 Woodstock REM
1 World According to Garp, the FONToKNOW
1 Wuthering Heights Mr. Natural
1 Year of Living Dangerously, the lbbeachrat
1 Yi Yi Spiral_Stairs
1 You Can Count on Me Brandywells
1 Young Lions, the irishtattoo
1 Z FONToKNOW
The "If You Haven't Seen Them, Rent Them Tonight" List
Airplane
Animal House
Apocalypse Now
Big Lebowski, the
Blazing Saddles
Blues Brothers, the
Braveheart
Caddyshack
Casablanca
Die Hard
Godfather I & II, the
Goodfellas
It's a Wonderful Life
Jerk, the
Lawrence of Arabia
Lord of the Rings - Trilogy
Monty Python & the Holy Grail
Office Space
Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs
Raiders of the Lost Ark, etc
Rudy
Saving Private Ryan
Shawshank Redemption, the
Star Wars, Empire Strikes Back
Swingers
Usual Suspects, the
Young Frankenstein
Mr. Natural's Back Room Music Poll
Backroom Top 10 of 2005
Here they are, the top 75 (or so) vote-getters in the 2005 Backroom Album Poll, along with my ridiculously biased comments. My apologies in advance to fans of the bands I don’t “get”. I think the vote totals speak for themselves and reveal my pettiness and paucity of imagination for all to see. As I’ve said elsewhere, I shouldn’t knock Sufjan and Brighteyes…variety is what makes independent music what it is. Without the relative success of artists like those, I can’t imagine anyone would be willing to pay my heroes Will Johnson (Centro-Matic, South San Gabriel), Matt Harris, Mike Drake (Oranger) and John Dufilho (Deathray Davies) to record their own quirky brand of rock. So rock on, brothers. Or folk on, whatever grabs you…
All posters were invited to send in their top 25 (or whatever) cd’s of 2005. I awarded 8 points for first place, 5 for 2-5, 4 for 6-10, 3 for 11-15, 2 for 16-20 and 1 for 21-25. I imposed very few limitations, but things like reissues and live albums of previously released material tend to limit themselves, so I single them out at the end of the poll.
I think the real value here is to look for items on your list that only got two or three votes, and look at the lists of the individuals who also voted for ‘em. I’ve found some new favorites that way in the past… I appended the individual ballots to the end of the list (sorry about all the commas, there’s got to be a better way to do this and maybe I’ll discover it by next year).
Here’s the list:
1. Eels, Blinking Lights and Other Revelations, 15 votes, 88 points. One of those albums that reveals its greatness with dedicated and repeated listening. I’m not saying it’s as great as something like Exile on Main Street. I’m not saying it’s not, though. I always wonder if a “new” album will stand the test of time. I am usually pretty sure albums by folks like Bob Dylan, Steve Earle and Tom Waits will. I’m ready to add E to that short list.
2. Bloc Party, Silent Alarm, 16 votes, 71 points. This record reminds me of Interpol’s Turn on the Bright Lights… I don’t think it’s quite that good, but many here obviously think it is. Irishted can’t stop raving about the drummer. Well, he’s right. That guy can play.
3. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, 16 votes, 70 points. I was able to get past the quirky voice and into the guitars, which I enjoyed quite a bit. I wouldn’t call this the third best album of the year, but it was pretty refreshing and it wound up being a lot of people’s favorite. Pitchfork remains pretty proud of itself…
4. My Morning Jacket, Z, 17 votes, 69 points. These guys have become a fixture among this crowd, haven’t they? Note that they lead the poll in “votes”. I found this record a bit more “Stonesy” than their previous two, and just as great in its own way. Jim James has become pretty darned reliable.
5. White Stripes, Get Behind Me Satan, 12 votes, 60 points. Here is where I start to have some problems with the voting. In the interest of accuracy, I must report that many people seemed to like this record. In the interest of honesty, I must ask “Why?” The song about the nurse is one of the most awful ones I’ve ever heard on a supposedly great rock record.
6. The Hold Steady, Separation Sunday , 11 votes, 60 points. Mr. Finn is a genuinely entertaining dude, and he’s backed by a terrific rock band. He’s bright, insightful, sardonic, funny as hell… I get Randy Newman vibes. Anybody else?
7. Spoon, Gimme Fiction, 12 votes, 50 points. I see the appeal, I really do. I just find their music too repetitive. And I realize I’m the odd man out. It’s not as though I haven’t tried. I spent my own money on two different Spoon albums, Girls Can Tell and this one. Maybe it’s just too cool for me.
8. Bright Eyes, I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning , 10 votes, 47 points. I liked the Desaparecidos album. Does that get me off the hook for not “getting” this one? I didn’t think so.
9. Sufjan Stevens, Illinois , 9 votes, 43 points. What state is next? Your guess is as good as mine, though rumor has it he was seen transcribing Bobby Knight’s Purdue locker room rant into stanza form…
10. Beck, Guero , 10 votes, 42 points. Old Reliable… this was a pretty good record, though I found it a bit of a step down from Sea Change.
11. New Pornographers, Twin Cinema, 10, 39
12. Franz Ferdinand, You Could Have Had It So Much Better , 8, 32
13. Wolf Parade, Apologies to the Queen Mary , 7, 32
14. Kanye West, Late Registration, 7, 28
15. Bruce Springsteen, Devils and Dust , 7, 27
16. Wilco, Kicking Television , 5, 26
17. Calexico/Iron & Wine, In the Reins , 4, 20
18. Ben Folds, Songs for Silverman , 3, 20
19. Neil Young, Prairie Wind , 5, 19
20. Sharon Jones & Dap Kings, Naturally , 5, 18
21. Trail of Dead, Worlds Apart , 4, 18
22. Magnolia Electric Co, What Comes After the Blues , 4, 17
23. The Decemberists, Picaresque, 4, 17
24. Rolling Stones, A Bigger Bang, 5, 16
25. Crooked Fingers, Dignity and Shame , 4, 16
26. Death Cab for Cutie, Plans, 4, 16
27. Minus the Bear, Menos El Oso, 4, 16
28. Sleater-Kinney, The Woods , 3, 16
29. South San Gabriel, The Carlton Chronicles, 3, 15
30. Deathray Davies, The Kick and the Snare, 4, 14
31. Oranger, New Comes and Goes, 4, 14
32. Silver Jews, Tanglewood Numbers , 4, 14
33. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Howl , 4, 13
34. Stars, Set Yourself on Fire , 4, 13
35. Broken Social Scene, Broken Social Scene , 3, 13
36. Idlewild, Warnings/Promises , 2, 13
37. Kaiser Chiefs, Employment, 4, 12
38. Clem Snide, End of Love , 3, 12
39. Common, Be , 3, 12
40. Ryan Adams, Cold Roses , 3, 12
41. Bettye Lavette, I’ve Got My Own Hell To Raise , 2, 12
42. Josh Rouse, Nashville , 2, 12
43. Doves, Some Cities , 3, 11
44. Gorillaz, Demon Days , 3, 11
45. Ryan Adams, Jacksonville City Nights, 3, 11
46. Sigur Ros, Takk , 3, 11
47. The Bravery, The Bravery , 3, 11
48. Kings of Leon, Aha Shake Heartbreak , 3, 10
49. LCD Soundsystem, LCD Soundsystem , 3, 10
50. Brendan Benson, The Alternative to Love , 2, 10
51. Danger Doom, The Mouse and the Mask , 3, 9
52. High Dials, War of the Wakening Phantoms , 2, 9
53. Hot Hot Heat, Elevator , 2, 9
54. Maximo Park, A Certain Trigger , 2, 9
55. Bob Mould, Body of Song , 2, 8
56. Brazilian Girls, Brazilian Girls , 2, 8
57. Caribou, Milk of Human Kindness , 2, 8
58. Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Come On Back, 2, 8
59. Lucero, Nobody’s Darlings, 2, 8
60. Okkervil River, Black Sheep Boy , 2, 8
61. Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, Face the Truth , 2, 8
62. The National, Alligator , 2, 8
63. Marah, If You Didn’t Laugh You’d Cry, 3, 7
64. Go! Team, Thunder Lightning Strike, 2, 7
65. Nada Surf, The Weight is a Gift, 2, 7
66. Robbie Fulks, Georgia Hard , 2, 7
67. Fiona Apple, Extraordinary Machine , 2, 6
68. Frank Black, Honeycomb, 2, 6
69. Jack Johnson, In Between Dreams , 2, 6
70. M83, Before Dawn Heals Us, 2, 6
71. Matisyahu, Live at Stubbs, 2, 6
72. Rosco Gordon, No Dark in America , 2, 6
73. Soundtrack of Our Lives, Origins Vol. 1 , 2, 6
74. Sun Kil Moon, Tiny Cities , 2, 6
75. Various Artists, I Believe to My Soul, 2, 6
76. Teenage Fanclub, Man-Made, 2, 5
REISSUES, SOUNDTRACKS, ETC.:
Various Artists, Scratchy Sounds: Ska, Dub Roots & Reggae Nuggets
Lee Perry, I Am The Upsetter: The Story of Lee "Scratch" Perry
Prince Far I, Silver & Gold 1973-1975
Bob Dylan, No Direction Home (Bootleg Series #7)
Various Artists, I Believe to My Soul
Various Artists, Cold Heat: Heavy Funk Rarities, Vol. 1: 1968-1974
INDIVIDUAL BALLOTS:
MR.NATURAL,
Eels, Blinking Lights and Other Revelations
Dwight Yoakam, Blame the Vain
Lockgroove, Settle Right Down
John Dufilho,
South San Gabriel, The Carlton Chronicles
Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, Naturally
My Morning Jacket, Z
Teenage Fanclub, Man-Made
High Dials, War of the Wakening Phantoms
Oranger, New Comes and Goes
Ash, Meltdown
Deathray Davies, The Kick and the Snare
Magnolia Electric Co., What Comes After the Blues
Lucero, Nobody’s Darlings
Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Come on Back
Rosco Gordon, No Dark in America
Frank Black, Honeycomb
Marah, If You Didn’t Laugh You’d Cry
Ponys, Celebration Castle
Matisyahu, Live at Stubbs
New Estate, Considering…
The Bats, At the National Grid
Various Artists, I Believe to My Soul
The High Strung, Moxie Bravo
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah,
IRISHTED,
Bloc Party, Silent Alarm
The Hold Steady, Separation Sunday
White Stripes, Get Behind Me Satan
Soundtrack of Our Lives, Origin 1
Maximo Park, A Certain Trigger
Kanye West, Late Registration
Bob Mould, Body of Song
Beck, Guero
Franz Ferdinand, You Could Have It So Much Better
Hot Hot Heat, Elevator
The Rolling Stones, A Bigger Bang
Redwalls, De Nova
The Bravery, The Bravery
Stereophonics, Language. Sex. Violence. Other?
Hellacopters, Rock & Roll Is Dead
Kings of Leon, Aha Shake Heartbreak
New Pornographers, Twin Cinema
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Howl
Dandy Warhols, Odditorium or Warlords of Mars
Black 47, Elvis Murphy's Green Suede Shoes
SCOTTNDFAN,
Broken Social Scene, Broken Social Scene
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Animal Collective, Feels
Wolf Parade, Apologies to the Queen Mary
Bright Eyes, I’m Wide Awake
Sufjan Stevens, Illinois
LCD Soundsystem, LCD Soundsystem
Lightning Bolt, Hypermagic Mountain
Bloc Party, Silent Alarm
Thunderbirds are Now!, Justamustache
M83, Before Dawn Heals Us
STEEDLE,
matt pond PA, Several Arrows Later
South San Gabriel , The Carlton Chronicles
Okkervil River , Black Sheep Boy
Mountain Goats, The Sunshine Tree
Oranger, New Comes and Goes
Minus the Bear, Menos el Oso
Silver Jews, Tanglewood Numbers
The Decemberists, Picaresque
My Morning Jacket, Z
Bloc Party, Silent Alarm
STANFORDDOMER,
Idlewild, Warnings/Promises
Eels, Blinking Lights and Other Revelations
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Howl
Common, Be
Trail of Dead, Worlds Apart
Deathray Davies, The Kick and the Snare
Bloc Party, Silent Alarm
Kanye West, Late Registration
Sleater-Kinney, The Woods
My Morning Jacket, Z
Gorillaz, Demon Days
The New Pornographers, Twin Cinema
stellastarr*, Harmonies For The Haunted
Beck, Guero
The Go! Team, Thunder Lightning Strike
OFFICER TIM MCCARTHY,
Eels, Blinking Lights and Other Revelations
The White Stripes, Get Behind Me Satan
Bloc Party, Silent Alarm
Bloc Party (and friends), Silent Alarm Remixed
The Bad Plus, Blunt Object: Live in Tokyo
Four Tet, Everything Ecstatic
Brazilian Girls, Brazilian Girls
The Hold Steady, Separation Sunday
Matisyahu, Live at Stubb's
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Naturally
Bright Eyes, I’m Wide Awake
Prefuse 73, Surrounded by Silence
The Bad Plus, Suspicious Activity
Snow Patrol, The Trip Vol. 4
Thelonius Monk & John Coltrane, Live at Carnegie Hall
Ladytron, Witching Hour
LCD Soundsystem, LCD Soundsystem
Willie Nelson, Countryman
Engineers, Engineers
Toby Keith, Honkytonk U
IRISHVOL,
Eels, Blinking Lights and Other Revelations
Lucero, Nobody's Darlings
Spoon, Gimme Fiction
My Morning Jacket, Z
The Hold Steady, Separation Sunday
Bob Mould, Body of Song
Clem Snide, End of Love
Frank Black, Honeycomb
Rosco Gordon, No Dark in America
Kings of Leon, Aha Shake Heartbreak
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah,
Deathray Davies, The Kick and the Snare
Sharon Jones & Dap Kings, Naturally
Bloc Party, Silent Alarm
Hubert Sumlin, About Them Shoes
Spinto Band, Nice and Nicely Done
Crooked Fingers, Dignity and Shame
Oranger, New Comes and Goes
Nada Surf, The Weight is a Gift
SPIRAL STAIRS,
Magnolia Electric Co, What Comes After the Blues
Bloc Party, Silent Alarm
Impossible Shapes, Horus
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, Broom
Spoon, Gimme Fiction
Sleater-Kinney, The Woods
My Morning Jacket, Z
Silver Jews, Tanglewood Numbers
Caribou, Milk of Human Kindness
Edan, Beauty and the Beat
Broken Social Scene, Broken Social Scene
The (International) Noise Conspiracy, Armed Love
Wolf Parade, Apologies to the Queen Mary
Beak, I Have Friends and I'm Not Afraid to Use Them
NDANA JONES,
Sufjan Stevens, Illinois
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Crooked Fingers, Dignity and Shame
Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, Naturally
The Blue Van, The Art of Rolling
Kings of Leon, Aha Shake Heartbreak
The Hold Steady, Separation Sunday
The Decemberists, Picaresque
I Am Kloot, Gods and Monsters
Calexico/Iron & Wine, In the Reins
The White Stripes, Get Behind Me
Little Barrie, We Are Little Barrie
Marah, If You Didn't Laugh
My Morning Jacket, Z
Clem Snide, End of Love
Eddie Spaghetti, Old No. 2 (I have a weakness for the Supersuckers; sue me)
Constantines, Tournament of Hearts
Supergrass, Road to Rouen
The Rosebuds, Birds Make Good Neighbors
Magnolia Electric Co., What Comes After the Blues
Sun Kil Moon, Tiny Cities
Silver Jews, Tanglewood Numbers
Sigur Ros, Takk
Danger Doom, The Mouse and the Mask
Spoon, Gimme Fiction
FRANCISCO BROS,
The Hold Steady, Separation Sunday
Silver Jews, Tanglewood Numbers
Spoon, Gimme Fiction
Walking Concert, Run to Be Born (2004)
Clem Snide, End of Love
Bright Eyes, I’m Wide Awake It’s Morning
Neil Young, Prairie Wind
Eels, Blinking Lights and Other Revelations
Frames, Burn the Maps
Stephen Malkmus, Face the Truth
Oranger, New Comes and Goes
My Morning Jacket, Z
Rolling Stones, Bigger Bang
System of a Down, Mezmerize
Beck, Guero
Bruce Springsteen, Devils and Dust
ROCKSTEADY74,
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
The High Dials, The War of Wakening Phantoms
Eels, Blinking Lights and Other Revelations
Lee Perry, I Am The Upsetter: The Story of Lee "Scratch" Perry
Rogue Wave, Descended Like Vultures
Maximo Park, A Certain Trigger
The New Pornographers, Twin Cinema
Various Artists, Scratchy Sounds
Nic Armstrong & the Thieves, The Greatest White Liar
Sufjan Stevens, Illinois
Spoon, Gimmie Fiction
My Morning Jacket, Z
Bloc Party, Silent Alarm
Okkervil River, Black Sheep Boy
Stars, Set Yourself on Fire
The White Stripes, Get Behind Me Satan
Prince Far I, Silver & Gold 1973-1975
The Wolf Parade, Apologies to the Queen Mary
Silversun Pickups. Pikul ,
Jack Johnson, In Between Dreams
Teenage Fanclub, Man-Made
The Bats, At the National Grid
matt pond PA, Several Arrows Later
The Wedding Present, Take Fountain
The Kaiser Chiefs, Employment
MIKEMAN,
Josh Rouse, Nashville
Ryan Adams, Cold Roses
David Gray, Life in Slow Motion
Bob Dylan, No Direction Home (Bootleg Series #7)
Girlyman, Little Star
Josh Joplin, Jaywalker
Bruce Springsteen, Devils and Dust
Glenn Phillips, Winter Pays for the Summer
The Wallflowers, Rebel Sweetheart
Neil Young, Prarie Wind
Van Morrison, Magic Time
Ryan Adams, Jacksonville City Nights
JD IN PORTLAND ,
Bettye Lavette, I’ve Got My Own Hell To Raise.
Eels, Blinking Lights and Other Revelations
White Stripes, Get Behind Me Satan
Various Artists, I Believe to My Soul
Richmond Fontaine, The Fitzgerald
Wilco, Kicking Television
Chocolate Genius Inc., Black Yankee Rock
My Morning Jacket, Z
John Doe, Forever Hasn’t Happened Yet
M. Ward, Transistor Radio
Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion, Exploration
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Howl
Neil Young, Prairie Wind
Graham Parker, Songs of No Consequence
Bright Eyes, I’m Wide Awake
Spoon, Gimme Fiction
Steve Dawson, Sweet is the Anchor
Son Volt, Okemah and the Melody of Riot
Robbie Fulks, Georgia Hard
North Mississippi All Stars, Elecrtic Blue Watermelon
BRANDYWELLS,
The Eels, Blinking Lights and Other Revelations
Robbie Fulks, Georgia Hard
Wilco, Kicking Television
Calexico/Iron & Wine, In the Reins
Broken Social Scene, Broken Social Scene
Beck, Guero
New Pornographers, Twin Cinema
My Morning Jacket, Z
Earlimart, Treble and Tremble
DILLON1998,
Bright Eyes, Wide Awake It's Morning
White Stripes, Get Behind Me Satan
Beck, Guero
Sufjan Stevens, Illinoise
Wilco, Kicking Television
Eels, Blinking Lights and Other Revelations
The Go! Team, Thunder Lightning Strike
Kanye West, Late Registration
The Hold Steady, Separation Sunday
Franz Ferdinand, You Could Have it So Much Better
ROCKET7,
Carbon Leaf, Indian Summer
James Blunt, Back to Bedlam
Bruce Springsteen, Devils and Dust
Amos Lee, Amos Lee
MOSJEFFINATELY,
Wolf Parade, Apologies to the Queen Mary
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Bloc Party, Silent Alarm
Wilderness, Wilderness
Lou Barlow, Emoh
The Boy Least Likely To, Best Party Ever
Franz Ferdinand, You Could Have It So Much Better
Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, Face the Truth
Danger Doom, Danger Doom
Minus the Bear, Menos El Oso
BLAZESBOYLAN,
Hold Steady, Separation Sunday
The National, Alligator
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah ,
Greg Dulli's Amber Headlights ,
Crooked Fingers, Dignity and Shame
Eels, Blinking Lights and Other Revelations
FINAL FLANNER,
Ben Folds, Songs for Silverman
Sufjan Stevens, Illinois
Beck, Guero
Weezer, Make Bel
ieve
The Decemberists, Picaresque
PLAXICO,
Eels, Blinking Lights
Saxon Shore, The Exquisite Death of Saxon Shore
Wolf Parade, Apologies to the Queen Mary
The Bravery, The Bravery
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Bloc Party, Silent Alarm
Hammock, Kenotic
LCD Soundsystem, LCD Soundsystem
Franz Ferdinand, You Could Have Had It So Much Better
Brazilian Girls, Brazilian Girls
M83, Before Dawn Heals Us
The National, Alligator
Minus the Bear, Menos el Oso
Stars, Set Yourself on Fire
Kaiser Chiefs, Employment
ARSENAL,
Ben Folds, Songs for Silverman
Bloc Party, Silent Alarm
Hot Hot Heat, Elevator
Sufjan Stevens, Illinois
Kanye West, Late Registration
Bruce Springsteen, Devils and Dust
White Stripes, Get Behind Me Satan
Jack Johnson, In Between Dreams
Trail of Dead, Worlds Apart
The Hold Steady, Separation Sunday
Calexico/Iron & Wine, In the Reins
Franz Ferdinand, You Could Have It So Much Better
Bright Eyes, I’m Wide Awake It’s Morning
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah,
Gorillaz, Demon Days
Audioslave, Your Time Has Come
Foo Fighters, In Your Honor
Rolling Stones, Bigger Bang
Death Cab for Cutie, Plans
Spoon, Gimme Fiction
GMATOUS,
Eels, Blinking Lights and Other Revelations
New Pornographers, Twin Cinema
South San Gabriel, The Carlton Chronicles
Neil Young, Prairie Wind
Spoon, Gimme Fiction
Doug Gillard, Salamander
GLOVEND,
New Pornographers, Twin Cinema
Bloc Party, Silent Alarm
Hold Steady, Separation Sunday
White Stripes, Get Behind Me Satan
My Morning Jacket, Z
Spoon, Gimme Fiction
Bright Eyes, I’m Wide Awake It’s Morning
Sufjan Stevens, Illinois
Bruce Springsteen, Devils and Dust
Franz Ferdinand, You Could Have It So Much Better
Kanye West, Late Registration
Ryan Adams and the Cardinals, Cold Roses
Richard Buckner and Jon Langford, Sir Dark Invader vs. the Fanglord
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah,
The Bravery ,
Marah, If You Didn't Laugh You'd Cry
SHADYIRISH,
Black Mountain, Black Mountain
Brendan Benson, The Alternative to Love
Bright Eyes, I'm Wide Awake It's Morning
The Magic Numbers, The Magic Numbers
Nickel Creek, Why Should The Fire Die?
The Rolling Stones, A Bigger Bang
NAUGHMAN,
Hold Steady, Separation Saturday
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, s/t
Spoon, Gimme Fiction
Wolf Parade, Apologies to the Queen Mary
Clipse, We Got It 4 Cheap Vol. 2
Kanye West, Late Registration
White Stripes, Get Behind Me Satan
Sage Francis, A Healthy Distrust
New Pornographers, Twin Cinema
Caribou, The Milk of Human Kindness
Bloc Party, Silent Alarm
My Morning Jacket, Z
Beck, Guero
Fiona Apple, Extraordinary Machine
eels, Blinking Lights and Other Revelations
Common, Be
Doves, Some Cities
MIA, Arular
Sharon Jones & Dap Kings, Naturally
Fannypack, See You Next Tuesday
SLAINTE JOE,
Hayes Carll, Little Rock
New Pornographers, Twin Cinema
Portastatic, Bright Ideas
Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Come On Back
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Bettye LaVette, I've Got My Own Hell To Raise
Caitlin Cary and Thad Cockrell, Begonias
The Deathray Davies, The Kick and the Snare
NDFLANNER,
White Stripes, Get Behind Me Satan
Coldplay, X&Y
Billy Corgan, TheFutureEmbrace
Death Cab for Cutie, Plans
Common, Be
Ben Folds, Songs for Silverman
Bruce Springsteen, Devils and Dust
Kanye West, Late Registration
John Hiatt, Master of Disaster
The Rolling Stones, A Bigger Bang
THE TWERP,
The White Stripes, Get Behind Me Satan
New Pornographers, Twin Cinema
My Morning Jacket, Z
Brendan Benson, The Alternative to Love
Franz Ferdinand, You Could Have it So Much Better
KNUTESTEEN,
Wilco, Kicking Television
Eels, Blinking Lights and Other Revelations
Bloc Party, Silent Alarm
My Morning Jacket, Z
Doves, Some Cities
Kraftwerk, Minimum-Maximum
Kaiser Chiefs, Employment
Bruce Springsteen, Devils and Dust
Franz Ferdinand, You Could Have It So Much Better
PAPAL451,
bloc party, silent alarm
nada surf, the weight is a gift
sigur ros, takk
arcade fire, funeral
death cab for cutie, plans
trail of dead, worlds apart
the von bondies, pawn shoppe heart
doves, some cities
ryan adams, jackson city nights
danger doom, the mouse and the mask
NDLARRYJ,
Architecture in Helsinki, In Case We Die
Beck, Guero
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah ,
Eels, Blinking Lights
Gorillaz, Demon Days
Josh Rouse, Nashville
Stars, Set Yourself on Fire
Wolf Parade, Apologies to the Queen Mary
Louis XIV, The Best Little Secrets are Kept
NIN, With Teeth
NDTRUMPET,
Iron & Wine/Calexico, In the Reins
Sun Kil Moon, Tiny Cities
Minus the Bear, Menos el Oso
Sigur Ros, Takk
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah,
Magnolia Electric Co, What Comes After the Blues
New Pornographers, Twin Cinema
Iron & Wine, Woman King
My Morning Jacket, Z
Death Cab for Cutie, Plans
IRISHNC12,
Bright Eyes, I’m Wide Awake It’s Morning
The Hold Steady, Separation Sunday
Beck, Guero
Bright Eyes, Digital Ash for a Digital Urn
White Stripes, Get Behind Me Satan
Kaiser Chiefs, Employment
Sufjan Stevens, Illinois
Wilco, Kicking Television
Soundtrack of Our Lives, Origins Vol. 1
My Morning Jacket, Z
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Howl
Neil Young, Prairie Wind
Fiona Apple, Extraordinary Machine
New Pornographers, Twin Cinema
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah,
CHAPEL HILL IRISH,
Spoon, Gimme Fiction
My Morning Jacket, Z
Bloc Party, Silent Alarm
Watchers, The Dunes Phase
Idlewild, Warnings/Promises
Ryan Adams & The Cardinals, Cold Roses
Ryan Adams & The Cardinals, Jacksonville City Lights
Kathleen Edwards, Back to Me
Sufjan Stevens, Illinois
Crooked Fingers, Dignity and Shame
Stars, Set Yourself on Fire
The White Stripes, Get Behind Me Satan
OLLIE MCCLELLAN,
Sleater-Kinney, The Woods
The Duhks ,
Beck, Guero
Spoon, Gimme Fiction
Broken Social Scene ,
The Decemberists, Picaresque
The Faint, Wet From Birth
John Prine, Fair and Square
Bright Eyes, I'm Wide Awake It's Morning
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah,
Backroom Top 10 of 2004
I present to you the top vote-getters in the 2004 ND Nation Album Poll. I awarded 10 points per first place vote, 8 for all others ranked 2-5, 6 for albums ranked 6-10, 4 for 11-15, and 2 for 16-20. There are exactly 50 albums which garnered more than one vote from Backroomers. I also will submit the individual lists for entry in the Almanac… if you see that one of your favorites got only two or three votes, look up the others who dug it and see if there are treasures on their list to be had. One observation: This year’s list is a little, uh, whiter than last year’s…
1. Modest Mouse, Good News for People Who Love Bad News, 120 points, 16 mentions. Containing likely song-of-the-year medalist “Float On”, this album offered some of the most bracing rock sounds in a year full of them… Isaac Brock doesn’t follow a lot of rules, but with his talent, he gets away with it for the most part.
2. Franz Ferdinand, Franz Ferdinand, 112 points, 16 mentions. They’re Scottish, right? Or Welsh? I liked them pretty well, but to be completely honest, I don’t think they rock as hard as the Hives, Interpol or any number of unknown American garage-rock bands (Dirtbombs, High Strung, Reigning Sound, Sights)… but everybody else seems to like them. Go for it, dude.
3. Ted Leo & Pharmacists, Shake the Sheets, 96 points, 13 mentions. Which Notre Dame alum had the biggest 2004? Ted Leo or Charlie Weis?
4. Wilco, A Ghost is Born, 88 points, 12 mentions. In my opinion, they have outdone Yankee Hotel Foxtrot by a mile. I know Tweedy’s recycling influences pretty shamelessly (Crazy Horse guitar workouts, Neu synth/drum machine jams), but you know what? It’s not who you steal from, but how good you are that counts. Wilco is very good… maybe their strongest effort to date.
5. Arcade Fire, Funeral, 82 points, 11 mentions. This record came out of nowhere in late fall to knock a bunch of really great records down the list. It’s a rare record that both grabs you with its catchiness and grows on you with its richness and lyrics. Here’s one.
6. Interpol, Antics, 64 points, 9 mentions. No sophomore slump for this band, reputed to be one of the hardest-working in the business. It’s funny to me that they’re almost exactly half as popular as Franz Ferdinand. I think if this was the debut and FF was the followup effort, the positions would be exactly reversed…
7. Black Keys, Rubber Factory, 66 points, 8 mentions. Believe the hype, and don’t believe the conventional wisdom (most often true) that skinny white kids can’t play the blues. They play the blues, all right. They chew them up and spit them out in chunks.
8. Killers, Hot Fuss, 58 points, 8 mentions. One of a plethora of very good postpunk rock bands to arrive in 2004 (see Ferdinand, Franz and Fire, Arcade), these guys got the benefit of an appearance on the soundtrack to The O.C. (Some TV show all the kids watch…)
9. Loretta Lynn, Van Lear Rose, 50 points, 8 mentions. Jack White produced the album with his trademark Led Zep-blues-meets-grunge sound, but Loretta wrote all the songs and proved she still has the chops to hold her own with a bunch of rock players half her age.
10. U2, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, 52 points, 7 mentions. Hey! How the hell did this get on here? I thought we only liked "critics' darlings"? Blame it on Steve Jobs, I guess.
Rounding out the top 50
11. Kanye West, The College Dropout, 50, 7
12. Walkmen, Bows + Arrows, 44, 7
13. Guided by Voices, Half Smiles of the Decomposed, 46, 6
14. Drive by Truckers, The Dirty South, 44, 6
15. Brian Wilson, Smile, 40, 6
16. Elliott Smith, From a Basement on the Hill, 38, 6
17. Snow Patrol, Final Straw, 34, 6
18. Iron & Wine, Our Endless Numbered Days, 34, 5
19. Richard Buckner, Dents and Shells, 34, 4
20. Garden State, Soundtrack, 30, 4
21. The Streets, A Grand Don't Come For Free, 30, 4
22. TV on the Radio, Desperate Youth Blood Thirsty Babes, 28, 4
23. Tift Merritt, Tambourine, 24, 4
24. Willie Nelson, It Always Will Be, 14, 4
25. Prince, Musicology, 24, 3
26. Thermals, Fuckin A, 24, 3
27. Ponys, Laced With Romance, 22, 3
28. Old 97's, Drag It Up, 20, 3
29. Stereolab, Margarine Eclipse, 20, 3
30. Umphrey's McGee, Anchor Drops, 18, 3
31. Rockfour, Nationwide, 16, 3
32. Elvis Costello, Delivery Man, 14, 3
33. Beastie Boys, To the 5 Boroughs, 18, 2
34. Jim White, Drill a Hole in that Substrate and Tell Me What You See, 18, 2
35. Green Day, American Idiot, 16, 2
36. Five for Fighting, The Battle for Everything, 14, 2
37. Jim Lauderdale, Headed for the Hills, 14, 2
38. Los Lobos, The Ride, 14, 2
39. Pinback, Summer in Abaddon, 14, 2
40. Allison Moorer, The Duel, 12, 2
41. Johnathon Rice, Untitled EP, 12, 2
42. Marah, 20000 Streets Under the Sky, 12, 2
43. Mission of Burma, OnOffOn, 12, 2
44. Rogue Wave, Out of the Shadow, 12, 2
45. Sonic Youth, Sonic Nurse, 12, 2
46. Unicorns, Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone?, 12, 2
47. Xiu Xiu, Fabulous Muscles, 12, 2
48. Zero 7, When it Falls, 12, 2
49. David Kilgour, Frozen Orange, 8, 2
50. Tom Waits, Real Gone, 8, 2
And here are all the entries...
STANFORD DOMER
Black Keys, Rubber Factory
Social Distortion, Sex Love and Rock & Roll
The Killers, Hot Fuss
Los Lobos, The Ride
Franz Ferdinand, Franz Ferdinand
Los Lonely Boys, Los Lonely Boys
Wilco, A Ghost is Born
Loretta Lynn, Van Lear Rose
Interpol, Antics
Snow Patrol, Final Straw
NAUGHMAN
The Arcade Fire, Funeral
Loretta Lynn, Van Lear Rose
Walkmen, Bows + Arrows
Black Keys, Rubber Factory
Drive-By Truckers, The Dirty South
Kanye West, The College Dropout
Ted Leo/Pharmacists, Shake the Sheets
Guided By Voices, Half Smiles of the Decomposed
Foreign Exchange, Connected
TV on the Radio, Desperate Youth Blood Thirsty Babes
Secret Machines, Now Here is Nowhere
Ghostface, Pretty Toney Album
The Libertines, The Libertines
Rockfour, Nationwide
Neko Case, The Tigers Have Spoken
SCOTTNDFAN,
Arcade Fire, Funeral
Modest Mouse, Good News..
Interpol, Antics
Pinback, Summer in Abaddon
Wilco, A Ghost is Born
!!!, Louden Up Now
Iron and Wine, Our Endless Numbered Days
Blonde Redhead, Misery is a Butterfly
Ted Leo/Pharmacists, Shake the Sheets
Xiu Xiu, Fabulous Muscles
Elliott Smith, From a Basement on the Hill
Sonic Youth, Sonic Nurse
Franz Ferdinand, S/T
Unicorns, Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone?
Walkmen, Bows + Arrows
IRISHNC12
Modest Mouse, Good news For People Who Love Bad News
Franz Ferdinand, Franz Ferdinand
Black Keys, Rubber Factory
Elliot Smith, From a basement on the hill
The Streets, A Grand don’t come for free
Willie Nelson, It always will be
Loretta Lynn, Van Lear Rose
Interpol, Antics
Green Day, American Idiot
The Killers, Hot Fuss
MR.NATURAL
Guided by Voices, Half Smiles of the Decomposed
Black Keys, Rubber Factory
Richard Buckner, Dents and Shells
Will Johnson, Vultures Await
Jim Lauderdale, Headed for the Hills
Wilco, A Ghost is Born
The Arcade Fire, Funeral
The Ponys, Laced With Romance
Rockfour, Nationwide
Los Lobos, The Ride
Matthew Sweet, Kimi Ga Suki * Raifu
Allison Moorer, The Duel
Anders Parker, Tell It to the Dust
Mark Lanegan Band, Bubblegum
Modest Mouse, Good News for People Who Love Bad News
David Kilgour, Frozen Orange
Richmond Fontaine, Post to Wire
Willie Nelson, It Always Will Be
Tom Waits, Real Gone
Loretta Lynn, Van Lear Rose
The Features, Exhibit A
Preston School of Industry, Monsoon
Human Television, All Songs Written by Human Television
McLusky, The Difference Between You and Me Is That I’m Not on Fire
Mission of Burma, Onoffon
IRISHTED
Black Keys, Rubber Factory
Killers, Hot Fuss
Say Anything, Say Anything Is A Real Boy
Ted Leo/Pharmacists, Shake the Sheets
U2, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
Prince, Musicology
Arcade Fire, Funeral
Velvet Revolver, Contraband
Walkmen, Bows + Arrows
Kanye West, The College Dropout
NDGLOVE
Richard Buckner, Dents and Shells
Black Keys, Rubber Factory
Killers, Hot Fuss
Arcade Fire, Funeral
Garden State, Soundtrack
Steve Earle, The Revolution Starts Now
Iron and Wine, Our Endless Numbered Days
Wilco, A Ghost is Born
Franz Ferdinand, Franz Ferdinand
Elliott Smith, From a Basement on the Hill
IRISHTEXAN
Sloan, Action Pact
Pedro the Lion, Achilles Heel
Rogue Wave, Out of the Shadow
Stereophonics, You Gotta Go There to Come Back
U2, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
Mason Jennings, Use Your Voice
Wilco, A Ghost Is Born
O.A.R., 34th & 8th
Modest Mouse, Good News...
Iron & Wine, Our Endless Numbered Days
DJ Danger Mouse, The Grey Album
Ted Leo, Shake the Streets
Five for Fighting, The Battle for Everything
Elvis Costello, Delivery Man
Willie Nelson, It Always Will Be
MIKEMAN
Five for Fighting, The Battle for Everything
Ike Reilly Assassination, Sparkle in the Finish
Bob Dylan, Bootleg Series 6: Concert at Philharmonic Hall
Elliott Smith, From a Basement on the Hill
Grey Delisle, Graceful Ghost
U2, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
Brian Wilson, Smile
HALMAN
Modest Mouse, Good News for People Who Love Bad News
Interpol, Antics
Talib Kweli, The Beautiful Struggle
Tortoise, It's All Around You
Stereolab, Margarine Eclipse
IRISHVOL
Wilco, A Ghost is Born
Black Keys, Rubber Factory
Bobby Bare Jr, From the End of Your Leash
Drive-By Truckers, The Dirty South
Allison Moorer, The Duel
Kanye West, The College Dropout
Jim Lauderdale, Headed for the Hills
Interpol, Antics
Old 97's, Drag It Up
Arcade Fire, Funeral
Guided By Voices, Half Smiles of the Decomposed
Tift Merritt, Tambourine
Elvis Costello, Delivery Man
Umphrey's McGee, Anchor Drops
Marah, 20000 Streets Under the Sky
Muse, Absolution
Modest Mouse, Good News for People Who Love Bad News
Ted Leo/Pharmacists, Shake the Sheets
Snow Patrol, The Final Straw
Features, Exhibit A
THE TWERP
Modest Mouse, Good News for People Who Love Bad News
Black Keys, Rubber Factory
Franz Ferdinand, Franz Ferdinand
Ted Leo & the Pharmacists, Shake the Sheets
Kill Bill 2, Soundtrack
Garden State, Soundtrack
U2, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
DILLON1998
Wilco, A Ghost is Born
Modest Mouse, Good News for People Who Love Bad News
Guided By Voices, Half Smiles of the Decomposed
Ted Leo/Pharmacists, Shake the Sheets
Kanye West, College Dropout
Franz Ferdinand, Franz Ferdinand
FRANCISCO BROTHERS
Breakup Society, James at 35
Unicorns, Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone?
Ted Leo/Pharmacists, Shake the Sheets
Thermals, Fuckin A
Drive-By Truckers, The Dirty South
Tom Waits, Real Gone
Wykantaug Monks, [tanks] (EP)
Arcade Fire, Funeral
Wilco, A Ghost is Born
Midgetmen, High Life
ROCKSTEADY 74
The Ponys, Laced With Romance
The Futureheads, The Futureheads
The Libertines, The Libertines
Arcade Fire, Funeral
Snow Patrol, The Final Straw
Joseph Arthur, Our Shadows Will Remain
Franz Ferdinand, Franz Ferdinand
David Kilgour, Frozen Orange
Human Television, All Songs by Human Television
TV on the Radio, Desperate Youth Blood Thirsty Babes
Modest Mouse, Good News for People Who Like Bad News
Dogs Die In Hot Cars, Please Describe Yourself
Rogue Wave, Out of the Shadow
Camera Obscura, Underacheivers Please Try Harder
Citizen Cope, Clarence Greenwood Recordings
ODDBALL
Franz Ferdinand, Franz Ferdinand
Interpol, Antics
Garden State, Soundtrack
A.C. Newman, The Slow Wonder
Modest Mouse, Good News for People Who Love Bad News
Elliott Smith, From a Basement on the Hill
Walkmen, Bows + Arrows
Killers, Hot Fuss
Streets, A Grand Don't Come For Free
Snow Patrol, The Final Straw
Green Day, American Idiot
Citizen Cope, Clarence Greenwood Recordings
Iron and Wine, Our Endless Numbered Days
Kanye West, The College Dropout
Keane, Hopes and Fears
OFCR TIM MCCARTHY
Madvillain, Madvillainy
The Go! Team, Thunder Lightning Strike
The Bad Plus, Give
Fila Brazillia, The Life & Times of Phoebus Brumal / Dicks
Interpol, Antics
Loretta Lynn, Van Lear Rose
Arcade Fire, Funeral
Brian Wilson, Smile
Eagles of Death Metal, Peace Love Death Metal
Scissor Sisters, Scissor Sisters
William Basinski, Disintegration Loops
V/A, Pathe 100: The Original Shanghai Divas
Tim Deluxe, The Little Ginger Club Kid
The Black Keys, Rubber Factory
Franz Ferdinand, Franz Ferdinand
Willie Nelson, It Always Will Be
Jason Forrest, The Unrelenting Songs of the 1979 Post Disco Crash
Amp Fiddler, Waltz of a Ghetto Fly
Savath & Savalas, Manana
Toots & the Maytals , True Love
JAMESON
Ted Leo, Shake the Streets
Modest Mouse, Good News
Marah, 20000 Streets Under the Sky
The Killers, Hot Fuss
The Hives, Tyrannosaurus Hives
Richard Buckner, Dents and Shells
Wilco, A Ghost Is Born
Old 97's, Drag It Up
Rilo Kiley, More Adventurous
NDMANORITE
Modest Mouse, Good News...
Kanye West, College Dropout
Loretta Lynn, Van Lear Rose
The Streets, A Grand Don't Come For Free
Wilco, A Ghost Is Born
Brian Wilson, SMiLE
Snow Patrol, Final Straw
Elliot Smith, From a Basement on the Hill
The Fiery Furnaces, Blueberry Boat
The Walkmen, Bows and Arrows
The Samples, Black and White
Air, Talkie Walkie
Jay Farrar, Stone Steel & Bright Lights
Stereolab, Margerine Eclipse
Franz Ferdinand, Franz Ferdinand
FINAL FLANNER
Ted Leo/Pharmacists, Shake the Sheets
Modest Mouse, Good News for People Who Love Bad News
U2, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
Franz Ferdinand, Franz Ferdinand
Beastie Boys, To the 5 Boroughs
FOFM
Richard Buckner, Dents and Shells
Sonic Youth, Sonic Nurse
Earlimart, Treble & Tremble
Nick Cave, Abbatoir Blues
Jim White, Drill a Hole in that Substrate and Tell Me What You See
Franz Ferdinand, Franz Ferdinand
Stereolab, Margerine Eclipse
Zero 7, When it Falls
Johnathon Rice, Untitled EP
Tift Merritt, Tambourine
GMATOUS
Guided By Voices, Half Smiles of the Decomposed
Ted Leo/Pharmacists, Shake the Sheets
Robert Pollard, Fiction Man
Thermals, Fuckin A
Arcade Fire, Funeral
Rockfour, Nationwide
Drive-By Truckers, The Dirty South
Von Bondies, Pawn Shoppe Heart
MT IRISH
Morrissy, you are the quarry
The Ponys, laced with romance
Felix da Housecat, devin dazzle and the neon fever
The Streets, a grand don't come for free
These Arms Are Snakes, The lion sleeps
TV on the Radio, desperate youth bloodthirsty babes
The Killers, hot fuss
Franz Ferdinand, s/t
VHS or Beta, night on fire
Snow Patrol, final straw
JACKSDADDY
Beastie Boys, To the 5 Boroughs
Wilco, A Ghost is Born
Old 97's, Drag It Up
Modest Mouse, Good News for People Who Love Bad News
Musicology, Prince
Black Keys, Rubber Factory
Danger Mouse, The Grey Album
Loretta Lynn, Van Lear Rose
Kanye West, The College Dropout
Brian Wilson, Smile
JD IN PORTLAND
Jim White, Drill a Hole in that Substrate...
Brian Wilson, Smile
Camper van Beethoven, New Roman Times
Loretta Lynn, Van Lear Blues
Guided by Voices, Half Smiles of the Decomposed
Elvis Costello, Delivery Man
R.E.M., Around the Sun
Ellis Hooks, Uncomplicated
Drive by Truckers, The Dirty South
Chris Stamey, Travels in the South
BNGFAN
Iron and Wine, Our Endless Numbered Days
Franz Ferdinand, Franz Ferdinand
Modest Mouse, Good News for People Who Love Bad News
Umphrey's Mcgee, Anchor Drops
Garden State, Soundtrack
BLUEFIELD
Green Day, American Idiot
Brian Wilson, SMiLE
The Grateful Dead, The Closing of Winterland
Drive By Truckers, The Dirty South
U2, How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb
TBSONE
Kanye West, The College Dropout
U2, ...Atomic Bomb
Franz Ferdinand, Franz Ferdinand
Linkin Park/Jay-Z, Numb/Encore
Gretchen Wilson, Here for the Party
FERNDOG
Prince, Musicology
Franz Ferdinand, Franz Ferdinand
The Killers, Hot Fuss
Tift Merritt, Tambourine
Starsailor, Silence Is Easy
Iron & Wine, Our Endless Munbered Days
Interpol, Antics
Keane, Hopes & Fears
SPIRAL STAIRS
TV on the Radio, Desperate Youth Bloodthirsty Babes
Wilco, A Ghost is Born
Interpol, Antics
Walkmen, Bows + Arrows
Ted Leo/Pharmacists, Shake the Sheets
Mission of Burma, OnOffOn
Umphrey's McGee, Anchor Drops
Aloha, Here Comes Everyone
Franz Ferdinand, Franz Ferdinand
Xiu Xiu, Fabulous Muscles
Beak, Amoral Mayor Earwig
BLAZESBOYLAN
Ted Leo & Pharmacists, Shake the Sheets
Arcade Fire, Funeral
Thermals, Fuckin A
Mclusky, The Difference Between You and Me is I'm Not On Fire
American Music Club, Love Songs for Patriots
Walkmen, Bows & Arrows
Pinback, Summer in Abaddon
Blue Nile, High
Modest Mouse, Good News for People Who Love Bad News
Mission of Burma, OnOffOn
Backroom Top 10 of 2003
Here are the top ten vote-getters. As I mentioned, I gave 4 points for first place, 3 for 2nd or 3rd, 2 for 4th-6th, and 1 for 7th-10th.
1. My Morning Jacket, It Still Moves. Great throwback album gives you that blacklight poster feeling again. 11 mentions, 30 points, 2 first place votes.
2. Outkast, Speakerboxx/The Love Below. Massive quantities of catchy beats and rhymes, and enough quality to top several lists. 7 mentions, 24 points, 4 first place votes.
3. Warren Zevon, The Wind. Did he record his best album on his deathbed? That "Knocking on Heaven's Door" is pretty haunting, but it's also a great cover of a great song. 8 mentions, 21 points, 2 first place votes.
4. The Jayhawks, Rainy Day Music. Seems like a return to form for this durable alt/country band. I think their touring the last couple of years has helped raise awareness… 7 mentions, 19 points, 1 first place vote.
5. Robert Randolph, Unclassified. I guess I need to get this record. Hard to argue with the company it’s in on this chart… 5 mentions, 17 points, 3 first place votes.
6. The Shins, Chutes Too Narrow. Mercer’s songwriting skills have grown since “Oh, Inverted World”. The songs are subtler, the lyrics are more discernible (and better). No sophomore slump here… 8 mentions, 16 points, 2 first place votes.
7. Radiohead, Hail to the Thief. “Fear of Rock” retains a spot in the top ten. I am unqualified to comment on this record. Others’ comments welcome… 7 mentions, 16 points, 1 first place vote.
8. Guided by Voices, Earthquake Glue. If you put together all the votes for the FIVE GbV titles in the survey, plus the votes for Lifeguards and Robert Pollard’s Motel of Fools, they might be #1. But I’d rather have the quantity than have him try to distill his magic… 5 mentions, 16 points, 2 first place votes.
9. Ted Leo & Pharmacists, Hearts of Oak. Great breakout year for Notre Dame’s most visible indie rock graduate. Oh, what’s that? He’s the ONLY indie-rock graduate? Doesn’t lessen the accomplishment a bit… 5 mentions, 13 points, 1 first place vote.
10. (tie) Centro-Matic, Love You Just the Same. Mr.Natural is happy he talked enough of you into buying this to vote it into the top ten. All the rest of you, what are you waiting for? Pure rock enjoyment, that’s what! 5 mentions, 12 points, 2 first place votes.
10. (tie) New Pornographers, Electric Version. Super-catchy power pop from Canadian indie supergroup. The song “The Laws Have Changed” is the one that pulls it all together for them, with Neko Case’s spectacular vocals… 5 mentions, 12 points, 1 first place vote.
10. (tie) Joe Strummer, Streetcore. As Rocksteady 74 said, “Sympathy vote? Who cares!” Another artist who had been doing some of his greatest work nearly 30 years after his first… 5 mentions, 12 points, 0 first place votes.
Poster whose top 10 most closely resembled the Backroom's Top 10: Tie, GMatous, Naughman and Irishvol, each with 5.
Poster whose top 10 had the least in common with the Backroom Top 10: Tie, Final Flanner and Domer 05, each with 0. They may be the prophets in the wilderness, or maybe they should just get in step…
Recommendations for cd's none of you mentioned, but made my top 20:
Caitlin Cary, I'm Staying Out. I think every one of you would like this. She's a terrific country singer, and her songwriting is improving (it was already pretty damn good). Songs about living, loving and being a grown-up... if you like that about Springsteen and Zevon, she's in that class, as far as I'm concerned. One review I read this year compared her work to the post-Whiskeytown work of Ryan Adams and came to the conclusion that he had received undue credit for the greatness of that band...
Matthew Ryan, Regret Over the Wires. I wish he could get a deal with a label for more than one album. He just released his first material in Britain (after four albums in the US). Talk about your undiscovered treasure! Really, any of his records will do the trick. The quality of songwriting and playing is uniform. RIYL: Steve Earle, Buddy Miller, Bob Dylan.
Deathray Davies, Midnight at the Black Nail Polish Factory. Dumbest title for a great album of 2003. Power pop with a grunge aftertaste. Dallas' little secret. Help let it out... RIYL: The Wrens, The Promise Ring, Fountains of Wayne with more of an edge.
Thanks very much for voting; I enjoy reading your comments and discovering new stuff through you all.
Here are all the entries...
Mr.Natural
1. Centro-Matic, Love You Just the Same
2. Guided by Voices, Earthquake Glue
3. My Morning Jacket, It Still Moves
4. The Wrens, Meadowlands
5. Caitlin Cary, I’m Staying Out
6. Calexico, Feast of Wire
7. Crooked Fingers, Red Devil Dawn
8. Dwight Yoakam, Population: Me
9. Cat Power, You Are Free
10. The Shins, Chutes Too Narrow
Irishted
1. Robert Randolph & Family Band – Unclassified
2. White Stripes – Elephant
3. Zwan - Mary Star of the Sea
4. Warren Zevon, The Wind
5. A.F.I. - Sing the Sorrow
Jameson
1. Outkast, Speakerboxx/The Love Below
2. Radiohead – HTTF
3. The New Pornographers - Electric Version
4. Ted Leo and the Rx - Hearts of Oak
5. $.50 get rich or die tryin' (had to list it)
Spiral Stairs
1. Ted Leo/Pharmacists - Hearts of Oak
2. My Morning Jacket, It Still Moves
3. Prefuse 73 - One Word Extinguisher
4. New Pornographers - Electric Version
5. The Rapture – Echoes
6. Songs:Ohia - Magnolia Electric Company
7. The Bad Plus - These Are The Vistas
8. Super Furry Animals - Phantom Power
9. Broken Social Scene - You Forgot It In People
10. Belle and Sebastian - Dear Catastrophe Waitress
ND Trumpet
1. Mars Volta - De-Loused in the Comatorium
2. Fountains of Wayne - Welcome Interstate Managers
3. Radiohead - Hail to the Thief
4. Sun Kil Moon - Ghosts of the Great Highway
5. Belle and Sebastian - Dear Catastrophe Waitress
6. M83 - Dead Cities, Red Seas and Lost Ghosts
7. Ted Leo - Hearts of Oak (my copy is autographed!)
8. The Wrens - The Meadowlands
9. The Libertines - Up the Bracket
10. My Morning Jacket, It Still Moves
Dillon1998
1. Radiohead - Hail to the Thief
2. Zwan - Mary, Star of the Sea
3. Outkast - Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
4. Wilco - More Like the Moon
hobbs
1. Outkast, Speakerboxx/The Love Below
2. Wyclef Jean - The Preacher's Son
3. Pearl Jam - Lost Dogs
4. Warren Zevon, The Wind
5. The Wrens - The Meadowlands
6. Radiohead - Hail to the thief
7. The Kills - Keep On Your Mean Side
8. The New Pornographers - Electric Version
9. The Roots - Phrenology
10. Lou Reed - The Raven
The Twerp
1. White Stripes, Elephant
2. Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Fever to Tell
3. The Kills, Keep on Your Mean Side
4. The Shins, Chutes too Narrow
5. Linkin Park, Meteora
6. Death Cab for Cutie, Transatlanticism
7. Stellastarr, Stellastarr
8. Jet, Get Born
9. Grandaddy, Sumday
10. Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, Hearts of Oak
Francisco Brothers
1. New Pornographers - Electric Version
2. My Morning Jacket, It Still Moves
3. Cat Power - You Are Free
4. Outkast, Speakerboxx/The Love Below
5. Sumday - Grandaddy
6. Drive By Truckers - Decoration Day
7. The Shins - Chutes Too Narrow
8. Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks - Pig Lib
9. Beulah - Yoko
10. Thermals - More Parts Per Million
Final Flanner
1. Guster - Keep it Together
2. Zwan - Mary Star of the Sea
3. GBV - Human Amusements at Hourly Rates
4. Dave Matthews - Some Devil
5. Jack Johnson - On and On
6. Ben Harper - Diamonds on the Inside
7. Mighty Wind Soundtrack
GMatous
1. Earthquake Glue - Guided By Voices
2. Demons and Painkillers - Guided by Voices
3. Mist King Urth - Lifeguards
4. Love You Just the Same - Centromatic
5. Electric Version - New Pornographers
6. King Me - Visqueen
7. The Wind - Warren Zevon
8. It Still Moves -My Morning Jacket
9. Strays - Jane's Addiction
10. Post Punk X-Man - GBV short song compilation
Irish Cavan
1. The Wind -- Zevon
2. Strays -- Jane's Addiction
3. The Raven -- Lou Reed
4. Nocturama -- Nick Cave
5. Hail to the Thief -- Radiohead
6. What's Wrong with this Picture -- Van Morrison
7. Everything Must Go -- Steely Dan
8. Greendale -- Neil Young
9. Up the Bracket -- Libertines
10. Just an American Boy --- Steve Earle
Irish Texan
1. The Shins, Chutes Too Narrow
2. The Jayhawks, Rainy Day Music
3. The Stills, Logic Will Break Your Heart
4. Sun Kil Moon, Ghosts of the Great Highway
5. Dwight Yoakam, Population: Me
6. Warren Zevon, The Wind
7. The Thorns, The Thorns
8. Los Lonely Boys, Los Lonely Boys
9. Explosions in the Sky, The World Is Not a Cold Dead Place
10. Lyle Lovett, My Baby Don't Tolerate
FOFM
1. Damien Rice, O
2. Jayhawks, Rainy Day Music
3. Jet, Get Born
4. Joe Strummer, Streetcore
5. Liz Phair, Liz Phair
6. Shins, Chutes Too Naroow
7. Postal Service, Give Up
8. Longwave, The Strangest Things
9. Radiohead, Hail to the Thief
10. Wheat, Per Second, Per Second, Per Second... Every Second
Bluefield
1. Unclassified - Robert Randolph and the Family Band
2. Ryan Adams - Rock n Roll
3. Steve Winwood - About Time
4. Derek Trucks Band - Soul Serenade
5. Jet - Get Born
6. Led Zeppelin - How the West Was Won
7. Soulive (Live)
8. On The Beach - Neil Young (first released on CD in '03)
9. Steely Dan - Everything Must Go
10. Javon Jackson - Easy Does It
Domer 05
1. The Beatles - Let it Be... Naked
2. Dave Matthews - Some Devil
3. Toby Keith - Unleashed
4. Led Zeppelin - How the West Was Won
5. Fleetwood Mac - Say You Will
6. Three Doors Down - Away from the Sun
7. Guster - Keep it Together
8. Barenaked Ladies - Everything to Everyone
9. Evanescence - Fallen
10. A Perfect Circle - Thirteenth Step
JD in Portland
1. My Morning Jacket, It Still Moves
2. Warren Zevon, The Wind
3. The Jayhawks - Rainy Day Music
4. Joe Henry - Tiny Voices
5. Kathleen Edwards - Failer
6. Drive By Truckers - Decoration Day
7. Joe Strummer - Streetcore
8. Tim Easton - Break your Mother's Heart
9. The Thorns
10. Paul Westerberg - Come Feel Me Tremble
Blazesboylan
1. Centro-Matic -- Love You Just the Same
2. Deftones
3. My Morning Jacket, It Still Moves
4. Jayhawks -- Rainy Day Music
5. Mark Olson -- December's Child
6. Dropkick Murphys – Blackout
Tbsone
1. Outkast, Speakerboxx/The Love Below
2. Ted Leo, Hearts of Oak
3. Chevelle, Send the Pain Below
4. 50 Cent, Get RIch or Die Tryin
5. Jay Z, the Black Album
6. The Roots, Phreneology
7. Radiohead, Hail to the Thief
8. Coldplay, Rush of Blood
9. Linkin Park, Somewhere I Belong
10. Kenny Chesney, No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems.
Irishvol
1. Robert Randolph - Unclassified
2. The Thorns
3. Outkast, Speakerboxx/The Love Below
4. Buddy Guy - Blues Singer
5. My Morning Jacket, It Still Moves
6. North Mississippi All-Stars - Polaris
7. Jayhawks - Rainy Day Music
8. Ben Harper - Diamonds on the Inside
9. The Shins - Chutes Too Narrow
10. Paul Westerberg - Come Feel Me Tremble
Rocksteady74
1. Shins, Chutes Too Narrow
2. Joe Strummer, Streetcore (sympathy vote? who cares?)
3. Wrens, The Meadowlands
4. Ballboy, A Guide to the Daylight Hours
5. Mull Historical Society, Us
6. Belle and Sebastian, Dear Catastrophe Waitress
7. The Long Winters, When I Pretend to Fall
8. Crooked Fingers, Red Devil Dawn
9. Guster, "Keep it Together
10. Tie: Death Cab for Cutie, Transatlanticism; and The Postal Service, Give Up
Cash
1. Earthquake Glue, Guided By Voices
2. My Morning Jacket, It Still Moves
3. Live at the Wheelchair Races, Guided By Voices (It counts)
4. Hearts of Oak, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
5. Motel of Fools, Robert Pollard
6. Red Devil Dawn, Crooked Fingers
7. Mist King Urth, Lifeguards
8. Magnolia Electric Company, Songs:Ohia
9. Love You Just the Same, Centro-Matic
10. Meadowlands, The Wrens
Drmurray
1. Warren Zevon, The Wind
2. Joe Strummer: Streetcore
3. Buddy Guy: Blues Singer
4. Ben Harper: Diamonds On The Inside
5. Robert Randolph: Unclassified
Brandywells
1. Greg Trooper: Floating.
2. Joe Strummer: Streetcore
3. Warren Zevon, The Wind
4. Jayhawks: Rainy Day Music
5. The Strokes: Room on Fire
Naughman
1. Outkast, Speakerboxx/The Love Below
2. Decoration Day, Drive-By Truckers
3. My Morning Jacket, It Still Moves
4. The Black Album, Jay-Z
5. How the West Was Won, Led Zeppelin
6. Earthquake Glue, Guided By Voices
7. Thickfreakness, The Black Keys
8. Chutes Too Narrow, The Shins
9. Love You Just the Same, Centro-Matic
10. Fever To Tell, Yeah Yeah Yeahs
RJD
1. JayHawks-Rainy Day Music
2. The Incredible Soul Collection-2CDs
3. Robert Randolph- Unclassified
4. Van Morrison-What's Wrong with this Picture
5. Guided by Voices – Human Amusements at Hourly Rates
6. The Black eyed Peas - Elephunk
7. Franky Perez-Poor Man's Son
8. Dylan Reissues
9. Beatles - Let it Be Naked
Slainte Joe
1. My Morning Jacket, It Still Moves
2. Gillian Welch - Soul Journey
3. GbV - Earthquake Glue
4. Lyle Lovett - My Baby Don't Tolerate
