#bestalbum2001 Match 23
Bob Dylan: Absolute classic! Dylan roars through the American music tradition and reinvents himself in the process.
Wu-Tang Clan: It's not quite up to the level of 36 Chambers but would have won many of last week's matches. Not this one, though.
✅ Dylan
#bestalbum2001
Both new to me
Bob: as usual the emperor has no clothes. Got as far as "going to the country, they're going to retire / they're taking a streetcar named Desire" and felt like giving up on all music
WTC: haven't listened yet, see above.
Voted: IRON FLAG!
#bestalbum2001 Match 22
Old 97s: I have deep affection for journeyman bands like this. They're always unpretentious, hard working, and put on a good show every time. A likeable record with some good tracks!
The Knife: I liked the reindeer song and some others too.
✅ Old 97s
#bestalbum2001
Both new to me
O97s: Nice! I'd happily file this w/ my copies of All Shook Down, Girlfriend and Hollywood Town Hall. Except this is from a decade later 😕
Knife: Juvenilia, obv. They'd get exponentially better with their next two (though then weirdly regressed again)
Voted: not yet
#bestalbum2001 Match 21
Rilo Kiley: For such a soft, pillowy band, they can really pick up stream! Undeniably pretty and well-written, but the twee button hits 11 at times.
Blink 182: It's music for the jackass generation but not totally without merit.
✅ RK
#bestalbum2001
RK: new to me. If this was a recording for a music class in secondary school I'd think it was pretty cute. Not good, but hey. They're kids. The 36 second one was my favourite.
Blink-182: 100% rock 'n' roll fun, and by far the more mature band.
Voted: Take Off Your Pants and Jacket!
#bestalbum2001 Match 20
Microphones: One of those "everything mix" kind of albums. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't, but there are some great moments. I think I need to play it again.
Elbow: It's pleasant enough and quite pretty, but I don't have strong feelings about it.
✅ Microphones
#bestalbum2001
Microphones: had heard. There's too much going on here, but when it hits right, as on the fabulous "The Moon", my word it's good.
Elbow: used to own it (I liked Any Day Now 🤷). Quickest turnaround between buying and selling on ever. Get this shit outta here.
Voted: Microphones!
#bestalbum2001 Match 19
Built to Spill: They've obviously disciples of Neil Young but have learned his lessons well. Great guitar work with classic rock vibes and enjoyable to listen to.
Mercury Rev: OK musically, but wrecked by low-quality vocals and cringeworthy lyrics.
✅ BtS
#bestalbum2001
Let's invite some more blocks. Both new to me.
BTS: early 90s Smashing Pavements alt rock but with an annoying Fl. Lips/M.Rev-type "psychedelic" tinge. A few good songs.
MR: 😬 Earlier this week we had Kermit singing, now it's his nephew! Hate everything about this.
Voted: AMotF
#bestalbum2001
Pulp: own it. Better than I remembered - some good songs, but bogged down by ornate arrangements and a general going-through-the-motions feel
LSF: new to me. Have to be in the mood for this but it sounds much more like they love life than the album making that claim
Voted: Go Forth
#bestalbum2001 Match 18
Another difficult one!
Pulp: I'm often pleasantly surprised by less well-regarded albums by veteran bands. This one sometimes feels murky, but has plenty of highlights too. The musicianship is high!
LSF: Solid, rollicking fun with lots of energy.
✅ Pulp
#bestalbum2001 Match 17
Aphex Twin: I typically like AT, and this had some nice moments. But ... It's also directionless, inconsistent, and way too long.
Muse: We have Radiohead at home. However, it's at least listenable and has some moments where it gains a bit of altitude.
✅ Muse
#bestalbum2001
Had heard both before, but not often
Aphex: no originality points for saying this is all over the place but it has its moments.
Muse: whereas this... oof. Sounded awfully dated and just plain awful even then.
Voted: DrukQs!
#bestalbum2001 Match 16
Sparklehorse: Some interesting music ideas, along with delicate, skillful , and introspective guitar work, but I can't get past the thin vocals. This might be a "me" problem.
Pernice Brothers: Sharp, lively songs with great melodies. A real find!
✅ Pernice Brothers
#bestalbum2001
Sparklehorse: what a strange, frustrating album. Some great songs, some unfinished demos, some sound like Tom Waits but with Kermit singing instead of Rowlf. The slow ones make me want to strangle him.
Pernice Bros: didn't know Teenage Fanclub had a side gig!
Voted: Pernice Bros!
#bestalbum2001
The Coup: own it. Their next two records are better but the highs are high and for a 00s hiphop album it feels concise.
ABBoF: new to me. Given that it's sort of a musical theatre version of country music, it didn't annoy me half of as much as I'd imagined.
Voted: Party Music!
#bestalbum2001 Match 15
The Coup: Fun and funky with some thought-provoking tracks. I liked it!
Andrew Bird: More successful albums lie ahead, but this shows flashes of his talent.
✅ The Coupl
#bestalbum2001
Spiritualized: new to me. Several friends whose tastes I partly share and wholly respect love Spiritualized - I am as ever utterly unmoved.
BRMC: had heard. Ridiculous pastiche but that’s what happened to your rock n roll, if you must know.
Voted: BRMC!
#bestalbum2001 Match 13
Spiritualized: They've added symphonic and gospel notes to their trademark atmospheric sound. Always impressive and sometimes sublime.
BRMC: Perfectly fine and engaging. Once again, I'm not sure it really stands out. (Been saying that a lot!)
✅ Spiritualized
#bestalbum2001 Match 13
Spoon: One of the better alt rock discs of the year. Solid throughout.
Opeth: Prog metal isn't really my thing. Much preferred Converge on Monday.
✅ Spoon
#bestalbum2001 Match 12
Daft Punk: Generation-defining album and a touchstone of the genre. It still sounds exciting and continues to surprise 25 years later.
Tipsy: Not without some charms but not in the same league.
✅ Daft Punk
#bestalbum2001
Daft Punk: own it. classic. The first half is flawless, the slower ones later on weigh it down a bit
Tipsy: new to me. Sticks rigorously to a "one idea per track" regime, in stark contrast with Daft Punk's cornucopia, which makes these 3-minute tracks feel draggy.
Voted: Discovery!
#bestalbum2001 Match 11
Ted Leo: Solid indy rock. Perhaps doesn't truly stand out from the crowd.
Converge: I was looking to cast at least one vote for hard music during the tournament. This is probably the best place.
✅ Converge
#bestalbum2001
Both new to me.
Ted: ugh! Screams 'Pitchfork indie', sums up why I ran away from it so hard around this time. "Under the Hedge" isn't terrible, but taken as a whole the LP gives me a headache.
Converge: does what it does. Never need to hear it again either but more fun to vote for.
#bestalbum2001 Match 10
Tough one today! Quite like both, but neither is A-level for me.
O'Rourke: Sharp indy record with some really good songwriting.
Hersh: I like the mix of styles and the alt-rock flourishes.
✅ Hersh
#bestalbum2001
Both new to me.
Jim: Best thing about these tournaments - sth I'd heard of but not heard and it turns out to be REALLY GOOD
Kristin: I own all the Muses/Hersh ca. 86-94, didn't keep up after. This is as expected - fine, though a little long and few standouts.
Voted: Insignificance!
#bestalbum2001 Match 9
Gillian Welch: Expertly played and heartfelt, this feels truly authentic. It's a classic, but I want it to kick it up to a gear it doesn't really find.
Ash: A nice surprise. Punchy, spiky, punk-flavored rock that sticks. I'll throw it a vote here.
✅ Ash
#bestalbum2001
Welch: new to me. Quite liked the Jayhawksian opening track, but lost interest quickly after that. Cliched americana, ropey lyrics.
Ash: had heard. Quite the breath of fresh air! Starts well, then improves(!) with each of the first three tracks. OK after that.
Voted: Free All Angels
#bestalbum2001 Match8
Ben Folds: I can't say he's a fave of mine, but I don't get the hate. This is more than fine.
LSMP: I don't think I can properly evaluate this, but the kids seem to be having fun, which is nice.
✅ Ben Folds
