Best Music of 2004

Music should always register an emotional impact with you. You pick the emotion: joy, pain, love, hate. My top picks of the year incorporate all of those feelings.

1. Michael Stanley - The Ground (Line Level)
The Ground represents the first solo record in over 30 years Michael Stanley. It's a personal record from a person who's been involved with music since he was a child. His father worked the overnight shift at a radio station in Cleveland and would bring his son 'white label' promotion copies of music home almost every night. Young Michael would wake up to find a wide variety of musical offering to play and absorb.

Michael's first solo album featured the likes of Todd Rundgren, Rick Derringer and fellow Clevelander Joe Walsh. That album was produced by Bill Szymczyk who was also responsible for great music by The Eagles, J. Geils, B.B. King and The James Gang. Szymczyk mixed The Ground. Mr. Stanley doesn't forget his roots.

Michael went on to lead his own band (Michael Stanley Band) and continues to record and perform with a variety of musicians. But as we said, this is a personal record. It talks about a brush with death, the 911 disaster, communicating with Jesus via the web and loves gained and lost. Music from the heart that touched me more than any release this year. To quote from the title track:

Soldiers leave their blood
Lovers leave their hearts
Scholars leave their wisdom
And poets leave their art
We all leave something everytime
We try and take the ground…
Some leave their innocence
Other leave their soulds
Some try when they're younger
Some not till they're old
We all leave something everytime
We try and take the ground.

Michael Stanley is a music veteran that proves, young or old, you have to work to take the ground. Or as it says on the liner underneath the actual CD, "It's your world, pay attention!"

2. Keane - Hopes and Fears (Interscope)
There is a certain standoffishness in the music press when one group or performer follows another with a sound the press defines as 'like the next…' Think of the myriad of next Beatles, Dylans, Beach Boys', Princes, and Nirvanas. In 2004, a group emerged from the press-painted shadow of Coldplay to establish themselves as true artists. Keane's piano driven music features memorable melodies in a series of diverse settings. Hopes and Fears delivers the goods start to finish. And check out the Dual Disc version of Hopes and Fears.

3. Green Day presents American Idiot (Reprise)
The rock opera is alive, maybe not thriving, but still breathing thanks to Green Day. American Idiot blows out of your speakers at a frantic pace and barely stops to take a breath. Does it all work? No but then again neither did Verdi or Wagner.

"No one ever died for my sins in hell, at least as far as I can tell." In red state America, this record will shake some foundations.

4. Adam Marsland - You Don't Know Me (Carpet Frog)
The hardest working man in pop music creates one of the finest records of the year. With the help of some of his fellow road warriors like Evie Sands, you Don't Know Me hits you over the head with lyrics and melodies from a writer that basically says 'this is my music and I hope you like it. And if you don't, get out of my way.' If only more artists would follow their muse instead of following fashion.

5. John Hoskinson - Miscellaneous Heathen (Kaope0ths)
John Hoskinson releases an outstanding debut that begs the question, 'what kept you out of the studio so long?' Of course, John has been in the studio but not for his own releases. (see selection six). Intelligent, tuneful, spirited and passionate all describe Miscellaneous Heathen. It is also a time eater. Once inserted into your player, it dominates the machine.

6. Eugene Edwards - My Favorite Revolution (Tallboy)
Seeing Eugene Edwards at this year's Sparklefest was a revelation. The songs from My Favorite Revolution suddenly came to life and caused me to relisten to the 14 songs from the disc. A range of influences can be heard throughout but at the end you know you've discovered a burgeoning talent. And anyone that lists Van Morrison's St. Dominic's Preview, The Kinks Well Respected Kinks, and Little Feat's Dixie Chicken on their web site as influences has to have a leg up.

7. Fooling April - Every Good Boy Does Fine (kool kat musik)
A late arriver in the year, Fooling April won't be fooling people for long. The bio on the web site says it all, "Infectious pop hooks. Unforgettable melodies. Memorable solo chops. This quartet has all the corners covered. Unpretentious, poignant and humorous lyrics combined with sophisticated song structures are found in the timeless music of Fooling April." And their humble too. Seriously, lyricist, keyboardist and lead vocalist Brian Kenneth heads the band through sophisticated melodies and arrangements. Philadelphia's Fooling April might be the only champion out of the city of Brotherly Love now that Terrell Ownes is injured. Note: The CD is more EP length augmented by three live tracks. Still the total time is over 48 minutes.

8. Cliff Hillis - better living through compression (Tallboy)
Cliff Hillis could be the most unassuming looking musician in history but does he make great music. His latest continues the strong writing of his debut release but adds a few flourishes you might find unexpected. A dash of Byrds, a touch of Chris von Sneidern and plenty of punchy pop and you'll feel your life is better through the compression.

9. Michael Carpenter - Rolling Ball (notlame)
Michael Carpenter's music is so consistently good that you sometimes take it for granted. Please don't. Rolling Ball extends the reach of our favorite Australian artist. After his last release with Kings Rd, Michael returns to his 'one-man band' mode augmented only by drummer Nando Pettinato from King's Rd on about half the record and some various vocal assists. Having your own studio is a plus (except for maybe Mrs. C) and the drive to write great pop music is a potent ingredient in producing incredible music. Look for more music in 2005.

10. Nellie McKay: Get Away From Me
Where to start. Nellie McKay is a prolific wunderkind. The 22-year-old has assimilated a world's worth of influences in one record (two discs). These songs bound and jump around like no one else in music today. I hope she resists the pressure of her record company might exert to pigeon hole herself because for a pure musical joy ride, nothing beats Nellie.

Best reissues/compliations of 2004

Bell + Arc (Rock and Groove Records)
Stephen Bishop - Bish (Hip-O Select)
The Illinois Speed Press - The Illinois Speed Press/Duet (Futuredge)
Andy Fairweather Low - Wide Eyed and Legless
(single disc on Raven, double disc on Edsel)
Tufano and Giamarrese - Entire collection (It's About Music)
(original vocalists for The Buckinghams)
Jools Holland & his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra - Friends 3 (Rhino)
Jimmy Webb - The Moon's a Harsh Mistress (Rhino Handmade)

Best surprises from old friends in 2004

Brian Wilson presents SMiLE (Nunesuch)
John Fogerty - Déjà Vu All Over Again (Geffen)
Crosby & Nash - s/t (Sanctuary)
Daryl Hall & John Oates - Our Kind of Soul (UWatch)
Bruce Hornsby - Halcyon Days (Columbia)
Todd Rundgren - Liars (Sanctuary)
Ray Charles (r.i.p.) - Genius Loves Company (Concord Jazz)

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