Kevin
Mathews:
January,
2002

2001: The Year That Was: PoPinions

As milestones go, 2001 was an eventful year. The world did not stop being an unforgiving, hostile place and humankind did not run out of ways and means to hurt, maim and destroy other fellow human beings. All around the globe, hate and violent aggression proved to be the only common factor shared by diverse peoples. Those in power continued to increase their influence by whatever means necessary and those without power were left with pain, suffering and death as their reward.

Closer to home, I give thanks to God that my family and I live in relative safety and peace. Next to the problems encountered by folks elsewhere, the current economic difficulties we experience due to the global slowdown seem like a trivial walk in the park. What about the music? My attitude towards pop music appreciation (and indeed of every facet of pop culture) stems from the principle expounded by the apostle Paul in his letter to the Philippians at chapter 4, and I quote - "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."

Alternatively, as Bruce Brodeen of Not Lame Records says - "Good Music for Good People!" Life affirming, positive in outlook with bright and beautiful melodies warming the hearts and nurturing the soul. Not to mention intelligent and well-crafted songs that challenges the mind and provokes the thought process. In other words, the best pop music has to make a difference and touch you in one way or another.

As a music reviewer, I have been richly blessed by the kindness of "strangers" who have spent hard earned cash to send CDs all the way to Singapore, which for most of you reading this, is literally the other side of the world. To these kind folk, I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation, whether you play in a band, manage one or work at a record label. I have tried my best (I hope so anyway) to do justice to the fine music being conveyed to me, in reviews that communicate how this music made me feel. As for the music that did touch me, my Top Ten Albums list pretty much speaks for itself.

Whilst I firmly stand behind the selections made, my only qualification would be the fact that, even with the huge amount of CDs I did listen to this year, there have been an equal number I did not have the opportunity to savour for one reason or another. So, this list will never be definitive or comprehensive (and that was never the purpose) but a useful barometer of how I felt in December 2001. On a sad note, 2001 marked the end of the road for George Harrison. Listening to Abbey Road and All Things Must Pass back-to-back recently, it is astonishing to think that in the context of the Beatles, George was a sideman. The lead guitarist who sang third harmony and occasionally, came up to the mic to sing one of his distinctively enigmatic songs.

He is gone now but will never be forgotten, the music he has left with us will always resonate in all our hearts. Before I close, I would like to thank Casey Fundaro for giving me the chance to share my PoPinions with the visitors to Fufkin.com (and to Gary "Pig" Gold for suggesting it in the first place!). In the time that I have been a contributor here, I have witnessed this site progress by leaps and bounds and I have no reservations in declaring Fufkin.com one of the best pop music sites out there in the World Wide Web. I hope you agree with that assessment too. So without further delay, ladies and gents, my Top Ten of 2001.

1. PERNICE BROTHERS The World Won't End (Ashmont) Joe Pernice is not only a prolific songwriter/recording artist but a consistent conjuror of pure pop magic. Even with the sheer quality of his last three releases to consider, he was still able to top himself and pretty much everybody else. Amazing.

2. STEVE WYNN Here Come the Miracles (Blue Rose) A double album that raises the bar for all post-millennial rock, Steve Wynn proved that it is possible to be intelligent and jam hard. Dragging his incendiary Dylan-Reed-Young influences kicking and screaming into the 21st century, this is the sound of the future birthed in the past.

3. GUIDED BY VOICES Isolation Drills (TVT) After the synth-fuelled pop savvy of the Ric Ocasek-helmed Do the Collapse, Bob Pollard and co. return with a heady brew of the classic/alt. rock fusion that GBV is legendary for. Isolation Drills, if nothing else, demonstrates whilst Pollard is still channelling his heroes, the voice he follows is still his own.

4. DAVID MEAD Mine is Yours (RCA) Mead's unique (and appealing) stylings combines an ethereal vocal approach with traditional power pop smarts. Jeff Buckley singing Paul McCartney songs is not a far-fetched description. With producer Adam (Fountains of Wayne) Schlesinger providing his indisputable expertise. Mine is Yours is a sophisticated pop fan's dream.

5. ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA Zoom (Sony) The return of the Master and quite possibly the strongest ELO set since 1981's Time. Powerfully understated, you cannot argue with the sheer quality of Jeff Lynne's performance & production skills and pop rock junkies should have no problems with those sweet tunes!

6. SPLITSVILLE The Complete Pet Soul (Airmail) Not the Beatles-Beach Boys pastiche you expected but a discerning study of what makes powerpop such an ecstatic and commanding medium. Crunching guitars, spine-tingling harmonies and memorable melodies. Probably the genre's most convincing apologists and advocates.

7. THE HEAVY BLINKERS Better Weather (Brobdingnagian) The Heavy Blinkers' third outing, Better Weather, succeeds with tunes that will melt the heart even of the most cynical angst-ridden rap metal skateboard punk. Songwriters Jason MacIssac and Andrew Watt have surpassed all previous expectations with impeccable songcraft - well orchestrated with peerless melodies to match.

8. THE ROSENBERGS Mission: You (DGM) The Rosenbergs' debut album proper treated the astute pop-rock listener to eleven tracks of the very best that modern power pop can offer. The Rosenbergs create perhaps the perfect examples of how power pop should really be delivered: instantly hummable tunes, deft guitar work, dynamic performances and odd tangential instrumentation to keep things always interesting.

9. STARFLYER 59 Leave Here A Stranger (Tooth and Nail) Starflyer 59's main creative force, Jason Martin, has been writing and recording for close to a decade and this is his tenth entry in an impressive discography. His unique blend of the "shoegazer" aesthetic and rustic melodic classicism mark him as a important contributor to the 'real' pop revival that is slowly but surely sweeping music scenes the world over.

10. LIFT TO EXPERIENCE The Texas-Jerusalem Crossroads (Bella Union) No other band or album quite comes close to capturing the sound and fury of Lift to Experience's bible-quoting apocalyptic space-rocking passion. Taking a decidedly British sensibility to guitar textures as provision of the sonic backdrop for singer Josh T. Pearson's ramblings on God, country and the end of the world. The perfect soundtrack for these troubled times.

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