January 2002

I Have Five CD Players
Year in Review: 2001

The last year was not a bad year for music. In fact, it was pretty good. Any year in which Rush doesn't release an album is a good year. So, what follows is my cursory summation of the year 2001 in albums. I've included the good stuff that I can remember, and a stinker (I tend not to by shitty albums, so I don't often review them). There is no particular order.

The Strokes - Is This It

This album is great. It's pure rock and roll. In fact, The Strokes remind me a lot of the early Rolling Stones. But the Rolling Stones if they had grown up listening to early Stones instead of blues. The Strokes play very basic, and loud, rock and roll. It's certainly not punk. And it's certainly not indie rock. It's just old school rock and roll. The Strokes, basically, can just barely play their instruments. But to a high degree of excellence than almost anyone I've ever heard. Call it garage rock if you want, but I'm starting to think you are starting to make up too many bogus genres. Get away from me.

Thunderball - Scorpio Rising

Oh, what an outstanding album! This is yet another Eighteenth Street Lounge Music (ESL) release that I absolutely love. This is Thunderball's second release. Their first was highly stylized downbeat Drum-N-Bass for the jet set. This LP is slightly less on the Drum-N-Bass tip, but still of the highest quality. Their previous album was spy music for action sequences, basically, while Scorpio Rising is a much more well balanced and polished release. Styles vary more to great effect. Instead of a primary Drum-N-Bass influence, there is also the added influence of Latin styles, especially bossa nova. Oh, and one mustn't forget the heavy dub presence. Anyone with delusions of espionage simply must own this album.

Stereolab - Sound/Dust

There is not such thing as a bad Stereolab album. They are all good. While this one is not their best, it does come close. Sound/Dust has a more mature and robust, not to mention slightly more traditional, sound than previous albums. On this album we hear Stereolab serving up their usual fare of grooves and melodies with great precision. This is simply an outstanding album and there is no excuse to not own it if you at all like music.

Tortoise - Standards

Many might claim that Tortoise is a Stereolab knock-off. They would be partly right, except that Tortoise is actually comprised of a few Stereolab's members. Tortoise would represent the freaky side of Stereolab. The side from Chicago. So one won't be surprised to hear a lot of strange experimental sounds on Standards. But then again, one shouldn't be surprised to find incredible grooves, either. Grooves ranging from the heavy, almost overpowering, "Seneca" to the light and wonderful "Sixpack". A track that may even out-Stereolab Stereolab. I also must confess to enjoying much of the spaghetti western vibe of parts of this album. This is an album that will tend to grown on you.

Nicola Conte - Bossa Per Due

This actually came out as "Jet Sounds" in Nicola Conte's native Italy over a year ago. But it was released by ESL in North America as "Bossa Per Due". The title track may be recognized from an Acura commercial, but don't let that dissuade you. This is one of the most stylish albums release over the last few years. It is a perfect intermingling of Italian Bossa Nova and modern taste. It's the kind of music you can't tell when it was recorded unless you listen carefully for Mr. Conte to scratch his vinyl. The style on this album ranges from more Bossa Nova influences pieces to straight ahead jazz. Don't forget the perfect amount (a mere sprinkling) of lounge kitsch. Oh, and of course, you can shake your ass to the whole thing.

Jamiroquai - Funk Odyssey

This album is lame. It was a great disappointment. While it is not bad, it is nowhere close to good. Clearly this is Jamiroquai's worst showing to date. In fact, all of their previous albums are generally stellar. This doesn't come close to holding a candle to that. Grandpa is right in that it's better than a Rush album. And by quite a bit. But still, that's not saying much at all.