January 2002

I Love Rock & Roll
Year in Review: 2001

Lucinda Williams - Essence

I appreciate this record for everything it is not - it is not boisterous, and adorned. In fact, you could listen to it a hundred times without catching on, if you were not paying attention. Essence demands that you pay attention, it lures you in with a stark, vulnerable sound that only serves to reinforce its message. It's content might not suit all situations, but then again that is why I have more than one favorite.

The White Stripes

The ambiguously-related duo's 2001 release was chock-full of rock goodness. Stripped down, bare tracks that never let up. Songs with chords so dirty you feel guilty listening. A great follow up record, most indie rockers will admit, while secretly wishing they had heard of this duo on their previous record 'de Stijl' still.

Clem Snide - The Ghost of Fashion

It's not mere writing that makes this one of the best records of 2001. It's masterful arranging combines textures and traditions of all kinds into a cohesive whole. The songs possess an innocence that compliments their beauty.

Buddy Guy - Sweet Tea

The thing is, he is old enough to tell you what to do. Unfortunately, most bands today choose not to listen. They should be ashamed. The album certainly benefits from his years of experience. I does not benefit from a bit of over production, but I am overlooking that, because it is better than 9/10's of records being made today

Fugazi - the Argument

I am from DC. I am not saying this makes buying and liking the newest Fugazi record mandatory, but it should be. These guys always put forth all the effort in the world, and 'the Argument' is one of their best records to date. The real question is not if their records are going to be good, but how they can continue to be so good.

Spoon - Girls Can Tell

Benefiting from a major label disaster is not always an easy thing to do. Spoon handles it beautifully on this, their third full length record. Tight, well-crafted songs that at once ache indie rock and smile pop. Plus, they are catchy. This is why rock is good.

Charley Patton - Screaming and Hollering the Blues

By far one of the most beautiful box-sets ever issued. Seven CD's designed to look like '78s with a wealth of information and peripheral tracks, which until now, have not seen the light of day. Also a sentimental favorite, as it is produced on Revenant records, the label of the late, local John Fahey. And besides it is the best packaging ever produced. EVER.

Bob Dylan - Love and Theft

Don't call me a hippie. And sure, I really dislike the first song, it's just too much. However, this record is about as good as anything Dylan has ever done. Almost equal to 'Blood on the tracks' which, along with his first record are my favorites. This is nearly that good, and that is hard, considering his history.

The 'What's Going On' compilation/remake project

Let's not start with the fact that 'What's going on,' THE ORIGINAL, was a seminal work of art. That it packed power and passion into a taut five minutes. Nor should we discuss its importance in both current and historical contexts…Lets begin by asking who in the fuck cares to buy an ep with NINE versions of this song. Or that it features Sean Combs (aka p diddy - whatever the fuck that is) and Bono (I hate that fucker and I hate his band) and Scott Weiland ( I wish he were still using, at least then he was comical) or any of the other jackasses who 'perform' on this record. Any of my 'friends' who have this in their collection are no longer my friends.