Listed below are the best albums of 2002 as calculated from their overall rankings in over 59,000 greatest album charts. (Chart last updated: 3 hours ago).
"While most audiophiles will be quick to point out "Wide Awake" as Bright Eyes' magnum opus, I have personally found the consensus among those fans who have immersed themselves in the band's entire discography that "Lifted" is on top. Even with such greats as Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen this album...""While most audiophiles will be quick to point out "Wide Awake" as Bright Eyes' magnum opus, I have personally found the consensus among those fans who have immersed themselves in the band's entire discography that "Lifted" is on top. Even with such greats as Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen this album is untouchable lyrically. The sheer amount of topics and emotions it spans covering hope, shame, salvation, self-loathing, agoraphobia, alcoholism, agnosticism, true love, fake love, loss, pride, the list goes on. Conor Oberst has created both an album so vast the majority can relate to it and so specific one will hauntingly think its addressing them personally."[+]Reply
"The Sulphur Man is a wonder of production, such an open, expansive sound, widescreen, if you will. As much a part of the song's brilliance as the songwriting itself."Reply
"The catchiness is unrelenting, one of a core of indie-popsters that have perfected the catchy indie-pop song (along with new porn). From the urgency of dope-smokin'-endorsin' "the way we get by" ("We go out in stormy weather / We rarely practice discern / We make love to Some Weird Sin / We seek ...""The catchiness is unrelenting, one of a core of indie-popsters that have perfected the catchy indie-pop song (along with new porn). From the urgency of dope-smokin'-endorsin' "the way we get by" ("We go out in stormy weather / We rarely practice discern / We make love to Some Weird Sin / We seek out the taciturn") to the beat-boxing of "stay don't go" to the chugging guitar of "jonathan fisk" to the vacuumous & drumstick-backboned "paper tiger" to the inter-flitting piano of "don't let it get you down", you'll be humming along or toe-tapping in moments. The lyrics are minimal and more used for feeling and rhyme structure, like opener "small stakes": "small stakes ensure you the minimum blues / but you don't feel taken and you don't feel abused"."[+]Reply
"The Mantle is a companion to cold, desolate walks through a north american forest during the harsh but quiet winter. It's no surprise the album takes inspiration from cynical european black metal, desolate dark ambient, and chilling neofolk. The Mantle molds all of this into a masterful one-piece...""The Mantle is a companion to cold, desolate walks through a north american forest during the harsh but quiet winter. It's no surprise the album takes inspiration from cynical european black metal, desolate dark ambient, and chilling neofolk. The Mantle molds all of this into a masterful one-piece package and it pulls no punches."[+]Reply
"People won't belive me if I say that this is superior to F sharp A sharp infinity or Lift yr Skinny Fists. But as every is entitled to like whatever he wants, I like this more than these albums, but I don't trust anyone who rates this less than 3 stars"Reply
"Destroying my soul and ego slowly but completely, tears coming out from my half-closed eyes, the whole world fading out from my view, fireworks burning inside of my brain, the future arriving in some obscure places... It's a beautiful tragedy"Reply
"This album is proof of Darnielle's lyrical talent. With extremely poor sound quality, simple song structures, a voice that won't appeal to all and a mess of a concept, the album still stands up as completely amazing due almost entirely in part to the lyrics. Personal thought only, but with the in...""This album is proof of Darnielle's lyrical talent. With extremely poor sound quality, simple song structures, a voice that won't appeal to all and a mess of a concept, the album still stands up as completely amazing due almost entirely in part to the lyrics.
Personal thought only, but with the increase in fidelity and complexity of song structure (probably also including an improvement in vocal perfomance) in later albums, a great deal of intimacy was lost."[+]Reply
"In my opinion, Heathen is the best Bowie album between Scary monsters and Blackstar. It includes some of Bowie's best writing for years and it doesn't sound like he's trying too hard either, like he does on Earthling and Outside. A fine album with some fine songs."Reply
"*Not really a review but more a summary of my thoughts on this album. Well its kinda a review but I aint gonna bother to fix every little mistake so its more just some paragraphs i wrote making me feel like an edgy critic. Also remember that all this is just my opinion so dont get butthurt, well ...""*Not really a review but more a summary of my thoughts on this album. Well its kinda a review but I aint gonna bother to fix every little mistake so
its more just some paragraphs i wrote making me feel like an edgy critic. Also remember that all this is just my opinion so dont get butthurt, well
except for the objective things i wrote before "Does it live up to the hype?"
Source Tags & Codes, I am reviewing the international version which features the tracks "Invocation" and "Life is elsewhere"
3rd studio album + major label debut
Post-Hardcore/Indie Rock/Art rock band from texas ...Trail of dead were infamous for their explosive live shows.
They had released to albums prior to source tags & codes, the self titled one in 98 and "Madonna" in 99.
Together with bands like Modest Mouse and At the Drive-In they were hailed as "saviors of rock from the evils of nu-metal".
Released to critical acclaim in 2002, and pitchfork giving it a rare perfect 10. Does it live up to the hype?
Well the first 10 minutes definetely made me think so. The tracks "Invocation", "It Was There That I Saw You" and "Another Morning Stoner" add upp
to probably my favorite opening 10 minutes of any album ever, and I beg you, listen to those three tracks before reading this review because
I dont want to spoil it for you. I will explain in detail what makes me think those three tracks are absolute perfection.
The album opens with cold static and noise in the track "Invocation, then in comes a gorgeous piano piece and warming strings.
The song sums up the major feel of the album with no clear words being heard, and that feeling is, at the same time, the harsch coldness of a snowstorm
being neutralized by the warming of a volcano. The static noise is the ice, and the piano and strings is the fire and together they become
pure musical bliss. However, the major theme of the album has not yet been revealed...
The question is answered in the proper opener "It was there that i saw you", it reveals that the major theme of the album is the pain of longing,
of loss and heartbreaking nostalgia, just look at the song title. "It WAS there that I SAW you". Keywords: WAS and SAW.
The sentence is written in past tense, its something that has BEEN and it is tearing him apart, just listen to his pained voice.
The song instrumentally is flawless. Beginning with a subtle guitar line and then breaking into an explosion of volcanic guitars and
freezing cymbals. Then goes into this simple yet effective guitar trade-off then building up tension to a hypnotizing crescendo only Post-Rock legends
like Godspeed You! Black Emperor can rival. Then back into the vortex of noise for an explosive finish and what we have left are just guitar feedback
and the static the album began with.
Segwaying to the next track and possibly Trail of Deads most famous song: "Another Morning Stoner". This song is again, a perfectly crafted song:
Gracefully structured as it rises and falls, deeply layered lyrics and gorgeously textured music with strings and guitar noise etc. and thats not even
talking about the explosive and passionate performances. Finishing with a hard hitting mantra of "What is forgiveness? its just a dream. What is forgiveness? its everything."
And then we get the answers why this album is labeled as Art Rock: all these field recordings and static in between tracks. They definetely add a lot of
depth and personality to the album but sacrifices a better album flow sadly.
And then we get to the part where the album falls of its majestic throne and into a more inconsistant ride.
The next two tracks "Baudelaire" and "Homage" are not bad but they feel a little out of place aswell as does not live up to the standard set by
the preceding tracks. They feel out of place because they both dont feature the main singer instead the Bassist and Drummer sings respectively.
None of them are bad singers at all but their voices and emotional resonance does not fit the overall sad and melancolic theme of the album IMO.
But main vocalist Conrad Keely is definetely my favorite of the three.
"Baudelaire" is a groove heavy track and possibly the "happiest" sounding song on the album. Not because it really is a happy track but more a "rocking" song.
The bassist does have a great voice and a strong personality but again, does not fit the album that well. The song does also drag a little too much
as it just rides the same groove throughout almost the whole thing. However there is a great brass solo at the end that makes me not click the skip button.
"Homage" is the grimmest and most aggressive song on the album.
Drastically changing in mood and quality comes "How Near, How Far". The song title gives you the perfect impression of what this song is about, it is a question
without the questionmark. Not wanting the answer, but knowing it deep down. Its not far away, its not near, its gone, its lost. And the defining moment of the song,
the "how near, how far, how lost they are." part is just so perfect and here is why. It builds and builds but never reaching a climax, a conclusion, it just leaves you
hanging so by the time of the next words come in you are just left in space, you are one step away from the truth you know at the bottom of your heart, but your heart
wont let you reach it. Its just such a defining moment in the album and requires the listeners full undivided attention.
"Life is elsewhere", one of three interludes, not really much here, it just sounds like a scene from a classic Chambara movie.
The defing lyrics of next track "Heart in the hand of the matter" are "ride the apocalypse" and it literally feels like you are riding the apocalypse.
The song is very, well, apocalyptic and the groove is so "ridy" if that makes sense.
"Monsoon" is an even more apocalyptic track. Groove heavy too. It builds and builds and builds tension throughout leaving with a breathtaking climax of
chaos and noise before breaking into a new, more melancholic finish. Easily my favorite among the more out of place tracks.
"Days of Being Wild" is a good song. Hard hitting and explosive, but for some reason is it probably the least memorable song on
the album for me. Also the "middle finger to the instutution" part is sooo cringy.
And so as the album begins in a perfect manner, the album closes aswell. A three track combo, adding upp to 11 and a half minutes, finishes off this
album perfectly.
"Relative Ways" is part 1 of the finale and a damn great start. A passionate and hard hitting song with a very strong melody.
"After the Laughter" are one of the most genius segway/interlude/skit tracks I've ever heard and here's why: It ties the preceding and next track
together so perfectly as it begins with the previous song "Relative Ways" main melody then in the very same song foreshadowing one of the key
moments of the next song "Source Tags & Codes". Its just so tactfully done and subtle details like these blow me away. Also that sample of the
woman singing is just perfect.
And so the finale, one of the most sad and melancholic ballads ever written. Sums up the whole theme of longing in such a beautiful way. Its about
a boy leaving his home on a farm to go on a quest for answers. This song is progressive and textured and very moving. And leaves you hanging on
such a sad note. However, after a few seconds of silence, this uplifting string section comes and closes this album gracefully.
Thankfully these final 11 minutes carry the main theme of the album that captivates me the most and does not reach a weak moment at all.
Even though the first 10 minutes and the final 11 minutes are in my opinion perfection, is this album as a whole not, because its so inconsistant in
between. With the mood, themes and the quality of the music.
Score: 4.5/5
*Side notes.
Since this album often gets critized for being unoriginal lets talk influences for a second. Here are some connections I made to other bands when
listening to this album.
- Invocation & After the Laughter sounds like "Fitter Happier" and "Providence" respectevely were written in major.
- Baudelaire sounds like Josh Homme joined Drive Like Jehu.
- Homage sounds like Unwound was more "Post-Hardcore" than "Indie Rock"
- Relative Ways reminds me of Sonic Youth and Nirvana.
- Source Tags & Codes remind me of Oasis and Coldplay.
Fun facts:
- The string part at the end of the title track is actually a reprise of "How Near, How Far".
- Look closely at the album art, you can see for yourself... (damn does that album art sum up this album well)
Track rankings:
1. Another Morning Stoner 5/5
2. Invocation/It Was There That I Saw You 5/5
3. How Near, How Far 5/5
4. After the Laughter/Source Tags & Codes 5/5
5. Relative Ways 5/5
6. Monsoon 4.5/5
7. Heart In The Hand of the Matter 4/5
8. Baudelaire 3.5/5
9. Homage 3/5
10. Days of Being Wild 3/5
11. Life is Elsewhere 2.5/5
"[+]Reply
"HOMEGROWN You're a poem of mystery You're the prayer inside me Spoken words like moonlight You're the voice that I like (Faded From The Winter) Sub Pop almost didn’t make it. No. I don’t mean the grunge years. That was a given. No matter how improbable it seemed at the time. You just couldn’t kee...""HOMEGROWN
You're a poem of mystery
You're the prayer inside me
Spoken words like moonlight
You're the voice that I like (Faded From The Winter)
Sub Pop almost didn’t make it. No. I don’t mean the grunge years. That was a given. No matter how improbable it seemed at the time. You just couldn’t keep that much talent - Nirvana, Soundgarden and Alice In Chains in particular - from going big. Seattle was going to blow. It was just a matter of time. Hair metal beckoned a correction. Metal had gone adrift way too far into the seas of cheese. A hard tack was in the cards.
No. I’m taking about the rebirth. In the late 90s. Sub Pop was on its knees. Internal mutinies were plotted. Hell, even co-founder Bruce Pavitt wanted to call it quits.
But not Jonathan Poneman. Poneman’s a lot like us. A music junkie. Addicted to the process of discovery. Finding that next musical high. That next big thing. That new sound. That’s right. Poneman of Sub Pop fame is a music addict just like us. And in the late 90s, he was desperately trying to jumpstart his once proud grunge behemoth Sub Pop. And by being a super music geek, Poneman pulled off one of the most successful rebrands of a record label in rock history. First came the The Shins Oh Inverted World. But no industry rests and Poneman needed to prove that Sub Pop was no longer just a grunge label. After all, with the Nicklebacks splashing in Puddles of Mudd 3 Doors Down, grunge or Sub Pop was hardly hip anymore. Quite the opposite.
And he found it. After countless hours of listening to demo after demo after demo. He got that rush all over again. Finding Sam Beam baring his soul on an old demo tape. And there was magic there. No studio trickery. No band. Just Beam channeling Appalachalia into his bedroom. Channeling a campfire that never was. And this is the power of imagination. He made an a lo-fi Appalachian album. Call it lo fi indie if you want. The setting tell us to do so. The record label tells us to do so. Hell Allmusic compares it to Sebadoh. But the songs. The voice. The slide guitar. That banjo. They tell us differently.
Reality check: I am NOT like Poneman. AT ALL. I just think I am. I let other people do my dirty work. You won’t catch me going through random demos looking for gold. EVER. It’s never happened. It never will happen. Shit, I didn’t even have any patience with those CMJ comps that would get mailed to my door back in the day. There’s tons of undiscovered gems out there. I just let other people find them for me. Thanks, BEA! Thanks, Spin! Thanks, Pitchfork! Thanks, Trouser Press and all the other countless lists I've scoured for the next fix. (Luckily, for all of us, I possess something called INSIGHT. That means I’m aware of my own shortcomings. I can see and more importantly smell my own pile of bullshit. Some people do not have this! They do not even realize that they shit! But more on this at another date.)
Allmusic tries to connect this album to Sebadoh/Sentridoh and the lo-fi indie rock of the early 90s. But that’s bullshit. Sebadoh always felt neatly nestled in the indie rock universe. A logical and necessary part of it. This doesn’t. This is all its own. Even more so than Oh Inverted World.
The problem with a lot of projects on this scale - one man bands in a bedroom- is that the songs can start to sound a like. Which is understandable. I mean it’s just one guy after all. In his bedroom. But this album completely bucks that notion as each song sounds distinct. Unique. The whole album somehow growing stronger as it travels along. Beam sent Poneman two albums worth of demos, and Poneman chiseled them down to this one record. A good editor is so underrated!
Grade: A+. I really don’t know how Poneman did it back it the early 2000s. First the Shins and then this. He definitely deserves more credit since both albums sounded like nothing else at the time. Now we take the whole Indie Folk scene for granted. Plus they each came with their own identity. Their own mystique. Hell even the album title - The Creek Drank the Cradle - sounds like an old fable. Biblical in nature. It has this recorded in obscurity home vibe mystique to it. And neither The Shins nor Iron & Wine would ever quite capture that again despite continued success. Something other worldly. Like from an old radio station left behind by the Dharma Initiative. Something that would be playing down in that old hatch while Desmond waited around to push the button. To save the world. It was like you were being let in on this secret world. Something apart yet parallel to our own. And this album climbs out of that hatch an into the sunshine. No longer Lost on a desert island, a desert bedroom but rising high among the indie greats to number 16. "[+]Reply
badfaith | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (3 helpful | 1 unhelpful)
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paladisiac | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +4 votes (4 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
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mickilennial | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +17 votes (18 helpful | 1 unhelpful)
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NoeSSS | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +7 votes (7 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
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SingingPeasant96 | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +6 votes (6 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
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rayword45 | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +8 votes (8 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
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Repo | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
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