Frank's Top 15 Albums of 2004

Ok so here you go - My Top 15 Albums of 2004. Feedback always welcome. Hope you enjoy it. In the next few days I will post my Top 50 Tracks for 2004.

Frank


1) Kanye West – The College Dropout
This was long anticipated and well worth the money. This is one of the most creative and genre blending albums to come out in a long time. Finally a heartfelt rap album that isn’t talking about niggas, ho’s and chedda. Although there are a few references to Jacob the Jeweler.
2) Keane – Hopes and Fears
One of the surprise albums of the year. This band made an amazing album that gives Coldplay a run for their money. If their second album has a hit like “Clocks,” the world will understand the hype.
3) Rachael Yamagata – Happenstance
This girl is my fill for Fiona Apple while she tries to get her 3rd album released from the wretched record label. Lots of piano, lots of feeling, lots of talent. Sometimes you just get lucky buying a promo EP on a whim.
4) Snow Patrol – Final Straw
I got “Run” as a free download on iTunes. This album is obviously my favorite one of the year from this Irish band. They rock, makes me remember what rock is really like.
5) Jem – Finally Woken
Again, free iTunes download, turns into a great album. British chick rock over electro hip-hop beats. Sound odd? Yeap! So great!
6) Switchfoot – The Beautiful Letdown
My favorite Christian rock album of the year. This album goes to many musical places. An album that can stay on repeat.
7) Jamie Cullum – Twentysomething
My weakness for pianos comes again, and its not over. This reinvention of “Frontin’,” makes this a must buy all alone. Neo-jazz rock for the 21st Century.
8) The Killers – Hot Fuss
Electro-rock rocks my radio with this one. Expecting a flop, much like the Modest Mouse album. But It held through to make it to my favorites. The album isn’t necessarily an album, but a collection of very good singles.
9) Zero 7 – When It Falls
Did anyone get their 1st album? No one listened when I praised it did you? Go back and get it! And get this as a follow up. The 1st album “Simple Things,” was groundbreaking, this one doesn’t do anything new, but you can’t expect a band to break new ground and then do it again so quickly.
10) Shrek 2 – Soundtrack
Ok – I know. It’s a soundtrack. Counting Crows “Accidentally in Love” and Frou Frou’s “Holding Out For a Hero” makes this cd great. Oh right there’s like 12 other tracks that keep you entertained till the Shrek karaoke finale.
11) Jill Scott – Beautifully Human – Words and Sounds, Vol. 2
A nice follow up to her first album. This album is not as good as her past ones, however it manages to do something amazing. There are a few tracks that bring you so far back you would think they belong on a Motown compilation. Amazing production by DJ Jazzy Jeff.
12) Utada – Exodus
I have to thank the woman for this one. She heard the a remix of “Devil Inside” and told me about it. It was instantly one of my favorite tracks. This is the 1st of 2 albums I did not buy. The album from this Japanese woman reminds me who’s in charge of electronic companies.
13) Sia – Colour the Small One
The second album that I did not buy. This one sounds a lot like the Zero 7 album with downtempo beats that take chillout to a new level. Sia has a voice that is amazing and the track “breathe me” makes me melt.
14) Scissor Sisters – Scissor Sisters
They do a great job of bringing back a sound that many thought (including me) should be left alone to die. The upbeat Elton John mid-70s sound. The only thing more weird on this album is the upbeat “Stayin’ Alive”-esque cover of Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb.”
15) John Legend – Get Lifted
I bought this album today. The single “Used to Love U” is a current favorite of mine. I believe this will be an influential album for 2005. It’s already had 3 spins in the car. He’s being called the male Alicia Keys. Kanye West also produced it, which obviously got my attention.