I'm not a fan of the "Best of" terminology, because what's "best" in my eyes
probably isn't "best" in yours. Plus, "best" implies that an album (or EP)
matches some pre-defined set of criteria, which usually aren't even
articulated. So I'm going with my "favorite" records of 1999... no
justifications, no quabbles. You can't argue with me, so there! So here
goes:
First Team:
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, I See A Darkness (Palace)
Spare and brooding and intense (and almost paradoxiaclly uplifting), Will
Oldham, who in multiple incarnations has been for years playing musical
variations of the young appalachian preacher character he played in John
Sayles' Matewan, finally concentrates on melody for the span of an entire
record. The results are glorious.
Marine Research, Sounds From the Gulf Stream (K)
A perfect independent pop record, the likes of which I haven't heard in
years. Heavenly taken to a full three dimensions.
Superchunk, Come Pick Me Up (Merge)
My favorite band of the last three years doesn't know how to make a bad
record. Intelligent lyrics, pop hooks, and just enough evolution with each
release to keep things from going sour. I hope they never break up.
Magnetic Fields, 69 Love Songs (Merge)
Merge Records is on a super-roll. My favorite release for 1998 was Neutral
Milk Hotel, and now the 'Chunk and the Magnetic Fields are right there for
'99. True Experimental [pop] Music Love.
The Dismemberment Plan, Emergency and I (DeSoto)
"Like every 'new wave', 'alternative' and 'punk rock' band you've ever
heard, but so NOT like any of them". That's about the only way I can
describe this record. I'm blown away.
Second Team:
- Les Savy Fav, The Cat and the Cobra (Frenchkiss)
- Built to Spill, Keep It Like A Secret (Warner Bros.)
- The Promise Ring, Very Emergency (Jade Tree)
- Pedro the Lion, The Only Reason I Feel Secure EP (Made In Mexico)
- Burning Airlines, Mission: Control! (DeSoto)
- Rainer Maria, Look Now Look Again (Polyvinyl)
- Rocket From The Crypt, Cut Carefully and Play Loud 12" EP (Flapping Jet)
Honorable Mention:
- Fugazi, Instrument soundtrack
- Pinhead Gunpowder, Shoot the Moon EP (Adeline)
- Quasi, Field Studies (Up)
- Jawbreaker, Live 4/30/96 (Blackball)
- Sunny Day Real Estate, Live (Sub Pop)
- Flaming Lips, The Soft Bulletin (Warner Bros.)
