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BTH Profile
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Purple fan

Registered: 12-2003
Posts: 192
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Best albums of 2004


As we move into December, I'd appreciate any thoughts or comments on the best album(s) of the year, in our humble opinions ....

I'm not looking for re-releases, archival releases, bootlegs or compilations - just albums released during 2004 that moved you, that you would recommend, that you think are the future of music destroying all that has come before, or you reckon is well worth a listen.
30/11/2004, 5:59 Link to this post Send Email to BTH   Send PM to BTH
 
Niko Vidgren Profile
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Registered: 09-2003
Posts: 4532
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Re: Best albums of 2004


Well, I've got a few...

Randall Bramblett - Thin Places

Great southern singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist makes his best solo album! You may remember him singing on Glover's Snapshot. What you got here is somewhat similar music as Queen of England on SS. So, it's basically southern rock with jazz and country influence thrown in. And a great deal of amazing pop hooks. Highly recommended.


Mannhai - The Exploder

A Finnish stoner rock band. Their newest album harks back to the sounds of the 70s with great success. Influences from Purple and Sabbath are clearly heard.


Zero Nine - N.E. Files

If you like 80s style heavy, this is the thing for you. Finnish rockers Zero Nine strike again with a great record.
Good melodies, roaring guitars and above all, well composed songs make this album a success.
Recommended if you liked the 80s style hard rock/heavy.
30/11/2004, 10:24 Link to this post Send Email to Niko Vidgren   Send PM to Niko Vidgren
 
Rezi Profile
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Registered: 04-2004
Posts: 16629
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Re: Best albums of 2004


I was impressed by a band called A Perfect Circle. Never heard of them before, but they've made a cover album. Their versions of Imagine and What's Going On were truly staggering. I don't have the album yet, but am going to get it asap.
30/11/2004, 10:54 Link to this post Send Email to Rezi   Send PM to Rezi
 
David Meadows Profile
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The Fountain Of Useless Knowledge

Registered: 09-2003
Posts: 5670
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Re: Best albums of 2004


I've bought several "new" albums this year, which is unusual for me! In vaguely reverse order, then (and omitting "Beyond the Notes", because that's been discussed to death already)...

Karnataka - Strange Behaviour (Live, double CD)

From one of the leaders in the "new wave of British prog rock", this was released just before the group split up. Karnataka's songs are a bit patchy, some are great some not so great, but there's enough good stuff on here to make it worth a listen, and a few epic moments that will knock your proverbial socks off.

The Zombies - As Far As I Can See

I know a few Zombies fans don't think this compares with their 60s work, but it's a polished and mature collection of diverse styles that's worth a listen regardless of what band name it was issued under. Rod Argent always has a great ear for catchy melodies and if you like Colin Blunstone's voice (and who doesn't?) you'll love this bunch of songs.

Marjolaine - Lego Trip

I have absolutely no idea how to classify this album. Marjolaine has a beautiful voice (French singing, sigh) and writes nice tunes. But just when you think this could be some middle-of-the-road pop album, she goes all "Syd Barratt" and you have to sit up and listen... I guess you could call it avant-garde jazz, it's certainly not easy listening but it is damn good if you like something a bit different.

Viktoria Tolstoy - Shining on You

Ahhh... back in "easy listening" jazz territory, these songs are absolutely beautiful, her voice is beautiful, her band is beautiful... this is all so beautiful, you just have to buy it emoticon

Vanessa-Mae - Choreography

This is Vanessa-Mae's best album to date. She's spent the last 10 years trying to fuse modern and classical music, and I think she's finally found the perfect formula. Each piece is from a different composer and each reflects dance music from a different part of the world. All played with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, supplemented by traditional "ethnic" instruments. It's more than a showcase for her violin playing (though that is, as usual, amazing), it's simply a collection of superb music. This is the kind of album Jon Lord might be making now if he played violin instead of piano...




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30/11/2004, 12:09 Link to this post Send Email to David Meadows   Send PM to David Meadows
 
Mofo Lives Profile
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Purple fan

Registered: 09-2004
Posts: 421
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Re: Best albums of 2004


Unlike 2003 were we had the following great albums:

DP - Bananas
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Vicious Cycle

I haven’t found anything new that struck my fancy in 2004.

Dio’s Master of the Moon http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0002PUHG0/qid=1101822997/sr=2-1/ref=pd_ka_b_2_1/103-4594989-5576653is probably the best I’ve heard thus far. Nothin fancy (another Skynyrd quip…couldn’t resist) nothing bad from the great RJD. Some cracking tracks though!! All in all a good effort.

Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s latest http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0002VKZPM/qid=1101823126/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-4594989-5576653?v=glance&s=music has him digressing from his blues/rock background to go more mainstream (ala Lenny Kravitz). The results don’t cut it for me. To make matters worse, he sings on most of the album leaving his great vocalist, Noah Hunt, to sing 2 or 3 tracks which not surprisingly are the best tracks on the album. Furthermore his awesome guitar work is invisible for most of the album. I guess the suits don’t like guitar solos.
Advice to Kenny, quit listening to management and/or the record company and get back to playing the blues like Live On, Trouble Is and Ledbetter Heights- and let Noah sing!! Your only 23/24 years old, get back!!

Johnny Lang’s latest http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000AXHUM/qid=1101823178/sr=2-1/ref=pd_ka_b_2_1/103-4594989-5576653 also has him listening to the suits forsaking the guitar and trying to do Stevie Wonder’s songs justice, which he doesn’t. Advice to Johnny, quit listening to management and/or the record company and get back to playing the blues!! Your only 23/24 years old, get back!!


I’m thinking of buying 38 Special’s latest http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0002IQH1G/qid=1101823271/sr=1-9/ref=sr_1_9/103-4594989-5576653?v=glance&s=music as well as perhaps giving Living Loud a try.


My big X-Mas wish, is to get The Doors new DVD LA Woman Live http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0002A2W3Q/ref=pd_ecc_rvi_2/103-4594989-5576653 captured in a concert from 2001. Hopefully the WIFE will acknowledge!!!

The big question:
When the hell is Jeff Healy going to come out with a new album?

For now I'll have to bu Hell To Pay as I wore out my old cd.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000002VHC/qid=1101823387/sr=2-3/ref=pd_ka_b_2_3/103-4594989-5576653

Cover to Cover sounds great too!
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000002VOM/ref=pd_sim_music_4/103-4594989-5576653?v=glance&s=music

The new Government Mule record http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0002SPPZ0/ref=pd_sim_music_5/103-4594989-5576653?v=glance&s=music looks like a cracker as well

Last edited by Mofo Lives, 30/11/2004, 14:56
30/11/2004, 14:04 Link to this post Send Email to Mofo Lives   Send PM to Mofo Lives
 
Durple Profile
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Purple fan

Registered: 09-2003
Posts: 1288
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Re: Best albums of 2004


There are some others, but now I'm going for
IQ - Dark Matter
Fine prog rock!
30/11/2004, 22:27 Link to this post Send Email to Durple   Send PM to Durple
 
Rahul Profile
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Purple fan

Registered: 09-2003
Posts: 6181
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Re: Best albums of 2004


For an obvious choice, Glenn Hughes has delivered once again with Soulfully Live In The City If Angels!

But certainly of interest, is a little gem I picked up by a newish band called Flipron. The album is curiously titled 'Fancy Blues And Rustique Novelties.'

It's full of wicked lyrics, devilish imagery, sinister fairground type melodies. Great organ, and some extremely interesting arrangements.

They are in another world. A very original sound. Great to see a new band with a totally different style to anything I have ever heard.

How would you describe it? Sometimes a bit psychedelic, at others slightly prog. Perhaops slightly Zappa-ish. And at other times, it just sounds like the evil bastard son of a Walt Disney fairy tale character.

Can't go wrong with a band who have tracks titled Raindrops Keep Falling On The Dead, Big Baboon, Skeletons on Holiday and Hungamunga.

Nice.

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30/11/2004, 22:53 Link to this post Send Email to Rahul   Send PM to Rahul
 
pauldrax Profile
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Purple fan

Registered: 02-2004
Posts: 229
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Re: Best albums of 2004


On top of my head I can only remember one album that moved/surprised me:

UFO - You Are Here

Hasn’t really been a big UFO fan, only had about three albums. However, this album is great! I was really stunned and blown away when I heard it the first time. If you haven’t got this album yet, get it now.

Honorable mention goes to:

Cornerstone - Once Upon Our Yesterdays

This album is a true gem a must-have! Although this title was originally released in late 2003 I believe it was released in some territories this year.
  

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1/12/2004, 8:35 Link to this post Send Email to pauldrax   Send PM to pauldrax
 
purpletemple Profile
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Purple fan

Registered: 09-2003
Posts: 8972
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Re: Best albums of 2004


Maria McKee-Live in Hamburg
Amazing performance by a great artist.

Iommi-The Dep sessions...Okay, not brand new but great anyway.



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1/12/2004, 12:13 Link to this post Send Email to purpletemple   Send PM to purpletemple
 
Mofo Lives Profile
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Purple fan

Registered: 09-2004
Posts: 421
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Re: Best albums of 2004


Forgot about the new UFO cd You Are Here. It is a good cd. Right up there with Ronnie.
1/12/2004, 13:19 Link to this post Send Email to Mofo Lives   Send PM to Mofo Lives
 


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