We're now into the Top 10 for 2004 and there are two more new listens in this 6-10 group. It's a fun assortment of albums with only one obvious selection. Let's get to it.
10. Loretta Lynn - Van Lear Rose ( 4.0 Stars )
I certainly wasn't expecting a Loretta Lynn album in my Top 10. I remember Van Lear Rose coming out to considerable critical acclaim, but never listened to it despite the involvement of Jack White. I probably viewed it as a cynical move on his part to reinvent a Country Music legend. As I listened to this for the first time, I vaguely remember hearing the track, "Portland, Oregon" back in the day. It turns out Jack White did a respectful job on Van Lear Rose. He judiciously adds some rock elements to an outstanding collection of traditional Country songs, most notably on "Have Mercy" and "Mrs. Leroy Brown". "Trouble on the Line" sounds like it arrived in a time machine from the 70's. The pedal steel on that track is beautiful. "Women's Prison" is a powerful song about a woman who kills her cheatin' man and ends up on Death Row. The last thing she hears is her mama cry. It's easily my favorite track on the album. It runs out with a great slide guitar performance by Jack White. I suppose in 2004 we all needed a reminder that Loretta Lynn was a national treasure.
9. Earlimart - Treble and Tremble ( 4.5 Stars )
This is another CD I was all about in 2004. I think I read a review of it in a music magazine and took a flyer on it. It's not surprising that Treble and Tremble is in my wheelhouse. It has a dreamy Sparklehorse vibe and was co-produced by Jim Fairchild of Grandaddy. Apparently, Earlimart's Aaron Espinoza was friends with Elliott Smith and this album was inspired by him. The single from this album was "Heaven Adores You". Probably a connection there. What I love most about Treble and Tremble is the vocals. They are a breathy combination of Jason Lytle of Grandaddy and Billy Corgan. One of my favorite tracks is "Tell the Truth", which has the lines: "Well I know I'm out of reach. And all these songs are out of key. But I guess you just don't know. You don't know shit about me". Good stuff.
8. Arcade Fire - Funeral ( 4.5 Stars )
I know this was the consensus Best Album of 2004, but I have it at #8. Maybe it's because part of me blames them for all the horrible bands like The Lumineers and Mumford and Sons. That's probably not fair, but life's not fair. There's no denying, however, that Funeral is a phenomenal album. "Wake Up" is a sweeping, majestic indie rock anthem. The first time I heard of Arcade Fire was when I saw the music video for "Rebellion". It was mesmerizing. And it's a fantastic song. If the rest of the album was as powerful as these two songs it would be a 5 Star lock. But they aren't, so 4.5 it is.
7. The Polyphonic Spree - Together We're Heavy ( 4.5 Stars )
Together We're Heavy is the hilariously titled second album by The Polyphonic Spree. With over 20 members, their combined weight would have been well in excess of one ton. The implication is separately they were not heavy in a personal outlook sense. They were a band, lead by Tripping Daisy's Tim DeLaughter, who found community and joyous expression through music. Their albums had an unusual conceit where the song numbers continued to go up. like their music was one continuous journey. It's awesome that there was a time in music where a band like The Polyphonic Spree could even exist. Over the years, I've come to this band for enjoyment, solace, inspiration and a renewed faith in humanity. The opening track, "Section 11 (A Long Day Continues/We Sound Amazed)", is a larger than life, Beatlesesque quest for meaning that calls back to their first album. "Section 12 (Hold Me Now)" was the "hit" song. It's a spirited, uplifting track with full band instrumental bombast and a beautiful message. "Section 13 (Diamonds/Mild Devotion to Majesty) is a gorgeous song that features some tremendous theremin playing. Delaughter's usually fragile vocals are actually quite powerful on this track and the backing vocals are amazing. I could literally highlight every song on this album, but my favorite is probably "Section 19 (When the Fool Becomes a King)". It's a multi-part song that runs over ten minutes. After an opening fanfare section there's the fantastic "Hail to the sky", sing-along section. My favorite section follows when DeLaughter brings it down and has the line, "The best place is to find your home. The coolest is to find your way". The song closes out with the inspiring "Reach for the sun" movement. My one complaint about Together We're Heavy is that "Section 19" clearly should have been the album closer. There's nowhere for them to go after such a cathartic anthem. Honestly, if your soul hasn't been completely crushed by Neoliberal austerity, capitalism, mass shootings and forever wars listen to The Polyphonic Spree and recharge your Spirit. It's not a cult.
6. A.C. Newman - The Slow Wonder ( 4.5 Stars )
This is my favorite new discovery of this dive. The Slow Wonder is the first solo album from A.C. Newman of The New Pornographers. It's not really much of a departure, but it's fantastic. Newman hits it out of the park with the opening track, "Miracle Drug". "He was tied to the bed with a miracle drug in one hand. In the other, a great lost novel that, I understand, was returned with a stamp that said, "Thank you for your interest, young man,". The third track, "On the Table" is a rollicking, high energy indie rocker. The following track, "Most of Us Prizefighters", is a moodier, Shins adjacent song, that's also quite good. "The Battle For Straight Time" is classic New Pornographers and features some sweet recorder playing by Newman. The only thing keeping The Slow Wonder from being 5 Stars is that it lags somewhat towards the end. It's still great though. Peace.
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