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Keith Sawyer's Chugchanga-L Poll 2001 Entry
Top 10 Favorites of 2001
1. Joel Plaskett Experience - Down At The Khyber (Brobdingnagian)
An astounding 70's rock experience complete with Physical Graffiti style
guitars and off-key vocals. The guitar solos themselves sell the disc, and
I can say that about maybe five records in my apartment.
2. Call and Response - Call and Response (Emperor Norton/Kindercore)
Early 60's psychedelic soul (think Friends of Distinction) melded with
indie-pop sweetness. Bouncy and beguiling, with wonderful and unexpected
production touches that still astound me.
3. Red House Painters - Old Ramon (Sub Pop)
I hear and understand the complaints ... repetitive arrangements, simpler
lyrics, etc. But this disc just won't leave the player. I guess if Mark K
opens his mouth it makes my top 10.
4. The Clientele - Suburban Light (Merge)
Since the US release came out in May I'll give it another nod here. Plus,
it was my favorite live performance of the year.
5. Toulouse - New Points, New Lines (Grimsey)
Melding early 80's punk (Gang of Four, Wire) with 60's French pop and a dash
of new wave. Songs about living young in an urban setting, full of bland
disaffection.
6. The Still - Nectar (PulCec)
Former members of the Ropers come back with a short disc exchanging their
power shoegazer past for a razor sharp pop-rock style that glimmers with
precise guitars.
7. Chris Kowanko - Spell (Swimming)
My favorite songwriter finally releases his sophomore album
after 8 long years of waiting. Reminds me of mid-80's Elvis Costello, back
when he had just gone solo. Kowanko's songs continually reveal hidden
lyrical layers years later.
8. The Avalanches - Since I Left You (Sire/Modular)
My natural resistance to hype was laid to waste by this sample-heavy disc
filled with clever, ebullient dance-floor tunes that demand your attention.
Another release that was late coming to the US.
9. The Faint - Danse Macabre (Saddle Creek)
More old school new wavey than the last one but no less enjoyable, these
guys know how to craft a catchy tune and then subvert themselves in the most
interesting ways.
10. Bjork - Vespertine (Elektra)
This one was slow to catch my ears but has now thoroughly won me over. I
still wish there was a little more there lyrically but am starting to wonder
if perhaps that's the point ... like a gently warped fairy tale.
10 Runners-up
American Analog Set - Know By Heart (Tiger Style)
January - I Heard Myself In You (Poptones)
Birdie - Triple Echo (It)
Momus - Folktronic (Le Grand Magistery)
Dismemberment Plan - Change (deSoto)
Arab Strap - The Red Thread (Matador)
The Waves - Flame a Little Brighter (Grimsey/March)
Heidi Saperstein - The Devil I Once Knew (Kim Chee)
Don Peris - Ten Silver Slide Trombones (IM)
Mark Eitzel - The Invisible Man (Matador)
EP's of the Year
My Favorite - A Cult of One (Double Agent)
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Yeah Yeah Yeahs (Shifty)
Bis - Music For a Stranger World (Lookout!)
Belle & Sebastian - I'm Waking Up To Us (Matador)
Re-issues of the Year
Jazz Butcher - A Scandal In Bohemia (Vinyl Japan)
Millennium - Magic Time (Sony/Sundazed)
Lotus Eaters - No Sense of Sin (Vinyl Japan)
As always, anyone who wants a sampler of my favorites for 2001 can request
one free of charge. Just tell me if you desire a tape or CD-R and I'll send
one off to you. Once I create them, that is ...
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