Best of 2004: The Platters That Mattered

Yeah, I know, best of lists are played out. Yeah, I know, I talked about this albums all year already, so shut up. I'm doing it anyway, so deal with it.
These are never complete, but below are a number of albums and songs that helped me through the day last year:

M83: Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts
Soaring, moody and dense. M83 could get lost in the wallpaper sound of
electronic music, yet they conjure the lost spirit of Kevin Shields
and produce an epic.

The Arcade Fire: Funeral
The surprise of 2004. Part Talking Heads, part Camper Van Beethoven,
part indescribable. Anthemic, tender and unbelieveably catchy.

Beastie Boys: To the 5 Boroughs
No one does a party album better.

The Decemberists: Billy Liar EP
Nebbish, meloncholy pop songs. Psuedo Anglo-nautical imagery delivered
in Colin Meloy's sweet, straining voice. Meloy can go from single
acoustic guitar to lush orchestration at the drop of a hat. These are
the songs you wake up with in your head.

Modest Mouse: Good News For People Who Love Bad News
Isaac Brock drops the epic album-form for a tightened up, yet
adventurous album that somehow sold over 1 million copies. "Float On"
is possibly the catchiest song of the year and reminds you why you
loved MM in '97.

Belle & Sebastian: "Your Covers Blown"
this B-side from the Books EP reminds you that B&S can assimilate any
musical genre. Part soul, part disco, part Simon and Garfunkel, these
guys continue to surprise.

Junior Boys: Last Exit
"Birthday" pays homage to New Order, but there are a number of
influences here that seperate Last Exit from your average Lap Pop
album. Is that Prince in the corner?

Ted Leo: "Me and Mia"
While Shake the Sheets was a disappointment, the lead single picks up
where Hearts of Oak left off. Power chords, punk rock and Ted's
infectuous spirit will drive you to pick up your air guitar.

Morrissey: You Are The Quarry
Take the predetorial album title, Mozzer's record label (Attack
Records), and the venemous lead single Irish Heart, English Blood and
you will agree that Morrissey is playing the game for keeps and no one
is safe. Brilliantly stylized pop music.

Phoenix: Alphabetical
Perfect pop songs for the summer road trip. Think too much about this
album and the sugar's gonna disolve...

Interpol: Antics
Give this album enough time and you'll see it for what it is: The
clammy morning half light preceeding the morning after Turn On the
Bright Lights. Worth the wait.

Well, there you have it. Let the flaming begin. Hopefully I'll post my movie and show list this week as well as things to look forward to in 2005. Because who wants to live in the past...