Check out the list compiled by
Information Leafblower. He asked 20 music-obsessed bloggers for their Top 10, and compiled the results. The comments that follow the resulta are preety interesting- this list really got some folks going…Below is the consensus Top 10, along with my thoughts- they belong here, they’re ranked too high, I don’t know enough about them to say one way or the other. Mind you, the music I hear is different from most would-be critics as it relies on my own wallet and not free promos or college radio station libraries. Also note that rappers and solo artists were eligible, not just bands.
1) TED LEO + PHARMACISTS- belongs- winner of my highest
Timmy award last year. Returned with another solid effort this fall.2) WILCO- Hmm. I’m going to have to say just outside of my top 10, so too high.
3) INTERPOL- Haven’t heard their newest album yet, so not enough info.
4) GUIDED BY VOICES- their place here seems like a "lifetime achievement award", as they are splitting up. I like them, but again, a little too high.
5) THE FIERY FURNACES- not enough info, but I plan on picking this up soon…
6) THE PIXIES- they’re having a successful tour, so while they’re here based on reputation, I understand it, but they don’t quite make my Top 10.
7) BRIAN WILSON- Smile is great, but I didn’t hear a lot of positive things on his album of all new material this year. Too high.
LUNA- Another "Lifetime achievement Award", as they are breaking up, too. Too high. 9) MODEST MOUSE- yet another album I’ve yet to hear, so I have to so not enough info.
10) SPOON- a band I like, but nothing new this year, so not in my top 10 right now.
So I agree with one, not enough info on three, and too high on six. So that gives me between six and nine picks to consider. My choices (note: you’ll se a lot of these names on the Timmys this year…) and the Information Leafblower # after them if they made the Top 40.
TV On the Radio (36) Arty alt rock with a splash of doo-wop. Inventive.
Secret Machines (-) Krautrock with catchy melodies from NYC
!!! (-) My favorite of the NYC funk-punk brigade
A Girl Called Eddy (-) sweet-as-honey vocals over Bacharach-like tunes. BTW, look at the lack of female voices on the information Leafblower list (O.K., I only have one woman on my list, so I shouldn’t be all high and mighty)
The Killers (24) catchy if at least mildy derivative new wave revivalists
Rufus Wainwright (-) one of the country’s more interesting voices, both literally and figuratively
The Shins (31) their last album came out in 2003, but I think their influence crept well into 2004
and perhaps instead one of the 3 I haven’t yet heard, Outkast (32) even though their album was from 2003. Barring a real disappointment, their 2 upcoming releases will have them on my 2005 list.
So I haven’t given you a definitive 10, in order. I will do so by the time I finish the Timmys- and I will also have my Top 10 Bands Outside America Today for you real soon.