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Twin Town High (vol. 8) |
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The Top 22 of 2002
Wednesday 15 January @ 12:03:07 |
 Who can pick just 10? Celeste Tabora runs down the 22 most memorable releases from the year that was 2002
1. Spoon “Kill The Moonlight” (Merge)
They perform with such skill that it’s hard not to fall for Spoon on their latest release. Kill the Moonlight is slinky and driving, sensual and rocking! Could you ask for more? (I’m sure you can.) But Spoon’s fun, aurally shifty, and lovable indie rock will satisfy your needs and wants for at least its 35 minutes running time.
2. Liars “They Threw Us All In A Trench And Stuck A Monument On Top” (Mute)
Is it true? Is New York to the ’00s what Seattle was to the ’90s? Lets see, The Strokes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Rapture, Radio 4, Longwave, Interpol, Mooney Suzuki… and now, get to know Liars. This release is bursting with punk dance hits. (And no, that is not a fake accent, lead singer is actually an Aussie!) It’s one of the most want-able discs I’ve come across in a long time! You’re bound to enjoy the start-stop repetition and brattiness that encompasses Liars. So what are you waiting for? Go out and get yourself some Liars today!
3. Interpol “Turn On The Bright Lights” (Matador)
Progressively punk, New York’s Interpol have had people dropping names like Joy Division and The Cure when describing their sound. But so what if they sound a little bit like some of those influences (“PDA” and “Untitled” in particular)—those are excellent bands to be stacked up against! Interpol have their own sound too—like on “NYC,” where a steady beat propels singer Paul Banks’ vocals through cataracts of muted guitars. Many put their hopes into the revival of good rock music in this band, and it’s easy to see why.
4. Hot Hot Heat “Make Up The Breakdown” (Sub Pop)
Wonderful rock hits, one after another, is what you will find on Make Up the Breakdown. I absolutely adore it, and now cannot live without the simple, snappy songwriting and lyrics about growing into your own skin. “Talk To Me, Dance With Me” and “Oh, Goddammit” are upbeat and just about perfect. HHH is srough around the edges but sweet at the core.
5. Pele “Enemies” (Polyvinyl)
Pele are not only good musicians, they are also very clever songwriters. Check the sophisticated drum parts, and the unique tactic of having two guitars play separate melodies simultaneously. Each of the songs on Enemies has its own story, though none have any words. “Hooves” is calm and earthy, where “Hospital Sports” sounds more futuristic. Pele is into building a sonic impression over the course of a song, and not simply following the pop formula. Pele are not a band for the short-attention span era, and this album will be appreciated by mature music fans.
6. Sigur Ros “( )” (MCA)
Breathe this music in: eight multi-dimensional, ethereal, keyboard- and string-heavy tracks with vocals in a pastiche of languages. Like a lover’s soft kiss on the cheek, it’s subtly romantic. The new album sounds fairly similar to their previous effort (Agaetis Byrjun); apparently the band’s songcraft has been evolving at the same glacial rate as their songs. You won’t need to worry about pronouncing any of the song titles this time around though, because there are none. Pretentious or utopian? Does it really matter when you are experiencing music that is undeniably hauntingly gorgeous?
7. Enon “High Society” (Touch and Go)
Fave: “In This City”
Enon have style; they’re definitely high society in the cosmopolitan city known as Indie Rock. Perfect pauses and delicious bass lines mixed with subtle and unimposing keyboards—they can see when less is more as well as knowing when the song calls for more. Enon took a new direction with this 2002 release, becoming more ‘strait-forward’—giving a new and positive light to that term by showing the music world that simplicity doesn’t have to mean stupidity. You can very well fall in love with Enon.
8. The Promise Ring “Woodwater” (Anti)
It seems the Promise Ring took a hint from the Beatles’ epic pop hits on this, their last album. Gone are the quirky pop songs we had grown to expect from TPR. Lead singer Von Bohlen’s distinct vocals seem to be the only link from what is now being called “old” Promise Ring. They drift over a set of superbly written pop ballads of such quality that they rival Travis’ last two albums.
9. Clinic “Walking With Thee” (Domino)
You’ll find a few changes from previous Clinic releases on this album. These Liverpudlians have wisely opted for a smoother production and a quieter, more introspective sound than on their previous work. Stripped nearly bare of reverb and static, much of Walking With Thee sounds naked, dressed only with rattling percussion and driving bass lines. Walking with Thee was certainly one of the most interesting success of 2002.
10. Ash “Free All Angels” (Kinetic)
I probably hear more Ash than I hear anyone else these days. My flatmate has convinced me she’s their biggest superfan. But I get it. They’ve already made it as one of the UK’s top bands with their power pop built upbeat, pounding rhythms and endearing lyrics. It’s refined but strait-up: great for pogo-ing in public at the Redding Festival or in private in your living room.
11. Coldplay A Rush Of Blood To The Head (Capitol)
12. Askeleton “Sad Album” (Blood of the Young)
13. Beck “Sea Change” (Geffen/Interscope)
14. Flaming Lips “Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots” (Warner Bros.)
15. Queens of the Stone Age “Songs For The Deaf” (Interscope)
16. Elbow “Asleep In The Back” (V2)
17. Ladytron “Light And Magic” (Emperor Norton)
18. 2 Many DJs “As Heard On Radio Soulwax, Pt. 2” (PIAS)
19. Jon Spencer Blues Explosion “Plastic Fang” (Matador)
20. Aloha “Sugar” (Polyvinyl)
21. Anniversary “Your Majesty” (Vagrant)
22. Simian “We Are Your Friends” (Astralwerks)
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