the lists are coming - the lists are coming
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Billboard critics Choice Top 10s - here's one critics picks
STEVE ADAMS
Billboard contributor
1. Elbow, "The Seldom Seen Kid" (Fiction/Universal). Grand yet understated prog-rock mixing quirky, poignant lyrics with stunning arrangements.
2. The Verve, "Forth" (Parlophone). Unlikely reunion produces even more unlikely result: magic mostly intact.
3. The Stills, "Oceans Will Rise" (Arts & Crafts). Third long-player finds rejuvenated Montreal indie rockers rediscovering form of debut set.
4. Fleet Foxes, "Fleet Foxes" (Bella Union). Fabulous harmony-packed update of '60s folk-pop.
5. Kings Of Leon, "Only by the Night" (RCA). Followill brothers preaching stadium-sized garage rock with melodies and southern riffs.
6. Plover, "Plover" (self-released, plovermusic.com). Lovely low-key DIY effort from Neilson Hubbard, Glen Phillips and Garrison Starr.
7. John Mellencamp, "Life, Death, Love and Freedom" (Hear Music). Stripped-back and bleak, but best album in years from everyman songwriter.
8. AC/DC, "Black Ice" (Columbia). Back In Black Ice? Familiar riffs and big drums-like the last 28 years never happened. Almost.
9. Teddy Thompson, "A Piece of What You Need" (Verve Forecast). Folk-pop with instant melodies but hidden depths.
10. Ryan Adams and the Cardinals, "Cardinology" (Lost Highway). Another effortless set from über-prolific alt-country singer/songwriter.
Not a bad list at all, all thing considered, One thing I'd like to note - number 7
I'm glad to see John get a little love, He really took it on the chin, head. and any other body part you care to name, for his chevy truck debacle. Somewhat deserved I suppose, but it does not negate the fact that he can still pump out some heart felt and quality tuneage.
Comments (7)
I hear what you mean. It makes the grade; it pulls its weight; it comes across; it sucks me in and lifts me up.
ARE WE BEING SNIDE?
I, on the other thumb, am giving it a thumbs down.
nrumford, when in doubt about me, pick the most benign, altruistic interpretation toward you (seriously). Long ago, david hyman told us all to be nice to each other, and that fit well with my fear of confrontation.
I like this list much more than that other list (the one that had a bunch of Beyonce, etc.)
INR--- John Mellencamp has done of a lot of nice things (Farm AID, etc..) and I although I was never a HUGE fan I saw him play live about 3 years ago, and he was great. I feel like he really does put his heart into his music.
He a was always, to me, one of those artists that I respect as a songwriter (exception: Hurt So Good----NOOOOOOOO!!) and his songs have mainly been ones I absolutely love (Everyone Needs a Hand to Hold On to, Paper and Fire, for example) or for whatever reason just didn't do it for me (Jack and Diane).
I reviewed Mellencamp's gig at Berkeley's Greek Theater with Lucinda Williams previously. His record and TBone Burnett's studio mastery hit my pleasure zone big time, but not all agree. He can be as grumpy as Lou Reed, recently admitted he was much troubled by tinnitus. He has been active in advocacy for wounded veterans and I think that outweighs his allowing the use of his song to flog Chevvy trucks...
I've always been a fan of John and his music and advocacy. We just live in a rapidly evolving and changing musical world and I don't think you can hang a guy for pimping his tunes. "Normal" avenues of distribution have pretty much dried up and a mans gotta do what he's gotta do.