Fred’s Top CDs of 2002
A fine return to form from the Canadian trio. Not enjoyed fully until the book Ghost Rider by drummer Neil Peart is also read. Chronicling an uphill battle Peart took on after the deaths of his daughter and wife, this is an album of triumph, which is something we could all use right now.
Proving they are hardly a one-trick pony, Chris Martin and company return with an even stronger record than Parachutes. It’s good to see an up-and-coming act with some staying power.
Dance record of the year. Who would’ve thought that a Bristol-based duo would create one of the most bangin’ records of recent memory and then take it on the road with a fine band? Looking forward to more from them!
Nice to see the most prolific man currently in music back with more fine stuff. Still not quite as good as his material with Whiskeytown, but heads and shoulders above most of the stuff out there.
Another great record from Stone Gossard’s side project, rivaling their debut record and much better than their second. What’s that other band he’s in again?
A long awaited return! Another album of hope and determination. Plus, Springsteen takes the show on the road with that longtime-guitarist-Silvio guy from The Sopranos. ;-)
Wow, who says Omaha doesn’t have any great musicians besides 311? Great heartfelt, musically-endearing stuff. I just don’t wanna call it emo. Conor Oberst: a name to watch.
A fine emotional effort from the fiery Bosendorfer-straddler! Great live show, too!
The little band that could makes good and then some. A fine companion piece is the "making-of" film I Am Trying To Break Your Heart.
The original organic hip hop act continues to evolve and impress. Talk about keeping it real! These guys are the modern pride of Philly soul.
Those who see Mr. Mathers as simply a one-dimensional smut-meddler just aren’t getting it. Shady’s no fool, although he can play one on television at times.
A fine farewell from the quiet Beatle. It’s quite disconcerting to realize that this is the last noise from him we will probably hear.
Quite a rockin’ affair. I’m just upset that no one told me Joy Division was back. Ian Curtis lives!
Lighter on the electronica than her previous Central Reservation, but not so much as to totally change her sound. Ryan Adams guesting also doesn’t hurt.
Another great party record! Felix and co. prove that class and sleaze are not necessarily mutually exclusive.
A breakthrough album for the Canadian jazz chanteuse! It’s good to see her finally getting the attention she so richly deserves.
The Neptunes may be one of the hottest producers of the hip hop and R&B genres, but it’s nice to know they saved some of the best material for themselves.
A fine continuance of a budding folk-rock career. Looking forward to the tour this year. Bring on the next chapter!
Elvis is back in the building and all is well with the dean of powerpop songwriting!
You’ll come for the great topical matter. You’ll stay for the fine musicianship. Give ‘em hell, Steve!
Honorable mentions:
A solid followup to her comeback records of recent years.
So wacky and crazy, I had to love this one! Cockney skillz and ol’ geezerz, boyeee! Cheers, slainte, and all that two-step mayhem.
A welcome return for the Deal sisters. Not among their best work, but enjoyable nonetheless. Here’s hoping for a Pixies reunion!
Britpop lives! A promising future may await these guys. Either way, a fine surrogate since there was no new Travis record this year. ;-)
Swedish powerpop letting the garage rock flag fly! Really good, catchy stuff.
A bit of a disappointment by Gabriel. Definitely not a pop record, but introspectively enjoyable nonetheless. I have a feeling this will grow on me with time, though…
Not as good as a new record from Rage Against the Machine or Soundgarden would be, but this will have to do. Crappy band name, though.
Other notables:
Guilty pleasure song:
"Game of Love" by Santana with Michelle Branch
Makes me realize that Branch can actually sing after all…and that Gregg Alexander is a great pop songwriter.
Live shows of the year:
Earth, Wind and Fire at Music Midtown Festival, Atlanta, GA
Medeski, Martin, and Wood at The Palace, Gainesville, FL
Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Robbie Krieger Band, Yohimbe Brothers at the UF Bandshell, Gainesville, FL
Rush at the Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA
From Philip Bailey to John Medeski, both of these shows were nonstop jams! Both bands totally cooking in their element – there’s just nothing better. Looking forward to Medeski’s turn on the new Dar Williams disc. The Bosstones show was an intimate festival, if there is such a thing. Great variety, too! Where else can you see Dickie, The Doors’ Krieger, Vernon Reid, and DJ Logic all at one show? Rush? Great to have ‘em back! Here’s hoping for more soon…
Read of the year:
"Porno" by Irvine Welsh
A proper sequel to Trainspotting! I always wondered what happened to Sick Boy, Rents, Dianne, Begbie, and Spud! A bit of an effort reading through the Scottish brogue for the uninitiated, but well worth the payoff! Let’s hope the saga continues.
Indie film of the year:
"Enigma" – quite a surprise that Kate Winslet would make a film of this quality after the supergarganuan "Titanic." Produced by Mick Jagger no less! Kate plays one of the coolest code-cracking geeks of all time!
Looking forward to in ’03:
Dar Williams, Zwan, Sarah McLachlan, and of course I’m sure Ryan Adams will have another disc out as well…
A very fine year for music. Let’s hope the trend continues. Quality, please! J