Review: Japandroids - Celebration Rock 
PMA Guide to Sasquatch! 2012 
The xx: Hear 5 New Songs! 
Download: 8-Bit Versions of Radiohead's Kid A and OK Computer 
Review: El-P - Cancer For Cure 
Click on the turntable on the left to listen to a continuous stream of music featured on Pretty Much Amazing - updated every day. For more, you can check out the Best Songs of 2012.
Best Albums of 00 | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09
We’re finally closing the first half of the decade. So far, we’ve had to make some obvious, almost obligatory choices… as well as some that you may not have expected. Either way, Jeff and I are still relying on your votes and comments, and we thank you for sticking with us this long.
2004 was a crazy year for music. So crazy that I had to take an extra day to finalize this list. There was Kanye West’s debut album, arguably my personal favorite hip hop album ever. Arcade Fire also brought their Funeral that year too (and as you might know, that has been my favorite album of the last 10 years). Brian Wilson chose to finally release his SMiLE, 37 years in the making. I won’t go on… but hopefully you get the point.
As always, I looked through various year-end lists published by some of our favorite publications. The shortlist was created by looking through year-end lists by the Villiage Voice’s Pazz & Jop Poll, Pitchfork, Tiny Mix Tapes, Drowned By Sound, Stylus and PopMatters.
A. Kanye West: The College Dropout
B. Arcade Fire: Funeral
C. Animal Collective: Sung Tongs
D. Brian Wilson: SMiLE
E. Madvillian: Madvilliany
F. Franz Ferdinand: Franz Ferdinand
G. The Streets: A Grand Don’t Come For Free
H. Elliott Smith: From A Basement On The Hill
I. Modest Mouse: Good News For People Who Love Bad News
J. TV On The Radio: Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes
[polldaddy poll="2047912"]
by on September 27, 2009 ‡ 0 reactions
Best Songs of 2012: Winter 
Rock The Bells 2012: Lineup, Dates and Ticket Information 
New Yeasayer: "Henrietta" 
New Childish Gambino: "Unnecessary" f/ ScHoolboy Q 
Check Out: Icona Pop - "I Love It" (written by Charli XCX) 
New Azealia Banks: "JUMANJI" MP3 
Wild Pitch: disco naïveté 
Rec'd MP3: Purity Ring - "Obedear" 
MP3: Major Lazer & Amber of Dirty Projectors - "Get Free" 
MP3: Theophilus London & A$AP Rocky - "Big Spender" 
Amazing: Florence + The Machine & Dev Hynes - "Never Let Me Go" 
Check Out: Kirin J Callinan: "WIIW (Way to War)" 
Check Out: MS MR - "Hurricane" 
Sleep Over - "Romantic Streams" (CFCF Remix) 
Download: Meek Mill - Dreamchasers 2 Mixtape 
Download: Nicolas Jaar's Essential Mix 
Review: Santigold - Master of My Make-Believe 
Review: Lower Dens - Nootropics 
Review: Toro y Moi - June 2009 
{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }
college dropout FTW
and whats with this new comment box?
Listen to College Dropout… Kanye's best album to date lyrically and commercially it spawned Jesus Walks, Workout Plan, Slow Jamz, It All Falls Down, Spaceship…. album was genius
and I think you wanted to say WTF
FTW = For The Win.
So you guys are in agreement, duder.
nooooo, FTW = for the win
i voted for College Dropout
Holy shit, I didn't realize how amazing 2004 was. TVotR, Arcade Fire, Modest Mouse, and Animal Collective? It's like choosing a favorite child. I heard Madvillainy was great, but never had a chance to listen to it.
It's a shame that Franz won't get enough lovin' because they are british. They wrote some really great pop songs. Arcade Fire was a close second for me.
What are you talking about, everyone on this site loves British bands
I agree that they have found their place on pretty much amazing (albeit not a particular large one), but it seems in general, American bloggers don't give British bands enough attention. Not because they are nationalists, just because they aren't aware of British bands.
Look arcade fire, I'm going to let you finish, but Kanye's college dropout is the best album of all time. OF ALL TIME!
It's Elliott
madvillainy for SURE… one of the best hip hop albums of all time. if not the best.
good news for people who love bad news in second.
College Dropout was an instant classic but where are The Black Keys, Zero 7, Usher, Muse, Phoenix, Nora Jones, Keane, The Cardigans, Snow Patrol, PJ Harvey, Ani Defranco, Wilco, Rilo Kiley, Chris Thile, Kings of Leon, and my 2nd favorite album of the year The Killers Hot Fuss…. i mean at least one of those albums deserve to be in the conversation….. just sayin'
Oh yeah, I forgot Hot Fuss released in 2004. Where the hell is it?!
I forgot Cee-Lo Green Is The Soul Machine and The Van Leer Rose by Loretta Lynn and Jack White
For those that havent had a chance to listen to Madvilliany, I suggest you do. It is as close to a perfect album as I have ever heard, and even with the underground hype is largely under valued. I implore you to search it out and a give a listen.
Seriously, where is Hot Fuss?!?!?!
Just want to throw some love out there for The Streets. Those other albums are all great – Madvillainy is amazing, Arcade Fire is obviously great, Kanye is dope, TVOTR rocks the house, etc. etc. etc. But A Grand Don't Come For Free is a one of a kind album that is simply incredible. Listening to that album top to bottom the first time through was a musical experience like no other.
Not saying it deserves to be named best album of the year over the aforementioned brilliant records, but it definitely deserves some comment love. Fuckin' PHONES!
I want to start this comment by saying that for me this is the most competitive year thus far.
Yet, my choice was an absolutely resounding Franz Ferdinand. I am well aware that it is highly unlikely that either the PMA readers or Louis will pick this album, but I still voted for it and want to pitch it for people who haven't voted yet, and for the vast majority of you who probably disagree.
A few things, first, about this album without its competition. This album is a winner all the way through. Yes, everyone knows “Take Me Out”. Yes, it's a fantastic song by itself. But the beauty of this album is that ALL of the songs could have been that hit single, and yet the album IS an album, not a collection of singles.
Franz Ferdinand is a wake up call, and it certainly stirred the world. I'm from the US born and bred but you can't deny the raw power, energy, and Britishness of this band. Yet, Franz Ferdinand is much more than that. The Strokes get so much credit for reviving the indie scene in the US, for bringing back the old but working with it. For reminding us of Joy Division.
Well, if The Strokes are Joy Division, then Franz Ferdinand is The Gang of Four. They paved the way for Bloc Party, for Arctic Monkeys, for the whole new Britpop scene, as well as for all of the indie that came out from the US. In fact, I'd make a bolder move. Around now indie is starting to become, well, not so indie. In fact, alternative “hipster” music is dominant in colleges around the country. It will, in my humble opinion, be the music of this generation. It's also my opinion that Franz Ferdinand sparked that, because Franz Ferdinand blew up. Everyone heard them. They came, they saw, they conquered, and they reminded us of the music that had been, and what was to come.
Ok, now to address the competition. College Dropout: Kanye doing great. He's opening up. But he just achieves popularity here. He hasn't gotten “amazing” yet. Arcade Fire: Funeral is a fantastic album, really, it is. Yet, it's a fantastic album, but not the sort of album you can like if Arcade Fire isn't *exactly* your niche. Animal Collective: I can't argue this one mainly because I, unlike the entire indie universe, don't like AC. Oh well. Brain Wilson: Cool stuff, interesting, but not best material. Not stuff we'll look back on 10 years from now as representing this year. The Streets: This is the streets being classy, as usual, and being their old selves. It's great for what they do, but it doesn't go above and beyond. Elliot Smith: Same as The Streets to be honest (in terms of comment, not music obviously). Modest Mouse: Let's wait for We Were Dead Befor the Ship Even Sank… TV on the Radio: They haven't hit their prime this year yet either.
With that done and said, I realize I make no difference, I hope, though, that some people go back to Franz and see how great of an album that really was.
madvilliany!!!
madvillian for sure
It's a live album, but in my opinion DJ Shadow's “Live! In Tune And On Time” should be considered at the top of the 2004 releases, followed closely by Mr. West's “College Dropout.”
I was in Newbury Comics in Newton, MA looking for a copy of something decidedly not Shadow or even Shadowesqe and “Live!” was playing in the store. After hearing the reworkings of “Organ Donor” and the epic “Blood On The Motorway” captured at Brixton Academy I was hooked. I forgot about what I had originally sought to buy and grabbed the new DJ Shadow disc, not even realizing it was packaged with a killer DVD of the set. To this day “Blood On The Motorway” (the version from “Live!”) remains one of my very favorite recordings.
Don't get me wrong, Kanye's “The College Dropout” was, and still, is an incredible album – in my opinion his best to date – and is without question my top pick from this list of choices. 2004 saw a few big, legit drops in the rap and hip-hop world: “Madvillainy” “RBG” “Street's Disciple” “Tha Carter” “The Tipping Point”… the list goes on (a bit) further. But while Jadakiss, Lil Jon, T.I., Ludacris, Lloyd Banks, Eminem and others were releasing stale records filled with recycled themes, “The College Dropout” jump started my dwindling interest in the genre.
As we all know, Kanye had been doing beats and producing for a while at the point that “Dropout” was released. However, he was virtually unheard of as a lyricist and rapper. The fact that the first single, “Through The Wire” had so much success without the help of a big name collaborator speaks volumes to the way Kanye was able to storm the hip-hop scene.
FRESH! beats throughout, FRESH! collaborations (Jay-Z, Freeway, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Harlem Boys Choir, and others) that support without overshadowing, and most importantly FRESH! lyrics. “The College Dropout” touched on real life issues: sexuality, spirituality, discrimination in the workplace, difficulty with and flaws in the education system… NOT when the next re-up was coming in or how many guns, women, chains, etc Kanye and the Roc family had. Perhaps my favorite aspect to this album is the introspective standpoint Kanye takes in bits and pieces throughout the entirety of the album, but really hammers home in “Through The Wire” and the incredible 1,2 closing of the disc with “Family Business” and “Last Call.”
“The College Dropout” is a 10 out of 10 album. For me, the only thing that could have improved on the already stellar disc would have been the inclusion of a couple of tracks that were included on the leaked advance version; namely, “The Good, The Bad, The Ugly” featuring Consequence and “Keep The Receipt” featuring the late, great Dirt McGirt AKA ODB. Even without these two tracks, “The College Dropout” is full of gems and easily my pick for 2004 from the PMA list.
Oh yeah, I forgot Hot Fuss released in 2004. Where the hell is it?!
It's a live album, but in my opinion DJ Shadow's “Live! In Tune And On Time” should be considered at the top of the 2004 releases, followed closely by Mr. West's “College Dropout.”
I was in Newbury Comics in Newton, MA looking for a copy of something decidedly not Shadow or even Shadowesqe and “Live!” was playing in the store. After hearing the reworkings of “Organ Donor” and the epic “Blood On The Motorway” captured at Brixton Academy I was hooked. I forgot about what I had originally sought to buy and grabbed the new DJ Shadow disc, not even realizing it was packaged with a killer DVD of the set. To this day “Blood On The Motorway” (the version from “Live!”) remains one of my very favorite recordings.
Don't get me wrong, Kanye's “The College Dropout” was, and still, is an incredible album – in my opinion his best to date – and is without question my top pick from this list of choices. 2004 saw a few big, legit drops in the rap and hip-hop world: “Madvillainy” “RBG” “Street's Disciple” “Tha Carter” “The Tipping Point”… the list goes on (a bit) further. But while Jadakiss, Lil Jon, T.I., Ludacris, Lloyd Banks, Eminem and others were releasing stale records filled with recycled themes, “The College Dropout” jump started my dwindling interest in the genre.
As we all know, Kanye had been doing beats and producing for a while at the point that “Dropout” was released. However, he was virtually unheard of as a lyricist and rapper. The fact that the first single, “Through The Wire” had so much success without the help of a big name collaborator speaks volumes to the way Kanye was able to storm the hip-hop scene.
FRESH! beats throughout, FRESH! collaborations (Jay-Z, Freeway, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Harlem Boys Choir, and others) that support without overshadowing, and most importantly FRESH! lyrics. “The College Dropout” touched on real life issues: sexuality, spirituality, discrimination in the workplace, difficulty with and flaws in the education system… NOT when the next re-up was coming in or how many guns, women, chains, etc Kanye and the Roc family had. Perhaps my favorite aspect to this album is the introspective standpoint Kanye takes in bits and pieces throughout the entirety of the album, but really hammers home in “Through The Wire” and the incredible 1,2 closing of the disc with “Family Business” and “Last Call.”
“The College Dropout” is a 10 out of 10 album. For me, the only thing that could have improved on the already stellar disc would have been the inclusion of a couple of tracks that were included on the leaked advance version; namely, “The Good, The Bad, The Ugly” featuring Consequence and “Keep The Receipt” featuring the late, great Dirt McGirt AKA ODB. Even without these two tracks, “The College Dropout” is full of gems and easily my pick for 2004 from the PMA list.
Quite surprised to see Madvilliany winning this. As good an album as it is, for me it’s a straight shhotout between Kanye and Aracde Fire. I still think College Dropout is Kanye’s best album. Hell, even the b-sides for that album were amazing, (the original Homecoming , heavy hitters, wack niggers etc)
However, between skits and weak songs, that album still had alot of filler so for me, the best, most consistent album of the year is Funeral, hands down!
Franz album is also worth a notable mention, but for me their sophmore effort was superior!
Quite surprised to see Madvilliany winning this. As good an album as it is, for me it’s a straight shhotout between Kanye and Aracde Fire. I still think College Dropout is Kanye’s best album. Hell, even the b-sides for that album were amazing, (the original Homecoming , heavy hitters, wack niggers etc)
However, between skits and weak songs, that album still had alot of filler so for me, the best, most consistent album of the year is Funeral, hands down!
Franz album is also worth a notable mention, but for me their sophmore effort was superior!
Quite surprised to see Madvilliany winning this. As good an album as it is, for me it’s a straight shhotout between Kanye and Aracde Fire. I still think College Dropout is Kanye’s best album. Hell, even the b-sides for that album were amazing, (the original Homecoming , heavy hitters, wack niggers etc)
However, between skits and weak songs, that album still had alot of filler so for me, the best, most consistent album of the year is Funeral, hands down!
Franz album is also worth a notable mention, but for me their sophmore effort was superior!
college dropout is filled with goodies but it also has some filler on it, which can’t be said about funeral. funeral is flawless and ground breaking.