We've got another music editor named Kelly coming in next year-Kelly McVicker, of first semester associate music editor fame. From her perch in her study abroad program in sunny Los Angeles, here are the faves of next year's music mastermind.
- Gorillaz - Gorillaz
It's not out yet, but you'll thank me later. A conceptual collaboration featuring work from Damon Albarn of Blur, Del Tha Funkee Homosapien, Kid Koala and Cibo Matto's Miho Hatori, they are the first virtual hip-hop group in the history of the universe. Although humans are obviously lurking behind the recordings, the band members themselves exist only in cartoon form. Take that, Josie.
- At The Drive In - Relationship of Command
Combining screaming guitar riffs with cryptic lyrics about alienation from society and oppression, this five-member band churns out haunting melodies that deliver their message with stark emotion. Their songs are catchy in that violent, post-grunge sort of way, and they might make you want to break shit.
- Daft Punk - Discovery
Any band who can successfully change from humans to robots mid-career automatically earn a spot on my list. This CD is electronica at its simplest, most celebratory form-nothing heavy, just incredibly head-invasive dance music,
- Bjork - Selmasongs: Music from Dancer in the Dark
The empress of Iceland impresses us with music from one of the year's best films. Able to go from guttural grunts to soaring exclamations of glee in sheer seconds, her voice is almost scary, especially when she wails while wearing a dead swan.
- Ween - White Pepper
Okay, so this CD was actually released last summer, but since nobody seems to recognize the inherent beauty in songs about dying ponies, coke fiends and groupies named Pandy, I gotta include them anyway. Proof of their lyrical genius: "She was almost in a coma / from doing the Bossa Nova / and the Funky Cold Medina / Man, I wish you coulda seen her." Just like I tell my roommate every time he bitches about my weekly Weenathons: You have to be willing to suspend all your beliefs about what makes good music in order to appreciate Ween.
- U2 - All that You Can't Leave Behind
Even if you've never been a fan of Bono and his egotistical rants, this album deserves your love. Because if a band you'd never heard of had released this album, we'd all be kissing their asses more than a gaggle of journalists at a Radiohead press interview.
- Radiohead - Kid A
OK, so we all know Kid A is at the top of everyone's list this year. I'd be tempted to exclude them in the interest of sparing you from the spewing of redundant praise, but the problem is, they really are as good as their hype, and we all know it.
- Joy Zipper - Joy Zipper
This indie rock duo of real-life lovers Vinny Cafiso and Tabitha Tinsdale released their self-titled debut album last fall. It is beautiful puppy-love poetry. Vinny and Tabitha are the new Sonny and Cher.
- Various Artists - Sounds Eclectic (KCRW Compilation)
Consisting entirely of tracks recorded live at Santa Monica College's station KCRW in Los Angeles, Sounds Eclectic features songs from Beck, Travis, Badly Drawn Boy and Willie Nelson to name a few. The compilation goes from classical to country in that genreless, college radio kind of way. Put it on to impress your friends at your next NPR theme party.
- Sigur Rós - Agaetis Byrjun
Released in the UK last fall, Agaetis Byrjun quickly garnered praise from almost everyone who got their Limey paws on it. Unfortunately, no American could get it. Their label has set a May 1 U.S. release date, so Americans can soon rave about the ethereal space-rock sound of this Icelandic quintet. No wonder the Brits are daffy over these guys.
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