If you like, you can also check out last year's Best of 2000, the Best of 1999, Best of 1998, Best of 1997, Best of 1996 and the Best of 1995 listings as well. Hey, it's never too late to pick up something great that you might've missed.
WORST ALBUM OF THE YEAR:Now, for more pleasant offerings:Bob Mould, Modulate (Granary Music)
Not so much an album, but a personal betrayal.Here's my horrified Looka! entry of July 3, 2002 on the topic.
MY FAVORITE COMPILATION OF 2002:Okay, here are 25 (or so) records I really think you should get if you haven't gotten them already:Various Artists, Evangeline Made: A Tribute to Cajun Music (Vanguard)
Ann Savoy produced, picked a killer backup band featuring her husband Marc and son Wilson, members of Beausoleil and Balfa Toujours and more, chose a wonderful range of musicians and helped them through marvelous interpretations of classic Cajun songs. Richard Thompson, Linda Ronstadt, Linda Thompson, Maria McKee, David Johansen, Nick Lowe and more. Priceless.Runner-up: Uncle Tupelo, 89/93: An Anthology (Columbia-Legacy)
I had already had most of the tracks on this record, but then again most of them had been out-of-print for years, unavailable to a new generation of people seeking UT's music after having heard Wilco and Son Volt. Nicely remastered, generally well-chosen, some interesting previously unavailable tracks and an exciting preview for the remastered reissues of their first three albums, due out in March.
MY VERY FAVORITE ALBUMS OF 2002:There are honorable mentions up the wazoo, including Steve Earle's Jerusalem and George Harrison's Brainwashed, but this list took a fair bit of work and I'm tired and I'm knocking off. I'll add the H.M.s when I archive it permanently.1. Rhett Miller, The Instigator (Elektra)
I'm still listening to this. The first solo album from the lead singer and principal songwriter of Old 97s, and it's thoughtful as well as unbelievably catchy.2. Nickel Creek, This Side (Sugar Hill)
I'm still listening to this, too. No sophomore slump for these guys; their second album is even more adventurous than their first, ranging from the also unbelievably catchy title track to several terrific originals to covers of Pavement, Carrie Newcomer and an achingly gorgeous rendition of an Andy Irvine song from the Planxty days. I can't wait for their third.3. The Red Stick Ramblers, The Red Stick Ramblers (LouisianaRadio.com)
Authentic Cajun Gypsy Swing! These guys cover the ground from Western swing to 1920s and '30s jazz to traditional Cajun music to a Louisiana-influenced Scottish bagpipe tune (I kid you not, and it's great). Great fun from a group of immensely talented young southwest Louisiana musicians, already wonderful and with no way to go but up.4. Wilco, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (Nonesuch)
Jay Farrar, ThirdShiftGrottoSlack (Artemis) [tie]
It's just coincidental, really. Two Uncle Tupelo alumni bands had releases this year. I had been hearing YHF since 2001, when the tracks were released on the band's website, and have been enjoying it ever since. Farrar's EP was primarily leftover tracks from his first solo album, all of which I'd also heard previously. Great (and very different) stuff from both.5. Anders Osborne & Monk Boudreaux, Bury The Hatchet (Shanachie)
Anders, who had my favorite album of last year in Ash Wednesday Blues, teamed up with the Big Chief and lead singer of the Golden Eagles black Indian tribe of New Orleans for a rootsy and very funky followup, with songwriting contributions by Monk as well.MY OTHER FAVORITE ALBUMS OF 2002:
Altan, The Blue Idol (Narada-Virgin)
One of finest Irish traditional ensembles today, and they've still got it. I could listen to Mairéd Ní Mhaonaigh sing all day.Norman Blake & Peter Ostroushko, Meeting On Southern Soil (Red House)
Technically this was a 2001 release, but I only got it in 2002, therefore in my book it's a 2002 release. My list, my rules. Gorgeous traditional and original acoustic music from two of the masters, on guitar, mandolin, mandola and fiddle, with Nancy Blake on 'cello.The Blind Boys Of Alabama, Higher Ground (Real World)
Together for over 60 years, this group's recent albums keep getting better and better. Originals plus covers of songs by Curtis Mayfield, Ben Harper, Stevie Wonder and George Clinton.Ken Bloom, The Bowed? Dulcimer (New Timey)
My pal Ken, besides fiddle, zither and who knows what all else, plays the Appalachian mountain dulcimer upright with a 'cello bow, and it sounds great. Lots of great traditional material here, plus Harry Bolick on fiddle.Clarence Bucaro, Sweet Corn (Burnside)
This was a sweet little surprise that came in right at the end of the year. Clarence has a very down-home, relaxing and comfortable style that brings together many flavors of American roots music -- jazz, blues, folk, New Orleans music, gospel, jug band and ragtime. It's music that feels like an old friend from the first time you hear it, and makes you sit back and smile as you listen. Anders Osborne produced, and I appreciate the touches he gives to the album. (On top of all that, he's adorable besides.)Solomon Burke, Don't Give Up On Me (Fat Possum)
The legendary soul singer's first album in many years, produced by Joe Henry. It was worth the wait.Caitlin Cary, While You Weren't Looking (Yep Roc)
When it comes to Whiskeytown alumni, this is the one I'd pick.Cordelia's Dad, What It Is (Kimchee)
This is their long-awaited rock album, recorded and engineered by Steve Albini, that has been sitting in the can for years. It's amazing record, taking us from blazing rock songs to a desperately sad a cappella hymn to a bawdy acoustic ballad about fucking a preacher's daughter for money and getting the clap in return. Some people have accused this band of multiple personality syndrome for maintaining a loud rock side along with the acoustic American and traditional music they play, but on this record they fold their two sides together so well you don't even notice the seems. And lest I sound misleading, this album rocks. Hard.Domingo Siete, Domingo Siete De Los Angeles (Self-Release)
My friend Ricardo, co-proprietor of the most excellent Yahaira's Café in Pasadena (right across the street from Vroman's, y'all) gave me this record a few months back, and I loved it instantly. I can't describe it better then the band themselves do in the liner notes, offering to take us in a rickety old bus with music blaring over the AM radio, on a journey that will take us up from the heart of México D.F. through to Texas and out to East Los Angeles.Snooks Eaglin, The Way It Is (Money Pit)
The quirky, legendary and extremely talented blues guitarist lets loose with a gem that I enjoyed even more than Live in Japan.Fiddlers 4, Fiddlers 4 (Compass)
From old-time music, Bruce Molsky. From Cajun music, Michael Doucet. From newgrass, jazz and whatever else, Darol Anger. Add a monstrously talented newcomer on the 'cello, Rushad Eggleston, and you've got one of my two favorite albums of acoustic music this year (right up there with Nickel Creek). These guys have been around and know their stuff, and bring their specialties together in a joyous celebration of American music. See them live if you can.Corey Harris, Downhome Sophisticate (Rounder)
Acoustic bluesman Harris didn't just get on the list because I like the album title. This is an astonishing record, taking his roots in acoustic blues and brashly mixing in the sounds of African music, hip-hop, samba and more. Your trip with Corey is all over the map this time; sit back and go where he leads you, and you won't regret it.The Iguanas, The Iguanas Live At Wolf Trap (Blowout Records)
Iguanas fans have been lamenting the unavailability of the band's first three albums for ages now (they're working on it, be patient), and this fine live record will help fill in the gap until they can be re-released, with live versions of many longtime favorites from the early days, plus some new tracks as well.Ben Kweller, Sha Sha (ATO)
I have to thank my friend Michael for turning me on to this one. Ben's an alumnus of the alternapunk band Radish (which he founded at age 14 or so), who were signed and then ignored by the label, a familiar story. Now at 20 (even though he still looks 14) he's got a solo album out that's full of great, catchy, sweet/cynical songs. This kid bears watching, which I'll gladly do as I thorougly enjoyed this record.Ted Leo / Pharmacists, The Tyranny of Distance (Lookout)
I've got some friends of mine (although I can't remember which; Rick, Steve, Steve, and a few others) to thank for turning me on to this guy. This is another 2001 release which I only got last year (my list, my rules), and it blew me away. This would be my choice for pop/rock album of the year, if only I had gotten it before December and had listened to it more than I did other albums.Maldita Vecindad, Mostros (BMG)
My favorite rock en español outfit for about 12 years now. They have a great punk sensibility as well as a deep respect for Mexican folk traditions, incorporating that into their sound as well as influences from reggae to soca to Algerian rai. Their lyrics area often highly political and very socially conscious as well. I have a special place in my heart for these guys -- they ended up doing a live performance on my radio show about 11 years ago, after their manager's husband heard me play them on the air and nearly lost control of the car in his surprise. I was granted the honorable title of "the first pink person to play Maldita on the radio", of which I'm very proud. Besides that, they're great guys too. (Actually, "Mostros" is a 1998 release, which for some bizarre reason I missed until now ... my dopey list, my dopey rules.)Buddy Miller, Midnight And Lonesome (Hightone)
More great, soulful roots country music from Buddy, with great originals and a really interesting mixture of covers (Everly Brothers, Percy Mayfield).Sinéad O'Connor, Sean-Nós Nua (Vanguard)
The title means "New Old-style" in Irish, and Herself takes a very new approach to a lot of the very old songs (two of which are in Irish) that she grew up hearing as a girl in Dublin.Los Pinguos, Magia (Self-Release)
I first saw this Argentinian band (from Buenos Aires) on the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica. There were nine of them, with nylon guitars and percussion, playing exuberant Latin music that had me heading over to buy their CD within about two songs.Paul Sanchez, Hurricane Party (Paul Sanchez Music)
My New Orleans homeboy Paul is another one of those songwriters whose songs seem like old friends, sometimes from the minute you hear them. This album's more electric than most of its predecessors, even including a rock anthem ("Invincible"), plus Paul's trademark little acoustic gems like "All of My Might." One of my favorite singer/songwriters ever.Linda Thompson, Fashionably Late (Rounder)
I love the title of this record, an allusion to the fact that she hadn't sung on record for about 17 years when this record came out. Beautiful, gentle folk-pop of the finest kind.Okay, so! Go buy some records!
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