Popular Music > Previous Staff Picks 2003-2005

Luke Haines is dead by Luke Haines.
Like being accosted by a drunk, what he has to say for himself isn't always pretty but can be riveting in a disturbed way. Haines 'sings' in a viperish whisper that brings to mind an overly class conscious Iago. Perfect music for Sunday mornings. (Mark H.)

The New Breed by Various.
A really good mix of songs (The Libertines, Interpol, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, etc). Definitely one of the best compilations I've heard recently. Would definitely recommend it to people who like alt-rock type music. (Rowan)

Bronx by Bronx.
Put it on, turn it up and turn yourself up. (Ben)

Get behind me Satan by The White Stripes.
An interesting mix of bluegrass, rock and other more synthetic forms of sound. A very worthwhile listen although perhaps a little different to their first albums. (Ben)

Dominant Species by King Kapisi.
A welcome return from his high falutin' last album which was too 'bling' for many. Some solid tracks and some tricky rhymes. Go the cabbage. (Ben)

Live at Bats by Fly My Pretties.
Representing Wellington with the true Kiwi accent. Upbeat sounds with lots of variation. (Jenni)

Pegasus by Phoenix Foundation.
Perhaps they have too many ideas, too many musicians, too many instruments, too many styles. Or perhaps we should feel overwhelmed when listening to music. On Pegasus the listener is dragged through perfect pop, non-existent movie soundtracks, faux-Westerns, sensitive strummers and a delicate piano piece. And if you come out the other end a bit dazed, the best cure is to listen again. (Karen)

Coles Corner by Richard Hawley.
From the opening bars of the impeccably arranged title track you can tell this is something special. The timeless, crooning style makes it hard to believe that this is a 2005 release, from the former bassist of Pulp no less, but there is something deeply reassuring about Hawley's trembling delivery. The mood is unmistakeably English, but the music brings to mind American greats like Orbison and Elvis. (Thomas)

Back to bedlam by James Blunt.
Very good... mellow and a bit different to my usual taste. (Kini)

Available light by Dave Dobbyn.
The most moving album I have listened to in a very long time. I played it over and over and enjoyed it more and more. (Kini)

Devils & Dust and Born to run: 30th anniversary edition by Bruce Springsteen.
The year of The Boss saw a new acoustic based album arrive first, featuring more story songs about soldiers in Iraq, inner city children, barroom losers, noir-ish boxers and moonlit horses. Not as political (or monotonous) as the 'Ghost of Tom Joad', Devils & Dust was more like 'Nebraska' with a larger degree of instrumentation and was followed by a guitar/piano tour along the lines of 2005's 'VH1 storytellers: Bruce Springsteen'. Later in the year saw the 30th anniversary of 'Born to Run' celebrated with a lavish box set, including 2 DVDs: the first of which is a 1975 concert in London - the only full length concert of the Band's first 25 years; the second a documentary including never released archival footage of the actual making of the album, more concert film, and rare piano & guitar versions of songs from the album. (Mark)

We also liked:

Silent Alarm by Bloc Party. (Jason's pick)

Based On a True Story by Fat Freddy's Drop. (Ellie H.'s pick)

Royal Albert Hall, London, May 2-3, 5-6 2005 by Cream. (Gordon's pick)

Mighty Rearranger by Robert Plant. (Gary's pick)

Has Been by William Shatner. (Gary's pick)

Lonely runs both ways by Alison Krauss. (Julie's pick)

Illinoise by Sufjan Stevens. (Richard's pick)

Aha shake heartbreak by Kings of Leon. (Ellie B's pick)

Fall Heads Roll by The Fall. (Richard's pick)

The sunset tree by Mountain Goats. (Richard's pick)

Aerial by Kate Bush. (Belinda's pick)

Rosenrot by Rammstein. (Linda's pick)

Mojo Chess Classics. Though it's technically not a 'new album' but a collection of old Chess Records releases from 1957-1972, this is the best yet of Mojo magazine's excellent series of compilations. The standout track for me is Howlin' Wolf's electric 'Tom Cat' with its prowling bassline and sinewy guitar shrieks, but the entire album is class from start to finish. (Thomas)

Wolfmother by Wolfmother.
Sounding like a cross between early Black Sabbath and the White Stripes, this three-piece band from Brisbane make no concessions to fashion past or present, and nail their colours firmly to the monster rock riffage flagpole, like the last 35 years never happened. What differentiates them from other retro-sounding bands is the quality of the songwriting and playing. Rifftastic. (Neil)

Take offs and landings by Rilo Kiley.
Built to Spill meets Granddaddy meets the Breeders meets Liz Phair... no one seems to be able describe this band accurately. An indie-pop quartet from California with quirky lyrics, infectious melodies, and great vocals. Acoustic simplicity, bouncy DIY pop, mellow horns = the perfect record for a sunny day. (Mark)

Aperitif for destruction by Richard Cheese.
Just when you think someone has taken an idea as far as it will go, someone else comes along and takes it further - probabably too far. 'Aperitif for destruction' is an album of lounge covers of hip-hop, metal & rock tracks. It's hard to tell what's more disturbing: that there is a lounge cover of 2 Live Crew's 'Me so horny' or that it's delivered with such a degree of conviction & musicianship - as if they are really into it. Nevertheless if you ever wanted to hear lounge versions of Slipknots 'People equals s**t', Guns n Roses' 'Welcome to the jungle', Metallica's 'Enter Sandman', or a mambo version of 'Sunday bloody Sunday' then this is the CD for you. Everyone else beware. (Mark)

Aerial by Kate Bush.
It has been 12 years since her last album, and I had expected the decline in imagination and dated instrumentation of 1993's The red shoes to have continued. Instead, Aerial presents a jumble of ideas (Pi, laundry, Elvis, invisibility spells, death) and sounds (birdsong, renaissance chamber music, intimate whispers from Rolf Harris), and ranges from daft and embarrassing to glorious. Often within one song. So, good then, but no magic to arrest your breath. (Karen)

Comus by Song to Comus.
A double disc package containing everything this eccentric English acid folk group ever released (and a few other tracks as well). From the debut record's grotesque cover art to songs about murder, sacrifice and mental illness, this is disturbing music that worms its way into your brain on a wave of acoustic instruments and bizarre vocals. Highly imaginative and unlike anything else. (Neil)

The Nylon Curtain by Billy Joel.
In his book Sex, drugs, and cocoa puffs, rock critic Chuck Klosterman (Spin magazine) devotes an entire chapter to this album, stating that it is an unrecognised work of genius & that the songs 'Laura' & 'Where's the Orchestra?' are good enough to be on the Beatles 'White Album'. A concept album about baby boomers in the Reagan era this was Joel's bid for 'serious artist' contention and while the album has familiar Joel hits such as 'Allentown' & 'Pressure' & 'Goodnight Saigon', it also has a bunch of strange songs about drugs, bad relationships, and worse relationships. And 'Laura' really could be a song from the 'White Album'... (Mark)

A Christmas gift for you from Phil Spector.
Phil Spector may have gone from being a genius 60's pop producer who invented an entire production technique, to a semi-nutter who liked to fire off guns in the studio, to a crazy recluse involved in a bizarre murder, but he really liked Christmas. Spector wanted to make an album that captured the sentiment of Christmas, while being able to stand in comparison to any previous work by the artist involved. The fact that this is still the best Christmas album ever made proves he succeeded. (Mark)

Has been by William Shatner.
First he was cool, then he was geek-cool, then he was uncool, then he was kitsch-cool, then he was hipster cool & now he's just cool again. It seems no one has had more careers than William Shatner. Based on his cult 'comedy' album 'The Transformed Man', (where he massacres 'Lucy in the sky with Diamonds' and 'Mr Tambourine Man') the expectation of this album is more of the same, given the dry take on Pulp's 'Common People'. However the rest of the album is truly surprising - for its seriousness & for its sincerity. A series of spoken song-poems (all but two written by him) with jazzy rock n'roll/lounge backing about life, death, mortality, disappointment, regret, failure & absentee parenthood make this sometimes surreal album oddly affecting. Featuring guest appearances by Ben Folds, Aimee Mann, Joe Jackson, Henry Rollins, Lemon Jelly, Brad Paisely, & Adrian Belew. (Mark)

Super extra gravity by The Cardigans.
Don't dismiss the Cardigans as kitschy girly cocktail music like I did; now they write catchy pop and fierce melodic rock with often odd lyrics. With fewer fragile ballads than the last album, the pace is faster and more enjoyable, though perhaps the music is less affecting. Single 'I Need Some Fine Wine And You, You Need To Be Nicer' and Christianity critique 'Godspell' are particularly fun. The album ends with an even darker version of Long time before daylight's unsettlingly violent 'And Then You Kissed Me II.' (Karen)

Somebody's Miracle by Liz Phair.
"Indie-rock queen Liz Phair polarized fans with her self titled 2003 pop opus. Not just pop, it was teen-pop and collaborations with The Matrix left her sounding like Avril Lavigne's newly divorced big sister. While some found it fun & refreshing, others found it a horrific sell-out. Her new album, a step back from that effort, heads straight into 'adult contemporary' territory. Now she wants to be Sheryl Crow, but the songs suffer from a polished overproduction which, while it suits artists like Crow, doesn't really match up with Phair's voice or lyrics. At least on some tracks she sounds like herself ('Leap of innocence', 'Stars & planets' & 'Table for one'), but others just tend to merge into each other. Worth checking out though if you hated her last album." (Mark L.)

Man-made by Teenage Fanclub.
"In an age where many longstanding bands feel the need to reinvent themselves, Teenage Fanclub stay true to their strengths as writers of pure, unpretentious indie pop tinged with a hint of melancholy. A must for fans of jangly guitars and harmony vocals. Standout tracks 'Only with you' and 'Nowhere' are classic Fanclub songs." (Rob D.)

Dreaming wide awake by Lizz Wright.
"This person can sing. She respects the words, and lets us hear them. Slight touch of Cassandra Wilson and Oleta Adams, but better. Mixed bunch of songs from old standards to her own creations. Interesting smooth arrangements of upbeat oldie 'I'm Confessin'', Neil Young's 'Old Man', and late 60s anthem of peace love & brotherhood etc., 'Get Together' that really work. Bill Frisell plays on 3 tracks." (Chris F.)

The Bronx by Bronx.
"Seethingly energetic, relentlessly belligerent, and massively volatile are just a few of the descriptions of this outfit's rock'n'roll excursion, with songs like "White Tar," "Heart Attack American" and "Notice of Eviction" leading the adrenaline-fueled chaotic charge." (Toni Y.)

Careless love by Madeleine Peyroux.
"Born in Georgia in 1975, raised in Paris, and sings in an easy, 30s swing style, often in French, with hints of Billie Holiday & Jolie Holland. Previous CD 'Got you on my mind' was with multi-instrumentalist William Gallison, inventor of the Moonwatch. Excellent driving music for those who need soothing rather than winding up." (Chris F.)

Raising the Standard - Live at the Jazz Standard Vol. 2 by Frank Morgan.
"An up and coming figure in the Los Angeles jazz scene of the 1950s and a protege of Charlie Parker, Morgan cut his first album at 22. However, like Parker, he picked up a debilitating Heroin habit and spent the next 30 years in and out of jails and rehab centres before making a comeback in the mid 1980s that was the talk of the jazz world. His second comeback after a stroke and a 7 year lay-off is just as miraculous. Sounding in better form than ever in this live gig at 'The Jazz Standard' he infuses ballads like 'Polka Dots & Moonbeams' & bop anthems like 'Tune Up' with a depth and vigour that he belie his 72 years. No one plays like this anymore, & when Morgan does it's a tribute to the triumph of the human spirit." (Mark L.)

Rock Swings by Paul Anka.
"Anka, a noted singer songwriter (for everyone from Buddy Holly to Sinatra & Tom Jones) reconfigures 'contemporary standards' to a swing context. What could have be an appalling gimmick for the most part works as Anka sounds totally committed to the idea and, together with his lead arranger lead arranger, turns everything from Oasis' 'Wonderwall' to Billy Idol's 'Eyes without a face' into brassy swing anthems or crooneresque ballads with surprising ease. Not everything works, as the subtlety of 'Tears in Heaven' is lost in the transfer, and 'Smells like teen spirit'... well he may not have known who Kurt Cobain was but he sure belts the hell out of the song (though probably not in a good way). The rest is great though. Bon Jovi's 'It's my life' is delivered with a swagger that sounds like its taken straight from one of Sinatra's 50s Capitol LPs, and who doesn't want to hear a swing version of Van Halen's 'Jump'..." (Mark L.)

Ghost reveries by Opeth.
"New album from the Swedish death metallers continues their imaginative use of acoustic and progressive elements to create a fine sonic soup. Very loud, very quiet and every colour in-between." (Neil P.)

Bone Machine Tom Waits.
"Being carried off by the percussive melodies of Bone Machine one could easily overlook the lyrics, which are deep, dark (very dark, actually) and soulful. Delivered in Tom's deliciously, raucous, cigarette and whiskied growl, this is an album I keep going back to for more." (Belinda D)

Physical Graffiti by Led Zeppelin.
"Awesome. Just Awesome. Like being hit over the head by a slice of lemon dipped in Vodka, wrapped around a large terracota brick. Simply the greatest Hard Rock album of all time!" (Gary Y)

Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, 8th September 1974 by Robert Wyatt & friends.
"Robert Wyatt, in a wheelchair after his recent plummet from an upstairs window during a drunken party, appears with Fred Frith, Mike Oldfield, Hugh Hopper and others in a stunning live set from 1974. Introduced by John Peel." (Neil P)

Jem | Finally Woken
"Hailed as the 'Welsh Dido' and next big thing, Jem's debut album melds the sound of early Beth Orton and Dot Allison's pop smarts with subtle trip-hop beats. Much more musically adventurous than the milder mannered Dido, 'Finally Woken' uses melodic samples from real instruments, electric guitars, strings, reggae beats, and folky strumming to surround her vocals. Stand out songs include the title track, 'Stay Now', and '24'." (Mark L.)

Guided By Voices | Alien Lanes
"Sure, the songs often seem fractured and half-finished, buried under a layer of lo-fi hiss, and don't always make a lot of sense lyrically. However that's all part of GBV's charmingly sloppy act. On 'Alien Lanes' they produced a multitude of simple, no-frills, but instantly catchy songs, equally referencing classic British acts such as The Beatles and The Who, and the American indie bands that emerged during the 80s. Despite 28 tracks in 41 minutes, amazingly there's not a moment of filler to be heard. This album along with their preceding effort 'Bee Thousand' are generally considered the band's most consistent efforts, and are well deserving of their cult-favourite status." (Richard P.)

Shelby Lynne | Suit Yourself
"One of the best singer songwriters around, Lynne returns with a more upbeat effort than 2003's spare and personal 'Identity Crisis'. Self produced, Lynne augments her original analogue studio demo tapes (complete with count offs, studio chatter, and ice cubes clinking) with subtle layers of guitar, keyboards, dobros and pedal steel, creating an intimate vibe that makes one feel like a guest inside the studio. While this may give the album an 'unfinished' sound on some tracks that may be disconcerting to some, the strength of the material as well as Lynne's gorgeously smoky voice shines through. Key tracks: 'Track 12' (a cover of 'Rainy Night in Georgia'), the groove of 'I Cry Everyday', and the poignant 'Johnny Met June', her tribute to Johnny Cash - written and recorded on the day he died." (Mark L.)

Slint | Spiderland
"Quite possibly one of the most emotionally intense and eerie albums ever recorded. Through the course of the album's six lengthy songs, the band experiments with movement between loud/soft dynamics, building up tension only to plummet the listener back down to earth again. Subject matter within the songs is dark, with reference to a classic horror figure in 'Nosferatu Man' and Coleridge's 'Rime of the Ancient Mariner' in 'Good Morning Captain', both accentuated by the sinister atmospheric nature of the music. Despite their short existence Slint has left quite the legacy, being an obvious influence on modern 'post-rock' groups such as Mogwai." (Richard .P)

Magic Numbers | Magic Numbers
"Comprised of two pairs of siblings, the Trinidad/New York/London based group eschew anything approaching an electronic beat, and instead focus backwards on harmony based groups like The Mamas and Papas, Lovin' Spoonful, and The Everly Brothers. Jangly guitars meld 60s and 70s folk/pop influences with three part harmonies, disguising songs of lost love, loneliness and heartbreak in layers of tuneful melody. A surprise word-of-mouth success story in the UK, this anomaly of a band seems immune to the hype and marketing that is the focus of other blander sibling based pop outfits." (Mark L.)

The Fall | 50,000 Fall Fans Can't Be Wrong: 39 Golden Greats
"A good two disc introduction to this long-lived English post-punk band. This collection, despite some minor discrepancies, presents a relatively concise overview of the band's career. Their eclectic mix of musical styles, ranging from punk, to off-kilter pop and even quasi-dance music, coupled with Mark E. Smith's sneering cynicism and lyrical wit, demonstrate why this band has become such a favourite with music fans the world over. All up, this CD provides a great introduction to those new to the 'Wonderful and Frightening World of the Fall'." (Richard P.)

Hal | Hal
"Another Irish group (see The Thrills) that are obsessed with 1970's Californian West Coast FM pop. Referencing everything from The Beach Boys circa 'Smile', Phil Spector, Harry Nilsson, The Beatles, and The Everly Brothers, to The Wondermints & Super Fury Animals, Hal still manage to sound refreshingly unique. The vocals of brothers Dave & Paul Allen anchor the groups sound amidst a swirl of instrumentation that includes maracas, bells, organs, Motown guitars & lush string arrangements. Highlights include 'Play The Hits' which sounds like a lost Raspberries classic, 'Worry About The Wind', & 'What A Lovely Dance'." (Mark L.)

The Decemberists | Picaresque
"Rollicking songs about child monarchs, barrow boys, engine drivers and marine revenge, played on accordion, theremin and pedal steel guitar. The Decemberists, from the Pacific Northwest, are not your average pop band, but well worth the effort if you're after something a little different." (Neil P.)

Starlings | Valid
"Venomous New Zealand classic penned by ex Dance exponents Guitar Slinger Chris Sheehan. Break beats and heroin form an uneasy alliance that roots around in the detritus of failed relationships and bad habits." (Mark H.)

Antony & the Johnsons | Antony & the Johnsons
"Made five years ago but interest has revived recently with the release of their new album "I am a bird now", featuring Boy George, Lou Reed and Rufus Wainwright. The debut album is intense and sexually ambiguous, and delivered in Antony's distinctive soaring vocal style." (Neil P.)

Fat Freddy's Drop | Based on a True Story
"This is the best album I've listened to in so long now. Full of amazing vocals and harmonies, lots of funky beats and bass, it stayed in my stereo for a long time! This seven-piece Wellington band play dub, jazz, dance-music and soul, all packed into one tightly-orchestrated album. Guest vocalists Hollie Smith, Ladi6 and P Digsss lend their voices, while some other well-known NZ musicians lend their musical talents to the pool. The rhythmic melodies will warm the soul through the cold winter days and nights!" (Hannah C)

Ani Difranco | Knuckle Down
"I may be somewhat biased in my opinion, because I'm firmly converted to Ani's music. Knuckle Down is her first co-produced album ever, and the sound is once-again rather different to her last album. This one feels a lot warmer and inviting than some of her other stuff, so for those put-off by her angry-woman style, this might be more welcoming. Although not as overtly political as past albums, one song "Paradigm" definitely shows her most recent political focus. Ani never fails to impress, with her amazing guitar-playing and diverse range of voice. Then put it down, and come back to it again, it just gets better." (Hannah C.)

Bright Eyes | Lifted, or, The story is in the soil, keep your ear to the ground
"The best of Conor Oberst's many releases, this came out in 2002, and cemented his place at the forefront of the younger generation of singer-songwriters. Passionate, self-obsessed and gorgeous, the album is a triumphant mix of great tunes and always-interesting lyrics." (Neil P.)

Eskimo | Loverbatim
"Driving, Jesus & Mary Chain-style rock from New Zealand's most assured-sounding trio. The album marks Dave Mulcahy's return after a stint with Superette and a solo career, and promises great things for the future." (Neil P.)

Funkadelic | Free your mind and your ass will follow
"35 years old and still sounding fresh, this is the ultimate stoned soul album. Backwards vocals, wild stereo panning, freaky psychedelic guitar and funky all over, with lyrics to live your life by. An absolute classic." (Neil P.)

Bruce Springsteen | Devils & Dust
"Springsteen returns to his singer-songwriter roots with his latest album sans the E-Street Band. Moving away from the stark acoustic sound of 'The Ghost of Tom Joad', Springsteen surrounds the songs with a warm texture of horns, strings, fiddle, synths, guitar & piano. A low-key effort that grows with repeated listens, showing that after 30 years in the music business he can still produce albums that are relevant as well as creative. Stand-out tracks include the title cut, an ambiguous meditation on soldiers in Iraq, and 'Matamoros Banks' sung from the point of view of an illegal immigrant who has just died attempting to cross the Rio Grande into the U.S." (Mark L.)

Jane Birkin | The Best of Jane Birkin
"Birkin is the quintessential chanteuse de sixties, breathing her way through a lifetime of sultry French lounge-pop numbers in this great compilation. The tracklist kicks off with "Je T'aime Moi Non Plus", her unforgettable '68 duet with crusty 'make-out' legend Serge Gainsbourg (a performance that can only be described as 'orgasmic'), and plinks and plonks its way through another two decades of chansons chic de l'amour. Despite the arrangements being totally naff, and the lyrics twee, the sound has aged gracefully and can be played to suit a variety of moods. And Birkin is, amazingly, still recording." (Thomas L. H.)

Sigur Ros | Von
"This is ambient outfit Sigur Ros' 1997 debut, released for the first time outside of Iceland. As such, the work is not as clearly defined as in their more well known albums "Aegatis Byrjun" and "()". The first couple of tracks are a difficult start to the album, resembling a train ride through a frozen netherworld of disembodied children. But as the journey through the album progresses, the trademark ethereal vocals appear and Von becomes more accessible. Sigur Ros are at work on their fourth album; for a more recent taste of their sound try "Ba Ba Ti Ki Di Do" - a short work produced as the companion piece to an art installation." (Thomas L.H)

Magnetic Fields | 69 Love Songs
"Quality & quantity, "69 Love Songs" is just that: 69 beautifully eccentric & eclectic songs exploring the many sides of love. There are a multitude of great lines in these songs: 'My heart's running round like a chicken with its' head cut off', 'Reno Dakota there's not an iota of kindness in you', 'I'm the ugliest guy, on the lower East Side. But I got wheels & you wanna go for a ride'. Front-man Stephen Merritt is a genius; you could thrash this album for years & still not grow tired of the bittersweet honesty, quirky sensibilities & undeniably catchy nature of these masterful tunes." (Brett M.)

Jane Devine | Out of View
"Absolutely beautiful, haunting and sad." (Belinda)

Shona Laing | New on Earth
Good for in the car and a sing-a-long. Includes songs about everything from having dinner with your dad to plane crashes.

Phoenix Foundation | Horse Power
"I like its laid back self-deprecating humour." (Rebecca P.)

Bressa Creeting Cake | Bressa Creeting Cake
"This is my all time favourite NZ album, which is a massively big call to make, but I'm feeling bold! It's the quintessential summer album: the songs are incredibly catchy, the lyrics are fabulous and even includes cicadas... Just the gas please... oooo and a pie." (Therese)

The Able Tasmans | Songs from the departure lounge
"A best of collection from 1986 to 1995. I know they're pretty cheesy but they make me smile and I love that really epic totally joyous number 'Hold Me'." (Therese)

Bailterspace | Wammo
Lovely big loud jangly guitars, and very few words... how can you go wrong!

Hollie Smith | E.P.
"Hollie has the most beautiful voice, the sound is hypnotizing. The album features some great local talent and a mix of soul, jazz, reggae and r&b. You won't be disappointed, this album plays repeatedly on my stereo." (Ellie)

Fly My Pretties (various) | Live at Bats
"Barnaby Weir and some very talented friends have put together an outstanding collection of beautiful music. Recorded live over five nights and the best songs selected to be on the album. I wish I had bought tickets." (Ellie)

Lucid 3 | All Moments Leading to This
"They have been described as having created a new genre: equal parts roots, blues, folk, pop, rock, trip-hop etc. It is music you can chill out to, dance to, sing along with. Victoria's vocals are hauntingly beautiful, yet she has this gutsyness in some of the songs." (Hannah C.)

Autozamm | Shade of Brown
"A Wellington band I think. They are self-confessed 'cock-rock' style... very groovy rock music, with great lead and back-up vocals. Always good to rock out to... namely the single 'You don't know me'. Rah!!!" (Hannah C.)

Rhian Sheehan | Tiny Blue Biosphere
Great electronica with tasters of instruments such as his guitar-playing. Guest vocalists Jess Chambers and Anika Moa, and a bunch of other guest musicians, it's easy-listening, evocative, both organic and digital.

Double Happys | Nerves
"Gorgeous, pouting Shayne Carter, the late Wayne Elsey and John Colley in an exercise in angsty pop music." (Mark H.)

Emulsifier | Cerebral Implosion
"Misunderstood, ahead of their time. Could have been bigger than the Beastie Boys." (Mark H.)

Skeptics | Amalgam
"Dense, agitated, pick an adjective." (Mark H.)

Agent Du Monde | The Marrakesh mission : Arabic moods, souk specials & beats for belly dancers
A 2-disc set from Agent du Monde that combines electronica with traditional Arab music. Tracks from mainly Moroccan artists, alongside Trans-Global Underground, Terry Hall, Natacha Atlas and others more familiar to Western audiences.

The Fiery Furnaces | Gallowsbird's bark
Debut album from the Illinois brother-and-sister duo, this is bursting with off-the-wall musical ideas from pop, folk, blues and music-hall. Somehow light and sinister at the same time, this is a fine collection of fresh-sounding songs from an exciting new band.

The Fiery Furnaces | Blueberry boat
Coming hard on the heels of their debut, this album is an 80-minute epic. Far more dense than their first, Blueberry boat is an astonishingly ambitious work, forever twisting and changing, with each track consisting of several parts. Not easy to digest in one sitting, the album definitely rewards repeated listenings.

Fabienne Delsol | No time for sorrows
French-born Delsol has been living in England for the last 10 years, and was the lead singer of legendary garage band The Bristols. Now she has released her debut solo album and it sounds like it's straight out of the 60s. Lovely melodies delivered in her slightly-strange French accent, it's perfect for those sultry summer evenings.

Minor Threat | Complete discography
Exactly what it says, this is a re-issue of the complete recorded output of the Washington, D.C. hardcore punk band from the early 1980s. They kick-started the straight-edge movement, released a bunch of fast, furious and to-the-point songs and then broke up the band while barely into their 20s.

The Brian Jonestown Massacre | Tepid peppermint wonderland : a retrospective
A two-disc collection of some of the highlights of this prolific Californian band's output over the last 10 years. Almost 40 songs, from both singles and albums and including several unreleased tracks, are represented and illustrate the range of material Anton Newcombe and his many colleagues have produced on their long strange trip.

Holly Golightly | Truly she is none other
Ninth solo album from the former Thee Headcoatees guitarist and singer. She appeared most recently on the latest White Stripes album, and here she continues her idiosyncratic foray into mostly-acoustic Nancy Sinatra-type pop with attitude. And she's in Wellington on 10th March!

Max Romeo | Open the iron gate 1973-77
Leaving behind his earlier career singing smutty novelty songs, Max Romeo reappeared in the the mid-70s with this fantastic collection of religious and political reggae. Most of the tunes are twinned with their dub versions and are produced by Lee Perry. Angry and eloquent, these tracks are 70s reggae at its best.

Searching for a way to navigate the sea of plastic that was this year's CD releases? Well, rest up weary music traveller and soak up the list below. The sheep have been separated from the goats, the wheat dechaffed, and the good parted from the bad and ugly. Yes, that's right, we at Wellington City Libraries present to you THE BEST ALBUMS of 2004...

David Kilgour | Frozen Orange
If you are not already familiar with Kilgour's laconic, deeply casual songwriting then you could do worse than start with this, easily his most 'poppy' album. His beautifully droopy lyrics and guitar lines hang delightfully over hooky pop orchestrations,played seamlessly by members of the American band Lambchop. A good one for the impending summer and backyard barbecues. (Thomas)

Tom Waits | Real Gone
Almost 35 years since his first release, Tom Waits keeps on truckin' with his newest album. A twistedly dark & epically beautiful piece of work; highly original & instantly grooving. Many of the songs originated with Waits recording voice-noises onto a 4-track in his bathroom, while his wife & kids were asleep. Parallels may be heard with the dark, organic feel of Mule Variations & the fantastically sporadic guitar rock n' roll of Rain Dogs. (Brett)

Red Hot Chili Peppers | Live in Hyde Park
Perhaps a better greatest hits than their Greatest Hits album - and played a lot funkier too! (Stu)

SkinnyMan | Council estate of mind
Straight from the grimy streets of North London, this is an angry and eloquent exploration of the cycle of poverty and crime. Great tunes, a strong message and classic film samples from "Made in Britain".

Also recommended (from the slightly sillier end of UK hip hop): Goldie Lookin Chain | Greatest hits (Neil)

Todd Rundgren | Liars
I have enjoyed this from a bit of a long in the tooth 'pop star' of the seventies/eighties who was always a bit off the mainstream. Varied, some fast electronic pop, some lazy soul-pop aka 'Mr. Fingers' but always a soaring voice and exquisite songs. He knows how to write ballads. (Martin)

Bleakhouse | Self-Help Cassette
Due to constant degradation of the entire music industry via constant releases of money orientated Rap and Hip Hop, Punk that lies in a hypocritical stance to its origins and Metal which merges on being a constancy of noise as opposed to music; the inaugural coveted Album of the Year award must go to Bleak House's "Self Help Cassette". As deserved as the Olsen's twins deserved to be awarded for most fake existence. Tops. (Ben)
The only new music CD I bought this year and everyone in our house enjoyed it. I especially found the bibliographical references scattered through out the songs quite endearing. Good original songs and great bass guitar. (Linda)
...let's not forget Bleakhouse for local sounds. Those tunes, they get stuck in your head. Seeing them live has the same effect. (Stu)

Strawpeople | Count Backwards From 10
This CD is really mellow in places and ideal for chilling out on a hot day with a cool 'soda' in your hand... But it is also upbeat enough to catch yourself grooving and humming along to it. The perfect CD for a summer car journey. (Kini)

Nick Cave | Abattoir Blues; the Lyre of Orpheus
The 13th album from Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds is anything but unlucky - that tragedy belonged to their previous work: Nocturama. Spreading material over 2 CDs, we are splattered with a diverse range of songs that explode like atom bombs, groove like ghost trains & float like butterflies. There is also uncharted territory, perhaps due to the absence of Blixa Bargard, but also because these are very much "band songs", obviously not written in the solo piano style of his most recent albums. (Brett)

Kanye West | College Dropout
The most revolutionary album of the year, and the most influential guy in Hip Hop for 2004 must go to Kanye West and his album College Dropout. Firstly he had a number one based on solid tracks not rapping about drugs and gangs but rather about his own life as a college dropout. Then he went on to guest on everyone who's anyone's albums this year including D12, Brandy, Jay-Z... the list goes on. And finally as a producer he has developed a uniquely Kanye West sound which while versatile, is instantly recognisable as a Kanye West production. The album itself is outstanding, with some of the most original material heard in years, and some hilarious skits. Well worth a listen. (Anna)

Marianne Faithfull | Before the Poison
The best since Broken English and Strange Weather. The woman's a real chameleon! The words are great and it grows on you with time. (John)

Outkast | Speakerboxxx; The Love Below
Wow, two CDs for the price of one. This CD is great - Andre ice cold 3000 and Big Boi have such different sounds but the underlying beats are so similar, it's so easy to see why this duo have won so many music awards for this album. Andre's "Hey Yah", was such a great happy song it's hard not to "shake it like a Polaroid picture". For me "Ghettomusick" is the ultimate, I am so impressed with all the different samples, rhythms and beats that he can put in one track, and make it sound so unique, addictive and just plain fantastic. Even if you put all that aside, the boyz deserve the best album of the year, because of their superb ghetto fabulous style! (Sarah)

Blonde Redhead | Misery is a Butterfly
Belying their noise-rock origins, Blonde Redhead substitute abrasiveness for a more orchestrated, textural approach on their sixth LP. Lush arrangements, pristine vocals and tasteful playing combine to create an atmospheric, cinematic mini-masterpiece. (Jason)

The Dresden Dolls | The Dresden Dolls
A lot of noise can be created with just voice, piano and drums. This cabaret-punk features hilarious and heartbreaking lyrics that range between insanity, Edward Gorey, coin-operated boyfriends, a bogeyman, malfunctioning gravity, underage temptresses and self-mutilation. The white doll-face makeup and penchant for Jacques Brel and Black Sabbath covers might suggest artifice, but beneath the face-paint there is a shocking intimacy. (Karen)

Po' Girl | Vagabond lullabies
Po' Girl is a collaboration between Trish Klein (from my other favourite band the Be Good Tanyas), Alison Russell (who has the most wonderful blues voice) and Diona Davies and they play a variety of instruments including banjo, acoustic guitar, harmonica, fiddle, mandolin and clarinet. It's a combination of porch/bluegrass, blues, jazz and on this album a couple of rap numbers by c r avery. I actually wasn't so keen on the first album, but my copy of Vagabond Lullabies is just about worn out, I've played it so much. So thank you Fiona for bringing it back from the States and not liking it! (Marilyn)

Wilco | A Ghost is Born (Chris H)

Brooke Fraser | What to Do With Daylight (Silke)

Franz Ferdinand | Franz Ferdinand (Stu)

The Datsuns | Outta Sight, Outta Mind (Gordon)

Charmaine Ford | Blues for Guppy (Judith)

Trinityroots | Home, Land and Sea (Max)

American Music Club | Love Songs for Patriots (Mark H)

Rachel Goswell | Waves are Universal
Pleasant strummy music with lazy vocals, predominantly acoustic with some faux-country touches. Goswell fronted shoegazer band Slowdive and now plays in Mojave 3. The striking thing about this album is its considered use of 'ambiences' - ghostly sounds recorded in Chislehurst Caves and Lostwithiel, traffic from Camden Road and bugs and waves from Thailand. (Karen)

If you like this, you might like:

• Mojave 3
• Kristin Hersh's The Grotto or Hips and Makers
• Patty Griffin's Living With Ghosts
• Jolie Holland

Jim White | Drill a Hole in that Substrate and Tell Me What You See
I liked his earlier cd (No Such Place), but this is even better. It's quite polished, also includes contributors like Aimee Mann. Great lyrics too - and album title. Definitely one of the best I've heard this year so far. Standout songs are "If Jesus Drove a Motorhome", "Static on the Radio", "Combing My Hair in a Brand New Style" (which reminds me of the Sopranos' theme). (Fiona)

If you like this, you might like:

• other Jim White
• Aimee Mann

Dengue Fever | Dengue Fever
White male Californians in a 2003 tribute to 1960s Cambodian psychedelic music, fronted by a female Cambodian pop star singing in Khmer - this is a strange mix of cultures, eras and musical styles, but it works beautifully. Catchy if unintelligible songs about being lost in Laos, shaving your beard and playing Connect Four. And all inspired by a bout of mosquito-transmitted tropical disease...(Neil)

If you like this, you might just like: Jah Wobble's Molam Dub

Chops | Virtuosity
This is one nice album. Chops "the magnificent butcher" excels in his debut effort. He's known for his work in the Mountain Brothers which made headlines as the first Asian-American hip hop act signed to a major label, and he's now moving on to solo fame. Getting a little help from some famous friends including Kanye West, (is it possible to make a hip hop album without featuring him any more?) Talib Kweli, RAS KASS, Raekwon of Wu Tang Clan, this album covers a lot of ground, and does a lot of down and dirty talking, it's well worth the effort. His style is smooth and diverse, with some excellent jazz inspired tracks which particularly stand out. (Anna)

The Rapture | Echoes
Currently touring with the Cure, the Rapture have drawn comparisons with their sponsors, both favourably and unfavourably. Luke Jenner's wail does at time call to mind Robert Smith, but musically the band operate at pace, creating an urgency less seen in the latter's recordings. Once referred to as the 'Disco Strokes', that label probably gives a better idea of where they're coming from. Like their fellow New Yorkers, the Rapture take a raw instrumental approach and make it highly danceable. (Jason)

If you like this, try these:

• Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand
• The Strokes - Room on Fire

T.I. | Trap Music
This is T.I.'s second album, his first had poor sales so he took it to the streets and sold 20,000 copies of his follow up simply by hand-to-hand distribution. This lead to those at Atlanta records giving him a deal, and the result is Southern Hip Hop at its finest. This boy is talented and at only 22 he's one to watch. What's refreshing about this album is that he doesn't glamorise the ghetto, trap is a reference to his 'sidewalk chemist' days. He talks about trying to get out of the trap for those in his life but also about how you never leave it. One of the tracks is produced by the producer of the moment Kayne West (for those of you that haven't check out College Dropout). The hooks on this album are fresh and his style is rewarding, he's not the greatest rapper ever but he's got a great ear for beats, which is where this album has its strength. It's got some stand out tracks for me, but have a listen and decide for yourself, it's one of those hip hop albums you find yourself rapping along with. Addictive. (Anna)

PJ Harvey | Uh huh her
You could map most of these songs onto similar & superior precursors from her past three albums, hell, even b-sides. Sure, it's refreshingly raw for those who disliked the elegantly polished Stories, but much of the intensity here is abrasiveness and loudness, not power. Plus there are seagull cries, the horrid creatures. And a limp accordion piece for ex-paramour Vincent Gallo, speaking of horrid. Fortunately many sensible people like the album more than I do :) (Karen)

If you like this, you might like:

• Peej's earlier work
• Yeah Yeah Yeahs
• The Dresden Dolls
• Carina Round (not held at the library).

Joy Division | Unknown Pleasures
Icy, bleak and not a bad soundtrack to the apocalypse, Unknown Pleasures fails to deliver the feelgood hit of the summer; given the energy, brooding intensity and inventive musicianship on display though, this is nothing to get depressed about. Alternating between sparse, moody pieces and driving riff based songs, JD display all the rough edges of punk, although the overwhelming feeling is one of anxiety rather than anger. Most of the album sounds like it was recorded in a chilly airport hangar, which ably reflect the themes of isolation and angst in Ian Curtis' lyrics. (Jason)

If you like this, you might just like:

• Birthday Party - Hits
• Jesus Lizard - Goat
• Bauhaus - Crackle.

Various | No thanks! : the '70s punk rebellion
4 CDs and a 114 page booklet, this box set documents the punk scene in the States and (particularly) Britain in the late '70s. Includes many of the highlights of this explosive period, from The Buzzcocks to The Cramps, and from The Dead Kennedys to The Cure. No Sex Pistols though (too expensive...). Rollicking good fun and a great introduction for those too young to remember. (Neil)

If you like this, try:

• Buzzcocks - Singles going steady
• Sex Pistols - Never mind the bollocks, here's the Sex Pistols
• Stranglers - Peaches: the very best of
• Dead Kennedys - Fresh fruit for rotting vegetables
• Undertones - The best of the Undertones: teenage kicks
• Stranglehold!: 18 punk classics.

The Shangri-Las | The Best of the Shangri-Las
60s pop at its finest - and darkest. Best known for their number one single 'Leader of the Pack', the Shangri-Las stand apart from their contemporaries (Ronettes, Crystals, etc..) in that where most pop songs of the 60s (and any decade) dealt with love, and the joys of being young, the Shangri-Las sang about love, and all the things that can go wrong because of it (often involving death). And yet, for all their doom and gloom (their producer/song writers name was "Shadow") the Shangri-Las had many great, catchy tunes, 25 of which are collected on this CD (one of the most comprehensive collections of the group's songs ever). (Shane)

If you like this, try these:

• Phil Spector - Back to Mono
• Blondie - Parallel Lines
• Mulholland Drive (Soundtrack).

The Dresden Dolls | The Dresden Dolls
My fav debut of years - wonderful cabaret-piano-punk with hilarious and heartbreaking lyrics that range between insanity, Edward Gorey, coin-operated boyfriends, jeeps, a bogeyman, being born in the wrong century and self-mutilation. I assure you - often funny, burbling over with ideas and personality. Amanda sings "and sappy songs about sex and cheating, bland accounts of two lovers meeting, make me want to give mankind a beating." Exactly. (Karen)

If you like this, you might like:

• Ute Lemper - Berlin Cabaret Songs
• The best of Siouxsie and the Banshees
• Lisa Germano - Happiness
• Throwing Muses - In a doghouse.

Kanye West | College Dropout
The most talked about hip hop album of this year must be Kayne West, but does it deserve the hype? Yes. Yes. Dear God Yes. It's got the phattest bass lines, the catchiest hooks, the funniest skits and the nicest rhymes. His sound is the most diverse I've heard in ages, he goes through hardcore to gospel and visits a little jazz. But best of all, he's not shouting about packing heat and ho's, he's talking about being a college dropout and how he made it in the hip hop world. The Source gave it 4 and a half mics, I say 5. (Anna)

Po' Girl | Po' Girl
Languid is one of the ways to describe this release from Trish Klein (Be Good Tanyas) and Allison Russell. Mellow and bluesy with lots of harmonies, well worth a listen for those fans of the BGTs and others. Standout tracks are Bad Luck Day Baby and City Song. (Fiona)

Various | Buffy the Vampire Slayer : Radio Sunnydale
One for the fans of Buffy of course, but there's a decent compilation here for non-fans too, I think. This cd includes a good range of tracks from bands both well-known and not so, including the Dandy Warhols, Nikka Costa, Alison Krauss, Cibo Matto and the Breeders (who do their version of the title song). This UK version includes songs from Seasons 2-7 of the TV series. (Fiona)

Misery is a Butterfly | Blonde Redhead
A lot has changed since 97's Fake Can Be Just as Good, the last Blonde Redhead album that I'd heard. Any previously tempting comparisons to Sonic Youth are now tenuous at best, which initially was a bit of a letdown. This time round though, lush orchestration and a greater attention to dynamics makes for an album of subtlety and depth, rewarding repeated listening. (Jason)

If you like this, you might just like Felt Mountain by Goldfrapp, Debut by Bjork and The Power Out by Electrelane.

Garrison Starr | Airstreams & Satellites
Crunchy alterna-guitar rock. It's shelved in country but other than her very american voice, I don't hear that. 'Superhero' and a couple others do the catchy rock anthem thing perfectly, and there's love and heartbreak and pretty pop and delicate sadness and dirty gasoline and a worthwhile 'hidden' track (bah, when will they quit with these things?) (Karen)

The Keys | The Keys
Debut album from this talented Welsh band demonstrates their versatility, as they borrow from musical genres past and present, veering from jangly country pop to Beck-like acoustic ballads, effects-drenched psychedelia and mariachi western epics. (Neil)

Stone Temple Pilots | Thank you
The best of Stone temple Pilots exquisitely compiled. All those glorious tracks, including the acoustic version of Plush... A compulsory and ABSOLUTE must have!!!!!! (Robert)

Marilyn Manson | Portrait of an American Family
Before hiding himself in tales of God and JFK, Manson created a candy coated soundtrack to the hypocrisy of the American family. From covering Willy Wonka's boat ride to rewriting a song by Charles Manson they created an album of playful songs with a dark message. This is the real Marilyn Manson. (Shane)