Top 10 Albums of 2004
Jan 2, 2005 2:18:30 GMT -5
Post by someguy on Jan 2, 2005 2:18:30 GMT -5
Now that 2004 has come and gone, I've made my list of the 10 best albums released this year (excluding greatest hits/live albums). It's been an alright year for music, though the albums that I enjoyed the most this year were ones released last year that continued to have singles released from them.
1. "American Idiot" - Green Day
I never expected Green Day to reach the level of greatness that they did this year. I've always enjoyed their music, but this album was phenomenal and should continue to dominate throughout 2005.
2. "When The Sun Goes Down" - Kenny Chesney
This album was the most pleasant surprise of the year for me. I have NS, NS, NP and the greatest hits, and like them both, but this album is miles ahead of anything Kenny's ever done before. While I like them, I don't think the albums singles are representitive of how good this album is overall (aside from "I Go Back"). If he decides to, Kenny has songs on here that can be released and sustain him throughout all of '05.
3. "Dress Rehearsal" - Carolyn Dawn Johnson
IMO, it's the most underrated album of the year. It's really a shame that the worst song on the CD, "Die Of A Broken Heart", was released as the second single and killed the album in the US. Songs like "Head Over High Heels" (a top 5 in Canada), "We Talked", "Life As We Know It", etc. are stellar and had great potential.
4. "Encore" - Eminem
While "Just Lose It" wasn't his best, this album is excellent. I prefer it to "The Eminem Show", and possibly even "Marshall Mathers". Though it hasn't been as well reviewed as his last albums, this was in no way a disappointment for me.
5. "Live Like You Were Dying" - Tim McGraw
While not quite as good as I was hoping, this is one of my favorites of the year. The album didn't live up to the title track, but that's a nearly impossible task. Songs like "Blank Sheet Of Paper", "Old Town New", "My Old Friend" and "Kill Myself" show that Tim has elevated to the next level of quality.
6. "Love, Angel, Music, Baby" - Gwen Stefani
This is a great album. While it's unfortunate that pop radio was unable to fully embrace "What You Waiting For", it doesn't change the fact that it's one of the best singles of the year. This album takes awhile to really get into, but once you give it a few listens, it stands out from the rest.
7. "Here For The Party" - Gretchen Wilson
I'm really surprised that I liked this album as much as I did. I took a chance and picked it up in the Spring, and was not disappointed at all. Though I was afraid she wouldn't live up to the hype, this album surpassed all my expectations. The singles have been good, but there are a number of album tracks worthy of release.
8. "Sweet Right Here" - SHeDAISY
This album is a huge improvement over their last, "Knock On The Sky". This album is more mainstream than that, and has many songs that would stand out on the radio. A very good comeback, IMO.
9. "Shaken, Not Stirred" - Phil Vassar
Like SHeDAISY, Phil put out a really solid album after a somewhat disappointing second CD. Though maybe not quite as good as his debut, this album is a good comeback for Phil. Radio thinks so too, as "In A Real Love" became his second #1 hit.
10. "Hot Fuss" - The Killers
Like Gretchen Wilson, I took a chance on a new artist after really liking their first couple singles and was not disappointed at all. I've only just gotten this album, and I'm already very impressed by it.
1. "American Idiot" - Green Day
I never expected Green Day to reach the level of greatness that they did this year. I've always enjoyed their music, but this album was phenomenal and should continue to dominate throughout 2005.
2. "When The Sun Goes Down" - Kenny Chesney
This album was the most pleasant surprise of the year for me. I have NS, NS, NP and the greatest hits, and like them both, but this album is miles ahead of anything Kenny's ever done before. While I like them, I don't think the albums singles are representitive of how good this album is overall (aside from "I Go Back"). If he decides to, Kenny has songs on here that can be released and sustain him throughout all of '05.
3. "Dress Rehearsal" - Carolyn Dawn Johnson
IMO, it's the most underrated album of the year. It's really a shame that the worst song on the CD, "Die Of A Broken Heart", was released as the second single and killed the album in the US. Songs like "Head Over High Heels" (a top 5 in Canada), "We Talked", "Life As We Know It", etc. are stellar and had great potential.
4. "Encore" - Eminem
While "Just Lose It" wasn't his best, this album is excellent. I prefer it to "The Eminem Show", and possibly even "Marshall Mathers". Though it hasn't been as well reviewed as his last albums, this was in no way a disappointment for me.
5. "Live Like You Were Dying" - Tim McGraw
While not quite as good as I was hoping, this is one of my favorites of the year. The album didn't live up to the title track, but that's a nearly impossible task. Songs like "Blank Sheet Of Paper", "Old Town New", "My Old Friend" and "Kill Myself" show that Tim has elevated to the next level of quality.
6. "Love, Angel, Music, Baby" - Gwen Stefani
This is a great album. While it's unfortunate that pop radio was unable to fully embrace "What You Waiting For", it doesn't change the fact that it's one of the best singles of the year. This album takes awhile to really get into, but once you give it a few listens, it stands out from the rest.
7. "Here For The Party" - Gretchen Wilson
I'm really surprised that I liked this album as much as I did. I took a chance and picked it up in the Spring, and was not disappointed at all. Though I was afraid she wouldn't live up to the hype, this album surpassed all my expectations. The singles have been good, but there are a number of album tracks worthy of release.
8. "Sweet Right Here" - SHeDAISY
This album is a huge improvement over their last, "Knock On The Sky". This album is more mainstream than that, and has many songs that would stand out on the radio. A very good comeback, IMO.
9. "Shaken, Not Stirred" - Phil Vassar
Like SHeDAISY, Phil put out a really solid album after a somewhat disappointing second CD. Though maybe not quite as good as his debut, this album is a good comeback for Phil. Radio thinks so too, as "In A Real Love" became his second #1 hit.
10. "Hot Fuss" - The Killers
Like Gretchen Wilson, I took a chance on a new artist after really liking their first couple singles and was not disappointed at all. I've only just gotten this album, and I'm already very impressed by it.