Honest Tune Magazine ![[LINK]](http://dgold.info/radio/wp-content/images/aoutside.gif)
’s Album of the Year 2004
The Drive-By Truckers make it two in a row with this year’s Honest Tune Best of poll. Honest Tune editors and writers picked The Dirty South as the best record of the year in a year with lots of good records. Their previous CD, Decoration Day, took Album of the Year honors in 2003.
1. Drive-By Truckers: The Dirty South
The latest studio gem from the newest Sons of the South, the Truckers’ Dirty South offers a snapshot into life below the Mason-Dixon that runs the gamut from drug dealers, murderers and bootleggers to race car drivers, NASA scientists and Sam Phillips and his Million Dollar Quartet. Patterson Hood and Jason Isbell once again deliver solid contributions, though the real star of this record may be Mike Cooley as the third distinct songwriting voice in the most dangerous band in America. —Andy Tennille.
2. Stockholm Syndrome: Holy Happy Hour
The supergroup consisting of Dave Schools, Jerry Joseph, Eric McFadden, Wally Ingram and Danny Dziuk not only blazed across Europe and America on a never-ending tour during 2004, they also released Holy Happy Hour, a debut album that captures the power and poetry of Joseph’s songwriting while reveling in the skill of the players.—Tom Speed
3. Loretta Lynn: Van Lear Rose
She’s still plenty woman enough and this record, produced by the White Stripes’ Jack White, may well be one of her best of all time.—Chase Farmer
4. North Mississippi Allstars : Hill Country Revue
Sly Stone sang, “Blood is thicker than the mud; it’s a family affair.” Such a turn fits The Allstars 2004 Bonnaroo appearance on infinite levels. For 90 minutes in 90-degree weather, musical and ancestral bridges were joyously gapped for those in privileged attendance. Your ass deserves this kind of shaking.—DeMatt Harkins
5. Wilco : A Ghost Is Born
The followup to 2002’s much heralded Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, finds Jeff Tweedy and company further experimenting with art rock noise, yet A Ghost is Born still thrives on Tweedy’s songwriting.—T.S.
6. Gov’t Mule: Deja Voodoo
Heading to the studio for the first time as a quartet, the Mule delivered the finest studio work of their career, an album certain to stand the test of time as a true rock classic. –Fred Adams
7. Lotus : Nomad
This studio debut reveals a band filling into a sound of its own. Part electronic and part space rock, Nomad exposes that progressive textures are Lotus’ forte.—Jamie Lee
8. Brian Wilson: Smile
Spurred on by his rivalry/friendship with Paul McCartney, Wilson’s intent in the summer of ‘66 was to create an album of cohesive, modular music that could serve as a slice of Americana for his generation in response to the Beatles’ psychedelic masterpiece, Revolver. Nearly 40 years later, Wilson delivered Smile, his “teenage symphony to God” and a glimpse into the troubled genius of one of rock’s greatest studio tacticians. .—A.T.
9. Perpetual Groove: All This Everything
Perpetual Groove anchored itself in friendly waters last year with a soaring, but concise sophomore record. Like its authors, All This Everything mirrors its name: A mix of ballads, epics and instrumentals mark this as a landmark effort from a promising young Georgia band. Choice Cuts: “Crockett & Tubbs,” “Long Past Settled In.” –Stuart Gaines
10. Kevn Kinney’s Sun Tangled Angel Revival
Kevn Kinney is back and that’s a very good thing. The former Drivin ‘n’ Cryin’ front man beams with Dylan-esque Americana insight, but retains his own Southern, folk-stained charm (by way of Milwaukee). Kinney moved a wise step closer to his rock roots with his new outfit and record Sun Tangled Angel Revival. Choice Cuts: Title track, “In the Land of Plenty.” –S.G.
11. Widespread Panic : Uber Cobra
Of the 3 live albums released during Widespread Panic’s year long sabbatical, this acoustic set was the most impressive. Recorded live at the House of Blues in Myrtle Beach, SC in November of 2003, Uber Cobra shows off guitarist George McConnell, who thrives in the acoustic environment, and treats fans to some rarities and new arrangements.—T.S.
12. Mofro: Lochloosa
As deep down nourishing as home cooking, Florida’s jook jumpin’ archangels dish up Muscle Shoals soul food simmered with vintage Little Feat. Scrumptious stuff that’s thick and loose, easy-going and too smart for its own good.—D.C.
13. Black Keys: Rubber Factory
The Black Keys’ third album, and second for Fat Possum, eats nails and licks sandpaper. The Midwest duo draw a sonically bigger dip from the same red clay imbedded well. This is brighter, tighter, and clearer. Song after song greets Hell’s thunder with Thor’s hammer. Rubber Factory is best suited for blaring.—D.H.
14. Chuck Prophet: Age of Miracles
The former Green On Red frontman stirs up the cauldron to produce an intoxicating stew on his second release for New West Records. Prophet adds hip-hop beats, blues guitar and understated vocals on this gem of an album.—T.S.
15. Los Lobos: The Ride
With their most engaging release since 1992’s Kiko, Los Lobos finally break some new musical ground, while never straying far from their latin & world music roots. With guests like Mavis Staples, Elvis Costello, and Tom Waits, there is nothing on this disc that won’t stand the test of time. Some of the best music to come out of Southern California in years. –C.B.
16. Elvis Costello: The Delivery Man
He’s still got it, and if this is any indication, he’s got more to spare. Costello’s Delivery Man was recorded in Oxford, Mississippi with producer Dennis Herring. Costello was drawn to Oxford based on Herring’s work on Buddy Guy’s Sweet Tea recording. –T.S.
17. Cary Hudson: Cool Breeze
Cary Hudson produces his most complete, and rocking, album since the break up of Blue Mountain. At times raucous, at times introspective, Cool Breeze shows Hudson to be one well rounded songwriter.—T.S.
18. Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey: Walking With Giants
Mesmerizing labyrinths written in fragrant air. This is jazz’s future distilled to a trio capable of both the sacred & profane. Besides their stellar playing, a thing infused with a huge heart, they are also visionary composers. It is a lethal combination to behold.—D.C.
19. Railroad Earth: The Good Life
The jam-grass of Railroad Earth comes to full fruition on this, their third release. -T.S.
20. Warren Haynes: Live at Bonnaroo
Never intended to serve as an official release, this live set captures one of Haynes’ finest acoustic performances to date.—F.A.
21. Buddy Miller: Universal United House of Prayer
A gospel record infused with roadhouse dirt, a work of rocking, unabashed spirituality that never insults our intelligence. Miller achieves something rare – an honest testament to faith that understands that every Amen and Hallelujah only means if you know why you’re saying it.—D.C.
22. Leftover Salmon : Leftover Salmon
The album in-progress made the cover of Honest Tune with the working title Everything Is Round. Ultimately released with the eponymous title, it shines with pride and finality; the only pure Salmon CD missing Mark Vann. -DG
23. Steve Earle: The Revolution Starts…Now
Earle skewers Dubya and pines for Condi in this scathing political treatise.—T.S.
24. Modest Mouse: Good News For People Who Like Bad News
Quirky isn’t enough in music today, but Modest Mouse’s most accessible release shows quirkiness, fueled by boisterous rock and roll, is more than enough.—J.L.
25. Norah Jones: Feels Like Home
Sweet voiced Norah blew away the critical and popular world with her jazz tinged debut Come Away With Me. She doesn’t mess with what ain’t broken here - providing more of the same fluid vocals and tinkling piano on these 13 tracks that seem to be an extension of her gorgeously understated smile. Guests abound, including Dolly Parton on “Creepin In.” – C.B.
26. Widespread Panic: Jackassolantern
Nothing new or groundbreaking, but a great collection of the Halloween tradition that serves as a highlight in the year of any Panic fan.—F.A.
27. Moses Guest: Guest Motel
Graham Guest and company trade in jammed out compositions for more succinct tunes; however, the southern, whiskey-burn style is prevelant, making this the band’s most concentrated effort yet.—J.L.
28. Umphrey’s McGee: Anchor Drops
Engaging, psychotropic, experimental. Anchor Drops balances furious creativity with studio precision and headphone magic, and is their best CD yet. -DG
29. Derek Trucks Band: Live at the Georgia Theater
DTB’s first double-live captures what Derek and company do best. -DG
30. Slang: More Talk About Tonight
What do you get when you mix a thundering rock bass player with an engineer extraordinaire and disciple of electronica mastermind Bill Laswell? 13 tracks (and one Dirty Dozen remix) of industrial rock, dreamy electronica and pure funky jams. Highlights include the surreal “Escalator” (featuring Vic Chesnutt on vocals), the catchy “Motion Detector” and a three-song suite (“Champions of Leisure,””What Happened” and “Bitter Pill”) to close the album. Jay Rodriguez, Eric McFadden, DJ Logic, Matt Abts, Ray Pazkowski, Lori Carson and Knox Chandler guest on this all-star-laden sophomore effort.—A.T.
