BEST & WORST OF 2004?

[DRhein]

Well you know it has to be done every closing of the year. Just wondering what everyone thinks were some of the BEST releases of 2004 and what were the absolute WORST? Maybe even the best COMEBACK of 2004? My vote for that would be Skinny Puppy. Best releases I would have to say include... hmmm, sat there for a while, I can't really name any that jump to mind (isn't that sad) but among the worst I would have to say Alarm Agents (hope that doesn't offend any DIJ fans) Best? I don't know, am I the only one who feels that 2004 was a bit... lacking in great releases? Shout back!

[DRhein]

a-ha! Just as I was about to log off, I remembered a VERY GREAT release in 2004:

KIRLIAN CAMERA - Invisible Front.2005

KIRLIAN CAMERA was also one of the best concerts I saw this year.

Thanks Elena & Angelo!

[Chain D.L.K. (Marc)]

I would have to agree with best comeback being Skinny Puppy, which was also one of the most exciting concerts I've seen this year (since Al Jourgensen from Ministry jumped on the stage as well! woah!)...
As for records, I could MAYBE achieve a top 10, but hardly name one... for worst I could come up with more than 10 because you are right about lack of quality...

[Marc Tater]

Hi,

this is a bit dangerous to discuss I think, because it has a lot to do with own favourites in music and artists - a very subjective choice. I could easily do something like this but again - this belongs on my taste and it doesn't mean that this is the taste of a huge crowd...(or the whole damned world...)

good in 2004: Interlace, UV, Re_Agent, Obszön Geschöpf, Type001, FC, Little Sap Dungeon, and, and, and...
bad: all these silly copycat releases, you know this too often heard WUMPUPPY COMMCICO bands... (fill some in here...)

I also don't think we have a lack of quality here - but it is hard to find good releases. In times where every single person with a PC and soundcard can produce music it is difficult to hear and to describe differences. But this is the sign of the times with which we have to live with.

[DRhein]

I also don't think we have a lack of quality here - but it is hard to find good releases. In times where every single person with a PC and soundcard can produce music it is difficult to hear and to describe differences. But this is the sign of the times with which we have to live with.

that's true. There is SO MUCH - and I feel that I cannot keep up with all of what is being released. So I have to just pick and chose what I try out - from reviews, or even small MP3s samples, or promo copies - and a lot of times I am... well, sometimes disappointed, but mostly just... not blown away. I mean I don't expect to be blown away all the time, but at least suprised or impressed. Once in a while, I come across something which really snaps me to attention and makes me go "WOW" - but it does seem to happen less and less.

I have started now to stick with listening to certain LABELS that consistently release quality work - for instance AD NOISEAM or SMALL VOICES or TEMPORARY RESIDENCE - I will usually check out everything from certain labels because I know they usually release quality material and that's one way to help navigate my personal search for music.

One way to go. But really, it's: SO MUCH MUSIC, SO LITTLE TIME.