The New Critical Underground Guide to Albums of 2001
Submitted by lbangs on Tue, 02/20/2001 - 10:30
Tags:
- Simon Joyner - Hotel Lives: *****
- Howe Gelb - Confluence: **** 1/2
- John Hammond, Jr. - Wicked Grin: **** 1/2
- Low - Things We Lost in the Fire: **** 1/2
- Matmos - A Chance to Cut Is a Chance to Cure: **** 1/2
- Nebula - Charged: **** 1/2
- Amy Ray - Stag: **** 1/2
- Steve Roach - Early Man: **** 1/2
- Wellwater Conspiracy - The Scroll and Its Combinations: **** 1/2
- Steve Wynn - Here Comes the Miracles: **** 1/2
- Jeff Beck - You Had It Coming: ****
- Big Punisher - Endangered Species: ****
- Andrew Bird's Bowl of Fire - Swimming Hour: ****
- Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds - No More Shall We Part: ****
- Creeper Lagoon - Take Back the Universe and Give Me Yesterday: ****
- Johnny Dowd - Temporary Shelter: ****
- Mark Eitzel - The Invisible Man: ****
- Alejandro Escovedo - A Man Under the Influence: ****
- Lars Frederiksen & The Bastards: Lars Frederiksen & The Bastards: ****
- Hamster Theatre - Carnival Detournement: ****
- Mark Kozelek - What's Next to the Moon: ****
- Ladytron - 604: ****
- Love Tractor - The Sky at Night: ****
- Luna - Luna Live: ****
- The Magic Carpathians Project - Ethnocore 2: Nytu: ****
- Stephen Malkmus - Stephen Malkmus: ****
- Original Score - Traffic: ****
- Dolly Parton - The Little Sparrow: ****
- Pearl Jam - Bootlegs: ****
- Raisins in the Sun - Raisins in the Sun: ****
- Rocket From the Crypt - Group Sounds: ****
- Stars - Nightsongs: ****
- Various Artists - Amos House Collection Vol. 1: ****
- Aerosmith - Just Push Play: *** 1/2
- Arab Strap - The Red Thread: *** 1/2
- Bonnie Prince Billy - Ease Down the Road: *** 1/2
- Frank Black & the Catholics - Dog in the Sand: *** 1/2
- Blues Traveler - Bridge: *** 1/2
- Shawn Colvin - Whole New You: *** 1/2
- Nikka Costa - Everybody Got Their Something: *** 1/2
- Daft Punk - Discovery: *** 1/2
- Flybanger - Headtrip to Nowhere: *** 1/2
- Gorky's Zygotic Mynci - The Blue Trees: *** 1/2
- Guided by Voices - Isolation Drills: *** 1/2
- Joe Henry - Scar: *** 1/2
- Honeydogs - Here's Luck: *** 1/2
- Labradford - Fixed: Context: *** 1/2
- Lucky Boys Confusion - Throwing the Game: *** 1/2
- Monster Magnet - God Says No: *** 1/2
- New Year - Newness Ends: *** 1/2
- Ocean Colour Scene - Mechanical Wonder: *** 1/2
- Original Soundtrack - Snatch: *** 1/2
- Our Lady Peace - Spiritual Machines: *** 1/2
- Placebo - Black Market Music: *** 1/2
- Eddi Reader - Simple Soul: *** 1/2
- Red House Painters - Old Ramon: *** 1/2
- Duncan Sheik - Phantom Moon: *** 1/2
- Jimmy Smith - Dot Com Blues: *** 1/2
- Spoon - Girls Can Tell: *** 1/2
- Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band - Live in New York City: *** 1/2
- T.W. Walsh - Blue Laws: *** 1/2
- Wendy and Carl - Consciousness: *** 1/2
- Action Slacks - The Scene's Out of Sight: ***
- Ash - Free All Angels: ***
- Bardo Pond - Dilute: ***
- The Bee Gees - This Is Where I Came In: ***
- Bigdumbface - Duke Lion Fights the Terror: ***
- BS2000 - Simply Mortified: ***
- The Butchies - 3: ***
- C Average - Second Reckoning: ***
- Calla - Scavengers: ***
- Cathedral - Endtyme: ***
- Eric Clapton - Reptile: ***
- The Cowboy Junkies - Open: ***
- Crooked Fingers - Bring on the Snakes: ***
- Destiny's Child - Survivor: ***
- Diffuser - Injury Loves Melody: ***
- Dropkick Murphys - Sing Loud, Sing Proud: ***
- Fantastic Plastic Machine - Beautiful: ***
- G. Love & Special Sauce - The Electric Mile: ***
- Halford - Live Insurrection: ***
- Kristin Hersh - Sunny Border Blue: ***
- Janet Jackson - All for You: ***
- KRS-One - The Sneak Attack: ***
- Lenola - Treat Me to Some Life: ***
- Dave Matthews Band - Everyday: ***
- Mice Parade - Mokoondi: ***
- The Minus 5 / The Fresh Young Fellows - Let the War Against Music Begin / Because We Hate You: ***
- Momus - Folktronic: ***
- Bill Morrissey - Something I Saw or Thought I Saw: ***
- Original Soundtrack - Valentine: ***
- Donny Osmond - This Is the Moment: ***
- Anne Sofie Von Otter & Elvis Costello - For the Star: ***
- Pan sonic - Aaltopiiri: ***
- Glen Phillips - Abulum: ***
- Robert Scott - The Creeping Unknown: ***
- Southern Culture on the Skids - Liquored Up and Lacquered Down: ***
- Toadies - Hell Below / Stars Above: ***
- Tortoise - Standards: ***
- Ilpo Vaisanen - Asuma: ***
- Various Artists - Concerts for a Landmine Free World: ***
- Jon B. - Pleasures U Like: ** 1/2
- The Beatnuts - Take It or Squeeze It: ** 1/2
- Blake Babies - God Bless the Blake Babies: ** 1/2
- Blue Mountain - Roots: ** 1/2
- Chestnut Station - In Your Living Room: ** 1/2
- Lloyd Cole & The Negatives - The Negatives: ** 1/2
- Jack Dangers - Hello Friends!: ** 1/2
- The Donnas - The Donnas Turn 21: ** 1/2
- Dream - It Was All a Dream: ** 1/2
- Tim Easton - The Truth About Us: ** 1/2
- Jerry Garcia Band - Don't Let Go: ** 1/2
- Half Japanese - Hello: ** 1/2
- Kinski - Be Gentle with the Warm Turtle: ** 1/2
- Llama Farmers - El Toppo: ** 1/2
- Richard Lloyd - Cover Doesn't Matter: ** 1/2
- The Magic Magicians - Girls: ** 1/2
- Manic Street Preachers - Know Your Enemy: ** 1/2
- Melvins - Electroretard: ** 1/2
- Neurosis - Sovereign: ** 1/2
- The Old 97's - Satellite Rides: ** 1/2
- Powderfinger - Odyssey Number Five: ** 1/2
- Michael Rose - Never Give It Up: ** 1/2
- Spacehog - Hogyssey: ** 1/2
- Sepultura - Nation: ** 1/2
- Tantric - Tantric: ** 1/2
- David Thomas & Two Pale Boys - Surf's Up: ** 1/2
- Turin Brakes - The Optimist: ** 1/2
- Various Artists - Rarewerks: ** 1/2
- Violet Indiana - Roulette: ** 1/2
- Case - Open Letter: **
- Steve Fisk - 999 Levels of Undo: **
- Godhead - 2000 Years of Human Error: **
- Tim McGraw - Set This Circus Down: **
- Jennifer Lopez - J. Lo: **
- Shins - Oh Inverted World: **
- Train - Drops of Jupiter: **
- Ginuwine - The Life: * 1/2
- Killing Heidi - Reflector: * 1/2
- The Living End - Roll On: * 1/2
- O-Town - O Town: * 1/2
- Systematic - Somewhere In Between: * 1/2
- 2Pac - Until the End of Time: * 1/2
- Lionel Richie - Renaissance: *
- The A-Teens - Teen Spirit: 1/2
Author Comments:
As decided by the New Critical Underground...
Our rating system:
***** - A masterpiece; these are rare.
**** 1/2 - An excellent work of art, good enough that even people who usually hate the genre or main artists involved will still probably enjoy it.
**** - A very good work; people who hate the genre / artists involved may not care for it, but almost anyone else will.
*** 1/2 - A fairly good work, but will probably only be embraced by fans of the genre / artist.
*** - A barely good work; only diehard fans need apply.
** 1/2 - An average work; probably won't excite even diehard fans.
** - A below average piece of art; non-fans will hate this work.
* 1/2 - A bad work that few people are likely to enjoy and many are likely to hate.
* - A truly awful work; nearly everybody will hate this.
1/2 - One of the worst works of art ever; like the 5 stars, these are also rare.
I must say the new critical underground guide is full of excrament. GBV's new album is way better than 31/2. I know these aren't your opinions listed so I'm not attacking you bro. I am however not respecting this New Critical Underground Guide a bit. They've been wrong on countless critiques. I know its all a matter of opinion so I'll just say, thats my opinion...
Hmmm... I think the guide is quite excellent. Most of the differences you have voiced with the guide concern works by artists you have already admitted to being a diehard fan of (Kubrick, Guided by Voices). We have to live with that. Most people believe their favorite artists deserve straight ***** and **** 1/2, but we disagree. We think hardly anyone deserves such high praise.
That's part of the reason why we have a five-star scale rather than a 4-star one. The *** and *** 1/2 allow us to point out albums that diehard fans such as yourself will like, even if they are far from the band's best work or rather unexciting for nonfans.
And remember that these ratings change from time to time, especially on the 2001 pages. When I receive four votes for any work, it goes up on the big board. As I receive more votes, you'll notice albums slide up and down (for example, Jeff Beck's latest is now ****, where it was previously **** 1/2 - I received some new, lower votes for that album recently).
I mean, I have heard most of Isolation Drills, and I think the guide is pretty dead-on. Sure, perhaps I personally might nudge it up to ****, but the disc is hardly Bee Thousand, Vampire on Titus, or even Mag Earwhig!. It is a fairly good album that will mostly only be loved by folks who are already fans of the album, but it is hardly a stand-out or a classic. I think the rating reflects these realities.
Thanks for the comments!
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
Well, like I said, it is a matter of opinion, but I don't hold much stock in the guide, no offense. I hold stock in your own opinions because through an odd way, I know you via the listology. You take an average score of all underground guide members I assume, yes? Well, you use that logic and you're not really gonna come up with an accurate criticism for any body of work. For instance Lester, I would consider you and I, along with some other listology members, to be a little more ..well..versed in what it takes to make good music or bad music, good films or bad films. You take your average guy or gal and they're gonna say, "oh I loved Rambo!", or "yeah, that Sleepless in Seattle is one of the best movies I've seen". Now taking that in consideration along with the knowledge that I have no idea who else is involve with you critical underground, it makes it hard for me to hold any real merit in their view points. Believe me when I say I'm not trying to rag on it (well...maybe), I'm trying to stimulate a good debate here of pro's and con's.
Well, if you don't dig the guide, that's cool. We created the guide in order to help people find great art and avoid turkeys, and if the guide doesn't really help you in that respect, then it certainly isn't for you.
I will add that none of the critics in the group is what I would call the average guy or gal. I am proud that we are usually critisized for being too tough on work and not the other way around. Rather than people complaining that we rate Rambo or Sleepless in Seattle too highly (which was an occasion problem with the older version of the Critical Underground (the pre-New group), we usually have people complaining that we rated, say, Guided by Voice's latest album too low. I can dig this. When we give a high rating, I want it to mean something. I'd rather us be too tough than too easy on work, and I believe we certainly are not on the wrong side of the line right now. For instance, one gander at our guide for 2001 films reveals not a single film rated above *** 1/2. In fact, most films by far have received * 1/2!
The folks in the group are certainly not average. I selected each and every one of them because they displayed excellent independent critical judgement; every member brings something different to the group, and I feel the group's ratings and guides can easily compete with any other guide out there.
I don't mind your comments in the least; you know I love a decent debate! :)
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
I just noticed that when you refer to the critical underground guide you us our. tell me Les, are you part of this "underground guide"? And if so, who else is involved. Kick some knowledge to a brother...
I am 1 member out of 15. I'm afraid I can't tell you who else is involved, as I keep all members' identities and ratings strictly secret. They are free to tell you if they wish, but you won't hear it from my lips.
As they see new films or listen to new albums, the members email their ratings to me, and I enter these ratings into a database. When I receive four or more votes for a work, it is time to post it on the big board. The highest and lowest ratings are tossed out, and the rest are averaged to produce the ratings you find on our guides. I also often send out requests for ratings on a specific director or musical artist, and that is where the guides for individual directors / musicians come from.
The group consists of a scattered group of critics. The range in ages and geographical locations is amazing, and I have only met 3 of the members in person. I mostly recruited the critics from online sources.
I am a member of the New Critical Underground, and my opinions are indeed mixed into the pot equally with those of the other members. Don't confuse these lists with my CC series, however, which are the opinion of critics from various printed sources and do not contain any input from me whatsoever.
I hope that made sense...
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
Would I be allowed to get involved? I mean, I have some decent objective criticisms, dontcha think Les?
You certainly would not be out of place in the group. You are very critical, your judgements are your own, and you have very good taste. I highly, highly respect you and your criticisms.
Can you join? Honestly, not right now. 15 members are alot, and it keeps me entirely too busy as it is. I recently had to temporarily put our DVD ratings on hold because I simply could not keep up with everything as it is (though I do hope to start it back up soon). I decided early on that 15 members was going to be my limit for the group. Any more, and I will work myself to death on this puppy.
If we ever lose a member, you will certainly be in the running as a replacement.
I hope you take no offence; my sanity simply will not allow any more members right now.
Still friends, I trust?
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
Of course, Les. Just keep me updated, I'm interested.
I sent you an email explaining my reasons for this a bit more. Check your box. You'll get a better idea of what goes into these guides and just how hectic it can get.
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
Alright, after a brief bout with illness, I have finally caught up on calculating the New Critical Underground stats for the year thus far. Phew...
I will proudly point out that we know have our first ***** and 1/2 * albums for 2001!
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
I have no idea how you get ahold of all these cds les. All I can say is that I've only heard a bit of the Malkmus (which seemed pretty similar to his group work), some of the Daft Punk which I did not enjoy(although I do like quite a few of their singles), BS 2000 which I absolutely love, the Guided by Voices which was also very good. I have only listened once to Tortoise's Standards and there is definitely something different going on there but I still thought the songs were good. I think Tortoise's sound is better geared towards longer songs(like Djed) where there music is able to find an awesome groove. Nonetheless in my view Standards deserved higher than a 3 star rating but I reserve full judgment until I've listened to the CD a couple of times. BTW, I listened to a couple of the Low songs. Really dig that song, Dinsosaur Act, I think its called.
Well, the easy answer is that I don't! This is an averaging of the opinions of a group I've formed called the New Critical Underground. Only four of our members has to rate the album to be posted above. I need not be (and often am not) one of the four.
Of what I have heard so far this year, Stephen Malkmus and Low are easily my favorites. I've just started listening to Hampster Theatre's latest, and so far I'm really enjoying it. I also recently ordered the Motus and Steve Wynn discs, and I'll let you know what I think of them when I get them.
I also hope to pick up the new Nick Cave one soon.
I do have a separate list for my own opinions. i believe it is called 2001 Albums I Enjoy or something to that extent.
I did like the Guided By Voices, but not nearly as much as you or J. Black do, apparently.
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
Lbangs,
what does the highlighted text mean???
this looks like a great list. i've been curious about the wellwater conspiracy, too. what does it sound like?
jlunger
The highlight simply indicates new entries for each update.
Wellwater Conspiracy (mostly ex-Soundgarden members) sounds a bit like Black Sabbath (a given with ex-Soundgarden members) by way of the wilder British Invasion bands (think Who at Leeds) with a touch of early Floyd (Pipers or so) coloring the whole affair. Very interesting...
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
yeah, i like both those bands. i might have to check the CD out. i first heard about them whan i bought a Death in Vegas CD, they're on the same label.
So tell me of this Simon Joyner. I dont know him. Must be good to get the 5 star rating?
Anybody gotten the new REM, Reveal??
If you liked even a little bit from Pan Sonic- Aaltopiiri, i recommend you to listen their latest work-Kesto ! 4 cd's of new material and every cd is pretty different from each other.. I think it's really their best album