gord's albums of 2004

Well, we're about to say farewell to 2004. So I thought that I'd do a little bit about my favourite albums that came out this year.

So, in no particular order - here's my picks of the year!

The Donnas - Gold Medal
The Donnas have changed, they've chilled out and grown up a fair bit since 2002's 'Spend The Night'. Gold Medal is a very relaxed album, very laid back, but still contains catchy Angus Young inspired riffs. The Donnas are one of those bands that alot of people hate with a passion, I can't see why. With songs like 'Don't Break Me Down' and 'Gold Medal', The Donnas prove that they're not just one-trick ponies.

Kid Kilowatt - Guitar Method
The 'supergroup' containing members of Cave-In, Piebald and others who I can't recall at this time wrote these songs years ago, and it's only just seen the light of day. It was worth the wait. It's chaotic, but controlled chaos, and the rockers such as 'Bicycle Song' and 'The Scope' are only broken up by a few wee gems. 'Cadence For A Rainy Day' is my particular favourite on this album. Sounds a wee bit like the Icarus Line I reckon. Top Notch.

Green Day - American Idiot
Green Day have become one of those bands that are now in every living room in the country. Like the Red Hot Chili Peppers before them, they've surged from the underground into the homes of your average rock fan, before taking over the rest of the unconverted world with American Idiot. The political motivation behind the record is well documented, but nobody should forget that these guys can write great tunes. 'Wake Me Up When September Ends' is a brilliant song, the best on the record.

Laeto - Zwoa
Dundee's own Laeto have been around forever. Well, they played at the first ever gig I went to, supporting Idlewild around five years ago, which to me means forever. Zwoa is everything you'd expect from Laeto, frantic guitar duelling, loud-soft shouty vocals and catchy tunes to boot. However, if you've only heard the album and haven't seen them play live, you only know half the story

The Killers - Hot Fuss
With so many 'it' bands around, Franz Ferdinand, Razorlight, Keane, it's hard to see where the quality ends and the bullshit begins. Luckily, The Killers have their feet firmly planted in the 'quality' side of things. 'Somebody Told Me' is easily the best single of the year, and 'Mr Brightside' and 'Jenny Was A Friend of Mine' confirm the Las Vegas foursome's talent for fusing alt-rock with disco-pop.

there. That's five. That'll do for now I think. Feel free to discuss, digest and disagree. What's your picks of the year?

*edit* I haven't heard the new Camper Van Beethoven album, 'New Roman Times' yet, only one song from it. But I can tell you that if I'd heard the whole album, I would have listed it here!