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1. INTO THE WOODS – SLEATER KINNEY
These ladies build a sound then crash right through it. An exhilarating ride if you take it. And some solos you can actually like. Land ho!!!

2. I’M WIDE AWAKE, IT’S MORNING – BRIGHT EYES
When I finally stopped being impatient and got to the end I realized what I had been missing. A talent to be reckoned with. “No one ever plans to sleep out in the gutter. Sometimes that’s just the most comfortable place.” This could be my number one tomorrow…..

3. EXTRAORDINARY MACHINE (unreleased version) – FIONA APPLE
A woman not to be reckoned with. “What’s so special about diamonds except the mining?” You kind of get the feeling she means every word she says.

4. GUERO – BECK
Like Beck’s Greatest Hits of all new sons. A little salsa, a little funk, some folk and lots of killer riffs, samples and such. “Talking trash to the garbage around you”

5. KNUCKLE DOWN – ANI DIFRANCO
The great Joe Henry plays an objective ear and helps Ani trim and treat these great songs with the clarity they need. One of her finest “vehement romantic frantic forever right now….” I love this.

6. DEVILS AND DUST – BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
“ridin high carryin a catch of roses”.

7. FOREVER HASN’T HAPPENED YET – JOHN DOE
Whenever I play this I forget who I’m listening to. Not that being John Doe isn’t good enough, sounds like hes playing for himself and we are just lucky enough to be eavesdropping. Great shit. “Johnny always seemed ‘READY”.

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8. LITTLE FUGITIVE – AMY RIGBY
Another chapter in the life of the mod housewife, including Joey Ramone, Rasputin, some new husband’s ex- wife, needy men and some reverse guitar. Amy is always a fun listen.

9. THE GREATEST WHITE LIAR – NIC ARMSTRONG AND THE THIEVES
The biggest bang with a “natural flair”.

10. JACKSONVILLE CITY NIGHTS – RYAN ADAMS AND THE CARDINALS
but where is Emmylou? A talent to be reckoned with and getting wrecked with, “Go and get the gun……”

11. PRAIRIE WIND – NEIL YOUNG
The breakup record has been replaced with the I-had-an-anyeurism set. An honest set from a master of disguises. “Green to green. Red to red”

12. DIGITAL ASH IN A DIGITAL URN – BRIGHT BYES
Not as “digitel” as one might expect. The guy has a knack for lyrics though. A few great songs hidden under the production. Still a talent to be reckoned with-

13. THROW DOWN YOUR ARMS – SINEAD O’CONNOR
The great bald, retired one surfaces again with a tribute to reggae. Irish reggae. Laagh if yon mnst, then listen. She’s nothing if not adventnrons. And I still love that gorgeous voice. Whats next, Disney classics? Hmmmmmmmmmm.

14. YOU COULD HAVE IT SO MUCH BETTER – FRANZ FERDINAND
I wonder what they would sound like if their pante weren’t so tight? Great single, and the rest ain’t too shabby either.

15. COLD ROSES – RYAN ADAMS AND THE CARDINALS
It’s beautiful sorta… “wasted like a bum with somebody’s wallet” Gram Parsons lives…aorta.

16. STAND UP – DAVE MATTHEWS BAND
Despite what yon all think..-1 still love this gny. However, my fondness fades with the jamming and all. Too much noodling on this record. ‘Don’t like no noodling.

17. GET BEHIND ME SATAN – THE WHITE STRIPES
And then get behind Loretta Lynn

18. I’VE GOT MY OWN HELL TO RAISE – BETTYE LAVETTE
Great idea. Great singer. Great songs. Then why do I just like this?

19. DEMON DAYS – GORILLAZ
This sounds like the kind of thing that sounds great if you are under the influence. I’m not, so I like it, but then it gets under my skin.

20. THE BEEKEEPER – TORI AMOS
If this were her second or third outing it’d be great, but since this is her 97th it sounds too much like the other 96. And with 19 tracks it could Id have been her 98th also.
BUBBLIN’ UNDER
GYPSY PUNKS UNDERDOG WORLD STRIKE – GOGOL BORDELLO
Although I’ve only had this for a few days its too crazy to judge yet. Shane McGowen in the Clash with Russian punks to accompany him????
SINGLES GOING STEADY:
A LOVE THAT WILL NEVEB GROW OLD – EMMYLOU HARRIS< JUST LIKE HEAVEN – KATEB MILUA
DISCOVERIES OF THE YEAR:
THE PF SLOAN CATALOGUE
THE JACKIE DESHANNON CATALOGUE
THE CHRIS CARRABA CATALOGUE (yes, that guy…)
THE VAN MCCOY 50s and 60s CATALOGUE