Then you listen to the music and you like to sing along,
You want to get the meaning out of each and ev’ry song
Then you find yourself a message and some words to call your own
And take them home.

* Albums (no EPs, singles) released (no re-issues) in 2004 in the United States (no imports) and in my possession.

Here is a list of albums that I liked this year. I did not actually purchase many albums this year. I spent more time buying the back catalogs of bands. If it was released December 2003, then it wasn't in consideration for this prize. If I heard good things but never got up the motivation to purchase the album, it doesn't get consideration. If the band happens to have a website that either contains free mp3s or a high quality stream, I may add a link for you.

Note: I realize I am making this list early. I know Lindsay Lohan's new album drops on Tuesday and other potentially awesome albums come out around Christmas. If something comes out in the next three weeks that totally blows my head off, we will make this a Spinal Tap List... because it will go to eleven. I know the risks people, and I just don't care. With that said, allow me to present to you...

Drum roll please.

	#10. Ben Kweller (website) On My Way "What's this? How did this make it on his list? It's not that good." -- Yeap, I was not expecting this to be in the top ten list either. But this year I only bought nine albums that were better than this one. Not a ringing endorsement, but what else do you expect for something that ranks #10? Pitchfork gave it a 6.4. [Read the review]
	#9. Asobi Seksu (website) Dorimu Popu Kuhado Had I not gone to see Bettie Serveert live last spring, I would not have even know this indie Japanese white noise band even existed. It was unlike anything I had heard before, so perhaps novelty was part of what made it so enjoyable for me. Anyway, the first half of tha album is so strong that the second half seems almost weak. Such small problems keep it from going higher. (Note: had Bettie Serveert moved the American Release of their album up from 2005, perhaps Ben would not have made the list.] Pitchfork gave it a 6.0. [Read the review]
	#8. William Shatner Has Been You expect camp. You get a little, but really, you get exactly what every nerd has secretly hoped William Shatner would do since his appearance opposite Ben Fold's Fear of Pop adventure. Obviously, you need to hear "Common People," but don't leave without "You'll Have Time," "That's Me Trying," and "Ideal Woman." [Note: If only Spock had released something decent, ben would not have made this list.] Pitchfork gave it a 7.5. [Read the review ]
	#7. Cake Pressure Chief Cake is quite possibly the best Cake tribute band currently touring America. Every album sounds like the previous one, but for me, that's a good thing. I don't need them to evolve, since there are currently no other bands that could fill their shoes if they suddenly only played the kazoo. I would recommend "Dime," "Wheels," and "Carbon Monoxide" if you have already had your fill of the first single "No Phone." Pitchfork gave it a ___. [There Is No Review!]
	#6. Drive-By Truckers (website) The Dirty South I'll be the first to admit it. I was too scared to buy the new Old 97's album. So I guess this is my way of satisfying my needs. If anyone has any information on the 2004 Old 97's album, please let me know. This is much darker than Rhett Miller's group, but what's wrong with that? I would suggest finding the track "The Three Great Alabama Icons" off of their "Southern Rock Opera- Act 1" CD before giving this a listen, but when you finish with that, check out the Dirty South tracks "Sands of Iwo Jima," "Puttin' People On The Moon," and "Carl Perkins' Cadillac." I bet if I have been braved enough to buy the Old 97's album, Ben Kweller may have had more competition. Pitchfork gave it an 8.4. [Read the review]
	#5. The Magnetic Fields i Theme album? Only if you can guarantee me that all of the songs will be good. As it is, this album scores points for its good songs, but then I think that perhaps it would have been better if its low points, which fit the theme, had been dropped in favor of songs that, while they didn't fit the theme, were actually enjoyable. If you liked 69 Love Songs, I would advise you listen to "I Don't Believe You," "I Don't Really Love You Anymore,", and "I Wish I Had An Evil Twin" if you have the time. Pitchfork gave it a 7.7. [Read the review]
	#4. The Secret Machines (website) Now Here is Nowhere Seeing them live, I hated them in the steamy hot Rothko. Buying the album was simply a reflex when I saw it on sale for $9.99. The CD is wonderful. I can control the volume, people are not moshing around me, and I can skip past the 4 minute buildup in the first track to actually get to what I consider the substance. Sorry artist, but the consumer has spoken, and he doesn't respect your choices. [Note: perhaps if Wilco hadn't decided to be such 'artists,' they could have dethrowned Ben Kweller from the CD.] As it is, the song arrangements are just so good in "Sad and Lonely," "Nowhere Again," and "The Road Lead Where It's Led" that I can easily forgive the weaker aspects of the disc. Pitchfork gave it an 8.2. [Read the review]
	#3. Green Day American Idiot Is it a punk opera? I think it is and I don't mind. I can really get behind the nine-minute "Jesus of Suburbia." I remember the band that released Dookie, and this is a better band. Like Asobi Seksu, I think the first half of the album is stronger than the second. Perhaps I have ADHD. This gets a higher rating because it has TWO nine minute songs that are must listens. The Jesus Song mentioned before and also "Homecoming." Consider "Holiday" in addition to the two singles from this sucker. Pitchfork gave it a 7.2. [Read the review]
	#2. Modest Mouse Good News For People Who Love Bad News How do I pick the best album? I enjoy all 10 songs on this album. Wait a second. Aren't there 16 tracks? Oh yeah, I hated some of the tracks so much that I deleted them from my computer. Who would want to be such a control-freak, indeed. So, having songs that are bad is always a problem for anyone competing for the number one spot. Lucky that I can distingush this album from their previous one, otherwise they may have just coasted into the lead. As it is, you should continue to listen to "Float On" everywhere but also "Ocean Breathes Salty," "World At Large," "The View," and "Black Cadillacs." Pitchfork gave it a 7.9. [Read the review]
	#1. Arcade Fire (stream) Funeral If the children don't grow up, our bodies get bigger, but our hearts get torn up. We're just a million little Gods causing rain storms, turning every good thing to rust. I guess we'll just have to adjust. Buy it. I can only tell you to buy it. Pitchfork gave it a 9.7. [Read the review]

Honorable Mention(s):
Kleptones - A Night at the Hip-Hopera,
Dan Bern - My Country II,
Brian Wilson - Smile, &
Flogging Molly - Within a Mile of Home

Other Releases Considered: On!Air!Library, The Cure, They Might Be Giants, & Volcano I'm Still Excited
Disappointments: Wilco, Franz Ferdinand, R.E.M., & U2