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| Jeffrey's Ten
Favorite Recordings of 2000 1. U2 - All That You Can't Leave Behind This album brilliantly returned U2 to songwriting as a
singer, guitarist, bassist, and drummer, with just a pinch of their 1990s technological
tinkerings thrown in. The production is brilliant. The songs will stick with
you, lift your spirits, make you think. And while Bono's voice isn't as strong and
his lyrics aren't as poetic as they once were, he's still the most provocative and
interesting lead singer in the business, in my opinion. What is more, I am amazed at
the honesty and the passion for Psalm-like soul-searching, the wrestling with God going on
in these songs. This one is going to last. 2. Radiohead - Kid A Give them credit for trying to invent something new,
something unconventional, something strangely beautiful. They did all of those
things. While at first glance it may seem abstract and meaningless, there is method
to the madness. 3. Sixteen Horsepower - Secret South Once in a while it takes a great live band several albums
before they finally capture what is best about them. Sixteen Horsepower hit the nail
on the head with this album... finally. A great record, with their most powerful
songwriting to date. 4. PJ Harvey - Stories from the City,
Stories from the Sea A strong record of songs about falling into and out of
love, about the energy of life in New York, and about the trouble and trial of
long-distance relationships. Great guitar playing, and PJ's strongest and most
controlled vocal performances yet. 5. Paul Simon - You're the One Aging gracefully, Simon gives us a deceptively light
collection of songs that give us wise and witty perspectives on life, love, and the nature
of truth within human systems of thought. Big subjects. Catchy songs.
And occasionally, as in the startling conclusion of "Darling Lorraine", a
moment of beauty, poetry, and grace. 6. Various Artists - The Million Dollar
Hotel original soundtrack Otherwise known as the OTHER U2 album this year, and
featuring the best song they recorded all year... "The Ground Beneath Her Feet",
written by Salman Rushdie. A moody collection of mellower U2 material and other,
Twin-Peaks-like instrumentals. 7. Various Artists - O Brother, Where
Art Thou? original soundtrack A fantastic collection of American roots music, organized
by T-Bone Burnett. Music that lasts and lasts and lasts, certain to lift your
spirits come trial and trouble. 8. Neil Young - Silver and Gold Another case of aging gracefully: Young turns in a
lighter, slighter sequel to "Harvest Moon". Simple, soulful tunes with a
gospel flourish here and there. 9. Emmylou Harris - Red Dirt Girl It must have been intimidating to follow up a career-high
album of great cover songs with this, an ambitious collection of songs she wrote herself.
While the sound is too self-consciously similar to "Wrecking Ball"'s
style, Harris does strike some resonant chords about hard times, loss, and mourning in
this long list of sad songs. 10. Pedro the Lion - Winners Never Quit David Bazan moves from his quiet contemplative sound to a bigger Foo Fighters rock sound for this, his first concept album. These nine songs give us different chapters in the story of a troubled pair of brothers, one self-righteous and successful, the other an alcoholic and filled with self-loathing. The "good" brother is religious, legalistic, and cold-heartedly assured he's going to heaven. The troubled brother is plagued by guilt for "tarnishing the family name." One road leads to monstrous deeds, the other to despair. It's a painful work, not the kind of music you can just put on as a soundtrack for other things. Honorable Mention: Various artists - half of the "Roaring Lambs" tribute to Bob Briner Bob Briner challenged artists to be examples of Christ's
love to the world by being excellent in their craft, not propogandistic. Songs by
Vigiliantes of Love, Charlie Peacock with Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Steve Taylor, Over the
Rhine, Sixpence None the Richer, and Jars of Clay showed Christian artists writing solid,
engaging, sometimes brilliant music. |
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