| Roxanne
I'm absolutely honored and completely flattered
to be invited as a
"voting member of the LakinLand Academy," however, I just have not had
the opportunity to obtain and listen to much of the new music of 2002.
(You know, members of that "other" Academy receive all eligible works
for consideration from the studios FOR FREE!!! Not that I'm complaining
or anything. But you'd think that... I dunno... maybe someone who works
for some of the major labels could use his influence to notify the
industry of this important voting body. No, not mine... LakinLand!)
Anyway, in the interest of fair and balanced voting, I think I must
excuse myself from participation this year and leave it to you experts. |
 That said, of the few gems I have listened to, I would definitely
include "The Rising" on the list. Except for a couple of poorly produced
tunes (which may play fine in concert), this album is incredibly
beautiful. As a matter of fact, "Lonesome Day," "Into the Fire," "You're
Missing," "Paradise," and above all "Nothing Man" deserve top honors on
any Top Ten list. (Even the utterly simple sentiment expressed in "Sunny
Day" placed in relief among the complex new reality of the post-9/11
world made sense to me.)
Gotta give Lerche an "A" for originality for "Faces Down." It's the
least contrived debut album I've heard in awhile... probably since Ricki
Lee Jones's self titled debut in the 70's.
Wilco - Yankee Foxtrot Hotel.... Perhaps I was a little harsh in my initial
assessment. But, still, not sure it would make my list. That said, the
lyrics are stunning. What the heck were they thinking with the music?
Haven't heard their other stuff, so maybe there's hope for them.
Eddie received The Vines CD. HE put the headphones on me for a couple
of tunes and said, "Doesn't this sound like The Beatles?" Both tunes I
heard did right down to sound alike harmonies Didn't listen to the rest
yet. But, gees, is that the measure of some of their success?
Would loved to have listened to the new stuff by Tom Waits & Van
Morrison and the Costello thing with the Smile tunes on it.
 So my phantom list would be... "The Rising," "Faces Down" and "Born to
Run" (because, dang, that album still rocks and should be on the list
every year!)
- Roxanne
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