The Flaming Lips’ Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots shows up on most critics’ lists of the best albums of 2002. I can’t remember if I bought it at the time and didn’t get into it, or if I just intended to buy it and never did. At any rate, it’s still unknown to me.
Yoshimi is a loose concept album about the titular battle, though only a few songs directly tie into that story. The overall theme is making the most of life in the face of our own mortality. Fun stuff!
I’ve written before that Toad the Wet Sprocket is my favorite of the alternative bands that truly belong to the 90s. The band’s debut album, Bread & Circus, was released in 1989 and the four records that make up the heart of their discography were released between 1990 and 1997.
Coil was the last of these and many fans consider it the best. I have difficulty finding much space between this record, 1991’s Fear and 1994’s Dulcinea in terms of quality. That’s a trilogy I’d stack up against anybody’s work from the era.
Just two weeks ago, the Random iTunes Fairy served up a track from Beyoncé’s 2006 sophomore album, B’Day. Against substantial odds, the album is represented again today.
Apparently random selection stands no chance against the desire to see Beyoncé dancing in her freakum dress.
Unlike the other albums I’ve featured this week, I’m very familiar with today’s artist, if not the specific tracks on the record.
Norah Jones rocketed to stardom following the release of this jazz-folk record, which sold more than 10 million copies in the U.S. and 26 million worldwide. Come Away With Me earned eight Grammys and showed up on plenty of critics’ year-end lists (even as others dismissed the album as sleepy and bland).
Interpol is a post-punk alternative band out of New York City that has been off my radar completely. They are often compared to Joy Division, but I have to admit I’m not very familiar with Joy Division either.
2002’s Turn On the Bright Lights is Interpol’s debut album and remains their best received, both commercially and critically.
Meet Me In Montauk 