Tag: 2000s
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Simple Minds, Neon Lights, 2001 on Eagle
This was the twelfth studio album from Glasgow’s Simple Minds, and is a cover album with the subtitle “originals as played by Simple Minds.” It was designed to generate new awareness (refreshed awareness?) of the band leading up to their album Cry in 2002. (It was released digitally and on CD and cassette in 2001,…
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The National, Cherry Tree, 2004 on 4AD
This is an EP The National originally put out between Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers (2003) and Alligator (2005). Later Cherry Tree became the name of their fan member community and a number of Cherry Tree volumes (eight so far) have been released. There was a limited edition 10″ red vinyl pressing sold at Shake…
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Justin Townes Earle, Yuma, 2007 on Bloodshot Records
Technically this release—Justin Townes Earle’s debut EP—came out on vinyl first in 2013, having been self-released on CD in 2007 and then issued by Bloodshot Records. It’s an amazing record to come back to nearly 20 years later: raw, powerful, his songwriting already very successful. My copy—via Vinyl Index in Somerville MA—is the Record Store…
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Bon Iver, For Emma, Forever Ago, 2008 on Jagjaguwar
This was self-released in 2007, but came out on Jagjaguwar in 2008. It would have been hard to imagine back then just how much impact Justin Vernon (as Bon Iver and under his own name) would have as a producer and collaborator. But it is just an excellent album all around: famously recorded by himself…
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Ray LaMontagne, Trouble, 2004 on RCA / Legacy
LaMontagne’s debut major label album, put out in 2004 on RCA, and then on vinyl in 2008 on RCA & Legacy. (I guess they waited to see how popular it was before committing to a vinyl release – very 2004). Recorded and mixed at Sunset Recorders in Hollywood long before LaMontagne set up The Big…
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Eli “Paperboy” Reed & The True Loves, Roll With You, 2008 on Q Division, Reissued By Yep Roc
This was Eli “Paperboy” Reed’s debut LP in 2008, originally on Q Division out of Somerville MA (and recorded at their studios). Great “blue-eyed” soul in the spirit of the Dap Tones. Not sure if he needed “Paperboy” because there’s already an Eli Reed (a photographer and journalst) or because he just liked the notion…
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Iron & Wine, The Creek Drank The Cradle, 2002 on Sub Pop
Debut studio album from Sam Beam’s Iron & Wine, put out on Sub Pop in 2002, recorded at home by Beam himself (in Miami Florida, though now he lives in North Carolina. Beam is another artist I could just put on endless repeat (harder to do on vinyl, I’ll grant you). If you don’t know…
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Coldplay, Parachutes, 2000 on Parlophone
Stunning debut album from Coldplay, out in 2000 on Parlophone in the UK. I know some folks have turned on Coldplay as uncool (I blame The 40 Year Old Virgin) but this is truly a wonderful album from beginning to end. It also sold like wild and won Best Alternative Music Album at the 2002…
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Mia Doi Todd, Gea, 2008 on Zen City
Gea was Todd’s sixth full length studio album, released in 2008 by her own Zen City Records. It’s very atmospheric art-folk strongly featuring her voice – she’s really a unique talent. My copy—via Vinyl Index in Somerville MA—is the 2020 Org Music reissue, on transparent green vinyl, which was put out as part of Record…
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Steve Earle, Townes, 2009 on New West Records
Steve Earle tribute to Townes Van Zandt, with guests including Tom Morello (on “Lungs”), Allison Moorer (married to Earle at the time), and son Justin Townes Earle (who’s middle name of course was inspired by Van Zanndt). A companion record, Townes (The Basics), was released for Record Store Day in 2021. Earle’s done a number…
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Mary Gauthier, Mercy Now, 2005 on Lost Highway
I’ve been a fan of Mary Gauthier since my wife heard her play in Provincetown in the winter of 1999 – she’s just a fantastic songwriter and compelling performer. This was her fourth full-length, with the title track as well as “I Drink” (later covered by others including Blake Shelton). My copy—via Mystery Train Records…
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El Perro Del Mar, Love is Not Pop, 2009 on Control Group
3rd studio album from Sarah Assbring’s musical project from Sweden. (Yes, the name literally translates as “The Dog of the Sea,” and yes, her name is Assbring). Lots of reviewers called this a breakup record, which I guess it is – but it’s also a wonderful album reflecting the evolution of her/their sound. Co-produced and…
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Jens Lekman, When I Said I Wanted To Be Your Dog, 2004 on Secretly Canadian
I’m a big fan of Jens Lekman – this was his debut album, though some of the tracks had been released independently. Can you imagine in 2003 seeing Jens Lekman and José González together at Goteborg Concert Hall? Banner year for Swedish indie music. My copy—via Bull Moose Records in Plaistow NH—is the Secretly Canadian…
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José González, Veneer, 2003 on Imperial Records
Hard to believe but this was González’s debut album back in 2003 (2005 in the US). His sound is already so fully formed and just wonderful in “Heartbeats” but also “Deadweight on Velveteen” and “Lovestain” and others. Just an all around brilliant debut. My copy is actually the 20th anniversary edition issued on Mute in…
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Rodney Crowell, The Houston Kid, 2001 on Sugar Hill Records
Released on CD in 2001 but issued on vinyl for the first time in 2024, this was Crowell’s tenth full length album. Johnny Cash (Crowell’s former father-in-law) is featured on “I Walk The Line (Revisited).” It’s a bit of an autobiographical concept album as Tony Scherman lays out in “Great Songwriter Mines His Past” –…
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Broadcast, Tender Buttons, 2005 on Warp Records
This was the third studio album from Broadcast, at this point largely a proect of Trish Keenan and James Cargill as a duo, credited on the album as James & Trish. Tender Buttons was also a book of poetry by Gertrude Stein that came out in 1914 – I took a flyer on the album…
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The Decemberists, The Crane Wife, 2006 on Capitol
his was the band’s fourth studio LP, and the first on Capitol Records. Production by Tucker Martine and Chris Walla. This album is one I could just leave on repeat for hours (and sometimes do). Definitely one of my top 20 albums of all time. My copy via Academy Records in NYC is a 2006…
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Flight of the Conchords, Flight of the Conchords, 2008 on Sub Pop
The soundtrack to Jermaine Clement and Bret McKenzie’s brilliant and hilarious show about two New Zealand musicians trying to make it in the states. They’d previously released an EP – “The Distant Future” – and would go on to issue another album (“I Told You I Was Freaky”) and a double LP live special (“Live…