Curious - Christgau had Courtney Love's record at #9 on his ballot.

You want curious check out Greil Marcus's list. And Kim Cooper & Phil Freeman submitted lists, too. Not that they're curious, just thought you might be curious, David. (Lotta possible permutations of that sentence given the various definitions of curious. Try it. Hours seconds of fun!)

Christgau is an ass.

Although I like Joanna Newsom, I cannot get into Devandra Banhart. I get a real emperor-has-no-clothes vibe from his work. I cannot see the appeal. Meandering pretentious songs all.

Jen, they've got Nick Cave at #25. Mojo also rated it an instant classic. What did you hate about it?

Oh, let's see... The insipid lyrics, the ill-placed gospel-lite choir that sound as if it were composed of rejects from the Hair soundtrack, the wanking guitar that sounds like Lee Ritenour took Blixa Bargeld's place in the Bad Seeds... I could probably go on, but then I might start to cry.

I never really appreciated how much Blixa added to the Bad Seeds until this album came out.

I never really appreciated how much Blixa added to the Bad Seeds until this album came out.

So many musicians benefit from having a foil. I always liked the Tom Waits/Marc Ribot combo. But Tom's good with a variety of collaborators.

Also -- Whatever it's worth, I can't stand Joanna Newsom's voice. I wish I could get past it, but I can't

Same here. She was ALL the rage w/the staff of my cd shop in Lawrence after she played there. They were very nearly jumping up and down and squealing about her. But I just can't get into her voice.

I cannot get into Devandra Banhart. I get a real emperor-has-no-clothes vibe from his work. I cannot see the appeal.

His album I liked enough to buy after one listen but it didn't draw me back for many more and is sitting in my sell-back pile as I type.

I feel like I have not bought any music this year but out of the top 100 I own over 20. Huh. Recent faves are the new Neko Case and the new Bobby Bare Jr.

The Decemberists are playing here with...somebody good opening -oh yeah, Okkervil River - in April which gives me plenty of time to convert my I-haven't-listened-to-a-new-artist-in-five-years roommate.

I am eager to hear what anyone who has heard either of the new Bright Eyes albums thinks. Anybody? Bueller?

ION, looking for a job, as usual, blows.

Christgau is an ass.

Why? I could consult NY Press' FAQ, but I'd rather hear you back up your opinion.

I cannot get into Devandra Banhart. I get a real emperor-has-no-clothes vibe from his work.

I heard him once & can't remember at all what he sounds like, but this struck me as very funny because every other picture I see of the guy he's walking around without a shirt.

I am eager to hear what anyone who has heard either of the new Bright Eyes albums thinks. Anybody? Bueller?

I got them both. They're both very Bright Eyes-ian, (in that, if you like their stuff, you'll like these, and if you don't, they won't convert you) but I find the use of digital sampling on Digital Ash... more interesting than the country feel on I'm Wide Awake....

but I find the use of digital sampling on Digital Ash... more interesting than the country feel on I'm Wide Awake....

Interesting. All the reviews seem to favor I'm Wide Awake... I want both as well (I'm already a fan) but I was just thinking about which one I should get first because I am too poor to buy both right now.

Also LJ, I know you are a fellow Rilo Kiley fan - have you seen their six-song live EP? It isn't going to change your whole world or anything, but it is worth looking out for if you don't have it. It's all acoustic and has one unreleased track. My CD shop in Lawrence was selling it at the counter or I would have never known it existed.

Why?

It's personal. There was a panel at the CMJ convention, maybe 5 years ago. Christgau was on it, as was a guy from Spin. The talk turned to how easy it is for critics to miss out on more obscure releases, when they're getting bombarded by publicists from more well-heeled labels. The Spin Guy then used as an example a new CD he'd received by a theremin-based group called the Lothars. He liked it, but had nearly missed it because "they" had a tiny publicity budget. Christgau replied that he hadn't heard of these Lothars, but he could tell by the Spin Guy's description that they sucked.