Pazz and Jop 2005
It wasn't that good a book anyway.
One of my favorite times of year - the potential of some CD binging thanks to the good folks at the Village Voice. Their latest edition of Pazz and Jop, an annual survey of numerous popular music critics, is here.
In the past I made reference to the only passing interest I take in the Voice's movie survey. But Pazz and Jop has provided many recommendations that have proven most successful.
The survey also has the advantage of being attached to Voice head music critic Robert Christgau. My boss introduced me to his Consumer Guides a few years back, and I've been hooked since. Sure his prose is every bit as impenetrable as J. Hoberman's, Voice head movie critic; at the very least when I have the patience to pick through the prose I find some pretty handy album suggestions. And when I say album suggestions, I stress album. The guy has managed to remain quite relevant even in his old age - you have to dig a geezer that can dig Eminem - but his love of the album form definitely seems dated in the age of the iPod. I for one dig the album just fine - and some Eminem - so that's why his Dean's List is normally an even better source for new music.
For the second year in a row Kanye West takes top album honors home - the only other artist to accomplish that in the history of the poll is The Clash (The Clash and London Calling). The punks might have a hard time hearing their heroes mentioned along with Mr. West, but considering the Clash really did only make three great albums (Give 'Em Enough Rope is underrated - sorry, Sandinista fans) Kanye is not that far away even if this is all he ever does.
The College Dropout might even have a little bit in common with London Calling - both were albums introduced to a genres that were very single-powered. Sure, Kanye had "Jesus Walks" and more recently "Gold Digger" but the ridiculous staying power of both West albums has been a direct result of deep albums with plenty of singles material. Then people bought and realized that all the songs actually made some sense together. Heck the collection of songs even created a greater whole, which explains the anomaly of a strong selling, critically revered rap album.
Toss last year's American Idiot into the mix and there's proof that maybe the album isn't quite ready to go follow VHS to obsolescence. So check out Pazz and Jop 2005 - or even the complete archive of past polls and other Christgau reviews - to find a long-play to suit your taste.
Or I guess you could check out the 100 Greatest Guitar Solos, but you know how I feel about that sort of thing.
Enough to make a butcher out of bone
Take a walk in the park?
Sh-t yeah!
- Sonic Youth, "Eliminator Jr."
Posted by Joel at 2/01/2006 01:31:00 AM
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