Top 10 Albums of 2000

by Robert Lanham and in no particular order

1. Belle and Sebastian - Fold Your Hands Child, You Walk Like a Peasant
So what if they are hokey—they consistently write damn catchy songs, period. A great follow-up to the lovely If You're Feeling Sinister, that is filled with syrupy summer afternoon melodies that are as light as they are beautiful.

2. Broadcast - The Noise Made By People
A far superior record than Work and Nonwork, which wasn't too shabby either. Give up on Stereolab, they are just putting out crap. Broadcast is where it is at.

3. Radiohead - Kid A
I was the only person in America who doesn't like this band, but after hearing the latest release I am a convert. I still am not sold on OK Computer, but I have nothing but praise for Kid A.

4.Vadislav Delay (AKA Luomo) - Vocal City
House music has never been my thing. It all sounds like homogenous crap that should be spun at Canal Jeans to me. I was initially horrified to find that minimal techno artist Vadislav Delay was venturing into this genre, but my fears were pacified after the first listen. Vocal City is a diamond among coal.

5. Pole - 3
You either love him or hate him. I love him. More dub on this outing makes it the best one yet for Stefan Betke.

6. Yo La Tengo - And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside-Out
They keep getting better and better! The last 2 releases are amazing (despite their inept live performance at Town Hall). This record may be too sleepy for some, but it is nice to see the reflective side of Yo La Tengo.

7. Blonde Redhead - Melodie Citronique
Yes they are the quintessential pretentious indie band, but the latest release is darn nice. And the finally have a sound that is distinct from that of Sonic Youth.

8. Pram - The Museum of Imaginary Animals
Not as good as Sargasso, but Pram fans will surely delight in this beautiful record.

9. Jurassic 5 - Great Expectations
And expectations were high since all we had for what seemed like years was the EP. The most fun to be had from hip hop since Old Dirty Bastard.

10. The Fucking Champs - IV
ROCK ON! See the review

Honorable Mentions:
Modest Mouse - The Moon and Antarctica
Merle Haggard - If I Could Only Fly
Queens of the Stone Age - R
Anti-Pop Consortium - Tragic Epilogue
Mouse on Mars - Niun Niggund
The Modernist - Explosion
TRS-80 - The Manhattan Love Machine
Lambchop - Nixon
PJ Harvey - Stories From the City, Stories From the Sea

Biggest dud:
The Sea and Cake - Oui

- Robert Lanham