Picking up where I left off (2003) with my series on three great albums released in each year working my way backwards from 2007.

As I’ve said in my previous posts in this series, I’m not claiming these are the three best albums (I’m not sure I really believe in the term “best” to describe music) and they may not even be my three favorite albums (it’s likely that I’m overlooking something) but they are three albums that I think are pretty damn good and that you may want to check out.

Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot

OK, you know how I just said I don’t believe in the term “best” as applied to music? Well, to hell with it; Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is the best album of 2002. It’s also easily my favorite Wilco album and among the candidates for best album of the decade (and thus the millennium!)

The songs are catchy and the lyrics are very interesting, but it’s the production and the arrangements the really knocks my socks off. It turns these songs into something more than just songs, they become “experiences.” Oh yes, some folks will say that’s “pretentious” but I hate that word. I think it’s a word people like to use for things they “don’t get.” Music can be more than just a catchy melody, dude. That doesn’t make it pretentious, it more likely means you listen to music in a superficial way.

Sigur Ros - ( )

No track titles and no real album title. So then, what does one say? Music like this is a good example of where words fail us and where music takes us to the another level. Actually, I could go off on a tangent now about how much it annoys me when people focus on lyrics when discussing music but I guess I’ll leave that for another post.

Some may find this album boring, and I can understand that. I have to admit it’s one of those albums where I don’t listen to it a lot - but when I do listen to it, I enjoy it very much. It’s truly beautiful music.

The Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots

For a long while I was convinced this album was just as good as The Soft Bulletin, now I don’t think that anymore. It hasn’t aged quite as well as The Soft Bulletin. But that’s not to say I don’t think it’s a great album, I do.

“One More Robot,” & “Ego Tripping…” are probably my current favorites. And while it’s not my favorite Lips album, I do think it’s probably a great place for a new listener to start. It’s likely to be an easier listen for people new to the band (except for people who don’t like electronic music or who much prefer “ROCK” - they should try something like Clouds Taste Metallic instead.)

2002, Sigur Ros, The Flaming Lips, THREE ALBUMS, Wilco

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