apple juice

A site that I frequently go to when I want to read about a new movie, cd or videogame is Metacritic.

The wonderful thing about this site is they take a CD for example, Spoon’s Kill The Moonlight (a 2002 top 10 candidate) and they have a database of newspapers and online sources from which they gather the scores and excerpts from all the different reviews of this album. They then assign a meta-score, and provide links back to each individual review.

It does wonders for my research process when I’m going to buy a new disc (be it DVD, CD or GameCube game).

Note to the RIAA. I do actually do research before buying CDs, I don’t listen to the radio to find new music, and I’m not going to buy what you tell me to buy. I rarely buy a CD on impulse. I’m always going to try to have heard most of the album before purchasing it. I know you think filesharing is the problem, it’s not. The problem you have now, is that all of us (your customers) are becoming better informed. We don’t want to buy the crap you’re trying to feed us.

Filled with songs that slowly seep into your everyday life, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot by Wilco is possibly one of my favorite albums of all time. The intertwining melodies of each track on this album flow perfectly from beginning to end. Give this one the headphone test, it passes.

Well, currently I’m listening to what could be the album of the year. I haven’t thought about it enough yet, but I needed a provocative title. 😉

Beck released Sea Change this year, and I think it’s his finest effort yet. Although Odelay and Midnight Vultures were both fun-filled adventures. I prefer the more laid back acoustic sounds of Mutations. Sea Change is right up that street, in the slightly more desirable location. There are a few more toys in the garage, but also a few more issues at home as well. Most of the album deals with what seems to be a depressing breakup. Even still, it’s some quality stuff, and will certainly find a home in your collection

Someday soon I’ll post my ten best of this year, what would be on your ten best of 2002? Let me know in the comments.