5 things i liked in 2004: aural stimulation

Aha Shake Heartbreak - Kings of Leon

Kings of Leon's first release, Youth and young manhood, were songs about how cool it would be to play in a good band, tour the world, go out with exotic girls and live a life of one big party. A dream album made by four guys from one family from rural America raised by a preacher father. And the world noticed.

Their second release has songs about how cool it is to party for a year, get out of smalltown, see the world for the first time, meet girls and play in a band.

sure i might not be able to understand the words they are saying but i know a good tune when i hear one and Aha SHake Heartbreak is full of them.

Smile - Brian Wilson and Co.

He may be suffering the effects of massive drug use but the lone Beach Boy still had this little bit of sunshine tucked in the backpocket of his Okanui shorts. My complete horror at the concept of realsing this piece of music mythology so long down the track and with a new band vanished after the first thirty seconds. Smile? Yes i did.

A Grand Don't Come For Free - The Streets

I've got my doubts about Mike Skinner the performer, but Mike Skinner the artist is pretty bloody good as far as i am concerned. It has often been claimed that if you wanted to know what was happening in Jamaica in the sixties and seventies you listened to the dancehall music, ditto for PE and the Bronx in the eighties. Now Skinner lets us know the state of play in inner city England with this Hip -hopera. Simply fantastic.

Pt 3: Random Thoughts - Koolism

Hau, Dan and the new recruit we just like to call the Passenger slipped this little bit of slick tongue action past an unsuspecting Australia. It seems that someone besides my wonderful girlfriend was also paying attention because the boys managed to get an ARIA gong for their third release.

Hau's relaxed rapping and Danielsan's way with a beat have provided a well produced album that, along with the two other rap albums on this list, hints that maybe rap has a future outside of the over-hype of the current american trash.

Special mentions

Franz Ferdinand, Dallas Crane, The Finn Brothers, The Cops, Eskimo Joe, N.E.R.D, Air, The Grey Album