ILM Top 100 2000-2004: ALBUMS

Points: 437
No. of votes: 26
No. of #1 votes: 1

Artist: JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE
Title: JUSTIFIED
Label: Jive
Year: 2002

http://base58.com/ilx/ilm/top100/20002004/albums/justified.jpg

Comments: Riding on the subconscious remembrance of Thriller's 20th anniversary, the start of Usher's year off, a topless appearance on the cover of Rolling Stone, *NSYNC (WE WERE ON A BREAK!) and all things hot and re-emerging in fashion and music, JT became the second "credible former boyband solo artist" of the new millenium (Jordan Knight got there first, but sadly ran out of steam). Style icons? Michael Jackson, Usher and Carrot Top. Music icons? Same, plus a bit of Usher and Corey Feldman. Vocal icon? Same again,
plus Pharrell Williams. Make no mistake, the dude's a grab-bag. What warmed me to JT was that he'd become a global Michael impersonator on a greater scale than Usher, simply by making his xeroxes and debts more obvious. The 'Like I Love You' debut, with it's terrible JT solo dance at the end is a geeky kid's fantasy homage to 'Billie Jean' on Motown 25, (the video is like 3 old MJ vids in one with Pharrell replacing the dorky poplocker from 'Beat It') and I ate it up because someone needed to remind old MJ why and how he used to be so fucking cool (even though JT hasn't a hope of scaling those heights ever). Musically, there's more influences to disinterr, but the lows (for they are there) come when JT's vocal deficiencies and poor appropriations are exposed (the cheesy ballads, 'Nothin' Else', which is 'I Just Called To Say I Love You' with none of the needed improvements and the borderline testicle-cuisinart match of his infamous falsetto). And there's at least one phone-in from Timbaland (and from the Neptunes, though they're not disasters), but then again, he has 2 tracks that easily overshadow half the disc. And it's these highs that make the whole almost 'justified', if you will. There's 'Senorita', a study in charm vs contrivance (which wins? Up to you), there's 'Oh No (What You Got)', one of Tim's best disposable dance-pop numbers, as club-worthy as you like, and 'Rock Your Body', the most obvious Off The Wall homage (and well done it is) and one to molest Janet to. Alongside 'Rock Your Body' at the top of the list are the very MJ melodic symphonic pop sweetness of 'Last Night', which extends the Neptunes' Quincy Jones credit further and with almost perfect results (it can also do the hustle), and the two lead singles. 'Like I Love You' was one of 2002's best debut singles, is the best minimalist Neptunes track ever with a spot-on meld of pop oddness and pop sensibilities , commands any dancefloor it's on like fine disco magic, and none of the appeal's vanished over time ("Drums", for God's sake). And 'Cry Me A River', well. It was routinely picked up on as the disc's best. We all know why (the song, not the video) and I'm not gonna bore with why I love it so, it's probably the same for anyone else who does. The best compliment you can probably pay Justified was the old early one - why this wasn't Invincible (or at least half of it) is MJ's fault and MJ's alone. Barima

Recommended tracks: Like I Love You, Cry Me A River, Last Night

Steve, call me Lastminuto Savington.

"Who are you people?" - I dunno, my first post was a fair while ago but I've not posted that often before, so well done neurotic s for capturing my imagination.

I really like that Justin and Le Tigre are back to back.

Points: 440
No. of votes: 19
No. of #1 votes: 5

Artist: THE FIERY FURNACES
Title: GALLOWSBIRD BARK
Label: Rough Trade
Year: 2003

http://base58.com/ilx/ilm/top100/20002004/albums/gallowsbirdbark.jpg

Comments: n/a (anybody?)

Recommended tracks: Crystal Clear, Tropical Iceland, Inca Rag/Name Game

Points: 465
No. of votes: 19
No. of #1 votes: 5

Artist: SLEATER-KINNEY
Title: ONE BEAT
Label: Kill Rock Stars
Year: 2002

http://base58.com/ilx/ilm/top100/20002004/albums/onebeat.jpg

Comments: One Beat was the first Sleater-Kinney album that really grabbed me by the cajones right off the bat, and it led me back to their other albums, which I gained new appreciation for. I still think this one is their best and it easily repels all boarders.Gear!

Recommended tracks: One Beat, Sympathy, O2, Step Aside

i think that's all for today

I can't believe you were as close as you were, honestly.

XTRMNTR is one of the best albums of the decade no question. The real atrocity here is fucking Lambchop landing higher.

XTRMNTR : the silent majority speaks up! :)

Yes!!