1. Afghan Whigs,
1965
The bass slides, the drums kick in, and from there on out it’s tight grooves, catchy lyrics, and a dirty, soulful feel.
2. Weezer,
Pinkerton
There’s something about it that’s not immediately accessible, but it grows and grows on you, until one day it feels like a friend you wish you’d known sooner.
3. Matthew Good Band,
Beautiful Midnight
It’s everything a rock record should be and more.
4. The Dismemberment Plan,
Emergency and I
Everything a power-pop record suffering from severe dementia and a desire to be atonal yet groovy should be.
5. The Police, Message in a Box
Great unreleased songs about murder, cannibalism, and terrifying, dark love.
This article appears in Aug 2-8, 2006.
