Dan’s Top 5 Albums of 1998
Posted by Dan Buczaczer | November 7, 2008
We’ll start Top 5 with John Durbin. He asked Dan Buczaczer his Top 5 Albums of 1998:
5. The Boy with the Arab Strap/ Belle and Sebastian
This is my favorite of theirs. The first is all moody. Later releases get a bit overly happy. This one finds just the right balance. I ran a marathon at the very start of 1999 and “It Could Have Been a Brilliant Career” was just the slow methodical pace I needed for pounding out a 22 mile run.
4. Rufus Wainwright/ Rufus Wainwright
I’m not generally big into showtunes or Cole Porter so this sounded like nothing else in my collection. That voice, sometimes perfect, sometimes slightly off-pitch is completely distinctive and the songwriting holds its own against anyone who ever belted one out on the piano.
3. In the Aeroplane Over the Sea/ Neutral Milk Hotel
Speaking of sounding like nothing else, this album evokes the melancholic warbling of a demon boy trapped in outer space. But pretty. I’m guessing I just drove a few album sales with that description. Never has pain sounded so beautiful.
2. Villa Elaine/ Remy Zero
I’m only now realizing that 1998 is sounding like quite the depressing year. This one keeps the dispirited vibe going with lots of minor key beauties. At least this one rocks at times. Bonus points to Zach Braff for choosing “Prophecy” as the backing track for his sex scene with Rachel Bilson in “The Last Kiss”.
1. XO/ Elliott Smith
The first time Elliott trotted out chamberlain and strings to accompany his guitar ballads and the effect was even more beautiful still. If it’s ever raining and you’ve been dumped and no one seems to be calling you back, put on “XO” and I swear to you it will all be all right.
Dan’s up next. Who will he ask? What will he ask? Stay tuned!
