When the Music's (Not) Over (1999-2000)
These albums are listed with no specific ranking or any other sequencing. (I use the fairly outmoded term “album” because I couldn’t think of anything better)
1995-1996 1997-1998 1999-2000 2001-2002 2003-2004 2005-2006 2007-2008
2009-2010 2011-2012 2013-2014 2015-2016 2017-2018 2019-2020 2021-2024
1999
WILCO: Summerteeth
There are music fans where I live who just worship Wilco. I’m not one of them. After this excellent album, band co-leader and multi-instrumentalist Jay Bennett was replaced by Nils Cline – one of those showy guitarists whose playing is painfully distracting from Jeff Tweedy’s songs -- and sometimes just plain painful. “Summerteeth” is packed with tuneful, self-affirming music.
Tweedy’s lyrics tend to be as obtuse as the album’s title (summerteeth, anyone?), but the melodies are hummable and the band is strong, especially Bennett’s keyboards, which bring a more varied sound that the group largely lost on many subsequent albums.
Best Tracks: “Pieholden Suite,” “How to Fight Loneliness.” “When You Wake Up Feeling Old, Nothing'severgonnastandinmyway (Again) – what’s up with their punctuation issues?
Next Steps: “A Ghost is Born” (2004): “Sky Blue Sky” (2007)
TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS: Echo
Full disclosure: You’ll see a lot of Tom Petty in this list – all his music, not just the hits, deserves to be heard and enjoyed. And the Heartbreakers may be the best rock/pop band since, well, The Band. Guitarist Mike Campbell is, especially, a wonder. Critics often refer to “Echo” as Petty’s “divorce album,” and the end of his longtime marriage does bring a tinge of regret to the music. But Petty is a great songwriter who brings an all-embracing touch to these tunes.
“Echo” come as Petty and band enter their third decade – a long way from “American Girl” – but their music seldom falters from that high standard. “Lonesome Sundown,” is one of the prettiest sad songs you’re likely to hear.
Best Tracks: “Free Girl Now,” “Lonesome Sundown,” “Echo,” “Room at the Top.”
Next Steps: “The Last DJ (2002),” “Hypnotic Eye (2014),” “She’s the One” (soundtrack – 1996)
BEN FOLDS FIVE: The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner
Even better than the aforementioned “Whatever and Ever Amen,” this wonderful album with the very strange title (none of songs refer to Mr. Messner or his bio), is easily the best of the decade’s final year. The songs are more melodic, wiser and minus the creeping sexism of their previous album. With the exception of the lead track (the Five has a certain perversity with getting their albums started), every song on here is worth hearing – and several rank with the best pop songs in this list.
Folds is a remarkably intelligent (and funny) songwriter. He may not be a great singer, but I defy anyone to not walk away humming these tunes – albeit without their often beautiful arrangements. Set side whatever you’re doing for an hour and listen to this album…please.
Best Tracks: “Don’t Change Your Plans,” “Mess,” “Your Redneck Past,” “Army,” “Magic”
Next Steps: Folds largely went solo after this album, only reuniting the band for “The Sound of the Life of the Mind (2012)…again with the wacky titles! Folds solo albums are covered further down.
RICHARD THOMPSON: Mock Tudor
“Cult Artist” is a term I’ve never had much use for. “Cult” misconstrues fans with worshippers. It also denigrates the artist as some sort of con man. The impossibly great Richard Thompson, especially, deserves neither label. A brilliant guitarist and peerless, biting songwriter has been working largely in the shadows of the rock mainstream since his salad days with the British folk-rock legends Fairport Convention. That’s more than 50 years and a huge body of work combining that band, his duo albums with his then-wife Linda and decades of solo brilliance.
“Mock Tudor” is a good place to start for the uninitiated. It’s not as dark as most of his stuff. And packed with memorable tunes. Two things that should be noted about Thompson: His lyrics often feature very “British” themes and can be a tad obscure to U.S. audiences. And he has a dry, sardonic sense of humor comparable to Randy Newman or Tom Waits. If you like those guys, you’ll probably enjoy Thompson’s music. Did I say he’s an amazing guitarist? We’re talking Hendrix and Clapton level here. And he’s a better singer than either. Don’t miss out on this guy!
Best Tracks: “Walking the Long Miles Home,” “Cooksferry Queen,” “Crawl Back,” “Hard on Me” (including one his greatest solos)
Next Steps: any, but start out with “Across a Crowded Room” (1985), “Amnesia” (1988), “Rumour and Sigh” (1991); “13 Rivers” (2018)
TOM WAITS: Mule Variations
You or may not be grateful to me for recommending Tom Waits. He writes weird songs and sings them in a voice like sandpaper. Waits once described his songwriting style as “grim reapers and sad weepers.” Some are angry, some funny and some just plain beautiful. There is no subject too strange or too heartbreaking for him.
Waits is that rare artist who is truly fearless. The music he creates – often with his wife, Kathleen Brennan, can sometimes be a bit difficult to listen to. But the songs will draw you in and, ultimately, you’ll find yourselves transfixed. And dying to hear what comes next.
Next Steps: Waits’ early albums are less fascinating, but often easier listening. Try “Closing Time” (1973) and “Small Change” (1976). If you find yourself craving more, check out the amazing “Rain Dogs” (1985) or “Alice” (2002).
MATTHEW SWEET: In Reverse
An authentic power pop genius, Matthew Sweet hits a career high point with “In Reverse.” It’s not often that great songs mix with excellent guitar work. And Sweet’s also an excellent bandleader. This stuff is consistently tight and tuneful. He shows a remarkable maturity in two moving songs that beg to be highlighted here. “Worse to Live,” is a plea to someone contemplating suicide:
“If you're big enough to take it
When the truth gets overwhelming
Then along with many others
You fight…
…If it's worse to live than to let go
You've got to let me know”
The second high point comes at the album’s end. “Thunderstorm” is a medley of differing melodies around the theme of strength in adversity than harkens back to no less than the second side of the Beatles “Abbey Road.” OK, it’s not on that level (what is?)…but it’s awfully great. This is about as heavy as “In Reverse” gets…but this is largely serious music for thinking power pop lovers.
Best Tracks: “Millenium Blues,” “Hide,” “Beware My Love, “What Matters,” “Worse to Live,” “Thunderstorm”
Next Steps: “Living Things” (2004), “Sunshine Lies” (2008), “Tomorrow Forever (2018).
Note: Sweet has recorded three “Under Covers” albums with former Bangle Susanna Hoffs, each offering splendid versions of ’60, “70 and ‘80s songs, respectively. The first is easily the best.
STING: Brand New Day
OK, Sting has a huge ego which really bugs some people. What they miss is that sometimes he earns it. “Brand New Day” is a case in point, especially its first half. Sting offers a wide variety of music – from folks ballads and spooky laments to thumping dance beats. And he always brings a hit or two. In this case, “Brand New Day,” featuring Stevie Wonder, of all people.
Unlike most artists who leave their original band, Sting’s music sounds virtually nothing like The Police. Maybe that’s why those fans of that late lamented trio may not embrace is more recent work. It probably also explains why he left the group. Sometimes ego is a good thing.
Best Tracks: “A Thousand Years,” “Desert Rose,” “After the Rain Has Fallen,” “Brand New Day”
Next Steps: Assuming you’ve already heard the hits-filled first two albums, you might try “Ten Summoner’s Tales (1993) and his woefully underrated stage musical soundtrack) “The Last Ship” (2013).
ERIC CLAPTON: From the Cradle
In which Sir Eric does what he does best – play the blues. And as latter-day blues albums go, this is among the most enjoyable of recent years. His playing is as jaw-dropping as usual. You can tell Clapton’s loving every minute of it.. For those who need never hear “Wonderful Tonight” or “Lay Down Sally” again (well, me at least), he didn’t write any of these songs. This is the original, classic blues.
It's been a long time since most modern music listeners dug back into the blues standards on “From the Cradle.” If names like Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, Howlin’ Wolf and Elmore James are only familiar to fans of Led Zeppelin or the Rolling Stones, this is a excellent introduction to rock’s foundational work. Heck, you might even check out the aforementioned originals. There are dozens of great “best of” collections out there. Perfect for those hot summer afternoons in the shade.
Best Tracks: “I’m Tore Down,” “Hoochie Coochie Man,” “Five Long Years,” “How Long Blues”
Next Steps: “Riding with the King” (with B.B. King) (2000), “Me and Mr. Johnson” (2004), “Clapton” (2010)
RANDY NEWMAN: Bad Love
Randy Newman thinks about stuff most of us don’t. This is a good thing, His excellent “Bad Love” includes great, really funny songs about 16th century Europeans, Karl Marx and, well, death set to some of his best melodies in a long time. As always, this isn’t exactly feel-good music. You have to get into his unique mind set. His songs are mostly told in the third person. He’s no confessional songwriter, but his eye for human foibles is almost unequalled in pop music.
Newman’s been doing this for a long time, going back to 1970. His croak of a voice takes some getting to used to, but always worth the effort. He’s hasn’t produced a huge output – 12 albums in more than 50 years, not counting numerous movie soundtracks. In fact, if you’re one of millions who have enjoyed movies from “Toy Story (all of them) and “Monsters Inc” to “Parenthood” and “The Natural,” you’ve heard his music and probably liked it. Unlike those, Newman’s studio albums aren’t for kids, but always worth your time. There’s no one like him out there.
Best Tracks: “My Country,” “The Great Nations of Europe,” “The World Isn’t Fair,” “I Miss You,” “Big Hat, No Cattle”
Next Steps: “Little Criminals” (1977), “Harps and Angels” (2008), “Land of Dreams” (1988)
2000
MARK KNOPFLER: Sailing to Philadelphia
Fans of guitarist Mark Knopfler know his music from the legendary Dire Straits of “Walk of Life,” “Money for Nothing” and “Sultans of Swing” fame. His solo albums aren’t catchy hit material, but his guitar work is a constant marvel. And his evocative songwriting is almost on that level.
Good as they are, much of Knopfler’s solo work tends to sound alike. For some, just one album will suffice (although all are worth checking out), but “Sailing to Philadelphia” is probably the most accessible for newcomers. It also sounds the most like Dire Straits. Good melodies, strong storytelling (he doesn’t really do love songs) and, of course, amazing guitar make for great, moody music.
Best Tracks: “What It Is,” “Last Laugh,” “Silvertown Blues,” “Sailing to Philadelphia”
Next Steps: “Get Lucky” (2009), “Privateering” (2012),” “Tracker” (2015)
VARIOUS: Soundtrack – O Brother Where Art Thou?
Most movie soundtracks - apart from actual musicals - are more about reliving the movie than music than stands on its own. The period “soundtrack” to this hysterical fable about the Deep South of the 1930s is a major exception. You don’t even need to see “O Brother Where Art Thou?” (a great movie) to embrace this collection of old folk, country and blues tunes.
Not every listener can tell, but this music stems from the very roots of what, decades later, became rock ‘n roll. Sure, It’s fairly slow and “old-fashioned” to some ears, but it’s pretty essential for anyone who cares about where today’s music comes from. And the lyrics of “Big Rock Candy Mountain” are a (politically incorrect) laugh riot.
Best Tracks: “I’ll Fly Away,” “I am a Man of Constant Sorrow.” “In the Jailhouse Now,” “Lonesome Valley,” “Big Rock Candy Mountain”
Next Steps: Alison Krause - “Now That I’ve Found You: A Collection,” Jimmie Rodgers - “RCA Country Legends,” Gillian Welch – “Revival”
EELS: Daisies of the Galaxy
There’s an old adage that says “A cynic is just a disappointed romantic.” And listening to the music of sole “Eel” Mark Everett, you find yourself wondering if he ever has a nice day. It’s not that he sounds angry, just let down by the world. Honestly, who hasn’t been there?
The Eels’ aren’t always pretty, but they (he) are capable of stirring strong, sometimes hopeful, emotions. OK, maybe not always hopeful, but at least satisfying kiss-offs such as:
“Don’t take any wooden nickels
When you sell your soul
A devil of a time awaits you
When the party’s over
You’re on your own”
Everett can pen nice melodies as he traffics in hurt – or is it just curdled romanticism?
Best Tracks: “Wooden Nickels,” Grace Kelly’s Blues,” “I Like Birds,” “Mr. E’s Beautiful Blues”
Next Steps: “Beautiful Freak” (1996), “Blinking Lights and Other Revelations” (2005),
Insane Clown Posse: “Bizaar” (I know nothing about this album, but “Insane Clown Posse” may be my all-time favorite band name)