Words. Plugs. Rules. Reviews. Please read this, I'm tired of pulling triple digits while D pushes 5000 reads on single articles...it makes me look bad...heh.

It's April...it's been raining like it's going out of style...and this article only has 260 reads...I don't post these things as a cheap form a therapy, you know...that's what articles like this are for. I know, I know...if I were to cut it down to a four-hundred word special, I'd probably be pulling in the kinds of numbers that the other writers on this site are, but I'm just a tad too loquacious for that. Speaking of...this is the second part of a four part article that isn't four months late...it's, uhhhh, ummmm...fuck it, it's four months late. I'm so fucking lazy it's not even funny. In keeping with the overall spirit of making promises and then breaking them...it's time for me to plug people's bands and things!

First and foremost we have my friend Virgil. I met him a long, long time ago when he was with a band called Myopic Void...then they changed their name to Sinker...then they broke up. Well, Virgil managed to carry on and create a neat little lable called Bedder Records, home to some great bands...including one of Virgil's own, Southofok. Go check out his stuff and drop him an email and he'll probably respond being all humble and down-to-earth...but that's really how he is. Next, we've got Cruiserweight....I won't go into the ways I know this band, because I just don't have the time and/or energy to explain it all, but they're pretty damned good, as evidenced by their recent set at SXSW. They played in Denton with Chomsky a couple of weeks back, and had my planner not lied to me, I would have been at the show...make a trip to Austin to see them (and also Pop Unknown, The End of Julia, Recover, etc, etc, etc...goddamn, Austin is so much better than Dallas, it's not even funny). Lastly, but not leastly, I'd like to throw out a mention for the hard-working, well-meaning, needs-a-little-polishing Fingercuff. Chasing Amy ref aside, I like what those boys are trying to do...and I'm sure with a few more shows and a little more rehearsing, they'll have something solid on their hands. Be on the lookout for a new Alienated writer doing a recap of their show this past Friday (unless he's like me and just stockpiles things until he's in the mood to actually post...but we're trying to avoid adding people like me, aren't we Mike? I bet Mike's going to fire me some day...he doesn't think I'm worth my weight in ink as a writer...and he detests me as a human being...and yet, he'll probably be the drummer in a band with me at some point in the future, so he'll have to learn to live with my fat ass...TAKE THAT, MISTER WEBMASTER!). And that's all I've got to say about that.

Here it is, the not-at-all anticipated 'Top 30 Albums of 2001'...I bet if I wrote for CMJ or Rolling Stone, you'd care...at least Mike and my mom care, otherwise I'd be writing this for an audience of zero.

Okay, the rules of engagement are as follows:

• 1) The album has to have been released to the general public in some form or fashion during calendar year 2001
• 2) Absolutely no Singles. LPs, EPs and Splits only.
• 3) The album has to have been purchased, gifted to me, or borrowed from someone during calendar year 2001.
• 4) No reissues or compilations or cover albums (Yes, this means you, Tori).
• 5) I have to be albue to listen to the entire thing at least two months after the original purchase (gift, borrow, etc...) date.
• 6) No live albums.
• 7) These rules are subject to change as I see fit.

There you have it. No decisions based on sales, label affiliations, religious preference, party allegiance, sexual preference, blah blah blah...I'm an equal opportunity reviewer. We'll be covering albums 30 through 21 in this article....20 through 11 in the next...10 through 6...and finally 5 through 1. In actuallity, I'll be doing albums 30 through 26 tonight, then I'll post the rest when I get off of work...a man HAS to sleep! Whatever the case, this will probably require a large chunk of your time, so do what you have to do to get comfortable, because we're going to be here for a while. If you have read the Worst yet, please do so now, that way you'll at least know what you're getting yourself into.

• #30: New End Original / Thriller
  (Jade Tree / October 2, 2001)
  This band caught one helluva buzz on a handful of site, and one thorough listening will demonstrate why! They managed to cover a broad musical specturm by mixing the upbeat with the somber. '14-41' plays on the hardships and uniqueness of aging, disguising it as one of the more 'up' songs, which is alright with me, because I love confusion! The more down tracks, like 'Halo' and 'Hostage' are the ones that really stick with you, though...particularly 'Hostage' (by far the best song on the entire album), which throws irony in the ring with hurtful emotional abuse and lets the end result affect the listener however he/she sees fit. Mildly recommended to those who have never heard of this band, strongly recommended to alcoholics and depressives.
• #29: Hot Water Music / A Flight and a Crash
  (Epitaph / June 5, 2001)
  On of the truly great old-school bands left in the world (I'd specify what I mean by 'old-school', but I'm tired of getting email from people about my mislabeling bands...enough already, it's music!), their more recent efforts have been a redefinition of sorts, focusing more on solid punk/rock riffs with their more traditional straight-verse melodies (by that I mean that they don't often rely on things like verse-chorus-verse lyrical structures). The results so far have been quite impressive, churning out one of their best collections of songs in 'Flight and a Crash'. The title track from the album is notable with it's spot on guitar work matching up quite nicely with the near gutteral vocals. The must-hears from the album are 'Choked and Seperated' and 'A Clear Line', the former being a real get up and throw down kind of track, while the latter is a fantastic foot tapper. You'll notice that I'm not really going into the lyrics on this one, the reason being that they are one of the few bands where I don't get all over-analytical and jackass-ish and try to break down what things mean...it's just good listening, damnit. Highly recommended for just about anyone who's appreciative of mosic that ignores the treatises of what has become the norm and pushes the envelope to try and find things that are not only different, but wholly enjoyable and meaningful.
• #28: Further Seems Forever / Moon Is Down
  (Tooth & Nail / March 27, 2001)
  FSF is on of these new-school emo bands that old-school fans knock all the time (at least that's the pattern I've begun to notice)...something about not being raw or rough or loud or scratchy or hurtful enough, probably. Don't get me wrong, I like Dag Nasty and Braid and Moss Icon and all that, but sometimes you just have to accept the fact that things change. Why is this band notable to most? It's fronted (at times) by that Dashboard Confessional guy people seem to be in love with all of a sudden...which, by the way, if you don't like him, you're probably not going to want to read one of the top 10 entries, I'm just sayin. How are the songs? They're pretty damned good (and a helluvalot better suited for full band treatment than most of the DC songs...that's probably because these were written FOR a full band and not just turned into full band songs at some later date...again, I'm just sayin, is all). 'New Years Project' proves that this Chris fella really, really knows how to write songs that make the ladies go all weak in the knees and junk. 'The Bradley' is bound to be a kick ass track, because, well, it uses a derivative of my name in the title...well, it's no Coal Chamber song written for me, but it does go a long way to prove that the guy writing the lyrics can do more than write about love and broken hearts and crap like that...versatility is an important quality in a writer of any kind, I says. Further stretching the boundaries of song writing skill is the title track, in it's covering the subject of the struggle of youth to survive and succeed in the world laid out for us by the priors. Highly recommended for most, especially people who need another DC fix; it's not, however, recommended for people plotting any sort of assasination of affected song-writers, though...fodder for the fire, that would be.

• #27: Superchunk / Here's To Shutting Up
  (Merge / September 18, 2001)
  Superchunk is one of the premier indie bands going today...you might remember them from t-shirts on 'losers' from back when you were in high school...of course, you might also NOT remember them, in which case, you can ignore the t-shirt thing, it was directed at you. They have a history of silently turning out impressive album after impressive album, and 'Here's To Shutting Up' is not exception. 'Phone Sex' is an outstanding track with a comfortable country vibe to it. While listening to it, I couldn't help but be reminded of Ween's version of country, and how I much prefer Superchunk's, or Wilco's, or even the friggin Beastie Boys' for that matter. Lyrically, it's both shocking and poignant (the line, "plane crash footage on tv, I know, I know that could be me" is especially brilliant, if not ill-timed given it's awkward proximity to certain events of the fall). 'The Animal Has Left It's Shell' is an allegorical journey pointing out the fact that mankind, for the most part, ignores the simple miracles that life continually offers up as proof of just how unique and beautiful life is...but, of course, I read too much into things, and I'm probably way the fuck off base here. Evidencing the fact that these boys still know how to get their rock on, 'Rainy Streets' is a full frontal attack on the auditory canals of the listener, but it's an enjoyable assault, not one that makes you want to smash someones hean in. Recommended for all...fans and non-fans alike, there's just too much good stuff on this album for it to be passed up.
• #26: The Owls / The Owls
  (Jade Tree / July 31, 2001)
  I started listening to this band on accident...see, I was perusing the promo-poster bin at Waterloo on a trip to Austin, and this colorful, slightly abstract little number caught my eye...nevermind the fact that I had no clue who in the blue hell the band was, it was one hip wall adornment! Musically, it's pretty hard to characterize what their style is...it's melodic, it's down-tempo, the track titles are more along the lines of ironic statements, and the lyrics are chock full of insightful observations...and yet, they're like nothing I've ever heard before. Take 'Anyone Can Have A Good TIme' for example, lines like "I'm my fathers hands and squint" and "we fall into patterns too quickly" are dropped on top of a start/stop/repeat/change tempo/go back again tune that sucks you in and forces you to take notice of the delicate balance of the overall effect. 'I Want The Quiet Moments of a Party Girl' is the true gem of the album, both musically and lyrically, yet it's beyond explanation or definition...download it and give it a listen, then go buy the album. A superb debut effort. Mildly recommended becauase this isn't exactly accessible to all types...it's like beer, in that it's an acquired taste.
• #25: Stephen Malkmus / Stephen Malkmus
  (Matador / February 13, 2001)
  I miss Pavement. I regret never going to see them when I had the chance. Now, if their passing means more albums like this from Mr Malkmus, though...I'll be okay with it all. Please tell me you remember Pavement...if you don't shame on you. Anyway. Malkmus is the lyrical genius responsible for the bulls share of Pavement's library, and his self-titled solo effort clearly demonstrates that his hasn't lost his touch. The song 'Jennifer and the Ess Dog' is one of the ten best of 2001, hands friggin down...it sucessfully covers the rise and fall of two star-crossed lovers in under three minutes, ending with the subtlely symbolic line "and off came those awful toe rings" (only in a track penned by Malkmus can a line like that not only make sense, but mean something as well). 'Vague Space' has a touch of Built To Spill to it, and it makes me long for a Martsch/Malkmus collabortion (tell me this song would NOT have fit nicely into 'Ancient Melodies of the Future'...of course, if you tell me that, I'll probably bitch slap you and then accuse you of being an infidel or something to that effect). 'Trojan Curfew' is a relaxed, fragile little number that starts off going in one direction, and ends up somewhere pretty unexpected. Highly recommended for all those Pavement addicts out there...also highly recommended for those who don't even know who the hell they are.

• #24 Bouncing Souls / How I Spent My Summer Vacation
  (Epitaph, May 23, 2001)
  I'd never heard of these guys when I downloaded 'True Believers' off of the Epitaph site...then I bought the album, and then I got a bunch more of their stuff, and now I'm addicted (I had even planned on going to see them this passed fall, but being proke and carless kind of precluded that from happening). 'True Believers' is a rallying cry kind of song that could be taken one of two ways...it's either about true punks fighting to keep the scene clean of any and all riff-raff (myself included), or it's a DIY (dude, please tell me you at least know what THAT means!) fight song meant to cull people together against the bullshit that the major labels keep pushing on everyone...either way, it's a great fucking song. 'Broken Record' is a song decrying boredom and complacency in general...just take a look at this line "going to the same old places, skipping like a broken record, I love you all, but I gotta get out" (it also mentions the fact that you can't escape the truth of self, showing that this guy is pretty damned intuitive...double-meaning songs that are frighteningly honest, gotta love it). 'Manthem' is a chant-along in the vein of their great song 'Ole', I just can't keep myself from rythmically bobbing my head any time this one comes on. Recommended for anyone looking for some good party music that you won't find on your typical 'party' disc.
• #23: Guttermouth / Covered With Ants
  (Epitaph / April 10, 2001)
  If you ever find yourself looking for a song to piss someone off, chances are Guttermouth has a song tailor-made for your situation. Quite possibly one of the most blatantly (and enjoyably) offensive bands I've ever heard, I can't help but love their music. 'Covered With Ants' is a total 'if it ain't broke, then throw it on the ground and stomp on it for a while' album, with the band relying heavily on their foul mouths and heavy riffs to entertain the masses. 'She's Got The Look' reminds me of a girl I dated once, what with her having nailed an entire band over the course of time (and if you read this, you can lick my scro...I no longer have any respect for you, nor do I want anything to do with your tired ass...and don't go getting all "what business is it of yours to discuss my problems" with me, either, because no one knows who the fuck I'm talking about...but then again, the list is short, and you're a pretty prominent figure on it, so whatever...eh, frick it)...if you ever get mad at an ex for whatever reason, just throw this classic on a tape and hope she's not too dense to miss the point. 'That's LIfe' reminds me of a Blue Meanies song, only slower and without all the horns, so thumbs up there. 'What You Like About Me' is a hilarious track that is as much an ode to masochim (both mental and physical), as it is a lesson in how to properly knock on ones self. Extremely recommended, especially to conservatives (I'm one, so you should listen to this too!) and hardcore liberals...mostly because 90% of you wouldn't get it.
• #22 Squarepusher / Go Plastic
  (Warp / June 26, 2001)
  I know next to nothing about techno these days, but I know that I can't stomach most of it (too repetitive for my liking)...my top three techno albums of all-time: Goldie's 'INCredible', the 'Pi Soundtrack', and Doc Scott's 'Lost In Drum 'n' Bass'. I like really space-y feeling stuff that involves a lot of broken beats and jacked up samples...it's just how I likes my electronic stuff. That said, I love this album for all of the above listed reasons. It's not predictable, it's not too repetitive, and it's like an extension of the Pi soundtrack. That's all I can really say about this one, seeing as how I'm not at all qualified to really break down the subtle nuances of audio chaos (granted, I'm not really qualified to break down ANY kind of music, but that's neither here, nor is it over there). The most notable cut? 'My Fucking Sound', download and enjoy. Recommended for pretty much anyone who loves odd electronic music...not recommended for people who hate it.
• #21 Finch / Falling Into Place EP
  (Drive-Thru / October 9, 2001)
  There are two bands on Drive-Thru that don't sound like every other band on Drive-Thru (*cough*NewFoundGlory*cough*RxBandits*cough*...pardon me)...not surprisingly, both of them are on 'THE LIST' (yes, it shall henceforth be referred to as 'THE LIST'...it's that damn important!). Finch uses a healthy mix of rock riffs, screaming, time changes and emo-ish lyrics to get the job done. 'Letters To You' is a perfect example of all of these things, of particular interest is the background sing-screaming. You know...I figured this would be one of the first bands 'big radio' would latch onto, not Jimmy Eat World or Dashboard Confessional (of course, I might end up being right afterall, if their new album is any indication of things to come)...oh well, I'm okay with them staying small for the time being. 'Waiting' is a 'rawk out with your cawk out and feel bad about your loss' kind of track, an absolute must hear, IMODO. 'Perfection Through Silence' makes short work of irony, immediately pounding away at the scar tissue encrusted on the ear drums of the listeners with heavy everything My only complaint? It's an EP, not an LP...but that's okay, there's always this year. Highly recommended for anyone who appreciates good music, and also screaming (but not too much of it, sadly).

Well, that wraps up part two...be on the lookout for part three in the near future...or maybe I'll wait another four months...you never can tell. Everyone read the new stuff and check out the calendar...otherwise you might miss some must-see shows and stuff..but hey, if you don't care, then don't look, no one wants you there anyway.