Looks like DBT got the shaft. And #1----I'm shocked!!!!!!

yea, not really a big surprise. Not a horrible list, all things considered.

yeah this was pretty easy to predict. if you've ever read pitchfork then you know their angle.

their site must be getting hammered because it's slow as fuck and the connection keeps getting refused

I had the same problem but eventually got through it.

I thought it was a good list overall. No big surprises except I expected some of the albums that ended up in the 40s to be higher (Loretta L., Walkmen, Iron & Wine).

Beats their #1s from the past two years, anyway.

In the thread about it on Hipinion, Totally was saying that the list was doctored by Schreiber to make Arcade Fire #1 instead of Animal Collective. Interesting.

(That thread was making me nauseous, btw. It's fucking sad how much weight that troll Ott's opinions carry over there.)

Absolutely no surprises but at least they didn’t embarrass themselves like they have done with Rapture last year and Interpol over Wilco the year before that. No Wilco has to be the biggest surprise (Chicago based site), when Modest Mouse and Interpol did actually make the list.

2004 is the year the rest of the world has caught up; even Spin’s list looks similar with every GQ pick, I think.

That being said my personal list won’t be that different. As I have seven of their top 20 in mine with the possibility of adding a couple more.

They did end up getting number one right, IMO. I did think they were going to put a rap album as number one to be different this year.

Ironically, the CMJ list actually took more chances this year.

I don't think we can complain, considering that I expect Arcade Fire will be our #1 as well.

I haven’t gone over there yet but Ott is talking out of his ass again. Tomorrow the individual list will come out and if it was “doctored” than we will be able to see that.

not a bad list although i'm surprised cLOUDDEAD is not on their list.

If Arcade Fire is #1 then they have embarassed themselves. A year from now you'll agree.

amen to that.

what do you think was the best album of the year?

mmmm... condescension

And when did you decide to actually listen to that album?

The last I remember, you were formulating opinions on it without ever having heard it.

And, no, I don't think it's the best of the year, but there's nothing embarassing about it. Two weak tracks, two great ones, overly dramatic arrangements but generally thoughtful lyrics, etc. It's a good album. Forgetable? Maybe, but don't pretend you possess that kind of foresight. No one does.

Haven't decided yet - and probably won't until the last available minute of the Shmoo poll. Right now I'm leaning towards Ike Reilly or Jim White, but I still haven't heard the Honeydogs 10,000 Years or Chuck Prophets Age Of Miracles or a bunch of others. I'd also place this year's albums by Wilco, PJ Harvey, Tom Waits, Marah, Libertines, Drive-by Truckers, and Bobby Bare Jr. (and more) well ahead of Funeral. Course, that's just my opinion.

The Pitchfork #1 is never gonna go to the best record of the year. It's gonna go to the one album that makes the site appear to be ahead of the curve. As such, the Arcade Fire album is merely the safest bet for them to avoid ridicule - because it's so meh there's really nothing bad to say against it. It's too dull to hate. But a year from now, it's gonna seem like such an ordinary choice.

I'm not sure i'd call it forgetable. It's my album of the year. I'm not embarassed at all. I haven't heard the ANimal COllective - would that make me cooler if that was my favorite?

You might not like Funeral but it’s not an embarrassment. People like the Rapture but very few thought it was the best album of last year. Interpol record from 2001 is good but you can’t name that the best album of the year with lyrics like that, they made Led Zeppelin, by comparison, brilliant.

Yes it is my favorite of this year but am not alone
1 for Pitchfork
1 for Tiny Mix Tapes
2 for CMJ
2 for PopMatters
On AMG
One more day for Stylus 1,2, or 3
And on and on and on

*Not out in the UK until next month.

In a years time, we will see.

but it's not like i'm hating on this album - i just find it unimpressive. i listen to it, but i don't see why everybody is drooling all over it.

i should probably recollect what Hume had to say regarding aesthetics.

Aw shit, Dinky, did I forget to PM you with the news that I'd actually heard the album? A tragic oversight on my part.

What's Radcliffe's album of the year?

Who are you asking?

I don't really care what anybody else likes or doesn't, and I'm not evaluating anyone's coolness. (Though Animal Collective is my favorite of the year, I think - still haven't finished my list).

Anyway... we (and the internet in general, I guess) always have these discussions and people make various conjectures about PF's alleged strategies behind their list choices. Let's not forget, these are tabulated from individual lists and represent nothing more than various individual tastes. Unless the rumor of Ryan putting AF at #1 are true, then PF's alleged concerns about the appearance of their list is irrelevent. But then, if Animal Collective were at #1, then lots of people would still be talking about how Pitchfork is just trying to "look ahead of the curve".

Blah.

Gosh, I should really consider answering that question.

Use your eyes, goddammit.

Sorry, i wasn't aiming most of my post at you. I'm saying that i don't find it forgetable. Maybe i will down the road.

I just find it funny that someone (Radcliffe) would find Funeral embarassing but then fail to name a better substitue.

I named eleven (11) better substitutes.

Use your eyes, goddammit.