it's over, it's over now, it's over, it's my turn now, it's over....

It's Sunday night. Where does the time go? I wish I didn't have to work tomorrow. I want more time to sit on my ass and read pretentious and hilarious zines and obscure hiphop magainzes and watch "Crib"s marathons. This weekend had two excellent dining experiences. Last night was Korean, tonight was tapas. But despite the rich and expensive cuisine, I still feel compelled to gorge myself on some store-brand chips ahoy.

Today I didn't want to talk to anyone and I feel a little guilty since I had numerous folks to call and possibly hang out with. But I guess that's what the rest of the week is for. So many prepositions for ending sentences with.

Now I'm going to end my time at the computer, turn off the TV, and focus on some reading. This afternoon I caught up on the issues of Codename: Knockout, so I think it's good to follow them up with "Tibetan Yogis of Dream and Sleep".

Year 2001 -- The Best Of the Best Of

So after reading every fcking magazine's best of lists for music, here's mine. Some of these albums warrant comments if I'm inspired, though I won't guarantee they'll be interesting. Not really in order AT ALL, so I will use an alternative numbering system, and label each by color.

Albums of the Year

Red (tie):
Daft Punk -- Discovery
Basement Jaxx -- Rooty
Gorillaz -- Gorillaz
Avalanches -- Since I Left You

All three related, because it's all about master production. And on each was amazing. My inspiration for career changing and braving the music industry.

Orange:
Lucinda Williams -- Essence

Fck Car Wheels. I love that album. And this one is amazing too, so haters should just deal.

Yellow (tie):
Jay-Z -- The Blueprint
Nas -- Stillmatic

Nas scooted in at the last minute. It only had one week until 2001 ended, but I still managed to listen to it on repeat. These are similar albums -- sure, Jay-Z's last three albums are not nearly as HORRIBLE as Nas's, but they both haven't really had super great follow-ups to initial breakthrough albums. So these are both excellent sophmore efforts that were years in the making. Rap isn't dead.

Green:
Ghostface Killah -- Bulletproof Wallets.

Slept on, as usual. Even by me. Hell, I still haven't bought it -- I'm wearing out the dub from Damon. But I will, I will. Not as perfect as Supreme Clientale, but still innovative.

Blue:
Bjork -- Vespertine

self-explanatory

Indigo:
The Coup -- Party Music
Dilated Peoples -- Expansion Team

Call this mainstream underground. Or just call it fcking amazing hiphop with genius poetic political MCs and fresh productions and scratches.

Violet (Honorable Mentions):
Ludacris -- Word of Mouf
Who's your housekeeper, whatchu keep in your house?
Cypress Hill -- Stoned Raiders
Seriously, this album is solid and tight and the best since the early days. Sure, it still has some of the rock blend they've been dabbling in, but they do it WELL this time, which is refreshing. And they revisit they're old style with the help of their friends. Hell, I'm listening to it right now.
Missy Elliot -- Miss E...so addictive
I won't lie -- I haven't even heard this whole album. But I own 4 amazing singles and even if the rest of the cuts are just mediocre, it still has a place in the top of 2001.
Tori Amos -- Strange Little Girls
Great concept. The execution wears thins at times. But hell, the cover of Bonnie and Clyde '97 wins this album a place alone.
Waldeck -- The Night Garden
Nikka Costa -- Everybody Got Their Something
Shuggie Otis -- Inspiration Information
This should probably be in the official "best of" list, but since it was just RE-RELEASED in 2001, that might be cheating. Though it still kicks the ass of most albums out out.
OutKast -- Big Boi and Dre Present....
The song "The Whole World" alone could win this album a spot. But even the long-time OutKast fan needs to be reminded of how good their early stuff is. Even though the compilation neglects their slept-on second album, ATLiens, it definitely contains my favorite tracks from Southernplaya.... and Aquemini.
Craig David -- Born To Do It
Mark Eitzel -- Invisible Man

......and songs that can't be left off the 2001 mixtape
Family Affair -- Mary J. Blige
Take It To Da House -- Trick Daddy and co.
Lady Marmalade -- Lil Kim's verse alone
Oh No -- Mos Def, Nate Dogg, Pharoahe Monch
Emotional (Remix) -- Carl Thomas and Faith Evans
Wait A Minute -- Ray J
One More Chance (remix) -- Notorious B.I.G.
I heard this song on the radio and saw the video more this year than in 1995. And guess what? It's still sounds good. Maybe better.


Alright, so no big shockers or anything on my lists. Sorry I'm not indie or underground enough to have a Best Of List which contains only 'obsucre' artists and albums. But I think a certain amount of universal appeal is important if you're going to make a list. Otherwise, why bother? I might as well physically jack-off instead of mentally doing it. I probably am missing some, especially under "singles" of the year from the first half of the year, and some more honorable mentions. I reserve the right to revise at will, of course. And please suggest oversights!