USA Todays Best and Worst Albums of 2002 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Mr. Stefani · 01-01-2003, 04:03 PM

www.usatoday.com/life/mus...orst_x.htm

Elvis and The Boss still rule
By Elysa Gardner, USA TODAY

The best
1. Elvis Costello, When I Was Cruel. This quintessential critics' favorite manages to combine the sharp hooks, cutting lyrics and raw energy that first put him on the map with the ever-growing sense of rhythmic and textural sophistication that has kept him relevant.

2. Joseph Arthur, Redemption's Son. One of the most sonically intuitive singer/songwriters around serves up some of his best work to date, filtering smart songcraft through gorgeously lush, atmospheric production.

3. Bruce Springsteen, The Rising. The Boss' studio reunion with his longtime E Street Band amigos provides a needed reminder that rock's most powerful and noble social value lies not in exposing despair but in transcending it.

4. Doves, The Last Broadcast. The most promising U.K. rock band in years refines its sound on this second album, offering deftly structured tunes to accompany its densely majestic arrangements.

5. Alison Krauss and Union Station, Live. Krauss' achingly pure voice requires none of the studio sweeteners used to enhance the singing of most of her peers. This two-disc set, recorded over two nights this past spring, captures the playful, passionate virtuosity typical of her band's performances.

6. Tracy Chapman, Let It Rain. Few artists can make adult-contemporary music sound as substantial or soulful as Chapman does. Nothing fancy here, just taut, hauntingly lyrical songs delivered with clarity and conviction.

7. Norah Jones, Come Away With Me. Jones may not be the second coming of Billie Holiday or Nina Simone, as some have tried to suggest. But the 22-year-old's lithe, sexy singing could teach many of her peers volumes about the power of understatement.

8. Dreamgirls in Concert. Heather Headley, Audra McDonald and Lillias White all turn in supple, sassy performances on this vibrant concert reading of the 1981 musical, recorded last year.

9. Vivian Green, A Love Story. Unlike last year's Miss Thang, Alicia Keys, Green doesn't try to pass herself off as a prodigious authority on life and love. Green, 23, may be mature beyond her years musically, but her soul-based, jazz-tinged debut also delivers a refreshing dose of youthful wonder and unselfconscious pluck.

10. Christine Andreas, Here's to the Ladies ... Not all ingénues grow up gracefully. But Broadway and cabaret star Andreas' tangy soprano has matured into an eclectic, appealing instrument that is well suited to most of the standards and showstoppers featured here.

The worst

1. Nick Carter, Now or Never. Now we know for certain that at least one of the Backstreet Boys wasn't chosen for his spellbinding vocal prowess. Ever think of college, Nick?

2. Lifehouse, Stanley Climbfall. Imagine that Eddie Vedder had a little brother who was even whinier and more humorless, and you pretty much have Lifehouse frontboy Jason Wade.

3. O-Town, O2. Maybe someone was suggesting you should sniff oxygen before listening to this CD, the latest — and, it's hoped, the last — from the world's most aggressively dull boy band.

4. A*Teens, Pop Till You Drop. When a group manages on its first album to make covers of ABBA hits sound stiff and lifeless, it probably doesn't bode well for a collection of original material.

5. Michael Bolton, Only a Woman Like You. Presumably, Bolton is referring to his mom. I can't imagine he would expect any other gal, or guy, to sit through his latest unctuous schlock-fest.

6. Bernadette Peters Loves Rodgers and Hammerstein. I'm not sure the feeling would be mutual. Apparently, no one told Peters you need an above-average singing voice to deliver challenging ballads such as If I Loved You and Some Enchanted Evening.

7. American Idol: Greatest Moments. Most of the singing you'll hear in karaoke bars has more genuine feeling and imagination than these labored, mannered covers, warbled by finalists of this summer's TV star search.

8. Teenage Fanclub, Howdy! Sorry, but the world doesn't need another guitar-pop band trying to use groovy retrophilia to compensate for a lack of fresh ideas. See ya!

9. Cracker, Forever. The reason most cult bands never make it to the next level isn't that the masses are too stupid to appreciate them. It's because most people would rather hear a catchy song than listen to some aging hipster trying to be clever.

10. Christina Aguilera, Stripped. The best thing that can be said about Aguilera's self-indulgent, painfully overwrought singing is that it shows more taste than her wardrobe.

Pitooey · 01-01-2003, 04:10 PM

I nominate Whitney Houston's cruddy album. (2002)

Hollow · 01-01-2003, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by timmy087
10. Christina Aguilera, Stripped. The best thing that can be said about Aguilera's self-indulgent, painfully overwrought singing is that it shows more taste than her wardrobe.

Yay!

SBTB Geek · 01-01-2003, 06:36 PM

They put Christina on the worst of list, but they don't include Kelly Osbourne?... she makes Avril Lavigne look like The Beatles.

What I found odd, is that Rolling Stone, CNN, and many others include Christina in their BEST OF list.

And how can they forget about COLDPLAY?! Rush Of Blood To The Head was obviously the best album of 2002.

What about Sonic Youth? TLC? Beck? Foo Fighters?

Mr. Stefani · 01-01-2003, 07:16 PM

Quote:

And how can they forget about COLDPLAY?! Rush Of Blood To The Head was obviously the best album of 2002.
What about Sonic Youth? TLC? Beck? Foo Fighters?

Becuase most of the Best album picks aren't exactly..."teenybooperish". I'm sure they'd be in a Rolling Stone, or Teen People list.

and IMO, Christina is overrated. All she does is scream.

vienna waits · 01-01-2003, 07:23 PM

Quote:

10. Christina Aguilera, Stripped. The best thing that can be said about Aguilera's self-indulgent, painfully overwrought singing is that it shows more taste than her wardrobe.

THEY CAN SAY ALL THEY WANNA SAY ABOUT ME BECAUSE I'M GONNA KEEP ON KEEP ON SINGING MY SONG

vienna waits · 01-01-2003, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SBTB Geek
They put Christina on the worst of list, but they don't include Kelly Osbourne?... she makes Avril Lavigne look like The Beatles.

Fa REAL! Daddy probably paid them to take her off of the list.

SBTB Geek · 01-01-2003, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by timmy087

Becuase most of the Best album picks aren't exactly..."teenybooperish". I'm sure they'd be in a Rolling Stone, or Teen People list.

and IMO, Christina is overrated. All she does is scream.

I don't recall Coldplay, or Sonic Youth being "teenybopperish."... RE. I agree, probably Christina doesn't deserve to on the top ten.... but it DEFINATELY does not belong on the worst 10. Although Stripped is a pop album, it shows a more talented side of this genre. Have you heard "Beautiful," "I'm OK," or "Walk Away?"
..and about Christina just screaming... I rather hear her screaming rather than hearing Gwen Stefani moaning, breathing hard, and whispering on all of her songs.

About Rolling Stone... do you know that Rolling Stone is actually one of the worlds most PRESTIGIOUS, and respected magazine? You are a fool for putting Teen People, and Rolling Stone on the same sentence.

LOL @ YearbookLoser... I wouldn't be shocked, if that was true.

TJL · 01-01-2003, 10:20 PM

Wow that chick's meaner than me...

Michael Bolton shlock-fest, that was a good one...

Kay Scarpetta · 01-01-2003, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by timmy087

10. Christina Aguilera, Stripped. The best thing that can be said about Aguilera's self-indulgent, painfully overwrought singing is that it shows more taste than her wardrobe.

What?! That must be one of the best albums I own

Mr. Stefani · 01-02-2003, 06:07 PM

Quote:

I rather hear her screaming rather than hearing Gwen Stefani moaning, breathing hard, and whispering on all of her songs.

The only song i've ever heard her moaning and breathing hard is in hella good, because thats the point of the song, and sometimes live, since she actually sings live. I think Gwen has a better voice, Christina cant get away with doing diffrent types of music

Quote:

About Rolling Stone... do you know that Rolling Stone is actually one of the worlds most PRESTIGIOUS, and respected magazine? You

Ah, maybe 10 years ago..Now its just a magazine that tries to get as many teen artists on the cover as much as possible. If you want a real music magazine, without all the gossip, read Spin.

A magazine thats considered the "most PRESTIGIOUS" wouldnt make a Women of Rock, and put Britney Spears and Shakria on the cover. They do w/e it takes to sell.

SBTB Geek · 01-02-2003, 06:25 PM

Gwen also moans on "New," and all of Rock Steady.

The only "teen" arist on a Rolling Stone cover this year was Avril Lavigne! Only if you consider, George Harrison, Bruce Springsteen, The Vines, Kurt Cobain, or Ozzy Osbourne as "teens."

The "Women In Rock" issue wasn't about women in the "rock" genre... it was about women who have had an impact on music recently... you can't honestly say that Britney has not made a HUGE impact on music!

Gwen has a good voice... but it isn't better than Christina's. I do give Gwen props for being able to sing to different types of music, but "harmony"-wise, Christina has a better sound.

About Christina not being able to do different types of music... have you listened to "Make Over" "Fighter" or "Pero Me Acuerdo De Ti"?

Spin is just crap. Even Blender, and Vibe are better than Spin!

Rolling Stone is the original, and will remain as the best music magazine.

Mr. Stefani · 01-02-2003, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Gwen also moans on "New," and all of Rock Steady.

The only "teen" arist on a Rolling Stone cover this year was Avril Lavigne! Only if you consider, George Harrison, Bruce Springsteen, The Vines, Kurt Cobain, or Ozzy Osbourne as "teens."

The "Women In Rock" issue wasn't about women in the "rock" genre... it was about women who have had an impact on music recently... you can't honestly say that Britney has not made a HUGE impact on music!

Gwen has a good voice... but it isn't better than Christina's. I do give Gwen props for being able to sing to different types of music, but "harmony"-wise, Christina has a better sound.

About Christina not being able to do different types of music... have you listened to "Make Over" "Fighter" or "Pero Me Acuerdo De Ti"?

Spin is just crap. Even Blender, and Vibe are better than Spin!

Rolling Stone is the original, and will remain as the best music magazine..

Mr. Stefani · 01-02-2003, 06:31 PM

Quote:

The "Women In Rock" issue wasn't about women in the "rock" genre... it was about women who have had an impact on music recently... you can't honestly say that Britney has not made a HUGE impact on music!

Yes I can. Considering shes been on a "break" for most of 2002

Any magazine that puts Britney Spears on the cover 4 times in one year is a joke. That magazine is no longer about music. I have never read an article in that magazine that wasn't entirly about a celebs. personal life. -The purpose was supposed to be about their music.

Quote:

The "Women In Rock" issue wasn't about women in the "rock" genre... it was about women who have had an impact on music recently... you can't honestly say that Britney has not made a HUGE impact on music!

That was their lame excuse of the supposed Joan Jett open letter.

SBTB Geek · 01-02-2003, 06:31 PM

...and the puppy was hushed.

01-01-2003, 04:03 PM	#1
Mr. Stefani Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Jul 15, 2001 Posts: 20,757	USA Todays Best and Worst Albums of 2002 www.usatoday.com/life/mus...orst_x.htm Elvis and The Boss still rule By Elysa Gardner, USA TODAY The best 1. Elvis Costello, When I Was Cruel. This quintessential critics' favorite manages to combine the sharp hooks, cutting lyrics and raw energy that first put him on the map with the ever-growing sense of rhythmic and textural sophistication that has kept him relevant. 2. Joseph Arthur, Redemption's Son. One of the most sonically intuitive singer/songwriters around serves up some of his best work to date, filtering smart songcraft through gorgeously lush, atmospheric production. 3. Bruce Springsteen, The Rising. The Boss' studio reunion with his longtime E Street Band amigos provides a needed reminder that rock's most powerful and noble social value lies not in exposing despair but in transcending it. 4. Doves, The Last Broadcast. The most promising U.K. rock band in years refines its sound on this second album, offering deftly structured tunes to accompany its densely majestic arrangements. 5. Alison Krauss and Union Station, Live. Krauss' achingly pure voice requires none of the studio sweeteners used to enhance the singing of most of her peers. This two-disc set, recorded over two nights this past spring, captures the playful, passionate virtuosity typical of her band's performances. 6. Tracy Chapman, Let It Rain. Few artists can make adult-contemporary music sound as substantial or soulful as Chapman does. Nothing fancy here, just taut, hauntingly lyrical songs delivered with clarity and conviction. 7. Norah Jones, Come Away With Me. Jones may not be the second coming of Billie Holiday or Nina Simone, as some have tried to suggest. But the 22-year-old's lithe, sexy singing could teach many of her peers volumes about the power of understatement. 8. Dreamgirls in Concert. Heather Headley, Audra McDonald and Lillias White all turn in supple, sassy performances on this vibrant concert reading of the 1981 musical, recorded last year. 9. Vivian Green, A Love Story. Unlike last year's Miss Thang, Alicia Keys, Green doesn't try to pass herself off as a prodigious authority on life and love. Green, 23, may be mature beyond her years musically, but her soul-based, jazz-tinged debut also delivers a refreshing dose of youthful wonder and unselfconscious pluck. 10. Christine Andreas, Here's to the Ladies ... Not all ingénues grow up gracefully. But Broadway and cabaret star Andreas' tangy soprano has matured into an eclectic, appealing instrument that is well suited to most of the standards and showstoppers featured here. The worst 1. Nick Carter, Now or Never. Now we know for certain that at least one of the Backstreet Boys wasn't chosen for his spellbinding vocal prowess. Ever think of college, Nick? 2. Lifehouse, Stanley Climbfall. Imagine that Eddie Vedder had a little brother who was even whinier and more humorless, and you pretty much have Lifehouse frontboy Jason Wade. 3. O-Town, O2. Maybe someone was suggesting you should sniff oxygen before listening to this CD, the latest — and, it's hoped, the last — from the world's most aggressively dull boy band. 4. A*Teens, Pop Till You Drop. When a group manages on its first album to make covers of ABBA hits sound stiff and lifeless, it probably doesn't bode well for a collection of original material. 5. Michael Bolton, Only a Woman Like You. Presumably, Bolton is referring to his mom. I can't imagine he would expect any other gal, or guy, to sit through his latest unctuous schlock-fest. 6. Bernadette Peters Loves Rodgers and Hammerstein. I'm not sure the feeling would be mutual. Apparently, no one told Peters you need an above-average singing voice to deliver challenging ballads such as If I Loved You and Some Enchanted Evening. 7. American Idol: Greatest Moments. Most of the singing you'll hear in karaoke bars has more genuine feeling and imagination than these labored, mannered covers, warbled by finalists of this summer's TV star search. 8. Teenage Fanclub, Howdy! Sorry, but the world doesn't need another guitar-pop band trying to use groovy retrophilia to compensate for a lack of fresh ideas. See ya! 9. Cracker, Forever. The reason most cult bands never make it to the next level isn't that the masses are too stupid to appreciate them. It's because most people would rather hear a catchy song than listen to some aging hipster trying to be clever. 10. Christina Aguilera, Stripped. The best thing that can be said about Aguilera's self-indulgent, painfully overwrought singing is that it shows more taste than her wardrobe.

01-01-2003, 04:10 PM	#2
Pitooey Member Forum Star Join Date: Feb 15, 2001 Location: Rocking in Transylvania. Posts: 15,042	I nominate Whitney Houston's cruddy album. (2002)
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01-01-2003, 10:20 PM	#9
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,591	Wow that chick's meaner than me... Michael Bolton shlock-fest, that was a good one...
	__________________ "I think I'll stroll up to the front to see how the shooting's going..." - Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce Read my blogs! http://centralparkamisguide.com/ http://dvdcriticscorner.com Visit me on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=641138880 Hey, I do the tweet thing too! http://twitter.com/TomLevier My shop of handmade items! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ColdGarageCreations

01-01-2003, 06:36 PM	#4
SBTB Geek Smooth Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 21, 2002 Location: Southern California Posts: 6,004	They put Christina on the worst of list, but they don't include Kelly Osbourne?... she makes Avril Lavigne look like The Beatles. What I found odd, is that Rolling Stone, CNN, and many others include Christina in their BEST OF list. And how can they forget about COLDPLAY?! Rush Of Blood To The Head was obviously the best album of 2002. What about Sonic Youth? TLC? Beck? Foo Fighters?

01-02-2003, 06:25 PM	#12
SBTB Geek Smooth Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 21, 2002 Location: Southern California Posts: 6,004	Gwen also moans on "New," and all of Rock Steady. The only "teen" arist on a Rolling Stone cover this year was Avril Lavigne! Only if you consider, George Harrison, Bruce Springsteen, The Vines, Kurt Cobain, or Ozzy Osbourne as "teens." The "Women In Rock" issue wasn't about women in the "rock" genre... it was about women who have had an impact on music recently... you can't honestly say that Britney has not made a HUGE impact on music! Gwen has a good voice... but it isn't better than Christina's. I do give Gwen props for being able to sing to different types of music, but "harmony"-wise, Christina has a better sound. About Christina not being able to do different types of music... have you listened to "Make Over" "Fighter" or "Pero Me Acuerdo De Ti"? Spin is just crap. Even Blender, and Vibe are better than Spin! Rolling Stone is the original, and will remain as the best music magazine.

01-02-2003, 06:31 PM	#15
SBTB Geek Smooth Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 21, 2002 Location: Southern California Posts: 6,004	...and the puppy was hushed.