1) Yo La Tengo-And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside Out (Matador)
their "worst" album for Matador is better than most bands at their all-time peak. Lots of people talk about how this album is so therapeutic with relationships and such--I'm too much of a bitter loveless crank to see that but I can tell you that its easily the hangover record of the year, something I'm more than qualified to discuss...
2) Broadcast-The Noise Made By People (Warp/Tommy Boy)
first off, Tommy Boy??!! That gets it some bonus points right there...The United States Of America reunite and bring a relevant-era Laetitia Sadier along with them--can't go wrong with that!
3) Do Make Say Think-Goodbye Enemy Airship The Landlord Is Dead (Constellation)
Godspeed without the silly tapes and reduced angst! Unfortunately pretentious titles are harder to part with but self-help has to start somewhere...
4) The William Parker Trio-Painter's Spring (Thirsty Ear)
in an ideal world, this would be considered "straight ahead jazz". yet another reason that there's already a parking spot in hell reserved for Ken Burns...
5) Pram-The Museum Of Imaginary Animals (Merge)
the band Stereolab has seemingly tried to emulate for the past 5 years flaunt their gorgeous melodies once more. If Godspeed You Black Emperor is the post-rock Phil Spector, Pram's the post-rock Brian Wilson (inevitable comparison #1).
6) Jackie-O Motherfucker-Fig. 5 (Road Cone)
if Alan Lomax had been A&R man for Kranky Records... (inevitable comparison #2)
7) Movietone-The Blossom Filled Streets (Drag City)
while Flying Saucer Attack goes off on ridiculously awful jungle safaris, Rachel Brook knew when to fold and instead marries a slight FSA ambience to faint British folk melodies--music so evocative it almost makes me want to build a fire!
8) Volcano The Bear-The One Burned Ma (Misra)
4 guys who went on a vacation to Germany, Canterbury, and Hell (in that order) and have lived to tell the tale. Weirdo record of the year--their live show is IMPERATIVE.
9) Damon & Naomi With Ghost (Sub Pop)
D&N have always been just a little too plain for me. Teaming up with Japanese psych ambassadors Ghost results in an album steeped in subtlety that ranks among the best work either group has done. If the movietone fire is still going, play this one next.
10)Gorky's Zygotic Mynci-The Blue Trees (Mantra)
in which the most underrated band in the world has travelled transcontinentally to sample folk music from the American side of the shore. Pop melodies of the highest caliber still abound within the short 23-minute duration. This comes out in America in 2001, so it can qualify as record-of-the-year twice!