1f. The Big 500: The albums that satisfy (251-300)

Stephen Malmus & The Jicks: Pig Lib (Matador 2003)

Derek & The Dominoes: Layla (Polydor 1970)

Miles Davis: Bitches Brew (Columbia 1970)

PJ Harvey: Rid Of Me (Island 1995)

Linda Thompson: Fashionably Late (Rounder 2002)

Ryan Adams: Heartbreaker (Bloodshot 2000)

My Bloody Valentine: Loveless (Sire 1991)

New York Dolls: New York Dolls (Mercury 1973)

Bruce Springsteen: Tunnel Of Love (Columbia 1987)

The Stone Roses: The Stone Roses (Silvertone 1989)

The Notwist: Neon Golden (City Slang/Domino 2002)

John Lennon: Imagine (Capitol/Apple 1971)

Air: Moon Safari (Virgin 1997)

Jayhawks: Hollywood Town Hall (Def American 1992)

Travis: The Man Who (Epic/Indipendiente 1999)

Jill Scott: Who Is Jill Scott? (Hidden Beach 2001)

Bob Marley: Exodus (Island 1977)

Goldfrapp: Felt Mountain (Mute 2000)

The Velvet Underground: The Velvet Underground (Verve 1969)

Prince: Sign O The Times (Paisley Park 1987)

Refused: The Shape Of Punk To Come (Epitaph 1999)

Bob Dylan: Love And Theft (columbia 2002)

Radiohead: Kid A (Parlaphone 2000)

O'Jays: Backstabbers (Philidelphia International 1972)

The Hives: Veni Vidi Viscious (Sire/Epitaph 2002)

DJ Shadow: The Private Press (Mo/Wax 2002)

Jennifer Warnes: Famous Blue Raincoat (Private Music 1987)

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan: Night Song (Real World 1995)

Eminem: Marshall Mathers LP (Aftermath/Interscope 2000)

U2: The Joshua Tree (Island 1987)

Sarah Vaughan: Swingin' Easy (EmArcy 1954)

The Modern Lovers: The Modern Lovers (Rhino 1971/1976)

Paul Simon: Still Crazy After All These Years (Warner Bros. 1973)

Oasis: Definitely Maybe (Epic 1994)

Elbow: Cast Of Thousands (V2 2003)

Thelonious Monk: Brilliant Corners (OJC 1956)

Elvis Costello: King Of America (Rykodisc 1986)

Doors: Strange Days (Elektra 1968)

Flaming Lips: The Soft Bulletin (Warner Bros. 1999)

Badly Drawn Boy: Hour Of The Bewilderbeast (XL 2000)

Weezer: Weezer (Blue) (Geffen 1994)

Everything But The Girl: Walking Wounded (Atlantic, 1996)

Tenacious D: Tenacious D (Sony/Epic 2001)

Calexico: Feast Of Wire (Quarterstick Records 2003)

Feast Of Wire is an great album that’s stylistic varience is so completely loopy it hasn’t found the humongous fanclub it desperately needs. Calexico, spreading their artistic vision across 47:29 thrilling minutes, seem capable of anything. Varrying wildly from Mariachi drone-rock to gothic tejano trip-hop with an ease very few bands can muster. Two members, Joey Burns & John Convertino, create this supple, restrained music; Burns has a haunting tenor that’s emotionally overpowering at even trite moments. At first I wasn’t even sure if I was listening to a woman sing, a woman blessed with georgeous timbre. When I looked at the credits imagine my surprise. His compadre Convertino is the rhythm man, and a fine one to be sure. Feast Of Wire begins with “Sunken Waltz” is a beautiful guitar and drum waltz endowed with marvelous lyrics (A trait shared by the rest of the album). This is an eloquent song, restrained and immediate, full with experimentation and bolstered by fumbling, vibrant steel guitar. The music sinking and rising like a miniture sea. Drifting away into “Quattro (World Drifts In)” a song alive with crossing melodies that cut across one another. A quiet, jagged riff spurring everything forward. Fragments of georgeous sound rising and falling behind the shuffling tejano rhythms. “Where the poppies grow, you’ve got to hit the ground running” Burns sings, siezing the song with his strong vocals. “Black Heart” rings with swooning orchestrations torn from Portishead encroaching in upon the gothic, grinding rhythms. They merge into crescendos that are strangely quiet yet retain power. “Not Even Stevie Nicks” is a beautiful ballad. “Woven Birds” is a hypnotic moment of gothic heartbreak. “Across The Wire” remains a centerpiece, jauntily ebbing music recalling an endless summer glow. Lyrics vibrantly accounting an occasion of happiness. The songs retain a high quality, blissfully experimental; abounding with Ennio Morricone or John Barry signatures, arcing steel guitar and occasional touches of jazz. The organic quality of the this album makes for a enjoyable listening experience and isn’t that what we all want anyway.

Beck: Mutations (DGC 1998)

Clinic: Walking With Thee (Domino/Universal 2002)

Herbie Hancock: Maiden Voyage (Blue Note 1965)

Sunny Day Real Estate: Diary (Sub Pop 1994)

U2: All You Can't Leave Behind (Island 2002)

Soundgarden: Superunknown (A&M 1994)

Yousou N'Dour: Nothing's In Vain (2002)