Here's my 2004 Top Twelve CDs for this year in order of enjoyment. Note that these are the ones I liked listening to the most during the year, regardless of when they were actually released or when I bought them.

1. CAKE - Pressure Chief

OK. The long wait is over. The day has finally come. CAKE returns with the kick-ass Pressure Chief CD. If you like CAKE you will enjoy this album from start to finish. All songs are good. You will sing and chant along with the band, particularly with songs such as 'No Phone', 'Carbon Monoxide', 'The Guitar Man', and others. Excellent to listen while coding or driving.


2. Barenaked Ladies - Everything to Everyone

This most highly anticipated CD came out last year and was the most collaborative effort of the Ladies. All songs are good, well worth your money. The longer you listen to the tracks, the more they grow on you. I was surprised that it didn't sell as well as previous BNL albums. Lyrics are very deep and meaningful as is the Barenaked Ladies' style.


3. Barenaked Ladies - Gordon

This was Barenaked Ladies' first commercial album and contains some of their best, most inspired songs. I love listening to 'Hello City' and 'Box Set' on quiet Saturdays or early morning drives. For some reason I can relate a lot to those two songs. It has a more acoustic or jazzy style as compared with their later releases.


4. Frente - Marvin the Album

I remembered that the band Frente had a few minor hits back during my college days. On a hunch that I've been missing something all these years, I bought both of their albums from eBay. Oh man! Angie Hart has a killer voice that will make you fall in love with her. Their music is raw, crazy, and touching. 'Ordinary Angels' and 'Labour of Love' are the best tracks here. If you like something sickeningly sweet, listen to 'Accidentally Kelly Street'.


5. Paperboy - Nine Yards

This is a classic. It's rap, but it's good rap. I ordered it mainly because I recalled the song 'Ditty' from college days. And was pleasantly surprised that many of the other songs were good too. Good driving and programming music. It contains a considerable amount of profanity and explicit lyrics which you will love to rap along with.


6. Tears For Fears - Everybody Loves a Happy Ending

Tears for Fears evokes fond memories for many of those who grew up in the 80's. I didn't share that nostalgia, but still found this CD very inspiring and entertaining. I like the first song which starts with the line 'Wake Up' as if Orzabal was speaking directly to me. 'The Devil' and 'Call Me Mellow' are my other faves. If you like the style of the Beatles, you'll like this one.


7. Barenaked Ladies - Barenaked for the Holidays

Barenaked Ladies needed some extra cash so they recorded this special Christmas album. What a bonus! I even got into the Christmas spirit for the first time in a long while. The original BNL songs are what makes this great. In particular I enjoyed the country-style song 'Footprints' though I'm still trying to figure out what it's about.


8. Frente - Shape

This was Frente's second and last CD. Very underrated album. This was very CAKE-like. Just replace John McCrea's monotone voice with Angie's sweet angellic tone. More low-key and serious than their first release. 'Horrible' (a tongue twister-like song) and 'Jungle' (60's-style) are the tracks that stand out.


9. Marc Almond - The Stars We Are

I had this on cassette tape back in high school. Lots of nostalgia while listening to this one. 'Bittersweet' and 'The Very Last Pearl' are so good, you will listen to them over and over again. Perfect to play in the afternoon with the sun out and the windows open.


10. CAKE - Motorcade of Generosity

CAKE's first album. For some reason I kept playing this CD over and over last summer. The music is pure and raw. Very underrated. Good to listen while working on the computer. Lots of good songs: 'Ruby Sees All', 'Jolene', 'Rock n Roll Lifestyle', and my fave 'You Part the Waters' which the band actually played in their live concert. Yeah!!


11. Geri Halliwell - Scream If You Wanna Go Faster

Don't laugh. Whenever I tell people I think Geri Halliwell is actually a good singer, I usually get either chuckles or sneers. Give this a try. I'm sure you will like 'Circles Round the Moon' and 'Heaven and Hell'.


12. David Benoit - Fuzzy Logic

I first heard David Benoit's 'Then the Morning Comes' on the radio jazz station. I enjoyed the music so much I bought the whole CD and was not disappointed. Perfect music when relaxing and savoring victory. I was also surprised later on to find out that 'Then the Morning Comes' is the instrumental remake of an original Smash Mouth song by the same name (which is also good by the way).


This was a good year for listening to music. What made it better was that I got to watch my two favorite bands of all time, CAKE and Barenaked Ladies, in live Concerts, which were real treats. I got the CAKE shirts, hats and everything which I plan to wear first thing in the new year. So, tell me, how can you afford your Rock n' Roll Lifestyle?