Scissor Sisters – S/T

Scissor Sisters Scissor Sisters managed to record the one album this year (their self-titled debut) that’s engaged in a savage, knock-down, drag-out fist fight with HTDAAB for the title of My Favorite Album Of 2004. They’re smart, they’re funny, they’re energetic, they take all the great parts from the pop music of the last thirty years and throw in a couple of new ideas of their own. If you’re one of those dour, pop-a-phobic types, you should avoid them, but if you like fun, even a little bit, then now’s the time to open your ears to them — those rumors about them possibly touring with U2 next year still aren’t going away…

Buy the Scissor Sisters album from Amazon: US / UK. (The UK version has very good bonus tracks.)

Coil – Scatology

coil_horse_rotorvator.jpg The British band Coil played the most physically overwhelming live concert I’ve ever attended. 60 minutes of experimental pop and unbelievable noise that hit me right in the stomach and literally made me as nauseous as I was impressed.

Coil’s John Balance passed away on November 13, 2004. His death shook me more than I would have expected, perhaps because we exchanged a handful of letters in the early 90s, perhaps because I found his music profoundly affecting, even if I haven’t been an active ‘fan’.

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