4. Andrew Bird "Armchair Apocrypha"
Andrew Bird like Ellliott Smith (<3) has carved his own nitch in indie-folk, with the violins, whistling and pretty melodies he's like that warm lover you always wanted.
Favorite Songs: Scythian Empires, Imitosis, Plasticities, Armchairs, Dark Matter
3. Bob Dylan "New Morning"
This album shows a new Dylan for the 70s, touching blues, gospel, jazz and country and being mostly piano driven Dylan experiments in ways he never has before. From the Kerouacish If Dogs Run Free to the beautiful Winterlude. It's a different Dylan than we've seen before and it works.
Favorite Songs: Day Of The Locusts, Sign on the Window, Winterlude, If Not For You, Went To See The Gypsy
2. Elliott Smith "Either/Or"
Often seen as Elliott's masterpiece Either/Or marked the end of his lo-fi days (at least actual albums wise.) While I wouldn't call this the best album he's done I'd say it's one of the best and this is the album when we really see Elliott come out of his shell and add some electric guitars and he shows more ambitions than just being a guy with an acoustic guitar. One of my favorite albums he's done, though I love everything he's done so...
Favorite Songs: Between the Bars, 2:45 AM, Rose Parade, Say Yes, Angeles, Punch and Judy
1. Nick Drake "Bryter Layter"
A heavily orchestrated and beautifully arranged Nick album that shows sometimes the producer knows more than the musician. This album is almost jazzy at times and probably contains some of the most upbeat songs Drake ever recorded. It also contains the beautiful Fly and Northern Sky which are two of my favorite Nick Drake songs.
Favorite Songs: Northern Sky, Fly, Hazey Jane II One Of These Things First, Hazey Jane I