We're almost done with 2002, which, of course, means an endless parade of best-of lists....
here's part of my end-of-the-year best of float.

Best Albums of 2002
(not in any real particularly particular order...which means they are somewhat ordered, but not religiously so):

1. Wilco
Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Nonesuch
This was actually my favorite album of 2001 - but since it didn't come out until this year, I had to wait to list it. The beauty of this record lies not only in its marriage of pop and folk and rock and electronica - it's in the melancholy cynicism of Jeff Tweedy's voice and lyrics.

2. Mirah
Advisory Committee
K Records
A winning blend of folk, hip-hop, pop and electronica with poignant, funny and smart lyrics. Sort of an updated Liz Phair without the scathing self-loathing.

3. The Mooney Suzuki
Electric Sweat
Gammon Records
Pure rock'n'roll fun

3. Paul Westerberg / Grandpaboy
Stereo/Mono
Vagrant
I know this is actually two records - not one - but for me they exist as one body of work. A gut-wrenching, heartbreaking, touching, angry, sad, spiritually-drunk, wonderful body of work

4. The Streets
Original Pirate Material
Vice
Refreshing British hip-hop that's totally infectious, mesmerizing and fun.

5. Sahara Hotnights
Jennie Bomb
Jetset
The Runaways as redefined by four Swedish girls...

6. Badly Drawn Boy
About a Boy (soundtrack)
Artist Direct / BMG
Simply beautiful.

7. Ben Kweller
Sha Sha
Ato Records
Former rock boy wonder (he of the infamous Radish) delivers an angsty yet self-deprecating and totally catchy pop / rock record.

8. Departure Lounge
Too Late to Die Young
Bella Union
Beautiful pop and electronica that is slowly absorbed into your soul and consciousness like a memory.

9. Rilo Kiley
The Execution of All Things
Saddle Creek
It may sound like sugary-sweet folk-pop but go deeper and listen to the lyrics and you will find the wonder and truth of the decay beneath the surface. All that and the band features two former child TV stars - what more could you want?

10. Puffy AmiYumi
An Illustrated History Of...
Bar None
American pop redefined by a Japanese girl pop duo - with traces of Cheap Trick, the Beatles and the Who coursing through this duo's music it's at once familiar and amazingly new.

11. Beck
Sea Change
Geffen
Painfully sad and real.

12. Elvis Costello
When I Was Cruel
Island
Don't call it a comeback....

13. Aimee Mann
Lost in Space
United Musicians
Angry, scathing, bewildered, mournful and amazing pop.

14. The Raveonettes
Whip it On
Crunchy Frog
This CD seems to be stuck on "repeat" on my player - just can't get enough of this Jesus and Mary Chain-inspired wall-of-sound Danish duo.

15. I Break Chairs
Damien Jurado
Sub Pop
Jurado's trademark hatful of hollow is amped up by a full rock band.

with strong showings by: Iron & Wine, Sleater-Kinney, Doug Martsch, Mates of State, I Am the World Trade Center, Sondre Lerche, Spoon and Blackaliciuos

Best shows of 2002
(Not that I saw a ton of shows this year - in fact I saw fewer shows in 2002 than I normally do in a given year):

1. Jon Brion & friends
Largo
Los Angeles

2. Paul Westerberg
Virgin Records
San Francisco

3. Mirah/ The Blow
Magic Theatre
Nevada City

4. Wilco
Warfield
San Francisco

5. Flaming Lips / Beck
Paramount
Oakland

6. Blondie
Fillmore
San Francisco

7. Elvis Costello
Reno Hilton
Reno

Shows I wish I hadn't missed:

The Mooney Suzuki
Sahara Hotnights
Puffy AmiYumi

Biggest disappointments live:

The White Stripes.
Don't get me wrong, I love the White Stripes and I think Jack White is incredibly charismatic...but that whole blues jam thing doesn't do much for me. I'm in the minority here....

Favorite films of 2002:
(so far)

1. About a Boy
2. Punch Drunk Love
3. Adaptation
4. Lovely & Amazing
5. Bowling for Columbine


more lists later, perhaps - I know there is stuff I'm forgetting...

by the way, I'm 33 today - how did that happen?