The Ghosts of Music Journals Past

[murlough23]

We have Music Journal threads for every year from 2003 onward. Over the past few months, I've compiled what would have been my Music Journals for several previous years, so here they are.

2002 MUSIC JOURNAL

Top 20:
1. Vienna Teng - Waking Hour A
2. Dixie Chicks - Home A
3. Sixpence None the Richer - Divine Discontent A-
4. Matchbox Twenty - More than You Think You Are A-
5. Nickel Creek - This Side A-
6. Jars of Clay - The Eleventh Hour B+
7. Dream Theater - Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence B+
8. Pax217 - Engage B+
9. The Benjamin Gate - Contact B+
10. Jason Mraz - Waiting for My Rocket to Come B+
11. The Normals - A Place Where You Belong B+
12. Lifehouse - Stanley Climbfall B+
13. Coldplay - A Rush of Blood to the Head B
14. Sara Groves - All Right Here B
15. Dave Matthews Band - Busted Stuff B
16. Nichole Nordeman - Woven & Spun B
17. Joseph Arthur - Redemption's Son B
18. Newsboys - Thrive B-
19. Alanis Morissette - Under Rug Swept B
20. Linkin Park - Reanimation B-

Honorable Mention:
21. Maroon5 - Songs About Jane B-
22. Sigur Ros - ( ) B-
23. The Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots B-
24. Fernando Ortega - Storm B-
25. Norah Jones - Come Away with Me B-
26. Phil Joel - Bring It On B-
27. ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead - Source Tags & Codes B-
28. Daily Planet - Hero B-
29. Peter Gabriel - Up B-
30. Grits - The Art of Translation B-

The Rest:
Everyday Sunday - Stand Up C+
The Elms - Truth, Soul, Rock & Roll C+
Rachael Lampa - Kaleidoscope C+
Sanctus Real - Say It Loud C+
Jeff Deyo - Saturate C+
All Together Separate - Unusual C+
38th Parallel - Turn the Tides C+
Boards of Canada - Geogaddi C+
Tree63 - The Life and Times of Absolute Truth C+
Chevelle - Wonder What's Next C+
Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot C+
John Reuben - Hindsight C+
Blindside - Silence C+
Pillar - Fireproof C+
Superchic[k] - Last One Picked C+
Plus One - Obvious C
Salvador - Into Motion C
David Crowder Band - Can You Hear Us? C
Denison Marrs - Then Is the New Now C
Bebo Norman - Myself When I Am Real C
Something Corporate - Leaving Through the Window C
Bleach - Again, for the First Time C
Joy Williams - By Surprise C
Margaret Becker, Maire Brennan & Joanne Hogg - In Christ Alone: Celtic Hymns C
Rebecca St. James - worshipGOD C

Dishonorable Mention:
7. Jeremy Camp - Stay C-
6. Delirious? - Touch D+
5. Supertones - Hi-Fi Revival D+
4. Matthew - Everybody Down D+
3. Nine Days - So Happily Unsatisfied D
2. The Donnas - Spend the Night D-
1. Kutless - Kutless F

EPs/Singles/Compilations:
Iona - The River Flows A-
Relient K/Veggietales - The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything Single B-
U2 - The Best of 1999-2000 C+

Digesting:
Pearl Jam - Riot Act

[bloop]

Geez, man.  I'm having a hard enough time keeping up with this year.

From that list, I find myself listening to Vienna Teng, Wilco, and Sigur Ros the most.  Trail of Dead and Flaming Lips keep me coming back as well.

[murlough23]

2001 MUSIC JOURNAL

Top 20:
1. Tool - Lateralus A
2. Incubus - Morning View A-
3. Kevin Max - Stereotype Be A-
4. Over the Rhine - Films for Radio A-
5. The Benjamin Gate - Untitled B+
6. John Mayer - Room for Squares B+
7. Bjork - Vespertine B+
8. Jennifer Knapp - The Way I Am B+
9. P.O.D. - Satellite B
10. ZOEgirl - Life B
11. Delirious? - Audio:Lessonover? B
12. Muse - Origin of Symmetry B
13. Out of the Grey - 6.1 B
14. Corrinne May - Corrinne May B
15. Stabbing Westward - Stabbing Westward B
16. Five Iron Frenzy - Electric Boogaloo B
17. Shaun Groves - Invitation to Eavesdrop B
18. Skillet - Alien Youth B-
19. Tait - Empty B-
20. Relient K - The Anatomy of the Tongue in Cheek B-

Honorable Mention:
21. Jimmy Eat World - Bleed American B-
22. Avalon - Oxygen B-
23. Cindy Morgan - Elementary B-
24. Steve - Falling Down B-
25. Toby Mac - Momentum B-
26. Andrew Peterson - Clear to Venus B-
27. Third Day - Come Together B-
28. Remy Zero - The Golden Hum B-
29. R.E.M. - Reveal B-
30. Steven Curtis Chapman - Declaration B-

The Rest:
LaRue - Transparent B-
Superchic[k] - Karaoke Superstars B-
Train - Drops of Jupiter B-
downhere - downhere B-
Dave Matthews Band - Everyday B-
PfR - Disappear B-
Michelle Branch - The Spirit Room C+
Nicole C. Mullen - Talk About It C+
Katy Hudson - Katy Hudson C+
Cake - Comfort Eagle C+
Creed - Weathered C+
Radiohead - Amnesiac C+
Circadian Rhythm - Over Under Everything C+
Beanbag - welladjusted C+
The Echoing Green - Music from the Ocean Picture C+
Audio Adrenaline - Lift C+
Sarah Masen - The Dreamlife of Angels C+
Kepano Green - Waiting for Daylight C
Paul Alan - Falling Awake C
Bebo Norman - Big Blue Sky C

Dishonorable Mention:
4. Caedmon's Call - In the Company of Angels: A Call to Worship D+
3. Michelle Tumes - Dream D+
2. Aphex Twin - Druqks D
1. SonicFlood - Resonate F+

EPs/Singles/Compilations:
Barenaked Ladies - Disc One: All Their Greatest Hits A
The Juliana Theory - Music from Another Room EP B
dc Talk - Solo EP B-

[murlough23]

2000 MUSIC JOURNAL

Top 20:
1. Iona - Open Sky A+
2. Earthsuit - Kaleidoscope Superior A
3. Delirious? - Glo A-
4. The Juliana Theory - Emotion Is Dead A-
5. Luna Halo - Shimmer B+
6. Andrew Peterson - Carried Along B+
7. Matchbox Twenty - Mad Season B+
8. Switchfoot - Learning to Breathe B+
9. Lifehouse - No Name Face B+
10. Radiohead - Kid A B+
11. Jennifer Knapp - Lay It Down B+
12. Evanescence - Origin B
13. Linkin Park - Hybrid Theory B
14. Coldplay - Parachutes B
15. Rebecca St. James - Transform B
16. Nickel Creek - Nickel Creek B
17. The Normals - Coming to Life B
18. Caedmon's Call - Long Line of Leavers B
19. Pearl Jam - Binaural B
20. John Reuben - Are We There Yet? B
 
Honorable Mention:
21. U2 - All that You Can't Leave Behind B
22. Over the Rhine - Good Dog Bad Dog (Re-release) B
23. Michelle Tumes - Center of My Universe B-
24. Collective Soul - Blender B-
25. Five Iron Frenzy - All the Hype that Money Can Buy B-
26. Polarboy - 4008 B-
27. The Echoing Green - Supernova B-
28. Nine Days - The Madding Crowd B
29. Skillet - Invincible B-
30. Tree63 - Tree63 B-

The Rest:
Nicole C. Mullen - Nicole C. Mullen B-
Michael W. Smith - Freedom B-
Barenaked Ladies - Maroon B-
Rachael Lampa - Live for You B-
Chris Rice - Smell the Color 9 B-
Various Artists - Roaring Lambs B-
No Apples for Adam - No Apples for Adam B-
Salvador - Salvador B-
Smalltown Poets - Third Verse B-
Supertones - Loud and Clear C+
Phil Joel - Watching Over You C+
Jars of Clay - The White Elephant Sessions C+
Nichole Nordeman - This Mystery C+
The New Pornographers - Mass Romantic C+
Jaci Velasquez - Crystal Clear C+
Ceili Rain - Erasers on Pencils C+
Third Day - Offerings: A Worship Album C+
Pax217 - Twoseventeen C+
Lee Ann Womack - I Hope You Dance C+
Relient K - Relient K C
Riley Armstrong - Riley Armstrong C
Rivulets & Violets - Promise C

Dishonorable Mention:
3. Various Artists - City on a Hill: Songs of Worship and Praise C-
2. The Corrs - In Blue F+
1. Plus One - The Promise F-
 
EPs/Singles/Compilations:
dc Talk - Intermission: The Greatest Hits B
Newsboys - Shine: The Hits B-
Various Artists - WoW 2001 D

[bloop]

The Corrs - In Blue F+

LOL.  Well, guys, you failed, but at least you failed at a near-D minus level.

[murlough23]

1999 MUSIC JOURNAL

Top 20:
1. Chasing Furies - With Abandon A+
2. Jars of Clay - If I Left the Zoo A
3. Caedmon's Call - 40 Acres A
4. Five O'Clock People - The Nothing Venture A-
5. Delirious? - Mezzamorphis A-
6. Aleixa - Disfigured B+
7. Third Day - Time B+
8. Plumb - candycoatedwaterdrops B+
9. Pete Stewart - Pete Stewart B+
10. Iona feat. the All Souls Orchestra - Woven Cord Live B+
11. Massivivid - Brightblur B+
12. Weird Al Yankovic - Running with Scissors B+
13. Beanbag - freesignal B+
14. SonicFlood - SonicFlood B
15. Audio Adrenaline - Underdog B
16. Steven Curtis Chapman - Speechless B
17. Collective Soul - Dosage B
18. Sigur Ros - Agaetis Byrjun B
19. Creed - Human Clay B
20. Fono - Goesaroundcomesaround B
 
Honorable Mention:
21. The W's - Trouble with X B
22. All Together Separate - All Together Separate B
23. Vertical Horizon - Everything You Want B-
24. Switchfoot - New Way to Be Human B-
25. The Flaming Lips - The Soft Bulletin B-
26. Newsboys - Love Liberty Disco B-
27. Margaret Becker - What Kind of Love B-
28. Supertones - Chase the Sun B-
29. Jars of Clay - Stringtown (Live) B-
30. The Innocence Mission - Birds of My Neighborhood B-

The Rest:
Incubus - Make Yourself B-
Avalon - In a Different Light B-
Dido - No Angel B-
Various Artists - Listen:Louder C+
The Waiting - Unfazed C+
Michael W. Smith - This Is Your Time C+
Shaded Red - Red Revolution C+
Out of Eden - No Turning Back C+
Kendall Payne - Jordan's Sister C+
Stereo Deluxx - So Clearly C
Chevelle - Point #1 C
Joanne Hogg - Looking into Light C
P.O.D. - The Fundamental Elements of Southtown C

Dishonorable Mention:
5. LaRue - LaRue C-
4. Dixie Chicks - Fly C-
3. Christine Glass - Love and Poverty D+
2. The Juliana Theory - Understand This Is a Dream D+
1. Carolyn Arends - This Much I Understand D-
 
EPs/Singles/Compilations:
No Apples for Adam - Ziphywomper EP B-
Various Artists - WoW 2000 C

[murlough23]

LOL.  Well, guys, you failed, but at least you failed at a near-D minus level.

The + is because I liked "Breathless".

In response to your earlier comment, I figure it would take a lot of work for someone else to go back and do a retroactive journal or even a Top 10 for past years, but I had already written a lot of these reviews, and it was fairly easy for me to sort the CD's I had (or had at least listened to) by release year, grade them, and just order them based on that.

NP: "Said the Sun to the Shine", Earthsuit

[bloop]

Yeah, I really don't think I can even sort out the years without devoting entirely too much time, so I'll just comment/heckle if that's ok.

1999 - hmm - first list you posted here where my #1 album appears nowhere in yours.  (In 2002 it's under "The Rest", 2001 it's #2 or maybe #1 - tough choice, 2000 it's #19)

Actually, nix that.  In 2001 Love and Theft was released, and that album would be my pick.  See, my mind is screwy right now.

[murlough23]

1998 MUSIC JOURNAL

Top 20:
1. dc Talk - Supernatural A+
2. Burlap to Cashmere - Anybody Out There? A
3. Michelle Tumes - Listen A-
4. Rebecca St. James - Pray A-
5. Sarah Masen - Carry Us Through A-
6. Nichole Nordeman - Wide Eyed B+
7. Skillet - Hey You, I Love Your Soul B+
8. Margaret Becker - Falling Forward B+
9. Dave Matthews Band - Before These Crowded Streets B+
10. Newsboys - Step Up to the Microphone B+
11. The Echoing Green - The Echoing Green B+
12. All Star United - International Anthems for the Human Race B+
13. Michael W. Smith - Live the Life B
14. Alanis Morissette - Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie B
15. Jaci Velasquez - Jaci Velasquez B
16. This Train - Mimes of the Old West B
17. Various Artists - Exodus B
18. Cindy Morgan - The Loving Kind B
19. Eric Champion - Natural B-
20. Lloyd - Thoughts from a Driveway B-

Honorable Mention:
21. Human - Out of the Dust B-
22. Plaid - Understanding God B-
23. The W's - Fourth from the Last B-
24. Mukala - Fiction B-
25. Polarboy - Back from Nowhere B-

The Rest:
Silage - Vegas Car Chasers C+
Pearl Jam - Yield C+
Mayfair Laundry - Scrub C+
The Normals - Better than This C+
Delirious? - Cutting Edge C+
Barenaked Ladies - Stunt C
Wilshire - Wilshire C

Dishonorable Mention:
2. 4Him - Obvious D+
1. Bleach - Static D+
 
EPs/Singles/Compliations:
Out of the Grey - Remember This: The Out of the Grey Collection B+
Various Artists - WoW 1999 B
Various Artists - X: The Birthday Album B-
Five Iron Frenzy - Quantity Is Job 1 EP B-
Various Artists - Happy Christmas, Vol. 1 C

[murlough23]

1999 - hmm - first list you posted here where my #1 album appears nowhere in yours.  (In 2002 it's under "The Rest", 2001 it's #2 or maybe #1 - tough choice, 2000 it's #19)

OK, I'll bite. What was your #1 for 1999? (I know Radiohead didn't put anything out that year.)

We're going to match less and less as I get earlier into the 90's because I listened to almost exclusively Christian music back then; anything from outside CCM was something I got into much later. I am, however, trying to grade all of these albums based on what I think of them now.

NP: "This Road", Jars of Clay

[bloop]

Yeah, I'm noticing that.  For just #1 albums, if I were to do one now, it would likely be.

2005 - Illinois, Sufjan Stevens
2004 - Funeral, The Arcade Fire
2003 - Michigan, Sufjan Stevens or maybe Chutes Too Narrow, The Shins
2002 - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, Wilco
2001 - Love and Theft, Bob Dylan
2000 - Kid A, Radiohead
1999 - The Soft Bulletin by The Flaming Lips
1998 - In the Aeroplane Over the Sea, Neutral Milk Hotel
1997 - OK Computer, Radiohead
1996 - Endtroducing, DJ Shadow

I'll have think a bit for the others.

[murlough23]

1997 MUSIC JOURNAL

Top 20:
1. Jars of Clay - Much Afraid A+
2. Caedmon's Call - Caedmon's Call A+
3. U2 - Pop A
4. Iona - Heaven's Bright Sun Live A
5. Radiohead - OK Computer A
6. Jennifer Knapp - Kansas A-
7. All Star United - All Star United A-
8. Sixpence None the Richer - Sixpence None the Richer A-
9. Bjork - Homogenic B+
10. Reality Check - Reality Check B+
11. Sarah Jahn - Sparkle B+
12. Christine Glass - Human B+
13. Seven Day Jesus - Seven Day Jesus B+
14. Third Day - Conspiracy No. 5 B
15. Plumb - Plumb B
16. Switchfoot - The Legend of Chin B
17. Out of the Grey - (see inside) B
18. Incubus - S.C.I.E.N.C.E. B
19. Tony Vincent - One Deed B
20. Dryve - Thrifty Mr. Kickstar B

Honorable Mention:
21. Avalon - A Maze of Grace B
22. Five Iron Frenzy - Our Newest Album Ever! B
23. Fold Zandura - Ultraforever B
24. The Waiting - The Waiting B
25. Delirious? - King of Fools B-
26. Model Engine - The Lean Years Tradition B-
27. Audio Adrenaline - Some Kind of Zombie B-
28. Creed - My Own Prison B-
29. Ceili Rain - Ceili Rain B-
30. Supertones - Supertones Strike Back B-

The Rest:
Grammatrain - Flying B-
Zilch - Platinum B-
Rebecca St. James - Christmas B-
Carolyn Arends - Feel Free B-
Sarah MacLachlan - Surfacing B-
Clay Crosse - Stained Glass B-
Chris Rice - Deep Enough to Dream B-
dc Talk - Welcome to the Freak Show C+
Smalltown Poets - Smalltown Poets C+
Considering Lily - Considering Lily C+
Say-So - Say-So C+
The Electrics - The Electrics C+
Geoff Moore & the Distance - Threads C+

Dishonorable Mention:
2. Miss Angie - 100 Million Eyeballs C-
1. Shania Twain - Come On Over D
 
EPs/Singles/Compliations:
PfR - The Late, Great PfR A-
Various Artists - WoW 1998 C+
Steven Curtis Chapman - Greatest Hits C

[murlough23]

1999 - The Soft Bulletin by The Flaming Lips

I forgot about that one. I've listened to it a bit and think it's on par with Yoshimi, but the only Lips album I'm totally in love with is their recent one, so this one sits outside my Top 20 (just barely) for 1999.

NP: "Castlerigg", Iona

[bloop]

Yeah, we've discussed Bulletin a few times.  Personally, I consider it their very best work.  '99 isn't a very memorable year to me otherwise.

[murlough23]

1996 MUSIC JOURNAL

Top 10:
1. Dave Matthews Band - Crash A
2. Eric Champion - Transformation A-
3. Newsboys - Take Me to Your Leader A-
4. Cindy Morgan - Listen A-
5. The Corrs - Forgiven, Not Forgotten A-
6. Erin O'Donnell - A Scrapbook of Sorts A-
7. Sarah Masen - Sarah Masen A-
8. Rebecca St. James - God A-
9. Third Day - Third Day A-
10. Nouveaux - ...And This Is How I Feel B+

Honorable Mention:
11. PfR - Them B+
12. Pearl Jam - No Code B
13. Phil Keaggy/Wes King/Scott Dente - Invention B
14. 4Him - The Message B
15. Audio Adrenaline - bloOm B-
16. Steven Curtis Chapman - Signs of Life B-
17. Susan Ashton - A Distant Call B-
18. Jaci Velasquez - Heavenly Place B-
19. Skillet - Skillet B-
20. Over the Rhine - Good Dog Bad Dog B-

The Rest:
Church of Rhythm - Not Perfect B-
Out of Eden - More than You Know B-
Code of Ethics - Soulbait C+
Sierra - Devotion C+
Avalon - Avalon C+
Crystal Lewis - Beauty for Ashes C
Michael O'Brien - Conviction C
Anointed - Under the Influence C

Dishonorable Mention:
5. World Wide Message Tribe - We Don't Get What We Deserve C-
4. Lisa Bevill - Love of Heaven C-
3. Bleach - Space D+
2. Point of Grace - Life, Love & Other Mysteries D+
1. Pam Thum - Feel the Healing D
 
EPs/Singles/Compliations:
Rich Mullins - Songs B+
Various Artists - WoW 1997 B
Various Artists - Never Say Dinosaur C+
Various Artists - Vibe:Central Remixes C-

[murlough23]

Yeah, we've discussed Bulletin a few times.  Personally, I consider it their very best work.  '99 isn't a very memorable year to me otherwise.

What, you didn't like If I Left the Zoo?

I think you might stand some chance of enjoying the Chasing Furies album, though at this point it'd be obscure and difficult to track down. Lyrically speaking, it's only about as CCM-ey as, say, The Listening.

[bloop]

I think you might stand some chance of enjoying the Chasing Furies album, though at this point it'd be obscure and difficult to track down. Lyrically speaking, it's only about as CCM-ey as, say, The Listening.

Actually, my local Christian book store is selling it for $5.99 I think.  I don't remember if I listened to the entire album, or just a few tracks, but I remember liking what I heard.

If I Left the Zoo was good as well.  I'm just saying that compared with other years, there isn't much of note that I can actually bring to mind.

[murlough23]

I'm just saying that compared with other years, there isn't much of note that I can actually bring to mind.

That's kind of how 2001 was for me. Some good stuff, but my Top 20 list for that eyar dips farther down into the B-grade stuff, not as many solid "A" albums that I can point to.

I'm done with this for today, but may compile the rest of the 90's earlier. It starts to get frivolous past about 1993, though.

NP: "He's My Son", Mark Schultz

[plvarona]

For comparison's sake, let me throw in a few of mine.  I have my top albums of the year ranked on a spreadsheet, so I can just pull that one up and get the rankings from there.

I first started keeping a Music Journal in 2005, although I'll start with 2002 for now and go backwards.  I can probably post what 2003 and 2004 would have been afterwards.

Phil's 2002 Music Journal

Top 10:
1. Jars of Clay: The Eleventh Hour (A-)
2. Nichole Nordeman: Woven & Spun (A-)
3. Sixpence None The Richer: Divine Discontent (A-)
4. The Pool Boys: My Time Alive (A-)
5. The Normals: A Place Where You Belong (B+)
6. Daily Planet: Hero (B+)
7. Inside The Outside: self-titled (B+)
8. Jeremy Camp: Stay (B+)
9. Duncan Sheik: Daylight (B+)
10. Bleach: Again, For The First Time (B+)

Honorable Mention:
11. The Elms: Truth, Soul, Rock & Roll (B+)
12. Ginny Owens: Something More (B+)
13. Andy Hunter: Exodus (B )
14. Dakota Moon: A Place to Land (B )
15. Bebo Norman: Myself When I Am Real (B )
16. matchbox twenty: More Than You Think You Are (B )
17. Sarah Sadler: self-titled (B )
18. Jason Mraz: Waiting For My Rocket to Come (B )
19. Tree63: The Life and Times of Absolute Truth (B )

Mildly Recommended:
Joy Williams: By Surprise (B-)
Rachael Lampa: Kaleidoscope (C+)
Freddie Colloca: Unconditional (C+)

Nah:
Rebecca St. James: Worship GOD (C )
Jake: Army of Love (C )

[plvarona]

Phil's 2001 Music Journal

Top 10:
1. Shaun Groves: Invitation to Eavesdrop (A-)
2. Jennifer Knapp: The Way I Am (A-)
3. PFR: Disappear (B+)
4. Tait: Empty (B+)
5. Andrew Peterson: Clear to Venus (B+)
6. Kevin Max: Stereotype BE (B+)
7. Michelle Branch: The Spirit Room (B )
8. Bebo Norman: Big Blue Sky (B )
9. LaRue: Transparent (B )
10. The Elms: The Big Surprise (B )

Honorable Mention:
11. Third Day: Come Together (B )
12. downhere: self-titled (B )
13. Avalon: Oxygen (B )
14. Sarah Masen: The Dreamlife of Angels (B )
15. Steven Curtis Chapman: Declaration (B )
16. Relient K: The Anatomy of the Tongue and Cheek (B )

Mildly Recommended:
Paul Alan: Falling Awake (C+)
FFH: Have I Ever Told You? (C+) (Really their only CD I can tolerate nowadays.)

Live CDs:
Big Tent Revival: Live (B )

Obviously, 2001 wasn't too strong of a year in music for me, although I was fortunate to avoid most of the really bad stuff that year.

[plvarona]

Phil's 2000 Music Journal:

Top 10:
1. Andrew Peterson: Carried Along (A-)
2. Switchfoot: Learning to Breathe (A-)
3. Caedmon's Call: Long Line of Leavers (A-)
4. Rebecca St. James: Transform (A-)
5. Nichole Nordeman: This Mystery (A-)
6. Lifehouse: No Name Face (A-)
7. The Normals: Coming To Life (B+)
8. Clear: Follow The Narrow (B+)
9. Jennifer Knapp: Lay It Down (B+)
10. The Jayhawks: Smile (B )

Honorable Mention:
11. John Reuben: Are We There Yet? (B )
12. Jaci Velasquez: Crystal Clear (B )
13. Various Artists: Roaring Lambs (B )
14. Barenaked Ladies: Maroon (B )
15. Five For Fighting: America Town (B )
16. Shawn Mullins: Beneath The Velvet Sun (B )
17. The Pool Boys: Dying to Know Myself (B )
18. Michael W. Smith: Freedom (B )
19. Rachael Lampa: Live For You (B )
20. Smalltown Poets: Third Verse (B )

Mildly Recommended:
U2: All That You Can't Leave Behind (C+)

Nah:
FFH: Found a Place (D+)

[plvarona]

Phil's 1999 Music Journal:

Top 10:
1. Edwin McCain: Messenger (A)
2. Caedmons' Call: 40 Acres (A-)
3. Steven Curtis Chapman: Speechless (A-)
4. Jars of Clay: If I Left the Zoo (A-)
5. Third Day: Time (B+)
6. Avalon: In a Different Light (B+)
7. Switchfoot: New Way to Be Human (B+)
8. Bebo Norman: Ten Thousand Days (B+)
9. The W's: Trouble With X (B+)
10. Santana: Supernatural (B )

Honorable Mention:
11. delirious?: Mezzamorphis (B )
12. Michael W. Smith: This is Your Time (B )
13. Sting: Brand New Day (B )
14. Bob Marley: Chant Down Babylon (B )

Mildly Recommended:
Kendall Payne: Jordan's Sister (B-)
Sonicflood: self-titled (B-)
Collective Soul: Dosage (C+)

Nah:
Vertical Horizon: Everything You Want (C )
Blondie: No Exit (C )
Tara MacLean: Passenger (C-)
FFH: I Want to Be Like You (D)

[plvarona]

Phil's 1998 Music Journal:

Top 10:
1. Nichole Nordeman: Wide Eyed (A)
2. Michael W. Smith: Live The Life (A)
3. Burlap to Cashmere: Anybody Out There? (A-)
4. Clear: self-titled (A-)
5. All Star United: International Anthems For The Human Race (A-)
6. Dakota Moon: self-titled (A-)
7. Lauryn Hill: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (B+)
8. Sixpence None The Richer: self-titled (B+)
9. The Normals: Better Than This (B+)
10. John Mellencamp: self-titled (B )

Honorable Mention:
11. Smalltown Poets: Listen Closely (B )
12. dc Talk: Supernatural (B )
13. The W's: Fourth From The Last (B )
14. The Waiting: Unfazed (B )
15. Newsboys: Step Up to the Microphone (B )
16. Sheryl Crow: The Globe Sessions (B )
17. Barenaked Ladies: Stunt (B )
18. Eric Clapton: Pilgrim (B )

Mildly Recommended:
Various Artists: The Prince of Egypt Soundtrack - Inspirational (B-)
Brian McKnight: Anytime (B-)

Nah:
Dave Matthews Band: Before These Crowded Streets (C )
Natalie Imbruglia: Left of the Middle (C )
Jeni Varnadeau: No Hesitation (C )

Live CDs:
They Might Be Giants: Severe Tire Damage (B )
Kepano Green: Live (B )

It's starting to get a bit late.  I'll post the rest later.

[ajyouthguy]

you guys are wayyyyyyyyyy more organized than i'll ever be on your music.  i've only done the top however many of whatever year the past 3 years, and going back any further would be much more time consuming and brain numbing than i'm willing to do.

[Wildcatblue7]

Since I hardly pay attention to anything recent these days, the fact that you all keep up with all this blows my mind.

[plvarona]

I actually wouldn't be able to do any of this if I didn't keep all of my ratings (sorted by year of release) on a spreadsheet.

Going back to the spreadsheet...

Phil's 1997 Music Journal

Top 10:
1. Jars of Clay: Much Afraid (A)
2. Jennifer Knap: Kansas (A-)
3. Texas: White on Blonde (B+)
4. Amy Grant: Behind The Eyes (B+)
5. Switchfoot: The Legend of Chin (B+)
6. Smalltown Poets: self-titled (B )
7. Caedmon's Call: self-titled (B )
8. Third Day: Conspiracy No. 5 (B )
9. The Waiting: self-titled (B )
10. Sister Hazel: ...Somewhere More Familiar (B )

Honorable Mention:
11. Sarah McLachlan: Surfacing (B )
12. Jon Bon Jovi: Destination Anywhere (B )

Mildly Recommended:
The Jayhawks: Sound of Lies (B-)
10,000 Maniacs: Love Among The Ruins (B-)
Out of the Grey: (see inside) (B-)
Will Smith: Big Willie Style (C+) (It is mindless fun, I'll give it that.)
Billie Myers: Growing, Pains (C+)

Nah:
Seven Day Jesus: self-titled (C )
Various Artists: Batman & Robin Soundtrack (C )
Foo Fighters: The Colour and the Shape (D)
Live: Secret Samadhi (F)

Live CDs, Greatest Hits, etc.
dc Talk: Welcome to the Freak Show (B+)
PFR: The Late, Great PFR (B+)

[plvarona]

Phil's 1996 Music Journal

Top 5:
1. The Wallflowers: Bringing Down The Horse (A-)
2. Steven Curtis Chapman: Signs of Life (A-)
3. Third Day: self-titled (B )
4. Journey: Trial By Fire (B )
5. Jamiroquai: Travelling Without Moving (B )

Others:
Newsboys: Take Me to Your Leader (B )
Various Artists: Music Inspired by Mission: Impossible (B )
Dave Matthews Band: Crash (B-)
Various Artists: NBA at 50 (B-)
Stone Temple Pilots: Tiny Music: Songs From the Vatican Gift Shop (B-)
Matchbox 20: Yourself or Someone Like You (C+)

Live CDs:
Barenaked Ladies: Rock Spectacle (A-)

1996 was really the year my music listening/purchases started to pick up considerably, so it wouldn't really be worth doing Music Journals earlier than that.  This was also the year I started college, and somehow I think those two events are related.

[plvarona]

Actually, I just took another quick look at my spreadsheet and saw I have quite a few notable CDs for 1995, so I might as well do that year.

Phil's 1995 Music Journal

Top 5:
1. Amanda Marshall: self-titled (A-)
2. Jars of Clay: self-titled (A-)
3. No Doubt: Tragic Kingdom (A-)
4. dc Talk: Jesus Freak (A-)
5. Vertical Horizon: Running On Ice (B+)

Honorable Mention:
6. Collective Soul: self-titled (B+)
7. Blessid Union of Souls: Home (B+)
8. Goo Goo Dolls: A Boy Named Goo (B+)
9. Meat Loaf: Welcome to the Neighborhood (B )

Mildly Recommended:
Van Halen: Balance (B-)
Garbage: self-titled (C+)
Various Artists: Batman Forever Soundtrack (C+)

Nah:
Jewel: Pieces of You (C )

[murlough23]

1996 was really the year my music listening/purchases started to pick up considerably, so it wouldn't really be worth doing Music Journals earlier than that.  This was also the year I started college, and somehow I think those two events are related.

Ah, so you were like me, just a year behind. Though I started in high school. But late 1995 (when I started college) and onward show significant improvement... I was compiling my 1995 and 1994 journals late yesterday and I was like, "man, there sure are a lot of C-grade albums on this list that I was excited about back then".

I was surprised that you gave All that You Can't Leave Behind a C. It has its weak spots, but are they really that weak?

[plvarona]

I was surprised that you gave All that You Can't Leave Behind a C. It has its weak spots, but are they really that weak?

Actually, it was more because I just felt "meh" about that whole album for some reason.  First off, I really didn't care for the entire second half of the album.  Then the first half, which supposedly had all the great songs, I thought was good but nothing that I'd consider a favorite of mine.  So while there nothing really hideous on that CD, I just felt lukewarm about it all-around.

[murlough23]

Getting more ridiculous now...

1995 MUSIC JOURNAL

Top 10:
1. dc Talk - Jesus Freak A
2. Iona - Journey into the Morn A
3. Jars of Clay - Jars of Clay A-
4. No Doubt - Tragic Kingdom A-
5. Margaret Becker - Grace B+
6. Cindy Morgan - Under the Waterfall B
7. Bjork - Post B
8. Code of Ethics - Arms Around the World B
9. Tony Vincent - Tony Vincent B
10. Carolyn Arends - I Can Hear You B

Honorable Mention:
11. Sixpence None the Richer - This Beautiful Mess B-
12. Geoff Moore & the Distance - Home Run B-
13. Out of the Grey - Gravity B-
14. Chris Eaton - Wonderful World B-
15. Nouveaux - Beginnings B-
16. Ashley Cleveland - Lesson of Love B-
17. Phil Keaggy - True Believer B-
18. Michael W. Smith - I'll Lead You Home B-
19. Clay Crosse - Time to Believe B-

The Rest:
Radiohead - The Bends C+
Alanis Morissette - Jagged Little Pill C+
East to West - North of the Sky C+
Church of Rhythm - Church of Rhythm C+
John Elefante - Windows of Heaven C+
Christafari - Soulfire C+
Anointed - The Call C+
Michael Sweet - Real C+
Tamplin - In the Witness Box C+
Charlie Peacock - Everything that's on My Mind C+
Phillips, Craig & Dean - Trust C
Rich Mullins - Brother's Keeper C
Michael O'Brien - Michael O'Brien C
Imagine This - Love C
Various Artists - My Utmost for His Highest C

Dishonorable Mention:
3. Point of Grace - The Whole Truth C-
2. John Schlitt - Shake D+
1. Big Tent Revival - Big Tent Revival D

Compilations/EPs/Singles:
Jars of Clay - Drummer Boy EP B-
Various Artists - WoW 1996 C

[murlough23]

And even more ludicrous...

1994 MUSIC JOURNAL

Top 10:
1. Eric Champion - Vertical Reality A-
2. Dave Matthews Band - Under the Table and Dreaming B+
3. Out of the Grey - Diamond Days B+
4. Lisa Bevill - All Because of You B+
5. Newsboys - Going Public B
6. Jeff Buckley - Grace
7. Susan Ashton/Margaret Becker/Christine Dente - Along the Road B
8. Tamplin - Tamplin B
9. PfR - Great Lengths B
10. Sixpence None the Richer - The Fatherless and the Widow B

Honorable Mention:
11. Out of Eden - Lovin' the Day B-
12. The Kry - You B-
13. Take 6 - Join the Band B-
14. Twila Paris - Beyond a Dream B-
15. Michael Sweet - Michael Sweet B-
16. Steven Curtis Chapman - Heaven in the Real World B-
17. The Basics - Haven Road B-
18. David Mullen - David Mullen B-
19. Blues Traveler - Four B-
20. 4Him - The Ride B-

The Rest:
Sierra - Sierra B-
Ron Kenoly - God Is Able B-
Guardian - Swing, Swang, Swung C+
DeGarmo & Key - To Extremes C+
Rebecca St. James - Rebecca St. James C+
Amy Grant - House of Love C+
Pearl Jam - Vitalogy C
Bryan Duncan - Slow Revival C
Dakoda Motor Co. - Welcome Race Fans C
Whitecross - Unveiled C

Dishonorable Mention:
7. Whiteheart - Highlands C-
6. Ray Boltz - Allegiance C-
5. Greg Long - Cross My Heart C-
4. Kathy Troccoli - KathyTroccoli C-
3. Bob Carlisle - The Hope of a Man D+
2. David Robertson - Soul Embrace D
1. Steve Green - Where Mercy Begins D

Compilations/EPs/Singles:
Steve Green - People Need the Lord D+

[murlough23]

1993 MUSIC JOURNAL

Top 10:
1. Iona - Beyond These Shores A+
2. Steve Taylor - Squint A
3. PfR - Goldie's Last Day A-
4. Rich Mullins - A Liturgy, a Legacy, and a Ragamuffin Band A-
5. Margaret Becker - Soul B+
6. Bjork - Debut B
7. Pearl Jam - Vs. B
8. Pam Thum - Pam Thum B
9. Billy Sprague - The Wind & the Wave B
10. Bryan Duncan - Mercy B

Honorable Mention:
11. U2 - Zooropa B-
12. Out of the Grey - The Shape of Grace B-
13. Susan Ashton - Susan Ashton B-
14. DeGarmo & Key - Heat.It.Up. B-
15. East to West - East to West B-

The Rest:
Geoff Moore & the Distance - Evolution C+
Clay Crosse - My Place Is with You C+
Audio Adrenaline - Don't Censor Me C+
Straight Company - So Excited C+
Al Denson - Reasons C
David Meece - Once in a Lifetime C
Angelo & Veronica - A&V C
Glad - Acapella Hymns C

Dishonorable Mention:
4. Point of Grace - Point of Grace D+
3. Dallas Holm - Completely Taken In D
2. Jerry Williams & Harvest - Mighty River D
1. Carman - The Standard D-

Compilations/EPs/Singles:
Michael W. Smith - The First Decade 1983-1993 B

[murlough23]

Obviously I didn't listen to very much that was released this year!

1992 MUSIC JOURNAL

Top 5:
1. Iona - The Book of Kells B
2. dc Talk - Free at Last B-
3. Newsboys - Not Ashamed B-
4. PfR - Pray for Rain B-
5. Extreme - III Sides to Every Story B-

The Rest:
Michael W. Smith - Change Your World B-
4Him - The Basics of Life C+

[murlough23]

OK, this is as far back as I go.

1991 MUSIC JOURNAL

Top 4:
1. Out of the Grey - Out of the Grey A
2. U2 - Achtung Baby A
3. Pearl Jam - Ten A-
4. Amy Grant - Heart in Motion B
5. Charlie Peacock - Love Life B-

[bloop]

To continue, #1 albums.  Perhaps I'll add some other notables later.  All listed here would get at least a 9.0 (A) on my current scale.

1995 - Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, The Smashing Pumpkins
1994 - tough choice.  I'll go with Illmatic, Nas, just to break up the alternative thing a bit.
1993 - Siamese Dream, The Smashing Pumpkins
1992 - Selected Ambient Works, Aphex Twin
1991 - Achtung Baby, U2

[murlough23]

1991 - Achtung Baby, U2

Yay, we share an early favorite. That's not my #1 for that year, but only because of the production values. The songwriting and performance are off the chart.

Of course, that album has about as close to universal acclaim as an album can get, so I'm not surprised to see it on your list.

NP: "Second Chance", Justis Kao

[bloop]

I have precisely zero problems with the production.  It's an all-time classic, IMO (as you noted, it's not an opinion that is unique to me), but it does have some stiff competition in that year that deserves more discussion.  I think I'll do that next.

Metacritic doesn't go that far back, but I think the music I chose is generally critically-acclaimed, at least in the indie niche, but more often beyond that.

[murlough23]

Metacritic doesn't go that far back, but I think the music I chose is generally critically-acclaimed, at least in the indie niche, but more often beyond that.

I have my sentimental favorites, mostly from those years. If I had the time to backtrack and really devote a listening ear to some of that critically acclaimed stuff, my lists from pre-2000 would probably change significantly.

NP: "Lost You", Justis Kao

[plvarona]

I'll just go ahead and merge all my early-'90's Music Journals into one entry here.

1994:

Top 5:
1. Seal: self-titled (A)
2. Dream Theater: Awake (A-)
3. PFR: Great Lengths (A-)
4. Pink Floyd: The Division Bell (A-)
5. Blues Traveler: Four (A-)

Others:
R.E.M.: Monster (B )
Dave Matthews Band: Under The Table and Dreaming (B )
Live: Throwing Copper (C )

1993:

Top 3:
1. Billy Joel: The River of Dreams (A-)
2. U2: Zooropa (B+)
3. Various Artists: Reality Bites Soundtrack (B )

Others:
Meat Loaf: Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into Hell (B-)
Melissa Etheridge: Yes, I Am (C+)
Pearl Jam: Vs. (C+)

1992:

Top 3:
1. Dream Theater: Images & Words (A-)
2. Eric Clapton: Unplugged (B+)
3. R.E.M.: Automatic For The People (B )

Other:
Vertical Horizon: There and Back Again (C )

1991:

Top 3:
1. U2: Achtung Baby (A-)
2. Amy Grant: Heart in Motion (B )
3. Van Halen: For ... (B )

Other:
Pearl Jam: Ten (B )