Music

Though some smart people will argue otherwise, 2004 was another great year for, if nothing else on earth, recorded music—at least if that means nonstop quantities of sustaining entertainment of most every conceivable stripe, impossible to keep up with but a joy to try. Any other definition would be academic. I've said it for the past few years, but it bears repeating: More music means more good music as well as bad music. And repackaged auld acquaintances count too.

THE LEAVING TRAINS
Amplified Pillows
(Steel Cage live garage-punk album)
Preview album (Flash Stream)

THE MICE
For Almost Ever Scooter
(Scat '80s powerpop-punk reissue)
"Not Proud Of The USA" (MP3)
"More Than I Can Talk About" (MP3)
"Guarding You" (MP3)
"Public Television" (MP3)

MISSISSIPPI SHEIKS
Honey Babe Let the Deal Go Down: The Best of the Mississippi Sheiks
(Columbia/Legacy '30s string-band blues reissue)
"Still I'm Traveling On" (Real)
"Please Don't Wake It Up" (Real)
"Stop And Listen Blues #2" (Real)

MF DOOM
Mm . . Food
(Rhymesayers Entertainment gourmet hip-hop album)
"Hoe Cakes" (Real)
"Potholderz" (Real)

NOFX
The Greatest Songs Ever Written by Us
(Epitaph '80s-'00s anti-imperialist ska-punk reissue)
Preview Album (Flash Stream)

PLACEBO
Once More With Feeling: Singles 1996-2004
(Astralwerks glam-swishing Britpop reissue)
Preview Album (Flash Stream)

PLAN B FOR THE TYPE A'S
"Toxic"
(Riot-grrrls-covering-Britney single)
planbforthetypeas.com/music.htm
"Toxic" (MP3)

RAPIDER THAN HORSEPOWER
This Is My Big Night
(S.A. post-punk album)
"Autumn Season" (MP3)
"Dance With Me" (MP3)
"Sha-Bang" (MP3)

SHAWNNA
Worth tha Weight
(Def Jam hip-hop album)
Preview Album (Flash Stream)

THE TURTLES
Happy Together: The Very Best Of
(Shout! Factory '60s pop-rock reissue)
"Happy Together" (WMA)
"Happy Together" (MOV)
"It Ain't Me Babe" (WMA)
"It Ain't Me Babe" (MOV)
"Eve Of Destruction" (WMA)
"Eve Of Destruction" (MOV)

Studio One Disco Mix
(Soul Jazz import '70s-'80s extended-mix reggae compilation)
"Willie Williams - Armegideon Time" (MP3)
"Norma White - I Want Your Love" (MP3)