Signs of Life 2004

Figuring out how Mavis Staples stacks up next to Modest Mouse or whether a solid offering from Patty Griffin beats out what might be Paul Westerberg’s best—it’s all a little like comparing Larry Bird to Walter Payton. But that’s just what we do every year with Paste’s “Signs of Life.” The following CDs prove once again that despite the best efforts of Clear Channel and MTV to hide it, good music is alive and well…

Top 20 Signs of Life in 2004

1. U2 - How to Dismantle An Atomic Bomb

2. Ron Sexsmith - Retriever

3. Tom Waits - Real Gone

4. Wilco - A Ghost Is Born

5. Rilo Kiley - More Adventurous

6. Patty Griffin - Impossible Dream

7. Björk - Medúlla

8. Buddy Miller - Universal United House of Prayer

9. Paul Westerberg - Folker

10. Loretta Lynn - Van Lear Rose

11. Mindy Smith - One Moment More

12. Ray LaMontagne - Trouble

13. Midlake - Bamnan & Slivercork

14. Mavis Staples - Have A Little Faith

15. Earlimart - Treble & Tremble

16. Modest Mouse - Good News For People Who Love Bad News

17. Jolie Holland - Escondida

18. The Polyphonic Spree - Together We're Heavy

19. Iron & Wine - Our Endless Numbered Days

20. Sam Roberts - We Were Born In A Flame