Album Review: Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!! (2/5)

Earlier in the year after having reviewed Hot Chip's latest album, I remarked that I needed to learn the lesson that I don't care for nerdy indie/electronica. Apparently, another lesson I need to learn is that I don't care for older guy storyteller rock. Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!! has received almost universal acclaim, but it just doesn't do it for me. The appeal would seem to be in the stories being told, but as I've said before, I'm rarely interested in the lyrics; I'm more about good melody and hooks, and there aren't a lot here.

Nick Cave does have an interesting voice, deep and powerful. It's too bad he doesn't use it more. Many of the vocals are delivered as spoken-word or a sort of barely sung manner, often rather maniacally so, such as in the title track, which concerns Jesus having resurrected Lazarus, only to find "Larry" rather pissed off to no longer be dead. This track is fairly MOR for this album--other tracks are more upbeat, others less so.

"Moonland" has a nice, laid back vibe and prominent bass. "Lie Down Here (and Be My Girl)" has more melody to it than most tracks, including driving guitars and a piano riff. "More News from Nowhere," the album's last track, is quite long (almost 8 minutes), but it's pretty decent too, with a plodding, bass-driven melody. Otherwise, I'm taking a pass.

Best: Dig Lazarus Dig, Lie Down Here (and Be My Girl), More News from Nowhere

Essential Albums of the Decade: 20 Acclaimed Albums That Just Don't Do It for Me

Awhile ago put together a list of the "music snobs'" favorite albums of the decade, the ones I suspect you'll be seeing again and again on the music pubs' best of lists (so far, it's proving pretty accurate). Some of those albums I really do like, while others I just don't care for, but at least I've tried to give them a chance.

Here then are 20 albums from the 2000s that I know received a lot of acclaim, but that I just didn't get into:

Steely Dan - Two Against Nature (2000). This was the first album of the decade to win the Grammy for Album of the Year. It's an interesting listen, an experimental blend of rock and jazz, which I guess is what Steely Dan did in its heyday (it was before my time). Along with Ray Charles and Herbie Hancock, these were the albums of artists way past their creative peaks that Grammy chose to honor with their highest award this decade. Never underestimate the nostalgia factor at the Grammys.

Eminem - The Marshall Mathers LP (2000) and The Eminem Show (2002). I panned Eminem's latest album this year. Earlier this decade he was a potent force in rap, crossing over to pop audiences with hits like "Stan" and "Lose Yourself." These were his best albums, but they still don't really get me excited.

U2 - All that You Can't Leave Behind (2000) and How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (2004). U2 is one of those bands that I follow because they are really popular, but I can't say that I'm really passionate about them, unlike some people. No Line on the Horizon was actually the first time I bought a U2 album, listened to it closely, and really enjoyed it from the get go. These two other albums were bigger hits, and generated more acclaim (Grammy AOTY nods for both and a win for Bomb).

Jay-Z - The Blueprint (2001). I'm not a rap fan, but I listened to this album since it's appearing on a lot of best of the decade lists. I see it's appeal, and I like the old school feel to many of these songs, but it's not something I would find myself listening to a lot.

Bruce Springsteen - The Rising (2002) and Magic (2006). Both of these albums received a great deal of acclaim, and Bruce Springsteen has become such an icon of rock. I think maybe I'm too young to really get Bruce Springsteen though. Of the two, I prefer Magic, but neither is the transcendent rock music experience for me others claim they are.

Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (2002). Wilco's experimental fourth album was the one that made the band a fairly big name. I need to listen to this album more though to really appreciate it; so far, I like it, but I don't love it, unlike their 2007 album, Sky Blue Sky, which I really enjoy.

Outkast - Speakerboxx/The Love Below (2003). "Hey Ya" is wonderful, "The Way You Move" is pretty good, "Roses" is okay, after those hits though, I never could get into this.


Ray Charles and Friends - Genius Loves Company (2004). This is the least interesting of the albums that won the Album of the Year Grammy Award this decade. Released just after Ray Charles' death in the summer of 2004, it had a major nostalgia factor going for it. Plus guest appearances from a host of Grammy's favorites: Bonnie Raitt, Norah Jones, James Taylor, Natalie Cole, and Diana Krall. Sometimes I put this on if I want something classy and mellow, but I really don't see how this is such a great album.

Kanye West - The College Dropout (2004). Kanye West is one of the few rappers that I really enjoy--several of his albums will appear in my top 100 of the decade. However this one, his first, which seems to generally rank the highest on other decade lists, is my least favorite. Compared to his others, it has the least pop appeal--no Daft Punk or Shirley Bassey samples.

The Arcade Fire - Funeral (2004). I liked their second album a lot, yet music critics seem to prefer their first album, which I don't care for as much. Quite honestly, I find it a little too "precious" at times, particularly the first song, with its beautifully composed yet terribly recorded (intentionally I'm sure) piano and guitar. "Power Out" I do quite like though.

Bright Eyes - I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning (2005). This is acoustic, folksy, singer-songwriter stuff. Conor Oberst isn't a very compelling singer, whose delivery sounds someplace between actual singing and just talking. I don't find the melodies particularly interesting either, and the only song that has any tempo to it is "Another Travelin' Song."

Sufjan Stevens - Come on Feel the Illinoise (2005). Over an hour long and spread over 22 tracks, Illinoise is an epic album inspired by the history of Illinois, the second in a planned series of albums for every state (at this rate though, he'll be long dead before he could over to complete such a task). It's often quite lovely, such as the tender ballad "John Wayne Gacy, Jr." Good, but not a favorite.

LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver (2007). This album is hard to wrap your head around, composed of long, mostly electronic and highly repetitive songs. The more I listen to it, the more I like it, but its extreme repetition makes it hard to just sit and listen to. Works better in the background for me.

Vampire Weekend (2008). Music critics were just going gaga over them, but I just couldn't get into them. I was annoyed at the purposeful lack of substance in their lyrics.


Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!! (2008). I filed this under "guy storyteller rock" when I reviewed it last year and expressed disappointment over Cave's lack of singing, since he does have a cool voice.

TV on the Radio - Dear Science, (2008). Both this and TV on the Radio's previous album, Return to Cookie Mountain, achieved a great deal of acclaim from notable rock pubs (Spin named both the top album of the year in 2006 and 2008).

Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion (2009). A big critical favorite this year that I found to be just okay, but not awe-inspiring. Listening to it put me in lovely lo-fi layering overload.

Q names Kings of Leon best of '08

Q Magazine has named their annual 50 best albums of 2008. Kings of Leon topped the list with Only By the Night, a bit of a surprise. The band appeared on last year's list at #7 with Because of the Times. Here's a look at the top 10:
01. Kings Of Leon - Only By The Night.
02. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes. This would appear to be the album I missed this year. I'll have to check it out in the next few weeks.

03. Coldplay - Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends. No surprise to see Coldplay faring prominently, although this is actually the first time they haven't topped the list outright. Parachutes and A Rush of Blood to the Head won the "reader's choice" in 2000 and 2002 (before they started the ranked list in 2003) and X&Y was #1 in 2005.

04. Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend. I know this album has its fans, but I didn't care for it. Overrated, didn't like it, but I know others did.

05. Glasvegas - Glasvegas. This is a great album, deserves to be here.

06. Duffy - Rockferry. I'm very happy to see Duffy made it into the top 10. Fantastic pop album.

07. TV On The Radio - Dear Science. This is okay. I think this was the only album Q gave 5 stars to this year (although, shouldn't it be #1 then?)

08. Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid. The Mercury Prize winner. Pretty good album. It will probably land on my top 25 of the year list, but not in the top 10.

09. The Raconteurs - Consolers Of The Lonely. Good album, although I didn't listen to it much after I reviewed it.

10. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!! I really didn't like this album, but again, I know the critics loved it, so I'm not surprised to see it here.

Other highlights on the list:

12. Keane - Perfect Symmetry. Q didn't place them as high as in 2004 with Hopes and Fears (#2) or in 2006 with Under the Iron Sea (#6). Still, #12 is awfully generous, given that I thought this album, while good, was not as good as their others, and its singles' chart prospects have been disastrous.
13. MGMT - Oracular Spectacular. Nice to see them here. They had a great breakthrough year.
14. Kaiser Chiefs - Off with Their Heads. This was a great album that seems to be escaping the attention of the public. They were #13 last year with Yours Truly Angry Mob and #3 in 2005 with Employment.
22. The Killers - Day & Age. First time The Killers landed outside the top 10. Interesting. I haven't passed judgement on this album yet (will be soon).

24. The Last Shadow Puppets - The Age of the Understatement. I'd have thought this would have been in the top 10. Arctic Monkeys had the #1 album of 2006 and #3 of 2007.
32. Oasis - Dig Out Your Soul. This is rather low too. I thought Dig Out Your Souls was really good. Don't Beleive the Truth was #4 in 2005.

50. Dido - Safe Trip Home. Safe Trip Home makes the list but Life for Rent didn't in 2003? C'mon.

Magazines Year End Lists

The year-end lists of many music magazines are out. I posted Q's list earlier this week, which most closely aligns to my own taste. Here's a whole bunch of other magazines' takes.

Rolling Stone:

1. TV on the Radio - Dear Science,
2. Bob Dylan - Tell Tale Signs - The Bootleg Series Vol. 8
3. Lil Wayne - Tha Carter III
4. My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges
5. John Mellencamp - Life, Death, Love & Freedom
6. Santogold
7. Coldplay - Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends
8. Beck - Modern Guilt
9. Metallica - Death Magnetic
10. Vampire Weekend

Here's a tell tale sign for ya Bob: no new albums released this year got a 5-star rating in Rolling Stone. I'm not very excited by this year's list. My only favorite here is Coldplay, and the others I reviewed--TV on the Radio, My Morning Jacket and Vampire Weekend--were so-so.

NME:

1. MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
2. TV on the Radio - Dear Science
3. Glasvegas
4. Vampire Weekend
5. Foals - Antidotes
6. Metronomy - Nights Out
7. Santogold
8. Mystery Jets - 21
9. Kings of Leon - Only By the Night
10. Friendly Fires

This is a little better--nice to see MGMT and Glasvegas do so well. Friendly Fires is an interesting choice. I haven't listened to their full album, but I do like the song "Paris" quite a bit. It's interesting how much British pubs like Kings of Leon--an American act that gets little attention in the US.

Blender:

1. Lil Wayne - Tha Carter III
2. Girl Talk - Feed the Animals
3. TV on the Radio - Dear Science
4. Metallica - Death Magnetic
5. Hot Chip - Made in the Dark
6. Robyn
7. Of Montreal - Skelatal Lamping
8. Randy Newman - Harps and Angels
9. Vampire Weekend
10. Fall Out Boy - Folie a Deux

I guess everyone liked TV on the Radio and Vampire Weekend but me. Nice to see Robyn get some recognition, albeit for an album that actually came out 3 years ago. Randy Newman?

Spin:

1. TV on the Radio - Dear Science
2. Lil Wayne - Tha Carter III
3. Portishead - Third
4. Fucked Up - The Chemistry of Common Life
5. Fleet Foxes
6. Santogold
7. Deerhunter - Microcastle
8. Hot Chip - Made in the Dark
9. Coldplay - Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends
10. MGMT - Oracular Spectacular

I'd like to give Spin thanks for including Duffy at #24 and for not including Vampire Weekend in their top 10. TV on the Radio is clearly the best album of the year according to music magazines. Perhaps I should give Santogold a spin--she showed up on a lot of these lists.

Uncut Magazine:

1 Portishead - Third
2 Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes
3 TV On The Radio - Dear Science
4 Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
5 Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
6 Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid
7 Neon Neon - Stainless Style
8 Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Dig!!! Lazarus, Dig!!!
9 Kings Of Leon - Only By The Night
10 Paul Weller - 22 Dreams

More TVOTR and Vampire Weekend. Neon Neon?

Best Albums of 2008

I reviewed an even 50 new albums this year. Here are my 25 favorites, plus other recommendations, others I reviewed, and the 5 worst. Click on the title to read my original review; click on the album cover to link to an on-line store where you can buy the album.

1. Duffy - Rockferry
Once again, my favorite album of the year is by a female British singer. Rockferry came out early in the year, and I loved it all year long. Duffy's soulful, '60s-tinged pop was like the tonic to Amy Winehouse's gin. "Mercy" was the standout track, but her affecting ballads like "Warwick Avenue" and "Stepping Stone" were almost as unforgettable. What I said: "a gorgeous and swinging piece of retro pop." Essential track: Mercy

2. Madonna - Hard Candy
Madonna and Timbaland and Pharrell could have been a disaster, or at least just a retread of Nelly Furtado's Loose. Thankfully, it turned out to be a lot of fun, imbuing Madonna's sound with a contemporary freshness missing from Confessions on a Dancefloor. It's the year's best dance pop album. What I said: "double entendres, naughty lyrics, and delicious hooks permeate throughout." Essential track: 4 Minutes

3. Black Kids - Partie Traumatic
The new class of alternative/indie/'80s-worshiping pop/rock acts churned out a lot of great moments this year. Taking the cake are this Floridian band's upbeat, fun-loving debut. There were a lot of '80s-aping discs released this year, and none were better than this. Like Duffy's Rockferry, this was produced by Bernard Butler, two very different but both brilliant albums. What I said: "this is joyful, upbeat modern pop music, perfectly timed for summer." Essential track: Hurricane Jane

4. Coldplay - Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends
Coldplay continued to prove why they are the world's greatest rock band this decade. Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends saw the band stretch their safety zone more than on previous albums, most notably in restraining their stadium rock pretensions. What I said: "Coldplay delivers the sort of lovely pop/rock we've come to expect from them tweaked with little surprises here and there." Essential track: Viva la Vida

5. Oasis - Dig Out Your Soul
I know I'm late to the party, but this was the year I finally became an Oasis fan. While not a popular choice, I loved Dig Out Your Soul. It's the kind of (at this point) old school rock album that's hard to hate from rockers like "The Shock of the Lightning" to gentle piano ballad "I'm Outta Time." What I said: "There are a few ballads here, but most of the songs are charging rock numbers that retain a mostly standard simple formula." Essential track: I'm Outta Time

6. Will Young - Let It Go
Breaking up is hard to do, but it makes great music. Will's breakup album--and Pink's divorce album further down my list--finds the young artist doing his most personal work yet, ever much as tuneful as everything he's given us before. What I said: "a brilliant exercise in retro soul-drenched modern pop that is at times uplifting, at time sad, and genuinely affecting." Essential track: You Don't Know

7. Kanye West - 808s & Heartbreak
This was the year's biggest surprise. The decade's biggest hip-hop artist, who just last year released the acclaimed Graduation, abandoned rap and started singing the blues (the breakup blues yet again), albeit blues drenched in electronic synths and manufactured Roland 808 beats. What I said: "The sad songs are quite lovely and feel genuine; the few upbeat numbers, especially 'Paranoid,' are a lot of fun." Essential track: Paranoid

8. Beyoncé - I Am ... Sasha Fierce
The world's biggest female pop artist released her third hit album. Look past the silly alternate identity and double-album marketing ploys and you'll find Beyoncé's best collection yet, a remarkable blend of high-class ballads and upbeat fluff. What I said: "She sounds as good belting out 'If I Were a Boy' as she does on the lightly breathy 'Disappear,' the soaring 'Ave Maria,' and the restrained 'Satellites.'" Essential track: If I Were a Boy

9. Kaiser Chiefs - Off with Their Heads
The British rock band brought in big-name Amy Winehouse producer Mark Ronson for their third album, who helped steer this upbeat set in a less serious direction than last year's, Yours Truly Angry Mob. What I said: "There's a pleasing amount of warmth to this album, particularly from the rich strings arrangement of 'Like It Too Much' and the acoustic guitar melody of 'Remember You're a Girl.'" Essential track: Never Miss a Beat

10. Glasvegas
This Glaswegian band's debut was a good counterpoint to the Mancunian party scene overworked by Arctic Monkeys. They exude a similarly raw and youthful sound, but use their music to tell meaningful stories about social problems. What I said: "The band's earnestness sets it apart from the popular pack of current indie rockers (as does having a female drummer, Caroline McKay)." Essential track: Daddy's Gone

11. The Last Shadow Puppets - The Age of the Understatement
Speaking of Arctic Monkeys, lead singer Alex Turner's side project (with Rascals member Alex Kane) blended the gritty rock of the 'Monkeys with '60s pop influences. A nice stopgap before the band's next album. What I said: "'Like taking the Arctic Monkeys and parading them through Amy Winehouse and Duffy's recording studios, with a little dose of John Barry for inspiration." Essential track: Standing Next to Me

12. Estelle - Shine
With guidance from John Legend and a turn in American recording studios, Estelle's second album was an upbeat, soulful mix of old and new sounds that snagged her a Mercury Prize nomination. And it's big single--the Kanye West collaboration "American Boy" made her an international star. What I said: "Old school-flavored modern soul is what a lot of this album has on its mind." Essential track: American Boy

13. Take That - The Circus
While the sea of recent pop group reunions have seen many acts appear past their prime, Take That have proved they're still at the top of their game. This surprisingly good second album from the Take That reboot (their fifth overall) showed more range and better songs than their last, Beautiful World; a great mix of pop songs from the understated title track to the top-tapping "How Did It Come to This?" What I said: "The Circus proves that Take That's reunion isn't a novelty or quick cash grab, but the real deal." Essential Track: The Circus

14. Pink - Funhouse
After a commercial misstep with her third album, Pink has made a remarkable comeback that started with "U + Ur Hand" and continued this year with the international #1 hit "So What." The album is no less disappointing than that great single--a biting yet also vulnerable mix of emotions in the wake of her recent divorce. What I said: "(the 'So What') antics are a foil for the darker side Pink sometimes unveils throughout this 12-song set that chronicles her recent divorce from Carey Hart." Essential track: So What

15. MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
Just a few of years ago Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden were cocky college kids playing gigs at Wesleyan University. Then they had an EP and toured with Of Montreal. Now they are have NME's best album of 2008. That's quite a rise, but with a confident debut album as good as this, the best may be yet to come. What I said: "a modern, poppy set that shows its '70s and '80s influences on its sleeve." Essential track: Kids

16. The Killers - Day & Age
After the Springsteen-esque Americana of last album Sam's Town, The Killers returned to the less serious new wave sound that made them a hit with Hot Fuss, even expanding their musical palette to include world music-type sounds. This time with dance producer Stuart Price on board, the band delivered a third solid album. What I said: "The first three songs are instantly likeable--the rest of the album had to grow on me, but thankfully it has." Essential track: Spaceman

17. Mariah Carey - E=MC²
As its title implies, Mariah Carey's 10th album adheres closely to the formula of her last album, The Emancipation of Mimi, which brought her back to the spotlight after two albums that found her career in decline. E=MC² didn't land the singer as many hits as Mimi, but I actually prefer this album's more modern and upbeat sound. What I said: "E=MC² is a soundtrack for driving in the sun and going out with friends, despite some of its surprisingly personal more serious moments." Essential track: Migrate

18. Ne-Yo - Year of the Gentleman
Over the last few years, singer/songwriter/producer Ne-Yo has been steadily securing his status as one of the most influential rising stars of pop and R&B. This year he released his most accomplished album yet and landed a Grammy Album of the Year nomination for it. His winning mix of pop, R&B, and dance sounds, as well as his message about treating women as equals rather than sex objects, made him stand out. What I said: "he's the whole package." Essential track: Miss Independent

19. Adele - 19
British singer Adele Adkins got about as good a launch this year as a singer could hope for, being named the BBC Sounds of 2008 top new artist, getting strong promotion in both the UK and the US, and starting off with an amazing hit single, "Chasing Pavements." What I said: "19 is a soulful creation, showcasing Adele's powerful voice. It's not a magnum opus--most of the songs are about a young woman pining after boys--but why should it be?" Essential track: Chasing Pavements

20. The Raconteurs - Consolers of the Lonely
Jack White sound best when he's jamming with ex-wife/sometimes sister Meg in The White Stripes, but this second album with his other band wasn't bad. It actually sounds a lot like a White Stripes album but with more instruments and a greater classic rock influence. What I said: "It's strength is its simplicity, built on great rhythms, guitar riffs and rock strut." Essential track: Consoler of the Lonely

21. Goldfrapp - Seventh Tree
Goldfrapp's fourth album toned down the sexy electro-pop of their last two albums. As such, it has more in common with atmospheric Felt Mountain than stompers Black Cherry or Supernature. It's also a step down from those fantastic two albums, but still pretty good. What I said: "First track 'Clowns' and first single 'A&E' are perhaps the two loveliest songs Goldfrapp has ever crafted." Essential track: Clowns

22. Keane - Perfect Symmetry
Also taking a step down from their previous albums but still good enough to land in my top 25 is the third album from Keane. Credit the band for breaking out of their piano-based rock comfort zone to incorporate guitar and new wave. Just too bad the melodies weren't as strong this time. What I said: "Despite their experimentation, which I applaud, much of this feels very familiar without being as interesting as what they've done before." Essential track: Spiralling

23. The Ting Tings - We Started Nothing
There's nothing wrong with making upbeat fluffy pop/rock as long as it's done well. Not everyone's cut out to be U2, but just because an album may lack substance doesn't mean it can't exude melody, charm and fun, which The Ting Tings did quite successfully on their debut disc. What I said: "This isn't a serious work and it's not meant to be. The Ting Tings are clearly having a good time and so are we." Essential track: Shut Up and Let Me Go

24. Foxboro Hottubs - Stop Drop and Roll!!!
Green Day took a break from being Green Day, masquerading as the Foxboro Hottubs to deliver a quick and dirty set of fun jams far away from the social commentary of their epic 2004 award-winning album American Idiot. Like many of the year's best albums, the '60s and '70s were strong influences. What I said: "None of this is very substantive, but that's the point. It's just short, enjoyable bursts of '60s-flavored rock." Essential track: Mother Mary

25. Sheryl Crow - Detours
I associate this rather impressive and personal set from Sheryl Crow with a day last February when one weekend day I walked the two miles home from downtown through a cold but sunny DC winter's day. It was the perfect backdrop. What I said: "Sheryl draws on these life-changing events (her divorce, cancer and son's adoption) to give Detours a particularly personal depth, but she turns to the outside world too to give it political depth as well, touching on the war, the environment and our thirst for oil." Essential track: Shine Over Babylon


Also Recommended:
British Sea Power - Do You Like Rock Music?
Girls Aloud - Out of Control
Delta Goodrem - Delta
Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid
Nine Inch Nails - The Slip
The Script
Sugababes - Catfights and Spotlights

Also Reviewed:
Dido - Safe Trip Home
Hot Chip - Made in the Dark
Ladytron - Velocifero
Mêlée - Devils & Angels
Moby - Last Night
My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges
Neon Neon - Stainless Style
R.E.M. - Accelerate
Sia - Some People Have Real Problems
Solange - Sol-Angel & the Hadley St. Dreams
Sam Sparro
Britney Spears - Circus
TV on the Radio - Dear Science,


Five worst of the year:

Snow Patrol - A Hundred Million Suns Snow Patrol released a sleepy retread of their fantastic 2006 album Eyes Open. A real disappointment.

Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan - Sunday at Dirt Devil This dark and too folksy follow-up didn't hold a candle to the duo's 2006 Mercury Prize nominee, Ballad of the Broken Seas.

Vampire Weekend This has shown up on every music magazine's year-end best list. Yet, I'm not changing my opinion that I thought it was pretentious, meaningless and boring.

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Dig!!! Lazarus, Dig!!! Here's another critics favorite--"storyteller" rock that just doesn't appeal to me.

The Verve - Forth Not necessarily the year's worst album, but the biggest disappointment for me. After an 11-year break, The Verve re-formed to deliver this somber set of overly long, listless songs. "Bittersweet Symphony," "The Drugs Don't Work," and "Sonnet" were such magic moments on their 1997 album Urban Hymns. I was really hoping for a repeat and didn't get it--not even close.