This seems to have been a thread just a week ago, but I didn't chime in then, so. . . I would have to say that, for me, Long Drive is far superior. Part of it is nostalgia and association; but, it is just an amazing album that never requires me to get up - or want to - skip any songs. Crowded West however, contains Jesus Christ. . . which I just don't like in any capacity, and I can do without the last 5 minutes of Trucker's Atlas (the first 5, however, are incredible), and sometimes, Out of Gas just doesn't hit me right. That said, Teeth Like God's Shoeshine, for the fury of it live alone, is still prolly my favorite mouse song, and there are plenty of amazing moments on LCW. And i can realize that sometimes some of Long Drive annoys me mildly on its own, but played all the way through, it's a rare thing of beauty. And, since I find myself becoming increasingly disappointed with music, especially in the last year, I'm going to torture you all with my Top 20 list of the last decade, give or take a few. . . 1. Joel RL Phelps & the Downer Trio: 3 2. Richard Buckner: Devotion + Doubt 3. Red House Painters: Self-Titled (Rollercoaster) (if only mark kozelek were likable as a person) 4. Shudder to Think : Pony Express Record (the future of rock as it should be, rather than it will be) 5. Modest Mouse: This is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About 6. Silkworm: Libertine/In the West 7. Satisfact: The Unwanted Sounds of.../S/t/Third Meeting at the Third Counter (you try and pick one that's better than the other. . .it's impossible) 8. Juno: This is the way it goes & goes & goes (the future of rock, again, looks to the past. arlie carlisle outdoes mark e. smith at being mark e. smith on "rodeo programmers") 9. Jawbox: For Your Own Special Sweetheart/ Novelty 10. Sebadoh:Bakesale (the one moment when it all pulled together for one brief shining moment before it all fell apart again.) 11. Stina Nordenstam: And She Closed Her Eyes (you prolly haven't heard it, but you should have.) 12. Insides: Euphoria (ditto) 13. Afghan Whigs: Gentleman/Congregation (makes you cry and hate yourself for being a guy) 14. Built to Spill: There's Nothing Wrong With Love/Perfect From Now On/Keep it Like a Secret (again, a perfect trifecta) 15. Slint: Spiderland (time be damned, it'll live forever) 16. Girls Against Boys/New Wet Kojak: Venus Luxure No.1 Baby/s/t 17. GYBE!/Labradford (not very similar, but's it my list, so, to hell with it.) 18. Aphex Twin: Selected Ambient Works Vol. 2 19. Chocolate Genius : "My Mom" (the rest of the album is questionable, but this song is unmatched) 22. damien jurado : both albums and an ep 21. about 120 other albums that I just don't have the patience to list. this is all off the top of my head; for the next month or so i'll think of things i didn't include that are better than things already on this list, but, oh well. star
