Decade - Favorite Records of the Zips, Pt 3 - 2002

2002 saw a flurry of great releases, in fact it may play out to be my favorite year of the zips, music-wise. And it leads off with a landmark.

Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Much has been written about Wilco's YHF - the band was dropped by Warner / Reprise as the label didn't think it was commercial enough. The band stood their ground and were eventually let out of their contract, with the finished studio tapes in hand. When it was finally leaked online, listeners found a changed band. The music was far more experimental and progressive in nature and labeled as an "American Radiohead" - quite a departure from the band that sprang out of the ashes of American "Alt-Country" standard-bearers Uncle Tupelo. Unfortunately the band's follow-up records have been nowhere near as brilliant. Standout track: I Am Trying To Break Your Heart.

Beck - Sea Change

The Decemberists - Castaways and Cutouts

The Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots

Iron & Wine - The Creek Drank The Cradle

Low - Trust

Paul Westerberg - Stereo/Mono

Spoon - Kill The Moonlight
I think it's time to give Yankee Hotel Foxtrot another spin.