Ken Tucker

Music critic Ken Tucker gives us his top picks in pop for 2004. He runs down his 10 best albums, and then talks about some trends of 2004, such as the return of punk, the year of the hip-hop producer, crunk music, and the potential end of an era as iPods and single song downloads replace album purchases.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the new self-titled solo CD by singer-songwriter John Davis, formerly with the punk-pop group Superdrag.

Ken Tucker reviews Kimya Dawson's 'Hidden Vagenda' and finds her hidden agenda might be to sing about death. He says she taps into childhood's honesty to achieve maximum adulthood.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the new CD Universal United House of Prayer by Buddy Miller.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews Snakebite: Blacktop Ballads and Fugitive Songs the new CD by Stan Ridgway.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews two new albums: a punk-rock-opera by the group Green Day, American Idiot, and Rubber Factory by the group Black Keys.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews End of the Century, a new documentary film about the Ramones. All members except the drummer have passed away; Johnny Ramone, the lead guitarist, died Sept. 15, 2004.

Music critic Ken Tucker reviews Blueberry Boat, the new album from brother and sister duo Fiery Furnaces.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews Travels in the South, the new album from North-Carolina based singer-songwriter Chris Stamey, formerly of the dB’s and the Sneakers.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews To Tulsa and Back by J.J. Cale, and Roll It Down by Canadian-American Ray Bonneville.