it should be noted that there was a major oversight on my best of 2004 list, and that oversight was brian wilson's smile. i am hereby declaring that the record of the year is smile. (i don't really know how i forgot about its release, but i did...perhaps i subconsciously consider it a 1967 release.)

so, the new list is now:
1) brian wilson - smile
2) modest mouse - good news for people who love bad news
3) the walkmen - bows + arrows
4) the streets - a grand don't come for free
5) franz ferdinand - s/t
6) the fiery furnaces - blueberry boat
7) dizzee rascal - showtime
8) ac newman - the slow wonder
9) elliott smith - from a basement on a hill
10) the killers - hot fuss
11) mission of burma - onoffon
12) guided by voices - half smiles of the decomposed
13) sonic youth - sonic nurse
14) wilco - a ghost is born
15) interpol - antics