While we generally looked at 2004 as a down year for music, the same cannot be said for DC artists. A number of interesting CDs made a splash, only a few of which are covered here. We urge you to continue to check out the music in your own hometown. To ignore it is only doing yourself a grave disservice. Below, our ten favorites from 2004, in no particular order. Enjoy!!

We've already said quite a bit about Beauty Pill's (excuse the pun) beautiful CD. It made our top 50, and it continues to gain play in more that a few BY CD players. Check out the band with new singer Jean Cook on January 20 @ Iota. It will likely be their last gig for awhile as they head back into the studio early in 2005.

The Unsustainable Lifestyle Beauty Pill

Their website calls Decahedron 'futuristic punk.' We think that is a fair label to slap on these guys. What a very fine debut album by a merging of some DC luminaries (Fugazi, Frodus). Please, at least go listen to "Delete False Culture, " it can easily be downloaded on their site. Not only does it have some teeth, it has a nice pearly smile too!

Disconnection Imminent Decahedron

What a difference a year makes. Merely a year and a half after their creation, these DC rookies have but a single self-produced EP to their credit, but that hasn't stopped them from quielty climbing the ranks of DC bands. This EP is merely a glimpse into where the genre-spanning band is headed. You really have to see their live show to fully appreciate them. And check out their new EP, The Saskwatch EP, to be debuted at the band's Black Cat show on February 4th.

Starfish EP Exit Clov

You sometimes forget about albums that come out early in the year. With the way politics went this year, it was hard to forget this album. DC's protest CD against the current administration's war in Iraq, (and the war on terror in general) this threesome do not pull any punches.

Liberation Trans Am

Yes, this is essentially a mix tape. But it is a mix tape from DC's premier mix makers. Shit we admit it, we know very few of the artists on the album, but isn't that what the perfect mix tape is all about? It doesn't hurt that the 18th St. Lounge boys did some remixing of their own either.

Outernational Sound Thievery Corporation

How could we not include a CD from a band Ian Svenonius leads? This dance-funk, psych-punk musical event even contains a song about Tess of the D'Urbervilles. It is hard to know where Ian and the gang are going next, but does it really matter?

If You Can't Beat 'Em, Bite 'Em Weird War

Washington Social Club certainly won the award for the most nationally applauded DC band this year, including guesting on Carson Daly's late night show and being talked about on MTV. It is hard to know if that has completely gone to WSC's heads, but their debut LP certainly validates much of the praise lumped on them. Their true draw is their extremely energetic live show, which you can get a hint of on Catching Looks.

Catching Looks Washington Social Club

We love our organs, and the Apes do the psych rock organ oh so well. Tapestry Majestry continues the odd storyline that grows through all of the Apes music. Not so much a concept EP, more a concept career really. Hey, it works for us.

Tapestry Majesty The Apes

Tis a shame the boys of Black Eyes are no more. Horses and White Flight both contain various members of Black Eyes, though we don't think White Flight is still a band. Cough continues (and concludes) the same over-drummed noise experience they started on their debut. We will miss you boys.

Cough Black Eyes

Measles Mumps Rubella have one of the most unique sounds in all of DC-land. This alone would make Fountain of Youth worthy of mentioning here. But combine that with the fact that their unique sound makes you want to dance, and is killer if you catch it live, and you got yourself one hell of an EP. We are interested to see the band with their new lead singer. You can catch them at the 930 club on February 22 opening for Le Tigre.

Fountain of Youth EP Measles Mumps Rubella