64.

Frog Eyes
The Golden River
(Golden Symphonic/Animal World Recordings, 2003)

I think I have to concede to the nickname my fellow FG cohort coined for Frog Eyes leader Carey Mercer, the guy is truly Mr. Consistency, which shouldn’t hint in anyway monotony. No no. Mercer has to be one of the most inventive, manic, demented carnival-esque rock troubadours on the landscape of modern indie rock. Yet, no matter what avenues Mercer saunters down, things turn to gold. It is no wonder then that his sprawling, twenty-four track opus, The Golden River, should breach this here best-of-decade list. Mercer is kind of the David Bowie of our generation, though, perhaps, with a dash of menace. At least he reminds me of such. And really, wouldn’t a slightly menacing David Bowie just be the bee’s knees? Well, even if not, Mercer and The Golden River sure is.

-Thistle