5
Archers of Loaf ... White Trash Heroes
Alias Records

The long running mystery was where this disc would wind up in the list. Released in late September, listened to for weeks prior to "the eerily-obsessive road-trips" in early October and then not played since; retrieving it from my collection in early January reminded me of one thing: I love the Archers of Loaf. It's not Icky Mettle, nor will anything ever be as brilliant in my estimation, but it is decisive, intriguing, and splendid. It's the driving momentum of "Fashion Bleeds", an empty minor-keyed bass line in "Dead Red Eyes", and the dark and sinister feeling that washes over me during the title track that makes the Archer's last effort a treasure. Kudos: Bachmann's unbelievably sad and endearing chorus of "Perfect Time." Priceless.