Hey folks!

The ninth week of the Best Album of 2001 is over! And all the higher-seeded albums won, so no surprises. There’s almost nothing to say, really. Some, including me, thought maybe there could’ve been an upset in the ISOLATION DRILLS/MINK CAR match? just based on the albums & artists? but that didn’t materialize. The Best Album Brackets: Sometimes It’s Just Boring™.

LAST WEEK’S RESULTS

On Monday, #7 Gorillaz, GORILLAZ defeated #122 Clearlake, LIDO, 135-56-2. (193 total votes, +79)

On Tuesday, #58 Stereolab, SOUND-DUST defeated #71 Alison Krauss + Union Station, NEW FAVORITE, 106-75-2. (183 total votes, +31)

On Wednesday, #26 Jimmy Eat World, BLEED AMERICAN defeated #103 Janet Jackson, ALL FOR YOU, 143-57-2. (202 total votes, +86)

On Thursday, #39 Guided By Voices, ISOLATION DRILLS defeated #90 They Might Be Giants, MINK CAR, 122-60. (182 votes, +62)

On Friday, #10 The Shins, OH, INVERTED WORLD defeated #119 Travis, THE INVISIBLE BAND, 141-49-4. (194 total votes, +92)

NEXT WEEK’S MATCHES

Monday, May 25th: #55 R.E.M., REVEAL vs. #74 Super Furry Animals, RINGS AROUND THE WORLD.

Tuesday, May 26th: #23 Drive-By Truckers, SOUTHERN ROCK OPERA vs. #106 Tricky, BLOWBACK.

Wednesday, May 27th: #42 Ladytron, 604 vs. #87 My Morning Jacket, AT DAWN.

Thursday, May 28th: #3 The White Stripes, WHITE BLOOD CELLS vs. #126 Squarepusher, GO PLASTIC.

Friday, May 29th: #62 Destroyer, STREETHAWK: A SEDUCTION vs. #67 Mogwai, ROCK ACTION.

We currently have Designated Cheerleaders for REVEAL, RINGS AROUND THE WORLD, and STREETHAWK: A SEDUCTION. If you’d like to write one for one of the other albums — or another for one of those three — send it to kentmbeeson@hey.com. Thanks!

In case you missed it, the constantly-updated Master-ish List of 1988 Albums is now online, if you would like to find some albums to hear in preparation for the upcoming Best Album of 1988 tournament. Go here to learn more!

Best,

Kent