Favorite Albums: 2000-200430. Van Hunt, Van HuntOriginal position on my Stylus ballot: n/a While I’ve enjoyed plenty of rap, country, R&B and metal, I’ve always been a dilettante in my appreciation because I don’t get off on the basic archetypes. Anyone can like a crossover smash or admire a critical favorite, but to dig through a genre for less hailed talents, you have to be cool with its pro forma arrangements, obnoxious vocal traditions and familiar lyrical staples. Lord knows I’m more forgiving of indie rock’s shtick than most, otherwise I wouldn’t be debating whether to keep any songs by Seam. So if I’m overrating Van Hunt, it’s because his 2004 debut got past my disinterest in guys dropping polite come-ons over classy lite funk. The key track is “Down Here In Hell (With You),” where he repeatedly thanks you for giving him something to complain about. Not that he’s some R. Kelly cartoon freakazoid who will scare normals out of the supper club - just a guy willing to put some underacknowledged neuroses on the surface of his skittery beats and serenades. I have no doubt that there are other smooth dudes with hats making music just as noteworthy. But this is the album that makes me want to go looking.

Favorite Albums: 2000-2004
30. Van Hunt, Van Hunt
Original position on my Stylus ballot: n/a

While I’ve enjoyed plenty of rap, country, R&B and metal, I’ve always been a dilettante in my appreciation because I don’t get off on the basic archetypes. Anyone can like a crossover smash or admire a critical favorite, but to dig through a genre for less hailed talents, you have to be cool with its pro forma arrangements, obnoxious vocal traditions and familiar lyrical staples. Lord knows I’m more forgiving of indie rock’s shtick than most, otherwise I wouldn’t be debating whether to keep any songs by Seam.

So if I’m overrating Van Hunt, it’s because his 2004 debut got past my disinterest in guys dropping polite come-ons over classy lite funk. The key track is “Down Here In Hell (With You),” where he repeatedly thanks you for giving him something to complain about. Not that he’s some R. Kelly cartoon freakazoid who will scare normals out of the supper club - just a guy willing to put some underacknowledged neuroses on the surface of his skittery beats and serenades. I have no doubt that there are other smooth dudes with hats making music just as noteworthy. But this is the album that makes me want to go looking.