Thee Albums of 2005, or Better Late than Never
Here are, as of today, what I consider to be the best 20 albums from 2005. Who knows? -- perhaps in a week or so, I might actually listen to the entirety of M83's Before the Dawn Heals Us, pick up (or burn, teehee) the new White Stripes album and like it, or forgive Bloc Party for being the most lackluster of the new wave of post-punk bands (albeit "Banquet" and "This Modern Love" are pretty damn good.) Either way, here they are, in all their Jefe-approved glory.
01. Sufjan Stevens - Illinois
This one was kind of predictable. I mean, really, this album is AMAZING. I've been swooning over this album since I first heard the leak of "Come On! Feel the Illinoise!", the unbelievable (and epic!) third track of this album. I really can't think of enough nice things to say about this album, so i'll just point you in the direction of the real standouts. (Also, I will admit to some bias based on that fact that the album is about Illinois.)
Standout tracks: "The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is Out to Get Us!", "Casimir Pulaski Day", "Decatur"
02. Spoon - Gimme Fiction
In my opinion, Spoon's best album to date. It takes the swagger of Girls Can Tell and mixes it with the experimental minimalism of Kill the Moonlight. This one was damn close to being my Number 1.
Standout tracks: "The Beast and Dragon, Adored", "Sister Jack", "They Never Got You"
03. Broken Social Scene - s/t
Loved them with You Forgot It In People, and I love them even more because of this record. The layers upon layers make for one of the most interesting (but still very rocking) albums of 2005. It also helps that BSS put on what I thought was the best concert of the year back in October at the 9:30 Club.
Standout tracks: "Ibi Dreams of Pavement (A Better Day)", "7/4 (Shoreline)", "Major Label Debut"
04. The New Pornographers - Twin Cinema
Definitely, the NP's best to date. A little harder to swallow then their other two releases, but that shouldn't be taken as a bad thing. The more time you spend with this record, the more you appreciate the little bits and pieces of it (i.e. "The Jessica Numbers" gets better after every listen.) Also, the last half of "The Bleeding Heart Show" gives me shivers every time.
Standout tracks: "Sing Me Spanish Techno", "Use It", "The Bleeding Heart Show"
05. The National - Alligator
For my birthday, Phil sent me a mix CD with the National's "Abel" on it. I immediately fell in love with the song and even bought the album just based on the strength of that one single. So many great non sequiturs are muttered during this disc, it's insane.
Standout tracks: "Abel", "Mr. Novemeber"
06. The Decemberists - Picaresque
While perhaps not my favorite Decemberists record (that honor belongs to Her Majesty...), this one still contains some of Colin Meloy's best work AND my all-time favorite Decemberists track, "The Engine Driver". I'm curious to know how (or if) they'll sound will change when they make the switch to Capitol Records for their next album.
Standout tracks: "The Engine Driver", "16 Military Wives", "On the Bus Mall"
07. LCD Soundsystem - s/t
"The guy behind the mixing boards for the Rapture put out an album?! It's gotta be good!" Well, it is. Very much so. Nevermind all the Gang of Four knockoffs that came out this year -- get this one and start dancing, dammit!
Standout tracks: "Daft Punk Is Playing at My House", "Tribulations", "Losing My Edge"
08. The Go! Team - Thunder, Lightning, Strike
This album is like the soundtrack to the ultimate pool party. Kids are splashing in the pool, hordes of girls are playing hopscotch and jumping rope, and of course, no adult swim. Loaded with samples that prevented this 2004 UK release from appearing in the U.S. until late this year, this is summer fun personified. 'Cause truly, it's very hard to describe it any other way.
Standout tracks: "Ladyflash", "We Just Won't Be Defeated", "Everyone's a V.I.P. to Someone"
09. Stephen Malkmus - Face the Truth
Once again, another personal best, and this time by ex-Pavement singer/songwriter Stephen Malkmus. Some of his best stuff is on this album, and probably his most straightforward rock record since his days in Pavement.
Standout tracks: "Freeze the Saints", "Mama", "Baby C'mon"
10. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - s/t
If you can make it past the weird and quasi-vaudevillian first track, you'll enter the wonderful world of the Talking Heads... I mean, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. Delightfully poppy, fantastic (if not, mumbled) lyrics, and incredibly catchy. The soundtrack to my Summer of '05.
Standout tracks: "The Skin of My Yellow Country Teeth", "Details of the War", "Let the Cool Goddess Rust Away"
Rounding out the top 20 are:
The Clientele - Strange Geometry
Wolf Parade - Apologies to the Queen Mary
Antony and the Johnsons - I Am a Bird Now
Art Brut - Bang Bang Rock & Roll
Kaiser Chiefs - Employment
Shout Out Louds - Howl Howl Gaff Gaff
Heartless Bastards - Stairs and Elevators
The Fiery Furnaces - EP
Wilco - Kicking Television: Live in Chicago
The Radio Dept. - This Past Week EP
01. Sufjan Stevens - IllinoisThis one was kind of predictable. I mean, really, this album is AMAZING. I've been swooning over this album since I first heard the leak of "Come On! Feel the Illinoise!", the unbelievable (and epic!) third track of this album. I really can't think of enough nice things to say about this album, so i'll just point you in the direction of the real standouts. (Also, I will admit to some bias based on that fact that the album is about Illinois.)
Standout tracks: "The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is Out to Get Us!", "Casimir Pulaski Day", "Decatur"
02. Spoon - Gimme FictionIn my opinion, Spoon's best album to date. It takes the swagger of Girls Can Tell and mixes it with the experimental minimalism of Kill the Moonlight. This one was damn close to being my Number 1.
Standout tracks: "The Beast and Dragon, Adored", "Sister Jack", "They Never Got You"
03. Broken Social Scene - s/tLoved them with You Forgot It In People, and I love them even more because of this record. The layers upon layers make for one of the most interesting (but still very rocking) albums of 2005. It also helps that BSS put on what I thought was the best concert of the year back in October at the 9:30 Club.
Standout tracks: "Ibi Dreams of Pavement (A Better Day)", "7/4 (Shoreline)", "Major Label Debut"
04. The New Pornographers - Twin CinemaDefinitely, the NP's best to date. A little harder to swallow then their other two releases, but that shouldn't be taken as a bad thing. The more time you spend with this record, the more you appreciate the little bits and pieces of it (i.e. "The Jessica Numbers" gets better after every listen.) Also, the last half of "The Bleeding Heart Show" gives me shivers every time.
Standout tracks: "Sing Me Spanish Techno", "Use It", "The Bleeding Heart Show"
05. The National - AlligatorFor my birthday, Phil sent me a mix CD with the National's "Abel" on it. I immediately fell in love with the song and even bought the album just based on the strength of that one single. So many great non sequiturs are muttered during this disc, it's insane.
Standout tracks: "Abel", "Mr. Novemeber"
06. The Decemberists - PicaresqueWhile perhaps not my favorite Decemberists record (that honor belongs to Her Majesty...), this one still contains some of Colin Meloy's best work AND my all-time favorite Decemberists track, "The Engine Driver". I'm curious to know how (or if) they'll sound will change when they make the switch to Capitol Records for their next album.
Standout tracks: "The Engine Driver", "16 Military Wives", "On the Bus Mall"
07. LCD Soundsystem - s/t"The guy behind the mixing boards for the Rapture put out an album?! It's gotta be good!" Well, it is. Very much so. Nevermind all the Gang of Four knockoffs that came out this year -- get this one and start dancing, dammit!
Standout tracks: "Daft Punk Is Playing at My House", "Tribulations", "Losing My Edge"
08. The Go! Team - Thunder, Lightning, StrikeThis album is like the soundtrack to the ultimate pool party. Kids are splashing in the pool, hordes of girls are playing hopscotch and jumping rope, and of course, no adult swim. Loaded with samples that prevented this 2004 UK release from appearing in the U.S. until late this year, this is summer fun personified. 'Cause truly, it's very hard to describe it any other way.
Standout tracks: "Ladyflash", "We Just Won't Be Defeated", "Everyone's a V.I.P. to Someone"
09. Stephen Malkmus - Face the TruthOnce again, another personal best, and this time by ex-Pavement singer/songwriter Stephen Malkmus. Some of his best stuff is on this album, and probably his most straightforward rock record since his days in Pavement.
Standout tracks: "Freeze the Saints", "Mama", "Baby C'mon"
10. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - s/tIf you can make it past the weird and quasi-vaudevillian first track, you'll enter the wonderful world of the Talking Heads... I mean, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. Delightfully poppy, fantastic (if not, mumbled) lyrics, and incredibly catchy. The soundtrack to my Summer of '05.
Standout tracks: "The Skin of My Yellow Country Teeth", "Details of the War", "Let the Cool Goddess Rust Away"
Rounding out the top 20 are:
The Clientele - Strange Geometry
Wolf Parade - Apologies to the Queen Mary
Antony and the Johnsons - I Am a Bird Now
Art Brut - Bang Bang Rock & Roll
Kaiser Chiefs - Employment
Shout Out Louds - Howl Howl Gaff Gaff
Heartless Bastards - Stairs and Elevators
The Fiery Furnaces - EP
Wilco - Kicking Television: Live in Chicago
The Radio Dept. - This Past Week EP
posted by Jeff at 10:24 PM
7 Comments:
I think next year's Best Of list should be titled "Best Albums That Came Out This Year, and That I Actually Listened to In the Same Year." Come on now, Mr. Indie Rawk-er. I know when you actually listened to half of your list :)
Shhhhh, you're not supposed to tell!
I love your taste in music!
Ahhh, my doppelganger. Nice.
Hahahahahahaha oh my god Phil is out of control.
Yeah, at first, I thought this might be a cute joke. But after seeing his site now, I'm beginning to wonder what Phil has in store.
Just discovered Sufjan and I am pretty sure I am in love.
Post a Comment
<< Home