THE 2005 DAVID MUSIC POLL RESULTS:
1. Sufjan Stevens – (Come On Feel the) Illinois(e) (29 votes)
2. Fiona Apple – Extraordinary Machine (26)
3. Bright Eyes – I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning (23)
4. Madonna – Madonna, Confessions on a Dance Floor (17)
5. Antony and the Johnsons – I Am a Bird Now (15)
6. Clap Your Hands, Say Yeah – Clap Your Hands, Say Yeah (14)
Sigur Ros – Takk (14)
Death Cab for Cutie – Plans (14)
9. Gorillaz – Demon Days (13)
Franz Ferdinand – You Could Have it So Much Better (13)
Kanye West – Late Registration (13)
Beck – Guero (13)
runners up:
The New Pornographers – Twin Cinema (12), The White Stripes – Get Behind Me Satan (11), MIA – Arular (11), Spoon – Gimme Fiction (10), The Decemberists – Picaresque (10), Bloc Party – The Silent Alarm (10), The Magic Numbers – The Magic Numbers (9), Feist – Let it Die (8), Architecture in Helsinki – In Case We Die (7), Broken Social Scene – Broken Social Scene (7)
Editor’s Note: Another record year for the music poll, with 93 people weighing in. (Next year, I swear we’ll break 100!) It was a neck and neck race all the way, with Sufjan besting Fiona and Conor in the final stretch. Madonna also placed surprisingly high, and not just among the gay folk. (Same could be said of come-from-nowhere fourth-placer Antony and the Johnsons). Former music poll stars Sigur Ros, Death Cab for Cutie, Gorillaz, Franz Ferdinand, and Beck all placed well. (The same can’t be said for former poll star Ryan Adams, whose three albums could only muster a single vote.) Kanye West, who didn’t make the list last year despite making most other lists, hits his stride here. Newcomer Buzz Band of the Year award goes to Clap Your Hands, Say Yeah – it’ll be interesting to see if their next album makes the grade. Other strong rookies are MIA, Bloc Party, and the Magic Numbers – none, shockingly enough, from Brooklyn. As predicted in last year’s editor’s note, Arcade Fire was the #1 band that folks said they wished they could put this year, with honorable mention going to Rilo Kiley, who many people clearly thought released More Adventurous in 2005 (because it didn’t get more than four votes). Of the 2006 poll, we can ask: Will the Killers make a good second album? Will the Belle & Sebastian album please us the same way other B&S albums have pleased us in the past? (According to Norah, the answer’s yes.) Will Beth Orton’s and Cat Power’s albums be, as touted, their best yet? Stay tuned…
My Wide-Awake-on-the-Bloc Party
THE ESSENTIALS:
Bright Eyes, I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning
It was hard to choose a number 1 this year – and especially strange, since both of the contenders were January releases, meaning they had the whole year to duke it out. But the fact that I’m still listening to both a lot means something. Bright Eyes squeaks in at the top because, quite honestly, no album meant as much to me this year. Blame it on the post-election blues. Blame it on the Emmylou harmonies. Blame it on the delicacy of songs like “Lua” and “First Day of My Life”. Do NOT credit it to all the media hype -- Conor, you’re pretty, but I’m sick of seeing you in magazines. The closer, “Road to Joy”, is nothing short of brilliant – a song that implores the listener to make some noise, and actually made me want to make some noise, time and time again. Here’s to being galvanized.
Bloc Party, The Silent Alarm
Strangely, I think this was the first album I bought this year. I still don’t know all the song titles, but that doesn’t really matter – this is a glorious crash of urgent pop.
Aimee Mann, The Forgotten Arm
A slow build in most senses. The first few times I heard it, I wasn’t that impressed, and a little let down. But then the second half of the album really took hold – from “Video” on, it’s pretty much perfect. Her lyrics are about as good as writing gets…
Tell me why I feel so bad, honey
Fighting left me plenty of money
But didn't keep the promise of memory lapses
Like a building that's been slated for blasting
I'm the proof that nothing is lasting
Counting to eleven as it collapses
Editors, The Back Room
This is kind-of a cheat, since it was only released in the UK this year (and will be out here in March). But this is great brooding indie. It’s a little embarrassing to love a band called Editors so much (imagine a doctor telling someone his favorite band is Doctors), but so be it.
Ben Lee, Awake is the New Sleep
Perhaps breaking up with Claire Danes was the best thing that ever happened to his music.
Death Cab for Cutie, Plans
Narrowly makes the list. But I really have to look at it objectively – if this hadn’t followed Transatlanticism (now one of my favorite albums ever), I wouldn’t have been disappointed at all. There are at least five great songs here, and only one that I always want to skip. (Different times in different places, whatever.) Worth it for “Marching Bands of Manhattan” and “I Will Follow You Into the Dark” alone.
THE TWO THAT I KNOW SHOULD BE ON HERE BUT I JUST CAN’T BRING MYSELF TO DO IT:
Fiona Apple, Extraordinary Machine
Sufjan Stevens, Illinois (or whatever the hell it’s called)
Totally brilliant. I completely admire them. And I’m never really in the mood to listen to them.
ALBUM FROM LAST YEAR THAT SHOULD’VE BEEN ON LAST YEAR’S LIST:
Jimmy Eat World, Futures
ALBUM I CAN’T BELIEVE WAS MY #2 LAST YEAR
Snow Patrol, The Final Straw (good…but #2?!?)
JIMMY EAT DASHBOARD AWARD FOR BEST ALBUM THAT MAKES ME FEEL LIKE A LOVELORN ADOLESCENT BOY:
Jack’s Mannequin, Everything in Transit
ALMOST ESSENTIAL:
Wolf Parade, Apologies to the Queen
Erin McKeown, We Will Become Like Birds
Coldplay, X&Y
Nada Surf, The Weight is a Gift
Dar Williams, My Better Self
SINGLES OF THE YEAR:
Kelly Clarkson, Since U Been Gone
Robyn, Handle Me
SONGS OF THE YEAR:
Bright Eyes, Road to Joy
Aimee Mann, Video
Wolf Parade, I’ll Believe in Anything
Erin McKeown, You Were Right About Everything
BIG DISAPPOINTMENTS:
Tori Amos, The Beekeeper (tepid, tepid, tepid, and a wasted opportunity with Damien Rice)
Ani DiFranco, Knuckle Down
All three Ryan Adams albums
Rufus Wainwright, Want Two
Liz Phair, Somebody’s Miracle (okay, but not as good as anything before it)
PLEASANT SURPRISES:
Madonna, Confessions on a Dance Floor
Depeche Mode, Playing the Angel
Jarrett’s Got Plans
i was prepared-Death Cab for Cutie – PlansGorillaz – Feel Good, IncAqualung – Strange & BeautifulSujfan Stevens - IllinoisBloc Party – Silent AlarmBest Concert Festival That Was Almost Cancelled Due To A Natural Disaster But Wasn't And Was An Amazing Show-Austin City Limits
No Cooder Shot for Jordan
I have to ponder my answers at greater length, because overall I think it's
been a horrendously barren year in pop music, but here's my #1 draft pick,
for sure:
Ry Cooder, Chavez Ravine
Sufjan Stevens, Illinoise
Patrick Wants Two
1. Rufus Wainwright, Want One & Want Two (now being released in Britain as a double album, simply called ‘Want’.) 2005 was the year of Rufus for me. First, and late, discovery. He was often the only thing I listened to for weeks. Saw him in concert in Sheffield in December, and he finished with ‘Gay Messiah’, crucified in toga drag by his band, dressed as Roman soldiers. 2. Zim Ngqawana, Vadzimu. Fantastic South African jazz; political and earth-shaking. Get it. Gumboot dancing and clicks and the most amazing waltz.3. Sigur Rós, Takk...4. Antony & The Johnsons, I Am a Bird Now. Why do I wake up in the middle of the night with ‘today I am a boy’ running through my head over and over? Damn him. I’m not even sure I like the album...5. [Discoveries from the past...] Henri Dikongué, C’est La Vie. Great Cameroonian singer-songwriter. And Selaelo Selota, Enchanted Gardens. Fantastic South African jazz guitarist/singer from Limpopo province. Saw him in concert in July; totally electric.
Megan’s Well-Oiled Machine
Fiona Apple, Extraordinary Machine
The only album that worked beautifully from start to finish. It's the de
facto soundtrack for my fourth book.
Runner up: Beck, Guero
Everything else I bought this year
had one or two decent singles mixed up with a whole bunch of suck.
Siobhan Would Make a Good Neighbor, Too
MOST ESSENTIAL: Rosebuds, Birds Make Good Neighbors
Broadcast, Tender Buttons
The Futureheads, The Futureheads
Architecture in Helsinki, In Case We Die
Rogue Wave, Bird on a Wire
Of Montreal, The Sunlandic Twins
American Analog Set, Set Free
Misc. Category:
Essential Album for an Impromptu Dance Party:
Acid House Kings, Sing Along With the Acid House Kings
Jonathan, Old Pornographer
This year it was march of the EPs for me...
1. The New Pornographers, TWIN CINEMA
2. Gorillaz, DEMON DAYS
3. Kaiser Chiefs, EMPLOYMENT
4. Magnolia Electric Company, HARD TO LOVE A MAN EP
5. Franz Ferdinand, YOU CAN DO SO MUCH BETTER (?)
6. The Game, THE DOCUMENTARY
7. The Darkness, ONE WAY TICKET TO HELL…AND BACK
8. Danger Doom, THE MOUSE & THE MASK
9. The Stars, SET YOURSELF ON FIRE
10. The Go! Team - THUNDER, LIGHTNING, STRIKE
11. Okkervil River, BLACK SHEEP BOY
12. White Stripes, GET BEHIND ME SATAN
13. Fiery Furnaces, EP
14. Kent - DU & JAG DODEN
15. Iron & Wine - WOMAN KING EP
16. My Morning Jacket, Z
17. Clap Your Hands, CLAP YOUR HANDS
Olden Discoveries…
1. Television - MARQUEE MOON
2. The Church - STARFISH
3. Carlene Carter - MUSICAL SHAPES
Unearthed Favorites…
1. The Verve - URBAN HYMNS
2. Suzanne Vega - 99.5 F
3. The Smiths - THE SMITHS
It's 2004 all over again…
1. Arcade Fire, FUNERAL
2. The Killers, HOT FUSS
3. Loretta Lynn, VAN LEAR ROSE
4. Vetiver, VETIVER
5. Brian Wilson, SMILE (even though it sucks people…face it you revisionists, the only good songs were the ones you already heard)
Happy Happy Joy Joy from Dan E.
In keeping with my (newly established) tradition of being one year too late (release date: 2004, though I purchased it in '05), and picking one album only, I must go with:
Black Sabbath, The Black Box (The Complete Original Black Sabbath 1970-1978).
A More Adventurous Zac
Allow me to preface this by saying, as many may, that
these are not necessarily albums and songs from 2005,
merely things I've enjoyed during the year. (Some are
actually quite old... maybe... I haven't decided.)
Also, let me tell you, I am in the MHS library with my
ipod and entirey iTunes library (5,607), dying to
answer. Schwing!
[editor’s note: As I shall with others who cite pre-2005 albums, I’ll let the picks stand as is, but won’t count the non-2004 albums in the final poll. I’m sure you’ll sleep well knowing that.]
ALBUMS:
Most Essential Album of 2005:
Rilo Kiley, More Adventerous
10 Crucial (cr00shul) But Not Essential Albums of 2005
(in no specific order):
1. Broken Social Scene, You Forgot it in People
2. Bloc Party, Silent Alarm
3. Calexico and Iron and Wine, In the Reins- EP
4. Ben Kweller, Sha Sha
5. Yo la Tengo, I can Hear the Heart Beating as One
6. The Fruit Bats, Spelled in Bones
7. The Shins, Oh Inverted World
8. Jack's Mannequin, Everything in Transit
9. The Decemberists, Picaresque
10. Daphne Loves Derby, On the Strength of all
Convinced
MOST UNFORTUNATE DISCOVERY OF 2005:
Panic! At the Disco, A Fever You Can't Sweat Out
EASIEST ALBUM TO FALL ASLEEP TO OF 2005:
Iron and Wine, Our Endless Numbered Days
EASIEST ALBUM TO PUT ON A DRAG SHOW TO (of 2005):
Madonna, Confessions on a Dance Floor
ALBUM THAT RECIEVED MOST PRASIE THAT SUCKED THE MOST:
Green Day, American Idiot
I've reverted from standard, PC categories.
TOP SONGS OF 2005: In song, artist form.
Best Song of 2005:
The Engine Driver, The Decemberists
Top (indie) Love Song of 2005:
It's a draw:
1. Lizzy, Ben Kweller
2. The Earthquake of '73, The Fruit Bats
3. Hey there Delilah, Plain White T's
Best Song Featuring an Allusion to Another Artist:
(Yes, there are more than one.)
A Man/Me/Then Jim, Rilo Kiley
Best Old Song Rediscovered in 2005:
Save the last Dance for Me, The Drifters
Best Song to Sing Along to in 2005:
Hung Up, Madonna
Best Lyrics of 2005:
Commander, Girlyman
Best New Old Fashioned Song:
Does He Love You?, Rilo Kiley
Best Dance Track of 2005... which is actually the best
of 2004, apparently:
Music is the Victim, Scissor Sisters
and finally, for the editorial, totally not music
related:
Best Scandal of 2005:
Kate Moss' Cocaine Addiction! (With written caps!)
Matthew, for the bird(s)
most essential:
antony and the johnsons, i am a bird now
second most essential:
mia, arular
third most essential:
the go! team, thunder! lightning! strike!
fourth most essential:
fannypack, see you next tuesday
fifth most essential:
broken social scene, broken social scene
sixth most essential:
of montreal, the sunlandic twins
seventh most essential:
bloc party, silent alarm
eighth most essential:
shivaree, who's got trouble?
(plus--lyric of the year: "who's unhappy? we're unhappy. get my coat and make it snappy.")
ninth most essential:
hot hot heat, elevator
tenth most essential:
british sea power, open season
eleventh through fifteenth most essential in no particular order:
gorillaz, demon days
nouvelle vague, nouvelle vague
franz ferdinand, you could have it so much better
alkaline trio, crimson
ladytron, witching hour
plus, just for shits and giggles, my 20 most essential songs (as taken from the all-new gloomypharmacy.com)
20. hot hot heat, you owe me an iou
19. lcd soundsystem, tribulations
18. british sea power, to get to sleep
17. broken social scene, windsurfing nation
16. broadcast, michael a grammer
15. ying yang twins, wait (the whisper song)
14. franz ferdinand, eleanor put your boots on
13. nouvelle vague, teenage kicks
12. sean paul, we'll be burning
11. gorillaz, feel good inc
10. alicia keys, karma
9. of montreal, wraith pinned to the mist and other games
8. shivaree, new casablanca
7. rihanna, pon de replay
6. fannypack, 718
5. mia, galang
4. the go! team, we just won't be defeated
3. annie, chewing gum
2. antony and the johnsons, fistful of love
gwen stefani, hollaback girl
Leslie Don’t Kick Radio, Only TV
#1 essential: Wilco, Kicking Television
Other essential albums:
Aimee Mann, The Forgotten Arm
Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah, Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah
An essential box set:
Yo La Tengo, Prisoners of Love
And in the category of 'essential albums of 2005 that actually came
out in November of 2004', I must include: Gwen Stefani, Love, Angel,
Music, Baby
Yeah, Randy
Randy’s Essential ALBUMS of 2005:
Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah, Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah
The Raveonettes, Pretty in Black
Elkland, Golden
M.I.A., Arular
Madonna, Confessions on a Dance Floor
Embrace, Out of Nothing
MOST ESSENTIAL: Sigur Ros, Takk
Randy’s Essential Songs of 2005:
Heartbeats by Jose Gonzalez
Apart by Elkland Don't Phunk With My Heart by Black Eyed Peas Hung Up by Madonna Upon This Tidal Wave of Young Blood by Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah 1. HIPPIPOLLA by SIGUR ROS
Best Discovery From Previous Years: Jacky Shannon
I Won’t Tell Bobby It Was Released in 2004 If You Don’t
Here's my pick: KD LAND Hyms of the 49th Parallel...
My first ever entry.
Lisa’s Heart Belongs to Gordon
This may be the first time I'm participating in this poll--it's the first year I've stopped listening to my old standards over and over and really made a big effort to learn about contemporary music. Gordon Lightfoot is still there, though.
1. The White Stripes, Get Behind Me Satan -- MOST ESSENTIAL
2. M. Ward, Transistor Radio -- NEARLY AS ESSENTIAL
3. Clem Snide, End of Love -- REALLY ESSENTIAL4. Bright Eyes, I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning -- ALSO, REALLY ESSENTIAL
5. Dresden Dolls, A Is for Accident -- VERY ESSENTIAL
6. Gordon Lightfoot, Gord's Gold -- MAYBE MY ALL TIME FAVORITE ALBUM :)
7. The Flaming Lips, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots -- ANOTHER TERRIFIC ALBUM
8. Franz Ferdinand, Franz Ferdinand -- GREAT DISCOVERY FROM LAST YEAR
Those Were the Days, Indeed, Jeffrey
So yet again, most of my few musical purchases this past year will no
doubt be eyesores for the rest of your friends. Can repodcasts of Bill
O'Reilly lambasting SexPowerGod qualify as the best music of the year?
Assuming not, here goes:
1. Fiona Apple, Extraordinary Machine
2. Dolly Parton, Those Were the Days
3. Franz Ferdinand, You Could Have It So Much Better
4. Paul Anka, Rock Swings (full disclosure: I realize that the concept
is totally stolen, and it's still not as good as Pat Boone's "In a
Metal Mood" [ca. 1997] but then again, maybe I'm just obsessed with
down home covers of Stairway to Heaven)
Who Knew Jack Johnson Would Be Big in North London? Perhaps Justin Did….
Here are the selections from North London.
Most essential: Jack Johnson, In Between Dreams
The others:
Neil Young, Prairie Wind
Robbie Williams, Intensive Care
Pink Martini, Hang on Little Tomato
Madonna, Confessions on a Dancefloor
Nouvelle Vague,
James Blunt, Back to Bedlam
Guilty Pleasures Rides Again
The Original Disco Selection
Nate James, Set The Tone
The Magic Numbers
Biggest discovery from previous years: The Essential Leonard Cohen
Best download: Jack Johnson, A Pirate Looks at Forty
Disappointments:
The Pussycat Dolls, PCD
Robert Downey JR, The Futurist
Mylo, Destroy Rock n Roll
Claps for Kate F.
This year I'm actually going to conquer my inability to decide which is my MOST essential and participate in the poll. Here goes--
My essential albums of 2005:
1. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
2. My Morning Jacket, Z
3. Antony and the Johnsons, I Am A Bird Now
4. Spoon, Gimme Fiction
5. Kings of Leon, Aha Shake Heartbreak
6. Frank Black, Honeycomb
7. The National, Alligator
8. Broken Social Scene, Broken Social Scene
9. Feist, Let It Die
10. The Magic Numbers, The Magic Numbers
11. Johnathan Rice, Trouble is Real
Songs for Sarah (not Sarah Silverman)
Favorite Albums
Ben Folds, Songs for Silverman
Madonna, Confessions on a Dance Floor
Nickel Creek, Why Should the Fire Die?
Fiona Apple, Extraordinary Machine
Kanye West, Late Registration
Jack Johnson, In Between Dreams
Shameful Pop Admission Eventhough it came out in Nov. 2004...
Kelly Clarkson, Breakaway
Most Anticipated Release of 2006
Dixie Chicks, As Yet Untitled March 21st!!!!
Cecil, Queen of Cool, Lets it Die
I have been lame in my music listening this year. Mostly listening like it's 1996 or to old school punk rock for my new novel. So here is my top 7 of 2005. All I can think of right now. If I don't send it this minute, I'll probably forget. So here you go.
1) Feist, Let it Die
2) Ben Lee, Awake is the New Sleep
3) Nouvelle Vague, Nouvelle Vague
4) The Weekend, Beatbox My Heart
5) Brenden Bensen, What I'm Looking For EP
6) Broken Social Scene, Broken Social Scene
7) Bloodhound Gang, Foxtrot Uniform Charlie Kilo (single)
Chris H. Makes Whoopi
1. The Color Purple, 2005 Broadway Cast
2. Carrie Underwood, Some Hearts
3. Il Divo, Ancora
4. Kelly Clarkson, Breakaway
5. Faith Hill, Fireflies
6. Rod Stewart, The Great American Songbook
7. Lou Rawls, Love Songs
8. Michael Buble, Michael Buble
9. Randy Travis, Glory Train
10. Byron Cage, An Invitation to Worship
Fatherhood Hasn’t Kept Iain from The Fall
Ah, the march of time. Here's my pick. Top tip is Tom Vek.
Essential Album
Fall Heads Roll - The Fall
Other Essential Albums
Awfully Deep - Roots Manuva
The Light At The End Of The Tunnel - Whitey
I Have Always Been Here Before - Roky Erickson (compilation released 2005)
Minimum-Maximum - Kraftwerk
The Glasgow School - Orange Juice (compilation released 2005)
Demon Days - Gorillaz
Beauty and the Beat - Edan
We Have Sound - Tom Vek
Capture/Release - The Rakes
A River Ain't Too Much To Love - Smog
Summer In The South East - Bonnie "Prince" Billy
Noah's Ark - CocoRosie
Honourable Mention (Best Thing Released In 2005 But Not Really New)
Peel Sessions Box - The Fall
Albums I Got Into In 2005 And Should Have Earlier
Nuggets - Compilation of 60s garage/psych stuff
Fun House - The Stooges
Hejira - Joni Mitchell
Odd Tracks I Liked (old and new)
It's A Shame - Detroit Spinners
The Letter - Box Tops
Holy Ghost - Bar-Kays
Dog On Wheels - Belle and Sebastian
I Want To Be President - Electrelane
Seal My Fate - Belly
Germ-Free Adolescents - X-Ray Spex
Al-Naafiysh (The Soul) - Hashim
Borderline - Madonna
Little Thoughts - Bloc Party
You Can't Hurry Love - Concretes
Hats Off To Larry - Del Shannon
Little Fluffy Clouds (Dance Mix 2) - The Orb
1 Thing - Amerie
Mustt Mustt (Massive Attack Remix) - Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
Welcome to Jamrock - Damian "Junior Gong" Marley
Love Hangover - Diana Ross
Go Away Now Please
LCD Soundsystem
Babyshambles
The Strokes
Jennifer A and her Jamrock
Stand-Out album
Welcome To Jamrock- Damien Marley
Faves
M.I.A., Arular
The Magic Numbers, The Magic Numbers
The Go! Team, Thunder, Lightning, Strike
Feist, Let It Die
Bloc Party, Silent Alarm
Madonna, Confessions From A Dancefloor
Singles
Ciara and Missy, 1,2 Step
Gnarls Barkley, Crazy
Keane, Everything's Changing
The Boy Least Likely To, Be Gentle With Me
James Blunt, You're Beautiful
Best Way To Get Drunken Hipsters On The Dancefloor
Kelly Clarkson, Since You Been Gone
Liel’s Magic Numbers
I made up my own categories, but, humor aside, I still consider my picks to be my essentials. They're the albums I listened to the most this year, and those which moved me the most. Here, in no particular order, they are:
The Fiery Furnaces - Rehearsing My Choir (most essential album by a brother-sister duo)
Magic Numbers - The Magic Numbers (most essential album by two brother-sister duos united into one band)
Silversun Pickups - Pikul (most essential album with incomprehensible title)
Black Keys - Rubber Factory (most essential low-key, lo-fi, low-life album)
CocoRosie - Noah's Ark (most essential album with drawings of animals copulating on the cover)
Constantines - Tournament of Hearts (most essential album with angry, angry people singing angry, angry lyrics)
Bettye LaVette - I've Got My Own Hell to Raise (most essential album with a title taken from a Fiona Apple song)
New Pornographers - Twin Camera (most essential album that's not really essential at all and sounds just like their other albums but is still fun to listen to)
Sufjan Stevens - Illinoise (most essential album containing moving lyrical tribute to serial killer John Wayne Gacy)
Decemberists - Picaresque (most essential album that sounds just like a lot of things out there at the moment but is still kind of cool)
Broken Social Scene - Broken Social Scene (most essential album by a collective with a creative name)
Britta Philips and Dean Wareham - L'Aventura (most essential album featuring a singer who looks just like Jem from Jem and the Holograms and whose voice makes you feel funny inside)
Nico’s Historic DM Year
OK, so this is an historic year for me because Garbage
is not #1. I didn't think that'd ever happen, but then
again I didn't think that Depeche Mode could ever blow
me away like they did with PLAYING THE ANGEL.
1. Depeche Mode: Playing the Angel
2. Garbage: Bleed Like Me
3. Madonna: Confessions on a Dance Floor
4. Annie: Anniemal
(tie)
5. Fiona Apple: Extraordinary Machine
5. Nine Inch Nails: With Teeth
And the Most Disappointing Album of the Year goes
to....
Tori Amos: The Beekeeper
WAKE UP, TORI! You're boring the SHIT out of me!
And the Wish I Knew About This Album in 2004 Award
goes to....
Autolux: Future Perfect
Lucas Causes Alarm
Thankfully I already had a list compiled for my own purposes, but I added in an extra category. I was thinking of "Most Awesome Remix That I Introduced David To," but didn't want to shame you.(1 being the most essential)1. Bloc Party, Silent Alarm2. Songs for Silverman, Ben Folds3. Bright Eyes, I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning4. Fiona Apple, Extraordinary Machine5. The Magic Numbers, The Magic Numbers6. Kanye West, Late Registration7. Franz Ferdinand, You Could Have It So Much Better8. Madonna, Confessions on a Dance Floor9. Sufjan Stevens, Illinois10. Coldplay, X&YMost Awesome Remix Ever: Thin White Duke, "Mr. Brightside"
Joseph, Not Late in Registering His Picks
Most essential:Kanye West, Late RegistrationOther essentials:Sufjan Stevens, Come On Feel The Illinoise!Death Cab For Cutie, PlansBright Eyes, I'm Wide Awake, It's MorningIron and Wine, Woman King [EP]Devendra Banhart, Cripple CrowAmadou & Mariam, Dimanche a BamakoJack Johnson, In Between DreamsKonono No. 1, CongotronicsMoby, Hotel
More Yes Than No from Terra
TERRA'S ESSENTIAL ALBUMS FOR 2005
1. Andy Ditzler, Songs from Yes and No (www.frequentsmallmeals.com) Seriously, this is ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL. Completely, completely musically & lyrically & thematically AMAZING. I know it won't make the real poll but how about "BEST DUMBO ALBUM TO COME OUT OF ATLANTA" or something like that? This is completely hip and smart and coolsounding and forwardthinking and retro all at once.)
2. Gorillaz, Demon Days
3. Kings of Convenience, Riot on an Empty Street and David Byrne, Growing Backwards (they're both essential but not AS essential as 1 & 2, so they're tied for 3)
4. Harry and the Potters, Harry and the Potters & Voldemort Can't Stop the Rock (2 CDs; both essential) (http://www.eskimolabs.com/hp/news.htm)
Sadly I really don't think there's much "Essential" about the new Death Cab this year. Ben is a little bit too in love, I think. It's kinda annoying, actually, all that "Some Day You Will be Loved" business and whatnot. Really for me there wasn't anything incredibly HUGE this year. Maybe I'm dipping too much into past and indie stuff right now and relying too much on mixes from friends. That's really my FAVORITE thing to do any more since it's always surprising and varied.
Pat Isn’t Late for the Sky
Thanks for including me! I only have one entry for you. Jackson Browne, Solo Acoustic, Vol. 1. Maybe this lands in the category of old music made new again in ways you didn’t think could move you and did. It’s soulful, calming, and poetic. The songs are all better the second time around as acoustic (which is something you hope for but almost never get), and Jackson Browne can play a mean guitar (and piano, who knew!), so there’s always that. It’s a journey of song and verse I keep going back to again and again.
Thanks again for including me….sorry I didn’t have more to offer.
I don't know what happens when people dieCan't seem to grasp it as hard as I tryIt's like a song I can hear playing right in my earThat I can't singI can't help listening
For A Dancer, 1974
Jackson Browne
Pat
P.S. if you’re looking for a favorite track of the year it would be These Days from said album, including the spoken introduction…. :)
Aimee Candies Kanye
I'll just give 3 favorites in order of preference:
Kanye West, Late Registration
Beck, Guero
Gogol Bordello, Gypsy Punks Underdog World Strike
Heavy Metal & Chris K (with a cameo by Gorillaz)
ALBUM OF THE YEAR:
High On Fire, "Blessed Black Wings"
So, imagine, if you will, that you're a pothead (if you don't have to,
well, good for you, I guess, just don't keep Smartfood Popcorn around
or you'll get fat). You listen to Phish, the Doors, all that
monk-bought-lunch hippie acid bullshit. Now, imagine the government
straps you to a gurney, injects you with methamphetamine, feeds you
more and more pot, and only allows you to listen to Pantera, Black
Sabbath, Hüsker Dü, Merle Haggard, and Slayer. This is the album you
would make. With the grace of a ballerina, the skill of a surgeon, and
the crushing force of Ben Grimm (that's the Thing from the Fantastic
Four for those of you who have a life), High On Fire deliver a record
which, from beginning to end, makes you want to bang your head and
worship the Devil. Not just A devil, THE Devil. Lucifer. Satan. Lord Of
The Flies, Prince Of Darkness, Man Of Wealth And Taste DEVIL. Horns up,
thumbs tucked, heads bowed. This record fucking slays.
THE LUCKY THIRTEEN: (in order of ass-kickery)
1. The Black Dahlia Murder, "Miasma"-A brutal slab of melodic death
metal about fame, Hollywood, and the failings of mankind. The title
track alone puts this album at the top. Feel like vomiting on Julia
Roberts? Not yet, you don't.
2. Judas Priest, "Angel Of Retribution"-Rob Halford is the only out gay
man in metal. No one cares. Why? Because he makes music like THIS. The
ultimate comeback album. Anyone for pumping your fist in your bitching
Camaro?
3. Devildriver, "The Fury Of Our Maker's Hand"-This is not just a good
metal album, but a good piece of MUSIC. Each song has a rhythm and
atmosphere all its own, creating one jagged little pill of fury. Listen
to "Grinfucked." You could swing dance to it.
4. Gorillaz, "Demon Days"-We cannot, understandably, be angry all the
time. So, what else is there to do? Booty dance to music written by
cartoons. Get to it.
5. Meshuggah, "Catch Thirty-Three"-This album is thirteen songs which
were written together, as one piece of music. It is, simply put, a
progressive masterpiece. Think Pink Floyd meets Rammstein. Epic and
beautiful.
6. Darkane, "Layers Of Lies"-Their best album since their first. Yet
another step up for a tiny, obscure band who are slowly becoming the
darlings of the Swedish scene. Sweeping hooks, tight riffs, wailing
solos.it doesn't get better than this.
7. System Of A Down, "Mesmerize"-The first part of SOAD's two-part
Armenian anti-bush extravaganza. This is metal you can both dance and
weep to, music for both the heartfelt and the carefree. Song title
which needs mention: "The Cocaine Makes Me Feel Like I'm On This Song."
8. Watch Them Die, "Bastard Son"-These guys got my Album Of The Year
slot last year for their debut, and their follow-up is.I mean.just.what
do these guys eat? Nail? Guns? Human skulls full of acid? It's insane.
It's pure evil. You have to hear this.
9. God Forbid, "IV: Constitution Of Treason"-This is GOOD POLITICAL
MUSIC. There is no whining, only anger. There is melody that makes your
heart bleed in the most violent way possible. This is a band who've hit
their stride and won't back down. This is metal at its most meaningful.
10. Naglfar, "Pariah"-As said before, you can't always be angry.
Sometimes, you can just be so misanthropic, you want the world to be
swallowed up by great swarms of demonic insects. Which is where this
album comes in.
11. Reggie & The Full Effect, "Songs Not To Get Married To"-Isn't this
the group that made "Dwarf Invasion?" Yeah? So why is this such a
kick-ass piece of dark-and-happy emo-core? Huh? Who peed in their
cereal? It's like Human League woke up and became terrorists. Jesus.
12. Nile, "Annihilation Of The Wicked"-This is a death metal album. A
skilled, brutal, intelligent death metal album with lyrics and melodies
derived straight from ancient Egypt, including a key in the liner notes
explaining the history of each song. Hey, Radiohead, go fuck yourself.
13. Soilwork, "Stabbing The Drama"-Hair metal sucks, but mankind, as a
species, needs big sing-along hooks to scream while banging their
heads. So, here you go. That idea, distilled to perfection. Listen to
"Nerve."
OLDER ALBUMS I WISH I'D KNOWN SOONER:
Muse, "Absolution"
Clutch, "Pure Rock Fury"
Saxon, "Denim & Leather"
BIGGEST MUSICAL ABORTION: IT'S A TIE!
Avenged Sevenfold
My Chemical Romance
Fallout Boy
Holly’s On the Money This Year
I am usually a dollar short and a year (or more) late with music, but this is what I've been liking:
*MOST ESSENTIAL*
FIONA APPLE, Extraordinary Machine
*ALSO ESSENTIAL*
FRANZ FERDINAND, You Could Have it So Much Better
EELS, Blinking Lights and Other Revelations
COLDPLAY, X & Y
QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, Lullabies to Paralyze
*BEST DISCOVERY FROM 2004*
THE DRESDEN DOLLS, The Dresden Dolls
*BEST ALBUM MYSTERIOUSLY NOT ON YOUR 2002 LIST*
RUFUS WAINWRIGHT, Poses
Millions of Brits Would Agree With Your Shallowness, Sarah D L
Fiona Apple - Extraordinary Machine
James Blunt - Back to Bedlam (best newcomer - oh, and pretty damn drool-worthy as well)I can't think of any more right now because my brain is fried. But I think those are my top two, with James Blunt perhaps winning out because he's cuter. Am I shallow or WHAT?
Off the Beaten Path with Jen G
I buy music so infrequently I had to check last year’s email to make sure I didn’t send you the same ones. The most recent album I got this year and played constantly was:
Jolie Holland, Escondida (2004)
Older but still somewhat recent albums I got this year and put in heavy rotation:
Andrew Bird's Bowl Of Fire, Oh! The Grandeur (1999)
Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers, One Hour Mama (1996)
All of the above are various forms of nouveau retro jazz – Jolie’s country blues, Bird’s cabaret weird hot, and Lavay’s swing.
Nick R, From the Road and In the Aer
Fortunately you caught me on a rare week when I have regular Internet access. So, my number one album of 2005 is:
Kate Bush, Aerial
It doesn't have the immediate quirky punch that her previous albums do, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Aerial is a deliberately understated album that really rewards repeat listens. I especially love disc 2, which is the musical chronicle of a summer day. The flamenco flair at the end of "Sunset" makes me want to dance every time. The dreamy way Kate sings We stand in the Atlantic/We become panoramic in "Nocturn" is bliss embodied. And the urgency with which she belts I feel I need to get up on the roof! in the title track gets my blood pumping. After 12 years it's good to know Kate still has it.
Honorable mentions:
Eels, Blinking Light and Other Revelations
At first glance, it seems like a rather dark, morbid album. I think it's more about hope and preserverance, though.
Sheryl Crow, Wildflower
I was very disappointed in C'mon C'mon, so it was a relief to find that Sheryl still had some songwriting chops left.
Ben Folds, Songs for Silverman
"Landed" is an amazing, amazing song.
Non-2005 discoveries of the year:
Elliot Smith, From a Basement on the Hill
OK, so I'm only a year late to this party. The sheer amount of noise is a big change of pace from the other Elliot albums I have (X/O and Figure 8) but it totally works. The album does have a dark side, but given the circumstances of Elliot's life I'm amazed at how much energy and verve is packed into this album.
Joni Mitchell, Court and Spark
I just love how funky this album is. The use of brass is terrific. And "Twisted" makes me giggle every time: Now I heard little children were supposed to sleep tight/So that's why I got into the vodka that night/My parents got frantic, didn't know what to do/But I saw some crazy things before I came to. Hehehe.
Biggest reversal of opinion:
Tori Amos, Scarlet's Walk
I had been very underwhelmed with this album since it was first released. I was missing the ferocity of Tori's older work. Now, my current job involves hours at a time spent in a pickup truck, driving over mountain pass after mountain pass. It turns out that an 8-hour drive through Wyoming is the perfect occasion for Scarlet's Walk. The sweeping imagery and steady beat is perfect. This has become one of my favorite driving albums. The Beekeeper, however, is another story....
Ann Marie N, In with the Out Crowd
1. So good I practically melted it:
The Out Crowd, Then I Saw The Holy City
2. Inevitably masqueraded as a letdown just long enough to get under my
skin and become essential:
Brian Jonestown Massacre, We Are the Radio
3. I wish I could say it wasn't a total surprise:
A Hawk and A Hacksaw, Darkness at Noon
4. Not-so-old dog, with some seriously new tricks:
Dead Meadow, Feathers
5. Uncomfortably wonderful:
Silver Jews, Tanglewood Heroes
6. Half-forgotten opening band, fully worth the effort of tracking
down:
Espers, Tanglewood Numbers
7. A little embarassed to admit it, but I'd be lying if I left it out:
Bright Eyes, I'm Wide Awake It's Morning
8. Sugar high with enough substance to sustain a cross-country road
trip:
Of Montreal, The Sunlandic Twins
9. Let's just get this out of the way:
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
10. Favorite outlet for frustration:
Mary Timony, Ex Hex
Best Discoveries:
The Morning After Girls
Pipes You See, Pipes You Don't
The Soft Explosions (and their incredible guitarist!)
The Warlocks' self-titled debut LP
Best (and most welcome!) Comeback:
The Olivia Tremor Control
Best shows that nobody (okay, okay, so there were about 15 people) saw:
Sonic Boom at The Hook
Bobby Conn at Maxwells
E’s Essentials
top albums of the year?
most essential:
antony and the johnsons-i am a bird now
kanye west-late registration
m.i.a.-arular
other essential:
clap your hands say yeah-clap your hands say yeah
bettye lavettte-i've got my own hell to raise
jens lenkman-oh you're so silent jens
favorite tracks of 2005?
http://www.226-design.com/grey/2005/11/
uncertain_times_favorite_songs.html
Brian M Feels the Sufjan
album of the year
------------------------
Sufjan Stevens, Come On Feel the Illinoise
most tragically romantic album
-----------------------------------------
David Poe, Love is Red (U.S.A. release)
most benfoldsish album
--------------------------------
Ben Folds, Songs for Silverman
most improved (early death cab doesn't do it for me)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Death Cab for Cutie, Plans
Nicole, Enjoying Last Year
I only discovered Franz Ferdinand, The Killers, and Scissor Sisters in
2005, otherwise I would put them down again! So my only contribution,
and I'm not sure what year they would be, is:
Rilo Kiley, More Adventurous
I’m Wide Awake, It’s Dan P
I must admit that this past year was not a big music year for me. I didn't branch out and explore as usual, I think, mostly because I was strapped for cash... So, looking at my own compiled list, I'm a bit disappointed -- nothing really jumps out at me as something I'm going to be listening to in a few years... except well... the obvious, the cliche, and the kitsch -- which isn't necessarily what good music is about. Then again, good music also isn't necessarily about being 'good'. Good music has a certain jer nuh say... something. Something essential.
I guess deep down - you just know - and so I'm going to have to judge based on the one song I couldn't stop listening to all year, and which still has the power to make my insides go squish - First Day of My Life. Therefore, my most essential album of 2005 must be:
Bright Eyes - I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning
Close on its heels are:
Antony and the Johnsons - I am a bird now
Death Cab for Cutie - Plans
Madonna - Confessions on a Dancefloor
Imogen Heap - Speak for Yourself
Tori Amos - The Beekeeper
Feist - Let it Die
Beck - Guero
Sigur Ros - Takk
Trailing with untied shoelaces is:
Coldplay - X&Y
New Order - Waiting for the Siren's Call
And what should be counted (very close to the top) but I'm not sure if it qualifies since its old:
KELLY CLARKSON (I LOVE YOU) - BREAKAWAY
Singularly:
Antony and the Johnsons - Fistful of Love
Brazilian Girls - Don't Stop
Feist - Secret Heart
Natasha Bedingfield - Unwritten & I Need a Hook
Tori Amos - Toast
Madonna - Jump and Hung Up
I meant to Buy but didn't and therefore feel unqualified to judge:
Fiona Apple
Sufjan Stevens
Franz Ferdinand
Lindsay: Unrepentantly Singles
Lindsay's Most Essential 2005 List
I'm a singles girl, not so much an album girl.
Favorite Singles 2005
1) Amerie, 1 Thing
2) Doves, Black and White Town
3) The Futureheads, Area
4) Feist, Inside and Out
5) Cut Copy, Saturday Night
6) Depeche Mode, Precious
7) Broadcast, Michael Agrommar
8) Uncut, Understanding the New Violence
9) The Go! Team, Huddle Formation
10) Sufjan Stevens, Flint (for the Unemployed and Underpaid
11) Interpol, C'Mere
Most Over Hyped Bands 2005 (They're good but not earthshattering)
1) Sufjan Stevens
2) Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah
3) M.I.A.
4) Bloc Party
5) Spoon
Best Retro/Reissue Pick!
One Kiss Can Lead to Another: Girl Group Sounds Lost and Found
Melissa’s Common and Uncommon Picks
1. Kanye West - Late Registration
2. Common - Be
3. Damian Marley - Welcome to Jamrock
4. Fischerspooner - Odyssey
5. Gorillaz - Feel Good Inc.
6. Beck - Guero
7. Spoon - Gimme Fiction
8. Lyrics Born - Same !@#$ Different Day
9. DangerDoom - The Mouse and The Mask
10. Dwele - Some Kinda...
Elise Makes Music Out of the Wreck-age
I'm not giving this nearly enough time to do it justice, but a few top picks for best albums of the year:
1) Anna Nalick, Wreck of the Day
2) The Frames, Burn the Maps
3) Aimee Mann, The Forgotten Arm
My favorite album that I got this year was actually released last year: the soundtrack for Garden State, which I see on your list for last year, so good pick.
Grace Under Pressure from Veronica
Wow, the pressure is intense. Here are mine:
1. Bright Eyes, I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning
2. Rilo Kiley, Portions for Foxes
3. Garbage, Bleed Like Me
4. Fiona Apple, Extraordinary Machine
I hate the number 4, but I can't think of a fifth right now (Kelly Clarkson's album is officially 2004, isn't it?) ... so just um, pretend I gave you 5.
Rebecca, Musical Traveler of the World
At the risk of appearing out of the funk or modern American
> musical loop, I send my Music Madness list - check it out - guaranteed to
> have you singing in Portugese, Italian and French!
> 1) Cesaria Evora, album titlted Sao Vicente, best song titled Crepuscular
> Solidao or in English, Twilight Loneliness (absolutely lovely)
> 2) Paola Conte, album titled The best of Paola Conte, best song Via Con me
> (it's wonderful, it's wonderful . . . , chips, chips, du-du-du-du)
> 3) Julien Clerc, album titled Si On Chantait 1968-1997, best song This
> Melody or Cette Melodie (Julien Clerc - the man is beautiful!)
Exraordinary That Andrew F Finds Time to Listen to Music!
Most Essential:
Fiona Apple, Extraordinary Machine- I Didn't Expect it to be, but it is. I
had to buy a second copy 'cause I wore the first one out.
Essential:
Liz Phair, Somebody's Miracle- I'll alwys be a fan.
Martina McBride, Timeless- Sure it's a cover album, but what a cover album.
Lee Ann Womack, There's More Where That Came From- Now this is country.
Weezer, Make Believe- Catchiest songs of the year.
Aimee Mann, The Forgotten Arm- Underappreciated, but great for driving.
They Might Be Giants, Here Come the ABC's- Fun for the whole family.
Bruce Springstreen, Devils and Dust- Just as good as his rock work.
Death Cab for Andrew P
Ahhh yes... my albums of the year. I had to go through my iTunes folders to see what I had added this year, then cross-reference them with the iTunes Music Store to figure out which ones were released this year, and then list them. A mighty ordeal to say the least.
Here you go...
1. Death Cab for Cutie, Plans
And in no particular order...
2. Madonna, Confessions on a Dance Floor
3. Sigur Rós, Takk...
4. Imogen Heap, Speak for Yourself
5. Sia, Colour the Small One
6. Sufjan Stevens, Illinoise
7. Dar Williams, My Better Self
8. Aimee Mann - The Forgotten Arm
9. Tracy Chapman, Where You Live
10. Coldplay, XY
Most disturbing continuance of a career in music: David Hasselhoff, Night Rocker
Kayla Mushabooms
Here's what impressed me, in no particular order:
Michael Penn, Mr. Hollywood Jr., 1947
Fiona Apple, Extraordinary Machine (especially the Jon Brion songs #1 and #12)
Danger Doom, The Mouse and The Mask
Kanye West, Late Registration
Franz Ferdinand, You Could Have It So Much Better
Sufjan Stephens, Illinois (C'mon feel the Illinoise)
*Sufjan Stephesn, Michigan (Greetings from Michigan: The Great Lake State), 2003
*Feelin Kinda Patton, Patton Oswald (Comedy Album), 2004
The Raveonettes, Pretty in Black
Beck, Guero
Feist, Mushaboom
*Non-2005 discoveries...
Most Overrated Artist in my personal, humble opinion- and not that you asked for this-
but Bright Eyes- c'mon, people!!!! No more Bright Eyes...don't believe the hype!!!
And...I've downloaded the new Jon Brion album...it's fantastic, but sounds like a Michael Penn album.
James, a Girlyman Fan
1. Come on feel the Ilinoise - Sufjan Stevens
2. Plans - Death Cab for Cutie
3. Little Star – Girlyman
Patrick’s Close En-Connor of the Bright Eyes Kind
2005 Top Albums
1. Bright Eyes, I'm Wide Awake It's Morning
2. M.I.A., Arular
3. Spoon, Gimme Fiction
4. Death Cab for Cutie, Plans
5. The Decemberists, Picaresque
6. Margot and the Nuclear So and So's, The Dust of Retreat
7. Wolf Parade, Apologies to the Queen
8. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!
9. Antony and the Johnsons, I Am a Bird Now
10. Sufjan Stevens, Illinois
2005 Top Songs
1. Feist, Mushaboom
2. Bright Eyes, First Day of My Life
3. Stars, Your Ex-lover is Dead
4. Bloc Party, Banquet
5. Wolf Parade, I'll Believe in Anything
6. Spoon, Sister Jack
7. Death From Above 1979, Blood On Our Hands
8. M.I.A., Bingo
9. The New Pornographers, Use It
10. Sufjan Stevens, Chicago
On the Corner with Chris W
Here is my pick of the year:
1) Richard Hawley, Coles Corner
I don't listen to much in the way of new music, so I'll offer my...
..greatest discovery of an old album:
Roky Erickson & The Aliens, The Evil One (1981)
Clap Your Hands and Say Alex is a Bird Now
Here are my entries:1. Antony and the Johnsons, I Am a Bird Now2. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah3. Clientele, Strange Geometry4. Deerhoof, The Runners Four5. Sigur Ros, Takk6. Annie, Anniemal7. Devendra Banhart, Cripple Crow8. Sufjan Stevens, Illinois9. Decembrists, Picaresque10. Beck, Guero
If You Don’t Already Have a Look, Check Kevin Out
My list is pretty simple:
#1. The Dirtbombs, "If You Don't Already Have a Look"
Mick Collins cements his legend with this album. The driving force behind The Gories and Blacktop opens the Dirtbombs' vaults to unleash 52 tracks of covers and originals. Everything from the serious garage noise of "High Octane Salvation" to a dead-on cover of "I Started a Joke." Genius, and probably the final missive from The Dirtbombs.
#2. Sugarfix, "You Can't Always Feel Their Teeth at First"
I could, quite possibly, be biased here.
Old Gem I Just Discovered:
The Real Kids, "Grown Up Wrong"
Another punkish outfit that also wrote a brilliant pop song in "Common at Noon"
Non-music, but demands saying -- Most Offensive Movie of 2005: Junebug. woof. The fact that this thing is actually celebrated by a lot of people is really making me re-think a lot of things. I considered walking out of the theatre on this one, something I've never done (I mean, hell, I sat through the entirety of "Constantine").
U Rock, Elizabeth E
MOST ESSENTIAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Hot Hot Heat, Elevator – Because… I love every song on this album, its completely infectious. Want to see me dance? Just play “Middle of Nowhere.”
OTHER ESSENTIALS
The All-American Rejects, Move Along – Because… Deep down inside I’m really a fourteen year old girl, which would make my crush on the 21 year old lead singer not so wrong.
Bright Eyes, I’m Wide Awake Its Morning – Because…simply put, he is brilliant.
Death Cab for Cutie, Plans – Because… This was the only CD that could get me through laser eye surgery.
Fall Out Boy, From Under the Cork Tree – Because… “I’m just a notch on your bedpost, but you’re just a line in this song” is my favorite lyric of 2005.
The Fray, How to Save a Life – Because… This CD got me through three days of lying in bed post surgery.
Gorillaz, Demon Days – “Don’t stop, get it, get it!”
Kaiser Chiefs, Employment – Because… its a riotous good time (ugh, even I think that’s bad!)
My Chemical Romance, Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge – Because… “I’m not F*&(cking okay” just says it all.
Weezer, Make Believe – Because…its my favorite Weezer album since the Green Album.
THE “OKAY, I’LL ADMIT IT, DAMMIT” AWARD GOES TO…
Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone” – yes, this is by far the most played song on my iPod! Want to make something of it? This song rocks and I play it loud and proud – holla!
Gabe’s Into Twins
#1: New Pornographers, Twin Cinema
Others:
My Morning Jacket, Z
Ladytron, Witching Hour
Sufjan Stevens, Come On Feel the Illinois
Coolest Comeback: Neil Diamond, 12 Songs
My New Discovery a Year Later: Tegan and Sarah, So Jealous
Not Ashamed to Say I Geeked Out For: Weezer, Make Believe
Dark Light, Not Bright Eyes, for Sarah-Maria
here's my list (can you tell i hate to make choices...)
can i also ask you while i'm at it to send us a pile of dirty liars?
thanks a bunch! hope all is well in pushland and with you,
s-m
My Top 18 in No Particular Order:
-HIM, Dark Light
-Spoon, Gimme Fiction
-The White Stripes, Get Behind Me Satan
-The Magic Numbers, The Magic Numbers
-Cardigans, Super Extra Gravity
-Queens of the Stone Age,Lullabies to Paralyze
-John Frusciante, Curtains
-Gorillaz, Demon Days
-Starsailor, On The Outside
-The Turin Brakes, Jack in a Box
-The Tears, Here Come The Tears
-Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Howl
-Brendan Benson, The Alternative to Love
-The Decembrists, Picaresque
-I Am Kloot, Gods and Monsters
-The Kills, No Wow
-Madrugada, The Deep End
-Oasis, Dont Believe The Truth
2004's Guilty Pleasure that didn't catch me until 2005
My Chemical Romance, Three Cheers for Revenge
2004's Non-Guilty Pleasure that didn't catch me until 2005
The Dears, No Cities Left
Poor Brian M’s Still Waiting for Chinese Democracy
Okay, here it goes....my last list B.C. (before Chinese Democracy)
Most Essential (there's no limiting this year, there are 3 that everyone
should own):
Queenadreena, The Butcher and the Butterfly
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Howl
The White Stripes, Get Behind Me Satan
Other Essential (in no particular order):
Spoon, Gimme Fiction
John Frusciante, Curtains
Joyzipper, Heartlight Set
Manic Street Preachers, God Save the Manics EP
Pagoda, Pagoda EP
Turin Brakes, Jack in a Box
The Kills, Now Wow
Kasabian, Kasabian
Oasis, Don't Believe the Truth
Magnolia Electric Co., What Comes After the Blues
Queens of the Stone Age, Lullabies to Paralize
The Magic Numbers, The Magic Numbers
Bonnie Prince Billy, Superwolf
Madrugada, The Deep End
I Am Kloot, Gods and Monsters
Mars Volta, Frances the Mute
Brendon Benson, Alternative to Love
Decemberists, Picaresque
Death From Above 1979, You're a Woman I'm a Machine
HIM, Dark Light
Essential Re-Issues:
Manic Street Preachers, The Holy Bible
Roky Erickson, Don't Slander Me
Roky Erickson, Gremlins Have Pictures
Roky Erickson, I Have ALways Been Here Before
Most Essential Discovery from Past Years:
Violent Femmes, Violent Femmes
The list is admittedly fat, but what can I say, it was a good year for music
I’m Sure Satan Would Be Willing to Get Behind You, Kimberly
Here's my top 3 of 2005 -- I figured I'd make an independent decision
while I have the chance:
Jack Johnson: In Between Dreams
The White Stripes: Get Behind Me Satan
Aqualung: Strange and Beautiful
More New Porn from Michael S
I didn’t really buy as much as I might normally have done last year. And yet, and yet, my faves:
New Pornographers, Twin Cinema
Ben Lee, Awake Is the New Sleep
Maria Taylor, 11:11
Fiona Apple, Extraordinary Machine
Jason’s Feeling Like a Criminal
Essential: Fiona Apple, Ex. Machine
Devendra Banhart, Cripple Crow
Kings of Leon, Aha Shake Heartbreak
Magic Numbers, s.t.
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, s.t.
MIA, arular
White Stripes, Get Behind Me Satan
Antigone Rising,From the Ground Up
Nickel Creek, Why should the fire die
Feist, let it die
Architecture in Helsinki Isn’t Esoteric, Matthue, But Trans Rap Is
Most Essential: Architecture in Helsinki, In Case We Die (i swear this
is not just to be esoteric....they are beautiful, absolutely
beautiful. australians that orchestrate pop-punk songs for a 10-piece
percussion-and-tubas band, mixing they might be giants sensibilities
with le tigre choruses and a stevie wonder funk.)
And:
Ani Difranco, Knuckle Down
Brian Wilson, Smile
Kanye West, Late Registration
Bruce Springsteen, Devils and Dust
Morcheeba, The Antidote
The Plus Ones, Oh Me Of Little Faith
Funnest Debut: Katastrophe, Let's Fuck, Then Talk About My Problems
-- because all transsexual rap artists should be this funny. and this
slick.
Josh L Pointed Out Kanye West Was Overrated Before Kanye West Posed As Jesus For Rolling Stone
I feel like this has been a veyr good year
for what I think of as "David Music." (alt-pop? prog-rock?) I've been
reading and downloading more this year than past, so I've actually got
more nominees than I know what to do with. If Owen Pallett
releases his album themed on the schools of magic in D&D, just count
that as my choice for next year, no need to consult me.
I'm puzzled over the many possible interpretations of "essential:"
essential to music's role in propping up my well-being, or essential to
music as an evolving art? The latter would steer away from
good-but-not-really-new, so I'll go with the former, but any of the top
three below could be my number one. #1 psuedo-spiritual uplift, #1
fun/sing along, #1 words matter too/walking to school music,
respectively.
1. Sigur Rus, Takk
2. New Pornographers, Twin Cinema
3. The Hold Steady, Separation Sunday
4. Tori Amos, The Beekeeper (yes I like the album, but lifetime
achievement and the fact that it's a song cycle linked to gnostic
mythology have their roles)
5. Fiona Apple, Extraordinary Machine (I get the sense that when I just
play this album for a few weeks straight I will begin to think that it's
the greatest album ever, since this has happened--each time with much
delay--twice before)
6. The Mountain Goats, Sunset Tree (This goes here because I only
discovered him a few months ago, and while simultaneously absorbing 40
different albums I'm not sure how high this one ranks. But anyone who
is aware of this guy and doesn't recognize his tremendousness, well,
sucks.)
I figure other people will take care of Sufjan and MIA who seem to
deserve their celebrations... Kanye West is overrated.
X, Y, & Matthew U
It seems I once again bought next to nothing this year as I finished up my final semesters of school and school-induced poverty. Alas. The only two cd's I can mention at all are
Brian Eno, Another Day on Earth
Coldplay, X&Y
Jim, Naughty But So Rocking
Most essential:
Louis XIV, The Best Little Secrets Are Kept (naughty, but so rocking)
Right on its heels:
Ambulance Ltd., Ambulance Ltd. (gorgeous)
Aqualung, Strange & Beautiful (gorgeous)
Brendan Benson, The Alternative to Love (heart-breaking)
Coldplay, X&Y (hate to admit it)
The Editors, The Back Room (thank you, Nick!)
Fiona Apple, Extraordinary Machine (brain-massagingly eclectic)
Yes, I know they're great, but...
Bloc Party, Silent Alarm
Deathcab for Cutie, Plans
So happy I found it (from a previous year):
The Stills, Logic Will Break Your Heart (2004)
How didn't it show up on the David pool?
The Shins, Chutes Too Narrow (2003)
Markus’s Picks From Down Under
Here are my picks:
Most Essential: Wolfmother; ‘Wolfmother’.
Essential: Daniel Johnston: Covered\Uncovered.
Essential Song: Wolfmother: ‘White Unicorn’.
Cary, Neither Heartless Nor a Bastard
Oh dear! I almost missed out!
Heartless Bastards, Stairs and Elevators
The Tune Stranglers, If You Ain’t right Git Right
Lee Fields, Problems (a re-release of an old funk record now on CD)
Hopefully my ‘Bastards will rank. I won’t hold my breath for the others.
Francesco Loves New York, So He’s Not a Dork
Herewith, the music that made me feel alive in 05; the music that helped me revive in 05; the tunes that made me not feel contrived in 05; the albums that fueled my sex drive in 05; the music that took me out of automatic drive in 05; the music that helped me to survive 05; etc.
Can I Get a Triple Latte-Chino with that?
Alanis Morissette, Jagged Little Pill Acoustic
Madonna, Confessions on a Dancefloor, with the exception of that damned song #4
Really just Bubblegum but:
Annie, Anniemal
I mean, the eyeliner still works for me:
Green Day, American Idiot
It took me a while but:
Fiona Apple, Extraordinary Machine
Just an automatic:
Franz Ferdinand, You Could Have It So Much Better
Triptacular
Fischer Spooner, Odyssey
I like it when she's more confused than this -- I mean "Tuna, rubber"? Yes, please, but:
Tori, The BeeKeeper
Packed with a razor blade and some nice bubbles for a warm bath:
Coldplay, X&Y
Just delicious:
Nouvelle Vague, Nouvelle Vague
She finally pulled it off:
Kelly Osbourne, Sleeping in the Nothing
I wanna pull if off them:
The Bravery, The Bravery
Remembrance of Things Past
Annie Lennox, Diva
TLC, CrazySexyCool
Deee-Lite, Dewdrops in the Garden
A Damn Interesting Year for Alex G
My, another year in music gone. Or really, just another year, gone. Music, for the most part, was much more interesting than the cinema this year. Music gave us 50 Cent (the massacre!), brought back the hefty talk/singing of Neil Diamond (where talk of Rick Rubin as producer seemed to overshadow the actual album and Diamond's talk/singing thing that he does so well), and a NIN album (I just found out about this one). Where the cinema only brought us things like a 50 Cent movie, and a few forgettable flops. Ok, so maybe I didn't listen to any of these albums mentioned above (who has the time?), but to make a sweeping generalization, music was damn interesting this year.
Top 10
1. Sufjan Stevens - Illinois
2. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
3. M. Ward - Transistor Radio
4. Spoon - -Gimme Fiction
5. Andrew Bird - The Mysterious Production of Eggs
6.Devendra Banhart - Cripple Crow (Gypsy was very in this year.)
7. Architecture in Helsinki - In Case We Die
8. M.I.A. - Arular (Not sure if I loved this record, but c'mon, the weird factor is so high.)
9. Belle and Sebastian - Push Barman to Open Old Wounds
10. My Morning Jacket - Z
Annie Throws it Down
Most Essential (in no particular order):
Sinead O'Connor, Throw Down Your Arms
Kaiser Chiefs, Employment
the Eels, Blinking Lights and Other Revelations
Liz Phair, Somebody's Miracle
Franz Ferdinand, You Could Have It So Much Better
Essential Soundtracks:
Grey's Anatomy
The OC Mixes 4 and 5
Maybe Not Essential But Close to It:
Fiona Apple, Extraordinary Machine
Ben Folds, Songs for Silverman
Nouvelle Vague, Nouvelle Vague
Brazilian Girls, Brazilian Girls
Death Cab for Cutie, Plans
Imogen Heap, Speak for Yourself
Bettye LaVette, I've Got My Own Hell to Raise
Tracy Bonham, Blink the Brightest
Bright Eyes, I'm Wide Awake It's Morning
Feist, Let It Die
Brendon Benson, The Alternative to Love
Aqualung, Strange and Beautiful
Brant Sets Himself on Fire
My Essential Album of 2005
Stars, Set Yourself on Fire
Runners-Up in the Order They Ran Up
Bright Eyes, I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning
Common, Be
Bloc Party, Silent Alarm
LCD Soundsystem, LCD Soundsystem
Annie, Anniemal
The Raveonettes, Pretty in Black
The New Pornographers, Twin Cinema
Kanye West, Late Registration
Gorillaz, Demon Days
Kasabian, Kasabian
Kevin K, Guerrrrrrrrrrrrrro
Below are my Essential 15 Picks for the 2006 David Music Poll (in alphabetical order):
- Beck / Guero
- Ben Lee / Awake is the New Sleep
- Bright Eyes / I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning
- Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah! / Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah!
- Death Cab for Cutie / Plans
- The Decemberists / Picaresque
- Franz Ferdinand / You Could Have It So Much Better
- Kaiser Chiefs / Employment
- The Kills / No Wow
- New Order / Waiting for the Siren's Call
- The New Pornographers / Twin Cinema
- Spoon / Gimme Fiction
- Stars / Set Yourself on Fire
- Sufjan Stevens / Come on Feel the Illinoise
- The White Stripes / Get Behind Me Satan
Sarah Z and the Johnsons
In order, sort of...
Antony and the Johnsons, I Am a Bird Now
Sufjan Stevens, Illinois
Death Cab for Cutie, Plans
The Decemberists, Picaresque
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Bright Eyes, I'm Wide Awake It's Morning
Chris T Spoons It
1. Spoon, Gimme Fiction
2. Bloc Party, Silent Alarm
3. The Go! Team!, Thunder Lightning Strike (US)
4. Fiery Furnaces, EP
5. Broken Social Scene, S/T
6. LCD Soundsystem, S/T
7. Sleater-Kinney, The Woods
8. The Hold Steady, Separation Sunday
9. Antony and the Johnsons, I Am a Bird Now
10. Bright Eyes, I'm Wide Awake It's Morning
Worst Band Ever:
The Postal Service
Best Live Show:
Arcade Fire, NYC Central Park Summerstage
Beware, Coldplay Fans, of Dave B
i can't imagine anyone's list is gonna look like mine. my records of the year:
greg dulli's amber headlights [this guy's output post-whigs is insane]
the foo fighters / in your honor [most ambitious record]
bob mould / body of song [biggest comeback after the train wreck that was 'modulate' & a career hiatus]
the streets / a grand don't come for free [proof that the US hasn't cornered the market on white rappers]
sinead o'connor / throw down your arms [like the foo & bob, ballsy as hell & welcome back]
p.s. if anyone puts the coldplay album, i'm beating them to death w/ my shoe.
Anica’s All Takk
Most essential album of the year:
Sigor Ros, Takk...
Also essential:
The Kings of Leon, Aha Shake Heartbreak (featuring the best song of the year, Taper Jean Girl)
Andrew Bird, Andrew Bird & The Mysterious Production of Eggs
Pretty freaking great:
Sufjan Stevens, Illinoise
The Decemberists, Picaresque
I'm also enjoying:
The White Stripes, Get Behind Me Satan
Aimee Mann, The Forgotten Arm
That intense fling I now regret:
Bright Eyes, both
Thu Feels the Noise
most essential album of the year
Sufjan Stevens - Come on Feel the Illinoise
other extremely essential albums (in no particular order after the first three):
Iron and Wine - Woman King
John Mayer Trio - Try!
Gorillaz - Demon Days
Bloc Party - Silent Alarm
Ben Lee - Awake Is the New Sleep
Broken Social Scene - Broken Social Scene
Beck - Guero
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
I’m Only Counting the Top Ten From Jason G
PRODUCT SHOP NYC'S THE 57 BEST ALBUMS OF 2005
57. I Am Kloot - Gods and Monsters
56. Bruce Springsteen – Devils & Dust
55. Mommy & Daddy – Duel At Dawn
54. The Decemberists - Picaresque
53. The New Pornographers – Twin Cinema
52. Mars Volta – Frances The Mute
51. Animal Collective - Feels
50. Black Mountain – Black Mountain
49. Fatlip – The Lonliest Punk
48. Broken Social Scene – Broken Social Scene
47. Ryan Adams & The Cardinals – Jacksonville City Nights
46. Franz Ferdinand – You Can Have It So Much Better With…
45. Shout Out Louds - Howl Howl Gaff Gaff
43. Laura Veirs - Years of Meteors
42. Tom Vek – We Have Sound
41. The Joggers – With A Cape And A Cane
40. Goldfrapp - Supernature
39. Beck - Guero
38. Devandra Banhart – Cripple Crow
37. My Morning Jacket - Z
36. The National - Alligator
35. DangerDoom – The Mouse And The Mask
34. Hold Steady – Separation Sunday
33. Nine Inch Nails – [With Teeth]
32. Fiest – Let It Die
31. The Go! Team – Thunder, Lightning, Strike
30. Sam Champion – Slow Rewind
29. Brendan Benson - Alternative to Love
28. Clap Your Hand Say Yeah – Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
27. Bloc Party – Silent Alarm
26. Sufjan Stevens - Illinois
25. The Babyshambles – Albion Seed
24. Silver Jews – Tanglewood Numbers
23. Andrew Bird - The Mysterious Production Of Eggs
22. Wolf Parade – Apologies To The Queen Mary
21. Stephen Malkmus – Face The Truth
20. Emiliana Torrini - Fisherman’s Woman
19. New Order – Waiting For The Sirens Call
18. The Magic Numbers – The Magic Numbers
17. Brakes – Give Blood
16. Sleater-Kinney – The Woods
15. Spoon – Gimme Fiction
14. Sigur Ros – Takk….
13. Fiona Apple - Extraordinary Machine
12. LCD Soundsystem – LCD Soundsystem
11. Youth Group – Skeleton Jar
10. Bright Eyes – I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning
9. Frank Black – Honeycomb
8. Paul McCartney – Chaos And Creation In The Backyard
7. Ryan Adams – Cold Roses
6. M.I.A. - Arular
5. The Rakes - Capture / Release
4. Gorillaz – Demon Days
3. Antony & The Johnsons – I Am Bird Now
2. The White Stripes – Get Behind Me Satan
1. Supergrass – Road To Rouen
Rachel C Heard it on the X
in no particular order:
Los Super Seven – Heard It On The X
Nikka Costa – Can'tneverdidnothin'
Lyrics Born – Same !@#$ Different Day
Fiona Apple – Extraordinary Machine
Anthony Hamilton – Soulife
Belle & Sebastian – Push Barman to Open Old Wounds
Toshi Reagon – Have You Heard
The Raveonettes – Pretty In Black
Betty Lavette – I've Got My Own Hell To Raise
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings – Naturally
The Duhks – The Duhks
Shakira – Fijación Oral - Vol. 1
Rihanna – Music Of The Sun
Ronnie’s Sound Tracks
Essential Soundtracks of the Year
Track 17 "The Wings" from Brokeback Mountain: composer Gustavo Santaolalla
The trailer played for months before the movie opened and I cried every time this music kicked in, not knowing much about the movie. Either there was a subliminal tone that was manipulating me, or it is getting much easier to make me cry.
Track 14 "Nirvana" from Millions: group El Bosco
Same thing, I would cry like a baby when this music cued in the Millions trailer. Sue me.
Track 19 "Coyotes" by Richard Thompson from the soundtrack "Grizzly Man" - the best song of the year
Bill’s Seeing Stars
OK, so here's mine. As you know, I'm somewhat clueless about when music comes out. Some of this might be from previous years, but I listened to the following a lot in 2005.
1. Stars, Set Yourself on Fire
2. Black Eyed Peas, Monkey Business
3. Sigur Ros, Takk
4. The Bravery, The Bravery
5. Jack Johnson, In Between Dreams
6. Susan Tedeschi, Wait For Me
The good news is, I actually bought all of these albums.
Jack M’s Strange Geometry
Most essential:
Clientele-STrange Geometry
Essential:
Little Wings--Magic Wand
Vashti Bunyan--Lookaftering
6 Organs of Admittance--School of the Flower
Belle and Sebastian--Push Barman to Open Old Wounds (duh)
Shackamaxon
Feathers
Dungen--Ta Det Lungt (This was on my list for last year, but I thought I'd put it on again since it was officially released in 2005 in the US, and was on Rolling Stone's top picks of the year...Is that legal?)
Fave Reissues:
Shirley Collins and Dave Graham--Old Roots, New Routes
Bread, Love & Dreams
John Martyn--Stormbreaker
New discoveries:
Alice Coltrane--Ptah the El Daoud
Alice Coltrane--Journey in Satchadanda (sp?)
Pharoah Sanders--Jewels of Thought
Pharoah Sanders--Karma
Bob James--Explosions
Dave Burrell--Echo
I'm sure there's more!
Michael M’s Confessions
Here's my one vote:
Madonna / Confessions on a Dance Floor
LOVE it! and can't even think of anything else. altho I hear the James Blunt is good.
Sean’s Hung Up
Essential Album of 2005:
Madonna, “Confessions On A Dance Floor” - The Queen of Clubs makes a triumphant return to the groove, looking to a familiar subject once again for inspiration. Who better than her Madgesty to school the masses in dance music history? Things kick off with the irresistible ABBA hook around which “Hung Up” gallivants, and others paid homage throughout the album include the Jacksons, S.O.S. Band, Donna Summer, Sister Sledge, Pet Shop Boys and Kylie Minogue, as well as sly references to Madonna’s own back catalog of hits (“Holiday,” “Secret”). The subject matter is familiar terrain, dancing around the topics of love, religion and enlightenment. But what’s truly compelling is the journey - each of these future-disco hits evolves and morphs into the next, to provide a swirling, pulsating DJ set (thanks to co-producer/remixer of the year, Stuart Price). The non-stop mix entices and ultimately rewards the experience of listening to the album as a whole. (But for the iPod nation, key downloads include “Hung Up,” “Sorry,” “Let It Will Be” and “Jump.”)
Twelve Other Essentials:
Tori Amos, “The Beekeeper” - Easier-listening from the faerie priestess - her lyrics are still heavy on metaphoric imagery, but it’s more focused and coherent effort overall. (download “The Power Of Orange Knickers,” "Jamaica Inn,” “Sleeps With Butterflies,” “Ireland”)
Antony & the Johnsons, “I Am A Bird Now” - Gorgeous and haunting. The world needs more male chanteuses. (download “Hope There’s Someone,” “You Are My Sister”)
Fiona Apple, “Extraordinary Machine” - Worth the wait. (download the title track, “Tymps [The Sick In The Head Song]”) The Bravery, “The Bravery” - Pre-fab post-punk? Who cares when the hits are this good? (download “An Honest Mistake,” “Swollen Summer,” “Public Service Announcement”)
Feist, “Let It Die” - Quirky and dreamy, with a groovy ‘70’s vibe complimenting the torchier tracks. (download the title track, “One Evening,” "Inside And Out”)
Franz Ferdinand, “You Could Have It So Much Better With…” - Not as novel as the first record, but the songs just might be better… or at least more well-rounded. (download “Do You Want To,” “Eleanor Put Your Boots On,” “What You Meant,” “Fade Together”)
Goldfrapp, “Supernature” - No one rides the hot/cold electro fence better than Allison Goldfrapp, who also brings a few new glam influences to the band’s latest. Sexy and fun. (download “Ooh La La,” “Number 1”).
M.I.A., “Arular” - A multi-culti, funky, freaky, retro-future hip-hop house party, and everyone’s invited - even Fred Sanford. (download “Bucky Done Gun,” “U.R.A.Q.T.”)
Aimee Mann, “The Forgotten Arm” - This literate, depressing and tragic concept album about a junkie boxer and his girlfriend is like an emotional hit to the gut. (download “Dear John,” “I Was Thinking I Could Clean Up For Christmas”)
Alanis Morissette, “Jagged Little Pill Acoustic” - A mature, thoughtful re-take on a seminal album, and most of it sounds even better today. (download “Head Over Feet,” “Ironic”)
Robyn, “Robyn” - The best pure pop album of the year. The Swedes know how to do it right. Seriously, this record is a joy. (download “Be Mine,” “Handle Me,” “Konichiwa Bitches” and all the rest of it)
Sufjan Stevens, “Illinois” - An exquisitely refracted look back at the touchstones of a Prairie State upbringing, from Superman to John Wayne Gacy to Frank Lloyd Wright, ferris wheels, the Cubs, Casimir Pulaski Day and the Santa Claus Parade. This record makes me want to laugh and cry, often at the same time. (download “Come On! Feel The Illinoise!: Part I: The World's Columbian Exposition/Part II: Carl Sandburg Visits Me In A Dream,” “The Man Of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts”)
A Dozen (Or So) More I Enjoyed, Admired or Otherwise Felt Deserved Acknowledgment:
Beck, “Guero”/“Guerolito” (download “Girl,” “Heaven Hammer (Missing) [Remix by Air],” “Clap Hands”)Bloc Party, “Silent Alarm”/“Remixed” (download “Banquet,” “Blue Light [Engineers 'Anti-Gravity' Mix]”)Coldplay, “X&Y” (download “Fix You,” “Talk”)Sheryl Crow, “Wildflower” (download “Lifetimes,” “Always On Your Side”)Fannypack, “See You Next Tuesday” (download “Nu Nu [Yeah Yeah],” “On My Lap”)Imogen Heap, “Speak For Yourself” (download “Hide And Seek”)LCD Soundsystem, “LCD Soundsystem” (download “Daft Punk Is Playing At My House,” “Tribulations”)Róisín Murphy, “Ruby Blue” (download “If We’re In Love”)New Order, “Waiting For The Sirens’ Call” (download “Jetstream,” Turn”)Sugababes, “Taller In More Ways” (download “Push The Button,” “Obsession”)Kayne West, “Late Registration” (download “Gold Digger,” “Heard ‘Em Say”)Lee Ann Womack, “There’s More Where That Came From” (download “I May Hate Myself In The Morning”)Noteworthy Debut Efforts:
Brazilian Girls, “Brazilian Girls” (download “Don’t Stop,” “Lazy Lover”) Elkland, “Golden” (download “Apart,” “Everybody’s Leaving”)Leela James, “A Change Is Gonna Come” (download “Music,” “Don’t Speak”) Juliet, “Random Order” (download “Avalon”)Kaiser Chiefs, “Employment” (download “Everyday I Love You Less And Less,” “Na Na Na Na Na”)Susie Suh, “Susie Suh” (download “Won’t You Come Again,” “All I Want”)Essential Soundtrack:
Gustavo Santaolalla/Various Artists, “Brokeback Mountain” (download Teddy Thompson & Rufus Wainwright, “King Of The Road”)Essential Reissue of Last Year’s Best Album:
The Killers, “Hot Fuss [Limited Edition 7” Box Set]” - Each of the eleven album tracks on 45 RPM vinyl, backed with rare b-sides, covers and remixes, including Jacques Lu Cont's amazing Thin White Duke Mix of “Mr. Brightside.”
Essential Single of 2005:
Kelly Clarkson, “Since U Been Gone” - Song of the year, without question. It’s been remixed (Jason Nevins), mashed up (DJ Earworm, Aggro1) and covered (Ted Leo), and it’s still as fresh as the first time you heard it. And “Behind These Hazel Eyes” rocked, too.
Other Essential Singles: Amerie, “1 Thing” Annie, “Heartbeat [Phones Maximo Edit]”Mariah Carey, “We Belong Together” (and the remix is even better), “Shake It Off”Ciara feat. Missy Elliott, “1, 2 Step”Missy Elliott feat. Ciara & Fat Man Scoop, “Lose Control”Fischerspooner, “Never Win”José González, “Heartbeats” Kelly Osborne, “One Word”Spoon, “I Turn My Camera On” Gwen Stefani, “Hollaback Girl,” “Cool” Rachel Stevens, “I Said Never Again (But Here We Are)”
Jackie’s Into the Greatest White Liar
1. Madonna - Confessions on the Dancefloor2. Nic Armstrong and the Thieves - Greatest White Liar 3. Bill Ricchini - Tonight I Burn Brightly4. Fiona Apple - The Extraordinary Machine5. The Bravery - Self Titled 6.Beck - Guero7. The Go! Team - Thunder, Lightning, Strike8. New Order - Waiting For The Siren's Call 9. Architecture In Helsinki- In Case We Die10. Cut Copy - Bright Like Neon Love
Favorite music related book of 2005 - Just A Modern Rock Story: Belle and Sebastian
Apologies to the Queen Mary for Amy H’s Picks
Most essential album:It's a tie between: Wolf Parade: Apologies to the Queen Mary and Architecture in Helsinki: In Case We Die (ahhh.. I'm currently obsessed with both albums, cannot stop playing them..!!!) Others that dominated my ipod playlists this year..3. Iron & Wine: Woman King EP ) ... hypnotic4. Broken Social Scene: Broken Social Scene5. Bright Eyes: I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning6. Beck: Guero (E-Pro, how can this song not make a person start dancing??)7. Sigur Ros - Takk. (actually, ALL of Sigur Ros's albums... ahhhh...)8. Nine Inch Nails: With Teeth
Good Karma Chameleon for Steve S
Here, very quickly, in no particular are my choices for 1983, I mean 2006:New Order – Waiting for the Siren’s CallKate Bush – AerialMadonna – Confessions on a DancefloorGorillaz – Demon Days
Zach Plays the Wires
My top ten albums of 2005:
1. Patrick Wolf – Wind In The Wires
2. Metric – Live It Out
3. The Magic Numbers – The Magic Numbers
4. Billy Corgan – TheFutureEmbrace
5. Garbage – Bleed Like Me
6. Ladytron – Witching Hour
7. M.I.A. – Arular
8. The Boy Least Likely To – Best Party Ever
9. Fiona Apple – Extraordinary Machine
10. John Vanderslice – Pixel Revolt
I have runner ups, too: Annie – Anniemal, and Lindsay Lohan – A Little More Personal (Raw).
If you get the chance, you should scoot on over to www.pandora.com. You give it a favorite artist, or several bands/artists you like, and it works as an internet radio. It makes recommendations based on the similarities in the artists you give it. You can tell it whether or not you like the song and it responds accordingly. It's pretty awesome.
A Peek into Anton’s iTunes
To be honest, this was a weird year in music for me.
Not only did I buy much less than usual (sticking mostly to bands I already knew), but I also didn't always buy full albums -- and when I did, I rarely listened to them all the way through. Instead, I've been putting everything I buy in a "new music" folder on iTunes, and then listening to the whole thing on random on my iPod.
I found I've been enjoying new music a lot more that way -- even though there's potentially songs I've bought that I still haven't heard yet. I'm not so eager anymore to listen to everything I get and play it repeatedly until I've committed it all to memory -- instead I let myself be continually surprised. It's like listening to a really amazing radio station that ONLY plays stuff I like (which in my opinion doesn't exist).
I know I'm too late for the poll, but in case you were curious anyway, here's my top albums of 2005 off the top of my head (that I know I listened to fully):
DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE – “PLANS”
THE DOVES – “SOME CITIES”
NEW ORDER – “WAITING FOR THE SIREN’S CALL”
SPOON – “GIMME FICTION”
THE BRAVERY – “THE BRAVERY”
KASABIAN – “KASABIAN”
BECK – "GUERO"
MOBY – "HOTEL"
OASIS – “DON’T BELIEVE THE TRUTH”
FRANZ FERDINAND – "YOU COULD HAVE IT SO MUCH BETTER"
My "favorite" changes on a daily basis, so can't really give one.
Totally hit & miss were the new albums from:
NINE INCH NAILS
COLDPLAY
INXS
BILLY CORGAN
BEN FOLDS
DEPECHE MODE
As for top dozen songs, some were shocking:
"Bitches Ain't" Shit
Ben Folds
"Do You Want To"
Franz Ferdinand
"Soul Meets Body"
Death Cab For Cutie
"Waiting for the Sirens' Call" New Order
"Breathe" Erasure
"E-Pro" Beck
"Melodies & Lines" Wallmark
"The Bucket" Kings of Leon
"Walk In Fire" Doves
"Na Na Na Na Naa" Kaiser Chiefs
"First Day of My Life" Bright Eyes
"I Summon You" Spoon
Nick E’s Feeling It
Finally, here are my music picks:
1. Sufjan Stevens - Come On! Feel the Illinoise!
This was a tough call for me, but I think this album is going to be a
favorite of mine for years--as it is, I decide on a new favorite song
from this record every few weeks. And who else could manage such a
beautiful song about a serial killer?
2. Bloc Party – The Silent Alarm
New Yorkers actually dance to this one. 'Nuff said.
3. Bright Eyes - I'm Wide Awake It's Morning
Conor's my touchstone--he's exactly my age and his music seems to
mature to match my changing tastes.
4. Fischerspooner - Odyssey
You don't need to be on drugs to enjoy this one!
5. Madonna - Confessions on a Dance Floor
I don't love every song on the album, but the good ones are really,
really good. Plus, I needed one artist on this list that I don't want
to have sex with.
And a special honor to this year's best collection of previously
released material:
Jens Lekman - "Oh, You're So Silent, Jens"
I'm glad he's not! Silent, I mean. And yeah, I totally want to have
sex with him.
Billyfjan
#1!!!
Sufjan Stevens, Illinois (or whatever it's called)
tied with:
Bright Eyes, I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning
Also:
Metric, Live it out
Fiona Apple, Extraordinary Machine
Madonna, Confessions on a Dancefloor
Imogen Heap, Speak for yourself (It's rapidly grown on me)
Could Sophie Have it So Much Better?
Essential:
My Morning Jacket, Z
Franz Ferdinand, You Could Have It So Much Better
New Pornographers, Twin Cinema
Arcade Fire, Funeral (released in 2004, but invaded my consciousness in 2005)
Quasi-Essential:
A Girl Called Eddy, self-titled
Fiona Apple, Extraordinary Machine (quasi, only because I've listened to it just once)
Singles of the Year:
Annie, Chewing Gum
Ciara, One Two Step
Madonna, Hung Up
Franz Ferdinand, Do You Wanna?
The David L In This Poll Who Isn't Me, All Tied Up
Essential Albums of 2005: Sigur Ros, Takk... and Andrew Bird, The Mysterious Production of Eggs
1. (tied) Sigur Ros, Takk...
1. (tied) Andrew Bird, The Mysterious Production of Eggs
3. (tied) The Kings of Leon, Aha Shake Heartbeat
3. (tied) Sufjan Stevens, Illinoise
5. The Decembrists, Picaresque
6. Wolf Parade, Apologies to the Queen Mary
7. My Morning Jacket, Z
8. The White Stripes, Get Behind Me Satan
I would do a top ten, but it falls way off after #8. The next bunch, the Honorable Mentions, includes:
Bright Eyes, I’m Wide Awake It’s Morning
Aimee Mann, The Forgotten Arm
Eels, Blinking Lights and Other Revelations
Twin Cinema by The New Pornographers
Disappointing Albums with Great Songs:
Stars, Set Yourself on Fire (Your Ex-Lover is Dead)
Doves, Some Cities (Snowdon)
Bright Eyes, Digital Ash in a Digital Urn (Arc of Time)
Brendan Benson, Alternative to Love (Alternative to Love)
Let-Down Album of the Year: Death Cab for Cutie, Plans
Still need to hear: M.I.A., Deerhoof, L.C.D. Soundsystem, Elbow, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Top discovery from recent years: The Wrens, Meadowlands (2003)
Norah’s Cooler Than the Rest of Us Because She’s Heard the New B&S
Belle & Sebastian The Life Pursuit (it didn’t actually come out yet, but we found it on the worldwide interweb)Beck GueroThe Go! Team Thunder, Lightning, StrikeMadonna Confessions on a Dance FloorAll the Rilo Kiley I can get my hands onSufjan Stevens Illinois (just got this but I really like it)
Angie’s Late (But Still On Time Enough) Registration, Bringing it All to a Close
In no particular order, because I am having a terrible time choosing a favorite…
Bright Eyes. I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning
Kanye West. Late Registration
Hypnotize. System of a Down
Mesmerize, System of a Down
Multiple artists. Live at KEXP, Vol. 1
Blue Scholars. Blue Scholars (released Dec 7, ’04—does that count?)
Jamie Lidell. Multiply
Decemberists. Picaresque
Common. Be
Death Cab for Cutie. Plans
Also,
John Williams. Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (for Bob, I can’t listen to it)
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