Since it seems to be that time of year....
This was a pretty good year for me, musically (and in general too, now that I think about it.) I was introduced to a number of new bands I now enjoy greatly, and some of the bands I already enjoy produced some very solid follow-up albums. Hopefully 2006 will be equally rewarding.
Here are my top 10 albums for 2005.
1. Spoon - Gimme Fiction
Simply, an amazing album from an amazing band. Introduced me to their entire catalog, allowing me to experience a band that is only exceeded in my regard by one other. Musically diverse, lyrically impressive, and pretty damn catchy. Favorite Song. Almost impossible to decide, but I always get my white boy groove down with, "I Turn My Camera On"
2. Franz Ferdinand - You Could Have It So Much Better... With Franz Ferdinand
A follow-up that I feel is stronger than their debut, You Could Have It So Much Better has a little more emotion and a little bit less pretense then "Franz Ferdinand." The album lacks a "Take Me Out" but the songs have an affinity for emotional connection that the original album lacks. The differences are even more readily apparent when you compare the video for "Do You Want To" with those of the original album. Favorite Song: "Do You Want To"
3. Architecture in Helsinki - In Case We Die
In Case We Die is the first Architecture in Helsinki album I have purchased, though its unlikely it will be my last. (Their other one keeps calling me from iTunes. I can hear it! Bastards.) It is catchy and fun, with male and female vocals, a multitude of instruments, and interesting lyrics. I admit I might be biased towards it because of its newness, but its one of three albums this year that I can't help but listen to over and over again. Favorite Song: "Do The Whirlwind" (This is a tough choice though.)
4. White Stripes - Get Behind Me Satan
The White Stripes just seem to be getting better despite the continued eccentricity of its front man. (While on tour in England he insisted to his confused audience that he must now be referred to as "Three Quid." I kid you not.) The album is musically diverse and catchy, with Jack White moving away from his omnipresent electric guitar to a variety of other instruments. Favorite Song: "Take, Take, Take"
5. Stars - Set Yourself On Fire
Another new band, Stars shares Architecture in Helsinki’s male and female vocals, with some level of musical distinctiveness throughout their songs. They tend to be a bit more melodramatic than I would like, but the lyrics and music are captivating enough that I don't mind. Favorite Song: "One More Night"
6. Bloc Party - Silent Alarm
Catchy and dancy, Bloc Party lacks a certain character that makes it an album I want to listen to often (though I still dance my ass off when I hear them at ibar.) The dancier songs lack a lot of musical distinctiveness, though their lyrics are interesting. Plus they have a song about the Price of Gas, which appeals to my approval of the absurd. (Though I am sure they did not mean for it to be so.) Favorite Song: "This Modern Love"
7. The Raveonettes - Pretty in Black
New band; etc, etc. Quite a few fun songs on this album, though after I explored the rest of their catalog I found myself disappointed about their moving away from some of the more Jesus & Mary Chain-style influences from "Chain Gang of Love." Though it is good that they have added another lead vocalist, I think they suffer from the lack of fuzz. Favorite Song: "Love In a Trash Can."
8. Ok Go - Oh No
Good, solid power pop with a hilarious video in the form of "A Million Reasons." There isn't anything in particular I can criticized in their music, it just doesn't strike me as being as interesting as the albums that showed up higher in my rankings. I expect to listen to this pretty frequently for the next few months until I reach the point where I just find myself going back to the handful of songs that stand out for me. Nothing wrong with that. Favorite Song: "A Million Reasons"
9. Matt Pond PA - Several Arrows Later
I am still trying to decide whether I think the album is bland or not. I love the opening track, “Halloween,” but of the albums I have purchased recently I find myself more inclined to listen to Architecture in Helsinki or Ok Go. I made hold this album in higher regard as I listen to it, as I came to appreciate Grant Lee Phillips, “Mobilize,” but that remains to be seen. Favorite Song: “Halloween”
10. Death Cab For Cutie - Plans
I am increasingly coming to suspect that the only Death Cab For Cutie album that I am going to truly enjoy is “Transatlanticism.” “Plans” isn’t bad (otherwise it wouldn’t be on my list,) it just doesn’t cover enough new ground from their earlier work to be really considered an accomplishment. Plus it seems they get slightly wankier with each album, though luckily they aren’t quite at the level of Aqueduct.
Most Annoying Album of the Year:
Aqueduct - "I Sold Gold"
When I first was given this album I liked it quite a bit, I sang along with the songs, and it appealed to the post-relationship angst I was going through at the beginning of the year (how I have changed!) A little bit after that, I started looking at the lyrics and realized that quite a few of the songs were vaguely creepy, and the albums wankiness started to really get to me. Now, I can barely stand to listen to it, and wonder how I could ever stand it in the first place. Damn it.
Most Disappointing Album of the Year:
Dandy Warhols - "Odditorium or the Warlords of Mars"
After two very impressive albums, and one decent one, the Dandys have finally made a major misstep in the form of “Odditorium or the Warlords of Mars.” It could have been so much better, and there are just enough traces of potential on the album to make their numerous mind-bending 7 minute-long songs, and caricatures of earlier songs to be all the more saddening. I hope this isn’t a sign they have lost their creative ability.
Here are my top 10 albums for 2005.
1. Spoon - Gimme Fiction
Simply, an amazing album from an amazing band. Introduced me to their entire catalog, allowing me to experience a band that is only exceeded in my regard by one other. Musically diverse, lyrically impressive, and pretty damn catchy. Favorite Song. Almost impossible to decide, but I always get my white boy groove down with, "I Turn My Camera On"
2. Franz Ferdinand - You Could Have It So Much Better... With Franz Ferdinand
A follow-up that I feel is stronger than their debut, You Could Have It So Much Better has a little more emotion and a little bit less pretense then "Franz Ferdinand." The album lacks a "Take Me Out" but the songs have an affinity for emotional connection that the original album lacks. The differences are even more readily apparent when you compare the video for "Do You Want To" with those of the original album. Favorite Song: "Do You Want To"
3. Architecture in Helsinki - In Case We Die
In Case We Die is the first Architecture in Helsinki album I have purchased, though its unlikely it will be my last. (Their other one keeps calling me from iTunes. I can hear it! Bastards.) It is catchy and fun, with male and female vocals, a multitude of instruments, and interesting lyrics. I admit I might be biased towards it because of its newness, but its one of three albums this year that I can't help but listen to over and over again. Favorite Song: "Do The Whirlwind" (This is a tough choice though.)
4. White Stripes - Get Behind Me Satan
The White Stripes just seem to be getting better despite the continued eccentricity of its front man. (While on tour in England he insisted to his confused audience that he must now be referred to as "Three Quid." I kid you not.) The album is musically diverse and catchy, with Jack White moving away from his omnipresent electric guitar to a variety of other instruments. Favorite Song: "Take, Take, Take"
5. Stars - Set Yourself On Fire
Another new band, Stars shares Architecture in Helsinki’s male and female vocals, with some level of musical distinctiveness throughout their songs. They tend to be a bit more melodramatic than I would like, but the lyrics and music are captivating enough that I don't mind. Favorite Song: "One More Night"
6. Bloc Party - Silent Alarm
Catchy and dancy, Bloc Party lacks a certain character that makes it an album I want to listen to often (though I still dance my ass off when I hear them at ibar.) The dancier songs lack a lot of musical distinctiveness, though their lyrics are interesting. Plus they have a song about the Price of Gas, which appeals to my approval of the absurd. (Though I am sure they did not mean for it to be so.) Favorite Song: "This Modern Love"
7. The Raveonettes - Pretty in Black
New band; etc, etc. Quite a few fun songs on this album, though after I explored the rest of their catalog I found myself disappointed about their moving away from some of the more Jesus & Mary Chain-style influences from "Chain Gang of Love." Though it is good that they have added another lead vocalist, I think they suffer from the lack of fuzz. Favorite Song: "Love In a Trash Can."
8. Ok Go - Oh No
Good, solid power pop with a hilarious video in the form of "A Million Reasons." There isn't anything in particular I can criticized in their music, it just doesn't strike me as being as interesting as the albums that showed up higher in my rankings. I expect to listen to this pretty frequently for the next few months until I reach the point where I just find myself going back to the handful of songs that stand out for me. Nothing wrong with that. Favorite Song: "A Million Reasons"
9. Matt Pond PA - Several Arrows Later
I am still trying to decide whether I think the album is bland or not. I love the opening track, “Halloween,” but of the albums I have purchased recently I find myself more inclined to listen to Architecture in Helsinki or Ok Go. I made hold this album in higher regard as I listen to it, as I came to appreciate Grant Lee Phillips, “Mobilize,” but that remains to be seen. Favorite Song: “Halloween”
10. Death Cab For Cutie - Plans
I am increasingly coming to suspect that the only Death Cab For Cutie album that I am going to truly enjoy is “Transatlanticism.” “Plans” isn’t bad (otherwise it wouldn’t be on my list,) it just doesn’t cover enough new ground from their earlier work to be really considered an accomplishment. Plus it seems they get slightly wankier with each album, though luckily they aren’t quite at the level of Aqueduct.
Most Annoying Album of the Year:
Aqueduct - "I Sold Gold"
When I first was given this album I liked it quite a bit, I sang along with the songs, and it appealed to the post-relationship angst I was going through at the beginning of the year (how I have changed!) A little bit after that, I started looking at the lyrics and realized that quite a few of the songs were vaguely creepy, and the albums wankiness started to really get to me. Now, I can barely stand to listen to it, and wonder how I could ever stand it in the first place. Damn it.
Most Disappointing Album of the Year:
Dandy Warhols - "Odditorium or the Warlords of Mars"
After two very impressive albums, and one decent one, the Dandys have finally made a major misstep in the form of “Odditorium or the Warlords of Mars.” It could have been so much better, and there are just enough traces of potential on the album to make their numerous mind-bending 7 minute-long songs, and caricatures of earlier songs to be all the more saddening. I hope this isn’t a sign they have lost their creative ability.