Top 5...
...albums of 2005. poky_sharpy reminded me.
In a pretty particular order:
5. Louis XIV - The Best Little Secrets Are Kept
A lot of people might discount Louis XIV as a raunchier companion to the neo-new-wave sound of the Killers/Franz Ferdinand/Interpol - a fair criticism. The fact is that I really dig them, and the album has some great tracks on it. Worth a look.
4. The White Stripes - Get Behind Me Satan.
This ranks lower on the list than it might because I think that while it's a wonderful expansion and exploration of their sound, De Stjil and Elephant are still better albums.
3. System of a Down - Mezmerize/Hypnotize
System would probably rank a little higher if it were just Mezmerize. Hypnotize has some good tracks on it, but it also has some that are less impressive. Mezmerize is a solid winner from top to bottom.
2. Mike Doughty - Haughty Melodic
Mike's transition from Soul Coughing frontman to his own artist is complete with Haughty, a wonderfully rocking and poetic work that shows his tremendous abilities with word- and songcraft.
1. Dredg - Catch Without Arms
For me, this album is easily the winner. Tighter and more hard-rocking than its meandering, somewhat unfocused predecessor "El Cielo", Catch grabbed me and wouldn't let go. Spitshine and Bug Eyes are the best songs any band put out this year, and I give these guys mad props. They must be making Los Gatos proud.
In a pretty particular order:
5. Louis XIV - The Best Little Secrets Are Kept
A lot of people might discount Louis XIV as a raunchier companion to the neo-new-wave sound of the Killers/Franz Ferdinand/Interpol - a fair criticism. The fact is that I really dig them, and the album has some great tracks on it. Worth a look.
4. The White Stripes - Get Behind Me Satan.
This ranks lower on the list than it might because I think that while it's a wonderful expansion and exploration of their sound, De Stjil and Elephant are still better albums.
3. System of a Down - Mezmerize/Hypnotize
System would probably rank a little higher if it were just Mezmerize. Hypnotize has some good tracks on it, but it also has some that are less impressive. Mezmerize is a solid winner from top to bottom.
2. Mike Doughty - Haughty Melodic
Mike's transition from Soul Coughing frontman to his own artist is complete with Haughty, a wonderfully rocking and poetic work that shows his tremendous abilities with word- and songcraft.
1. Dredg - Catch Without Arms
For me, this album is easily the winner. Tighter and more hard-rocking than its meandering, somewhat unfocused predecessor "El Cielo", Catch grabbed me and wouldn't let go. Spitshine and Bug Eyes are the best songs any band put out this year, and I give these guys mad props. They must be making Los Gatos proud.