A list
I can't seem to make my list of best 2005 albums, for some reason. And I don't really have to for CDReviews.com, anyway, so no big deal. I no longer think that 2005 was a bad year for music, per se, but I do feel like it was a real transition year. For me personally, as well as for the industry.
Anyway, I owe you all a list, so here's an interesting one that might be difficult to find, unless you, like me, subscribe to the All Songs Considered podcast. By the way, if you don't subscribe, I recommend doing so - or even better, listening to the show live if you can.
Here is a countdown of the top ten albums of 2005 according to NPR listeners, with my commentary:
10. Fiona Apple - Extraordinary Machine
For some reason, I think of Fiona Apple as this really scary, almost goth chick, though perhaps I'm confusing her with Shirley Manson of Garbage. Anyway, the only song of Apple's that I know is "Criminal" but what I've heard of Extraordinary Machine (pretty much just the first track) sounds nothing like that. In fact, it's kind of got this Cabaret, Nellie McKay vibe going on. Which was unexpected. But not unexpected enough for me to have the curiosity to check out the rest of the album.
9. Sigur Ros - ...Takk
Haven't heard this one yet, sadly. I hopefully will be getting a copy from one of my CDReviews cohorts before I move back East.
8. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
This one definitely made my personal top 5. Maybe even number one. In my review I compared them to the Strokes, which to me makes so much more sense than comparing them to Talking Heads. If this one ages as well as _Is This It?_ it might make my all-time top 10.
7. Spoon - Gimme Fiction
Spoon is one of those bands that impress me more every time I hear them. "I Turn My Camera On" is almost as good of a song as "The Way We Get By." Emusic.com has a special right now for 50 free MP3s. I downloaded this album from there a couple days ago, and I've been listening to it ever since. Some of the songs kind of remind me of the more Beatlesque stuff from Elliot Smith's last album.
6. My Morning Jacket - Z
I got _It Still Moves_ from Joel about a month ago. I've only listened to it once or twice, and so far, I really don't care about this band -- certainly not enough to risk getting a virus from their CD.
5. The Decemberists - Picaresque
I suppose there will always be a soft spot in my heart for this band and this album in particular. On the other hand, I've come to realize that most of the bands from Portland are as overhyped as the city itself. Especially those Dandy Warhols. They are just awful. But it's probably unfair to lump the Decemberists in with the Dandys. The Decemberists really are unique.
4. The White Stripes - Get Behind Me Satan
Since I packed up my stereo, I've discovered that _Get Behind Me Satan_ sounds much better coming through full size floorstanding loudspeakers than it does through iPod earbuds. I still say the White Stripes get better with every album.
3. Death Cab For Cutie - Plans
I've only heard the first single from this, "When Soul Meets Body." Let me just say, I think it is TERRIBLE! Probably because Chris Walla just moved to Portland.
2. Bright Eyes - I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning
I think I may have listened to this at Dave Lilley's house on my last jaunt through Buffalo, but I really don't remember it. I have a hard time caring about singer/songwriters, but I do respect Conor Oberst. Perhaps someone will have to give me this one for Epiphany, so I can make a better judgment of it.
1. Sufjan Stevens - Illinois
What do I say about Sufjan? I am happy for him, really (even though I never got that interview). It's not like Illinois is not as good as his past albums. Michigan is still my favorite, but I certainly see how someone could like this one better. And, I hate being part of some pointless reactionary backlash that delights in insulting an artist just because he has become popular. And it's not like Sufjan has betrayed anybody or sold out or anything. BUT... I can't help feeling as though I've lost something. I know, I shouldn't (heck, I first heard about Sufjan on Pitchfork). But, when I ordered Michigan direct from Asthmatic Kitty and started talking it up to all my friends, it was like Sufjan was MY discovery. He was MINE. Now, I've had to give him up, because he belongs to the world. Illinois is a wonderful album - a masterpiece, really. But, I've come to associate it with this feeling of loss that I have, which makes it, in a completely subjective sense, less enjoyable to me. So, the next time someone asks me about this album, I'm probably just as likely to shrug and start talking about something else than I am to gush about how great it is. Yeah, it is great. But then, you already knew that, so what's the point of talking about it?
Anyway, I owe you all a list, so here's an interesting one that might be difficult to find, unless you, like me, subscribe to the All Songs Considered podcast. By the way, if you don't subscribe, I recommend doing so - or even better, listening to the show live if you can.
Here is a countdown of the top ten albums of 2005 according to NPR listeners, with my commentary:
10. Fiona Apple - Extraordinary Machine
For some reason, I think of Fiona Apple as this really scary, almost goth chick, though perhaps I'm confusing her with Shirley Manson of Garbage. Anyway, the only song of Apple's that I know is "Criminal" but what I've heard of Extraordinary Machine (pretty much just the first track) sounds nothing like that. In fact, it's kind of got this Cabaret, Nellie McKay vibe going on. Which was unexpected. But not unexpected enough for me to have the curiosity to check out the rest of the album.
9. Sigur Ros - ...Takk
Haven't heard this one yet, sadly. I hopefully will be getting a copy from one of my CDReviews cohorts before I move back East.
8. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
This one definitely made my personal top 5. Maybe even number one. In my review I compared them to the Strokes, which to me makes so much more sense than comparing them to Talking Heads. If this one ages as well as _Is This It?_ it might make my all-time top 10.
7. Spoon - Gimme Fiction
Spoon is one of those bands that impress me more every time I hear them. "I Turn My Camera On" is almost as good of a song as "The Way We Get By." Emusic.com has a special right now for 50 free MP3s. I downloaded this album from there a couple days ago, and I've been listening to it ever since. Some of the songs kind of remind me of the more Beatlesque stuff from Elliot Smith's last album.
6. My Morning Jacket - Z
I got _It Still Moves_ from Joel about a month ago. I've only listened to it once or twice, and so far, I really don't care about this band -- certainly not enough to risk getting a virus from their CD.
5. The Decemberists - Picaresque
I suppose there will always be a soft spot in my heart for this band and this album in particular. On the other hand, I've come to realize that most of the bands from Portland are as overhyped as the city itself. Especially those Dandy Warhols. They are just awful. But it's probably unfair to lump the Decemberists in with the Dandys. The Decemberists really are unique.
4. The White Stripes - Get Behind Me Satan
Since I packed up my stereo, I've discovered that _Get Behind Me Satan_ sounds much better coming through full size floorstanding loudspeakers than it does through iPod earbuds. I still say the White Stripes get better with every album.
3. Death Cab For Cutie - Plans
I've only heard the first single from this, "When Soul Meets Body." Let me just say, I think it is TERRIBLE! Probably because Chris Walla just moved to Portland.
2. Bright Eyes - I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning
I think I may have listened to this at Dave Lilley's house on my last jaunt through Buffalo, but I really don't remember it. I have a hard time caring about singer/songwriters, but I do respect Conor Oberst. Perhaps someone will have to give me this one for Epiphany, so I can make a better judgment of it.
1. Sufjan Stevens - Illinois
What do I say about Sufjan? I am happy for him, really (even though I never got that interview). It's not like Illinois is not as good as his past albums. Michigan is still my favorite, but I certainly see how someone could like this one better. And, I hate being part of some pointless reactionary backlash that delights in insulting an artist just because he has become popular. And it's not like Sufjan has betrayed anybody or sold out or anything. BUT... I can't help feeling as though I've lost something. I know, I shouldn't (heck, I first heard about Sufjan on Pitchfork). But, when I ordered Michigan direct from Asthmatic Kitty and started talking it up to all my friends, it was like Sufjan was MY discovery. He was MINE. Now, I've had to give him up, because he belongs to the world. Illinois is a wonderful album - a masterpiece, really. But, I've come to associate it with this feeling of loss that I have, which makes it, in a completely subjective sense, less enjoyable to me. So, the next time someone asks me about this album, I'm probably just as likely to shrug and start talking about something else than I am to gush about how great it is. Yeah, it is great. But then, you already knew that, so what's the point of talking about it?