Yes, another ‘Top blah blah’ list with short(ish) reviews… hopefully this one is useful! Here we go, my top 20 releases of 2005:
- Surfjan Stevens Illinoise
The popular choice among critics and for once they are right. This album surprised me! Very good. - Bloc Party Silent Alarm
Solely because I listened to this album like 100 times straight when it came out. Eagerly waiting album #2. - The New Pornographers Twin Cinema
Probably one of the catchiest bands you’ll ever here. They pull out another masterpiece here. - Sleater-Kinney The Woods
Moved to Sub Pop from Kill Rock Stars, but they kept everything that made them good and improved on it. One of their best efforts, no doubt. - Common Be
One of my favorite hip hop albums of all time. Don’t listen to hip hop much, but when I do it’s because of albums like this one. - Ryan Adams Cold Roses
Mr. Adams is back! Loved Heartbreaker, but not so much with his other solo releases. He’s back and back strong! - Bright Eyes I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning
Bright Eyes is hit or miss with me, but this alt-countryish version went down smooth. - Stephen Malkmus Face the Truth
Malkmus is back to his wacky self ala Pavement after a more subdued effort on Pig Lib. - Beck Guero
Beck is another hit or miss with me, but this album is great and one of my favorite major label albums of the year. - Thrice Vheissu
See my review here. - Coldplay X&Y
Not as good as their previous albums, but a very strong effort. - The Magic Numbers s/t
Totally surprised by their live set (saw them with Bright Eyes), but the album doesn’t come close to matching their live sound. Still a good album and set of songs, though. - Death Cab for Cutie Plans
Kind of disappointed at first, but it grew on me. A much more mature Death Cab, but still great songwriting. - Idlewild Warnings/Promises
Another disappointment at first, but after a few listens it grew on me. One of my favorite bands, so the expectations were very high. Another awesome live band. - Nada Surf The Weight is a Gift
The once one-hit wonders come back with a surprise hit on Death Cab’s old indie label. Very nice! - Elbow Leaders of the Free World
Many reviews point to Radiohead and Coldplay, but Elbow does their own thing with much success. - The Mars Volta Frances the Mute
A difficult listen at first, but the more you listen to it, the more you pick up in the music. Complex, interesting music, if nothing else. - Minus the Bear Menos El Oso
Seattle rockers hit the streets with their first full-length album. Not quite as good as the best songs from their EPs, but still a solid release. - Ryan Adams Jacksonville City Nights
Yes, Ryan Adams. Release #2 of 2005. And yes, two good releases in a row! Wait, there’s more… - Ryan Adams 29
You got it. Release #3 from Mr. Adams. All three good! Wow. 29 harkens back to Heartbreaker, which is a good thing for me!
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Comments 5
Okay, I gotta review your review Dettbarn. Good thing I am not a music reviewer because this is all just too random (and long):
~First and foremost I strongly veto Elbow. Sorry but those peeps are just too slow for me. However, the dude who sings has some good hair. I have also kind of worn out on Death Cab, Bloc Party, Cold Play, Bright Eyes and the Mars Volta. I’m not even going to touch Thrice because I have definitely not warmed up to them (hey there was a time when I hated the Pixies- albiet in 9th grade, so it might just take time).
~I am not sure what I think of Serfjam yet- it is different enough that its refreshing and interesting to listen to- I am even considering this for some classroom play. Also, I love the Ryan Adams stuff, and I know this will sound shallow, but what the hell is up with that homeless beard? He was SO good looking until that raspy rats nest became attached to his face! I don’t know if I can get past that…
~However, I strongly second Beck (he rocks my pants off!) and Sleater Kinney (ass kicking- and that sucks with no pants on!). I listen to “Hell Yes” by Beck almost every morning when I drive to work in the asolute darkness. It really gets me ready for “game time” at school, if you know what I mean. The Magic Numbers are also awesome and great “dancing while you are making dinner” music. Minus the Bear is great because when you listen to them you actually feel like a cooler person with some of those jams. Common’s music is also catchy, but the lyrics are so down to earth. Idlewild still has it as does the Malkmus, plus Malkmus can give me that non-serious, laid back, hangin out, foolin around kind of song that not many can. He has a lot of good “on the way home from work” songs. Last but not least, Nada Surf has always been on the “good list” for me since I went to a Jawbox show a long time ago just to see Nada Surf! HA! Anyway, they have definitely improved and this record is the best yet.
Posted 09 Jan 2006 at 8:00 pm ¶Pardon, I’d like to set the record straight. Apparently its “Surfjan”. My bad.
Posted 09 Jan 2006 at 8:03 pm ¶Yo mama! I’ll give you a ‘Serfjam’!
Posted 09 Jan 2006 at 8:04 pm ¶I thought it was “smurfjam”- small jars of berry perserves made by tiny blue people in the woods gaurded by Gargamel.
Posted 09 Jan 2006 at 8:05 pm ¶Much better and very clever, young Melisa!
Posted 09 Jan 2006 at 8:09 pm ¶