Makin' a List, Checkin' it Twice... Top Ten Albums of 2005
Posted December 12, 2005
Hey, so it seems like the cool thing to do these days to make end-of-the-year lists. And I'm bored. So I thought I'd share my Top Ten Albums of 2005 in order from best to ... not best, althought the order changes, and they all rock real hard. Ready? Here we go....
1.) My Album! Just kidding, mine sucks. The Decemberists ~ Picaresque
- I definitely spent the first few months of 2005 surviving off this album and pop-tarts. If you know me, you know this album, 'cause every time I frickin' touch a guitar, I play at least one song off of this release. Every song is amazing. I do miss the days when the Decemberists were "my" band, but they deserve their new-found success. Colin' has a "Colin Meloy Sings Shirley Collins" EP coming out on his solo tour. I pee myself.
2.) Sufjan Stevens ~ Come on Feel the... Illinoise
- This album can only be described as epic. While each song stands alone as a paragon of indie/alt-folk rock, the album, listened to in its entirety, is transcendental. And hazardous while driving. So carefully and thoughtfully orchestrated and arranged, the dynamic of these songs is incredible. And Sufjan's tender vocals and lyrics make me weep inside.
3.) Feist ~ Let it Die
- Leslie Feist has the most amazing voice. Often drawing comparisons to Ella Fitzgerald, Feist utilizes a vocal style known as jhai, haunting and distantly ethereal. Her songs incorporate elements of pop, folk, jazz, rock, disco, and funk, and yet defy any categorization. Let it Die is an album featuring original Feist songs and covers, including a Bee-Gees cover, which she not only pulls off, but she makes it hot. Real hot.
4.) John Vanderslice ~ Pixel Revolt
- John Vanderslice changed my life. He is, in my opinion, the greatest producer alive today. Pixel Revolt is the perfect blend of real and synthetic instrumentation. All comparisons and genres fail to contain John Vanderslice. This album is some of his most intimate and personal work. His mournful upper-register vocals on "Dead Slate Pacific" will bring you to tears.
5.) Andrew Bird ~ ...And the Mysterious Production of Eggs
- Yes, he was in the Squirrel Nut Zippers, but forgive him for past transgressions.
What is paramount is that Mr. Bird plays a mean violin. He is the perfect indie-rock icon: well dressed, amazing voice that is oddly reminiscent of Rufus Wainwright, chiseled features, plays violin, guitar and glockenspiel (for which I have a soft spot), and writes incredibly abstract lyrics that somehow make sense. Songs about calcium in its pure element state? What? I demand you give Andrew Bird a listen.
6.) Spoon ~ Gimme Fiction
- What can I say, a solid rock album. Oh yeah, and I met Britt Daniels (lead vox).
(I also met Andrew Bird, Feist, Colin Meloy, a bunch of the dudes from Broken Social Scene, and Sam Beam signed my shirt, but who's keeping track?)
7.) Iron & Wine ~ Woman King EP
This is the pinnacle work of Iron & Wine's catalogue. Everything built to this moment in their music, and I am frankly disappointed with Sam Beam's most recent collaboration with Calexico. What stands out the most about Woman King is Sam Beam's departure from the laid-back folk style of past albums into the realm of rock music. Yes, some of the songs on Our Endless Numbered Days achieved this, but not to the same degree. This album was highly produced (though not over-produced), and featured an assortment of instruments and musicians, which offered much more than previous albums could.
8.) The White Stripes ~ Get Behind Me, Satan
- More greatness from Jack White, with a small, mediocre contribution from Meg. There is a maturation in the Stripes' style evident on this album. They reach into other genres for inspiration, including blues, alt-country and folk. What is even more impressive is that most of the album, including some of the best tracks, were
written while in the studio, and they had very little concept beforehand.
9.) Josh Tillman ~ Long May You Run, J. Tillman
- Okay, so maybe the album isn't out yet, although he said it would be available Fall 2005, but I've heard two of the songs on his site, and he said he'd send me the new CD through the mail, meaning I will have a copy by the end of 2005. Sending someone your CD at their request, NO COST, is a major qualifying factor for my "Best of..." list. So is being super hunky, a standard that Tillman also meets. Bottom line is, Josh Tillman is an extremely under-appreciated artist, and also a real nice guy, so you should buy his album (www.jtillmanmusic.com). I promise its good.
10.) Oh No! Oh My! (Formerly the Jolly Rogers) ~ Pre-Release
- So, I just found out about these dudes, but they rock. In a weird, folky fashion. Its a light-hearted album with effective instrumentation and song-writing, kind of like if Neutral Milk Hotel and Half-Handed Cloud had a little baby. I'm very excited to hear the rest of it (I've downloaded most of their stuff), and I'd like to recommend it to you. I think they have potential. Download and buy at www.jollyrogers.org. Hey, their CD is $2.50, so WTF is wrong with you, man?
Remember, my music is better than yours, unless you completely agree with me in all ways, in which case, your music is pretty OK too. So, if you want to be cools, bow to my superior tastes, and CONFORM!
See you on the 21st or 22nd or both.
Love,
Gabe
