Best of Music 2005

Lets Get right to it shall we?

Best 15 Albums of 2005


1.
Wolf Parade-Apologies to the Queen Mary
If you follow indie rock music at all, you’ll have most likely heard of Wolf Parade by now. Wolf Parade creates hands down, the best indie rock album of 2005. This is how indie rock music is supposed to be made. Perhaps though, that was due to the guidance of indie rock god Issac Brock (from Modest Mouse fame). Brock produced the album, and from the buzz surrounding the bands first release, did more then an adequate job. It’s simply amazing. There are very few albums out there that I can listen to straight through, over and over again, and not get sick of it. This CD is one of them. From start to finish I don’t think there is a track on here that I don’t like.
Wolf Parade has a very distinct sound, in a medium that seems at time repetitive, yes even indie can become stagnant. Wolf Parade however breaks free from this dilemma and gives us a unique flavor to indie rock music. On certain occasions, a somewhat bluesy rock sound, could be found emanating from my speakers on a sometimes-hourly basis. With tracks like Shine a light and I’ll believe in anything, well let’s just say, I can’t see that stopping anytime soon.
Best Tracks: 1. Shine a Light 2. Dear Sons and Daughters of Hungry Ghosts 3. I'll believe in anything

2.
Immaculate Machine-Ones and Zeros.
Good luck trying to find this album. Good luck trying to find someone other than Graham and myself who actually know of this bands existence. Good luck in trying not to enjoy this album. If you're one of the fortunate few who has this album, I’m sure you’ll agree that it is indeed solid. This Victoria B.C. band known as the Immaculate Machine put out perhaps one of my favorite CD’s this year. In fact I don’t think I have listened to a CD more this year than this one. Whenever I was in a music loll (or stressed for exams) I could throw this CD on and everything would be all right again. The one thing this CD fails to capture however is the intense drumming. If you have seen this band live, you’ll know that Luke Kozlowski is one of the best young drummers out there. Well worth the price of admission. That said, this band manages to create simple melodic pop songs that blend well together, and create a stellar indie pop album. I urge you to go out and find this CD if you can.
Best Tracks: 1. So cynical 2. Invention 77 3. No Way Out


3.
Spoon-Gimme Fiction.
Spoon's Gimme Fiction was safely sitting at number one. In fact, I didn’t think it was possible; that they could be knocked out of that position, let a alone all the way to number three. Gimme Fiction is a solid album. Far surpassing Spoon first attempt. From start to finish, this album has outstanding track after outstanding track. Perhaps, even lending us a track of the year, in I turn my camera on. An almost Bee Gee esq. pop rock homage, that will have you nodding your head in tune for years too come. It's safe to say that this album will appear on many best of 2005 lists, and I am not quite sure that anything can surpass its perfection.
Best Tracks: 1. I turn my camera on 2. Sister Jack 3. I summon you

4.
Sufjan Stevens-Illinois.
Okay, so I don’t know much about Sufjan Stevens(other then the fact this is good). I had nothing, no prior experience to base this album on. I had heard a few things here and there. People kept mentioning him to me, finally I just had to give in and see what the hype was about. Illinois is consistantly a great album from start to finish. It’s really hard to describe, just exactly what kind of music it is. All I can say is, it's really good and you should listen to it.
Best Tracks: 1. The Man of Metropolis Steals our Hearts 2. Chicago 3. Come on! Feel the Illinois!

5.
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah-Clap Your Hands Say Yeah.
If you're looking for a happy medium between early Radiohead and Blur, then Clap Your Hands Say Yeah would be your cup of tea. It's certainly my cup. This music can only be described two ways. Weird and wonderful shit. And indie rock. The latter is probably more commonly used. This album though, has really grown with me over the last couple of months since it's recommendation. I wasn't sure what I was expecting and yet I was plesantly surprised. If you're looking for weird and wonderful shit, then please check out Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. The album will definatly have you clapping your hands and saying yeah!
Best Tracks: 1. The skin of my yellow country teeth 2. Is this love 3. Upon a tidal wave of young blood

6.
Death Cab For Cutie-Plans.
Okay so I am as surprised as you that I actually like this band. Death Cab For Cutie is infectious emo indie rock. There's no other way to describe it. Plans is there follow up to their biggest selling album to date. Transatlanticism. Both are solid albums, for an emo band. This band seems to be consistently getting better as time wears on. A good sign for all Death Cab For Cutie fans, And with more exposure from shows like the OC. It looks as if Death Cab For Cutie will be around for a while. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Best Tracks: 1. Soul Meets Body 2. I will follow you into the dark 3. What Sarah Said

7.
The New Pornographers-Twin Cinemas.
The New Pornographers first came to my attention with their smash hit Mass Romantic. Since then my admiration has for this Vancouver based super group has grown ten fold. I have now seen them live twice and each time they keep getting better and better. Finally getting to see Dan Bejar with them defiantly gave the New Pornographers a new element. Twin Cinema is easily one of the best New Pornographer albums to date. With strong melodic pop songs, too epic rock ballads, Twin Cinema is sure to be a hit with everyone. Especially New Pornographer fans.
Best Tracks: 1. The Bleeding Heart Show 2. Sing me spanish Techno 3. Streets of fire

8.
Broken Social Scene-Broken Social Scene.
The self titled album from the Canadian "super group" is a rousing success. I was never much into Broken Social Scene till now. I know all the hipster kids reading this blog are now screaming profanities at me. But I just never got into Broken Social Scene. Yet, this self titled cd, is a solid follow up to You Forgot it in People. Great tracks, great songs and an all around enjoyable listen. If I may be so bold, it sort of reminded me of Kid A. Or at the very least, it sounds like their attempt to do Kid A. Hipsters of the world rejoice.
Best Tracks:1. 7/4 Shoreline 2.Swimmers 3. Its all going to break

9.
Decemberists-Picaresque.
Decemberists Picaresque is the third attempt by this Portland based band. Its yet another stellar triumph for them. In fact it could be the best out of the three so far. Decemberists are a band that’s hard to categorize, it's not quite rock, it's not quite folk; it is however 100% bizarre and entertaining. I never thought it would be possible for me to like a band that basically sings sea shanty's but well here we are. Decemberists have risen up to one of my favorite bands of all time. Consistently great albums with Picqresque being no exception.
Best Tracks: 1. The Mariners Revenge 2. We Both go down together 3. The sporting life

10.
Coldplay-X&Y.
Coldplay has been one of my favorite bands for a while now. Coming off their hugely successful album A Rush of Blood to the head, much was to be expected. But with expectations comes room for disappointment. I am not sure what I was expecting from this album. It's not as good as A Rush of blood to the head, but it's not terrible. Hell if it's good enough for Jon Stewart its good enough for me. Hopefully they're next one will out shine them all.
Best Tracks: 1. Till Kingdom Come 2. Fix you 3. Speed of sound

11.
Franz Ferdinand-You could have it so much better.
Again a follow up to a smash hit. Franz Ferdinand's You Could Have It So Much Better, is proof that the sophomore curse is a myth. I really do enjoy this album. And I think this band is just hitting it's stride. Some fans might not agree with me, as there isn’t as much up tempo songs as the last album. Yet Franz Ferdinand has shown great range and prove they don’t have to be locked down into one particular sound. If you liked their last album, this one will be no different. Franz Ferdinand can still make great indie pop.
Best Tracks: 1. Do You Want To 2. Eleanor put your boots back on 3. Im Your Villian

12.
Antony and the Johnsons-I am a bird now.
This was one of those albums brought to my attention by pitchfork. It was on their year end review. I have to agree and I would definatly put it on there too. Antony and the Johnsons make wonderful melodic and bluesy music. When I first heard this album, I thought it sounded a lot like a mix between Rufus Wainwright, Hawksley Workman and Bright Eyes. All good artits in themselves. It would appear however that I was right on the Rufus Wainwright as he lends his vocals to this fantasitc album. As do a few notable others like Lou Reed and Boy George. That's right you heard me. Boy George. Boy Howdy this is great stuff.
Best Tracks: 1. For today I am a boy 2. Man is baby 3. Fistful of love

13.
Sleater-Kinney-The Woods.
This band was recommend to me by a friend. And I have to say this all girl band rocks hard. Probably even too hard for me. It's starting to grow on me though, the album that is. It should be noted though, that I have a soft spot for all girl indie rock bands. I don't know why, I just do. Their sound is akin to the Yeah Yeah Yeah's if you remember them. They have powerful vocals and just hard rocking songs all round. So if your looking for good indie rock music. This would be it.
Best Tracks: 1. Wilderness 2. Modern Girl 3. Lets call it love


14.
Bright Eyes-Im Wide awake its morning
Is folk music dead? Has it gone the way of the Dodo? I used to think so. I love Bob Dylan and Cat Stevens, but I couldn't even think of any folk singers from this generation. Then I came across this little CD. This CD won't be for everyone. It's not that easy to get into folk rock. Yet, with Bright Eyes unique brand of story telling, one may be able to bridge that gap in their CD collection. Just enough of that indie vibe to keep the indie kids happy. A distinct sound and memorable songs make for a strong case, as one of the best CD's of 2005, possibly the best folk rock CD of 2005 in any case.
Best Tracks: 1. At the bottom of everything 2. Another Travellin' Song 3. Road to Joy

15.
Deerhoof-The Running Four.
Absolutly fantastic album. This is similar to Clap Your hands say yeah. Weird and wonderful seems to be a running theme in 2005. This band kinda reminds me of Bjork if she rocked a bit harder. Deerhoof seems to get a lot of praise from fans and critics a like. Even pitchfork gave this album a 9.0, which by there standards is pretty high. This indie rock band has made a rocking success of an album. I recommend if, again, your looking for weird and wonderful shit to go find this album.
Best Tracks: 1. Odyssey 2. Wrong time 3. Spy on You

Best Tracks of 2005
1. Imogen Heap-Hide and Seek (weird but great song)
2. Spoon-I turn my camera on (struttin track)
3. The Futureheads-hounds of love (uh oh oh uh oh oh)
4. Kelly Clarkson-Since you been gone (shutup!)
5. Foo Fighters-Best of you (im just glad to see they're still fighting the foo)
6. Kanye West-Gold Digger (even though its got Foxx its still good)
7. Rilo Kyle-Portions of Foxes (great track)
8. Franz Ferdinand-do you want to (well i woke up tonight i said iiiiii...Nuff Said)
9. Stars-Ageless beauty (classic indie song)
10. Coldplay-Fix You (this will probably be the new clocks)

Worst Tracks of 2005
1. Black Eye Peas-My Humps (my hump my hump my hump SHUTUP!)
2. Nickleback-Photograph (shh everyone! Nicklebacks trying to be deep)
3. Gwen Stefani-hollaback girl(this is shit, this is shit)
4. Ashlee Simpson-LOVE (AAAARRRGGGHHH!)
5. Mariah Carey-Shake it off (mariah cant seem to shake off the suck)
6. Weezer-We are all on drugs (To quote Pitchfork Ovbiously!)
7. White Stripes-Door Bell (Try writing an exam with this stuck in your head)
8. Pussy Cat Dolls-Dont Cha (no not really)
9. Eminem-Fack (atrocious, everyone should hear this once)
10. Greenday-American Idiot(unlike everyone else, i still think this is crap.sorry)