2005 was a wonderful year of music. Sufjan Stevens continued his trek through the fifty states. New releases from old friends like Sigur Ros and The Mars Volta made me circle the calendar in anticipation for release dates. For once I did not miss too many “must see” shows, and seeing Sigur Ros in Philadelphia was a surreal experience. Without further introduction, I present my favorites from 2005.
My 10 Favorite Records of 2005:
1.Sufjan Stevens – Illinois
From the time I pre-ordered this album in May on, Sufjan Stevens’ masterpiece Illinois was never far from my stereo. At turns heartbreaking and hopeful, Stevens’ 77-minute ode to the land of Lincoln is, quite remarkably, never boring.From the brilliant orchestration found on the title track to the quiet strums of “John Wayne Gacy,” Illinois is a musical feast not found on any other record in recent history. Steven’s poignant lyrics tie all the songs together, creating the best record of 2005.
2.Bright Eyes – I’m Wide Awake, Its Morning
Conor Oberst, AKA Bright Eyes, released two records on the same day early this year, the electronic affair Digital Ash in a Digital Urn and the more stripped-down, I’m Wide Awake, Its Morning. The latter is Oberst’s folk-country album, and while it is scary to throw around names like “Bob Dylan” and “Neil Young,” one finds it hard not to hear this album’s tales of loneliness, love, and politics without thinking of those legends. I’m Wide Awake perfectly captures what it feels like to be a twenty-something without all the answers.
3.Sigur Ros – Takk
Sigur Ros make music on a level of beauty that is difficult to put to words.Takk, while not expanding the band’s sound to new levels, is certainly the most surreal listen of the year. Try listening to “Glosoli” without your pulse quickening just a tad in preparation for the inevitable crescendo that somehow exceeds expectations every time.
4.The New Pornographers – Twin Cinema
Twin Cinema provided an infusion of fun into the musical landscape of 2005.The delightful pop songs on this record dared you not to hum, sing or tap your feet along with them. Frontman A.C. Newman more than holds his own, but it is the scene-stealing vocals of songstress Neko Case that make for the best moments on Twin Cinema
5.The Mars Volta – Frances the Mute
Frances the Mute is an incredibly frustrating album. At times I think it is the best album ever, but most of the time the last thing I want to listen to is five minutes of chirping bird noises, which one must put up with when they listen to Frances; however, under the right conditions, the genius of this prog-rock behemoth of an album more than makes up for its over-indulgences.
6.Animal Collective – Feels
It took me a while to “get” the Animal Collective. “Feels” is the least strange of their albums to date, but there are still enough bizarre sounds to please those who appreciate eccentric music. The psychedelic sing-alongs on “Feels” are both creepy and endearing.
7.My Morning Jacket – Z
Z strikes a perfect balance between being both accessible and experimental.Z is what Coldplay might sound like if they grew up in Kentucky and listened to a steady diet of Radiohead, Bob Marley and Lynard Skynard.
8.Akron/Family – Akron/Family
The Akron/Family came out of seemingly nowhere to create a debut record that turned heads everywhere. Best described as experimental indie-folk, the songs on this record have an organic warmth that will have you coming back for more.
9.Broken Social Scene – Broken Social Scene
One of the more anticipated releases of 2005, the new Broken Social Scene record seemed to disappoint as many expectations as it met. The Toronto-based indie rock collective made an album that takes a few listens to grasp, but once one does they would be hard pressed to find more exciting songs than, “Ibi Dreams of Pavement” or “Windsurfing Nation.”
10.Stars – Set Yourself on Fire
“Set Yourself on Fire,” released in Canada in 2004, saw US release early this year and was one of my most listened to albums of the year. Stars created a magnificent album of wide-eyed electronic-tinged pop songs for those with broken hearts. Lead track “Your Ex-lover is Dead” is a song that, if there was any justice in the world, would be a Top 10 hit.
Ten more great records from 2005:
- Bonnie Prince Billy & Matt Sweeny – Superwolf
- Wolf Parade – Apologies to the Queen Mary
- Pelican – The Fire in our Throats Will Beckon the Thaw
- Iron & Wine – Woman King EP/ In the Reins EP
- Ryan Adams – Cold Roses
- The White Stripes – Get Behind me Satan
- Spoon – Gimme Fiction
- Copeland – In Motion
- Decibully – Sing Out, America
- Low – The Great Destroyer
Biggest Disappointment of 2005:
- Dredg – Catch Without Arms
These guys followed up their art-rock opus “El Cielo” with a radio-friendly snoozer of an album that wore out its welcome after a few listens.
Worst Album of 2005:
- Weezer – Make Believe / Nickelback – All the Right Reasons
I think I threw up inside my mouth a tad when I heard “Beverly Hills.”This once captivating band is officially dead to me. As for Nickleback, well, its Nickleback.
Best Song of 2005:
- Stars – “Your Ex-Lover is Dead”
I first heard this song on headphones while on a Greyhound bus traveling across the country.It was the middle of the night and I was immediately taken in by the gorgeous dual vocals courtesy of Amy Milan and Torquil Campbell. As the simple yet attention-grabbing chorus of “I’m not sorry I met you / I’m not sorry its over / I’m not sorry there is nothing to save” mixed elegantly with the horns, strings, and pop guitar riff, I wanted nothing more than for the song to never end. I must have listened to this song three times in a row, another twenty on that Greyhound trip, and another hundred throughout the course of the year. A perfect pop song.
Worst Song of 2005:
- Nickelback – “Photograph”
Again, its Nickelback.
Five Best Concerts of 2005:
- Sigur Ros
- Mono
- Sufjan Stevens
- Do Make Say Think
- Stars / The Most Serene Republic
Most Anticipated Releases of 2006:
- mewithoutYou
- Broken Social Scene
- Explosions in the Sky
- The Shins
- Wilco
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