Top 13 Albums of 2005
I have a blog, therefore I am required by law to publish my annual best-of list for the year in music. Rest assured I will follow some, but not all, of the rules of year-end lists. Also, please note that while I hate commercial radio and much of what is played on it, I am no indie yuppie or music snob. I like what I like, from the mainstream to the obscure, and my list reflects that. So here we go, counting down from 13 to 1.
13. Tim Seely - Funeral Music
I'm getting my obscurity out of the way early. Tim is the former frontman of Seattle's Actual Tigers, who put out (according to MSNBC and myself) one of the great records of the past 20 years. Going solo hasn't hurt Tim's impeccable songwriting and singular style of "space-folk for lovers." Check out armyoftim.com for more info.
12. The Go! Team - Thunder, Lightning, Strike
I know, I know, it came out last year overseas. But it was also rereleased this year with two extra tracks. I actually have the import, but no matter which version it is, this is my favorite dance-pop-party album since Junior Senior's debut a couple years ago. Undeniably catchy, and great for dancing on your feet or in your seat.
11. Death Cab for Cutie - Plans
While not quite as groundbreaking as their final Barsuk effort Transatlanticism, Plans is another great Death Cab album. From great pop songs like "Soul Meets Body" to the intimate, instant-classic "I Will Follow You Into the Dark," the boys from Bellingham have managed to make the transition to major-label a relatively smooth one.
10. Foo Fighters - In Your Honor
Never original, always vital, Dave Grohl has a problem. He's a really nice, often sensitve guy who likes to rock. Hard. He's conflicted, and this album shows it. Half rocking, half acoustic, totally enjoyable. The rock side is consistently one of the best Foo Fighters albums ever, and the acoustic side, though not quite as good, has some surprises worth visiting, including vocals by Norah Jones and drummer Taylor Hawkins.
09. Calexico | Iron & Wine - In the Reins / Iron & Wine - Woman King
Sam Beam, just a few short years into his career, has already crafted some of my favorite albums and songs of all-time. This year's two mini-albums tide us over until the next full length. Woman King is solid, but my pick is the Calexico collaboration, which pulls Beam's signature southern porch music a bit more in the southwestern direction, to great effect.
08. The New Pornographers - Twin Cinema
I never really got into the first two New Pornographers albums, though I did love "The Laws Have Changed." This one got me for its subtleties and range of sounds. Not just limited to super-group indie pop anymore, Twin Cinema loosens the knot and frees the band to explore.
07. Sufjan Stevens - Illinois
I guess I'm not much of a blogger, since I have this at #7 instead of #1. It is a fantastic album though, and contains many of my favorite songs of the year. But it also has a lot of filler, particularly in the second half. I give Sufjan a great deal of credit for his courage and ambition, but the whole package falls just short. I fully expect Delaware to reach #1 when it comes out in 2009.
06. Mike Doughty - Haughty Melodic
I discovered Doughty's solo work via Napster four years ago and have been a growing fan of his music (including his Soul Coughing days) ever since. This is his first proper solo album, and it's a hidden gem of catchy pop songs with lyrics ranging from funny ("Busting Up a Starbucks") to thought provoking ("White Lexus").
05. Josh Rouse - Nashville
One of my favorite singer-songwriters in the business, Josh Rouse has crafted yet another excellent album of country-tinged pop. Put this album on in the late afternoon and you'll see what I mean.
04. Son Volt - Okemah and the Melody of Riot
Don't call it a comeback, but a reformed Son Volt has made its best album since Trace came out nearly ten years ago. Jay Farrar, wisely moving away from his ill-fated attempts at Jeff Tweedy style space-country, once again finds a collection of songs that suit his worn, warm voice.
03. Beck - Guero
Guero sounds like a B-sides retrospective, mashing styles sampled by Beck throughout his eclectic discography. Though it's not as personal as Sea Change, nor as "new" as Odelay, the album ranks high for its ability to merge these disparate influences into one cohesive idea.
02. Ben Lee - Awake Is The New Sleep
If you had asked me about this album in the weeks after I got it, I would've said I was disappointed that it didn't capture the joy of hearing these songs live. Since then (I've had this album for nearly a year now), I've seen the light. While not my favorite album of Ben's, this might be my favorite collection of songs. Except for the indulgent opus "Light," Ben Lee has recorded an album of sincere, honest and better yet, memorable pop songs that stick in your head and your heart.
01. Kings of Leon - Aha Shake Heartbreak
This was my favorite album when I got it, and nothing released since has been able to take it down from the top spot. The Followill boys avoided the sophomore slump by refinining their sound and trimming the fat (most songs are under 3:30). The result is the most hummable, bouncy and "fun" record of the year.
Honorable Mentions (aka the Next Ten)
These albums were all highly enjoyable, but not good enough to make it to my top 13:
Common - Be / Doves - Some Cities / Rogue Wave - Descended Like Vultures / Okkervil River - Black Sheep Boy / Lou Barlow - Emoh / Amos Lee - Amos Lee / Gorillaz - Demon Days / Fiona Apple - Extraordinary Machine / Devendra Banhart - Cripple Crow / Nada Surf - The Weight Is A Gift