Jordan Posted 24 August 2005 Posted 24 August 2005 I haven't been listening to/buying CDs from as many bands as I did last year, but here are my favorites from 2005 (in no particular order)... THE DECEMBERISTS: "Picaresque" I think I can say with certainty that there's no other band in my CD collection that sounds (or writes lyrics) quite like the Decemberists. Whether the group will serve up a folky sound, a more poppier track, or something that cannot be categorized, one thing's for certain: they're going to craft a bizarre story that takes place in some strange historical setting (a failed romance between a goverment worker and a spy, the bizarre love of a nobleman and a peon, strange tales of a mariner's revenge, etc.). The concepts are abound once again: the art direction on "Picaresque" follows the concept of an old stage play, as the musical concept of their last release, "Her Majesty," is based on an old Irish folk song. I struggled to find one word that would to describe this band until my friend Nicole hit them right on the head: "Vaudevillian." Weird? Yes. Wonderful? Also, yes. Accessible? Perhaps not. But worth a listen? Sure. THE KILLS: "No Wow" The Kills just weren't doing it for me. I heard their first album, and I thought, "ehhh... not bad, but for some reason, it doesn't hit me." That's exactly how I felt about "No Wow" after my first listen, but a few months later, I strangely decided to buy this album (perhaps because I knew I could get in on a big discount, what the hell). But after a few more listens, it really grew on me. Think Yeah Yeah Yeahs (that arty, quasi-garage sound), but darker, slower, and a hell of a lot better. Allison aka "VV" is the best female rock singer I've heard since Beth Ditto from The Gossip. BLOC PARTY: "Silent Alarm" I don't know why this album always makes its way into my CD player--really, the sound and the lyrics aren't very original, and it sounds like what Emo would have been had it been spawned in the UK instead of the US. But hey, it's catchy, and I listen to it, so I'm not going to talk s**t about it! DRESSY BESSY: "Electrified" Sugary-sweet girl-pop with the guitars cranked up to 11 and the overdrive knob turned all the way to the right? Hell yeah! Just make sure you brush your teeth after listening to this album.Lead singer/songwriter/mod-enthusiast Tammy Ealom is a rock-and-roll Twiggy who just might be the Next Big Thing. BECK: Guero Beck drops most of the droning-Tom Waits crying-fest of Sea Change and brings back some (but not all) of the funk and creates his most genre-spanning release yet. One of his better albums, but you're either a Beck-hater or a Beck-lover (I'm in the latter category). MAXIMO PARK: A Certain Trigger *BEST ALBUM OF 2005 SO FAR.* Great changes of pace on this album. Their breaking up with girls/want a girl, but can't have her lyrics are actually pretty good. A little post-punk renaissance coily guitars, but not too much. I can listen to this one from front to back. KAISER CHIEFS: "Employment"Well I guess you know the score by now. MOGWAI: Government Commissions (BBC Sessions 1996-2003) You know how I said I don't listen to any other band that sounds like the Decemberists? Well, I don't think I like any post-rock band besides Mogwai. LCD SOUNDSYSTEM: Self-Titled NYC DJ James Murphy puts out a decent double-album that's not all techno, but the techno that fills up most of the space on this release actually isn't half-bad. MIKE JONES: Who Is Mike Jones? OK, so it's not the best album ever from what's definitely not the best genre ever (post-1998 hip-hop), but it has the Swisha style, some dirty beats, some good lines and has ridden on one of the best marketing jobs any pop artist has ever done. SPOON: Gimme Fiction I coulda sworn I heard David Bowie, John Lennon and Keith Richards on this album, but I guess it's just Spoon at it again. Not an album I'll listen to from front-to-back, but the good songs on it are good enough to warrant mention on this list. Albums that will make their way here when they're released: SHARIF: Lost Causes, Causes Lost. The single, "You Don't Know," is excellent. WOLF PARADE: Apologies to the Queen Mary. Heard this album last weekend, comes out in the US late September, it's ****in' great. The new FRANZ FERDINAND? Maybe... we'll see... ...hey! you've made it this far! Good for you!
freund Posted 24 August 2005 Posted 24 August 2005 hey meng, on the Beck album, did you get the one with all the remixes, and if so, did you like the Boards of Canada remix of Broken Drum, I think it's awesome
Who ate all the pies? Posted 24 August 2005 Posted 24 August 2005 Agree with the Kills it's an ace album. Also I have to say The Duke Spirit and British Sea Power albums are simply brilliant!
shen Posted 24 August 2005 Posted 24 August 2005 There's still some way to go in 2005, so I'll wait until bands like Underworld and Tool have announced/released their new albums
Wellman Posted 24 August 2005 Posted 24 August 2005 Agree with the Kills it's an ace album.Also I have to say The Duke Spirit and British Sea Power albums are simply brilliant! 162667[/snapback] Got BSP on now! There from Brighton as well! I seen The Duke Spirit, the supported Kasabian on there UK tour
Who ate all the pies? Posted 24 August 2005 Posted 24 August 2005 I tell ya now that both bands are ace and were my high points of Summer Sundae! Which BSP album you listening to Open Season or the Decline of British Sea Power?
Wellman Posted 24 August 2005 Posted 24 August 2005 Open Season, gotta get The Decline of British Sea Power too though!
Hitesh Posted 25 August 2005 Posted 25 August 2005 50 Cent Only joking, i thought his album was a load of shite!
rossporterlc Posted 25 August 2005 Posted 25 August 2005 inme - white butterfly = top quality rock album jack johnson - in between dreams james blunt - back to bedlem do me bad things - yes = not for everyone foo fighters - in your honour = well worth the money
Dunc Posted 30 August 2005 Posted 30 August 2005 Maximo Park is up there for me, must admit from what I heard of the Kills album (about half) it thought it was turd. Bloc Party is up there for me as well, and on the first listen Kanye West's is looking good. BSP is good, not as eclectic as "Decline of...". However, Arcade Fire counts in the UK as this year so that pips LCD Soundsystem as best album of 2005 to date in my opinion.
Darth Fox Posted 30 August 2005 Posted 30 August 2005 Am liking Green Day's latest stuff, realise album is a few months old but still 2005ish. Looking forward to Christina Aguilera's new album later in year.
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.