Troy's favorite fifteen albums of '05
In a year that showcased new recordings from musical juggernauts like Nickelback, Ashlee Simpson and Scott "Hey-Remember-Me-From-Creed?" Stapp, I had a hard time choosing my favorite records. I just couldn't narrow it down to only 10. And since I was a B-Team All-Star in all things sports in my high school career, I'll begin with my 5 Honorable Mentions before giving the records I liked most this year. (Sorry Mr. Stapp that you didn't make it "Higher" on my list...)
The 2005 Album B-Team
Feist -- Let It Die
LCD Soundsystem -- LCD Soundsystem
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah -- Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Brendan Benson -- The Alternative To Love
British Sea Power -- Open Season
Top Ten
10. Archer Prewitt -- Wilderness
This is a richly textured record attempting to change the adjectives associated with "folk." It works--it's off-kilter at times, exploring unique chord structures and instrument combinations, but the songs are never lost. It's an emotional album that I've played all year long since it came out in January.
Judy, Judy (mp3) - Archer Prewitt
9. Say Hi To Your Mom -- Ferocious Mopes
A boy named Eric records these songs from his bedroom in Brooklyn. No one is writing songs about robots and ghosts and space travel like SHTYM. The lyrics are geeky and the sounds are quirky and the melodies are crazy catchy. I don't know quite anything else like this.
Recurring Motifs In Historical Flirtings (mp3) - Say Hi To Your Mom
8. Emiliana Torrini -- Fisherman's Woman
My favorite Icelandic recording of the year! Instead of the trip-hop direction of her last record, Torrini gives some of the prettiest singing and most organic sounds I've heard in a long time. Romantic and yet dark lyrics don't end up coming across as a downer here--the songs are pleasing and smart and refreshingly uncomplicated.
Nothing Brings Me Down (mp3) - Emiliana Torrini
7. The Perishers -- Let There Be Morning
This is the most beautiful rock record of 2005. This Scandanavian band has lush arrangements, purposeful tempos, earnest vocals, intentional instrumentation and the most somber songs. This is the perfect tea-and-a-fire-Saturday-afternoon-not-planning-to-leave-all-day recording.
Weekends (mp3) - The Perishers
6. The Lucksmiths -- Warmer Corners
Album #7 for these Aussies. It's their best yet. They've added a fourth member and some strings, horns and organ alongside the effortless bass-playing and jangly electric guitars. The lyrics are as smart as ever and the singing as smile-inducing.
The Chapter In Your Life Entitled San Francisco (mp3) - The Lucksmiths
5. The National -- Alligator
It's emotional and dark and beautiful and mournful and appropriately optimistic. Vocals remind me of those great 80s moody crooners. The songs are diverse and yet not schizophrenic. My favorite song of the year is on this record. Probably the album that most ambushed me in '05.
Mr. November (mp3) - The National
4. Architecture In Helsinki -- In Case We Die
If sounds were like candy, this record would give me multiple cavities. Not since the Polyphonic Spree has a record captivated my ears like this one. Virtually every sound imaginable makes an appearance here--and somehow it all works. It's catchy and fun and insane and brave. Creative off the charts!
Maybe You Can Owe Me (mp3) - Architecture In Helsinki
3. Josh Rouse -- Nashville
This record is the one most likely to be in my father's vinyl collection. It's not blazing any musical trails to be sure--it's simply fantastic AM soft rock, bringing me back to childhood. Rouse's voice and soothing guitar-playing continue here alongside his playful songwriting.
It's The Nighttime (mp3) - Josh Rouse
2. Arvo Pärt -- Lamentate
Maybe the most celebrated composer alive, Pärt's music is mesmerizing. A work for large orchestra and piano, this recording is the most calming and centering I've ever heard. As usual, his tempos are painfully slow, the instruments sustained and breathless. There are hushed lows and tingling fortes. For people who claim "classical is boring," I'd fist fight you over this record.
Pregando (mp3) - Arvo Part
1. Elbow -- Leaders of the Free World
This is my favorite British band. Unlike the safe songs of Coldplay, there are sounds on this record that, as a musician, I simply cannot figure out how they were created. Guy Harvey's voice remains whispered and yet somehow confident and present. The songs are subtly layered and stirringly epic at times. The first six songs are the strongest off a record in a long time. There is an edge and balanced cynicism present alongside beauty and longing. Easily my favorite record of the year--maybe the last two years!
Forget Myself (mp3) - Elbow
The 2005 Album B-Team
Feist -- Let It Die
LCD Soundsystem -- LCD Soundsystem
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah -- Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Brendan Benson -- The Alternative To Love
British Sea Power -- Open Season
Top Ten
10. Archer Prewitt -- Wilderness This is a richly textured record attempting to change the adjectives associated with "folk." It works--it's off-kilter at times, exploring unique chord structures and instrument combinations, but the songs are never lost. It's an emotional album that I've played all year long since it came out in January.
Judy, Judy (mp3) - Archer Prewitt
9. Say Hi To Your Mom -- Ferocious Mopes A boy named Eric records these songs from his bedroom in Brooklyn. No one is writing songs about robots and ghosts and space travel like SHTYM. The lyrics are geeky and the sounds are quirky and the melodies are crazy catchy. I don't know quite anything else like this.
Recurring Motifs In Historical Flirtings (mp3) - Say Hi To Your Mom
8. Emiliana Torrini -- Fisherman's Woman My favorite Icelandic recording of the year! Instead of the trip-hop direction of her last record, Torrini gives some of the prettiest singing and most organic sounds I've heard in a long time. Romantic and yet dark lyrics don't end up coming across as a downer here--the songs are pleasing and smart and refreshingly uncomplicated.
Nothing Brings Me Down (mp3) - Emiliana Torrini
7. The Perishers -- Let There Be Morning This is the most beautiful rock record of 2005. This Scandanavian band has lush arrangements, purposeful tempos, earnest vocals, intentional instrumentation and the most somber songs. This is the perfect tea-and-a-fire-Saturday-afternoon-not-planning-to-leave-all-day recording.
Weekends (mp3) - The Perishers
6. The Lucksmiths -- Warmer Corners Album #7 for these Aussies. It's their best yet. They've added a fourth member and some strings, horns and organ alongside the effortless bass-playing and jangly electric guitars. The lyrics are as smart as ever and the singing as smile-inducing.
The Chapter In Your Life Entitled San Francisco (mp3) - The Lucksmiths
5. The National -- Alligator It's emotional and dark and beautiful and mournful and appropriately optimistic. Vocals remind me of those great 80s moody crooners. The songs are diverse and yet not schizophrenic. My favorite song of the year is on this record. Probably the album that most ambushed me in '05.
Mr. November (mp3) - The National
4. Architecture In Helsinki -- In Case We Die If sounds were like candy, this record would give me multiple cavities. Not since the Polyphonic Spree has a record captivated my ears like this one. Virtually every sound imaginable makes an appearance here--and somehow it all works. It's catchy and fun and insane and brave. Creative off the charts!
Maybe You Can Owe Me (mp3) - Architecture In Helsinki
3. Josh Rouse -- Nashville This record is the one most likely to be in my father's vinyl collection. It's not blazing any musical trails to be sure--it's simply fantastic AM soft rock, bringing me back to childhood. Rouse's voice and soothing guitar-playing continue here alongside his playful songwriting.
It's The Nighttime (mp3) - Josh Rouse
2. Arvo Pärt -- Lamentate Maybe the most celebrated composer alive, Pärt's music is mesmerizing. A work for large orchestra and piano, this recording is the most calming and centering I've ever heard. As usual, his tempos are painfully slow, the instruments sustained and breathless. There are hushed lows and tingling fortes. For people who claim "classical is boring," I'd fist fight you over this record.
Pregando (mp3) - Arvo Part
1. Elbow -- Leaders of the Free World This is my favorite British band. Unlike the safe songs of Coldplay, there are sounds on this record that, as a musician, I simply cannot figure out how they were created. Guy Harvey's voice remains whispered and yet somehow confident and present. The songs are subtly layered and stirringly epic at times. The first six songs are the strongest off a record in a long time. There is an edge and balanced cynicism present alongside beauty and longing. Easily my favorite record of the year--maybe the last two years!
Forget Myself (mp3) - Elbow
posted by -tr0y- at 9:58 AM
5 comments
5 Comments:
A very good list (of course)! I must track down that Arvo Part--sounds extraordinary.
thanks D and Amy--aren't lists like these so subjective??
I am disappointed that no blogger yet has given even an honorable mention for Ivy's latest, In The Clear, a hypnotic little gem. Coldplay also put out a solid record this year, but it is receiving little recognition in the mp3 blogosphere as I know it.
I am glad to see Feist and Josh Rouse here. I bought Feist. I've heard three cuts from the Rouse CD and it sounds very promising.
i did mention Ivy on my other blog (thebaldtrain.blogspot.com) as an album i liked this year--just didnt make my top list. the coldplay record is beautiful--just too safe for me i guess.... (and probably too popular and i'm a snob.)
Troy,
Great best-of list. And even though many of your picks are new to me, your write-ups made me instantly want to listen to the mp3s you posted. Thanks for introducing me to some great stuff.
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