Best Albums of 2005

2005 was yet another great year for music. While it wasn't a good year for rap, indie rock sure picked up the slack. The race for #1 was quite possibly a 3 way tie, but I tried my best to sort them out since I'm not a big fan of ties. The list this year began with 121 albums, but I've put my favorite 25 below:

Here's a finetune playlist to get you started. It's got some of the tracks from albums in this list, just a little something to listen to while you read:



Okay, on to the list.

25. Frequent Flyer - The Soft Targets
Reflections: Here's a great album from a local (Tallahassee) band. These guys are of the indie rock flavor and manage to blend some good lyrics and good instrumentation. You can listen to this entire album at the Soft Targets' website. Give it a shot.
Best tracks: A Mere Oversight, Singing's For The Birds

24. The Understanding - Röyksopp
Reflections: Admittedly I haven't been big on electronic music (except Air) since the mid 90s, but that's mainly because it all sounds the same to me. Röyksopp's sophomore album breaks that stereotype. Dark and very vocal, it's more than mindless beats arranged together to make some MDMA abusing 16-year-olds trip around some club - this is solid, melodic music.
Best tracks: Triumphant, What Else Is There?

23. A River Ain't Too Much To Love - Smog
Reflections: I was taken aback when I fired up the first track of this CD - not so much by the beautiful music but by the depth of lead singer Bill Callahan's voice. Listening to this album makes me picture myself sitting alone in a cabin deep in the woods, just thinking about life. It's an intelligent and deeply introspective album, a very quiet one but not at all fragile. This is solitude bottled up and presented in CD form.
Best tracks: Palimpsest, Rock Bottom Riser, Let Me See The Colts

22. Arular - M.I.A.
Reflections: This is easily the highest energy record that I've heard in a long time. She blends what feels like a hundred different styles of music (ranging from Jamaican dancehall to British techno to American rap) and ends up with a style completely unique. Sometime the results are great, sometimes the songs get a little repetitive. Overall, an extremely interesting disc
Best tracks: Bucky Done Gun, Pull Up The People

21. Demon Days - Gorillaz
Reflections: For what was supposed to be a gimmicky side project, Gorillaz have put out some pretty good tracks in the past few years. This album is better than their first, it just feels more complete and coherent. Sure it's a bit edgy and different, but some of the things that Damon Albarn and company do here are just incredible. They managed to make club-worthy rock songs.
Best tracks: Feel Good Inc., Kids With Guns, El Manana

20. Make Believe - Weezer
Reflections: Finally, Weezer (partially) rights the ship. This album is no Pinkerton or Blue, but it is certainly better than Green or Maladroit. Aside from the absolutely hideous first track this album hits many high points, shining points of brilliance that remind me of why I liked Weezer in the first place. This is great pop music, and those of you turned off by the shallowness of Green and Maladroit, come on back. Just skip track #1 and #6.
Best tracks: This is Such a Pity, Haunt You Every Day, Perfect Situation

19. In Between Dreams - Jack Johnson
Reflections: I admit that when I first heard of Jack Johnson I wrote him off, grouping him with Dave Matthews and other mindless jam-bands that I just can't stand. Then after hearing some of the old stuff he did with G. Love and Special Sauce back in the day ("Rodeo Clowns", amongst others) I decided to give this album a shot. It's probably the most laid back, chill album I've heard in a long time. Reflects the Hawaiian vibe, that's for sure. "Sitting, Waiting, Wishing" is one of my favorite songs of the year.
Best tracks: Sitting, Waiting, Wishing, Good People, Never Know

18. Charge!!! - The Aquabats
Reflections: First off, these guys put on possibly the best live act that I've ever seen in my life. That being said, their music has matured a great deal since I last bought an Aquabats album. This disc has some incredible pop sensibilities - great choruses, solid melodies, hilarious lyrics - and listening to the album just tends to put me in a good mood. It's a fun listen.
Best tracks: Fashion Zombies!, Stuck in a Movie!, Awesome Forces!, Demolition Rickshaw!

17. I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning - Bright Eyes
Reflections: Hell has indeed frozen over, I've enjoyed a Bright Eyes album. Sure it's whiny, but I just couldn't ignore the beauty of this record. Absolutely incredible lyrics, and even if you can't get past Connor's delicate vocals, you have to admit that the musical landscape he paints is a masterpiece. The stories told through the songs on this album are vivid and a joy to hear.
Best tracks: We Are Nowhere and It's Now, Lua, At the Bottom of Everything

16. I Am a Bird Now - Antony and the Johnsons
Reflections: This is a haunting album. Lead singer Devendra Banhardt's vocals are shaky and vulnerable, yet oddly powerful at the same time. These emotion-filled lyrics coupled with the stunning musical background create a completely new and unforgettable listening experience.
Best tracks: You are My Sister, Hope There's Someone, What Can I Do?

15. Live at Stubb's - Matisyahu
Reflections: Hasidic Reggae. That's how Matisyahu (Matthew Miller) describes his style. At first the thought of a white Jewish guy wailing a la Marley sounds like a terrible idea, but this is far from the truth. Not only does Matisyahu sound incredible from a reggae standpoint, this album is so much more. It's religious praise in Reggae form. Now anybody who knows me knows that me and most religious music don't mix. Listening to this album you can hear the raw passion and devotion that this he has towards his faith and his emotional professions of faith create an almost transcendental experience.
Best tracks: King Without a Crown, Sea to Sea, Chop 'Em Down, Warrior

14. You'll Rebel To Anything - Mindless Self Indulgence
Reflections: The most spastic band in the universe returns for another spectacular rock experience. This album is teeming with energy, bursting at the seams. This is music without an attention span, which sounds like a terrible thing, but the chaotic nature of the rock just adds to the raw energy.
Best tracks: Straight to Video, What Do They Know?, 1989, Tom Sawyer

13. The Bravery - The Bravery
Reflections: New Wave strikes back, but in a good way. This album is filled to the brim with energy, and is one hell of a listen. This is how New Wave is supposed to sound. I managed to catch these guys twice live in 2005, and I would recommend both the CD and the concert to anybody. This is fun, good pop music.
Best tracks: Fearless, An Honest Mistake, Out of Line

12. In The Reins - Iron and Wine / Calexico
Reflections: This album is laid back, folkish in tone, and is absoutely stunning in beauty. The big problem is that it's too short at 6 songs. Sam Beam's trademark vocals are present, but is backed by the band Calexico. This experiment turns out to be an incredible success as Calexico's southwest flavor brings a new character to Sam's lyrics. This album is very laid back, but very much alive. "He Lays in the Reins" needs to be heard by all.
Best tracks: He Lays in the Reins, Sixteen Maybe Less

11. This Weight is a Gift - Nada Surf
Reflections: Nada Surf is back with another incredible disc. This album shows mainly their softer side, but is by no means just emotional drab. Lively from start to finish, this album has great singable pop choruses and verses. This is thinking man's pop music.
Best tracks: Always Love, Do It Again, Your Legs Grow

10. Set Yourself On Fire - The Stars
Reflections: The beginning of this disc is absolute heaven. Sweeping violins, light horns, riffs on a double bass with the soft blow of a harmonica - these set the tone for the grandiose scale of this album. It's diverse, beautiful, and unique. Songs range from near-symphonic songs of love lost to upbeat, light rock songs extolling the joys of love. This is one hell of a disc.
Best tracks: Your Ex-Lover is Dead, Set Yourself on Fire, Ageless Beauty

9. In Case We Die - Architecture in Helsinki
Reflections: I really don't know how to describe this album. My closest guess would be as a "Symphony for the ADD Generation" - it's ridiculously quirky, strange, innovative, and stunningly brilliant. The one thing these guys (and gals) seem to know how to do is to create incredibly poppy songs, songs that you honestly can't get out of your head. I swear I had "It'5!" stuck in my head for a month. Once again a band has brilliantly blended quirky lyrics with stunning instrumentation to create beautiful music. Go to AiH's website and watch the video for "It'5!" - you might not be able to get it out of your head.
Best tracks: It'5!, Wishbone, Do The Whirlwind, Maybe You Could Owe Me

8. Hypnotize - System of a Down
Reflections: The second best hard-rock album of the year, this album was dark and political yet still full of the same energy that SoaD is known for. This is hard rock, but not for idiots. I have to hand it to SoaD, they've mastered their craft. This album actually made be go back and listen to 2001's "Toxicity" which I've also fallen madly for.
Best tracks: U-Fig, Kill Rock and Roll, Holy Mountains, Lonely Day, Soldier Side

7. Twin Cinema - The New Pornographers
Reflections: This album is an artistic showcase of how one band can masterfully mix up their styles at the drop of a hat. On one hand you've got "The Bleeding Heart Show" which could be one of the most beautiful and emotional songs I've heard in years, and on the other you've got tracks like "Use It" which is a lighthearted pop masterpiece. All of this is tied together by the anchor of the album, the final track "Stacked Crooked" which is genius wrapped in more genius. From the minor opening refrains to the intense breakdowns, the final track is easily the best final track on a CD since Bad Religion's "Cease". This is a must-own album, it's got something for everybody.
Best tracks: The Bleeding Heart Show, Stacked Crooked, The Jessica Numbers, Use It

6. Kingwood - Millencolin
Reflections: Somehow Millencolin manages to keep one-upping themselves. In Kingwood they've created another punk rock masterpiece, their finest work to date. Every song screams with the energy that a good punk track should have, but that energy is harnessed by the driving harmonies and verses. Every single track is a winner, and this album is one of those albums that I use to get myself up for an occasion. You really need to listen to this album, especially if you either like punk or anything that Millencolin's put out in the past.
Best tracks: Ray, Novo, Birdie, Simple Twist of Hate

5. Mezmerize - System of a Down
Reflections: The first of two albums put out by SoaD in 2005, this one was the heavyweight. Every single track was incredible. Every single track bursts with energy that I haven't seen in hard rock in years. This album is a rock and roll masterpiece plain and simple. Listen to "B.Y.O.B" and you'll understand.
Best tracks: B.Y.O.B., Sad Statue, Question!, Revenga, Cigaro, but really they're all just spectacular

4. Woman King - Iron and Wine
Reflections: This is a seven song EP, but since every single song was a work of art I couldn't ignore it. Better than the spectacular "Our Endless Numbered Days", Iron and Wine continue on their path of greatness. The second track, "Jezebel", is the most beautiful song I've heard this year - so beautiful that even people just in passing who I've played this song for have literally stopped what they were doing just to listen. This EP is powerful, brilliant, beautiful, and for the price you pay for it, worth every penny.
Best tracks: Jezebel, Woman King, Gray Stables

3. Illinois - Sufjan Stevens
Reflections: I was a big fan of Sufjan's tribute to Michigan a couple years back, but in his album about Illinois he's really upped the musical ante. I guess since there's "art-rock" and "math-rock" out there that it's fair to label Sufjan as "history-rock". The stories he tells are second to none but the folk nature of the album is in no way an obtrusive factor. This is beautiful music on a grand scale, complete with violins and choirs and the like. One critic described Sufjan's music as "soulful folk epics" which is an apt way of putting it. Not calling this the #1 album of the year was a very, very close call. It's easily in my all-time top 10. Buy this album, support music with thought behind it. It's sad to think that musical genius like this won't sell nearly as well as an album put out by the little sister of a decent singer. Yes, that was a shot at you, Ashlee Simpson.
Best tracks: They Are Night Zombies!! They Are Neighbors!! They Have Come Back from the Dead!! Ahhhh!, Chicago, Decatur, or a Round of Applause for your Stepmother, John Wayne Gacy Jr.

2. Picaresque - The Decemberists
Reflections: This album is pure gold. I value song's ability to tell a story, to make the listener feel emotion. The Decemberists are masters of both and intertwine them so skillfully and beautifully that you can't help but love the hell out of them. This album, their 3rd full-length, just shows that they know how to refine their craft and make it better. "The Mariner's Revenge Song" is the musical equivelent of a three-act play - I've never heard a song so grand in scale and epic. "From My Own True Love" is a harrowing story of love lost at sea and one man's choking emotions. "Eli, The Barrow Boy" is one of the saddest songs I've ever heard in my life, but is beautiful because you can really feel the love and emotion through the lyrics. I really can't say enough about how mindblowingly good this album is. For the musically literate out there, this is perfection.
Best tracks: Eli, The Barrow Boy, The Sporting Life, The Mariner's Revenge Song

1. Plans - Death Cab for Cutie
Reflections: Whatever Ben Gibbard's been doing, he needs to keep doing it. This album is stunning. From the opening organ of "Marching Bands of Manhattan" through the end of "Stable Song" you're just taken aback by how precisely melodic and perfect every single note is. Every sound is near perfection. "I Will Follow You Into The Dark" is to me the most beautiful love song ever written - it speaks of a devotion that most of us can only dream about. The repeating choruses at "Different Names for the Same Place" are so complex yet beautiful that they almost seem simple. Everybody really should listen to this album by whatever means possible. I've got this phenomenal disc at #2 all-time for me. It's that good.
Best tracks: I Will Follow You Into The Dark, Soul Meets Body, Summer Skin, What Sarah Said

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