Primates reign supreme in 2005
Kong may be the biggest monkey of the year, but the Gorillaz put out the best album of 2005. On yes, it is that time of year where every pop culture magazine and website compile a plethora of top 10 lists. As not to disappoint, we will be hopping on the end-of-the-year-list train. Woot! Woot! I shall be the first crapmate to spout forth my top albums of oh-five, complete with a few short side lists. Please feel encouraged to comment/tirade/kiss my ass/rip me a new one. Here goes:
1. Gorillaz “Demon Days”
Though the radio went overkill with “ Feel Good Inc.”, the album plays solid all the way through. The best dance song of the year is on this record (“DARE”) and the Seuss-esque “Fire Coming Out of the Monkey’s Head” is one of the most entertaining tracks on any album in years.
2. Ben Folds “Songs For Silverman”
Ben Folds can do no wrong, as far as I’m concerned. He is this generation’s Billy Joel, an amazing pianist that can write entertaining and socially poignant material with every release. Let is be known the Billy Joel comparison runs out where Billy Joel abandoned his roots and began writing filth (perhaps everything “Stormfront” and beyond).
3. The White Stripes “Get Behind Me Satan”
Jack White had a big year. He married a model, produced a Loretta Lynne album, and put out one of the year’s most solid rock albums. With straight ahead blues tracks, country/bluegrass influence, and tons of rock and roll, it is the Stripes’ best effort to date.
4. The Juliana Theory “Deadbeat, Sweetheartbeat”
After a major label release that didn’t quite do as well as hoped for, TJT decided to start their own label (which got a distribution deal through indy giants, Rykodisc). Anyone familiar with the band knows that Brett and the crew can rock with the best of them and this album certainly displays that. It takes what they were doing with “Love” and kicks it up a notch.
5. Nikka Costa “Can’tneverdidnothin’”
First off, Nikka Costa is hottt! But that doesn’t get your album on a top 10 list… an amazing funk-laced rock-driven R&B album like this one does. From her harder funk-rock tracks to the chill, sultry, sexy songs, I can’t stop listening to this CD. When I picked it up for my wife, I had no idea it woul become one of my favorites.
6. Finch “Say Hello to Sunshine”
Finch returned in 2005 with their sophomore effort. Unlike the pop-punk flavored debut, this CD takes a much harsher and harder approach. Think Deftones, back when they still rocked and were relatively unknown.
7. Unwritten Law “Here’s to the Mourning”
With a top 40 single, the large indy/punk fanbase of Unwritten Law transformed in ‘05 into a group a diverse group on mainstream and indy fans. Every song on this CD is radio-friendly, so it truly has mass appeal. Whether an underground music fan or a TRL watcher, this is a must have CD.
8. Bruce Springsteen “Devils and Dust”
Bruce came back this year from an E-Street reunion tour and put together a heartfelt acoustic album in the vein of “Nebraska”. With content ranging from Jesus Christ to drinking whiskey and having some sexual escapades, it is a work of art. Though I originally hail from the Garden State, I’ve never been a big Bruce fan… until picking this one up.
9. Ben Lee “Awake is the New Sleep”
Ben Lee toured with Ben Folds this year to support this release, one of the best shows of my life! His single “Catch My Disease” was all over NPR stations and college radio. Catch the video for “Catch My Disease” and see why Ben Lee is the happiest and most fun entertainer of 2005.
10. The Mars Volta “Frances the Mute”
Though I honestly could place this CD on a biggest disappoints list, it is still a great CD. With a few of the best songs I have heard by the band on this CD, most notably “L’Via L’Viaquez”, the CD as a whole pales in comparison to “Deloused in the Comatorium”. I find myself skipping through several tracks, but I guess that’s how concept albums are, hit or miss.
Honorable Mention:
Miss Argentina “Yes I Am, No You Can’t”
Greenwood “The Hope Dialect”
Garbage “Bleed Like Me”
Dropkick Murphys “The Warrior’s Code”
DangerDoom “The Mouse and the Mask”
Albums I Haven’t Gotten to Hear, But Think Would Be on the List if I Had:
Jimmy Eat World “Stay On My Side Tonight EP”
Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah “Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah”
Albums From Late 2004 That I Got Into in 2005:
Motorhead “Inferno”
Social Distortion “Love, Sex, and Rock and Roll”
Camper Van Beethoven “New Roman Times”
And finally…
Biggest Letdown Album of 2005:
Coldplay “X&Y”
December 19th, 2005 at 12:06 pm
NOTE: since compiling this list, i have been reading what others have to say, and i stand by my top 10… however, i feel like i need to listen to the new thrice more, because it would probably have made it on there if i had…
ALSO: i’m very interested in seeing what our readers think of my choices…
December 19th, 2005 at 12:35 pm
My Top 5 (and a half) for 2005:
1. LCD Soundsystem - LCD Soundsystem
2. Bloc Party - Silent Alarm
3. Kaiser Chiefs - Employment
4. Gorillaz - Demon Days
5. Doves - Some Cities
5 1/2. My Morning Jacket - Z
Wanted to like White Stripes album more, just didn’t happen. Tough leaving Eels’ “Blinking Lights…” off there.
OK, now please tear it apart.
December 19th, 2005 at 12:36 pm
interesting list, though i hafta admit that when i compile mine, i doubt any of these artists will make the cut. not because i dont agree, but because i am just not as well versed and familiar with some of the bands.
choices i like: ben folds, bruce, white stripes, ben lee, and on a smaller level, gorillaz. have heard all these records and agree are very worthy. not gonna make my list, however. it’s all personal preference, of course, so i respect that.
the rest of the bands i’m just not that familiar with, though i would like to be. you’ve obviously listened to a lot of music this year (more than me) and if these records make your top list then they must be pretty good. so, being a fellow crapmate, of course this has piqued an interest in the bands. they are all on my radar for ‘06.
ps - agree with the letdown. colplay jumped the shark (if that’s a musical possibility).
December 19th, 2005 at 12:46 pm
thanks for the feedback mark and vin… mark, your list is pretty good from my estimation. mmj is a frequent pick of critics, though is unimpressive to me. i personally think the bloc party album may be the most overrated cd in years, not to say it’s bad but it’s superb like everyone and their mother thinks it is. the kaiser chiefs have a great throwback punk rock sound that i enjoy, and i don’t really know doves at all. vin, i look forward to your list!