My 10 Favorite Albums of 2005

Hello. I decided to branch off of My Space blogs in hopes of a more rewarding internet information experience. I hope you enjoy the result. For my first post, I will tell you all about my favorite albums of 2005. I say "favorite" instead of "best" because I believe that these sorts of things involve OPINION and not FACT. These are two concepts that many people get confused.

This is a celebration of the worst year of my life. But don't worry...this list will provide something for anyone to be excited about. These lists have carried me on road trips, long jogs, sad days, happy days, etc. Although I can say that 2005 was personally the most difficult year for me yet, it was by no means a bad year in music. Allow me to convince you...

(in order of increasing importance to me)

10. Deerhoof - The Runners Four : Abstract music stylings and child-like vocals create a wildly artistic adventure on this album. At times it's testing, but they get A+ for effort in breaking the mold. Sometimes it reminds me of Belle & Sebastian or The Cardigans...sometimes like nothing I've ever heard. It's not for everyone, but it's one of the most interesting musical endeavors I've heard this year.

9. The Clientele - Strange Geometry : Altough slightly repetitive, this music is 100% rewarding. I'm actually looking forward to rainy April days just so I can listen to this album and look out the window, glad that I'm dry and warm indoors. This is tremolo-ridden music with bit and pieces taken from other decades (specifically the 60's).

8. Gorillaz - Demon Days : One song can sometimes make or break an album. On this album, the song that makes it is "Dare." I was a huge fan of the Gorillaz debut. This is definitely a departure of sorts, but some change is never a bad thing. They stick to their guns (note iPod commercial blaring "Feelgood Inc").

7. The Decemberists - Picaresque : Not their best work, but definitely their most dramatic. This Portland group is progressing towards something increasingly unique. With the cutesy vocals, 12-string guitars, accordians, and other various instruments, things turn out enjoyable. Not to mention the stories of revenge, unrequitted love, and child labor...involving pirates, British boys and ghosts (not in respective order). Trust me...it all works out. Plus I'm in love with Petra, the newly added violinist/vocalist. Oh sweet sweet Petra.

6. DangerDoom - The Mouse and the Mask : Not until a couple years ago did I learn that not all hip hop is bad hip hop. As with most genres, I had only been exposed to radio crappola. This album reminded me of the best Jurassic 5 (and occasionally music found in the best ski movies). In a word, it's fucking SMOOTH. I think it's based off of an Adult Swim cartoon. No matter...It's creative and intriguing.

5. Sufjan Stevens - Illinois : Reportedly the 2nd in an attempt to make an album for each of the U.S. states (never gonna happen!), this is an excellent summer CD that accompanied me on many a trip to/from Chicago. Sometimes densely orchestrated a la Stereolab, sometimes bleak and foreboding...but always captivating. And who knows, you might even learn something about a serial killer or Honest Abe.

4. Broken Social Scene - (self titled) : Not one piece in this collaboration is striking on its own. What is striking is the result when this large group of Canadians combines their powers. It's a painting in progress that changes slightly with each listen. It's a mesh of feelings and pictures in your mind. Soft summer afternoons and fond memories of teenage years. Not to mention a well-used sense of humor to accompany their musical integrity (I believe the last line of the album is "why are you always fucking goats?"). My favorite song is "Swimmers".

3. Of Montreal - The Sunlandic Twins : I revised this list two months later to include this album. I don't know how it escaped me before. Anyways, I saw them live at Metro in March and they were unbelievable. I guess I needed that live performance to show me this group is no fluke. At the show I tried to think of how to describe the band. I came up with "Electro Psychadelic Disco Indie Dance Rock." And that fits this album just the same as the live show. Song highlights are "The Party's Crashing Me," "I Was Never Young," "Wraith Pinned to the Mist & Other Games," and.....wait....they're all amazing. Get this CD!!!

2. Bloc Party - Silent Alarm : Angular loud British indie rock at its best. Some songs are lovey dovey, some songs have a political point, and some just say "hey, we're British, and that makes us important". Yes, there was a lot of hype about this band...and yes, it was well deserved. Their tightly wound arrangements will leave your head in a frenzy wanting more. At least, that's what happened to me.

1. The Go! Team - Thunder, Lightning, Strike : Grab a box. Place in it equal parts indie dance rock, electronica, Kung Fu soundtrack, playground chanting, and harmonica...now stir and brace yourself. This album rocked my socks off completely. I have not been so addicted to a CD in a long time. I WISH so badly that I had seen them at Metro on Halloween weekend. Why the hell is the UK so far away?! Trust me...just get this CD and be happy you're alive. (note - this CD was released in the UK in 2004, but in the US it was 2005)

Honorable Mentions:
1. Kings of Leon - Aha Shake Heartbreak : Southern NYC-style indie rock makes me want to break beer bottles and knock over tables.
2. My Morning Jacket - Z : The opening track ("Wordless Chorus") is one of the most lush and hypnotizing songs I've heard in a while. The CD opens like Flaming Lips crossed with Coldplay, but ends with too much American trad rock.

Chicago Album Award:
Make Believe - Shock of Being : I can't really say anything about these guys yet. I saw them live and I was really impressed. The guitar work is like nothing I've ever heard. I ordered their CD. I'll write something about it once it comes. All I know is it's the coolest Chicago band I've found yet.