Top 10 of 2005 - No Links Edition
Don't have the time or inclination to link any of the below, but I think you'll live. Points are Village Voice-style. They wanted people's lists in early this year, so I got mine together today.
Will link to the official list, as well as past lists, whenever the 2005 Pazz and Jop issue is up online.
TOP 10
Idlewild - Warnings/Promises – 18
Their least-rocking album but their most focused and consistent (which, if you’re familiar with this band at all, is quite a feat). I don’t know what else to say about it other than it’s the only 2005 record where I can’t find a weakness.
Nada Surf - The Weight is a Gift – 14
Can’t quite match Let Go, but the fact that it comes close means it more than earns this spot.
And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead - Worlds Apart – 13
Pretentious as hell at times, but the strong, powerful tunes sway me more than the grandiosity turns me off. Some great social commentary, too, especially on the title track.
Portastatic - Bright Ideas – 13
Always focused and consistent, Mac delivers probably the hardest-rocking Portastatic album. Great record from someone who never disappoints.
The New Pornographers - Twin Cinema – 10
A tad too long and too heavy on Neko for me, but sweet pop doesn’t get much sweeter.
The Hold Steady - Separation Sunday – 10
Docked a point or two for Craig Finn’s acquired-taste vocals, but his lyrics are the funniest and most touching of the year.
John Davis - s/t – 7
Once you get used to the fact that a guy who once sang about his girlfriend not swallowing is now singing about Jesus, the great tunes and fire-and-brimstone faith sans preaching win you over. Bonus points for being probably the nicest guy in rock.
Longwave - There's a Fire – 5
This one has waned for me since I first heard it, but it remains a strong, atmospheric pop record. Still surprised they haven’t had more mainstream success.
Clem Snide – End of Love – 5
Never really been that much of a fan of these guys, but this record is start-to-finish sharp. The title track, "The Sound of German Hip-Hop" and "Made for TV Movie" are genius.
Spoon - Gimme Fiction – 5
Might have moved up with a few more listens. Possibly the year’s most overrated record in terms of hype, but still good enough to crack this list.
Near Misses
Best '04 Records I Didn't Hear Until '05 That Would’ve Made Both This Year’s and Last Year’s List
Early Candidates for Top 10 '06
Shows
Saw very little live music; unless I think of others, this is the entire list:
Will link to the official list, as well as past lists, whenever the 2005 Pazz and Jop issue is up online.
TOP 10
Idlewild - Warnings/Promises – 18
Their least-rocking album but their most focused and consistent (which, if you’re familiar with this band at all, is quite a feat). I don’t know what else to say about it other than it’s the only 2005 record where I can’t find a weakness.
Nada Surf - The Weight is a Gift – 14
Can’t quite match Let Go, but the fact that it comes close means it more than earns this spot.
And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead - Worlds Apart – 13
Pretentious as hell at times, but the strong, powerful tunes sway me more than the grandiosity turns me off. Some great social commentary, too, especially on the title track.
Portastatic - Bright Ideas – 13
Always focused and consistent, Mac delivers probably the hardest-rocking Portastatic album. Great record from someone who never disappoints.
The New Pornographers - Twin Cinema – 10
A tad too long and too heavy on Neko for me, but sweet pop doesn’t get much sweeter.
The Hold Steady - Separation Sunday – 10
Docked a point or two for Craig Finn’s acquired-taste vocals, but his lyrics are the funniest and most touching of the year.
John Davis - s/t – 7
Once you get used to the fact that a guy who once sang about his girlfriend not swallowing is now singing about Jesus, the great tunes and fire-and-brimstone faith sans preaching win you over. Bonus points for being probably the nicest guy in rock.
Longwave - There's a Fire – 5
This one has waned for me since I first heard it, but it remains a strong, atmospheric pop record. Still surprised they haven’t had more mainstream success.
Clem Snide – End of Love – 5
Never really been that much of a fan of these guys, but this record is start-to-finish sharp. The title track, "The Sound of German Hip-Hop" and "Made for TV Movie" are genius.
Spoon - Gimme Fiction – 5
Might have moved up with a few more listens. Possibly the year’s most overrated record in terms of hype, but still good enough to crack this list.
Near Misses
- Wilco - Kicking Television: Live in Chicago (I’ve had a live album on my list before, but decided not to this year. Amazing version of “Spiders (Kidsmoke)” and a few others.)
- My Morning Jacket - Z
- Bob Mould - Body of Song
- Fountains of Wayne - Out-of-State Plates
- Love Tractor - Black Hole
- Shout Out Louds - Howl Howl Gaff Gaff
- Sloan – A Sides Win (never put a compilation on a top 10, but this one almost broke that streak)
Best '04 Records I Didn't Hear Until '05 That Would’ve Made Both This Year’s and Last Year’s List
- Ted Leo + the Pharmacists - Shake the Sheets
- Green Day - American Idiot
Early Candidates for Top 10 '06
- Tommy Keene - Crashing the Ether
- Robert Pollard - From a Compound Eye
- The M's - Future Women
- The Minus 5 - s/t
- Keene Brothers - TBA
Shows
Saw very little live music; unless I think of others, this is the entire list:
- Sloan, Double Door
- Idlewild, Metro
- Portastatic, Empty Bottle
- Jeff Tweedy, Vic
- John Davis, Schubas
- Shout Out Louds, Double Door
- My Morning Jacket, Taste of Randolph Street
- Moviola, Hideout
- Paul Westerberg, Riviera (by far the year's biggest disappointment)
posted by MH at
3:02 PM
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