Favorite Recordings of 2005?

[Audio Girl]

I apologize if this has been visited ad nauseum but I was curious what are your favorite 2005 released recordings. I haven't purchased much but what few purchases were made, I really didn't like (i.e., Coldplay, White Stripes, Mariah Carey). Would appreciate recs for all genres...not just rock/pop.

[Davey]

My favorites this year all seem to be very lyrical and kind of melancholy. There's a few more that I really like that are more upbeat and rocking overall like Spoon or Bloc Party, but these just seem to be my obsession right now.

Andrew Bird - The Mysterious Production of Eggs
Haven't been as interested in the lyrics of an album for a long time. Every song intrigues me. It seems almost a concept album. Apocalyptic tales about monsters and judgement and rebirth (and even some pony rides and dancing bears along the way). Memories of younger days highlighted by brilliant music from the likes of Paul Simon and David Byrne are never far away either. And from more modern times, the Flaming Lips and Mercury Rev and Radiohead. None of this generation's songwriters really have anything on Andrew Bird. not those more popular ones like Thom Yorke, Wayne Coyne, Ben Gibbard, Conor Oberst, Isaak Brock, Beck, or the less known ones like Win Butler, Sufjan Stevens, Devendra Banhart, Mark Linkous, and whomever else you wanna toss out. I love a good lyric and a good melody and a surprize or two along the way, and I like most of the artists mentioned above, but Andrew Bird is still pretty special. Adventurous music steeped in tradition.

Richmond Fontaine - The Fitzgerald
Willy Vlautin wrote these stark tunes while tucked away in the Fitzgerald Casino Hotel in Reno for a few weeks, and it's pretty vivid and powerful stuff, full of characters whose lives revolve around that central location. A little of the flavor of Springsteen's Nebraska, and also reminiscent of the sad tunes on that first Steve Earle album after he got out of jail. And a more recent touchstone in the work of Damien Jurado. And with a weedy voice similar to the much more popular Jeff Tweedy of Wilco fame. But with maybe a touch of Tweedy's ex-Tupelo partner, Jay Farrar, in the lower registers. One of those dusty, lived-in, stripped-down productions that is guaranteed to alienate some fans looking for the more up-beat and rocking alt-country they've come to expect from Richmond Fontaine, but I can't stop listening to it. Not a bad recording either, with some nice bass, and not too compressed like most new CDs, although they did use a lot on his voice.

The Mountain Goats - The Sunset Tree
Contagious and mesmerizing album, with lots of clever wordsmithing to go with the imaginative music. It is highly emotional subject matter for the most part because it deals with a lot of hurt left from his childhood and abusive stepfather, but what a great album. I just can't stop listening. Kind of like a combo of Will Oldham and the Silver Jews, but without the twisted country vibe. Lots of variety in the music, and with good engineering and production work from John Vanderslice and Scott Solter. And there's even some nice cello work and string arrangements by well known Erik Friedlander. And though some of it does sound similar to the whimsical pop of John Vanderslice's own work, this generally has a more subdued folk-pop sound, though quirky and fractured sounding at times, and lyrically it's much more serious.

And a shoe-in for my probable next obsession is the Calexico / Iron & Wine EP. And the upcoming Silver Jews is a pretty sure bet to make the year end list. And really like the Electrelane Axes and The National Alligator and Decemberists and a couple others. Big Super Furry Animals fan but don't have Love Kraft yet, although sure to make the year end list. They really can do no wrong. The new British Sea Power was initially a let down after the manic debut, but I have really warmed up to it over time and if I spend some more time with it I can definitely see it climbing up there. And I got a lot of fun out of the Black Mountain, but not sure it'll make the list. Maybe. Not sure I would recommend many (any?) of these to you Audio Girl, but they are my favorites

[Slosh]

1. Stephen Malkmus - Face The Truth (no serious competition yet)
2. The Decemberists - Picaresque
3. Super Furry Animals - Love Kraft
4. Andrew Bird - The Mysterious Production Of Eggs
5. Bloc Party - Silent Alarm
6. Spoon - Gimme Fiction
7. 13 & God - s/t
8. Death Cab For Cutie - Plans
9. Fruit Bats - Spelled In Bones
10. Son Volt - Okemah And The Melody Of Riot

I think # 9 & 10 will be knocked off the list by year's end, although they're both pretty good but those first eight are excellent.

[audiobill]

Hey, audiogirl.

It's been a very good year for music.

My fellow raverecrs, above, have mentioned several (all of which I agree with), btw.

Some more to try:

Van Morrison's Magic Time

Xiu Xiu's La Foret

Mike Doughty's Haughty Melodic

Engineers s/t

M83's Before the Dawn Heals Us

Beck's Guero

The Books' Lost & Safe

The National's Alligator

Death Cab's FC Plans

Low's The Great Destroyer

and..........I'm sure a winner......haven't picked this one up yet: Electric Six's Senor Smoke.


Hope this helps,

audiobill

oh, yeah...........Ry Cooder's Chavez Ravine is another one that's excellent

[Dusty Chalk]

Mine's in here somewhere.

[Jim Clark]

Another nod to The National and Bloc Party.

And two that haven't been mentioned- The Shout Out Louds and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. Not the best band names I've ever seen, but two of the best albums I've heard this year.

I'd really like to get that new Stars album too, just never seem to remember until I get home.

Good to hear from you Mary.

jc

[ToddL]

Ben Lee and The Arcade Fire. Jim Clark would like the Arcade Fire by what he listed.

[ForeverAutumn]

Hi AG. Good to see you back!

I would also have to list Death Cab for Cutie's Plans as a greatest of 2005 so far. I gave it three spins yesterday and loved it more with each listen.

Another nod to The Shout Out Louds. I have to credit my good friend Swish Daddy for introducing me to this one. I find them to be very much along the lines of Death Cab, but a little more upbeat.

And I'm suprised that no-one's mentioned The Kaiser Chiefs yet. Their CD, Employment, just may be my very favourite of the year.

I'll leave out my favourite prog releases since, if I remember correctly, I don't think that prog is up your alley. (and please, no comments from the peanut gallery about prog not being up anyone's alley. Thankyouverymuch. ).

[Davey]

The Arcade Fire

Isn't that one over a year old now? Or maybe it didn't get a EU release until this year? Yeah, still a fun album

[Jim Clark]

Ben Lee and The Arcade Fire. Jim Clark would like the Arcade Fire by what he listed.

You are correct sir, but like Davey said, I've had it since last year. This year however I did get some killer Arcade Fire Boots!

Oh, and I did grab that Stars album today along with John Vanderslice and the new Siggy Ros-my first by them. Don't know if any of these are worth a crap, but I'll sure try them.

jc

[Dusty Chalk]

Let me know what you think of that Vanderslice, I've been really digging him. So much as to go back and obtain his previous three albums. Whimsy pop

And on a more general note, a completely underrated album is Supersystem, Always Never Again -- RIYL LCD Soundsystem, Lost Boys.

[audiobill]

Let me know what you think of that Vanderslice, I've been really digging him. So much as to go back and obtain his previous three albums. Whimsy pop

And on a more general note, a completely underrated album is Supersystem, Always Never Again -- RIYL LCD Soundsystem, Lost Boys.

P.S., I absolutely adore Vanderslice's latest "Pixel Revolution". In fact, it seems that this guy can do no wrong. I have his previous two albums and this one ranks right up there; different enough though to make it interesting and adventurous for me.

For what it's worth,

Bill

[Jim Clark]

P.S., I absolutely adore Vanderslice's latest "Pixel Revolution". In fact, it seems that this guy can do no wrong. I have his previous two albums and this one ranks right up there; different enough though to make it interesting and adventurous for me.

For what it's worth,

Bill

Hey, I just got that one today! Haven't spent very much time with it, basically a preview. Seems OK, a little more mellow than I'm used to but that's not an inherently bad thing.

Dustychalk, you need to get the Stars last CD. I'm serious. One listen and it's destined to make my top 10 and I think it would make several lists around here if people would give it a shot.

jc

[Kaboom]

mmmm funny how no one except dusty chalk mentioned Deadwing amongst their favs...
In any case i'm too busy catching up with 30 years of musical illiteracy to be buying much of 2005's material
However, Death Cab for Cutie's plans is awesome.
cheers!

[ForeverAutumn]

mmmm funny how no one except dusty chalk mentioned Deadwing amongst their favs...
In any case i'm too busy catching up with 30 years of musical illiteracy to be buying much of 2005's material
However, Death Cab for Cutie's plans is awesome.
cheers!

I left out Deadwing because (a) I'm not sure that I could qualify it as a favourite, and (b) I know it's not something that AudioGirl would enjoy. Since she's the one asking I limited my response to disks that she might like.

If I were going to just list my favourites, without regard to who was asking, then I would be remiss if I left out Dream Theater's Octavarium and The Trews Den of Thieves.

[Davey]

mmmm funny how no one except dusty chalk mentioned Deadwing amongst their favs...

Not too funny, I think most of the big PT fans, and the progressive rock fans in general, moved on over to the progressive ears site after this place died off. Or before. Seems to be a much more lively discussion over there. So now it's just mostly indie and alternative type talk here between the handful of people remaining. Haven't seen any proggy posts in quite awhile. Getting kind of incestuous here with no new blood and little outside of the latest new indie rock release talk

[Slosh]

It's as if some of the members of Interpol and Mr. Bungle got together for an album but then Mike Patton decided he wanted no part of this so he quit then someone thought it would be a good idea to get Erkle as their frontman, but hey, that's just my first impression

[Slosh]

And I got a lot of fun out of the Black Mountain, but not sure it'll make the list. Maybe.

Ewww! Really? I've only heard "Druggernaught" and one other song but that was enough to keep me from ever buying their album. Betcha the fossil-rockin' proggers would dig it though.

Keep on truckin'

[Davey]

Betcha the fossil-rockin' proggers would dig it though.

Keep on truckin'

Funny, but that's exactly what I thought after hearing that new Stephen Malkmus turd. Don't I remember you saying that you like that one?

And I am a writer, writer of fictions, I am the heart that you call home. And I've written pages upon pages, trying to rid you from my bones

[Davey]

1. Stephen Malkmus - Face The Truth (seriously..you'll look back on this in a year or two and wonder what the f*ck you were thinking)
2. The Decemberists - Picaresque (yes! I feel it! I'm an engine driver, on a long run..)
3. Super Furry Animals - Love Kraft (maybe..probably..okie dokie..does it count if I haven't heard it..yes!)
4. Andrew Bird - The Mysterious Production Of Eggs (yes!! and I'm gonna tie your wrists with leather and drill a tiny hole into your head)
5. Bloc Party - Silent Alarm (I kinda feel the love, tight but overhyped love)
6. Spoon - Gimme Fiction (hot and cold monkey kinda love)
7. 13 & God - s/t (like it..but wouldn't care it if I missed it..that much)
8. Death Cab For Cutie - Plans (kinda girlie..not that there's anything wrong with that)
9. Fruit Bats - Spelled In Bones (better than Holopaw and Lucksmiths and a bunch of other fruit batty stuff?)
10. Son Volt - Okemah And The Melody Of Riot (seems boring..and I haven't even heard it)

Hey, Decemberists really starting to take hold of me. Been listening a lot recently. Been kind of up and down with it in the past, but I'm starting to both respect it and love it. I'm kind of slow this year. I'll probably havta eat all those rude comments above in another couple months. No Sunset Tree? Are you daft?

[3-LockBox]

I apologize if this has been visited ad nauseum but I was curious what are your favorite 2005 released recordings. I haven't purchased much but what few purchases were made, I really didn't like (i.e., Coldplay, White Stripes, Mariah Carey). Would appreciate recs for all genres...not just rock/pop.

Well for what its worth...

Porcupine TreeDeadwing
RPWLWorld Through My Eyes
Dream TheaterOctavarium

I know these bands aren't your cup of tea, and I may be forgetting a couple...I did purchase the latest Tears For Fears CeeDee, Everybody Loves A Happy Ending. Its definately better than anything from the nineties that came out under the TFF moniker, but it didn't blow me away...neither did the latest Hot Hot Heat CeeDee, Elevator, but it is a grower.

I've stayed away from Country music completely in the last two or three years...there's too much of that I can't stand anymore.

Glad to hear from you Mary...hope things are good with you and yours.

[Slosh]

Funny, but that's exactly what I thought after hearing that new Stephen Malkmus turd. Don't I remember you saying that you like that one?

It's the best album of the 21rst century (so far)

You obviously haven't heard Crap Your Hands Say Yech Talk about hype!

[Davey]

You obviously haven't heard Crap Your Hands Say Yech Talk about hype!

Hey, shouldn't this be over in the piece of crap thread? Did you order it from their site or is it more widely available now? Haven't heard it myself but what I've read sure makes it sound like the singer is pretty bad. I think Billboard gave it a perfect 10, though. Guess they wanted to outdo the Pitchfork hype on this one. Must've been late to the party last year with the Arcade Fire

[Slosh]

Hey, shouldn't this be over in the piece of crap thread?

Nah, our good friend Stonerwitch hooked me up. Am I not gracious with my gifts?

Regarding Mountain Goats; I've only heard a song or two from the previous album. Guess it didn't leave much of an impression being that I never investigated further.

Regarding Son Volt; yeah, it's pretty pedestrian but at least it's something I can pop in when my non-music geeks friends stop by without them giving me that look. You know, the one that says, "Don't you have any Pearl Jam or Tom Petty CDs around here?"

Regarding Fruit Bats; good and a grower but Mouthfuls is better. Wanna hear it (and Love Kraft if you still need it)? Hey, I'm sorta open-minded and would give Sunset Tree a chance

NP: Crap Your Pants Say Yech (giving it the old college try)

[tentoze]

Not sure if it's a commentary on 2005 new music, but my two favorite records for the year are actually from 2004, and I missed both of them until just recently- Micah P. Hinson & The Gospel of Progress, and Two Gallants- The Throes. Both by artists just barely into their 20's, both grabbed me and got my attention totally.