Top 20 of 2005 -- Rave Recs

[audiobill]

No tease, just thought everyone probably knew about my love for Andrew Bird's latest by now

Lord knows, I've tried the Andrew Bird several times & I just don't get it. Obviously you and ForeverAutumn get it. I've given up on it.

[audiobill]

I haven't really given this too much thought yet, but off the top of my head, I would have to add the following to the list, in no particular order...

Andrew Bird - The Mysterious Production of Eggs
Luke Doucet - Broken (I finally got a copy of this and it's excellent!)
Dream Theater - Octavarium
Death Cab for Cutie - Plans
The Kaiser Chiefs - Employment
The Trews - Den of Thieves
Maximo Park - A Certain Trigger

Luke Doucet............ What's the music like?? Is it proggy or not?

Have to agree with Maximo Park -- great disc.

[audiobill]

Deadwing.

Would you say that Deadwing is as good as In Absentia?? Haven't heard it, yet.

[-Jar-]

yea, Ohio is just one big town huh.

oh sorry Dave.. didn't mean to imply that you were the idiot

[audiobill]

20) Elliot Murphy~ Murphy Gets Muddy
19) Graham Parker~ Songs of No Consequence
18) Vic Chesnutt~ Ghetto Bells
17) Bruce Springsteen~ Devils & Dust
16) The Frames~ Burn The Maps
15) Sun Kil Moon~ Tiny Cities
14) John Prine~ Fair & Square
13) Son Volt~ Okemah & The Melody of Riot
12) Mountain Goats~ The Sunset Tree
11) Marissa Nadler~ The Saga of Mayflower May
10) Okkervil River~ Black Sheep Boy
9) Ry Cooder~ Chavez Ravine
8) My Morning Jacket~ Z
7) Magnolia Electric Company~ Trials & Errors
6) Damon & Naomi~ The Earth Is Blue
5) Al Kooper~ Black Coffee
4) Andrew Bird & The Mysterious Production of Eggs
3) Decemberists~ Picaresque
2) Mary Gauthier~ Mercy Now
1) Micah P. Hinson & The Gospel of Progress

Thanks for posting a top twenty there 'toze.

Got to give that Micah P. another try.

[audiobill]

My current working list, and no, I didn't go back and add Porcupine Tree, it was already on there (proof furnished upon request):

Black Mountain
Rob Dickinson, Fresh Wine for the Horses
Electrelane, Axes
Matt Elliott, Drinking Songs
Foetus, Love
Delia Gonzalez & Gavin Russom, The Days of Mars
Jesu
LCD Soundsystem
Mars Volta, [i}Frances the Mute[/i]
New Model Army, Carnival
Nine Inch Nails, With Teeth
Porcupine Tree, DeadWing
Sigur Rós, Takk
Super/System, Always Never Again
John Vanderslice, Pixel Revolt

Addit'l to consider:

Antimatter
Venetian Snares
Jason Forrest -- Shamelessly something -- don't even have this one yet.
m83

That Pixel Revolt seems to be one of the most underappreciated gems of 2005, imho.
Also, heard that the Electrelane is divine -- yet to listen to it. Maybe I'll get to it in 2006.

[audiobill]

I would just add the following to all the great submissions above:

Arena - Pepper's Ghost
Spock's Beard - Octane
Tori Amos - The Beekeeper

Hey, kexodusc.

Where in the canon of Tori Amos Albums would you place The Beekeeper. Does it resemble her earlier work or her later work. Have yet to hear it, too.

[audiobill]

Clutch - Robot Hive/Exodus
Opeth - Ghost Reveries
Tori Amos - Beekeeper
Porcupine Tree - Deadwing
Neil Young - Prairie Wind
Queens of the stone age - Lullabies To Paralyze
Black Label Society - MAfia
Nine Inch Nails - with teeth
Brand NEw Sin - Recipe For Disaster
Callisto - True NAture UNfolds
Soulfly - Dark Ages

All i could come up with at the moment

Wow! That's plenty duds. I'll have to revisit the Neil Young release. It, initially, grabbed me, but I haven't given it any time recently. Neil's music, though is like an old jacket that fits just right -- I'm sure the next time I put it on, it'll feel better.

[audiobill]

Man, I still have a lot of listening to do over the next month or 6 weeks before I have a even a decent idea of a top ten, let alone a top 20. Here are a few that'll surely make the list, though:

Of Montreal - The Sunlandic Twins
Okkervil River - Black Sheep Boy
The Juan Maclean - Less than Human
Animal Collective - Feels
High On Fire - Blessed Black Wings

I believe that "Feels" is a better and more cohesive album than "Sung Tongs". Another one I'll have to revisit. Thanks for the prompt on Of Montreal's latest. Seems like this band got so much attention in the past several years that the press has forgotten about them lately.

[Davey]

oh sorry Dave.. didn't mean to imply that you were the idiot

Hehehe, don't worry, I get that a lot

I did take the liberty of correcting a few grammar type errors in that little review since the translation wasn't quite perfect, but yeah, ya gotta cut those foreigners a little slack, although I guess in Belgium the percentage of people who speak English well is pretty high. Certainly much higher than those who speak Flemish or French in the US, or that know anything about Belgium for that matter

[Davey]

Lord knows, I've tried the Andrew Bird several times & I just don't get it. Obviously you and ForeverAutumn get it. I've given up on it.

Yeah, funny about that. Bouncing around the net you can find quite a few of us that think this is a real landmark album, easily the best of the year and one of the best of the last few years. There's people pulling apart the lyrics and recasting them into their own images, just like we do on the classics of old. Bird is a very unassuming and underappreciated talent. You listen to the interviews like on NPR or read some of the transcripts and he just seems like another guy, someone you'd love to hang out with and drink a few beers and discuss life. Just a great guy. Even sounds a little shy and embarrassed at the attention he's getting. But a brilliant writer and performer. He did just about everything on that album. And he seems to soak up music styles like a sponge. I skipped the last album thinking that it was probably just more of the Swimming Hour, but now I know that it's completely different and I need to go back and pick it up. Some fans think it's better than this one. All depends on what you like most.

But there's a lot of people that just say "meh" too. It's not even listed in the top 100 Editor's picks at amazon for 2005. Or in the Uncut top 50. Or NME or Mojo. But did pretty well with many of the critics as evidenced by its high rating at metacritic. Top of my little pile of discs this year, but it took awhile before it really clicked fully with me too

[audiobill]

bump.

[ForeverAutumn]

bump.

That's a lot of posts for one thread Bill. And a bump at 9:56 when Davey's post was only at 9:55. A post sure can fall far in a minute with all the action at this site, eh?

Have you been nipping into the eggnog tonight?

[audiobill]

That's a lot of posts for one thread Bill. And a bump at 9:56 when Davey's post was only at 9:55. A post sure can fall far in a minute with all the action at this site, eh?

Have you been nipping into the eggnog tonight?

Hacker Weiss Beer, to be exact. Had time tonight to be on the board. Woohoo.

[Duds]

The Neil didn't grab me at first either, but after a few more spins it definitely did.

'05 was a pretty good year for rock releases. Two more i'd like to add are

Corrosion of Conformity - In The Arms of God
Fireball Ministry - Their Rock is Not our Rock

Wow! That's plenty duds. I'll have to revisit the Neil Young release. It, initially, grabbed me, but I haven't given it any time recently. Neil's music, though is like an old jacket that fits just right -- I'm sure the next time I put it on, it'll feel better.

[audiobill]

Two more I forgot to add:

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Howl

Bedouin Soundclash - Sounding a Mosaic (big props to Mike for introducing me to this fab band)

Cheers,

audiobill

[Davey]

A couple more that I don't think have got a mention yet an that will be very high on my list are Silver Jews Tanglewood Numbers and the Editors The Back Room. The new Silver Jews CD has really grown into an outstanding album over the last few weeks for me. I didn't think it quite rose to the heights that I've elevated American Water to over the last few years, but I may be wrong. In any case, I love it and it will likely be in my top 5. Similarly, I initially remarked how the Editors debut sounded too much like a band trying to sound like Interpol trying to sound like Joy Division. But after a few more listens, I probably love this Editors disc more than any of the Interpol albums. They get closer to the essence of Joy Division at times than Interpol, and actually have the occasional lyric that isn't too embarrassing to say out loud (unlike Interpol, who reads more like Coldplay when you strip away the music ).

EDIT: to be honest about it, the Editors CD can get a little irritating after awhile so it probably won't be high on my list, but I do like it a lot in smaller doses. Interpol and most of the others are the same way. They just don't capture that less aggressive rapture of JD and Echo. And the in-your-face sound doesn't endear them to me either. In fact, that contributes a lot to my irritation when I'm exposed for a prolonged period of time to that "modern sound". My true favorites each year are generally those that I can put on repeat and listen over and over and ....

Turned out to be a pretty good year for that core sound that I live with the most, Andrew Bird, Micah Hinson, Silver Jews, British Sea Power, Spoon, Editors, Bloc Party, the National, etc. Nice, just not too much that really excites me when I get past that stellar top 10. Man, I wish the childish imagery from the Jews "Animal Shapes" was true for me right now ...

From a corner window, I watch the falling snow flakes / God must be carving the clouds into animal shapes.

[Snowbunny]

A couple more that I don't think have got a mention yet an that will be very high on my list are Silver Jews Tanglewood Numbers and the Editors The Back Room. The new Silver Jews CD has really grown into an outstanding album over the last few weeks for me. I didn't think it quite rose to the heights that I've elevated American Water to over the last few years, but I may be wrong. In any case, I love it and it will likely be in my top 5. Similarly, I initially remarked how the Editors debut sounded too much like a band trying to sound like Interpol trying to sound like Joy Division. But after a few more listens, I probably love this Editors disc more than any of the Interpol albums. They get closer to the essence of Joy Division at times than Interpol, and actually have the occasional lyric that isn't too embarrassing to say out loud (unlike Interpol, who reads more like Coldplay when you strip away the music ). Turned out to be a pretty good year for that core sound that I live with the most, Andrew Bird, Micah Hinson, Silver Jews, British Sea Power, Spoon, Editors, Bloc Party, the National, etc. Nice, just not too much that really excites me when I get past that stellar top 10. Man, I wish the childish imagery from the Jews "Animal Shapes" was true for me right now ...

From a corner window, I watch the falling snow flakes / God must be carving the clouds into animal shapes.

Oh, the weather outside is frightful,
But the snow is so delightful,
and if you've no place to go,
let is snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Lotsa snow on the ground here, but just a little too cold for it to snow today. Or to go for a run for that matter.

Hey, Sugarbear, do you think I'd like that Micah Hinson? I've heard her(?) mentioned a lot lately, but I have no idea what he/she is all about. Tell me a story, Davey!

Snowbuns

[Davey]

Hey, Sugarbear, do you think I'd like that Micah Hinson? I've heard her(?) mentioned a lot lately, but I have no idea what he/she is all about. Tell me a story, Davey!

Are you a broken-hearted lover? Cause this is the drug. There's a song called "I Still Remember" in the middle that is just a heart ripper, "And I still remember thinking, I wish I could know you, for an eternity, or at least until we grow old. And I still remember thinking, how lovely it could be, to hold you for eternity, or at least until you fell asleep", with Micah (the man) trading verses with that angelic Sarah Lowes (the woman) from the Earlies (who back him and produce the album). Beautiful. And that 8 1/2 minute epic cosmic country closer, "The Day Texas Sank To The Bottom of The Sea", just knocks me out. And the opening block of three songs is a highlight as well. And then there's "Stand in My Way" that comes along with a sad country waltz, interwoven with a mournful cello and accented with plucked strings and a background accordian and piano, initially reminding me a little of a cross between the moody middle section on the great Modest Mouse The Moon & Antarctica and something from the Black Heart Procession, but then a brass band comes in and drives it more toward Neutral Milk Hotel territory. Great song. Great album. Yeah, you'd like it. That's my story

[Snowbunny]

Are you a broken-hearted lover? Cause this is the drug. There's a song called "I Still Remember" in the middle that is just a heart ripper, "And I still remember thinking, I wish I could know you, for an eternity, or at least until we grow old. And I still remember thinking, how lovely it could be, to hold you for eternity, or at least until you fell asleep", with Micah (the man) trading verses with that angelic Sarah Lowes (the woman) from the Earlies (who back him and produce the album). Beautiful. And that 8 1/2 minute epic cosmic country closer, "The Day Texas Sank To The Bottom of The Sea", just knocks me out. And the opening block of three songs is a highlight as well. And then there's "Stand in My Way" that comes along with a sad country waltz, interwoven with a mournful cello and accented with plucked strings and a background accordian and piano, initially reminding me a little of a cross between the moody middle section on the great Modest Mouse The Moon & Antarctica and something from the Black Heart Procession, but then a brass band comes in and drives it more toward Neutral Milk Hotel territory. Great song. Great album. Yeah, you'd like it. That's my story

Yes. Wow that does sound good, Davey. I'm in a bit of a musical funk these days. Nothing (but Andrew Bird) appeals to me right now.

I did just get a package from Ms. Patrick, but I haven't gotten the disks out of it yet! I don't know how he manages to slide those CD into the sticky bubblewrap envelopes the way he does. I'll get a pair of scissors and then I think we'll see what I think about Rogue Wave.

[Davey]

I'll get a pair of scissors and then I think we'll see what I think about Rogue Wave.

Put the scissors down before listening! Hehehe, did your mom ever tell you that? Oh wait, no, it was put the scissors down before running out into the busy street to play, yeah, that was it! Anyway, wouldn't want you to poke your ears out if you didn't like the latest Sloshytoons

Musical funk, eh? That Andrew Bird is so inventive that it does make a lot of music seem inconsequential, huh? What have you been listening to while in the funk besides that? Besides that silly American Idiot?

Sounds like you may need a dose of the Silver Jews,
’Happiness won’t leave me alone!’ says the bird in his nest
’Get a load of this fucking view, it’s the best in the West!’
Sometimes a pony, sometimes a pony, sometimes a pony gets depressed!

[Snowbunny]

Put the scissors down before listening! Hehehe, did your mom ever tell you that? Oh wait, no, it was put the scissors down before running out into the busy street to play, yeah, that was it! Anyway, wouldn't want you to poke your ears out if you didn't like the latest Sloshytoons

Musical funk, eh? That Andrew Bird is so inventive that it does make a lot of music seem inconsequential, huh? What have you been listening to while in the funk besides that? Besides that silly American Idiot?

Sounds like you may need a dose of the Silver Jews,
’Happiness won’t leave me alone!’ says the bird in his nest
’Get a load of this fucking view, it’s the best in the West!’
Sometimes a pony, sometimes a pony, sometimes a pony gets depressed!

I'd never get depressed if I had a pony!

I've tried listening to some old stand-bys. Tracker Polk, Tom Waits - Rain Dogs, Sarah Harmer - You Were Here... nuthin. But you're right. I am enjoying that Green Day CD.

Snowie

[Davey]

I'd never get depressed if I had a pony!

Yeah right, not until some smart-ass birdie comes along uninvited and tells you how much better life is with a view. Besides, ponies are only for kids, silly skibunny

Hey, maybe you just need to hear something new and fresh to knock away the funk. Ya ever got into Nina Simone? Just treated myself to the Four Women 4-cd box set of her mid 60s Philips years. Only $23.96 delivered to my Christmas stocking from yourmusic.com. Should be fun since I only have an old vinyl collection of the earlier stuff. Or how bout some dark and melancholy classical music to curl up with on a snowie night? http://www5.head-fi.org/forums/showt...95#post1765895 Or how about Quadrophenia? Parts of that Who rock opera have a similar feel to that Rachmaninoff tone poem when he's out on the water. "Love, Reign o'er Me" is one of the mightiest songs ever. Great, great stuff. Don't even need to listen to it anymore because it's so ingrained in my mind from countless spins in my younger days.

My jacket's gonna be cut slim and checked
Maybe a touch of seersucker with an open neck
I ride a G S scooter with my hair cut neat
I wear my wartime coat in the wind and sleet.

I see her dancing
Across the ballroom
U V light making starshine
Of her smile.
I am the face,
She has to know me,
I'm dressed up better than anyone
Within a mile.

So how come the other tickets look much better?
Without a penny to spend they dress to the letter.
How come the girls come on oh so cool
Yet when you meet 'em, every one's a fool.




Oh yea, and pull out your copy of the Pixie's Doolittle (you do have a copy of that one, I hope, don't you ) and crank up the volume just like me on a Saturday morning until it just don't go any more, and go from a whisper to a scream along with Frank ...

got hips like cinderella
must be having a good shame
talking sweet about nothing
cookie i think you're
tame

i'm making good friends with you
when you're shaking your good frame
fall on your face in those bad shoes
lying there like you're
tame

uh huh huh

tame

[Snowbunny]

Yeah right, not until some smart-ass birdie comes along uninvited and tells you how much better life is with a view. Besides, ponies are only for kids, silly skibunny

Or how about Quadrophenia? Parts of that Who rock opera have a similar feel to that Rachmaninoff tone poem when he's out on the water. "Love, Reign o'er Me" is one of the mightiest songs ever. Great, great stuff. Don't even need to listen to it anymore because it's so ingrained in my mind from countless spins in my younger days.

Hehehehe... me too! But then I think I already told you that. My buddy Keith brought me the original Quadraphenia album with the booklet inside. One of my biggest regrets is leaving that album at my mom's house when I moved away and my jerk-off brother took it. He also brought me an import only Who release which I should look for again, but I've never seen the cover, even in discographies.

That is a great suggestion though, Davey. I really should get the CD of Quadraphenia! So many angst-ridden choruses in that rock-opera. I love when Daltry screams LOOOOVE... REIGN O'ER ME!!!. Gives me chills even thinking about it.

This was one of my teenage anthems:

I went back to the doctor
I went back to the doctor
To get another shrink.
To get another shrink.
I sit and tell him about my weekend,
I sit and tell him about my weekend,
But he never betrays what he thinks.
But he never betrays what he thinks.

Can you see the real me, doctor?
Can you see the real me, doctor?

I went back to my mother
I went back to my mother
I said, ’I’m crazy ma, help me.’
I said, I’m crazy ma, help me.
She said, ’i know how it feels son,
She said, I know how it feels son,
’cause it runs in the family.’
’cause it runs in the family.

Can you see the real me, mother?
Can you see the real me, mother?

The cracks between the paving stones
The cracks between the paving stones
Look like rivers of flowing veins.
Look like rivers of flowing veins.
Strange people who know me
Strange people who know me
Peeping from behind every window pane.
Peeping from behind every window pane.
The girl I used to love
The girl I used to love
Lives in this yellow house.
Lives in this yellow house.
Yesterday she passed me by,
Yesterday she passed me by,
She doesn’t want to know me now.
She doesn’t want to know me now.

Can you see the real me, can you?
Can you see the real me, can you?

I ended up with the preacher,
I ended up with the preacher,
Full of lies and hate,
Full of lies and hate,
I seemed to scare him a little
I seemed to scare him a little
So he showed me to the golden gate.
So he showed me to the golden gate.

Can you see the real me preacher?
Can you see the real me preacher?
Can you see the real me doctor?
Can you see the real me doctor?
Can you see the real me mother?
Can you see the real me mother?
Can you see the real me?
Can you see the real me?

Of course that was many years ago and this morning I am watching Antiques Roadshow, knitting, and making chicken soup.

How did this happen?

Snowflake

[tentoze]

Of course that was many years ago and this morning I am watching Antiques Roadshow, knitting, and making chicken soup.

How did this happen?

Snowflake

Well, the chikken soop thing sounds good, anyway.

NP: Bunny Wailer~ Blackheart Man