TOP 2 5 ALBUMS OF 2 0 0 5 (PART THREE)
14.
The National -
AlligatorAlligator isn't a terribly strong album on first listen, it’s a definite grower. The release was given a ton of blog press and I was intrigued to find out what everyone was raving about. What I found was a dark indie rock album that drew me in over repeat Go Train listens. Questionable lyrics aside (they get the official Interpol "what they fuck" lyric award for the year for the following:” I have a secret meeting in the basement of my brain"???), Alligator has all the elements of an indie/garagey album to please the most jaded listener. I think I fell for this album because it lamp posts events of the past summer. It got played on many car rides to shows (Final Fantasy in Peterborough with Mark, Shan, T and Z and CYHSY! with the same crew), drives that seemed not long due to good conversation and tunes. This album will always make me remember the summer of 2005.
13.
Spoon -
Gimme FictionI don't have a lot to say about Gimme Fiction or Spoon for that matter. Gimme Fiction is just a great album with solid writing and great pop sensibilities. I Turn My Camera On will probably show up in a commercial for one of the prominent camera companies in the near future. Britt Daniel writes interesting sounds with interesting narratives. Spoon should be huge.
12.
CocoRosie -
Noah's ArkI can't write anything about this album without first explaining how I came to love this band. I first saw CocoRosie open for Bright Eyes at the Phoenix last January. They were fucking terrible. Their set was messy and all over the place, you couldn't tell when one song finished and the next song started. About eight months later, I saw them again, opening for Antony and the Johnsons at St. Paul's Trinity Church on Bloor Street. From the moment they graced the stage, the entire room was at a standstill. Their set was a spectacle like nothing I had ever seen; I sat on the edge of my seat and smiled the entire time. The sisters had blossomed as a live band; they commanded the attention of everyone in attendance with their beautiful, broken songs of love and loss. They used a variety of instruments including acoustic guitar, harp and tons of children’s toys to create soundscapes of lush, haunting orchestrations. Noah's Ark is in the same vein as their live show. Each song is unique and draws you in with its unorthodox instrumentation. Standout track in my opinion is Beautiful Boys, which features Antony singing the chorus. I would recommend this album to anyone who's into the anti-folk scene (Devandra Banhart, Antony, Kimya Dawson, Joanna Newson etc.).
11.
Patrick Wolf -
Wind In The WiresPatrick Wolf is just a kid. A kid who is talented well beyond his years, probably more talented than many of the musicians currently in the charts. Wind In The Wires is what Bright Eyes electronic album should have sounded like. He mixes acoustic and electronic music in the perfect way, yet the album's sound is complex, like listening the classical. It’s a record full of incredible songs that get easily stuck in your head. From the title track, with its sweeping building pulse to Tristan, a danceable number favoured by the New York kids, every song on this album is epic.
10.
The Decemberists -
PicaresqueThe Decemberists third album reminds me of reading literature from the past. The songs are all narrative-based, with a slew of interesting characters. Colin Meloy is not only a songwriter, but a writer of fiction. The Decemberists remind me a lot of Belle And Sebastian, but with much more mature songwriting. This album translates very well live; Meloy and company are excellent live musicians. Check out Chromewaves for some great pictures from the show I attended at the Phoenix in Toronto. Meloy and Co. have finally gained the large audience that they deserve. They recently signed to Capitol, which surprised many of my fellow music bloggers. In my opinion, I think it will either make or break the band. I don't know if the mainstream corporate world will embrace them (I cannot see a station like Toronto's 102.1 playing them) but maybe with word of mouth (and a guest slot on The O.C.) they could become the next Death Cab.
09.
Rogue Wave -
Descended Like VulturesDescended Like Vultures sat on my iPod for months without being listened to. I blame it on the fact that they were sooo many amazing releases this year. When I finally got around to sampling it, I immediately fell in love with it (and of course this was right after they headlined a show at the Horseshoe). The album is varied; the band doesn't stick to the typical indie rock sound. Each song has tons of amazing different elements but there is still a strong underlying pop element to the album. Zach Rogue shines as a vocalist and as the primary songwriter. I think this album will continue to grow on me with future listens, and I have just secured tickets to their March 11 show at Lee's with Nada Surf. This is probably the one band I am most looking forward to seeing in 2006.
08.
Bloc Party -
Silent AlarmThe release Silent Alarm marks the end of the nu-wave 80's revival. Even though there are still tons of bands releasing albums within this genre (for example, the Kasier Chiefs, The Bravery, Maximo Park) the scene is officially over. The shit that's coming out this year is so derivative, and these newer bands are re-hashing the sound of 2001-2002 a la the Strokes. Bloc Party stand out because these kids can really play their instruments, their rhythm section is incredible, and Kele is a great front man that isn't afraid to look like he's having a good time. I caught them for their debut show in Toronto at the Opera House and they were just as impressive live as they are on disc. Even though this album has been out for almost a full year, I can't get bored of it.
07.
Wolf Parade -
Apologies To The Queen MaryWhat can be said about this album that hasn't already been said? Produced by Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse. Friend's of the Arcade Fire. Features a new member who use to be in Hot Hot Heat. Wolf Parade' Apologies To The Queen Mary is one of the best Canadian releases of the year. Each track could be a single. From the opening track You Are A Runner and I Am My Father's Son to the closing track This Heart's On Fire, Wolf Parade prove that they deserve every bit of press and hype that they have received.
06.
Final Fantasy -
Has A Good Home!Owen Pallet is Final Fantasy. It's a simplistic album of violin, some drums and an incredibly strong voice. Pallett sings about elements of everyday life that are close to everyone's hearts. Love, lost-love, loneliness, traveling are central themes to this gorgeous album. Owen garnered a ton of local press this year; he graced the cover of Now Magazine, showed up on tons of music year end lists, played a crap load of shows in and around Toronto, and toured the world over with the Arcade Fire. And 2006 will see the release of his second album He Poos Clouds (a Dungeons and Dragons concept record) and most likely a Canadian solo tour.
05.
Death Cab For Cutie -
PlansPlans was a make or break record for Death Cab For Cutie. It was their major label debut, and first release since they became Seth Cohen's and every girl who adores Mr. Cohen’s favourite band. And Plans delivers. It's not an obvious album; it's all about the subtlety of the songs that makes this album so amazing. Lead single Soul Meets Body is a poppy dance song that relies on acoustic guitar and Ben's as good as ever lyrics. In the bands words, Plans is a "heavy" album that goes on listeners with multiple listens. Standout tracks include I Will Follow You Into The Dark (one of Ben's best songs EVER!) and the Chris Walla penned Brothers On A Hotel Bed. Plans proves that DCFC deserve the attention they are receiving.
04.
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! -
S/TThe indie DIY award of the year goes to these guys. CYHSY! literally came out of nowhere this year, received an incredible review from Pitchfork for their independently released album, and shot to the top of every bloggers list of favourite bands. The album features the greatest nasally vocals since David Byrne fronted the Talking Heads, and also the tons of hip-shaking tunes that make me what to jump up and dance my ass off whenever I listen to it (be it on the Go Train or in my apartment). CYHSY! made their Canadian debut back in September at the Horseshoe, which was packed to the gills with hipsters who were willing to pay upwards of $50 a ticket outside the venue. The band did not disappoint, the crowd ate up every second of their performance. The band has recently signed to Wichita Recordings in the UK and has solidified a deal with ADA in North America to distribute their album across the continent.
03.
Bright Eyes -
I'm Wide Awake It's MorningHere's another guy that tons of people like to talk shit about. Bright Eyes aka Connor Obest's I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning, shows once again what an incredibly brilliant songwriter he is. Every track on this album is great; Connor weaves touching narratives in his lyrics that deal with everything that is important in our lives. Standout tracks include Land Locked Blues, The First Day Of My Life and Poison Oak. The one thing that surprised me about this album is the fact that he left "When The President Talks To God" off the album. Follow the link to download the track for free from iTunes or his live performance on the Tonight Show.
02.
Broken Social Scene -
S/TThe follow up to BSS's career-making You Forgot It In People has received mixed reviews from fans and critics. Myself, I absolutely fell in love with it from first listen. BSS has created a huge wall of sound and noise, each song has tons of layers but at the centre of it all is incredible songwriting. The album sounds more varied than their last; the girls in the band (Amy/Feist) have been given more album time (check the incredible Peaches-sounding Swimmers and the gorgeous Hotel). Self-Titled is a definite grower, I think that with time, people will realize the wonderful mess that BSS created, and learn to love it as much as I do.
01.
Antony and the Johnsons -
I Am A Bird Now I'm not going to bash Pitchfork like tons of people do, because they turn me onto tons of great music. This album was reviewed by them at the beginning of the year, and they added it to their best new music section. The first time I listened to it, I pretty much hated it. But after a couple listens, I fell in love with it. Antony's vocals are strong yet fragile. His lyrics make me smile and want to cry at the same time. I don't think that any album has affected me emotionally like this has since I first heard Elliott Smith back in high school (and The Smiths/Morrissey for that matter). There are many guest appearances on the album by notable musicians such as Lou Reed, Rufus Wainwright and Devandra Banhart. In the last year, Antony's career has gone from indie cabaret star/performance artist to global indie darling. I Am A Bird Now won Britain’s Mercury Music Prize and solidified the fact that Antony is one of our generations most interesting and talented songwriters. God Bless Antony and the Johnsons.
Related Posts:
Top 25 Of 2005 (Part One)Top 25 Of 2005 (Part Two)
