Everett’s 2005 Lists: Top Seven Albums
Sorry for the delay with getting this post up. This was originally going to be a list of my fifty favorite albums of 2005, but it’s been trimmed down for a variety of reasons to a more manageable number. The number seven may appear arbitrary, but there is a logical reason behind my decision to cut off the list at that point: these seven albums were, in my opinion, a lot better than any other album. These are the seven albums that I continually listen to, and find pleasure in every single song. I’m not going so far as to say that these albums are perfect, but I can’t fathom what could make any of them better, and there were only seven albums this year that fit that description. In summary, what I’m basically trying to say is that if I could only buy seven albums in 2005, these albums would be the ones I’d go with; I recommend every one of these albums as highly as possible.
7. Death Cab For Cutie - Plans
Major-label debuts are tricky. There’s a balance that needs to be struck in order to keep the label happy, the unwashed masses happy, and the indie-folk content. Plans was hardly critically lauded, receiving a 6.5 from Pitchfork, and my initial opinion was that it paled in comparison to their previous effort, the gorgeous masterwork that is Transatlanticism. There is no doubt that Plans is more radio-friendly, with more effort put in to catchy hooks and nonsensical ‘lyrics’ that any preteen girl can sing along to (”ba ba ba ba ba ba”, I’m talking about you here). Plans grew on me quickly, and I found myself constantly going back to it, first because I thought I’d missed something and afterwards because I really just wanted to listen to it again. The fact that since it’s release, four of the eleven songs have been my favorite at any given time, is a testament to the strength of this album. This is not a record you play to up your indie cred, this is a record to play for the sheer enjoyment of listening to the songs.
Favorite Songs: “Marching Bands of Manhattan“, “Summer Skin“, “Brothers on a Hotel Bed”
6. The Decemberists, Picaresque
Picaresque is easily The Decemberists best offering to date. Though Castaways and Cutouts and Her Majesty, The Decemberists had their high points, they also had some lows. Picaresque is the type of album that should be filled with ups and downs, yet there are no downs. There is no filler. Every song on this album is mixtape-approved. Colin Meloy is responsible for raising the literacy level of nearly all the self-respecting blogosphere, and he’s not stopping there: next, he plans for his band to take the world at large by storm since signing to Columbia Records. It’s hard to imagine The Decemberists topping Picaresque, as I feel no major-label money can make songs as heartfelt and intelligent as Meloy’s any stronger. Picking my favorite songs to put up for download here is like picking which metaphor to use here: it’s really freaking hard.
Favorite Songs: “The Infanta“, “We Both Go Down Together“, “The Engine Driver”
5. Kanye West, Late Registration
This album is not as good as College Dropout, I’d like to make that very clear. College Dropout was just way more fun, and here Kanye is wearing his ambition on his sleeve. The skits are definitely not as funny, and there are not as many unbelievable singles to choose from. In my opinion, you lose major points by declaring your album deserves the Grammy for Album of the Year “because you put your time and money in to it.” No shit you put your time and money in to it, thats what everybody fucking does. That said… Late Registration is a damn good album in its own right. Removed from all the polarizing bullshit Kanye’s managing to spew at an alarming rate, the tracks here are solid, very well-produced, and lyrically humorous. This is my favorite rap album of the year, and though this was an admittedly slow year in rap, there were a few solid releases. Late Registratiion trumps them all, because when Kanye has something to say, people pay attention. It’s been quite a while since an album has had to ride such unbelievable hype, and Mr. West is wholly unfazed and completely confident with his work, with good reason.
Favorite Songs: “Drive Slow (featuring Paul Wall & GLC)“, “Crack Music (featuring The Game)“, “Hey Mama”
4. Sufjan Stevens, Sufjan Stevens Invites You To Come On Feel The Illinoise
This album almost made the top three, and many would say leaving it out of their is a terrible error on my part. I definitely got wrapped up in the Sufjan Stevens hype, I acquired this album over two months before it was formally released through a variety of illicit measures and bought it within a week of its release. This album absolutely deserves all the credit its been getting, as there are legitimately ten songs on this album that could vie for song of the year on any given day. I can’t post them all up for download here because thats just not right, as everyone should support Sufjan by buying his album if you haven’t already, so I’m going to have to cut down the number to my absolute favorites, but basically you should take this away: this is an album that everyone seems to agree is a must-have. I don’t see how someone could dislike this album. Purchase it immediately.
Favorite Songs: “Concerning the UFO Sighting Near Highland, IL“, “The Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts“, “The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is Out to Get Us!”
3. Sigur Ros, Takk
Sigur Ros is my favorite band. I have all of their releases, Takk is my third favorite. Sigur Ros’s third best album, in my opinion, is better than Sufjan Stevens best album or The Decemberists best album. Sigur Ros can do no wrong in my book. I realize that they are something of an acquired taste, and I would be hopelessly naive to think that everybody should like them as much as I do. None of their songs can ever get old for me, they all feel as powerful to me now as the first time I heard them. There’s really no words that can describe my feelings for this band. Takk is definitely their most accessible album yet, and a great entry to Sigur Ros if you’ve never given them a shot before. “Gong” is probably their most radio-friendly song to date, and I couldn’t recommend a better starting point for someone discovering Sigur Ros.
Favorite Songs: “Glosoli“, “Milano”, “Gong”
2. Bloc Party, Silent Alarm
This band was everywhere in 2005, and if you haven’t heard of them I have no idea how you found your way to this website but you’re probably in the wrong place (but please, make yourself at home, you may like it) There is a good reason they were hyped so strongly, namely, they are amazing. They may not win any points for originality, but they definitely ran up the score in execution and pure manic goodness. Every song on this album could be the lead single that breaks another U.K.-bred band big in the old US of A, Bloc Party just happened to hoard all the awesomeness for themselves. It’s hard to put in to words what I think of Kele Okereke, so I’ll just say this: he is Bloc Party’s identity. The foundation of the band, however, is absolutely Matt Tong’s unimaginably great drumming. This album is just amazing all the way through, with danceable rock tracks aplenty and a few slow jams thrown in for good measure. As if all this isn’t enough, Heidi Klum has said she likes to listen to this album while she’s driving. That’s good enough for me.
Favorite Songs: “Like Eating Glass“, “Helicopter“, “Pioneers”
1. Bright Eyes, I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning
This album is Conor Oberst growing up. This is not only the best Bright Eyes release to date, it is also one of my favorite albums, period. I can’t even imagine how many times I’ve listened to this album: I downloaded it illegally before it was released, I bought a physical copy when it came out, and I bought it from the iTunes music store. I’ve listened to it on CD, on my computer, and on my iPod. I have not met a person yet who has not enjoyed this album, and that includes my parents. I was tempted to make my end of year albums list just a list of “My 10 Favorite Songs on I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning“, because this year thats all that matters. This is the album, more so than Sufjan or Silent Alarm, that will define 2005 for me. This album is perfect.
Favorite Songs: “We are Nowhere and it’s Now“, “First Day of My Life“, “Poison Oak”
Honorable Mentions (a.k.a. #’s 8-25):
Spoon, Gimme Fiction, “Sister Jack”
Architecture in Helsinki, In Case We Die, “Maybe You Can Owe Me”
Of Montreal, The Sunlandic Twins, “So Begins Our Alabee”
The White Stripes, Get Behind Me Satan, “My Doorbell”
Ryan Adams, 29, “Blue Sky Blues”
The Raveonettes, Pretty In Black, “Uncertain Times”
Minus the Bear, Menos el Oso, “Memphis & 53rd”
Shout Out Louds, Howl Howl Gaff Gaff, “Go Sadness”
Common, Be, “Be”
Stars, Set Yourself On Fire, “Reunion”
Okkervil River, Black Sheep Boy, “For Real”
The Hold Steady, Separation Sunday, “Your Little Hoodrat Friend”
Bright Eyes, Digital Ash In A Digital Urn, “Easy/Lucky/Free”
Devendra Banhart, Cripple Crow, “Heard Somebody Say”
Beck, Guero, “Girl”
Sage Francis, A Healthy Distrust, “Slow Down Gandhi”
John Vanderslice, Pixel Revolt, “Exodus Damage”
Gorillaz, Demon Days, “El Manana“