The Best Music of 2005
Thank god for music.... and thank god for the year 2005. This is the first year I really followed musically religiously. I have to say I was surprised with what I found myself listening to.. If you asked me a few years ago if I would ever like pop, rap, or folk, I would probably say something about how I was ROCK only and proceed in treating you like shit. Thankfully those days are over now, and I have to tell you... I'm loving music that much more for it.. So here it is, The best of 2005...
The Top Ten Albums of the Year
1. Sufjan Stevens- Illinois (Folk)
Instant classic. Sufjan Stevens has created an album so masterful that it is almost overwhelming (22 tracks of detail-oriented orchestration). Playing over 20 instruments himself, Stevens makes you believe you are passing through Illinois on some kind of epic journey to find the essence of the state. The stories, whether they be personal, historical, or figurative, all have a deep sense of time and place. Steven is backed by an incredible band of horn players, percussionists, and yes... cheerleaders. I can't recommend this album enough. This album truly is larger than life... well, at least as large as Illinois.
The Top Ten Albums of the Year
1. Sufjan Stevens- Illinois (Folk)
Instant classic. Sufjan Stevens has created an album so masterful that it is almost overwhelming (22 tracks of detail-oriented orchestration). Playing over 20 instruments himself, Stevens makes you believe you are passing through Illinois on some kind of epic journey to find the essence of the state. The stories, whether they be personal, historical, or figurative, all have a deep sense of time and place. Steven is backed by an incredible band of horn players, percussionists, and yes... cheerleaders. I can't recommend this album enough. This album truly is larger than life... well, at least as large as Illinois.
2. Bright Eyes- I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning (Folk/Indie)
My boy Conor Oberst (aka Bright Eyes) helped me out a lot this year. This album proves that Oberst can tackle any project he wants and come out on top. This folky piece of work has you think this is what Bright Eyes has always been. The lyrics in each song are so personal it is hard to not feel something when Oberst sings in his quivering voice. I'm Wide Awake is full of political questioning like most other music nowadays, but Oberst is smart enough to poke at the issues subtly, unless he feels like screaming it out. Buy this album if you don't like listening to bad country music.
3. Common- Be (Hip/Hop)
I hadn't even heard of Common before this year, which makes me feel slightly stupid. But anyways, this album is utterly listenable. Common's flow is so smooth and calm you couldn't imagine he had much of a hard time making this album. For Common to be over 30 years old and still putting out albums of this caliber is almost unheard of in the hip hop/rap world. Thus, Common is one of the greats in the game.
4. Bloc Party- Silent Alarm (Indie/Rock)
Bloc Party revived the garage rock/indie/savior movement in 2005. This album is incredible, although what they do in it isn't all that incredible. Plain and simple, they play good old rock n roll with all the right hooks and frenzy in all the right places. Truly a great album.
5. Kanye West- Late Registration (Rap)
If anyone deserves to be a cocky bastard, it's Kanye West. He seems to thrive on perfection. He expects nothing less, and it shows in his music. You get the feeling he takes his sweet time with every track he records to make it juuust right. If there's anything wrong with this album it's that the skits are a bit too ummm... pointless, and disrupt the overall flow of the album. Nonetheless.. Kanye has done it again.
6. Gym Class Heroes- The Papercut Chronicles (Hip/Hop)
Hip/Hop band? Yes, a hip/hop band. These four boys came out of nowhere, releasing a debut that shows a ton of potential. The lyrics are at times, funny, depressing, and sophisticated in the span of minutes. Fans of rap or rock music alike will enjoy something in this album.
7. Death Cab for Cutie- Plans (Indie/Pop)
I love Death Cab for Cutie. So I was very surprised when I was handed this album before it even hit stores and didn't listen to it immediately. Plans did take some time to grow on me, but how could anyone possibly deny Ben Gibbard's voice?! Yes yes, this is a bit different from what Death Cab does on other albums, but hasn't every album they put out been different from the previous?? Go listen to it.
8. Fall of Troy- Doppelganger (Experimental/Post Hardcore/Screamo)
Three ridiculously talented guys. Well, you could call them boys considering they were all under the age of 21 when this album was released. Doppelganger is not your typical screamo/post hardcore album. It carries a ferocity that is actually sincere in a genre of music that is full of bands who "over do" everything. Super hyper guitar, frenzied screams, and overwhelmingly complex time signatures and song structures power this beast of an album. If you like controlled chaos, Fall of Troy is your band.
9. M83- Before the Dawn Heals Us (Electronica/Dream Pop)
Electronic dream music. If you close your eyes while listening, you may just start floating. Before the Dawn Heals Us will make you reflect and long for your childhood, and at the same time dream about your future. M83 is comprised of one man, Anthony Gonzalez. Gonzalez manages to create an album that will keep you in a trance. This album isn't for everyone though. The narrations in some tracks can be overly-dramatic at times, and the music can be dull in spots as well. Overall though, this album is great.
10. Rogue Wave- Descended Like Vultures (Indie/Pop)
Zach Rogue is a great musician. This band's sound can change so rapidly yet not lose it's wonder. The music is dreamy indie/pop that holds just a bit of folk influence. The music is moody at times, but is always lovely. Descended.. will make you dream of another place you would rather be. A wonderful escape.
Well that is all for now... Hopefully I will have my Honorable mentions list up soon as well as some other lists including : best live shows, singles, and others..
I reeeeally hope you try to listen to some of this, they might just make you smile.
-Andrew Lopez.
I reeeeally hope you try to listen to some of this, they might just make you smile.
-Andrew Lopez.
great job po!!!
Posted by
Bobmo |
1:17 AM