Here they are. The biggies. The ones that matter. My top releases of 2005. I also want to note that there were many new bands that I disovered in 2005, but have not released anything this year. I doubt anything better than these will come out in 2005. Soon I will add some commentary and I will be uploading these gradually so you can make sure you have them in your collection. It was a tough call, but not everyone can be on my best-of list. Better luck next year to all recording artists out there.
Top Tier:
BLOC PARTY Silent Alarm
CAESARS Paper Tigers
LADYTRON The Witching Hour
AT THE DRIVE-IN This Station is Non-Operational
THE NEW PORNOGRAPHERS Twin Cinema
MOMMY AND DADDY Duel At Dawn
GANG OF FOUR Return the Gift
FALL OUT BOY Under the Cork Tree
M.I.A. Arular
SAY HI TO YOUR MOM Ferocious Mopes
PLACEBO Once More With Feeling
ATHLETE Tourist
CALLA Collisions
STELLASTARR* Harmonies for the Haunted pass=bedroomstereo
…AND YOU WILL KNOW US BY THE TRAIL OF DEAD Worlds Apart
ROYKSOPP The Understanding
SHOUT OUT LOUDS Howl Howl Gaff Gaff
ALKALINE TRIO Crimson
WE ARE SCIENTISTS With Love and Squalor
SONS AND DAUGHTERS The Repulsion Box
2nd Tier:
STATISTICS Often Lie
RAVEONETTES Pretty in Black
BLOOD ON THE WALL Awesomer
SATURDAY LOOKS GOOD TO ME Every Night
THE GO! TEAM Lightning, THunder, Strike
DETROIT COBRAS Baby
MOTION CITY SOUNDTRACK Commit This to Memory
OUT HUD Let’s Never Speak of This Again
3rd Tier:
VHS OR BETA Night on Fire
Q AND NOT U Power
SPOON Gimme Fiction
MANDO DIAO Hurricane Bar
NADA SURF The Weight Is a Gift
SOCIAL DISTORTION Sex Love & Rock n Roll
ANTONY AND THE JOHNSONS I Am a Bird Now
MADONNA Confessions on the Dance Floor
FRANZ FERDINAND You Could Have It So Much Better
You will note that these are NOT on my list:
Arctic Monkeys
Spinto Band
Oasis
Metric
White Stripes
Dandy Warhols
Wolf Parade
Arcade Fire
Fiery Furnaces
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Weezer (don’t get me started)
How exciting! I’ll be posting my own list next month. I like the tiered approach. Here’s my thoughts…
Top Tier:
Bloc Party - I never got this, but wanted to. Have you heard their new single from their second album?
Fall Out Boy - Is it really that good? I’m not a big fan of “Sugar, We’re Going Down.”
Athlete - This is pretty good, although I’m not sure if it will make my top 10. I like their latest, fourth single, “Twenty Four Hours.”
2nd Tier:
I haven’t heard of most of these, except Go Team, but I’ve never heard them.
3rd Tier:
Antony & The Johnsons - Surprise winner of the UK Mercury Music Award. He interests me, but I don’t know if I’d say I like him. “Hope There’s Someone” is my favorite.
Madonna - How is this on here? It doesn’t come out for 2 weeks! Maybe you’re being optimistic? I hope it’s good. “Hung Up” is a good start.
Franz Ferdinand - I really liked this and thought it was better than their first–more depth. I love “Do You Want To” as well as “Walk Away” and “Eleanor Put Your Boots On.” It will probably make my Top 10.
Not on:
Artic Monkeys - Hmmm, I’ve only heard their first single, “I Bet That You Look Good…” and I kinda like it.
Oasis - I haven’t heard all of this, just the singles, “Lyla,” “The Importance of Being Idle,” and “Let There Be Love,” which I think are all great. Is the rest of the album not as good? From what I hear, most critics/fans think this is better than their last 2 albums.
White Stripes - Interesting. I thought you really liked them. I loved “Elephant,” but nothing about this album has gotten me excited enough to buy it.
Arcade Fire - I agree. Overrated.
So, finally, what are your thoughts on Coldplay, Rachel Stevens, Feeder, Natalie Imbruglia, Goldfrapp, Supergrass, Charlotte Church, James Blunt and David Gray?