2005 Music Year in Review: Top 10 Albums
"Did you forget that, yellow bird?
How could you forget your, yellow bird..."
-Conor Oberst

I should first admit to not hearing a few "important" albums from 2005. Important, in that they are featured on various other top ten lists and grabbed some Grammy nominations. They are: How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb by U2; Devils & Dust by Bruce Springsteen; The Emancipation of Mimi by Mariah Carey; Alligator by The National; Arular by M.I.A.

Now. Before my top ten list, here are a few that just missed the cut:
(in no particular order)

Bob Dylan: No Direction Home (The Soundtrack)

This is a fantastic re-release, from an equally fantastic documentary by Martin Scorsese.

Takk by Sigur Ros

Takk is Sigur Ros at their best. It's filled with beautiful, melodic, angelic melodies. Track 7: Milano, is one of the best tracks of the year.

Don't Believe the Truth by Oasis

This album is a mixed bag, but the highs are pretty high. Any Oasis fan can find something to like on this album. Listen to: Lyla, Guess God Thinks I'm Abel, Let There Be Love


Ok. Without further delay, the top ten albums of the year are:

10. Funeral - Arcade Fire

I know, I know...This album came out in 2004; but in November. So, close enough. And it's a great album, and I didn't have a list last year; so, here it is at #10. Listen to: Crown of Love, Wake Up, Rebellion (Lies)

9. Extraordinary Machine - Fiona Apple

If you're a music fan at all, you'll love this CD. I did not realize, before listening to this record, how great of an artist Fiona Apple is. I believe she may not have even realized it herself. She has found the perfect blend of musical accompaniment for her smoky, smooth voice. Listen to: Extraordinary Machine, Tymps (The Sick in the Head Song), O'Sailor

8. Twin Cinema - The New Pornographers

...when artists come together... Twin Cinema is a true collaborative album (even more so than usual for this band). It's full of energy and incredibly fun. "They've shown this on both screens..." Listen to: Twin Cinema, Use It, These Are the Fables (but seriously, just about every track is good!)

7. Get Behind Me Satan - The White Stripes

If you thought The White Stripes had a unique sound before this album, think again. This is a collection of songs unlike anything I've ever heard, and I can't get them out of my head. Listen to: Blue Orchard, My Doorbell, Little Ghost (the rest of the songs are fantastic as well).

6. (tie) X&Y - Coldplay

Similar to the previous album on my list, there are certainly some weak tracks on the third album from the Brit pop rockers, Coldplay. However, there are some others that are burning to be heard. It's an album (like the band itself) that has grown on me over time; if you give it a chance--and maybe some time--you'll find a bunch of good tracks on this record. Listen to: Speed of Sound, Kingdom Come, Fix You, Swallowed In the Sea, A Message

6. (tie) Life in Slow Motion - David Gray

I thought I would tie this album with X&Y because I had similar responses to each of them. While neither represents the artists' best work, there are moments on each that ranks right up there with anyone's best work. There are some great tracks on this album, featuring the extremely resonant voice of David Gray. There are also some songs that don't quite make the cut for this listener. Listen to: Hospital Food, The One I Love, Lately, Now and Always, Slow Motion

5. Death Cab For Cutie - Plans

It'll be hard for this indie band to ever duplicate the genius of their previous album, Transatlanticism, but Plans is, certainly, a step in the right direction. There are some tracks that could use a little more life in them, but there are also some great ones. Listen to: Soul Meets Body, I Will Follow You Into The Dark, Summer Skin, Crooked Teeth

4. Late Registration - Kanye West

With expectations high as could be, the reigning king of hip-hop does not disappoint--not even a little bit. The album begins with an explosion of exciting tracks, and the minute Jamie Foxx's voice rings in on the 4th track, you know, already, you have a great album on your hands. Listen to: Touch the Sky, Gold Digger, Crack Music, Addiction, Diamonds From Sierra Leone

3. Picaresque - The Decemberists

This is absolutely, one of the most solid albums of the year. Every song is filled with witty, fun lyrics. This is one of the catchiest albums I've heard in a while, yet simultaneously one of the most unique. It's rhythms and melodies are constantly surprising. Listen to: We Both Go Down Together, 16 Military Wives, Eli (The Barrow Boy), The Bagman's Gambit

2. Songs for Silverman - Ben Folds

Okay. Here's my prejudice, pick. I love Ben Folds. I think pretty much everything he's done has rocked. So, it's no wonder that this piano driven, very acoustic album set off the right chords for me. It is lyrically, and musically, a fine, fine album. It's easily my second favorite album of the year; I've listened to it (without tire) nearly as much as my #1 album of the year. Listen to: Bastard, Landed, Gracie, Late

1. I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning - Bright Eyes

This album needs no introduction. Every track soars into greatness. Every song is lyrically sound and extremely resonant. Conor Oberst and Emmylou Harris combine their voices to make a wonderful sound; a sound lifting a perfect 10 track record, to be the best album of the year. Listen to: every song. These few are my favorites: Landlocked Blues, Road to Joy, We Are Nowhere And It's Now, Old Soul Song (For the New World Order)

And, that is all.
Good night, and good luck...