Time Flys like an Arrow, Fruit Flies Like a Banana
So it’s officially February… Wow, how time files when you work like a fiend. Seriously though, it seems like the holidays just happened and now here we are, already one month into 2006. I guess it’s better late than never, but I had quite a few thoughts on the music of 2005. Some of it was actually REALLY good… and some of it was… well done by people with the last name “Simpson”. Unlike the rest of the world, Kanye West’s latest album does not top my charts. Seriously, I have never disagreed with Spin, Rolling Stone and the AP so adamantly. First off, it’s a rarity that there is such a unanimous opinion on the number one album of the year. Excluding of course Entertainment Weekly’s number one, Fiona Apple (???!!)… I’m all for touting albums that most people would have been left off the list, but come on EW, Fiona-friggin-Apple?
Kanye’s album was decent (still liked “College Dropout” better), but here are five albums from 2005 that, in my opinion, were better and in some ways, more important than Kanye’s.
1. M.I.A. – Aurlar
She managed to fuse Brazilian Dance hall with the UK’s underground grime movement. One of the more interesting and enjoyable albums I have picked up in a very long time. Plus, she is GREAT live and is the best “bad” dancer of the past decade.
Key Tracks – Galang, 10 Dollar
2. Gorillaz – Demon Days
I was seriously skeptical when I heard that they had dropped Dan “the Automater” in favor of DJ Danger Mouse to engineer this project, but all of those fears quickly went out the window once I heard “Feel Good Inc.”. My only real complaint was the suspicious absence of Del “tha funkee” Homosapian. Where was Russell?
Key Tracks – Feel Good Inc., Dare
3. Death Cab For Cutie - Plans
This could have made the list just on the strength of “Soul Meets Body” alone, but they follow that up with an extremely melodic and catchy batch of chill songs. My prediction, Death Cab will become the R.E.M. of the new millennium.
Key Tracks – Soul Meets Body, Someday You Will Be Loved
4. Kaiser Chiefs - Employment
Just a great rock album. Just when I thought good brit-pop was dead along come the Kaiser Chiefs (followed very closely by the Bloc Party), to remind me that all British music doesn’t sound like Coldplay.
Key Tracks – Oh My God, I Predict a Riot
5. Depeche Mode – Playing The Angel
Granted, this wasn’t the strongest of DM albums, but it is their best release since SoFaD in 1994. The first four tracks knocked me off my ass, but the rest of the album is a little too slow and plodding for my tastes. I just couldn’t bear to leave them off my list though and Bry would probably kill me if I did, besides... I’m in enough trouble for that Coldplay remark. :)
Key Tracks – Precious, The Pain That I’m Used To
Honorable Mentions:
The Brazilian Girls
Bloc Party – Silent Alarm
Madonna – Confessions From A Dancefloor
Came out in 2004, but I Didn’t Know About Them Till 2005
The Junior Boys – Last Exit
Great band from Hamilton, Ontario. “Teach Me How To Fight” has been in my constant rotation since the summer.
Tegan And Sarah – So Jealous
This would have been my album of the year had it been released in 2005. I can’t even tell you how many time’s I’ve listend to this album since I got it last March.
Kanye’s album was decent (still liked “College Dropout” better), but here are five albums from 2005 that, in my opinion, were better and in some ways, more important than Kanye’s.
1. M.I.A. – Aurlar
She managed to fuse Brazilian Dance hall with the UK’s underground grime movement. One of the more interesting and enjoyable albums I have picked up in a very long time. Plus, she is GREAT live and is the best “bad” dancer of the past decade.
Key Tracks – Galang, 10 Dollar
2. Gorillaz – Demon Days
I was seriously skeptical when I heard that they had dropped Dan “the Automater” in favor of DJ Danger Mouse to engineer this project, but all of those fears quickly went out the window once I heard “Feel Good Inc.”. My only real complaint was the suspicious absence of Del “tha funkee” Homosapian. Where was Russell?
Key Tracks – Feel Good Inc., Dare
3. Death Cab For Cutie - Plans
This could have made the list just on the strength of “Soul Meets Body” alone, but they follow that up with an extremely melodic and catchy batch of chill songs. My prediction, Death Cab will become the R.E.M. of the new millennium.
Key Tracks – Soul Meets Body, Someday You Will Be Loved
4. Kaiser Chiefs - Employment
Just a great rock album. Just when I thought good brit-pop was dead along come the Kaiser Chiefs (followed very closely by the Bloc Party), to remind me that all British music doesn’t sound like Coldplay.
Key Tracks – Oh My God, I Predict a Riot
5. Depeche Mode – Playing The Angel
Granted, this wasn’t the strongest of DM albums, but it is their best release since SoFaD in 1994. The first four tracks knocked me off my ass, but the rest of the album is a little too slow and plodding for my tastes. I just couldn’t bear to leave them off my list though and Bry would probably kill me if I did, besides... I’m in enough trouble for that Coldplay remark. :)
Key Tracks – Precious, The Pain That I’m Used To
Honorable Mentions:
The Brazilian Girls
Bloc Party – Silent Alarm
Madonna – Confessions From A Dancefloor
Came out in 2004, but I Didn’t Know About Them Till 2005
The Junior Boys – Last Exit
Great band from Hamilton, Ontario. “Teach Me How To Fight” has been in my constant rotation since the summer.
Tegan And Sarah – So Jealous
This would have been my album of the year had it been released in 2005. I can’t even tell you how many time’s I’ve listend to this album since I got it last March.
posted by Jay at 1:03 PM
5 Comments:
I think the issue with Kanye's album is the same thing that happened with Common's (Be). I think if you don't immediately know the samples you can't appreciate how innovative and beautiful it is. That is what I had issues with.
As for you list...I'm not so sure. Tegan and Sara? Those wiccan nightmares? I think it's cute that your 2 didn't know about them before are from Canada.
Before anyone says anything snippy about Hamilton bands, there is so much good music that comes out of here. So there!
M
Dude, don't be hating on Tegan and Sarah!!! They may have been Lilith Fair fodder in the late 90's but they have grown into something very respectable and "Walking With A Ghost" is one of the hookiest songs I have ever heard. ("so check out my hook while my DJ revolves it") :)
I agree with both Kanye and Common... and to a certain extent, Mos Def. They were great albums, but they just didn't live long in my playlist. I hate to say it, but my fav MC this year probably was Terrance Howard :) It's hard out there for a pimp yo ;)
Yeah, "the Hammer" has a surprisingly good music scene... I know some people still mourn the loss of the Warsaw Pack
I knew I was missing one..
NIN - With Teeth
Hands down, the best NIN album since Broken (I know Downward Spiral was decent, but honestly, I was never as big a fan of it as PHM and Broken). Trent has found his agnst and his voice again.
Key Tracks: The Hand That Feeds, Every Day Is Exactly The Same
Sigh...Warsawpack. What's a girl to do to fill the void in her heart? The loss of this band was sad. Biting politican commentary, good tunes, lovely crowd.
And Terrence Howard isn't actually an MC. He just did a song or 2. The problem is you're in the mood for hooky music. Not all good music has to be hooky. And not all MCs can be Chuck D.
Yeah!
I wish all MC's could be Chuck D! I think I'm one of the five people in America who actually picked up the new Public Enemy album, "New Whirl Odor". It was OK, nothing terribly memorable, but at least they put out "Make Love, Fuck War" on an actual album and not just the Compolation for the Summer Olympics.
Don't be knocking Terrance howard :) He recieved an oscar nomination not only for his role in "Hustle and Flow" but also his song, "It's Hard Out There For A Pimp". He's tight yo ;)
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