The best albums of 2005 are...

[bowiglou]

OK, maybe I made a generalization based on the bands name!.......I mean, Darkness doesn't quite sound like the Archies or Ambrosia!!!...........


...............Riley in spandex.......terrifying......

I tell you what I associate with spandex: years and years ago after breaking off with fiance I thought I would try one of those personal ads..anyway, one advertises them as "petite and looks great in spandex"..................let's just say I found that the definition of petite can vary markedly and moreover, spandex should be judicially employed!! (Of course, I feel that way also with the midriff/low jean type of outfits..not that I notice since I am happily married, BUUUTTTT, there are some students in my class that really should reconsider the midriff/low jean ensemble!!............

but, I'm still sure Riley looks great in spandex...and you know, bearing back to the early 80s,make sure it is striped.......preferably red and black....

[skvorisdeadsorta]

Riley, do you have any polaroids of you in a chestless unitard?

[riley]

dozens

[pattentank24]

bowiglou said:

Patten..I want to commend you on your wonderful and very thorough reviews.........really, as helpful if not more that what I garner from the mags.....well done!...though I really didn't buy much this year I'm glad a few of mine landed (thus far) on your list: BRMC-Howl; New Pornographers; Wolf Parade.........etc...

.and yes, Howl as Shin alluded to is an amazing departure from their prior noise-mongering albums...I did see them live and my ears rang for 48 hours!!............though I probably bought only about 20 CD's this year, I still have to say my favorite is Luna..though I bet if I buy the latest by the Go Betweens that may up the ante as I adore that group....................interesting, I've really moved away from anything that is hard rock...I know nothing about System of a Down/Mars Volta/Darkness/Korn/Tool...........................

Thank You for the compliment,I try not to turn it into my own little blog
Critics can be very prententious and think they have heard everything,most of the time they seem to have no passion for the majority of the music they hear.
Take example my local fish wrap the so-called rock review writter picking
Young Jeezy(another dull southern drug dealer rapper) as his album of the year for quote

" His local flavored flow overshadowed any rock that came out in 05, he made it cool again like his snowman logo to be a rapper"

Complete utter SHIT
WHAT THE HELL DOES THAT MEAN?
cool to be a rapper?

[pattentank24]

skvorisdeadsorta said:

Dude, come on Strawman, the Darkness are FUN! They're almost like the new AC/DC or something. Good time rock and roll, man.

No JET'S the New AC/DC

The Darkness are if Queen and Judas Priest had a baby born with horns

Permission To Land is my top 5 I'm drunk play something silly playlist.
The new one's even more absurb but in a good way

[pattentank24]

weepingguitar said:

As I cycle back through all of this year's records I've picked up the one that really is working for me the past few listens is that Rolling Stones record. I really liked it from the get-go, but this is a darn good record. For how long this record is I can't find one track they could have left off.

It's good witht the exception "Infamy"/"Back of My Hand"/"Rough Justice"/"Oh No Not You Again"/"Place Is Empty" which are Some of their Best Songs in Years

However even the Stones can't top the genuis of Mick Jagger's solo anthem
"Everybody Getting High" here's a sample
Everybody Getting High/High/High/High
Everybody Getting High/High/High/High
Everybody Getting High/High/High/High
Repeat 17x
written by Lenny Kravtiz

[pattentank24]

TOP 10


#10
Broken Social Scene-s/t


Oh Everyone was shocked/surprised that this was the follow-up to everyone's favorite 14 piece indie rock band.
A spaced-out/guitar feedback riddle?
Have you been to BSS message board the lyric debates are hilarious?
Oh sure "Ibi dreams of Pavement" is about Peace between Iserali-Palestinean conflict
Raise Your hand if you have listened to their debut Feel Good Lost?
**Raises Hand**
Then You shouldn't be suprised it actually expands on the sound of that first album or if you listened to the b-side collection "Beehives"
Hell they even include a new version of Feel Good Lost on the bonus EP.
The amazing thing about BSS is for a band who have so many cooks in the kitchen, their always is a sound that you go.
"Yeah That's definitely a BSS song"
Whether it's Feist/Emily Haines/K-os/Murray Lightburn guesting on vocals/background it never changes the sound as it resonates despite the consistent layering.
This is an album built for headphones.
You'll notice so many little things that make this such tribute to the fact.
Kevin Drew never left the studio as a vocalist/guitarist/producer and still found time to paint the album cover(my favorite of the year)
The songs you ask
"Ibi Dreams of Pavement" -"Well the truth to the meaning is this is beautiful sad song about "Killing Your Best Friend"-Kevin Drew
It sounds like bombs are falling on the album cover of buildings with symbols on fire.
A Glorious waste
"Shoreline"- This is a song about how some people live a double standard and have to make that choice on what your going to sacrifice hence the phrase being repeated "It's Coming's In" at the end-Brendan Canning
and all I though it was a happy two-tone beat finger-snaping good time beach jam.
"Hotel" might just be the most erotic sounding funk to pour out of your speakers in a long time or the best Feist Remix that never was
It's much deeper than I ever thought a BSS album would be/could be.
I actually like to play all 3 BSS in order when I get a chance.
This is the one I listen to most.
There's so much going on you have to pay attention
I haven't even talked about "Windsurfing Nation"/"Fired'eyed Boy"/"SuperConnected"
"I really shoulda thought those things a little more"-"Superconnected"
You see the dilemma ....

Standout-Do have to pick one? alright "Hotel"-it's title fits the sound of people enaged in a causal affair
"ohh it felt so good to follow you down"


#9
Spoon- Gimme Fiction

Spoon is a band operating at the height of their powers
right now.
Spoon is the influence of the Pixies legacy.
Your not gonna realize how important a band they are till somone else comes along and makes this style of music more commercialy viable ie Nirvana
You will miss albums as dead-on like Girls Can Tell/Kill The Moonlight And Now Gimme Fiction
On the bright side sorry for the buzz-kill but it needed to be said.
So now You can appreciate this album more than you already did.
I dare you to find a weak spot on this album.
Britt Daniel's lyrics- your joking right?
The Beefed up drum production- Don't Like drums much do you,Jim Eno's the secret weapon to Spoon's albums
Oh the funky instrumental of "Was It You"- Wrong track to pick to argue with me,Nobody is making a sweet walk through the park more struct-worthy this year.
making observations like
"Someone doing something not right"
"Shocked to see us Interrupting their delight"
Who's flipping lyrics like this?
While making you groove?
Dave Matthews?-LOL
It's really a humorous thing for a band to have such a sophisticated lyricist and find a avant-garde style of pop/dance music for shy indie hipsters.
So I'll admit no matter who tries to use Spoon's Music on what show/commercial.
There Still The Band All The Cool Kids Like
Beast/Dragon/Adored/2 Sides of Monsieur Valentine/Turn My Camera On
Easily the best 3-pack of songs back to back on a album in 2005 and the wild aspect of being 3 complete different versions of the band.
Brit Daniel gives new meaning to white-boy soul each album, No one gives you better 3 min pop-singalongs
Spoon have earned their place at the table for best band of the decade
Right About NOW...

Standout- "Was It You" I didn't really expect this from a band who did songs like "Everthing Thing Hits At Once"/Paper Tiger"


#8
The National- Alligator

Someone call the police
We've found the sdk to every single man's lost night at the bar.
So when they have to sleep it off, the police will know what besides alcohol was the cause of their actions
The National have been a woozy country-alternative band on their debut,then make strides to get to this late night confessions storytelling they started to experiment with on 2003 Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers
Alligator is the proof they are the best band in NY not getting attention.
It's bliss lies in the voice of Matt Berninger who has this sick sense of truth in his lyrics.
Almost to the point where sometimes you ask yourself
"Is this Guy Serious?"
It's about damn time someone had lyrics like
"Karen Put Me In A Chair,Fuck Me,and Make Me A Drink"(Karen)
"I'm so sorry but the motorcade will have to go around me this time" (All The Wine)
"Baby Come Over I need Entertaining"(Baby We'll Be Fine)
I could go on/on but I'll never due it justice till you actually hear his voice with it's just-woke-up/too many jack/cokes he'll stare at your girlfriend and ignore you attitude
Kinda like myself, which is why this album themes make me feel like I'm listening to one of my friends talking about their relationships.
The producer is one of those wizards behind the curtain
Peter Katis(biggest credit Turn On the Bright Lights)
That's right the man who took Interpol deep into the night has done the same here.
But this album sounds nothing like that.
It's all arrogance/romance/regret/
One second your in love the next you just want bed-buddies.
But your having the best time of your life and learning everything about yourself.
"I wanna go gator around the warm beds of beginers"
"I'm really worked up"(City Middle)
Just when you relax the National can turn into the Replacements in a snap.
"Mr. November" will kick your ass as the finale
brings proclamations of
"I'm the New Blue Blood,I'm The Great White Hope"
And as they lead you away either by police in handcuffs or a woman ties you up when you get back to the apartment.
You'll know what They're talking about.

Standout-"All The Wine"-One of my favorite songs of the year if just for the line I'm a perfect piece of ass/just like every Califorian

[pattentank24]

#7-#6


#7
The Hold Steady- Separation Sunday


I always despised how classic-rock was so well..
Tame
Meat Loaf was the stupidest music I had ever heard none of it connected to me
Oh there's plenty of other bull-shit(Billy Joel,Rod Stewart etc) just my taste I guess
I still feel that way ,Love early Springsteen though
But The Hold Steady changed my attitute toward focused rock characters who aren't really nothing more than symbolic figures that the band likes to build stories around.
Translate what I just said to Finn
"He said take a hit,hold your breath"
"I'll dunk your head"
"Then When You Wake Up Again"
"You'll Be High As Hell And Born Again"(Banging Camp)
Finn is the language of lead singer Craig Finn who doesn't really sing but more tell stories of misfits who grew-up fucked and learned how a Resurection really feels.
I'll be honest with you Like Rod Stewart it's an acquired taste it's not for everybody.
In 2005 I got to know the Hold Steady's fables real well
first in late 04's release The Hold Steady Almost Killed Me which Separation Sunday soon followed and picked up where the "Killer Parties" had to end in the first one.
Holly is a hood-rat and I love her
but she's gonna have to go with whoever can get her the highest(Hornets!,Hornets)
with a bar band who seems to have butchered the GA. Satelites "Keep Your hands To Yourself"
(which needed to happen) while Tim Finn tells her opening story and this begins my abuse of this album to where it became..
The most played album out of a car stereo this year for me.
Holly is a bad girl but she said I ain't gonna do anything sexual with you(Your Little Hoodrat Friend)
If You ever wanted to hear a classic rock jukebox come to life with stories like Holly's this could be your new favorite band.
Think Early E-Street Band when Bruce would act like a Preacher and Hold Steady takes you right back to that revival
Your getting closer to the source.
I can't quite figure out why this album has so many chill moments
You'll want to raise a lighter to this if you listen in the dark.
It's the novel you'll read till dawn
Rock is alive and well inside these tales
I just wanna know what happens when the resurrection ends.
cause I still like to party on the problem blocks

Standout-"Banging Camp"- the bridge is one of the most memorable moments of 2005 when Tim says
"Saw her at the party pit"
"She was shaky,but still trying to shake it"
"Half-naked, 3 quaters Wasted"
"She was Completely Alone"
as the organ becomes the main instrument.


#6
Sigur Ros- Takk


#6 I surprise myself sometimes
I love this album it might be my favorite SR album
Every Time I listen to Takk It's a VERY spritual/sexual experience.
SR is the sdk to my bedroom, you know that personal space we all have to share with who you choose.
I can't listen to it anywhere else and enjoy it as much
I also suggest it to friends/co-workers for stress relief
Sigur Ros make the most Beautiful Music I have ever heard.
Their latest work is perhaps the easiest for new listners to get into.
Even if you can relax and predict the direction of the song(tempo)
It never even reaches a point of boredom
Sing Along if you want,You have no ideal what these songs mean.
You Don't Need To because of the emotion it can enlist out of you.
Take what maybe my favorite SR work of all(it varies by each experience)
"Glosoli if this does not define what Foreplay really is the begining is stroking the fire.
That opening deep bass line is like kissing
The yearning begins as it builds and pulls back
taking off someone else's clothes.
And You what happens when the guitars crash in
till you rest as the windchimes fade into the next work.
I still don't have a proper way to review a SR album.
How can you compare them?
Explain to me outside of titles/track length and this silly debate over is he singing in Icelandic or a phony language.
It's the music angels and sirens make for the living.
I want to play this music forvever
Not just special occasions
But to give you a lift on that average ho-hum day/night
This album espically doesn't feel like the work of mortals
But were all blessed to hear in it's complete form.
It's a Gift

Standout- Read The Review

[pattentank24]

TOP 5



#5
Sufjan Stevens- Illinois

I got to know Sufjan really well in 2005.
Not just the masterpiece that is IL.
but Michigan/ Seven Swans/Year of The Rabbit as well.
Yes When I think of a solo artist in 2005
It's His Year
All my time spent traveling this past year.
I saw a quite a bit of America, so it didn't hurt to use a travel guide.(His Artistic Goal is to do an album for all 50 states,he joked once)
I wonder if somebody from a chamber of congress learns about him if they'll try to convince him to put out an album for their state.
Michigan was a marvel of personal stories of growing up there with a little bit of folklore and fanfare.
Seven Swans was a banjo and a labor of love featuring a couple of religious hyms as well.
Illinois is the most ambitious 3 ring circus of music you may ever hear.
The style is vaudvillian with an artist who plays 23 instruments.
Sufjan is a ringleader in the truest sense of the word.
The Key to is his umatched genuis in his approach.
HE NEVER TAKES HIMSELF TO SERIOUSLY
If he was some huge ego with this kind of talent.
This could have been painful to put yourself through a history lesson with some pretenious know-it-all.
Sufjan has fun with every single piece of info. he can relate to.
Lincoln,Superman,Carl Sandburg,Frank Lloyd Wright,etc all have fun schoolhouse-rock chorus.
But one burns into your soul and is not at all light
John Wayne Gacy, Jr
"The neighbors they adored him"
"For His Humor and his Conversation"
"Look Underneath the House there"
"Find The Few Living Things Rotting Fast"
"In Their Sleep, Oh The Dead"
"27 People, Even More"
"They Were Boys, With Their Cars"
"Summer Jobs, Oh My God"
Then goes on to admit that
"And In My Best Behavior"
"I am Really Just Like Him"
"Look Beneath The Floorboards"
"For The Secrets I have Hid"
Few songs this year have caused for that much pause.
Sufjan is being called the musician that everyone tried to tell you Bright Eyes was going to be.
HE'S NOT
He's more Tom Waits/Nick Cave in his approach and a museum curator as well
And Hopefully he's got a lot more ground to cover.
48 States to Go!
Hopefully he'll get To GA/PA before I'm 40

Standout -"John Wayne Gacy"/ but my favorite is "The Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts" as Sufjan gets electric while the loudest chorus I've ever heard tell us "Only A Steel Man Can Be A Lover"

[skvorisdeadsorta]

I'm loving everything so far with the exception of The National. I went and saw them live, but just couldn't get into it. Not bad, just not my cup of tea.

[pattentank24]

#4
Amusement Parks On Fire-s/t


(I went large with the image
Just so You'll know what to look for)

What were you doing when you were 16?
Yeah me too,
I didn't work on one album from my flat in Nottingham, England.
FOR 3 YRS!
Michael Feerick is The Entire Band,(The Johnny Rotton looking face on the cover)
He's 19 now and wanted to share this with us.
"Well Michael what do you have for us?"
What if I told you the best album you might not have heard this year was the best shoe-gazer album since Well You know.. That band you cannot talk about if you mention the phrase shoe-gazer.
If Michael learned one thing from that album.
It's ATMOSPHERE that matters on this type of album
From the slow burn of the toys having batteries placed in the power source to begin
23 Jewels keeps a horizon in view as it's breaking into a noise that' just keeps rumbling and next thing you know your early sunrise of an album is the most volitile Thunderstorm of drums/feedback/and the most non-British sounding voice as OH MY GOD.
The most remarkable chorus that becomes an Earthquake know as "Venus In Cancer" this becomes the anthem that this style of Music been Missing well since ahhm.
So can he sustain the jaw-dropping start?
YES as a matter of fact the entire 46 minutes feels like it was recorded all in one sitting played completely though all instruments.
I'm in complete awe in the mixing of this (Mark Spivey gets that credit)
Even with complete artistic control he doesn't do anything that takes away from the music and his voice.
This is the work of a master of his craft not a 19 yr old who wanted to play every instrument because he thought it'd be cool.
It's a reflection of just how awe-inspiring this album is that even when he's not singing the instrumentals that bridge into his next assualt ("Wiper" rolls into "Venosa")
I Spent all spring/summer pushing this album just to find out that I wasn't alone in my OWN mind to think.
It's Truely is the best indie rock shoegazer album since ...
Most people tend to think it's solid after they hear it.
BUT it seems all the real fans of stare at the floor music Love it like me
I've heard it's in the vein of Ride/Swervedriver etc
High Praise
well he knows how to close an album the bridge is named "Local Boy Makes Good"
I'm passionate about my little album that SHOULD
Good doesn't begin to describe APOF
It's Flat Out Perfect To Me
But I'll leave that up to you to decide.

Standout- "Venus In Cancer"-Go Download It Then Tell Me It's Just another Shoe-gazer song

[Kensterberg]

Did that last post leave anyone else ready to run out and buy Amusement Parks on Fire? What label is this on, Patten? How available is it in the States?

[pattentank24]

kenholzman said:

Did that last post leave anyone else ready to run out and buy Amusement Parks on Fire? What label is this on, Patten? How available is it in the States?

Filter US recordings
Yes It's in your local independent store or you can buy it online
It's Not A Import

[Kensterberg]

Found it online (just checked my local store and they don't have it in stock) and made a note of it. Gonna order that one after the new year.

Haven't heard a really good shoegazer album in years ...

Killer review, BTW. I can't remember the last time I read a review in any magazine that made me just want to go buy the album. That one did. Kudos.

[pattentank24]

kenholzman said:

Found it online (just checked my local store and they don't have it in stock) and made a note of it. Gonna order that one after the new year.

Haven't heard a really good shoegazer album in years ...

Killer review, BTW. I can't remember the last time I read a review in any magazine that made me just want to go buy the album. That one did. Kudos.

I forgot to list he does have a myspace.com home page that has samples of his music

amusementparksonfire.com has the link

Thank You