Best Albums Of 2005
 

Voting Time!!!

Heres My Top 5 Picks (In No Paticular Order :o )

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Such A Long time in the waiting, and worth every moment. The Album has become one of my all time favs :nod:

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Im not the biggest rollingstones fan, in fact this is the only CD i own of theirs, but i have heard a huge amount of their back catlogue and this easily stacks up as some of their better work.

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What can i say about this little bit of perfection? Her best since "The Hounds Of Love"

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I love this album!! "Another Tribe" & "Shine It All Around" are brilliant :woohoo:

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Now, this album has generated soo much publicity, and deservidly so. Its easliy one of the best Hip-Hop/Dancehall CD's to come out of the U.K.


Honorable mentions:

Kanye West - Late Registration : You can say what you like about him, but the dude knows what he's doing :nod:

U2 - How To Dismantle...: They still manage to do it every time.

Marianne Faithfull - Before The Poison: This album wasn't released in NZ until 2005, so im gonna count it here. Help from Nick Cave & PJ Harvey, what more can i say??

Sinead O'Connor - Throw Down Your Arms: I just persoanlly love her :lol:

Stereophonics - Language. Sex. Violence. Other?: In my opinion, there hardest and best album yet

Fiona Apple, Rolling Stones and Robert Plant. I also have all of these and certainly up there on my list of 2005 favs. Nice taste, Livia!

my favorites:

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tommer, i cant believe that you think the new Depeche Mode is among the best of 2005, apart from track 1, the rest of the album is among their worst :shrug:

The Madonna CD i agree with, however it was overated, its not as good as i thought it was going to be.

Richard B. - Thank you, you must have good taste :cool: lol

Ditto to the above, with this one addition:

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yes, it was a slow year, wasnt it? i didn't really like Playing The Angel at first, but after a while i've gotten used to it, i still listen to it from time to time, coz i need to know it all by heart till their concert here (damn! i can't wait! i've NEVER seen them live before).
i'm more than pleased with madonna's album, i think it's the one album i played the most this year.

I've never been able to get into Arular, but if M.I.A. were to play a concert once a month within fifty miles of me, I think I'd be there every time.

Anyway, here's my top ten for the year, alphabetically (Also, I'm going to put up a few choice tracks on YouSendIt. If other people want to do this too, so the rest of us can hear some of your favorite songs from your favorite albums this year, that would be awesome.):

Ryan Adams, Jacksonville City Nights. This album taps into some the best aspects of country music, telling stories full of emotion that are both heartfelt and raw.

Bright Eyes, I'm Wide Awake It's Morning. I know Mr. Oberst's voice and emotive tendencies can be an acquired taste, but this is probably his most refined and fully realized album to date. Can you really argue with alt.country-emo-folk when Emmylou Harris is providing the backing vocals?

Common, Be. Common is a pretty great MC, who manages to rap about interesting, topical, non-bling-related themes (yes, such people do still exist!), but the real star on this album is Kanye West's production, which creates an alternatingly beautiful and funky atmosphere of hip-hop/soul that makes you feel like this album really was recorded in "Chicago in the heyday / Similar to Good Times (I guess that I was J.J.)." Here's "They Say," featuring a verse from Kanye, and John Legend on the choruses: http://s40.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=3...P2BJS675BW21H1

Neil Diamond, 12 Songs. This isn't as perfect as Cash's American Recordings, but then that's a pretty tall order. Rubin still does a great job of bringing out Neil's inner Diamond, and you can really hear some of the tension in the songs, the moments where Neil surely wanted to throw in some synths or some swelling strings, but Rubin insisted on keeping things low-key.

Four Tet, Everything Ecstatic. "Folktronica" is the term that's usually applied to Kieran Hebden, though I don't think that gives a very good impression of what this album sounds like. Just take a listen to "Smile Around The Face." If you don't have one around yours by the end of the song, well, then I don't know what to tell you:
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Bettye LaVette, I've Got My Own Hell To Raise. I just praised the hell out of this album the other day in the "What CDs have you bought recently?" thread, and I posted a few songs there as well. But this is just pure SOUL, man. 'Nuff said.

Bruce Springsteen, Devils & Dust. Another largely acoustic, E Street-less offering from Bruce. This album can be somewhat of a mixed bag, and as always almost everything on here came much more alive in concert, but the good songs ("Black Cowboys," "Leah," "The Hitter," "Matamoros Banks") are so great and the stories they tell so beautiful, that they push this disc into my top ten.

Sufjan Stevens, Come On! Feel the Illinoise! Is there anybody else out there making pop music like this? I certainly haven't heard it. This is one of those albums that's so incredibly epic yet so startlingly intimate (and with a healthy dose of fun thrown in, too), it just makes you feel good to be alive with a pair of ears. This song is about the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, and Carl Sandburg's ghost: http://s40.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2...I33UV7LI80DEA4

Matt Sweeney & Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, Superwolf. Great guitar licks from Sweeney coupled with Will Oldham's typically brilliant dark-and-cracked Americana lyrics and vocals. This is mood music with a hell of a backbone.

Kanye West, Late Registration. Like Common, Kanye is an increasingly gifted rapper whose lyrics just get better and better, but again, the true star here is the production, courtesy of Kanye and John Brion. They create an incredibly rich sonic world, and there are so many interesting sounds happening in every song here, but never to excess. There are no gratuitous, warmed-over samples here: everything serves the songs, and builds them up into pop masterpieces.

Runners-up:

Iron & Wine, Woman King and In The Reins (with Calexico). Two EPs that really spice up Iron & Wine's previously spare sonic template. I'm very excited for Sam Beam's next full-length.

Neil Young, Prairie Wind. Neil has more than earned the right to release flawed gems like this for the rest of his life. Not all the songs here work, some of the lyrics seem a little labored, and the production can be a bit overwhelming sometimes, but it's incredibly worthwhile to listen to this album again and again to find all of the classic, brilliant Neil moments lurking about.

Better luck next time:

Super Furry Animals, Love Kraft. I think Gruff and the boys have lost me on this one. The album just seems plodding and boring for the most part, without any of the usual crazy fun stuff that's always going on the backs of their songs. The lyrics aren't aren't exactly their best, either. I love a good pun, but "Kiss me with apocalypse?" No thanks.

The White Stripes, Get Behind Me Satan. There are some great songs on here, but overall the album just feels so rushed and sloppy and unfinished. I realize that's part of the aesthetic Jack was going for, but I don't think he really pulls it off here.

Still the best album ever:

William Shatner, Has Been. 2005 got nothin' on you, Bill. Bring it on, '06.

I dont have a top 5 list...
 

per se, But here is my #1 for 2005:

Thievery Corporation are brilliant. I met those 2 guys personally and they are great guys. I prefer their earlier album, The Richest Man in Babylon.
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I hardly ever buy full albums anymore. I’m more of a CD singles guy. Being a VJ, I come across a lot of dance music so I end up buying import CD singles. However, I like me some “rock” too. Here is a list of my favorites songs from 2005. I doubt many of you will even know these songs, unless you’re a friend of Dorothy. :laugh:

In no particular order:

INXS / Pretty Vegas
Gorillaz / Feel Good Inc.
U2 / Vertigo
U2 / Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own
Kylie Minogue / I Believe In You
Scissor Sisters / Filthy Gorgeous
Lisa Marie Presley / Idiot
Green Day / Holiday
Gwen Stefani / Cool
Gwen Stefani / The Real Thing*
Mariah Carey / Say Something*
Mariah Carey / Fly Like A Bird*
Annie / Heartbeat
Chromeo / Rage!
New Order / Krafty
New Order / Jetstream
The Chemical Brothers / Galvanize
The Chemical Brothers / The Boxer
Soul Central / Strings Of My Life [Stronger On My Own]
Morel / If You Love Me
Fischerspooner / Just Let Go
Screamin’ Rachel / Sister Sister
Matthew Duffy / Electric Shock
PTY LTD / Elevator Lovin’
The Brand New Heavies / Boogie
BodyRockers / I Like The Way
Shape UK: / Back To Basics
Michael Grey / The Weekend
Stonebridge / Put ‘Em High
Georgie Porgie / Sunshine
Bob Sinclair / Love Generation

* = Album Cuts (non-singles)


Travis :cool:

Love all of these, especially I Believe In You, Back to Basics, The Weekend, Put 'Em High and Sunshine (the Sirius Remix)

Well, I only bought one new one this year, but it was a SUPERB album

Language, Sex, Violence, Other?-Stereophonics

Mmmm, off the top of my head

Richmond Fontaine - The Fitzgerald (have you heard this Jyqm? You would love it. Superb acoustic storytelling)
Goldfrapp - Supernature
Greg Dulli's Amber Headlights
Ryan Adams - Jacksonville City Nights/Cold Roses
Sufjan Stevens - Come On Feel The Illinoise
Arcade Fire - Funeral (came out this year in the UK)
Brendan Benson - Alternative To Love
Josh Rouse - Nashville
Bright Eyes - Digital Ash In A Digital Urn/I'm Wide Awake It's Morning
Bruce Springsteen - Devils & Dust (I don't love it quite as much as The Rising though)
Kathleen Edwards - Back To Me
M Ward - Transistor Radio
Magnolia Electric Co - What Comes After The Blues
Marah - If You Didn't Laugh You'd Cry (their best album in years, more stripped down and raw - fantastic)
Martha Wainwright - Martha Wainwright (gives Rufus a run for his money)
Neil Diamond - 12 Songs
Neil Young - Prairie Wind (not as amazing as I'd been led to believe but still lovely throughout)
Rilo Kiley - More Adventurous (they supported Bright Eyes in the UK and blew Conor away)
The White Stripes - Get Behind Me Satan (I was told this was terrible before it came out and was pleasantly surprised. Still hate Blue Orchid though)
Willy Mason - Where Humans Eat (not quite the new Bob Dylan but Oxygen was one of the year's best singles)
Sleater-Kinney - The Woods
Antony & The Johnsons - I Am A Bird Now (The Mercury Award winner - not my favourite but certainly filled with moments of pure beauty)
Ray LaMontagne - Trouble (again, only came out in 2005 in the UK - one of the most soulful voices in music at the moment)

No, but I wrote it down, along with a few other titles on your list that I'd heard of but not yet heard.

I've been listening to a very odd amalgam of jazz, soul and central/eastern European electronica lately though...

I've been meaning to pick this up. Thanks for reminding me.

That would be one of the other titles I wrote down!

Actually, I have heard them, I saw about half of their set at Pitchforkmedia's Intonation Festival in Chicago this summer and really enjoyed it.

Top 5:

Mike Doughty- Haughty Melodic
Aimee Mann- The Forgotten Arm
Pernice Brothers- Discover A Lovelier You
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah- Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Kate Bush- Aerial

Others I loved, alphabetically (thanks, iPod!):

Antony & the Johnsons- I Am A Bird Now
Belle & Sebastian- Push Barman To Open Old Wounds
Brakes- Give Blood
British Sea Power- Open Season
Death Cab For Cutie- Plans
Devendra Banhart- Cripple Crow
Doves- Some Cities
Editors- Back Room
Fiona Apple- Extraordinary Machine
The Frames- Burn the Maps
Go-Betweens- Oceans Apart
Imogen Heap- Speak For Yourself
Ivy- In The Clear
Low- The Great Destroyer
MIA- Arular
My Morning Jacket- Z
Neil Diamond- 12 Songs
The Ponys- Celebration Castle
Ryan Adams- Cold Roses/Jacksonville City Nights
Seu Jorge- Cru
Shout Out Louds- Howl Howl Gaff Gaff
Spoon- Gimme Fiction
Stephen Malkmus- Face the Truth
World Leader Pretend- Punches

Josh Rouse--Nashville
Bright Eyes -- I'm Awake, It's Morning
Dolly Parton-- Those Were The Days

I thought you might say that :D You would kill for the version i have of that album. :thumbsup:

Favorite song this year..."Mesmerized" by Faith Evans...the dance remix is TOTALLY awesome...:nod: :nod:


rbs

I Loved this album, but the concept was a little :distress:

Kudos to you Jason for knowing these songs. :)

There is one that I feel is miles ahead of the rest, so I'll only mention:

Gimme Fiction - Spoon

That disc has grabbed me by the throat and won't let go. I've been playing it daily for nearly 2 months and I have not experienced this kind of musical obsession since rediscovering the Mac.:eek:

"Chinese Children" is the BEST dammit!

I love Kill the Moonlight, so I'm really not sure why I still haven't picked up a copy of Gimme Fiction. It goes on the Christmas list, I suppose!

1. 12 songs - Neil Diamond. masterpiece. Even better than Cash's comeback under Rubin.
2. Fireworks on TV - Bill Janovitz and Crown Victoria. (released in 04 but discovered beauty in 05:cool: )
3. Digital Ash In A Digital Urn - Bright Eyes (slightly more fascinating as time goes by, then wide awake...)
4. If You Didn't Laugh You'd Cry - Marah (thanks Sharon, it's a beauty.)
5. Eels - Blinking lights And Other Revelations (endless beauty in simplicity, takes awhile, though..)

ok, because 2. maybe does not count:
6. Arcade Fire - Funeral

Oh really? is it like outtakes or something like that? I'm all curious about that now. One of these days, I need to get the picture I had taken with them posted on here. WHen the Stereophonics played Minneapolis back in May I had a chance to meet them all before the show and we chatted, they signed my poster and they let me have a picture with them. A really super super nice bunch of guys!!! But please do tell more about this other album version:]

Wow, you got to meet them!! :blob2: Isn't the lead singer gorgeous ;) Well, my version i found when i was working out at their record label. Its a promo CD cased in a DVD case, with the album, and a second CD with an interview with them that was used for purposes within the record label. I also have one like this of Kylie Minogue :o

It's not really that amazing, but there were only 10 sent to the actual company, and from then on i have never seen another one.

Chaos & Creation In The Backyard - Paul McCartney
Choose Love - Ringo Starr
A Bigger Bang - The Rolling Stones
Back Home - Eric Clapton
Live At Royal Albert Hall - Cream
Live At American University - The Allman Brothers Band
Rattlesnake Shake - Rick Vito
Barnstormin' Live Volume 1 - Little Feat
Barnstormin' Live Volume 2 - Little Feat
Comin' To Your City - Big & Rich
Loco Motive - Cowboy Troy
Blame The Vain - Dwight Yoakam
All Jacked Up - Gretchen Wilson
Hillbilly Deluxe - Brooks & Dunn (even though they stole the title from Dwight Yoakam's 2nd album)

They're ALL hot. Kelly Jones is the lead singer, and I remember when they played here, it was a small club, and I was the only one waiting outside the club when they arrived. Kelly joked that over in the U.K this would never happen, that there would be alot moe people there. I still think the Stereophonics are a very underrated band. I dont think they haev a weak album out of any of the 5 they've released. I first heard them when I was on Vacation in Europe back in 2002. I was getting on a ferry from Calais to Dover, and I heard their song Have A Nice Day playing on the sound system on the boat. You know how it is whe you hear a song for the first time and it totally grabs you? that happened for me with that song. I asked around, and one person knew who they were. I wrote it down, and when I flew hom from London the next day I went right to the record store and bought the cd. Like I said, this is a band to me that really gives a damn about making music, which I'm sad to say, is getting more scarce. And liek I said, You couldnt ask for a nicer bunch of guys.:D

I just bought Kill the Moonlight this week and I love it too. What an original sound!
Anyway, you'll piss yourself when you hear Gimme Fiction. I've been pushing on anyone who will listen.

They get the "wannabe Pavement" rap a lot, and while I certainly hear some of the similarities, I agree with you, their sound is also very different, not just from Pavement, but from everything out there.

I saw them perform at Coachella this past year, but they were disappointingly mediocre live. I know they've got a very spotty record as far as concerts go, though.

Dream Theater- Octavarium
Nevermore- The Godless Endeavor
Opeth- Ghost Reveries
Helloween- Keeper of the Seven Keys: The Legacy
Nine Inch Nails- With Teeth
Franz Ferdinand- You Could Have It So Much Better
The White Strips- Get Behind Me Satan
Depeche Mode- Playing The Angel
Carole King- The Living Room Tour

Meh, I guess there's a wee bit o' Pavement there but not enough to draw a broad enough comparison IMO.

That's too bad about Coachella. For whatever reason I thought they would've been great live. Speaking of, have you heard the rumoured line-up for '06? Ho****!

No, I haven't, but I don't think I want to... I will be far, far away from California at that time, and I'll have plenty of time to be jealous and bitter when the actual line-up is announced...

I didn't buy many, I'll admit. My faves:

Madonna - Confessons

Jason Collett - Idols of Exile

Cyndi Lauper - Body Acoustic

And a couple I'm not sure are 2005 (maybe 2004):

Stars - (forget the album title)

Kelly Clarkson - yeah, bite me - Breakaway (pretty sure this one is '04; I only bought it this year)

Enya-Amarantine
And there others...

I havent picked that up yet. What woul you say is the best song?

The new Neil Diamond is just incredible. I just got it Saturday & I've listened to it about 5 times. Love it! I'm really into Hell Yeah, Delirious Love & Save Me a Saturday Night.

Other great CDs this year were:

Kelly Clarkson - Breakaway
Foo Fighters - In Your Honor
Elizabethtown Soundtrack

I am expecting Cyndi's Body Acoustic and Fiona's Extraordinary machine for Xmas.:nod: