"Best Of"s on the 'Net
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Showing posts with label 2005. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2005. Show all posts
December 15, 2006
Best Music 2005 - Robert Knaack
01) Brakes – Give Blood [quirky, frivolous, and fun rock]
02) Sleater-Kinney – the Woods
03) Buck 65 – This Right Here Is [country indie rap is the best description I can come up with]
04) New Pornographers – Twin Cinema
05) M Ward – Transistor Radio
06) Soviettes – III [energetic, playful punk]
07) Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah – CYHASY
08) Russian Futurists – Our Thickness [one man indie-pop band]
09) Band of Bees – Free the Bees [new psychedelia – wonderful]
10) Rakes – Capture/Release [not to be confused with the Brakes – snotty British punk-rock ala the Clash]
11) Josh Rouse – Nashville [a great Americana follow-up to 2003's winning "1972"]
12) Supergrass – Road to Rouen [just when I had given up on them they make a great record]
13) Joseph Arthur – Our Shadows Will Remain [alt-pop songs that get into your brain]
14) Eels – Blinking Lights and Other Revelations [2 discs is too long, but incredible songs throughout]
15) Sons and Daughters – Repulsion Box [folk-rock songs that m-o-v-e]
16) MIA – Arular [dance music is usually not my thing, but something about this works for me]
17) Andrew Bird – Mysterious Production of Eggs [I hate to use the phrase 'adult alternative pop', but it seems to fit here. Beautiful songs]
18) Perceptionists – Black Dialogue [political rap that thumps]
19) Decemberists – Picaresque
20) White Stripes – Get Behind Me Satan
Bands just missing the cut:
Of Montreal – Sunlandic Twins
Spoon – Gimme Friction
Brights Eyes – I'm Awake…
Mando Diao – Hurricane Bar
Antony and the Johnsons – I Am A Bird Now
Adrian Belew – Side One
02) Sleater-Kinney – the Woods
03) Buck 65 – This Right Here Is [country indie rap is the best description I can come up with]
04) New Pornographers – Twin Cinema
05) M Ward – Transistor Radio
06) Soviettes – III [energetic, playful punk]
07) Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah – CYHASY
08) Russian Futurists – Our Thickness [one man indie-pop band]
09) Band of Bees – Free the Bees [new psychedelia – wonderful]
10) Rakes – Capture/Release [not to be confused with the Brakes – snotty British punk-rock ala the Clash]
11) Josh Rouse – Nashville [a great Americana follow-up to 2003's winning "1972"]
12) Supergrass – Road to Rouen [just when I had given up on them they make a great record]
13) Joseph Arthur – Our Shadows Will Remain [alt-pop songs that get into your brain]
14) Eels – Blinking Lights and Other Revelations [2 discs is too long, but incredible songs throughout]
15) Sons and Daughters – Repulsion Box [folk-rock songs that m-o-v-e]
16) MIA – Arular [dance music is usually not my thing, but something about this works for me]
17) Andrew Bird – Mysterious Production of Eggs [I hate to use the phrase 'adult alternative pop', but it seems to fit here. Beautiful songs]
18) Perceptionists – Black Dialogue [political rap that thumps]
19) Decemberists – Picaresque
20) White Stripes – Get Behind Me Satan
Bands just missing the cut:
Of Montreal – Sunlandic Twins
Spoon – Gimme Friction
Brights Eyes – I'm Awake…
Mando Diao – Hurricane Bar
Antony and the Johnsons – I Am A Bird Now
Adrian Belew – Side One
Best Music 2005 - Dexter Knaack (3.5 y/o)
1) Captain Bogg and Salty – Bedtime Stories for Pirates
2) Ralph's World – Under the Sea
3) Ralph's World – Ralph's World
4) Captain Bogg and Salty – Pegleg Tango
5) Ralph's World – Lemon
6) Ralph's World – Peggy Pie Parlor
7) Ralph's World – Amazing Adventures of Kid Astro
8) Ralph's World – Green Gorilla
9) They Might Be Giants – ABCs
Songs:
1) Spiderman 67 theme song
2) Batman theme song
3) Jingle Bells (the "batman smells" version)
[editor's note: if you have kids and haven't heard of Captain Bogg's CDs seek them out. They are fantastic!]
2) Ralph's World – Under the Sea
3) Ralph's World – Ralph's World
4) Captain Bogg and Salty – Pegleg Tango
5) Ralph's World – Lemon
6) Ralph's World – Peggy Pie Parlor
7) Ralph's World – Amazing Adventures of Kid Astro
8) Ralph's World – Green Gorilla
9) They Might Be Giants – ABCs
Songs:
1) Spiderman 67 theme song
2) Batman theme song
3) Jingle Bells (the "batman smells" version)
[editor's note: if you have kids and haven't heard of Captain Bogg's CDs seek them out. They are fantastic!]
Best Music 2005 - Bryan Waterman
i've been stewing over my top 10 for 2005, wondering if i can even come up with one. i haven't heard from anyone else yet, so for all i know i may be either so predictable i'm pathetic or so out of tune (for spending my whole year listening to wfmu rather than new music) that i have no idea what's what and i'm starting to slide into routine in my buying habits. some years i have no problem hitting a top 20, this year i could probably have hit 15 if i were lucky. here's where i am this year. am i an aging indie rocker or what? all i have to say is: no antony and the johnsons, new pornographers, or sufjan stevens. fuck the demographic! not that i didn't enjoy some songs by any of the above scrolling across my ipod at random. i just didn't take to their albums as a whole. i'm writing this quickly, late at night, and with more than a couple drinks in me, so i'll reserve the right to amend if someone really lets me have it. for 2006 i aspire to buy an ecclectic enough selection of new releases to rival trouble's or hatch's awesome 2005 top 10s and break out of my little narrow indie window. (see trouble's and hatch's kickass picks at the dj picks at http://wfmu.org/bestof/bestof2005.html ).
these are all released in 2005. they probably don't match up with my favorite purchases of the year, but that's a different list for another night.
10. smog, A River Ain't Too Much to Love: smog grows up on this one, settles into his late 30s. countrified. i may be listing him (and listening to him) out of habit, but bill's songs still work for me by and large. between me and stephanie he got good air time.
9. superwolf, Superwolf. matt sweeny (chavez) and will oldham. the first song still gives me chills. it's a delicate little album with a hard edge nonetheless. i didn't care much for the live show: billy was too ironic, dancing his little jigs, though sweeny was fantastic. an amazing musician.
8. richard hawley, Cole's Corner. pulp's guitarist on a nick lowe groove. nothing can compete with this in terms of orchestration this year. he makes jens lekman sound like junior high school, though i liked the new jens lekman just fine. if anything defines the sound of my sensibility at age 35, this is probably it.
7. broken social scene, Broken Social Scene. it took me a long while to warm up to it. it's no You Forgot It In People, to be sure. but it gets better with repetition (as did YFIP, i have to remind myself). file under: bedroom rock for the 00s.
6. lyrics born, same !@#$ different day. Unlike Guerelito or The Silent Alarm Remixed, this one actually works. In fact, it's better than the album. This isn't just my token hiphop album of the year, it's my party album of the year. This man's voice trumps all the other motherfuckers.
5. my morning jacket, Z. on which the heroes of the post-Dead deadheads take an island vacation. i enjoy this entire album, but i would have included it on the merits of the second half of "off the record" alone.
4. devendra banhardt, cripple crow. I've enjoyed him to a degree before, never to the extent that i wanted to listen to his albums straight through. but this one has a gentleness and a coyness that really balance out. "heard somebody say" is my favorite song of the year.
4. caribou, Milk of Human Kindness. easily one of the most listened to discs i purchased this year. it's from early on--march or april?--but i still listen to it once a week at least.
2. sam prekop, who's your new professor? One of our two summer CDs this year. We couldn't stop listening to it. I did not enjoy the live show at Mercury, which was packed and hot as hell. Plus the band was not as attractive as I expected. (I imagined he looked something like Sufjan.)
1. feist, Let It Die. The album--and series of live performances--that defined my music listening year. I even bought the Bee Gees number ones because of her. Oh Lord what I wouldn't do to make this woman my friend. the other summer CD. but this was winter, spring, summer, and fall. I melt.
honorable mentions: paul mccartney, the fall, kings of leon, andrew bird, jens lekman, clap your hands, deerhoof, jennifer gentle, broadcast, magnolia electric co., animal collective with vashti bunyan, blackalicious, nouvelle vague, silver jews.
compilations: _hearing is believing: the jack nitzche story_; that french new wave anthology trouble played songs from (so young and so cold--i bought it and it's great too: also file under bedroom), the soundtrack to life aquatic
favorite song someone played at record club: jason spinning "lose that skin" by the clash. blew my mind.
favorite new alternatives to pitchfork in 2005: www.3hive.com and www.dustedmagazine.com (why did i arrive so late on these scenes?)
thing that's on everyone's list that my brother nathan told me about early, early in the year and he was actually cool enough to go and see live but like a lame-ass i missed: konono no. 1.
these are all released in 2005. they probably don't match up with my favorite purchases of the year, but that's a different list for another night.
10. smog, A River Ain't Too Much to Love: smog grows up on this one, settles into his late 30s. countrified. i may be listing him (and listening to him) out of habit, but bill's songs still work for me by and large. between me and stephanie he got good air time.
9. superwolf, Superwolf. matt sweeny (chavez) and will oldham. the first song still gives me chills. it's a delicate little album with a hard edge nonetheless. i didn't care much for the live show: billy was too ironic, dancing his little jigs, though sweeny was fantastic. an amazing musician.
8. richard hawley, Cole's Corner. pulp's guitarist on a nick lowe groove. nothing can compete with this in terms of orchestration this year. he makes jens lekman sound like junior high school, though i liked the new jens lekman just fine. if anything defines the sound of my sensibility at age 35, this is probably it.
7. broken social scene, Broken Social Scene. it took me a long while to warm up to it. it's no You Forgot It In People, to be sure. but it gets better with repetition (as did YFIP, i have to remind myself). file under: bedroom rock for the 00s.
6. lyrics born, same !@#$ different day. Unlike Guerelito or The Silent Alarm Remixed, this one actually works. In fact, it's better than the album. This isn't just my token hiphop album of the year, it's my party album of the year. This man's voice trumps all the other motherfuckers.
5. my morning jacket, Z. on which the heroes of the post-Dead deadheads take an island vacation. i enjoy this entire album, but i would have included it on the merits of the second half of "off the record" alone.
4. devendra banhardt, cripple crow. I've enjoyed him to a degree before, never to the extent that i wanted to listen to his albums straight through. but this one has a gentleness and a coyness that really balance out. "heard somebody say" is my favorite song of the year.
4. caribou, Milk of Human Kindness. easily one of the most listened to discs i purchased this year. it's from early on--march or april?--but i still listen to it once a week at least.
2. sam prekop, who's your new professor? One of our two summer CDs this year. We couldn't stop listening to it. I did not enjoy the live show at Mercury, which was packed and hot as hell. Plus the band was not as attractive as I expected. (I imagined he looked something like Sufjan.)
1. feist, Let It Die. The album--and series of live performances--that defined my music listening year. I even bought the Bee Gees number ones because of her. Oh Lord what I wouldn't do to make this woman my friend. the other summer CD. but this was winter, spring, summer, and fall. I melt.
honorable mentions: paul mccartney, the fall, kings of leon, andrew bird, jens lekman, clap your hands, deerhoof, jennifer gentle, broadcast, magnolia electric co., animal collective with vashti bunyan, blackalicious, nouvelle vague, silver jews.
compilations: _hearing is believing: the jack nitzche story_; that french new wave anthology trouble played songs from (so young and so cold--i bought it and it's great too: also file under bedroom), the soundtrack to life aquatic
favorite song someone played at record club: jason spinning "lose that skin" by the clash. blew my mind.
favorite new alternatives to pitchfork in 2005: www.3hive.com
thing that's on everyone's list that my brother nathan told me about early, early in the year and he was actually cool enough to go and see live but like a lame-ass i missed: konono no. 1.
Best Music 2005 - Doug McLaughlin
http://stinksgood.blogspot.com /
In no particular order:
1. Warlocks - Surgery: My vote for best "stoner rock" psychedelic album of the year.
2. Wedding Present - Take Fountain: I never get tired of this band.
3. Soundtrack of Our Lives - Origin, Vol. 1
4. Spoon - Gimme Fiction: If you haven't heard it yet, well then thats just silly
5. New Pornographers - Twin Cinema: Ditto
6. Of Montreal - Sunlandic Twins: Best Montreal band not from Montreal .
7. M. Ward - Transistor Radio:
8. Super Furry Animals - Love Kraft: Again, These guys just keep putting out good albums.
Good Live too.
9. Tosca - JAC: Didnt really listen to much "dance" music this year, but i'll always check out these guys.
10. The Fall - Fall Heads Roll: Back with a vengance, this under-rated original punk group still kicks.
11. Sons and Daughters - Repulsion Box: Like stripped down PJ Harvey meets the Pogues or somethin.
12.Deerhoof - The Runners Four: Still totally left of center, but just a little more center.
13 The Mae Shi - Terrorbird: Like Deerhoof's hyper younger brother.
14. The Futureheads - Futureheads: Best 80's revival band bar none.
15. Arctic Monkey - Single: They'll be kickin it in 2006
16. M83 - Before the Dawn Heals Us: Like My Bloody Valentine meets Vangelis or something. Epic fuzzy electronica.
17. Dungen - Ta Det Lugnt: Like if Hendrix was a Swedish multi-intrumentalist with friends from the band Can. Rock.
Download the podcasts at http://www.actiondynamics.org/podcast/pt1.rss
In no particular order:
1. Warlocks - Surgery: My vote for best "stoner rock" psychedelic album of the year.
2. Wedding Present - Take Fountain: I never get tired of this band.
3. Soundtrack of Our Lives - Origin, Vol. 1
4. Spoon - Gimme Fiction: If you haven't heard it yet, well then thats just silly
5. New Pornographers - Twin Cinema: Ditto
6. Of Montreal - Sunlandic Twins: Best Montreal band not from Montreal .
7. M. Ward - Transistor Radio:
8. Super Furry Animals - Love Kraft: Again, These guys just keep putting out good albums.
Good Live too.
9. Tosca - JAC: Didnt really listen to much "dance" music this year, but i'll always check out these guys.
10. The Fall - Fall Heads Roll: Back with a vengance, this under-rated original punk group still kicks.
11. Sons and Daughters - Repulsion Box: Like stripped down PJ Harvey meets the Pogues or somethin.
12.Deerhoof - The Runners Four: Still totally left of center, but just a little more center.
13 The Mae Shi - Terrorbird: Like Deerhoof's hyper younger brother.
14. The Futureheads - Futureheads: Best 80's revival band bar none.
15. Arctic Monkey - Single: They'll be kickin it in 2006
16. M83 - Before the Dawn Heals Us: Like My Bloody Valentine meets Vangelis or something. Epic fuzzy electronica.
17. Dungen - Ta Det Lugnt: Like if Hendrix was a Swedish multi-intrumentalist with friends from the band Can. Rock.
Download the podcasts at http://www.actiondynamics.org/podcast/pt1.rss
Best Music 2005 - Dave Davis
You know me - a sucker for a catchy hook and more mainstream than I'd like to be...
Annie - Anniemal
Bebel Gilberto - Bebel Gilberto
Beck - Guero
Benny Benassi - Hypnotica
Creedence Clearwater Revival - Chronicle
Damian 'Jr. Gong' Marley - Welcome To Jamrock
Danger Doom - The Mouse And The Mask
Fatboy Slim - Palookaville
Flaming Lips- Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots
G. Love And Special Sauce - G. Love And Special Sauce
Gorillaz - Demon Days
Kaiser Chiefs - Employment
Kanye West -Late Registration
Killers -Hot Fuss
Limbomaniacs - Stinky Grooves
Liz Phair - Somebody's Miracle
Neil Diamond - 12 Songs
Nick Drake - Pink Moon
Social Distortion -Sex, Love, And Rock 'n' Roll
Transplants - Haunted Cities
Walkmen - Bows Plus Arrows
Weezer - Make Believe
and unfortunately WAY too much Radio Disney and their 5 song playlist...
Annie - Anniemal
Bebel Gilberto - Bebel Gilberto
Beck - Guero
Benny Benassi - Hypnotica
Creedence Clearwater Revival - Chronicle
Damian 'Jr. Gong' Marley - Welcome To Jamrock
Danger Doom - The Mouse And The Mask
Fatboy Slim - Palookaville
Flaming Lips- Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots
G. Love And Special Sauce - G. Love And Special Sauce
Gorillaz - Demon Days
Kaiser Chiefs - Employment
Kanye West -Late Registration
Killers -Hot Fuss
Limbomaniacs - Stinky Grooves
Liz Phair - Somebody's Miracle
Neil Diamond - 12 Songs
Nick Drake - Pink Moon
Social Distortion -Sex, Love, And Rock 'n' Roll
Transplants - Haunted Cities
Walkmen - Bows Plus Arrows
Weezer - Make Believe
and unfortunately WAY too much Radio Disney and their 5 song playlist...
Best Music 2005 - Pete Limbrick
Here's my top 10:
Konono No. 1--Congotronics.
Fela Kuti--Shuffering and Shmiling/No Agreement
Fela Kuti-- Confusion/Gentleman
Fela Kuti-- Stalemate/Fear Not Man
Fela Kuti--Yellow Fever
[Okay I know that's four albums but I bought one of this series of reissues and went right back for another 3, and now I can't stop listening to them!]
Stereolab--Oscillations from the Anti-Sun
Dengue Fever--Escape from Dragon House
Mulatu Astatke--Ethiopiques Vol. 4
Galaxie 500--This is Our Music
Go-Betweens--Tallulah (reissue)
Beck--Guero
Konono No. 1--Congotronics.
Fela Kuti--Shuffering and Shmiling/No Agreement
Fela Kuti-- Confusion/Gentleman
Fela Kuti-- Stalemate/Fear Not Man
Fela Kuti--Yellow Fever
[Okay I know that's four albums but I bought one of this series of reissues and went right back for another 3, and now I can't stop listening to them!]
Stereolab--Oscillations from the Anti-Sun
Dengue Fever--Escape from Dragon House
Mulatu Astatke--Ethiopiques Vol. 4
Galaxie 500--This is Our Music
Go-Betweens--Tallulah (reissue)
Beck--Guero
Best Music 2005 - Alfred and Julius Kopald (5 + 3 y/o)
Here are some things Alfred (5) and Julius ( 3-ish) have been listening to.
The Beach Boys-Endless Summer
Stereolab-Mars Audiac Quintet
The Ramones-Ramones Mania
Beta Band-Three EPs
The Smithsonian Folkways Children's Collection
The Dandy Warhols-13 Tales From Urban Bohemia
The Beach Boys-Endless Summer
Stereolab-Mars Audiac Quintet
The Ramones-Ramones Mania
Beta Band-Three EPs
The Smithsonian Folkways Children's Collection
The Dandy Warhols-13 Tales From Urban Bohemia
Best Music 2005 - Adam Kopald
Jason Falkner-Bliss Descending EP
Ambulance Ltd.-LP (2004)
Doves-Some Cities
The Libertines-The Libertines
The High Strung-These Are Good Times
Kaiser Chiefs-Employment
Brendan Benson-The Alternative to Love
The Long Winters-The Worst You Can Do Is Harm (2002)
Tegan and Sarah-So Jealous
n. lannon-Chemical Friends
Ladytron-Witching Hour
The New Pornographers-Twin Cinema
HollAnd -Your Orgasm (released 1997, just discovered by me)
The Faint-Wet From Birth (2004)
Ambulance Ltd.-LP (2004)
Doves-Some Cities
The Libertines-The Libertines
The High Strung-These Are Good Times
Kaiser Chiefs-Employment
Brendan Benson-The Alternative to Love
The Long Winters-The Worst You Can Do Is Harm (2002)
Tegan and Sarah-So Jealous
n. lannon-Chemical Friends
Ladytron-Witching Hour
The New Pornographers-Twin Cinema
HollAnd -Your Orgasm (released 1997, just discovered by me)
The Faint-Wet From Birth (2004)
Best Music 2005 - Tiffany Hope
I think I got 3 cds in 2005 — How pathetic! So I wish to substitute the recommendations of my good buddy Dave Jenne. He sent me the following list after a conversation about how pathetic it is that I am no longer hip to what The Kids are listening to. Dave is a Fresno Nerd, guitar genius and all around seriously funny human being. He is Eddie Van Halen to my David Lee Roth (no joke, he still hounds me about doing VH Christmas). Like Doug, his musical knowledge shames me. Please add him to the End Of Year list as he is always on the hunt for new stuff. Dave Jenne
P.s. Why the hell can't I be in a band called jackie O mutherfucker? That's even better than Legitimate Midget!
-tiff
Here is my music buying guide:
Album of the YEAR:
"The Woods" by Sleater-Kinney
Other groovy tunes:
"Z" by My Morning Jacket
"Horses 2 Disc Special Thingy" by Patty Smith
"So Much for the City" by The Thrills
"Decline of British Sea Power" by British Sea Power
"Smile" by Brian Wilson (this is a fucking great
album)
Under the heading New To Me:
"Bad News" by Bad News – it's the guys from The Young Ones in a Spinal Tap like show from about the same
era, in fact I think this might have come out just before Spinal Tap.
"Myra Lee" and "The Covers Record" and "What Would the Community Think" by Cat Power
"Fire" by Electric Six
"The Grey Album" Jay-Z / Beatles / DJ Danger Mouse -- which is a mash-up of Jay-Z's "Black Album" and the
Beatles "White Album" thus the grey title. Super rare, I have a copy of it not an orig, he got sued by Jay-Z
and the Beatles to stop production of it. Brilliant though, and until this I had not interest in Jay-Z at
all, he isn't half bad, in fact some is very good. I say Thumbs UP!
"I don't mean to insult you but you look like Bobcat Goldthwait" by Bobcat Goldthwait very funny, not david cross funny but funny.
"The Raincoats" by The Raincoats – early punk girl band. Best. Version. Of. The Kinks "Lola". Ever.
"The Stooges" and "Funhouse" by the Stooges. I am a big fan of raw power, but these two so SO SOOOO rock.
"Apocalypse Dudes" and "Ass Cobra" Turbonegro
"Anton Maiden" by this guy called Anton whom lived in like Norway or Finland. This is an album of cheesy
synth covers (with him singing!) of his favorite band…Iron Maiden. Oh, my GOD!
Anything by Deerhoof. Nutty Japanese punk thingy
"Jackie-o-motherfucker" by Jackie-o-Motherfucker wow is this good. Wow.
That's all I can think of for now! Enjoy!
P.s. Why the hell can't I be in a band called jackie O mutherfucker? That's even better than Legitimate Midget!
-tiff
Here is my music buying guide:
Album of the YEAR:
"The Woods" by Sleater-Kinney
Other groovy tunes:
"Z" by My Morning Jacket
"Horses 2 Disc Special Thingy" by Patty Smith
"So Much for the City" by The Thrills
"Decline of British Sea Power" by British Sea Power
"Smile" by Brian Wilson (this is a fucking great
album)
Under the heading New To Me:
"Bad News" by Bad News – it's the guys from The Young Ones in a Spinal Tap like show from about the same
era, in fact I think this might have come out just before Spinal Tap.
"Myra Lee" and "The Covers Record" and "What Would the Community Think" by Cat Power
"Fire" by Electric Six
"The Grey Album" Jay-Z / Beatles / DJ Danger Mouse -- which is a mash-up of Jay-Z's "Black Album" and the
Beatles "White Album" thus the grey title. Super rare, I have a copy of it not an orig, he got sued by Jay-Z
and the Beatles to stop production of it. Brilliant though, and until this I had not interest in Jay-Z at
all, he isn't half bad, in fact some is very good. I say Thumbs UP!
"I don't mean to insult you but you look like Bobcat Goldthwait" by Bobcat Goldthwait very funny, not david cross funny but funny.
"The Raincoats" by The Raincoats – early punk girl band. Best. Version. Of. The Kinks "Lola". Ever.
"The Stooges" and "Funhouse" by the Stooges. I am a big fan of raw power, but these two so SO SOOOO rock.
"Apocalypse Dudes" and "Ass Cobra" Turbonegro
"Anton Maiden" by this guy called Anton whom lived in like Norway or Finland. This is an album of cheesy
synth covers (with him singing!) of his favorite band…Iron Maiden. Oh, my GOD!
Anything by Deerhoof. Nutty Japanese punk thingy
"Jackie-o-motherfucker" by Jackie-o-Motherfucker wow is this good. Wow.
That's all I can think of for now! Enjoy!
Best Music 2005 - Wendy West
So each month I make a new disc to for car listening and I thought I'd make a list of what would be on my disc of '05's greatest hits. Sufjan Stevens & Clap Your Hands Say Yeah sort of go without saying (although apparently, I am saying right now). No songs from either record made it onto any of my discs since I preferred listening to the records in their entirety. And no Bloc Party makes the final cut – I listened to them a lot in the first part of the year, but skip through their songs when I hear them now. I was lucky enough to see a lot of shows last year and some songs are closely tied to those experiences.
So. Songs of '05. Here goes.
1. Arcade Fire, "Wake Up." This was the first show I saw in the New Year and it was one of the best shows I have seen. We sardined into the Troubadour and waited and sweat on one another and then these kids – too many of them for the stage – spewed forth, eyes closed and mouths wide open and opened with this song making me feel both incredibly old and incredibly alive at the same time. It is a well-titled song.
2. Tegan and Sara (with a nod to The White Stripes), "Walking with the Ghost." So damn catchy.
3. The New Pornographers, "These are the Fables." "From Blown Speakers," is one of my favorite favorite songs and has nothing to do with Twin Cinema but whenever I think of the New Pornographers, I think of "Speakers" and not anything new. But, I did like Twin Cinema a lot.
4. Hartley Goldstein, "A Love Song for Annie Hall." The title of this record is "Songs in the key of Zoloft."
5. Kate Bush, " Wuthering Heights ." The Decemberists covered this in their show, and I craved the original and then could not get it out of my head for loooong periods of time. Kind of a Kate Bush year – her new record came out, "Hounds of Love" was covered – I hadn't thought about her for a few years. Nice to find her again.
6. Tracy Chapman, "Fast Car." She was live on KCRW one morning and hearing this song gave me pause – suddenly I was back in college, working the early shift, washing dishes on a snowy morning before the first customers came into the deli. This song became part of a script I was writing at the time, and became synonymous with the main character.
7. The White Stripes, "My Doorbell." I liked their new record a lot, but love most the twang Jack has in his voice, a crisscross of delight and stoned laugher and getting away with something all at once. Straight up, and not, at the same time.
8. Dr. Dre/Snoop Dogg, "Nuthin' but a G Thang." What can I say? 2005 was the year I came to know, really know Snoop.
9. Beck, "Scarecrow." Like the original, like the remixes. Don't like Scientology so much. Also, Beck's cover of "True Love Will Find You In The End," is great.
10. The Kills, "No Wow." They almost – but don't – have sex on stage, and it's the almost that is the most sexy.
11. The Malinks, "If Only." Bummer that the band released their best song just as they broke up.
12. Fiona Apple, "Extraordinary Machine." I have often repeated her first line, hoping to be believed, even though it's never true when I say, "I certainly haven't been shopping for any new shoes… and…"
13. Aqualung, "Strange & Beautiful." This song is like wading into warm water one step at a time until you are enveloped, surrounded, and you surrender.
14. n.Lannon, "Spy." Again with the college memories. This song reminds me of night before snowfall, when the sky is pregnant and white.
15. Morcheeba, "Wonders Never Cease." Get packin' and head out the door.
And if there were a second disc of '05 greats, these songs would be on it:
Smashing Pumpkins, "Muzzle." Elliott Smith, "Independence Day." Kanye West, who is, I believe, my long lost brother, "Gold Digger." Arctic Monkeys, "Perhaps Vampire Is A Bit Strong, but…" This was another fun "I feel old and young at the same time" show – these monkey guys weren't old enough to drink at Spaceland. The Outfield, "Your Love." The Devics, "Distant Radio." Bill Withers, "Who is He (And What Is He To You)?" Sia's "Breathe Me," but the Ulrich Schnauss remix. Death Cab for Cutie, "World Shut Your Mouth," not a revolutionary cover, but fun nonetheless. "There is a Light That Never Goes Out," I'll listen to almost anyone cover this song. Stevie Nicks & Tom Petty, "Stop Dragging My Heart Around."
So. Songs of '05. Here goes.
1. Arcade Fire, "Wake Up." This was the first show I saw in the New Year and it was one of the best shows I have seen. We sardined into the Troubadour and waited and sweat on one another and then these kids – too many of them for the stage – spewed forth, eyes closed and mouths wide open and opened with this song making me feel both incredibly old and incredibly alive at the same time. It is a well-titled song.
2. Tegan and Sara (with a nod to The White Stripes), "Walking with the Ghost." So damn catchy.
3. The New Pornographers, "These are the Fables." "From Blown Speakers," is one of my favorite favorite songs and has nothing to do with Twin Cinema but whenever I think of the New Pornographers, I think of "Speakers" and not anything new. But, I did like Twin Cinema a lot.
4. Hartley Goldstein, "A Love Song for Annie Hall." The title of this record is "Songs in the key of Zoloft."
5. Kate Bush, " Wuthering Heights ." The Decemberists covered this in their show, and I craved the original and then could not get it out of my head for loooong periods of time. Kind of a Kate Bush year – her new record came out, "Hounds of Love" was covered – I hadn't thought about her for a few years. Nice to find her again.
6. Tracy Chapman, "Fast Car." She was live on KCRW one morning and hearing this song gave me pause – suddenly I was back in college, working the early shift, washing dishes on a snowy morning before the first customers came into the deli. This song became part of a script I was writing at the time, and became synonymous with the main character.
7. The White Stripes, "My Doorbell." I liked their new record a lot, but love most the twang Jack has in his voice, a crisscross of delight and stoned laugher and getting away with something all at once. Straight up, and not, at the same time.
8. Dr. Dre/Snoop Dogg, "Nuthin' but a G Thang." What can I say? 2005 was the year I came to know, really know Snoop.
9. Beck, "Scarecrow." Like the original, like the remixes. Don't like Scientology so much. Also, Beck's cover of "True Love Will Find You In The End," is great.
10. The Kills, "No Wow." They almost – but don't – have sex on stage, and it's the almost that is the most sexy.
11. The Malinks, "If Only." Bummer that the band released their best song just as they broke up.
12. Fiona Apple, "Extraordinary Machine." I have often repeated her first line, hoping to be believed, even though it's never true when I say, "I certainly haven't been shopping for any new shoes… and…"
13. Aqualung, "Strange & Beautiful." This song is like wading into warm water one step at a time until you are enveloped, surrounded, and you surrender.
14. n.Lannon, "Spy." Again with the college memories. This song reminds me of night before snowfall, when the sky is pregnant and white.
15. Morcheeba, "Wonders Never Cease." Get packin' and head out the door.
And if there were a second disc of '05 greats, these songs would be on it:
Smashing Pumpkins, "Muzzle." Elliott Smith, "Independence Day." Kanye West, who is, I believe, my long lost brother, "Gold Digger." Arctic Monkeys, "Perhaps Vampire Is A Bit Strong, but…" This was another fun "I feel old and young at the same time" show – these monkey guys weren't old enough to drink at Spaceland. The Outfield, "Your Love." The Devics, "Distant Radio." Bill Withers, "Who is He (And What Is He To You)?" Sia's "Breathe Me," but the Ulrich Schnauss remix. Death Cab for Cutie, "World Shut Your Mouth," not a revolutionary cover, but fun nonetheless. "There is a Light That Never Goes Out," I'll listen to almost anyone cover this song. Stevie Nicks & Tom Petty, "Stop Dragging My Heart Around."
Best Music 2005 - Jeremy Zitter
My list:
1. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah: "Clap Your Hands Say Yeah"
2. Sufjan Stevens: " Illinois" (aka, "Come on Feel the Illinoise")
3. American Analog Set: "Set Free"
4. (Smog): "A River Ain't Too Much to Love"
5. CocoRosie: "Noah's Ark"
6. Silversun Pickups: "Pikul" (technically, an e.p.)
7. Devics: "Push the Heart"
8. Antony and the Johnsons: "I Am a Bird Now"
9. Stars: "Set Yourself on Fire"
10. Other Albums I Liked:
Dustin O'Halloran's "Piano Solos," Rex Aquarium's "The Back of the Room," Broken Social Scene's "Broken Social Scene," Bright Eyes' "I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning," Neil Diamond's "12 Songs," The New Pornographers' "Twin Cinema," Death Cab for Cutie's "Plans," Sigur Ros' "Takk," Wolf Parade's "Apologies to Queen Mary," Spoon's "Gimme Fiction," The Grabs' "Sex, Fashion, and Money"
1. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah: "Clap Your Hands Say Yeah"
2. Sufjan Stevens: " Illinois" (aka, "Come on Feel the Illinoise")
3. American Analog Set: "Set Free"
4. (Smog): "A River Ain't Too Much to Love"
5. CocoRosie: "Noah's Ark"
6. Silversun Pickups: "Pikul" (technically, an e.p.)
7. Devics: "Push the Heart"
8. Antony and the Johnsons: "I Am a Bird Now"
9. Stars: "Set Yourself on Fire"
10. Other Albums I Liked:
Dustin O'Halloran's "Piano Solos," Rex Aquarium's "The Back of the Room," Broken Social Scene's "Broken Social Scene," Bright Eyes' "I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning," Neil Diamond's "12 Songs," The New Pornographers' "Twin Cinema," Death Cab for Cutie's "Plans," Sigur Ros' "Takk," Wolf Parade's "Apologies to Queen Mary," Spoon's "Gimme Fiction," The Grabs' "Sex, Fashion, and Money"
Best Music 2005 - Adam Chrystie
Happy New Year to ya..here it is:
LadyTron
Conjur One
Franz Ferdinand
Deathcab For Cutie
LadyTron
Conjur One
Franz Ferdinand
Deathcab For Cutie
Best Music 2005 - Alex Sokoloff
Here's my top 10, in no particular order:
1. Amadou & Mariam Dimanche A Bamako (amazing - no other word to describe it)
2. White Stripes Get Behind Me Satan
3. My Morning Jacket Z
4. Ry Cooder Chavez Ravine
5. Los Lobos The Ride (this may have come out in 2004 - still awesome!)
6. Thievery Corporation The Cosmic Game
7. Ray Charles Visionary Soul (don't buy the "duets" album - it sucks. Get this new complitation - you won't be dissapointed!!!)
8. Paul Weller As is Now (not his best, but damn good - he has a bunch of excellent solo albums)
9. Gorillaz Demon Days
10. Coldplay X&Y
1. Amadou & Mariam Dimanche A Bamako (amazing - no other word to describe it)
2. White Stripes Get Behind Me Satan
3. My Morning Jacket Z
4. Ry Cooder Chavez Ravine
5. Los Lobos The Ride (this may have come out in 2004 - still awesome!)
6. Thievery Corporation The Cosmic Game
7. Ray Charles Visionary Soul (don't buy the "duets" album - it sucks. Get this new complitation - you won't be dissapointed!!!)
8. Paul Weller As is Now (not his best, but damn good - he has a bunch of excellent solo albums)
9. Gorillaz Demon Days
10. Coldplay X&Y
Best Music 2005 - David Bokser
Death Cab for Cutie - Plans - although it's too mainstream for me to really like it
Sparklehorse - It's a Wonderful Life - I just got this and I really like it
Sparklehorse - It's a Wonderful Life - I just got this and I really like it
Best Music 2005 - Chris Jess
I'm actually not sure about the ranking, so don't take it too serious.
1. Matisyahu - Live at Stubb's
2. Nightmare of You - Nightmare of You
3. System of a Down - Mezmerize
4. System of a Down - Hypnotize
5. Paul Anka - Rock Swings
6. Depeche Mode - Playing the Angel
Honorable Mentions:
Not Another Teen Movie - Soundtrack
(It's from 2001 but I finally bought the CD which is actually pretty good - fairly funny movie too)
1. Matisyahu - Live at Stubb's
2. Nightmare of You - Nightmare of You
3. System of a Down - Mezmerize
4. System of a Down - Hypnotize
5. Paul Anka - Rock Swings
6. Depeche Mode - Playing the Angel
Honorable Mentions:
Not Another Teen Movie - Soundtrack
(It's from 2001 but I finally bought the CD which is actually pretty good - fairly funny movie too)
Best Music 2005 - Michael Schwartz
* Broken Social Scene - Broken Social Scene
* Decemberists - Picaresque
* Fiery Furnaces - EP
* Fiona Apple - Extraordinary Machine
* Grandaddy - Excerpts from the Diary of Todd Zilla
* New Pornographers - Twin Cinema
* Sigur Rós - Takk...
* Sleater Kinney - The Woods
* Super Furry Animals - Love Kraft
* White Stripes - Get Behind Me Satan
* Decemberists - Picaresque
* Fiery Furnaces - EP
* Fiona Apple - Extraordinary Machine
* Grandaddy - Excerpts from the Diary of Todd Zilla
* New Pornographers - Twin Cinema
* Sigur Rós - Takk...
* Sleater Kinney - The Woods
* Super Furry Animals - Love Kraft
* White Stripes - Get Behind Me Satan
Best Music 2005 - Lynn Roof
Howdy! Just going to list a few:
Rob Dickenson - Fresh Wine for the Horses : GREAT album with an amazing single, "My Name is Love". He was the lead singer for Catherine Wheel, which I didn't listen to, but now may have to check out.
Nickel Creek - Why Should the Fire Die? : Another stellar album from them. If you EVER get the chance to see them live, jump on it. One of the best live acts I've ever seen (and that's saying a lot). Anyone who can pull off Britney Spears' "Toxic" and make it sound better is all right by me.
Death Cab For Cutie - Plans : Just got on this bandwagon. Love it.
Sia - Breathe Me : And no, I'm not listing this song because of the Six Feet Under finale. I've been hearing it on Indie 103.1 and I LOVE it. I don't think she?they? have an album out, but when they do, I'm there. It's just a really evocative song.
And speaking of Indie - they are, besides Morning Becomes Eclectic on KCRW, the best radio station in LA. Not afraid to play whatever they want, and not afraid to make fun of KROQ all the time. Plus, any station that gives Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols his own show and just lets him go on about anything and everything? They are the coolest.
Rob Dickenson - Fresh Wine for the Horses : GREAT album with an amazing single, "My Name is Love". He was the lead singer for Catherine Wheel, which I didn't listen to, but now may have to check out.
Nickel Creek - Why Should the Fire Die? : Another stellar album from them. If you EVER get the chance to see them live, jump on it. One of the best live acts I've ever seen (and that's saying a lot). Anyone who can pull off Britney Spears' "Toxic" and make it sound better is all right by me.
Death Cab For Cutie - Plans : Just got on this bandwagon. Love it.
Sia - Breathe Me : And no, I'm not listing this song because of the Six Feet Under finale. I've been hearing it on Indie 103.1 and I LOVE it. I don't think she?they? have an album out, but when they do, I'm there. It's just a really evocative song.
And speaking of Indie - they are, besides Morning Becomes Eclectic on KCRW, the best radio station in LA. Not afraid to play whatever they want, and not afraid to make fun of KROQ all the time. Plus, any station that gives Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols his own show and just lets him go on about anything and everything? They are the coolest.
Best Music 2005 - Tim Grierson
I just finished my Pazz & Jop ballot -- so here ya go
Ten Best Albums
1. Spoon - Gimme Fiction
2. New Pornographers - Twin Cinema
3. Fruit Bats - Spelled in Bones
4. White Stripes - Get Behind Me Satan
5. Dangerdoom - The Mouse and the Mask
6. My Morning Jacket - Z
7. Rogue Wave - Descended Like Vultures
8. LCD Soundsystem - LCD Soundsystem
9. M.I.A. - Arular
10. Fiona Apple - Extraordinary Machine
Ten Best Singles/Songs
1. Depeche Mode - Precious
2. Beck - Que Onda Guero
3. New Pornographers - The Bones of an Idol
4. 50 Cent (featuring Olivia) - Candy Shop
5. Death Cab For Cutie - Soul Meets Body
6. Beck - Missing
7. Rob Dickinson - My Name Is Love
8. Coldplay - Talk
9. Ladytron - Destroy Everything You Touch
10. Mariah Carey (featuring Jadakiss and Styles P.) - We Belong Together Remix
Ten Best Albums
1. Spoon - Gimme Fiction
2. New Pornographers - Twin Cinema
3. Fruit Bats - Spelled in Bones
4. White Stripes - Get Behind Me Satan
5. Dangerdoom - The Mouse and the Mask
6. My Morning Jacket - Z
7. Rogue Wave - Descended Like Vultures
8. LCD Soundsystem - LCD Soundsystem
9. M.I.A. - Arular
10. Fiona Apple - Extraordinary Machine
Ten Best Singles/Songs
1. Depeche Mode - Precious
2. Beck - Que Onda Guero
3. New Pornographers - The Bones of an Idol
4. 50 Cent (featuring Olivia) - Candy Shop
5. Death Cab For Cutie - Soul Meets Body
6. Beck - Missing
7. Rob Dickinson - My Name Is Love
8. Coldplay - Talk
9. Ladytron - Destroy Everything You Touch
10. Mariah Carey (featuring Jadakiss and Styles P.) - We Belong Together Remix
Best Music 2005 - Jack and Bess Higgins (Scott's kids)
P.S. I Love You -- Billie Holiday
Chocolata -- Ella Fitzgerald
Milkshake Song -- Ann-Marie Akin
I'm a Witch --- (Traditional?)
Mr. Pumpkin --- (to the tune of Frere Jacques, Traditional?)
Chocolata -- Ella Fitzgerald
Milkshake Song -- Ann-Marie Akin
I'm a Witch --- (Traditional?)
Mr. Pumpkin --- (to the tune of Frere Jacques, Traditional?)
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