Top Twenty Albums of 2005: The Aftermath
So that was fun, right? I’m sure there’s plenty there to agree and disagree with. If you haven’t already, feel free to make a case for your neglected favorites.
Truth be told, making lists like that is always difficult for me, because I had to leave off worthy candidates like these (in no particular order):
- Architecture in Helsinki - In Case We Die
- Mark Geary - Ghosts
- Holopaw - Quit +/Or Fight
- Mike Doughty - Haughty Melodic
- Norfolk & Western - If You Were Born Overseas
- The Blind Boys of Alabama - Atom Bomb
- Various Artists - Stubbs the Zombie OST
(Don’t laugh, it’s better than it sounds!) - Christopher O’Riley - Hold Me to This
Making my task even more difficult is the handful of albums that might have made the list if only I’d discovered them sooner. Here are the wild card challengers that have the potential to sneak their way onto the list in the next few months (again, in no particular order):
- Okkervil River - Black Sheep Boy Appendix
- Rosie Thomas - If Songs Could Be Held
- Bettye Lavette - I’ve Got My Own Hell to Raise
- The Mountain Goats - The Sunset Tree
- The National - Alligator
- Great Lake Swimmers - Bodies and Minds
- Antony and the Johnsons - I Am a Bird Now
And this doesn’t even count the albums that I didn’t pick up, albums by Dar and Ani and The Ragbirds and Low and Sun Kil Moon and Derek Webb and so on and so on…
With that daunting list out of the way, I’m actually hoping to set my sights on an even more challenging task — a list of the best songs of 2005. I’ve got quite a few in mind already, but I’m always open to suggestions. Plus, I’ve got me some iTunes bucks to spend, so let the nominations begin.
We’ll be back in a few days. See you soon.
4 Ripples from “Top Twenty Albums of 2005: The Aftermath”
Scott says:
January 3, 2006 at 8:01 am
I’d say “So Come Back, I am Waiting” is the song of the year, but you have Black Sheep Boy so you probably already know that song and either like it or don’t. So based on your top 20 albums I’ll try and nominate some stuff maybe you haven’t heard.
“Trouble with Dreams” by the Eels is an absolute gem.
So is “Pretender” by Dr. Dog.
“I’m Glad I Hitched My Apple Wagon To Your Star” by The Boy Least Likely To is really giddy happy pop music, but it’s good.
“Manhattan” by Head of Femur is probably in my top 5 of the year.
“The Music Next Door” by the Lucksmiths.
“Big Boat” by M. Ward.
“Your Ex-Lover Is Dead” by the Stars.
“Uh-oh it’s Morning Time Again” by Mt. Eerie.
“Frantic” by Aqueduct
Probably others, but those are the ones that pop in my head right now forgetting those you have in your top 20 and your honorable mention list.
zalm says:
January 6, 2006 at 2:01 am
I’ve heard the Eels song and the M.Ward song, but not much else. I’ll have to hunt those down.
I love “So Come Back, I Am Waiting,” but I have to say, I’d put “For Real,” “Black” and “No Key, No Plan” a slight notch above. Regardless, I have you to thank for the recommendation. I’ve also been listening to Down the River of Golden Dreams, which is beautiful in a much different way.
Scott says:
January 6, 2006 at 8:01 pm
Oh! Oh! Did you get Don’t Fall in Love With Everyone You See as well? It’s their best in my opinion. Actually it’s probably in my top ten albums of all time.
Ah well, don’t want to saturate yourself with one band I suppose.
But you really should get the song “A Favor”. It’s.. it’s…
Oh, sorry.
zalm says:
January 6, 2006 at 10:01 pm
I haven’t picked it up yet, but I definitely will. I guess I’m working my way backwards to that.
I had a big rush of 2005 albums at the end of the year, and I’m still getting to know several of them, so I’m not in a big hurry for new stuff. It’s on my list to grab off of emusic in the next month or so, though, when I need another fix. Actually, it’s now at the top of that list.
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