so i'm pretty sure i must have missed all the good music from 2005. really. i was thinking about it, and i can only come up with two strong nominees for my favorite album of 2005. i really, really am sure that i'm missing something and that someone will sufficiently own me in the comments. but for now, i'm left thinking "what the fuck, 2005? 2004 was a pretty stellar year for music, so your performance in that area is unacceptable. you're fired."
there were a few releases that were noteworthy in my book this year. nine inch nails, foo fighters, dredg, and disturbed all posted decent albums, and the rakes had a nice debut, but none of these albums were tremendous in my opinion. i coudln't even go for the rap shock value that i scored in 2004, as common and even kanye were mediocre in my book. in my mind, i was left with two real choices, and really one clearcut winner.
my runner-up is the self-titled debut of team sleep. i'm sure i've mentioned them in this space before, but to recap: they are a side project of deftones lead singer chino moreno, they are an amazing combination of electronica and hard rock, and this album is probably the closest thing to something i wish i had made if i, you know, had talent. i can't recommend this album enough - it is more melodic and less loud than you think, so you should check it out.
however, team sleep's stellar debut did fall slightly short of my favorite album of the year. yes, the album i wish i had made was second to this album. how does that make sense? well, team sleep is right in my ballpark in terms of combining genres. an electronica/ambient twist on hard rock? sign me up. my favorite album was alternative to the core, but so damn consistently catchy that it could not go unrecognized. enough teasing! my favorite album of 2005 was beck's guero, a sweet combination of the mid-90's and sea change, beck blows my mind with his ability to combine every instrument and every genre under the sun into a tight, catchy album. i can say with confidence, more so than even team sleep, everyone who reads this site should listen to guero by beck. you will find something you like. i freakin guarantee it.
but back to my first point - what the hell am i missing? please inform me. either i'm missing something big, or 2005 was very lacking in strong musical releases.
p.s. if you say interpol i'll fucking kill you.
double-u tee eff, 2005
0922-december21-2005
comments
re: i missed it
from: niv (2005-12-21 09:48:38)
well, i meant to say something about death cab, at least. and if i remembered to do song of the year, i would have remembered death cab, because of, you know, the song.
also geoff is about to own me.
re: comment
from: geoff (2005-12-21 09:50:21)
beck? i swear i havent heard you mention that album all year
dredg would certainly be at the top of my list... such a useful album
taproot is up there too for me. having mr billy corgan around really helped them realize that melody isnt a bad thing
re: beck
from: niv (2005-12-21 09:57:12)
i have to hide lots of music from you, mr. geoff.
go listen to the bends, goddamnit.
re: comment
from: geoff (2005-12-21 09:57:54)
frances the mute is pretty damn good too
you know, if youre man enough to like the mars volta
re: comment
from: niv (2005-12-21 10:05:54)
i'm a pretty big dick, but i'm not nearly a big enough dick to like the mars volta.
re: comment
from: geoff (2005-12-21 10:12:37)
go listen to beck and cry
or whatever people do while listening to beck
ask to be killed?
re: comment
from: niv (2005-12-21 10:15:58)
this is why we sleep in seperate beds
in seperate states
you really should listen to beck and understand what 'fun music' is before you denounce it. and then listen to the bends. and stop being so angry slash snooty - then you won't listen to the mars volta or nothingface nearly as much.
hehe
re: comment
from: geoff (2005-12-21 10:26:28)
eh
maybe in the new year
still got at least 10 days of anger and pretentiousness in me
re: god i really blew it
from: niv (2005-12-21 10:31:08)
white stripes!
shoulda at least been mentioned
even if i didn't like their album as much as rock critics liked it
re: comment
from: geoff (2005-12-21 10:38:43)
year of the drought
big tvs
happiness
and maybe an adam morrison mustace
re: shocking omission
from: Trills (2005-12-22 12:34:55)
How does Kelly Clarkson's Breakaway get no pub? That album is incredible. She's angry, hot, and sounds wonderful.
re: a thought
from: Trills (2005-12-22 12:37:56)
if ayone is looking for a good rap CD, and I know few of you are, but it is a throwback to some classic Wu-shit. Give DJ Muggs vs GZA a shot. The album is called Grandmasters. Muggs does a good job at resurrecting some old school RZA-type beats. Reminds me of one of my type 5 rap albums of all time (Liquid Swords/GZA). Peep dat shit yo.
And Geoff, I dare you to get a shitty car tattood on your body. It'd be awesmoe.
re: comment
from: niv (2005-12-22 14:49:58)
well played. to be clear, i was talking more about kelly clarkson than about the rap suggestions.
re: comment
from: geoff (2005-12-22 23:03:11)
but do i get a metro? tracker? prizm?
or maybe a sephia... but i think that would be lost on most people
re: comment
from: Trills (2005-12-23 09:02:16)
Well, personally, I would go with metro. Sephias are made by Kia, so that wouldn't make sense. The important thing is that Niv and I would get it. I know a great place in Houston.
re: you probably didn't "miss" these as much as intentionally skip them, but....
a few really good albums that came out this year were: The Gorillaz latest, Demon Days, and Death Cab's Plans.
The Game had The Documentary way, way back, but still in '05. i mean. gangsta rap is what it is. but this is pretty good for what it is.
that made sense
i swear
and my personal favorite under the radar pick was The Frames Burn the Maps. its so simple but i can't stop listening to it. take that for what you will.
those are my picks
i'll pass judgement on yours in a minute probably