Looking back, its almost incredible I didn't rate Antony's and Spoon's albums higher on my list.

I recently picked up Pinetop Seven's 2005 album the night's bloom. I didn't care much for it right off the bat, but I've been playing it a lot lately. The production is really great, as you can really hear every instrument clearly and distinctly, which works well with the sort of chamber-pop that these guys are going for. If you like Lambchop or Tindersticks, or even lullaby for the working class, I'd recommend this album.

Also, the one album which has continued to stay with me from 2005 is Richard Hawley's album. That is just a fantastic album front to back. I think it is probably the 2005 album I have listened to the most.

Picked up Congotronics 1 a while back, as confused by it's High Rating as Isolee...it's interesting, but it really only works as background music...way too monotonous for a focused listen...feels like every song has almost the exact same rhythm.

A definite sell back to Ameoba.

quote:

Originally posted by Illiniq:
Picked up Congotronics 1 a while back, as confused by it's High Rating as Isolee...it's interesting, but it really only works as background music...way too monotonous for a focused listen...feels like every song has almost the exact same rhythm.

A definite sell back to Ameoba.

I completely agree with your opinion and action (did the same myself a couple of months back). I think it only appeals to people that are unaquainted with the REALLY good African music - If you listen to the best of Franco & OK Jazz, Tabu Ley Rochereau, Kanda Bongo Man, Zaiko Langa Langa, Papa Wemba etc., even within the Congo it pales by comparison.

Boy — you're not pretentious at all.

quote:

Originally posted by m.leland:
Boy — you're not pretentious at all.

what I meant to say was:- yeah, Congotronics sucks.

Unpretentious enough for you?

Ok, I must say that Sand had a point. Mahavatar of 2005 was one of the great moments! Go with the No! was a turning point in NYC Metal scene. Looking forward to summer 2006 new album release in North America

I'm really digging Hayes Carll's 2005 album Little Rock. It's great to hear an americana record that isn't trying to be either will oldham or the replacements. Anyone who digs all the great texas country songwriter like guy clark and townes van zant should hear this album. He even got Guy Clark and Ray Wylie Hubbard to co-write a couple songs with him, which puts him in good company in my book. This would probably be in my top 10 or 15 from last year.

I think everyone who lived through 2005 needs to catch up on 2005 with Dirty Projector's The Getty Address. I'm slightly on the avant side but I would have to strongly contend that this was the most overlooked album of 2005. Yeah there was Sufjan, Andrew Bird, Animal Collective, Clap Your Hands...lots of genuine masterpieces but for my dollar Dirty Projectors produced the best album of the year.

Good call on the getty address, although I was a bit more partial to the glad fact. However, I think the kallikak family outdid the dirty projectors, as far as high falutin' concept ghoulashes go.

quote:

Originally posted by keylimetrev:
I'm really digging Hayes Carll's 2005 album Little Rock.

I'm checking it out on your recommendation, klt, and it sounds like you're dead on as always. Thanks for the tip!

Now Playing: "Long Way Home" Hayes Carll Little Rock

Glad to hear you are liking it as well. Only thing bad about it is that it reminds me how good Steve Earle used to be. New Steve is good, but I really like his first couple of records before he started taking himself so seriously.

Hello Saferide - Introducing Hello Saferide

I'm listening to and loving this album. It's crept into my top 15, which is saying something for as many great albums I heard last year. It's sort of cutesy, pop music by a chick from Sweden, though my favorite songs of hers are the more melancholy numbers. She's got an adorable voice, and the album's consistently good start to finish. The 3 songs that absolutely slay me are "I Don't Sleep Well," "Long Lost Penpal," and "Loneliness Is Better When You're Not Alone."

I like the lyrics. They're not complicated or abstract at all, yet they avoid platitudes and corniness. Sample lyric from the song "Best Friend":

"Damn, I wish I were a lesbian
Damn I wish I were a lesbian
and you were too

Damn, I wish I were a lesbian
Damn I wish I were a lesbian
So I could fall in love with you"

Just heard Magnolia Electric Co. - What Comes After The Blues.

My 2005 top 20 needs to be rearranged to make room for this one - channeling the ghost of Neil Young before he's even dead! Super.

Yeah, What Comes After the Blues was a real grower for me. At first I was disappointed, but I've grown to really love it. That last song just kills me every time.

"Every now and then it happens again
I can’t remember what comes first
Is it the hurt
Or knowing that it hurts"

So good.

J Tillman - I Will Return

The goldmine that is 2005 continues to yield treasure. This time from a guy named J Tillman. This is an album of devastating, aching beauty. Fans of Jason Molina (especially his solo stuff) and the sadder side of Damien Jurado MUST check this out. Also, I'm not a fan of Damien Rice, but this music does resemble his in some respects. This album is going to make my top 10 from 2005.

There were only 150 copies of the album made, so if you want to hear it, you're gonna have to dwnld from slsk or else hunt down one of the original 150 buyers. The guy's toured with Damien Jurado in the past.

quote:

Originally posted by RavingLunatic:
I've said it elsewhere in these forums, but Page France's Hello, Dear Wind is great. It's not the sort of thing that I usually like, but the songs are so great, pop gem after pop gem. I plugged it in at number 10 on my year-end list.

I absolutely agree!

I came upon Andrew Bird woefully late. Wish I'd heard some of his stuff earlier.

His solo works are my favorite, but I really liked Bowl of Fire too.

Bettye Lavette and The Happy Bullets are the two groups that I found post 05 and have really grown on me and both are now in my top 40.

When Bettye gets the right song, she can really take it to great heights. Only Time Will Tell Me is one of my favorite songs of 05, and Happy Bullets is some good poppy rock. Don't Wait Up is my favorite track off their The Vice and Virtue.

Two records in particular that I didn't pick up last year would've made my personal top 10 had I heard them.

They are The National's Alligator and the incredible Sunset Tree by The Mountain Goats, both would've ended up challenging for top spot.