Top ten
Well, it’s after Thanksgiving, so it’s time for Ten CDs of 2005. Keep in mind that I’ve been a little out of the loop this year, so I’ve mostly just bought new CDs by folks I already know.
1. Doves, Some Cities. Great disc from first track to last, great tour, great buzz. My favorite song on the disc is “One of These Days,” but my UNH pals all have their own faves. That’s a good sign: we’re not just talking about a one-song disc. Best of the year!
2. Rob Dickinson, Fresh Wine for the Horses. Rob needs to admit to himself that 40-year-old singers from 100k-selling bands don’t suddenly find themselves massively successful. Yet somehow, his push for acceptance in the mainstream just happened to coincide with his biggest burst of creative inspiration since Catherine Wheel’s Adam and Eve in 1997. So he’s doing all right.
3. Mercury Rev, The Secret Migration. This low-profile umpteenth release from New York’s finest is a little more contemplative, a little less wiggy. No theremin overdose here. But there are still glimpses of the whimsical in “In a Funny Way.” Merc’s most mature release, and in my mind, right up there with their best.
4. Sigur Rós, Takk…. After a nearly static album in 2002, the boys pick up the pace here. Of course, we’re not talking pop in any sense; instead, the disc takes cues from fellow Icelanders Múm. I think it works. I miss the guitar, though.
5. Aimee Mann, The Forgotten Arm. Aimee is once again in top form lyrically, and the tunes are catchy. If this had come out in 2000 instead of Bachelor No. 2, it would’ve been just as successful. Unfortunately, Bachelor already exists, and this one sometimes sounds just a little *too* similar…
6. Coldplay, X&Y. Beautiful as usual. I have to admit, though, it hasn’t really grabbed me yet.
7. Boards of Canada, The Campfire Headphase. See note for Coldplay.
8. Sleater-Kinney, The Woods. Phenomenal. I really wish I liked this type of music a little more.
9. Gorillaz, Demon Days. This is just a fun disc. Creative freedom does Damon Albarn good.
10. Danger Mouse and MF Doom, The Mouse and the Mask. A concept album constructed around a TV block? No, that’d never work (image a “Must-See TV” or “TGIF” soundtrack!). But DM and MF keep the gratuitous promos to a minimum. It’s actually listenable!
Some other candidates: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Greg Dulli, The White Stripes, Elbow, Kanye West, Beck, Fiona Apple, Grandaddy, Green Day, Franz Ferdinand, Tori Amos.
Overrated in 2005: Black Eyed Peas, Santana, Joss Stone, Keane, Rob Thomas.
EDIT: I missed My Morning Jacket. They probably woulda been in my top 10 if I’d known about them.