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| jasonmayer.net | |
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top 20 albums of 2005 |
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After
listening to as many new albums as I could this year, I always came back
to this one. There’s just
something about literate lyrics set to hard-charging and anthemic music,
and for me, The Hold Steady picks up where Slobberbone left off.
This is a concept album about a girl named Hallelujah from the Upper Midwest. It’s a detailed journey through her life of sex, drugs, and religion. It captures the feel of the people and the region perfectly. Craig Finn’s delivery is perfect for his story-driven lyrics (a kind of half-talk, half-sing), which prevents them from becoming too overwrought. Every song is practically an all-out assault of great guitar riffs and hook-laden melodies. Favorite tracks: Your Little Hoodrat Friend, How a Resurrection Really Feels |
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A
relatively downbeat album that slowly reveals its lyrical secrets to you
with each repeated listen, Alligator is a near-masterpiece and would be
right at home at the number-one spot as well.
I read a review that described this album as a collection of
“city-weary poetry,” which puts it better than I ever could. There
are evocative lyrics and powerful imagery throughout the album.
These are the thoughts of a guy sitting in a darkened corner of a
bar, gazing upon the other people with a feeling of contempt combined with
envy. That combination
creates an album full of great songs. Favorite
tracks: Secret Meeting, All the Wine, Abel |
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This
came out of nowhere for me and maybe the surprise is what overwhelmed me
at first. But after repeated
listens this easily became one of the best albums of the year.
Slowly-revealing lyrics (this is a major theme for me this year)
give way to intricate stories, images, and feelings. The
music is raw and impassioned and the songs hit you in the gut over and
over, making for a great experience and a great debut. Favorite tracks: Grounds for Divorce, I’ll Believe in Anything |
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The
Decemberists can be downright theatrical at times, but on Picaresque, they
have toned that down a little to deliver a fine collection of songs.
There’s still the token number that sounds lifted from a musical
(“The Mariner’s Revenge Song”), but the majority of the album deals
with life, loss, love and even throws in a biting and rollicking protest
song. Favorite tracks: Sixteen Military Wives, The Engine Driver, Of Angels and Angles
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This
is what a double album is supposed to be: sprawling, ambitious, diverse,
focused, and, most of all, good. Blinking
Lights is a 33-song opus that details the various highs and lows that life
can offer. And after seeing
everything someone could possibly see, and living to tell about it, he’d
do it all over again. It’s
wonderfully optimistic for even the most jaded. Favorite tracks: Trouble with Dreams; Things the Grandchildren Should Know
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I
had tried repeatedly to get into this Austin-based band in previous years,
but never really put my heart into it.
After a few good reviews, I decided to give Spoon another shot and
I was rewarded with their best album yet.
Rock, blues, funk – they’re all here in healthy doses to
provide a rewarding listen. Favorite tracks: The Beast and Dragon, Adored; I Turn My Camera On
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Another
band from Austin with a somewhat-concept album whose subject is its title.
Moving from one bad experience to the next (lost love, unrequited
love, etc.), Okkervil River uses lone trumpet solos, steel guitar,
violins, and spoken words in songs that range from rockers to waltzes.
Favorite
tracks: For Real, A Stone, A
Glow
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The
skill on display here is staggering and is a testament to Stevens’
immense talent as both a songwriter and a musician.
Stevens has vowed to make an album for each state, and this is
number two. About time we had
a little ambition. If they
all turn out this good, I can’t wait for the other 48.
He ties together personal stories of love and grief to important
events and people of the state perfectly. Favorite tracks: Casimir Pulaski Day; The Man of Metropolis Steals our Hearts
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The
buzz on this band was incredible. A
truly independent band that sold their self-made album themselves until
getting signed. The album
starts with a carnival barker but slides into interesting melodies and
Alec Ounsworth’s voice reminds me of David Byrne a little (if only
slightly higher and more warbly). Favorite
tracks: Over and Over Again (Lost and Found); The Skin of My Yellow
Country Teeth
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The
term “Beatles-esque” is one that I think sometimes gets thrown around
too often. But with Rogue
Wave, I think the description is fitting for their tight harmonies and
melodies. I recently got it and I haven’t been able to take it out of
my CD player yet. Favorite tracks: Bird on a Wire; Publish My Love; Temporary
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Another
solid power pop effort from the Canadian super-group.
Of course, practically anything Neko Case (who is a member) touches
turns to gold. This can easily be characterized as feel-good music
despite not knowing all the time what it is all about. Favorite tracks: The Bleeding Heart Show; These are the Fables
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A deeply personal album that avoids self-indulgence detailing life with an abusive, alcoholic stepfather. Singer-songwriter John Darnielle contributes poignant songs that prove uplifting despite the tragic material. You can feel his catharsis come through as he overcomes an unfortunate time in his life. Favorite tracks: This Year; Lion's Teeth
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A
return to his Odelay days after his magnificent break-up album, Sea
Change. Guero
is a great album that hits on some of those high notes in typical
Beck-fashion, although not quite reaching the same heights he achieved on
either of those albums. One
of the great artists in music today. Favorite tracks: Girl; Black Tambourine
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I don’t think Jack and Meg White can make a bad album. More of the same great blues- and funk-rock (are these actual styles?) with the occasional foray into something different to keep things interesting. You wouldn't think that a band as prolific as the White Stripes (ahem, Ryan Adams) would be as consistently great as they are. Favorite tracks: My Doorbell; Forever For Her (Is Over For Me)
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Esoteric
lyrics and lush melodies provide an intriguing listen every time.
Another extremely talented musician like Sufjan Stevens Favorite tracks: A Nervous Tic Motion of the Head to the Left; Fake Palindromes
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Almost the antithesis to Stars’ Set Yourself on Fire (see #20), this is the break-up album from the other side of the spectrum that is, at times, powerful, intense, and menacing. It's not always bitter, but it certainly feels that way. Favorite tracks: No Wow; At the Back of the Shell; Ticket Man
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At times a protest album (the title track is a biting critique of the leaders on both sides of the Atlantic), but it mainly just alternates between soft, beautiful ballads and hard-charging pop anthems. Favorite tracks: Forget Myself; Leaders of the Free World
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Hard to pin down because so many different styles seem to exist on this one album from the rollicking opener to the country-esque "Soon Enough." But it all works so well together, that you just sit back and enjoy it. Favorite tracks: Soon Enough; Lizavetta
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A
natural collaboration as Calexico adds substance to Sam Beam’s usually
feathery songs, which brings out the best in both bands. It might be
a short album, but every song hits its mark perfectly. Favorite tracks: He Lays in the Reins; Red Dust
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A
more beautiful and heartfelt break-up album than you’re likely to find,
at least in tone and melodies, not necessarily the lyrics.
Torquil Campbell’s and Amy Millan’s vocals play off each other
perfectly. Favorite tracks: Your Ex-Lover is Dead; Ageless Beauty
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1. Separation
Sunday - The
Hold Steady
2. Alligator
- The
National
3. Apologies
to the Queen Mary - Wolf
Parade
4. Picaresque
- The
Decemberists
5. Blinking
Lights and Other Revelations - Eels
6. Gimme
Fiction - Spoon
7. Black
Sheep Boy - Okkervil
River
8. Illinoise
- Sufjan
Stevens
9. Clap
Your Hands Say Yeah - Clap
Your Hands Say Yeah
10. Descended
Like Vultures - Rogue
Wave
11. Twin
Cinema - The
New Pornographers
12. The
Sunset Tree - The
Mountain Goats
13. Guero
- Beck
14. Get
Behind Me Satan - The
White Stripes
15. The
Mysterious Production of Eggs - Andrew
Bird
16. No
Wow - The
Kills
17. Leaders
of the Free World - Elbow
18. Tournament
of Hearts - Constantines
19. In
the Reins - Iron
& Wine/Calexico
20. Set
Yourself on Fire - Stars