Since it is the end of the year and everyone and their mother has a best of the year list, I decided that I too should jump on the bandwagon and let you folks know what I have enjoyed over this past year.
First of all, I claim 2005 Year of the iPod since I bought an iPod in 2005. I have had it since March. It has brought back music in my life so much. Not since my college years have a listened to such a variety of music. Now, just to get back into going to concerts. Music is a different experience when live. And that leads to my first band/music:
The Grateful Dead Download Series 1-8
Found exclusively on the Grateful Dead wesbite and at iTunes, the Grateful Dead have released so far 8 in a series that should continue. These are mostly previously unreleased shows from the prolific career of the Dead. These shows spanning from the early 70s into the 90s do not duplicate the ones found in the Dick's Picks and the From the Vault series. So, to pick these up is essential for any Deadheads to complete there "tape collections". Also, add Rare Cuts and Oddities, a collection of tunes from 1966 both studio and live that shows how things were at the beginning. Key songs: "I'm A King Bee" and "Caution".
Gorillaz - Demon Days
I didn't get into the Gorillaz the first time around. I wasn't sure what to make of a band that had cartoon images of the band members. I think I had heard their first single "Clint Eastwood" from their debut album but it didn't register with me. Now, Demon Days comes along and I listened to the album sampler from iTunes. The samples were nice and a few of the tunes I could not get out of my head. The next step was to get the full album. Very dark for the most of the album, things pick up with "Feel Good Inc (Album Crossfade) with its very catchy beat and its "feel good" lyric that pops out and grabs ya and does not let go. Other standouts are "Kids with Guns", "Dirty Harry" and "All Alone".
William Shatner - Has Been
What is a 74 year old doing singing rock and roll with such gusto and feeling? Who cares when the end result is "Has Been". Here we have a collection of tunes produced by Ben Folds where Mr. Shatner sings his heart out, lays everything he has on the line and has the listener wanting more. I for one am eager for his next release which cannot come to soon. Tracks to check out are "Together", "Has Been", "Real", oh forget it, check all of the tracks out and take a look inside the man who just will not go quiet.
Ben Folds - Songs for Silverman
I have been a Ben Folds fan since back in the days of Ben Folds Five. Having lived in Greensboro, NC for 10 years and having several Kevin Bacon-like connections to members in the band, everytime I hear one of their or his songs I am instantly back there in the mid to late 90s. Songs for Silverman gives us Ben Folds at his songwriting best and probably most personal to date. "Gracie" is the song dedicated to his daughter and "Jesusland" strikes a cord in anyone that has lived in a small town, where things are never as they seem. The standout track is the tribute to Elliott Smith, "Late".
Polphonic Spree - Together We Are Heavy
Another amazing find that goes back several years but just this year have I discovered the magic of this band and this album. I had listened to their music on their website but had not bought their cds. It is one of those things you wish you had done long before but you know that it came along at the right time. No sophmore slump whatsoever, Together We Are Heavy takes what Tim DeLaughter and company started on The Beginning Stages Of... and takes it to the next level. This album is an affirmation of life in all its forms, a continuation of DeLaughter's healing process from the drug overdose of his friend and Tripping Daisy bandmate Wes Berggren. Its choir-like harmonies and melodies form meditations for the listener. Standouts include: "Section 11: (A Long Day Continues/We Sound Amazed)", "Section 17 (Suitcase Calling)" and "Section 14 (Two Thousand Places)"
Sonic Youth - Sonic Nurse
With a return to an earlier Sonic Youth sound, Sonic Nurse seemingly picks up where Goo and 100% left off 15 years ago. With chords only Sonic Youth can get away with since they are the ones that started them in the first place, Sonic Nurse starts off with the Kim Gordon lyriced "Pattern Recognition" that harkens me back to 1990, to when alternative music was THE alternative to radio, not what is played on it. I am sure college radio stations rejoiced when they got their hands on this one. Listen now: "Pattern Recognition", "Paper Cup Exit" and "Dripping Dream"
Mike Doughty - Skittish/Rockity Roll
I was a big fan of Soul Coughing back in the day and for sometime now I wondered what had become of them. Then, while reading WWdN:In Exile, in the listening section I saw Mike Doughty and thought to myself, why does that name sound so familiar? After a quick google search, I had my answer to where Soul Coughing had gone. This double album of solo material produced by Doughty himself was where he saw Soul Coughing going but the other members did not so the split came. Skittish released in 2000 and Rockity Roll released in 2003 blend an acoustic sound with the poetic lyrics that Doughty is famous for from his Soul Coughing years. Tracks to check out now: "The Only Answer", "Real Love/Its Only Life", "Shunned+Falsified" and "Move On (Bloom Like The Sunlight in My Song)" (live). Thanks to Wil Wheaton dot net for the link to Mike Doughty.
This is my album/albums of 2005.
My next entry - Best Singles of 2005
4 comments:
My iPod changed my life.
And then it died.
And I mourned.
So I got a new one. And I'm back to walking to a rhythm.
I wouldnt know what to do if my iPod died. Guess getting a new one would be the only thing I could do. Those iPod nanos look pretty sweet.
Very cool list! I've been wondering about the Gorillaz latest CD. I also didn't get into them the first time around, but love "Feel Good" so much. I may have to break down and buy it AFTER I buy the new Depeche Mode.
We love Polyphonic Spree at home. EG loves "Everything Starts at the Seam" and "When the Fool Becomes King," especially "the trees wanna grow."
Chad and I are still so unsure of Ipods. Being a book lover, I also love the tangibility of CDs and album art. So I don't know if I could give that up for an iPod. I know, more space in my living room, but nothing can beat buying a White Stripes album for its art.
I listened to Polyphonic Spree so much after the breakup. Suitcase Calling is just the best song, such a pretty song but in the lyrics I hear a relationship ending. Someone has to leave.
Now with the new iPods, you can download images so you would still get the covers, but I know what you mean about the cover art. Its the same as books, I dont think something you can hold in your hand like an album for liner notes or a cd is going to go away anytime soon.
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