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January 5th, 2006 by Phantasmo Phantasmo's Top 11 albums of 2005
There were many ‘good’ releases this past year, yet only a few ‘excellent’ ones that made it onto the Top 11 list of 2005. It was actually pretty tough to come up with 11 of my favorites, but I think I narrowed it down. Each and every one of these albums blew me away and are on heavy rotation in my iPod. Check them all out, because they all kick ass in their own special way…enjoy. Dredg “Catch Without Arms” – While these are normally in no particular order, this album, without a doubt, claims the throne of 2005. Every song is incredible, and this one has actually made it onto my exclusive list of ‘perfect’ albums. I don’t know why this didn’t get more press than it did. Go to Best Buy and pick up their live DVD for one penny. Yes, it’s only ONE PENNY. No joke. Thrice “Vheissu” – I have no idea what the title means, but this album is amazing. Way more technical than their last album, Thrice really branched out and experimented with some really cool sounds and production. Plus, the liner notes are, like, 30 pages of notes about each song! BAD ASS! Living Things “Ahead of the Lions” – This one came out of nowhere late in the game. I read a review of it in some magazine and thought it sounded cool, and it does. Elements of lo-fi Strokes-ish sound with superior production, so it doesn’t sound like it was recorded in a coffee can. I read somewhere that this album has been completed for a long time, but the band got caught up in some legal release problems, so it was shelved for over a year. Get it. She Wants Revenge “She Wants Revenge” – Downloaded months ago and only (legally) available on iTunes until later this month when the CD is released, this album is beginning to get a lot of press. Free downloads on iTunes and the buzz is building. Made up of two dudes from L.A. (one of which is Justin Warfield of the Justin Warfield Supernaut – he’s the guy that sings on that One Inch Punch song on the Romeo & Juliet soundtrack). Yes, they sound like Interpol, and no, they don’t sound like Interpol. Elements of 80’s gloomy synth-pop and modern dance music, this album will make any cape-wearing goth kid want to shake his groove thang. Neverending White Lights “Act I: Goodbye Friends of the Heavenly Bodies” – Another album that completely came out of left-field (thanks Shaun!), Neverending White Lights is the brain child of one guy, Daniel Victor, and is basically a revolving door of guest artists. Each track features a different singer and each one is fantastic. Nathan Larson, Nick Hexum, Matt Talbot, and many others are all featured. This is the mood album, and great for a quiet, lonely night (good wine helps). Alkaline Trio “Crimson” – Perfect pop-punk. Plus, these guys are members of the Church of Satan – how cool is that?!! Ringside “Ringside” – I passed this one up at Best Buy when it was released because I had read that they were discovered by Fred Durst – I should have known better. I then snagged it for two bucks at Amoeba in San Francisco – you can’t go wrong for two bucks, right? Even though Freddy’s own band sucks, the dude has an ear for great music (She Wants Revenge is another of his discoveries) and this is no exception. Two guys, one of whom is the actor Balthazar Getty, make up Ringside and you’d never know it was only a duo. The beats are great and this one sounds awesome in headphones. Funeral For A Friend “Hours” – England’s screamo crown-holder, these guys totally rule. I thought their last album was good, but this one is ten times better. Check out the songs History and Monsters. There’s also a great Jagz Kooner remix of Monsters that’s really, really cool (but you gotta find that one yourself). 30 Seconds To Mars “A Beautiful Lie” – Even though the working title ‘A Battle of One’ sounded much more bad ass, I’ll take what I can get. Another great album from 30STM and another band that doesn’t get enough press. Maybe journalists think they sound like Dog Star or something…I don’t get it. My only complaint is that it’s way too short. Oh, and Elijah Wood can suck it. Deathcab For Cutie “Plans” – I’m way behind when it comes to these guys. I just got this album a few days ago and know nothing about them, except that they have about 34 albums, half a dozen side projects, and that “Plans” totally rules. I love this CD. Embrace “Out of Nothing” – I’m kind of cheating on this one, since I got the UK version of this album in 2004, but since it was released in the US in 2005 and because it’s so damn good, I’m including it again. Britpop is alive and well and these guys have perfected it. An amazing album. Honorable Mentions – QOTSA “Lullabies To Paralyze”, Death From Above 1979 “Romance Bloody Romance”, Armor For Sleep “What To Do When You Are Dead”, Mae “The Everglow”, My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult “Gay, Black and Married”, Nine Inch Nails “With Teeth”, Cold “A Diffent Kind of Pain”, Team Sleep “Team Sleep”, Fiona Apple “Extraordinary Machine”, From Autumn to Ashes “Abandon Your Friends” |
