My top 10 records of 2005.

It's finally time for the much-anticipated (ok, that's a stretch) year-end music wrap-up. Yikes! Where did the year go? I did one of these babies last year, but it didn't seem like such a big deal. Now, though, it seems like even before the last month of the year hits-- in fact, even as early as June-- people starting talking about "Albums of the Year."

I guess in the world of magazines, music websites, and especially music blogging, your list is like the culmination of everything you've been blabbing about all year. Many of the music blogs I frequent have already posted their year's best, and the ever-pretentious (but strangely popular among readers, myself included) Pitchfork posted its Top 50 last week.

Naturally, I want to be a bit pretentious and self-important on my own and post my indie faves. Be reminded, this is ultimately a favorites list. Sure, I buy into some hype sometimes, and that may be reflected in parts of my list, but at the end of the day, it's really about what I liked the best and what really got the most airtime.

By and large, it's hard for me to actually rank music with a numerical list. The genres are too varied and the musicians are all so different that I don't really think it's fair. Each album is unique in its own way with each offering something to me at particular times and during distinct moods. That said, here is the list, starting backwards from 10, as best as I could order it. If ever I was torn, I probably gave a little bias to my favorite artists to whom I am loyal.

Read on. For each album I offer a quick blurb as well as a sample track. Hope you like what you hear.

10. Iron and Wine :: Woman King EP

Yes, EP's count. Especially this one. In fact, both this and In the Reins (with Calexico) were both EP's dueling for position, but in the end I had to give it to Sam Beam's solo effort for its experimentation and adventure. If there was anything that previously annoyed me about Sam Beam, it was that I really had to be in a particular mood to listen really quiet, slow, whispery vocals over quiet finger-picked acoustic guitar. On Woman King, he gives me another option. He sounds like a full band here, with tons of percussion, strings, banjos, and an overall fuller sound. Sure, as a 6-song EP it left me wanting more, but it also left me in great anticipation for what other directions Sam Beam will take in the future.

Try me: Woman King


9. Doves :: Some Cities

I'm not quite sure how to describe Doves. They're a UK band, so they immediately earn points for that. There's some darkness and melancholy in there, but with some really lush instrumentation ranging from strings to gritty guitars and synths. They combine these sounds with big drums and a vast symphonic sound, the kind that really surrounds you and fills the room. It's moody and melodic, and the track below should illustrate the ability they have to really build a song to a moving climax.

Try me: Walk in Fire

8. David Gray :: Life in Slow Motion

So this isn't exactly an obvious "indie" pick, but David Gray has followed up A New Day at Midnight wonderfully here. No, it's not groundbreaking nor particularly out-of-this-world, but it's David Gray doing what he does best, which is writing great melodies and beautiful piano ballads. I'm a sucker for his work, and am glad he's still at it.

Try me: Lately


7. Okkervil River :: Black Sheep Boy

I actually heard Okkervil River for the first time very late in the year, but this was one of those albums that didn't have to grow on me. Upon first listen I was like "Wow, this is great," and proceeded to repeat the album, something I think is rare and special when it happens. Try to imagine what Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes) might sound like if he drank more milk, or rather had more testosterone, or something like that... Lead singer Will Sheff has that kind of throaty, voice-cracking thing going for him, but it comes off a bit less whiny and much more polished. And strangely, much as I love The National's album (see below) for the way the vocals seems so indifferent, this album's vocals are great for the way Sheff seems to try so hard. Like he really means every word he sings. In that sense, it's kind of rockin' indie-emo, but who said there was anything wrong with that?

Try me: Song of Our So-Called Friend

6. Ryan Adams :: Jacksonville City Nights



As a follow up to Cold Roses, this album definitely took a while to grow on me. For one, if you're addicted to an artist's album for such a long period of time, when they give you something new to digest, it kind of throws everything off. Secondly, this album was decidedly more country than Cold Roses, with lots more twang and not much "alt-" involved. For that reason alone, it took some extra time for me to appreciate it. Now I find myself at random times of the day with "The End" in my head. A chorus with lyrics like Oh Jacksonville, how you burn in my soul/How you hold all my dreams captive are hard to forget, especially with Adams's evocative delivery. It seems he really went back to his roots on this album, and despite what you think of the true country genre (not Shania Twain), the result here is memorable.

Try me: The End


5. Sufjan Stevens :: Illinois

Again, this album I've talked about at length before, so I'll keep it simple. This is a really fantastic album. I just hope Sufjan's next state pick is Virginia so I can hear him turn the Mixing Bowl into an amazingly catchy banjo song. I previously posted the song below, but it remains my favorite off the album, so for those of you who missed it the first time, here's your chance!

Try me: Casimir Pulaski Day


4. The Decemberists :: Picaresque

When this album first came out, I wasn't crazy about it, and in fact I still don't love it as much as Her Majesty. That said, it really grew on me, particularly after seeing the band perform it live at the 9:30 club. It's upbeat, but still sticks to Colin Meloy's obscure historical/pirate-like themes. He really establishes his position as a writer of fictions, and a good one, at that. Check out "The Sporting Life," to which any booknerd who never made the football squad can surely relate...

Try me: The Sporting Life

3. Andrew Bird :: The Mysterious Production of Eggs

I already touted this album in a post earlier this year, so I'll keep this short and sweet. Whistles, vibraphones, strings, and all sorts of other full-band delights are pulled together magically by one Andrew Bird in this easily accessible and truly unique album.

Try me: A Nervous Tic Motion of the Head to the Left


2. The National :: Alligator

This album made its way to the top of many a year-end list. After reading endless reviews about it, I had to check it out. After tuning in, my quick synopsis is: extremely good, not a weak track, and mysteriously addicting. There's just something about the way lead singer Matt Beringer sings in his baritone voice with a somewhat indifferent/sarcastic/ironic tone, repeating lines like I'm so sorry for everything in "Baby, We'll be Fine" that pulls you in. It's unusual, haunting, dark without being depressing, but in the end, worth many repeat listens. I've picked "Secret Meeting" as the sampler here, as it's the first track and inevitably what will keep you listening for the 12 tracks that follow...

Try me: Secret Meeting


1. Ryan Adams & The Cardinals :: Cold Roses

I played the absolute hell out of this album for probably 3 months after it came out. Sure, it could have been one "mega-album" instead of two discs with the occasional "filler," but Ryan Adams filler is still better than most other things. And in the end, despite his inclination to release just about anything he records, I'd rather have it that way than have to wait years in between album releases. The sampler track should speak for itself. (It's really freakin' good.)

Try me: Sweet Illusions


So to conclude, 2005 really was a tremendous year for music, or maybe it's just that I started paying better attention. Either way, in posting a short list of 10, there's clearly much that I missed and many albums I didn't get enough time with or that I discovered too late. But the idea of that is actually kind of exciting. To think of all the music that's out there that we've yet to hear and may possibly never hear... it's overwhelming but at the same time really incredible. On that note, here's to 2005 and to what may come in 2006!