Mike’s Top Albums of 2005

Before the high school rock holy trinity (Zeppelin, Boston, Steve Miller Band) helped me convert to rockianity in 10th grade, I listened to top 40 pop almost exclusively (it happens). New Edition was my favorite band of all time (I can still perform the “Cool it Now” rap on cue) and Michael Jackson was my favorite solo artist (watch out for this guy at weddings). And while I’ve left most of that behind for more diverse and interesting tunes, my love of the hook remains. Although I like stuff that’s all over the musical spectrum, it still needs a catchy center to reel me in. This theme pervades my my top 10 albums for 2005:

Jack Johnson, In Between Dreams: Is it coincidence that the year I took my first trip to Hawaii was the same year I finally found myself fully captivated by the music of Jack Johnson? Probably not — it is quite difficult not to get caught up in Johnson’s mellow vibe after spending any time on the islands. I do, however, also credit the fact that IBD is Johnson’s most fully realized album to date; and although it may not have one single song as good as “Flake” or “Bubble Toes” (from Brushfire Fairytales), Johnson never missteps. In addition, he changes the tempo and style from song to song just enough without compromising his trademark style, resulting is a completely cohesive piece.

The Decemberists, Picaresque: Every Colin Meloy song is like a mini rock opera (in a good way! No one else is doing what these guys do). Infectuous, literate, complex… this is a complete package.

Firecracker, So Long Someday: This band has technically been around for about 5 years, but they’ve never played a gig east of Lake Tahoe. Still, So Long Someday was the 2005 #4 best seller on miles of music, which says a whole lot about the word of mouth following this band has built… not to mention the fact that this is a damn catchy cd chock full of alt.country / pop jems! Highly recommended for Old 97s or Reckless Kelly fans.

Kathleen Edwards, Back to Me: It wasn’t until I saw Kathleen live this fall that BtM really began to sink in, but after that it grew on me daily. One really shouldn’t listen to Canadian roots rock in the spring and summer anyway — the mood just misses. Once the wind started to bite and the days grew shorter however, this one was never far from my cd player.

Death Cab For Cutie, Plans: Although the album had been out for almost two months, I was still caught off-guard when the packed-to-the-brim Electric Factory crowd sang along word for word, quite loudly I might add, to “I’ll Follow You Into The Dark”, a deep album cut. It was quite impressive! (My story may not prove absolutely that Plans is a great album, but I thought you might like to hear it anyway.)

Bloc Party, Silent Alarm: A great introductory showcase for BP’s unique, energetic style. Its kind of a shame that every song doesn’t have an absurdly-catchy hook like phenomenal opener “Like Eating Glass”, but this is still one heck of a debut.

Collin Herring, The Other Side of Kindness: As with Bloc Party, if this entire album was as good as the explosive leadoff “Back of Your Mind”, Herring would easily have the disc of the year. Alas, inevitable flaws follow, but the Whiskeytown-esque dusty back porch ballads occasionally infused with acidic electric riffs are worth regular listening nonetheless.

Aimee Mann, The Forgotten Arm: I’ve never been a huge Aimee Mann fan, liking a song here and there but never feeling her full albums lived up to the hype. The Forgotten Arm, however, stands out because it not only starts off strong with that great individual song (“Dear John”), it remains that way throughout. Forget the fact that it’s a “concept album” — this is just a great collection of songs.

Old 97s, Alive and Wired: Perpaps live albums aren’t meant for year-end top 10 lists, but this is a flat-out great recording of a great live band, so it makes mine. A veritable greatest hits, this thing blasts out of the speakers and gives a great glimpse into the live 97s experience.

Marah, A Christmas Kind of Town: It will likely seem preposterous to some that I chose a Christmas album as one of my 10 best of the year, especially when the band who released it had a solid regular release that same year that I didn’t include. Well, the bottom line for me is that CKoT is more ambitious and spirited than If You Didn’t Laugh You’d Cry, and I know that I’ll be turning it on (and up) for years to come each December. This is perhaps the single greatest *rock n’ roll* Xmas album ever released by a single artist (the best are usually compilations), and Marah deserves credit for that. It certainly isn’t perfect — but then again neither are the holidays with your family! In fact, the bros. Bielanko have probalbly created the most realistic holiday record of all time — flawed but, in the end, worth all the effort. Just like putting up with crazy Uncle Bert is a necessary evil to spend a nice day with family, dealing with the cringe-worthy (with a smile) “Handsome Santa” or the semi-awkward “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” is all worthwhile after hearing marvelous originals like “Counting the Days Till Christmas” or “Christmas in the Snow”.

Honorable Mention:
David Gray – Life in Slow Motion
Marah – If You Didn’t Laugh, You’d Cry
My Morning Jacket – Z
Jon Nolan – When the Summers Lasted Long

Haven’t Had Enough Time with to Rank, but Have Potential:
Matt Pond PA – Several Arrows Later
Lucero – Nobody’s Darlings