Montag, 12. Dez 2005, 23:34

in no particular order;

Picaresque–This album has really solidified my love affair with this band. It always seemed they came from a far away place and time, but the new record added some dashes of contemporary themes in the lyrics that made it something special. My wife and I like to play a game while listening to this in the car, spotting all the great lines, needless to say we find new ones every time! (current favorite "And all across the parapets came a multitude of coronets")However the chunky, wordy, verses never get in the way of the grand, hooky choruses. Great song flow, great arrangements that are now fully realized with all the fantastic instruments involved, and a band not afraid to have fun onstage as well, fantastic record. Best Tracks: 16 Military Wives, On The Bus Mall, The Mariner's Revenge Song, hell the whole damn thing!

The Woods—I love how the first song, The Fox just blasts out of the speakers, in fact the whole album just drills into your ears, even the quiter moments are intense and raw. The two intertwined guitars attack seems to be getting pushed aside a bit so that Carrie Brownstein can flex her muscles while Corin Tucker holds things down on the rhythm side, which is fine by me. Guitar rock gets no better than this. Best Tracks: Jumpers, What's Mine Is Yours, Modern Girl

The Magic Numbers–I saw these lovely Brits at Vegoose and fell in love right off. Gorgeous harmonizing, great songcraft and it's held down by a heavy dose of 60's soul that is missing in the modern rock soundscape.
Best Tracks: Long Legs, Love's A Game, Don't Give Up The Fight

Thunder, Lightning, Strike–This was released in the UK in 2004 I believe and actually is subtely better in that form, as the samples are all intact and not rerecorded as on the US release, but this is still the most fun album I've heard in awhile. Makes this non-rhythmic white boy think he can dance! There are new discoveries on each listen; Charlie Brown piano, indie rock type noise, old school hip-hop rhyming schemes, 60's AM radio staples and so much more. A must have! Best Tracks: Ladyflash, Bottle Rocket, Everyone's A V.I.P. To Someone

Arular–On our way to Coachella this year, we heard Sunshowers on the radio and it was so wonderful I immedietly scrapped my plans to skip M.I.A. to see The Fiery Furnaces. I ended seeing one of my all time favorite sets and caught on to those skeletal beats and dubby samples that I still can't get out of my head. I also highly reccomend the M.I.A./Diplo Piracy Funds Terrorism mix tape as a companion piece to this one, it reflects the live show a little better. Best Tracks: Bingo, Bucky Done Gun, Galang

Absence–I could've sworn I got this in 2004, but the record label site has it out in Feb. 2005 which makes it fair game. Heavy stuff with great thunderous beats and authoritve rhymes. The best part, however, is the noise that accompanies it all. Kind of a mix of DJ Shadowdrum cutting stuff and My Bloody Valentinewall of guitar soundbeds. Awesome! Best Tracks: In The Midst Of Struggle, Opiate For The Masses

My Morning Jacket "Z"–Apparantly Last.FM doesn't have this in the database to be linked, which is too bad cause it's great. A much lusher sound for MMJ getting away from the trebly aspects of their past records. Very deep and intricate, impressive. Best Tracks: Wordless Chorus, Dondante,
What A Wonderful Man

Get Behind Me Satan–How does a two-piece band continue to progress and stay fresh? Apparantly by adding a couple new instruments, although sparingly, and somehow getting even more sparse. This is an eerie album, fairly dark (with the exception of "My Doorbell") and a grower for sure. However taking the time makes it incredibly rewarding on repeat listenings. Bonus points for the best ever use of a marimba in rock history! Best Tracks: The Nurse, My Doorbell, Take, Take, Take

The Mouse & The Mask–Anything involving MF Doom is worth checking out and this time he brings along Danger Mouse to concoct a deft combonation of off kilter rhymes with great hooky samples and beats. It may help to be a fan of Adult Swim (or at least be familiar with the toons that they run) to get the bizarro cartoon voices that open and close some tracks. Nonetheless, I'll take Brak, Space Ghost and the Aqua Teen Hunger Force Crew over much of the other voices I hear in hip hop today! Best Tracks: Basket Case, Old School

rogue wave "Descended Like Vultures"–Dreamy pop with great songmanship and silky smooth melodies. Gets under your skin real quick, comforting like a tall glass of warm milk.
Best Tracks: Bird On A Wire, 10:1

Honorable Mention:
Gimme Fiction
twin cinema
clap your hands say yeah
menomena–"Under An Hour"
the kingsbury manx–"Fast Rise And Fall Of The South"
Andrew Bird And The Mysterious Production Of Eggs
Set Yourself On Fire
the repulsion box
EP

Best Shows:

M.I.A. Coachella 05/01
The Secret Machines Coachella 04/30
The Arcade Fire Coachella 05/01
The Decemberists w/ Sons And Daughters Marquee Theater, Tempe, AZ 09/18
The Magic Numbers Vegoose 10/30
The Flaming Lips Vegoose 10/30

…whew