Dan Kanye West – Late Registration Doug Steve Barton - Charm Offensive Evan The Go! Team – Thunder, Lightning, Strike Jess Kanye West – Late Registration
Matt Bright Eyes – I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning
Steve K. Sigur Ros – Takk
Steve P. Sufjan Stevens - Illinois Runners Up:
Peter I was poor this year, and had trouble affording, you know, actual albums ( by the way, can anyone give me a job?); however, I'm here with a list of songs for my fellow poverty-stricken friends, ones that can be found easily or fairly easily online... and all well worth your free time, which is all the time. Enjoy! New Order - “Krafty”: I wasn't around for Joy Division, or early New Order, but I'll tell you what – I love both manifestations, and any time the latter puts out something new, I'll put it on my list; they deserve it. Despite the fact that this song is a bit poppy for my taste, any blend of techno and rock you hear is nothing more than a poor man's derivative of New Order, and this song is yet another example of their influence. The Strokes – “You Only Live Once”: That's right, they're back, and I don't care if you pretend you hate them, they're undeniable…there's no talking about this song, you can find it online, and if you don't already have it, you know you want it. Serena Maneesh – “Selena's Melody Fountain”: Norwegian garage rockers with a penchant for My Bloody Valentine and classic rock solos. Deerhoof – “Spirit Ditties of No Tone”: Satomi Matsuzaki's breezy light vocals over the angular guitar work and light fuzz rank among their most accessible yet most wonderful songs, and remember, the song isn't over when you hear the buzz. Guitar Wolf – “Jet Generation”: Is it from this year? No… but to be honest, I don't see the point you're trying to make. Bass Wolf did die this year; therefore, in honor of one of the best Japanese rock bands ever, I will neglect the rules for this amazing basement punk song. LCD Soundsystem – “Tribulations”: This minimalist masterpiece from a piece of the DFA production team will end up buzzing in your head when you least expect it. While James Murphy sings like he's about to fall asleep from boredom, the buzzing back beat makes sure you don't. Once you hear it, if you haven't already, it will infest your BRAIN. M.I.A – “10 Dollar”: Mixing grime and dirty house across the album, while singing the sexiest politics I've heard in a long time, M.I.A's first album has at least half a dozen songs that could be on this list. This song however, contains trumpets…one of my weaknesses. While this is one of the more difficult songs on the list to find online, it's worth the frustration. Lightning Bolt – “2 Morro Morro Land”: One of the new songs off of Hypermagic Mountain, and probably the most rocking song of this year and the next. The guitar blisters in front of a wall of fuzz and pounding drums, making you bang your head until you're in a wheelchair. Clap Your
Hands Say Yeah! – “Upon This Tidal Wave of Young Blood”: Another
example of a band that could have multiple songs on the list this
year, they sound like really good Sleater-Kinney – “What's Mine is Yours”: They left Kill Rock Stars last year for Sub Pop, saying they needed a change. At the time, I was skeptical, thinking maybe it was more to broaden their influence (deservedly so), but when I heard Dave Fridmann (Mercury Rev) was producing, I reconsidered. Oh lordy, am I glad I reconsidered, or I would have been considered quite the fool; not only have these women retained all the spit and fire that first drew me to them, but they have now added incredible Zepplin-esque solos/breakdowns without the obvious downside of the classic rock kings… the sucking. Sleater-Kinney are still among the royalty of rock, indie or otherwise. Gordon Helloween – Keeper of the Seven Keys Part III: The Legacy (SPV). The pumpkins are back with the third chapter of the Keeper saga. It’s been worth the wait; these are two discs of songs that belong in any metal fan’s collection. Masterplan – Aeronautics (AFM). The songs on this CD can be listened to over and over again. It’s catchy, melodic, and a must for any metal fan. Kamelot – The Black Halo (Century Media). Brilliant. While they do not explore new ground, they are still head and shoulders above most other metal bands. Hellfueled – Volume I (Nuclear Blast). Vocals sound like Ozzy, guitars sound like Zakk Wylde. What they lack in originality, they more than make up in crafting a killer CD that rocks from start to finish. Gamma Ray – Majestic (Sanctuary). German metal legends return with their strongest CD in over a decade. Sonata Arctica – Reckoning Night (Century Media). A mature release from a Finnish band that keeps on getting better with age. Kiuas – Spirit of Ukko (Spinefarm). Mixing melody and aggression, Finland’s Kiuas has created a debut album that is unforgettable. Rob Rock – Holy Hell (AFM). Rob Rock has succeeded in doing something no other Christian metal band has done before – creating a brilliant album from start to finish that doesn’t force religion down your throats. Force of Evil – Black Empire (Escapi). What’s not to love? Brilliant CD where each song is a tribute to a different horror movie. Thy Majestie – Jeanne D’Arc (Scarlet). Italian epic bombastic power metal with clean vocals and technical musicians. A must for any fan of the genre. Biggest Embarassment of 2005 Midnight – Sakada (Black Lotus). The once mighty voice of Crimson Glory comes out of seclusion to give us the most unlistenable album since Metallica’s St. Anger. It’s so bad, I won’t even sell this mess on eBay.
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