First Kiss – They Might Be Giants
Strange to say, this is the 500th post here. This is particularly exciting since at my current posting pace, I’ll not going to reach 1000 until somewhere in mid-2013. For now, I just thought it would be interesting to go back to the very first thing I wrote here: my top albums list for 2005 – see how my opinions have changed over the years and to see how well the sounds of a few years ago have stood up. And, since virtually all of these acts have released their follow-up in the intervening time, it’s useful for me to think about how they are progressing as artists.
Not sure if this will be interesting for anyone but me, but feel free to skip onto something else if you want.
1. Sufjan Stevens – Illinois
Absolutely. If anything, my opinion of this record has grown. Really, the only flaw was revealed when he released the outtakes a year later and we got a chance to wonder how he possibly could have left “The Henney Buggy Band” off this one.
2. Okkervil River – Black Sheep Boy
Another record which has only grown in my estimation, mostly based on hearing them live and experiencing the raggedness and raw power of these songs more personally.
3. New Pornographers – Twin Cinema
4. Stars – Set Yourself On Fire
Both very good (and far, far better than their successors), but as time goes one, I find myself only really listening to five or six tracks on each with any regularity. And “The Bleeding Heart Show” is one of a handful of songs that is in competition for song of the decade.
5. British Sea Power – Open Season
6. Decemberists – Picaresque
7. Bright Eyes – I’m Wide Awake It’s Morning
What was I thinking? Good records, for sure, but no way these should have been ranked this high. The first two followed up with better albums, while the new Bright Eyes record was fairly dull.
8. Wolf Parade – Apologies to the Queen Mary
Still a very singular record. Has stood the test of time well.
9. The National – Alligator
The first one to be severely underrated. Honestly, this would likely be my #3 for the year now. Okkervil River is clearly the best (and most consistently good) band in the world right now, but The National have a good case for being #2.
10. Mountain Goats – The Sunset Tree
“This Year” is a truly fantastic song, but the rest of the record has faded a little bit for me.
11. Mendoza Line – Full of Light and Full of Fire
Another one that should have been rated higher, based almost solely on the strength of two songs: “Catch a Collapsing Star” and “The Lethal Temptress” – both of which are among my favorite songs of the past five years.
12. My Morning Jacket – Z
The first serious mistake. What in the world was I thinking? I haven’t listened to this record in over a year, and have no desire to now. Everything I found uninteresting about Z was made clear in the trainwreck that is their newest record. Anyways, this was my first taste of buying into the hype. Lots of people said this was a good record and I had liked some of their earlier stuff, so I just assumed it was. Meh.
13. Death Cab for Cutie – Plans
As I mentioned yesterday this one has grown on me a lot. I gave it another chance on Beth’s recommendation and discovered it was a lot more sophisticated and appealing than I had thought. Still a bit of a drop from the heights of their earlier work, but Plans is nothing to be ashamed of.
14. Eels – Blinking Lights and Other Revelations
15. Cardigans – Super Extra Gravity
A perfect couple records for #14 and #15 – nothing to astonish you, but a lot of nice songs.
16. The Hold Steady – Separation Sunday
I agree with my assessment from the time in all respects but one: I drastically underrated “How a Resurrection Really Feels” which in one five minute song encapsulates everything that The Hold Steady has wanted their last three or four records to be.
17. Bruce Springsteen – Devils and Dust
Not as good as some of Bruce’s other recent records (Magic and The Rising), but substantially better than the similarly themed Ghost of Tom Joad.
18. Bloc Party – Silent Alarm
19. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah – Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Meh. I listen occasionally, but can’t say these flavors of ‘05 have stuck with me much.
20. Aimee Mann – The Forgotten Arm
I was hesitant to include this one then, and really shouldn’t have. It’s okay, but I haven’t really loved anything from Aimee Mann in a long time.
And on Honorable Mention that I got totally wrong:
Sleater-Kinney – The Woods.
How in the world did I leave this one so low? It’s (to my ears) their best record. “Modern Girl” is amazing, “Let’s Call It Love” and “Entertain” are colossal. And there’s virtually no weak moments. Should’ve been in the top 10.