Hoppin' JohnI wasn't especially motivated to make any sort of year-end lists for 2005, but I managed to come up with a few songs that were released this past year that I think you may enjoy. They are YouSendIt files, so you'll have to left-click on the link before you can download it. Enjoy.
The National -
All the WineThe National released a great album in 2005, entitled
Alligator.
Alligator sort of came and went, without any sort of special recognition that Sufjan Stevens or Wolf Parade received. "All the Wine" is an excellent example of what this album has to offer. If you bother to check out any album from 2005 that may hold up for years to come, check out
Alligator.
Jens Lekman -
Rocky Dennis' Farewellsong (To the Blind Girl)Jens Lekman's success story, while I am very excited for him, really confused me. This guy has been making high-quality pop music for several years now, and a compilation full of music
already released (
Oh You're So Silent Jens) has garnered him a substantial amount of respect in the music world. "Rocky Dennis' Farewellsong" is a nice companion to the 1985 film
Mask, which tells the story of
Rocky Dennis. Anyway, I am very happy for his success, and am glad to see
he isn't giving up the biz.Elbow -
Mexican StandoffElbow have come a long way since their 2001 debut,
Asleep In The Back, and many of their fans didn't like the changes that came along with
Leaders Of The Free World. People complained of the songs sounding the same, or lacking feeling that songs off of the last two albums had. I couldn't disagree with those accusations any more. "Forget Myself," "Mexican Standoff," and "Leaders Of The Free World" are all very memorable tracks. I'm sure I'll be returning to this album, just as I have with Asleep In The Back and
Cast Of Thousands.
Ryan Adams and The Cardinals -
Cherry LaneEveryone probably knows by now how big of a
Ryan Adams fan I am. I've put this guy on practically every mix that I hand out, trying to prove that he really isn't a talentless hack. Everyone also knows that he put out three albums in 2005 -
Cold Roses,
Jacksonville City Nights, and
29. Cold Roses was the album that got the most praise and positive press, although I believe Jacksonville City Nights is my pick for number one. 29, while being a good album that deserves being released alongside the other two, contains songs that the casual Adams fan probably wouldn't instantly connect with. It took me several listens before I became a full-fledged 29 fan. The song contained in this post, "Cherry Lane," comes from Cold Roses. It's my favorite song from the double-disc set, from the first disc (happens to be the one which gets the least respect). If you have come to believe that Ryan Adams
is a huge tool, please set aside your opinion for four minutes and thirty-one seconds and see why this guy is worth listening to.
Doves -
SnowdenBack in February, I said that Doves had recorded my favorite album of the year. I still stand next to this statement, with Some Cities. Doves, while being a band that I enjoy, weren't exactly my first choice for releasing my number one album of 2005. Every song on that album is worthy of multiple listens. Stand out tracks include "Black and White Town," "Snowden," "The Storm," "Sky Stars Falling," "Walk In Fire," "One Of These Days," and "Some Cities."
Matt is also posting his favorite albums of 2005, so make sure to go and see how he thinks 2005 fared. I hope everyone has a Happy New Year. Don't forget to eat your
black-eyed peas (good luck) and
cabbage (good health).
chandler at 7:16 PM | |
