Best of 2005

2 L 0 E 0 E 5

1. Spoon - Gimme Fiction (Merge)  
   The best "album" of the year deserves the top spot.   While its parts all sparkle, this one really shines when taken as a whole.   A fascinating and engaging release whose intent hits you immediately, but whose brilliance overtakes you after every consequent listen.
2. Robbie Fulks - Georgia Hard (Yep Rock)  
   Is this 2005 or 1975?   Either way, this is one of the best Country albums ever.   Brilliant songwriting and flawless execution are expected with Fulks' records, but this just might be his best one yet...
3. Paul McCartney - Chaos And Creation In The Backyard - (Capitol)  
   Macca's back.   Boy howdy, is Macca back.   His best in 20 years and a worthy addition to the canon.   And nothing embarrassing like "Sweet Neo Con."
4. Marjorie Fair - Self Help Serenade (Capitol)  
   What if Lobo had joined Pink Floyd instead of David Gilmour?   This record might answer that question
5. Beck - Guero (Interscope)  
   A more focused Mr. Hansen than we've heard in a long time.   And, we're glad.
6. Hot Hot Heat - Elevator (Sire)  
   Sure, it's obvious that they love Drums And Wires .   So what?   Who doesn't?
7. Death Cab For Cutie - Plans (Atlantic)  
   Dark.   Great, but dark.   Did I mention this one's dark?   And, it's great.
8. I Am Kloot - Gods And Monsters (Echo)  
   I must admit, I checked them out strictly because of their name.   I'm sure glad I did.
9. New Order - Waiting For The Sirens' Call (Warner Bros.)  
   Sometimes an album makes you forget what year it is and how good a band is.   This one does.
10. OK Go - Oh No (Capitol)  
    This one's here because I really like it.   I can't tell you why - I just do.

Honorable Mention:

B.C. Camplight - Hide Run Away (One Little Indian)

The Darkness - One Way Ticket To Hell...And Back (Atlantic)

The Decemberists - Picaresque (Kill Rock Stars)

The Go! Team - Thunder, Lighting, Strike (Columbia)

Hal - Hal (Rough Trade)

New Pornographers - Twin Cinema (Matador)

Josh Rouse - Nashville (Ryko)

Sigur Ros - Takk... (Geffen)

Sufjan Stevens - Illinois (Asthmatic Kitty)

Wolf Parade - Apologies To The Queen Mary (Sub Pop)

Reissues Of The Year

The Band - A Musical History (Capitol)

Bob Dylan - No Direction Home (Columbia)

Ken Nordine - Complete Word Jazz 1957-1960 (Hip-O Select)

Spanky & Our Gang - Complete Mercury Recordings (Hip-O Select)

Bruce Springsteen - Born To Run 30 th Anniversary Edition (Columbia)

Talking Heads - Brick (Sire/Rhino)

Various Artists - Just Say Sire (Sire/Rhino)