Top 25 Albums of 2005: Part 1 (25-11)

25. Common - Be

Be is not only Common's best so far, its also probably the most tightly edited hip-hop album in recent memory. Passionate, optimistic, and honest. No time for unneccessary skits, Common is too busy proving that a rap album can be mainstream and intelligent at the same time.

Stream the album here.

24. Akron/Family & Angels of Light - Akron/Family & Angels of Light Spilt LP

Overall, a pretty cohesive album considering its split between the two artists. Akron/Family's part overshadows Angels of Lights' best efforts and signals a marked growth for the band. This record has me anticipating new material from Akron/Family more than about any other band.

Akron/Family - "Raising the Sparks"

Akron/Family - "Moment"

23. The Clientele - Strange Geometry

Atmospheric dream-pop with great production and melodies. The Clientele have stumbled upon a sound that fits them well and they are also quite fond of...although sometimes you wish they'd branch out a bit more.

The Clientele - "EMPTY" (right click, "save target as")

The Clientele - "Since K Got Over Me" (right click, "save target as")

The Clientele - "(I Can't Seem To) Make You Mine"

22. Devendra Banhart - Cripple Crow

"A '60s psychedelic, experimental hippie-folk throwback, an invocation of lost, childish innocence delicately constructed with a deft musical touch." -Music Ohm.com. Um yeah. Terrific more often than not, yet somewhat frustrating at times...a sprawling album that has Banhart running the gamut of musical styles and almost invariably succeeding regardless of which musical hat he tries on.

Stream the album here.

21. Art Brut - Bang Bang Rock & Roll

A catchy and clever indictment of popular culture and modern rock 'n roll. Post-modern art punk for the masses. Hell, they even made a song about being unable to get it up sound well thought-out and entertaining.

Steam two of their best tunes on their MySpace page.

20. Bright Eyes - I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning

This album does not sound nearly as vital as it did when it was released way back in Janurary, but it still easily the best and most cohesive he's done. Although the Emmy Lou Harris guest vocal harmonies sound pretentious/forced and never quite mesh with Conor's (and correspond to making this album seem dangerously close to a Ryan Adams -Heartbreaker tribute), some of the finest examples of Americana in recent memory and the sound of one the of most talented young songwriters maturing make this album important.

Bright Eyes - "Lua" (right click, "save target as")

Bright Eyes "We Are Nowhere, and It's Now" (right click, "save target as")

19. Broken Social Scene - Broken Social Scene

Although they may be unable to ever top You Forgot It In People, there are moments of brillance on this album. The production dilutes the intensity of many of the songs and the last few songs on the album are weak, but solidifies BSS as the premier purvayers of indie mood music.

Preview the album here.

18. Sigur Ros - Takk

If Coldplay were Icelandic and didn't suck, this is what they would sound like. Even with (or maybe due to) their with other-worldly vocals, this album is quite accessible and sometimes breathtakingly beautiful.

Stream the album here.

17. Rogue Wave - Descended Like Vultures

This is what mainstream American rock radio should sound like.

Rogue Wave - "Publish My Love" (right click, "save target as")

Rogue Wave - "10:1"

16. Ryan Adams & the Cardinals - Cold Roses

The first and best of Ryan's three 2005 releases. The country-rock of Cold Roses finds Adams sounding his most comfortable and confident since his landmark debut Heartbreaker. 2005 saw Adams recovering nicely from his Rock N Roll mis-step and reminding us why we liked him in the first place. Keep the records coming.

Stream the album here.

15. The White Stripes - Get Behind Me Satan

At times the record does sound a bit rushed and like a work in progress, but there are intermittently some of Jack and Meg's best tracks scattered on this album. Sure, they have made better records, but a mediocre White Stripes record is still heads and shoulders above the vast majority of shit out there.

Stream the album here.

14. Stars - Set Yourself On Fire

Stars' third and best LP. Probably the best break-up album of the year and one of the best slices of indie-pop since the Postal Service's Give Up.

Stream the album here.

13. Kayne West - Late Registration

Although the album varies wildy in quality and is overly long, there are moments of true pop brillance as well. Kanye is probably the hardest working and most talented man in hip-hop, so its really no surprise this often great, mess of a second album is also the year's best in that genre.

12. The New Pornographers - Twin Cinema

On their 3rd LP, A.C. Newmann's troupe have offerred up their best collection of tunes yet. Hands-down, the indie-pop album of the year. Interplay between Neko Case and Newmann is brilliant and even Dan Bejar (of Destroyer) has his moment in the sun on the surprisingly great "Jackie Dressed in Cobras".

New Pornographers - "Use It" (right click, "save target as")

New Pornographers - "Twin Cinema" (right click, "save target as")

11. The Decemberists - Picaresque

Literate, lovelorn, and downright pretty folk-rock. Meloy's ambituous storytelling and lyrical prowess help make their brand of theatrical music sound both unique and immediately accessible...a difficult line to toe, indeed.

The Decemberists - "The Engine Driver" (right click, "save target as")