My Favorite Albums of 2005...

I'm bored as bananas in Bennettsville, SC (my hometown), and so its the perfect time for my best of 2005 list! I hate making these lists because I haven't always gotten a chance to listen to all the albums that get raved about, but of the ones I did, here are the ones that were in heavy rotation for me in 2005. I tried to include an mp3/video link when possible.

Wolf Parade - Apologies to the Queen Mary



This was my favorite album of 2005. It really grew on me like crazy after I saw them live at Northsix, where they totally killed it. These guys are fantastic and I can't wait to see what else they have in store. "It's a Curse" was probably my favorite track of 2005 (along with "Tribulations," more on that later...)

Grab an MP3 of "Disco Sheets," an awesome song from one of their old EPs here (via Central Village).

You can listen to more of their stuff and watch their video at their MySpace page.

Bloc Party - Silent Alarm



I was rocking this album hard during the wallpunch days, and its amazing. So many tight tracks. I'm really shocked Pitchfork only put it at 33 for their best of list. The Bloc Party show at Bowery was one of my favorite shows this year also.

Live MP3 of "Helicopter" at the LES Black Sessions - Right click, save target as... (found via BlocParty.net, where you can get the rest of that show and even more tracks!)

Optimo - How to Kill the DJ pt. 2



This was my favorite DJ mix from 2005. Phenomenal. Not only do you get a nice uptempto mix on Disc 1, but Disc 2 is a great compendium that just features a selection of cool tracks like "Another Thought" by Arthur Russell and awesome covers of "The Model" by Kraftwerk and "Guns of Brixton" by the Clash.

Click here for an MP3 of "Some Velvet Morning" by Lee Hazlewood and Nancy Sinatra.

Animal Collective - Feels



Wow. This album is remarkable simply for the fact the music is so out there, yet so catchy. I loved Sung Tongs and this is a great followup. These guys are on some next level shit.

Watch the video for their single "Grass" here.


LCD Soundsystem - LCD Soundsystem



During the end of 2004, all I did was keep checking for the leak of this album. It did not disappoint. "Tribulations" was probably my favorite track of 2005 (along with Wolf Parade's "It's a Curse," see up top). The LCD show at Webster Hall was probably my favorite live show this year. James Murphy brings a f'n army with him and they are all solid musicians, do not miss an opportunity to catch them live.

Here's a link to the awesome video for "Tribulations."

M.I.A. - Arular



I found out about MIA in late 2004 and, like everyone else, was very eager to see if her LP could live up to the tremendous hype built up via Piracy Funds Terrorism, "Galang," and the countless press pieces. Somehow, it does. I don't know what to write about this album, because everyone else has written it - "stunning debut," "wildly original sound," etc. All I can say is I listened to this album like crazy during the beginning of '05 and its a fine collection of songs.

Tom Vek - We Have Sound



I read about Vek a few months ago and he was described as a British dude kind of like LCD Soundsystem and Beck. I kind of see that I guess... This is a really good album, and somewhat underrated in my book. I missed his live shows this year, but I'll try to catch you in '06 Mr. Vek.

Grab an MP3 of "I Ain't Saying My Goodbyes" here at 3Hive.com.

Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - Worn Copy



I heard this album when I was wandering around Kim's and picked it up soon after. This thing is f'n insane. Ariel Pink was discovered by Animal Collective and they released his stuff on their Paw Tracks label soon after. The album has such a strange 70s pop/psych rock sound that works very well. Another underrated album of '05 in my opinion.

Here's an MP3 of "Jules Lost His Jules." Right click, save target as....

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