2005年 Dec 20日 Tuesday, 5:06

I have always wanted to make one of these, but it seems strange for this year because I discovered and loved so much music that did not come out in 2005…anyways here are my picks:

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

Shut up. I know what you are going to say, I have come close to saying it myself, but this album was pretty much perfect for me when it came out, midway through my freshman year. Emmylou Harris makes it all worthwhile.

9. Final Fantasy - Has A Good Home

I actually just got this album a couple days ago, though This is the Dream of Win and Regine has been in heavy rotation for weeks. It looks as though I will love it forever.

8. Lavender Diamond - The Cavalry of Light

Lavender Diamond are beautiful and refreshing and earnest, and I cannot wait for them to come out with more music. Seeing them live at the Grove House was one of the most intimate, emotional shows I have ever been to. You Broke My Heart is an epic.

7. Sufjan Stevens - Illinois

You all know. You really do. This needs no explanation.

6. Of Montreal - The Sunlandic Twins

I actually ended up listening to their earlier albums much more this year, but this one got plenty of play. It is excellent for getting your dance on, and how can you not love a line like: "Let's pretend we don't exist…let's pretend we're in Antarctica".

5. Phosphorescent - Aw Come Aw Wry

This album is absolutely moving, and I already wrote about it in my other journal entry. You should know this, though; when the instruments drop out in Endless Pt. 2 and it's all rich harmony and ethereal choir I stop whatever I am doing and sit completely still.

4. The Decemberists - Picaresque

I have loved the Decemberists since Castaways and Cutouts came out, and saw them in concert in May. Picaresque just made me love them even more. This album continues in their grand, rich tradition while still being innovative and fresh. Bonus points for the extra songs on the vinyl. Bandit Queen rocks my socks.

3. Devendra Banhart - Cripple Crow

I am truly and deeply in love with Devendra. I want him to whisk me away and dance with me and sing to me and give me some of whatever he's on. Some critics faulted this album for being too long, but I love that about it; the huge amount of material allows for a ton of diversity, stylistically and content-wise. Quetate Luna, I Feel Like a Child, and I Do Dig a Certain Girl are highlights but there really is no song on the album that I dislike.

2. The Mountain Goats - The Sunset Tree

"Our mother has been absent/Ever since we founded Rome/But there's gonna be a party when the wolf comes home." John Darnielle is an amazing lyricist on this album as ever, and as with his other albums there is a story in it that unravels as you listen in detail. The Mountain Goats are pretty much the best thing ever to happen to me. Pretty much. This #2 slot is due in part to "Come, Come to the Sunset Tree", the vinyl-only release which I have listened to over and over (although I wish I actually owned a copy); Collapsing Stars is perfect.

1. Animal Collective - Feels

You knew it was coming; Animal Collective are the most original band I have ever heard. I love this album so much that I don't even know where to start; once again there is another journal entry on it for more info. Something about this album touches something deep inside me. I feel compelled to run and jump and dance and scream and ululate. It makes me want to…feel.

p.s. sorry for the cheesy ending. i really am.
p.p.s wolf parade gets an honorable mention.
p.p.p.s so does no flashlight.