It's about that time again! Best of 2005!

[sxesven]

So, what are your favourite releases of 2005? Some geek underground indie rock album no one ever heard of? That Madonna album? Something good? Something bad? I reckon 2005 was an excellent year for music and had a boatload of brilliant releases. So please, do post your lists of favourites! And if you feel like it, a little comment with each of them would be very welcome. Can't wait to see everyone's lists (because, hell yes, I LOVE lists).

My list of 2005 is as following (in somewhat of an order):

1. Iron & Wine - Woman King
Just an EP, just six songs, but not just songs. As ever, Iron & Wine has created, once more, truly beautiful music that brings tears to the eyes; a hushed voice, soft guitar picking, and, new this time, somewhat 'heavier' arrangements (as audible on the opening and closing tracks). Astonishing.

2. Fiona Apple - Extraordinary Machine

So everybody said it would suck. So everybody thought it was a bad, bad move to ditch Jon Brion and get Mike Elizondo to produce. And everybody was wrong. Granted, with a Jon Brion production the album might have been even better, but not much, because Extraordinary Machine is, once again, a masterpiece.

3. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

Amazingly energetic record in the vein of Neutral Milk Hotel and the like, but more cheerful and happier and dancy. Fascinating stuff, and highly satisfying. Best debut of 2005!

4. Antony & The Johnsons - I Am A Bird Now

Antony already won the Mercury Prize this year, and well deserved it too. I Am A Bird Now is an album that's so beautiful, it hurts. A thrilling voice and superb arrangements, in combination with gripping lyrics ("Hope there's someone/that will take care of me/when I die") make for an astonishing album.

5. Calexico | Iron & Wine - In The Reins

Now, I like Calexico a lot. And I simply adore Iron & Wine. So you can imagine how much I like this EP. Very, very much. Seven songs (of which only one, Red Dust, is a tad weaker), including brilliant works such as 'Sixteen, Maybe Less' ("I met my wife at a party when I drank too much/My son is married and tells me we don't talk enough"). Beautiful.

6. Devendra Banhart - Cripple Crow

Devendra is the man. He pretty much helped to gain recognition for the freakfolk-scene single-handedly (having promoted artists like Joanna Newsom, Antony, and Vetiver) and makes some f'n sweet albums, too. Cripple Crow is no exception. Excellent!

7. Angels Of Light & Akron/Family - Akron/Family & Angels Of Light

Eh, wow! While the Angels Of Light songs are excellent, the Akron/Family compositions are beyond brilliant. Too awesome. Too great. So, yeah. Awesome.

8. Six Organs Of Admittance - School Of The Flower

More brilliant freak-folk, although Six Organs Of Admittance draws his influences from elsewhere, which is very much audible. His noisy interpretation of hushed guitar music is astonishing.

9. Aimee Mann - The Forgotten Arm

You can't go wrong with Aimee Mann. You just can't. She's brilliant. Every single album she releases is rock-solid from start to finish. Just like this one. Not one weak song. Amazing.

10. Vashti Bunyan - Lookaftering

Vashti returns to the folk-scene after 35 (long years)! Yay! And it's not just an album she released here, hell no, it's Lookaftering. Beauty expressed in near-silent stillness. *sniff* Amazing.

11. Animal Collective - Feels

Animal Collective? They're crazy, yo! Hell crazy! Just like this album! Hell crazy, although not as crazy as previous efforts. But still crazy! Yo. Crazy!

12. UA - Breathe

Last year, UA released Sun, which is one of my all-time favourites. While Breathe is not as good as the genius Sun, it's still astonishing. Just excellent.

13. Sufjan Stevens - Illinois

This Stevens-kid is doing a series of records, each one of them dedicated to one of the states of the USA. He did Michigan before this, and now it's Illinois. And it's great. I love how Illinois sounds, I reckon.

14. MU - Out Of Breach (Manchester's Revenge)

Demented electro? MU is what you're looking for. "Stop bothering Michael Jackson"? "We love guys named Luke"? I'm lovin' it.

15. Andrew Bird - Andrew Bird & The Mysterious Production Of Eggs

Great album, highly recommended to everyone. Good stuff!

16. Animal Collective & Vashti Bunyan - Prospect Hummer

Animal Collective ánd Vashti Bunyan?! teh!

17. Orange Juice - The Glasgow School

Brilliant collection of demos, lives and other rarities of one of the most overlooked post-punk/new-wave-ish bands of the 80s.

18. Architecture In Helsinki - In Case We Die

Hell yes.

19. Explosions In The Sky - The Rescue

Totally.

20. Mono/Pelican - Split

Mono <3

-

So, of course, this could very well be a different list in three months, but still, it's nice to make 'em. Can't wait to see other lists!

[Catzi]

I've got a short list.

Breakaway - Kelly Clarkson
late resigtration - Kanye West
L.A.M.B - Gwen Stefani

[TNeilson]

Originally Posted by sxesven

(because, hell yes, I LOVE lists).

this thread reminds me how many CDs i bought in this year. nearly 300. O_o
I'll make it short. so here's my list.

01. Charlotte Church - Tissues and Issues
I guess I've said like hundred times that I love this album. well, this album is 'something' to me, and I love most of the tracks on it. though I can't really get with Charlotte's pop-ish voice, but I'm pretty comfort with it now.

02. Hilary Duff - Most Wanted
This is not my favorite Hilary release, but I think some of the tracks on this CD is really 'Most Wanted'.

03. Mariah Carey - The Emancipation of MiMi
I hate Mariah's last album 'Charmbracelet'. so I hesitated while purchsing this album, but after I listen to this album again and again, I think it's not bad to hear Mariah hip-hop.

04. Joey - Love Joey Love 2
I don't listen to Cantonese pop, but Joey is my only favorite Cantonese singer.
though she released two album in 2005, but nothings better than a Best album.

05. Kelly Clarkson - Breakaway
since I heard 'Breakaway' while watching 'Pricess Diaries: Royal Engagement', I just know Kelly's new album will be different. so, now she's successful. what more I can say?

06. 浜崎あゆみ - MY STORY
You don't like this album?
Are you kidding me?

07. Various - The OC Mix 1
yeah, this is not a 2005 release, but it released in October here. (I know, I know, pathetic!) I've been an OC fan since 2003 when OC just came out, but I never got an opportunity to watch it, until this year, Warner Home Entertainment Asia decided to release the first season of OC on DVD. (I know, pathetic!) and finally I can watch it now. (PS. if anyone knows about The OC, tell me the answer... I know that Teresa is pregnant now, but please tell me that's not Ryan's kid! I mean, the show is all about Ryan, Josh wouldn't let him to have a kid...right?)

08. Coldplay - X&Y
I have nothing to talk about it, I just love this album.

09. Britney Spears - Someday (I Will Understand) Japan Edition
unlike the other versions, Japan got bonus tracks as usual, I called the International version a 'Single', but Japan's Edition is more like an 'EP'.
'Someday' just beautiful and amazing. I'm speechless when I heard it first time.
the lyrics and the feelings are pretty strong.

10. Raphaël - Caravane
I bought many French CDs in 2005, and Raphaël's new album just my favorite one. all the tracks are nice and easy-listening.

11. James Blunt
'You're Beautiful' is one the song from my 'Songs of 2005' list. I bought James's CD with Daniel Powter's, I know I shouldn't compare them together, but these two albums gave me some similar feelings, so if I must to, I'll choose James's.

12. Robbie Williams - Intensive Care
I've been expecting for Robbie's new studio work for a long time, so now he did it. another wicked album! it's better than I thought. though I miss the old days of "Guy Chamber x Robbie Williams = Perfect". but I'm surprise that Robbie is not a singer/artist that can without Guy, the truth is, he's getting more marvelous than he used to.

[*Petit*]

Can we post fav songs too? Or is this a release only thread?

[Cyria]

ES Posthumus: Unearthed
Mixing classical and world music. This is just the kind of thing I love and can listen to over and over again.
Madonna: Confessions on a Dance Floor
Her best since Ray of Light. A coherent album that makes the most of its theme.
Sugababes: Taller in More Ways
Delicious pop with a bit of edge. The 'babes are as good as ever.

Asian music not included, these are the albums that stand out.

There were a couple of heavily anticipated releases that ended up disappointing me. Thinking up a list of CDs I loved made me realize that I haven't actually been listening to a great deal of new music this year. It seems I've spent most of the time completing my collection of old work by artists I've liked.

sxesven, who are Architecture In Helsinki?

[sxesven]

Originally Posted by *Petit*

Can we post fav songs too? Or is this a release only thread?

Go ahead, favourite songs lists are welcome as well! ^_^ I'll try and compose one, too, that should be fun.

Originally Posted by Cyria

sxesven, who are Architecture In Helsinki?

A brilliant eclectic pop-rock band hailing from Melbourne, Australia - not Finland, which the name suggests, haha. ^_^

[BanFan]

Originally Posted by pc006886

06. 浜崎あゆみ - MY STORY
You don't like this album?
Are you kidding me?

MY STORY was released in December 2004.

[ImpactBreaker]

Originally Posted by BanFan

MY STORY was released in December 2004.

But I think it counts as 2005. This thread was created while December 05 has not even finished yet....I think you can't even rate albums released on December 05 because they're soooo brand new...I dunno.

[sxesven]

Lists of a certain year most often contain albums from about October/November the year before until October, maybe November of the year itself. A regular 'music' year is more like November - October rather than January - December. This is partly because most magazines and such start publishing yearlists in October and November (this thread is pretty late, for instance). Thus, the inclusion of MY STORY may seem odd, but it was released by the end of December 2004, so it's pretty much valid (technically not, of course, but that's something different). Whether the composer of the list includes albums from the last months of the year before is up to him or her; I, for example, only list albums released in the year itself, but that means there's about a month of music releases that's not covered by any list. Still though, it'd feel strange to list The Arcade Fire's Funeral, for instance.

Ah, the merits of composing lists.

/edit/

Crap, Impact beat me to it, haha.

[bulmasman]

Well, here's my albums for the year I'm planning to do a singles/songs list, but maybe without the comments for all of them . The list would have been bigger but i kept it to album released since January only.

Albums:

Spitz – Souvenir WOW simple as that. Spitz, the second best band of all time (next to X-Japan) pulled off another stunning album. This is such an uplifting album, I always have to tap my foot when I hear it. They’re such an incredible band and this is an album deserving of them.

Younha – GO! Younha Now, I’d expected an awful lot of this album befoe I heard it and all I can say is WOW. In my opinion she delivered on all of my expectations, which is surprising as they were pretty darn high. Almost every song in this album is infectious, it gets into your head and you just can’t help but sing/hum along with it. A cracking album from one of my current favourite singers

Shakira – Fijacion Oral 1 It was gonna be good from the start It IS Shakira after all ^_^ what more can I say?

Tsukiko Amano – A MOON CHILD IN THE SKY This is probably one of my biggest surprises of the year. I’d never heard anything by Tsukiko before this album, and at first I wasn’t too sure whether I liked it that much or not, but it steadily grew on me ^_^. This is a fantastic album and I’m surprised I hadn’t listened to anything by her before. Great stuff.

Gackt – DIABOLOS Considering I’d barely listened to Gackt for months I hadn’t held much hope for this album (I’d dropped off when he kept releasing all those ballads lol). Little did I know this was a return to form for the great singer. Though by far not his best work, it sticks with me as a musical highlight of the year.

Jay Chou – November’s Chopin A great album from Jay. I’ve listened to him on and off for the passed few months, but then I heard this album and it was another that really stuck with me.

BoA – Girls on Top FINALLY something from BoA that peeked my interest and brought back memories of why I originally started to like her. This was much better than a lot of her passed works, though different to a lot of her passed works aswell ^^.

[BanFan]

Oh pah, I guess you're right ImpactBreaker.

I need to come up with my list now. There were a lot of good new albums, but also a lot of artists who either had bleh releases or no releases...

[Nu-NRG]

not in order~
Jay Chou - November's Chopin
alot of them in the album are good but sounds really similar to his previous works(isn't it all of his songs sound the same?) but the first song November's Chopin it's AMAZING well afterall this IS Jay Chou ^_^

Black Eyed Peas - Monkey Business
it's sad that this will be their final album release as a group..anyhow
the song "Don't Funk With My Heart" it's so damn catchy

Kelly Clarkson - Breakaway
wow...I finally see why they pick her to be the idol winner...
she got a great voice, the song Because Of You(not the ayu song )
sounds soooooooo good. I've been listening to her album ever since it was on sale and I don't think I will be putting the cd away on the shelf for awhile~

Jolin Tsai - J-Game
I have to admit that I'M DEEPLY IN LOVE with Jolin
anyhow, as much as I like this album I think her last one "Castle" is better since there are songs composed by Jay.
I like the "Owned Myth" the melody is really nice and the chinese instrument+r&b is interesting..I believe this is the song composed by Leehom

Koda Kumi - secret
ok..this has to be Kuu's best album after all this time
I really enjoy alot of the songs on this album..and the dvd @_@
CUTIE HONEY is a cute, happy song and SHAKE IT...that song rocks
I don't mind her appearance at all...in fact I love how she is dressing now

Justin Lo - Justin
this guy..you just can't argue about his talent
I've seen him sing live...and HOLY fackle...he hit the high notes like hitting the highest keys on a piano @_@
I'm pretty sure he'll be getting alot of new male artist awards if not...the best new comer

Eminem - Curtain Call -Best Hits
one word pwned~

t.A.t.U - Dangerous & Moving
the songs in the albums are good but still can't be compare to their debut...that one was much better

Janice - Day & Night + My Love ( both released this year)
besides Justin another newcomer should be gettng alot of awards if not...then the judges are stupid. Her singing styles remind me of some western artists(ones that can really sing) afterall she's a mix ...Korean+Thai+Chinese I think..

m-flo - BEAT SPACE NINE
this is another album that got alot of potential to sell alot..but some of those songs arn't as good as their previous works
but atleast they still got LISA to duet with them for the song TRIPOD BABY
oh and Yoshika's voice sounded like Hikki's voice at first

Melissa O'Neil(debut album)
this girl can surely sing at the age of just 17 and she outshine every single contestant on the new season of Canadian Idol
and music styles are pretty much the same as Kelly Clarkson's Breakaway
and yes she won too

I'll update this list...theres alot of great releases but can't remember them right now

[drewbilation]

01. Ami Suzuki - AROUND THE WORLD
02. Biyuuden - Suite Room Number 1
03. Chieco Kawabe - brilliance
04. Kumi Koda - BEST ~first things~
05. Mariah Carey - The Emancipation of Mimi
06. Nami Tamaki - Make Progress
07. Namie Amuro - Queen of Hip-Pop
08. Nana Katase - RELOADED ~Perfect Singles+DVD~
09. Natasha Beddingfield - Unwritten
10. t.A.T.u. - Dangerous and Moving

I'm too lazy to write out descriptions, but they're all wonderful and should be listened to, yay!

[Reya Dawnbringer]

Here's my favorites of the year, in order:

1. UA - Breathe
So UA is always insanely fresh and original, but this is far and away my favorite release of the year. With the amazing Uchihashi Kazuhisa's compostions, UA's interesting lyrics, and the simple-yet-lush arrangements, you can't go wrong by listening to this.

2. Lou Rhodes - Beloved One
This is the Lamb frontwoman's debut solo album. It's actually more consistent than any previous Lamb release, albeit without the crazy techno beats. Rhodes' songwriting and the beautiful acoustic arrangements more than make up for that, though.

3. Aimee Mann - The Forgotten Arm
Like Beloved One, this album is also ridiculously consistent. Not a single track feels like filler, and songs like Video and Little Bombs are probably my favorite Aimee Mann songs ever.

4. Ani DiFranco - Knuckle Down
Interestingly enough, both The Forgotten Arm and Knuckle Down were produced by Joe Henry, and that's pretty obvious after listening to them both. Knuckle Down is the first Ani DiFranco album to feature string arrangements, and they suit her songs really well.

5. Beck - Guero
People probably don't think of "fun" when they think of alternative music, but Beck definitely has a lot of fun in his latest. I feel like I'm listening to a credible HALCALI song when I hear Qué Onda Guero...it's just awesome.

6. Kate Bush - Aerial
Kate Bush's first in 12 years definitely doesn't disappoint. She made a massive double album that features everything Kate Bush fans love about her, including her insane lyrics (Washing machine....washing machine.)

7. Mika Nakashima - Glamorous Sky
OK, so it's only four songs, but Mika's voice has never been used so well before in 18 minutes. Seriously, the fact that these four songs are better than most entire albums released this year must be something.

8. Imogen Heap - Speak for Yourself
Consistent and beautiful in the same manner as Lou Rhodes and Aimee Mann, but this time it's lush electro-pop. Another album where you won't find a single bad track.

9. Chisako Mikami - Here
The fra-foa singer's second solo album. Although it's not really as amazing as either fra-foa album, it's still a listen-worthy effort (and Kami no Ki is probably my favorite song of the year.)

10. M.I.A. - Arular
The album that everyone seems to be talking about is actually pretty worthy of the buzz. It's beat-driven, hard, campy, and violent all at the same time. (i.e. awesome.)

11. Emiliana Torrini - Fisherman’s Woman
Just like Lou Rhodes, trip-hopper Emiliana Torrini has decided to go acoustic folk...and also makes her best album yet. It's not higher on the list because it suffers from lack of consistency and pseudo-boredom at times, but that's not to say it isn't great as a whole.

12. Happy Rhodes - Find Me
This is Happy's first release in 7 years, and the actual album hasn't been released yet (just the 8-song sampler.) Anyway, this album is more linear and less crazy than Many Worlds Are Born tonight, her previous album, but it's still original and beautiful in its own right.

[pbs1605]

1. Melanie C - Beautiful Intensions
2. Kelly Clarkson - Breakaway
3. Kate Dearugo - A Place I've Never Been
Short list for me.

[Mad_Cactuar]

Tori Amos - The Beekeeper
Who CARES if she got mellow? She still makes awesome music and the lyrics are much more singable this time. Her previous work was really unsuitable for karaoke sessions. This one is so sweet and cohesive. Music is brilliant, pianos and organs amazing. A really refreshing change from the usual heavy stuff she bombards us with.
"Can somebody tell me now, Who is this terrorist? Is it those girls who smile kindly, and rip your life to pieces?"

The Cardigans - Super Extra Gravity
I stood Jem up for this album and I've never even known them much aside from that crazy Lovefool song. And what a pleasant surprise. So lovable. So sombre. So catchy. Love the lyrics like hell. I started listening out for lyrics after owning this album. This showed me lyrics can make songs nicer. Plus the cover is really cool.
Love, Throwing rocks through the windows of a monastery...

Rachel Stevens - Come And Get It
Best pop record. Ever. Enough said. Like Stylus said, "**** cohesiveness". You dont need that in a record like this. Waiting for my copy agonizingly.
I'd like to watch you suffer ever so slightly, You better watch your back, you better beware...

The Corrs - Home
So amazingly traditional. I like the lyrics too, feels very Irish and very english. Quite other-worldly. A zillion times better than Borrowed Heaven. Also cohesive, unlike many stuff I buy these days. I love this album a lot. An uxpected surprise, i was almost regretting buying it after I stepped out of the CD shop and stood up Ayu's Never Ever single.
Your hills and dales and flowery vales, That lie near the Moorlough Shore...

[Raleigh]

Madonna - Confessions on a Dance Floor
This album got me pretty interested in this artist which can still top the charts after so many years.

Kelly Clarkson - Breakaway
I'm enjoying her latests releases and I'm satisfied with what she's released in this album.

Robbie Williams - Intensive Care
Who would have imagined Robbie Williams actually managing to become successful after Take That? I'm impressed with his career and this album just tops it up with excellence.

Eminem - Curtain Call -Best Hits
I didn't like this artist when I first heard of him but I'll be impressed of his talent, attitude and songs.

Gwen Stefani Hollaback Girl. I love this song. Definetly the best song of 2005.