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Through the Cracks Vol. 1

The Best Albums I Managed to Miss in 2005

The shape of my 40 Best Albums of 2005 would look dramatically different from top to bottom if I had heard these albums before December. So much better than the best-of-the-rest, the top three on this list can sit easily in my yearly top ten, and the bottom three are worth at very least an honorable mention. May the revisionism begin!

1. My Morning Jacket Z Skynnard for the post-Kid A era? Whatever it is, it comes fully loaded with sweeping dynamic shifts, real emotion, wit and plenty of freedom to rock out.

2. The National The Alligator Like Interpol and Spoon, The National work smart, darkly tinged indie rock up to a point just shy of anthemic but surely greater than the sum of its parts. Lyrics and textures linger and deserve the attention the band has been getting of late.

3. LCD Soundsystem s/t In truth this album could be a 63 minute extended mix of the first track "Daft Punk is Playing at My House" and not have suffered. Not that the other tracks are bad - it's a very good album start to finish - but the lead off single is just that good, easily my choice for song of the year. Indie dance punk with the right blend of scuffed chic, attitude, nuance and chops.

4. Danger Doom The Mouse & The Mask Another dream pairing from the MC behind the mask, DJ Danger Mouse scores MF Doom's bedrock deep and up to the minute rants.

5. Animal Collective Feels Still atmospheric, woodsy, and weird - this is their most melodic and accessible album to date. This sounds like the sleepy, cool other side an Elephant 6 pillow.

6. Bell Orchestre Recording a Tape the Colour of the Light Sonically sensitive (instrumental) post-rock from a few of the people who brought you the Arcade Fire. Less bombast and glory, but no less art and emotion and, as the name implies, a greater breadth of symphonic experimentation.

7. Sons & Daughters The Replusion Box Strutting and slightly tweaked guy / gal indie noise pop from the UK with a good jangle to screech ratio. Reminiscent of X in a really good way.

8. Jens Lekman Oh You're So Silent Jens Scandanavian dream pop auteur collects his various best efforts from EPs and others. Think Morrisey with a piano, lap top, velvet arm chair, a sense of restraint and a long winter.

9. Mommy & Daddy Duel at Dawn High octane Brooklyn guy / girl punk duo rocks it straight amid deeply smudged bass lines, a few digitally assisted beats and plenty of fuzzed guitar. Great hooks and sweaty delivery on every bar.

10. The Kills No Wow Not as strong as their debut LP Keep on Your Mean Side but still an infectious gutter draining blend of PJ Harvey and Jon Spencer Blues Explosion from yet another mixed gender duo.

11. The Russian Futurists Our Thickness The opening track "Paul Simon" drags the sun out of bed early, grafting Simon's own Graceland era horns onto big boom bash pop percusion and makes the whole show worth the price of admission. The rest is Apples in Stereo by way of chamber music with a bell choir and drum machine.

12. Get Him Eat Him Geography Cones Barely on the map indie noise pop outfit blends Built to Spill guitar swells with Grandaddy synths and nonchallance. Certainly worth keeping an ear open for down the line.

Posted by Kyle at April 5, 2006 6:36 AM

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