Songs of 2005
Update: Okay! Apparently ezarchive is back, and I added the few tracks that were missing. Enjoy.
For me, these are the songs of 2005. The ones that ended up on every playlist and mix I made. These aren't necessarily singles, I don't really keep up with that. Hell, I don't even think these were all necessarily released this year. I started compiling my list about a month ago, and it grew so big that I almost scrapped the idea altogether. I didn't think there was any way I could whittle it down to a manageable number. But despite how much it pained me to do so, I cut it off at 33. These are the songs that I will remember this year by:
the rosebuds
(my file host is apparently full, so I'm missing a couple mp3s...hopefully I'll be able to get them up when they fix the issue)
33. Feist Mushaboom
I saw Feist bravely perform this song at SXSW as she was nearly killed by a collapsing Fader tent...and I haven't stopped humming it since.
(buy)
32. Phil Left Coast
Phil's debut record narrowly missed by best albums list, but there's no way I was going to overlook this beautifully bittersweet folk-country ballad. (buy)
31. Oranger Crones
(buy)
30. Bodies of Water Here Comes my Hand
(website)
29. Akron/Family Running, Returning
(buy)
28. Husky Rescue Summertime Cowboy
(buy)
27. Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin House Fire
(buy)
26. Brendan Benson Cold Hands, Warm Heart
(buy)
25. Okkervil River Black
(buy)
24. Gnarls Barkley Crazy
23. TV On The Radio Dry Drunk Emperor
The best protest song of the year (in a year that desperately needed protest music).
22. Wolf Parade Dear Sons and Daughters of Hungry Ghosts
There's not a weak song on this entire album, but "God doesn't always have the best goddamn plans, does he?" is possibly the best line of the year. (buy)
21. Stars Your Ex-Lover is Dead
One of the saddest songs of this year, or any other. I don't understand why Stars aren't one of the biggest bands in the world. (buy)
20. Arcade Fire Cold Wind
This song is on this list for one moment. Hey hey hey. (buy)
19. Love is All Make Out, Fall Out, Make up
I purposely haven't yet tracked down any other songs from this band. This was the first song from Love Is All I've heard, and I want to believe that all their songs are as good as this.
18. The Happy Bullets The Vice and Virtue Ministry
(buy)
17. Voxtrot Raised by Wolves
(buy)
16. The Spinto Band Oh Mandy
(buy)
15. Final Fantasy This is the Dream of Win and Regine
I saw Owen Pallett perform this song at two Texas dates back in January, and I was awestruck. It's been one of my favorite songs ever since. (buy)
14. Silversun Pickups Kissing Families
(buy)
13. Tapes 'n Tapes 10 Gallon Ascots
I love a lot of songs on The Loon, but this one made the list for what happens at around the 2:00 and 4:00 minute marks. (buy)
12. The Polyphonic Spree Move Away and Shine
A great song on it's own merit, and even better in the context of the Thumbsucker film soundtrack. Tim Delaughter has hinted that this points in the direction the Spree is headed, which is fine by me. (buy)
11. The Animal Collective Did You See the Words
The most blissful, accesible, catchy song the band has ever written. I remember seeing this song described as sounding like a more psychedelic Polyphonic Spree. Yeah, pretty much. (buy)
10. The Light Footwork The Art of Everday Communication, Part I
"I was all, woo woo woo". I don't know why I love that part. I just do. (buy)
9. Imogen Heap Hide and Seek
I remember hearing this song the first time I ever watched an episode of The O.C., and being blown away. Both at how amazing this song was, and how crappy the show was. (buy)
8. Broken Social Scene Ibi Dreams of Pavement
This song didn't really blow me away until I saw it performed live, which gave me an entirely new perspective on how powerful it really is. (buy)
7. Rogue Wave Publish My Love
In my opinion, Zach Rogue is one of the best pop songwriters we've got. This is his best work. (buy)
6. Birdmonster All the Holes in the Walls
Forget how ridiculous it is that I christened these guys one of my favorite bands after hearing only their debut 3-song EP. All it really took was this one. (buy)
5. Kelly Clarkson Since U Been Gone
There is no denying the greatness of this song, whether it was performed by Clarkson, Ted Leo, or those godda** Kidz Bop kids. (buy)
4. The Knife Heartbeats
I don't know what year this actually came out, but I only found this song after first falling in love with fellow Swede Jose Gonzalez's cover version. As much as I didn't want to admit it, the original is better.(buy)
3. The Rosebuds Hold Hands and Fight
This is a nearly perfect song, and there's just something about the fact that it's a married couple singing to each other that makes it even more special. (buy)
2. Jose Gonzalez Crosses
Probably the simplest song on the list, and possibly the most beautiful. (buy)
1. Sufjan Stevens Chicago
My favorite song on my favorite album of the year. (buy)
30 comments:
Amen to "Publish My Love" and, OK, I get the idea: I'll listen to Jose Gonzalez. He's gaining on your boy Sufjan.
hell ya on Clarkson. Even if she is a one-hit wonder with it, it's enough to justify at least that year of American Idol.
Believe it or not, I'm preparing to listen to the KC song for the first time...here goes...
The version of Dear Sons and Daughters of Hungry Ghosts that was on Apologies to the Queen Mary isn't nearly as good as the one that was on their 2004 EP...have you heard it? If not, I'd be more than happy to e-mail it to you...
"Chicago" is so good. The last two minutes of it are just priceless.
Have you heard the Ibi Dream of Pavement from the KCRW session a couple months ago? It's pretty stripped down, but still really good. That's how they did it live when I saw them, but I'm kinda wishing they had gone all-out on it. Oh well.
Good list, especially loving the Sufjan v Jose chat (Jose has a long way to go, one of his top ones is a cover remember!) bit of a lack of UK bands in there though. Give my blog a look if you have a moment and see whats happening other side of the pond
http://tommyshots.blogspot.com
Some great tracks there!
I'm loving that TV On The Radio song.
And that Akron Family track has been on just about every mixtape I've made this year.
www.todiebyyourside.blogspot.com
Yay for 'Publish' and 'Art of Communication' Also...the Clarkson hehe. Good list Chris :)
I agree with matthew about dear sons and daughters...what a great version on the 2004 ep. I was actually a little disappointed with the version on apologies. great song nun the less.
Chris - thanks for posting these. I have been hunting for some more Tapes n' Tapes and Birdmonster before I move ahead with a purchase. Hopefully this stuff lives up to what I have heard!
I'm right with you, Jose Gonzales is gret!
compliments for blog, very beauty!
whoa whoa, what about CYHSY??? i think i'd have SOMYCT in my top 5, no doubt. good list tho...am i missing something, or did ted leo completely open up the kelly clarkson appreciation or what?
that husky rescue track is one of my favorites as well. Great list chris.
i really don't understand feist's ascendance to headlining act and bloggeratti sweetheart.
feist is awesome! you should stab yourself in the eye for even thinking that, not to even mention writing "bloggeratti."
Mr. Gorilla vs. Bear, oh where oh where are the The New Pornographers, John Vanderslice and My Morning Jacket on this list? And what about "The Trapeze Swinger"??? Good call on "Hide and Seek" though!
and does "the greatest" by cat power count? C'MON!
and thank you for not putting CYHSY!
tim, i know, i couldn't decide which new pornographers song to put...i guess one song didn't really stand out, they're all great. the album made my albums list though. and trapeze swinger??! crap, i just forgot it. no excuse. such a great song.
and i didn't count the greatest, since it's not technically "out" yet.
hey there, does anyone have the imogen heap song from the narnia soundtrack? finding it really difficult to get my hands on the mp3? it's called 'I can't take it in'. Thanks for hide and seek...it's brilliant
That's a bold move saying the Knife version of Heartbeats is better. I guess that way, you get two jose Gonzalez mentions in a list with no repeat artists. Bravo
Great list - I have not heard much of it (all the better). I love The Knife and Publish My Love, and Your ex lover is Dead, but I'm really getting off on Gnarls Barkley. Where do I buy it? Not on ebay, itunes, Napster, Best Buy, HELP! Gotta Have It Gotta Have It Gotta Have IT!!!!!!
hey hoodjam...i don't think you can buy it yet...i believe the album comes out in '06. by the way, gnarls barkley is made up of cee-lo green and dangermouse.
Thanks for the great songs, esp. for Gnarls Barkley.
Hey Chris, I met you at Rogue Wave in Denton through my bf Adam. He got Gnarls Barkley from you and passed it on and well, I'm obsessed!!! Cannot get enough!Thanks so much-Rachel
totesprobsmaybs.blogspot.com
Gnarls Barkley is great, good job m8
Cheers
Been searching for the Gnarls Barkley tune for ages, how funky d'ya wanna be! - thanks ur top
Hey, refreshing to be introduced to some new songs. I think I prefer the Jose Gonzalez "Heartbeats" though. After hearing the original it almost seems necessary for the cover to exist!(a bit like Gary Jules covering "Mad World")
Hello! I can't get The Knife song to play... I don't know if I'm being a complete wanker or what, but the other songs are working fine. Am I the only one having a problem? I love the Jose Gonzales version, so hopefully this one will be brilliant as well. Cheers!
Link doesn't work anymore :(
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