The Top Ten of Two Thousand Five

The long awaited top ten list and I'll start with some apologies. Now, I don't think you will all agree with all of my choices (in fact I know you won't, which is good - it'd be a statistical anomoly if you did) and I want to invite discussion on the matter - use the comments - but here is where the apology comes in - I could have listened to albums forever, but I had to stop. So I know there are probably a few albums out there who deserve a spot on the list, but my time is unfortunately limited and I had to do my best. So here goes....

1. Sufjan Stevens, Illinoise - I'm going to agree with Tom on this one. It's magnificent, a real work of art. Each song is endowed with a dose of sensitivity, just listening to certain tracks (John Wayne Gacy, Predatory Wasps) makes one feel intimately connected with their creator. The beauty of Stevens' explorations of the state makes me feel as if I'm living a simple midwestern life - he captures something unexplainable and through his brilliant storytelling shares it with the world. Well done, Sufjan!
Best tracks: "Concerning the UFO Sighting Near Highland, IL" and "Chicago"

2. Wolf Parade, Apologies to the Queen Mary - I feel like this choice may be disputed, but I firmly stand beside it. Wolf Parade is a darling of pitchfork and it definitely took me some time to really understand them. Both singers' voices scream pure emotion and excitement, and although the lyrics are obscured, proper listeners get the message. It also contains a track which I unabashedly crown "the best song of 2005" which is "I'll Believe in Anything", and some definite Beatles influence. As another reviewer put it: "It's not clear how Apologies... works, but it's so clear that it does."
Best tracks (besides those already mentioned): "Modern World" and "Grounds for Divorce"

3. Sigur Ros, Takk - Now, I'm going to state up front that I'm not entirely familiar with all of Sigur Ros's earlier work [just ( ) ], however, this album astonished me. Each song has a theme/feeling which is its own, but I really admired the way they were arranged together, giving the album itself its own theme. One of the best examples is the transition from track 5 to track 6 ("Se lest" to "Saeglopur"). Chock full of beauty, emotion, and intelligence.
Best tracks: "Glosoli" and "Saeglopur"

4. The Decemberists, Picaresque - Boy have I got chastised for not hearing of this band earlier, but now that I have, I must say, I am truly impressed. This band has gotten mixed reviews from around the globe, but I think they are so clever and talented. From the power and energy of the first track, "The Infanta", to the sad beauty of "Of Angels and Angles", this album is incredibly strong the entire way through.
Best tracks: "The Mariner's Revenge Song" and "16 Military Wives"

5. Architecture in Helsinki, In Case We Die - This band very much caters to my specific taste in music. It's pleasant, danceable, almost showtune-y. But the real reason for this album's inclusion is AIH's boldness. This album doesn't song like anything I have ever heard before, their style is quite unique. The songwriting is great, it's a six person band so there's lots of different instruments and sounds, and to be honest, it just makes me feel good to listen to it.
Best tracks: "Maybe You Can Owe Me" and "Tiny Paintings"
Most danceable track: "Do The Whirlwind"

6. Bright Eyes, I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning - Of course everyone knew Conor Oberst would make the list, no question. Although I adore both of the albums he released this year, I would have to say that it is this one which tugs at my heart strings just a bit more. A bit less dark than Digital Ash, every song seems to bring something to the table, in a tale of a society gone wrong and a youth's exploration of life. This album also contains the runner-up for song of the year: "Lua" which is so affecting and gorgeous and depressing all at the same time.
Best tracks: "First Day of my Life" and "Land Locked Blues"

7. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - This band is a newcomer onto the indie scene and has made quite a fuss this past year. They first started receiving popular recognition when David Bowie made an appearance at one of their shows. Now to illustrate why that's such a huge deal, a couple months after Bowie attended one of their shows, I also went to one and paid $10 to see them as a supporting act in the basement of a church. They've made strides since then, selling out the TLA etc. and their popularity is well deserved. Energetic, strange, well-crafted, almost ballsy music. Great for rocking out.
Best tracks: "Details of the War" and "Let The Cool Goddess Rust Away"

8. Stars, Set Yourself on Fire - So I first got into this band when I heard that they were touring with Death Cab for Cutie. I figured I should be prepared and downloaded a bunch of their music. I was not at all prepared for a band this good. With a broad range of instruments and styles and gorgeous male and/or female vocals, this album is stunning. If it were a person, it would be Angelina Jolie. Bit nice, bit naughty, but gorgeous throughout.
Best tracks: "Your Ex-lover is Dead" and "Calendar Girl"

9. Bloc Party, Silent Alarm - All the raves this album received were, I believe, justified completely. The crafting of the songs is flawless, it just seems to provide indie anthem after indie anthem. And you can dance to it, which, to me anyway, is such a big plus. Terribly impressive album. I love listening to "Blue Light" in the evening when I'm feeling enlightened (I didn't even mean to pun that).
Best tracks: "Banquet" and "This Modern Love"

10. Low, The Great Destroyer - Put out by the infamous Sub Pop Records, I knew this was going to be good. Rave reviews, experienced but still unknown band, check, check. But it took me FOREVER to find it. I still don't understand why - this album is phenomenal. Dark, bluesy, electronic, with clever lyrics and obviously influenced by both The Beatles and Radiohead. 100% worth the trouble.
Best tracks: "When I Go Deaf" and "Just Stand Back"


Runners-up: (or is it "Runner-ups"?)
Bright Eyes, Digital Ash in a Digital Urn
Nightmare of You, Nightmare of You
Gorillaz, Demon Days
Beck, Guero
Art Brut, Bang Bang Rock and Roll
New Pornographers, Twin Cinema
Okkervil River, Black Sheep Boy
Death Cab for Cutie, Plans
The Magic Numbers, The Magic Numbers
Panic! At the Disco - A Fever You Can't Sweat Out
The Russian Futurists - Our Thickness


As a bonus, the best reissue of 2005:
Belle and Sebastian, Push The Barman to Open Old Wounds - A collection of all of B&S's previously released EPs in one glorious compilation! This two discs are better than some of their proper albums and a must-have for any B&S fan. Wow, does that sound infomercial-like, or what? Also, the disc insert contains somewhere the phrase "Public school twats!", which I found a nice extra.

Sukie in the Graveyard

"Sukie was a kid;
She liked to hang out in the art school.
She didn't enroll;
She wiped the floor with all the assholes."
-Belle and Sebastian

Their sound has definitely evolved, even I need to give it some more time before I post a final review. But get this song!!!

Also get:
"Grounds for Divorce" "You Are a Runner and I Am My Father's Son" and "Modern World" by Wolf Parade
"Do The Whirlwind" by Architecture in Helsinki
"We Are The Sleepyheads" by Belle and Sebastian
"Details of the War" and "The Skin of My Yellow Country Teeth" by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
"Set Yourself on Fire" by Stars

Has anyone listened to "The Tain" by the Decemberists?

Musica

The new Belle and Sebastian has leaked, FYI, and from what I've obtained so far, it's looking quite good, even though I find Funny Little Frog to be so/so. The band has acknowledged this (the leak) cutely on their website. Speaking of B&S, would anyone be interested in venturing up to NYC to see one of their concerts with me? They're playing in Philadelphia, but it's during spring break and I'll be in Buenos Aires. Oh wait, I just finished effectively stealing the last song I need to complete the album - I'll post a proper review of it in a couple days. For those naysayers of downloading, don't worry - I'm sure I'll purchase this album when it comes out in February.

Wolf Parade - I'll Believe In Anything !!!

Top ten coming soon, just need to review a few more albums, but here's a sneak preview at some definite contenders: Architecture in Helsinki - In Case We Die, Sufjan Stevens - Illinoise, Sigur Ros - Takk, The Decemberists - Picaresque, Stars - Set Yourself On Fire.

ENJOY!!!

Winter Break

So, classes have started and I'm too lazy to write all about my Christmas, so instead, I posted a kajillion photos as a sort of diary to tell the story for me. It starts with the Christmas party we had with the extended family, then moves to "Special Day" - a Gilbert family tradition where we all go to the mall, get our picture taken with Santa, buy new ornaments, see a movie (this year: Narnia), and go out to eat - then on to Christmas itself. I had a really nice break, very relaxing and pleasant. I'll let the pics speak for themselves, and I do have more to tell, but that's for another time. I also plan on doing a list akin to Tom's, of the top 10 albums of the year, but I have to wait until a few more candidates arrive from Amazon. But it's coming, so get excited!

Hope everyone is doing well. Daily Show taping tomorrow in NYC!!!

"The Sparkle Center" - my mom's new decorative creation for this Christmas season. She put a lot of energy into decorating the house this year. I thought I'd add a few photos. She deserves the credit for it. It was magical.

The dining room.

The hearth.

The rafters.

Hunter is just precious, isn't he?

My dad really enjoys Home Depot gift cards.

SISTERS!

The whole family. Back row: Dad, Aunt Jill, Cousin Hunter, Uncle Ralph, Mommom, Poppop. Front Row: Katie, Mom, Becky, Aunt Andrea, Uncle Kevin, and Natasha.

Uncle Kevin and Aunt Andrea, who is expecting cousin Lily around Easter.

Becky in heaven.

Becky in hell.

There's always at least one mega fight during Christmas. This year, Katie and I battled it out over who was going to clean up after the puppy urinated on the carpet. Good times...

We love our dogs!!! Becky with Jesse and Natasha.

Hehe.

Awwwwwww........

I always get really emotional around Christmas - am I the only one? My mom was cruel enough to take this photo.

My parents trying to fix the tree as it had almost fallen on top of me, due to the weight of all of the ornaments on one side.

Katie has the amazing ability to fall asleep almost anywhere.

Fun with Christmas tree lights!

I love hanging ornaments.

Mommom and I and the cookies I made the night before. Notice I'm not wearing oven mitts...

Pretty sisters

Poppop and my mum!

Becky looks startlingly strange in this photo. It scares me.

That Santa was creepy! He kept stroking Becky's hair and claimed that I peed on his lap. I didn't, by the way. And Mrs. Santa was just as weird. What are they doing in their pajamas anyway?

...while visions of sugarplums danced in their heads...

I love my little Natasha!

Becky scolding the puppy. She's so heartless. ;-)

Myself, modeling my Christmas coat.

Katie modeling the robe I got for her. My whole family is full of hams!

My parents are going to hate me for posting this one. Actually my dad already threatened to sue me for putting them on the internet, but what the hell. This is my lovely parental units after getting their present from us: two tickets to Billy Joel. They are so psyched - it's too cute!

My sisters are too adorable for words.

I heart British comedy! I also was not aware that I could make that face, but there you are.