The DFA comp was 04, I thought the Holiday Mix was great. Didn't think it was boring at all.

I listen to them both equally. I love this album, but then again I'm a huge Six Finger Satellite fan. Besides, I thought the two albums were different enough taht it wasn't really necessary to compare the two.

Good call.

No one mentioned the Headphones s/t album. :(
It's a gloomy electro side project of David Bazan from Pedro the Lion. Good stuff.

Wasn't that great of an album, but I'm glad to see it mentioned.

I hate Pedro the Lion.

The Plain White T's pwn!11!!!!oneone1111!!

Death Cab For Cutie at number 6?

You must be apart of the MTV generation. I'd put DC in the worst albums of 2005 list.

blimey - what is with people just picking on one album they happen to disagree with? Surely you can at least be more constructive in your thoughts/critisism...?

Funny how the 2 albums that were picked out prolly sold the most...

a part, or apart?! i'm 30 so dunno what that makes me... not seen mtv in 6-7 years tho if that answers your question (or listened to any commericial radio for that matter)...

Ah, I missed a space.

No you aren't in the MTV generation... What I mean by it is that Death Cab is all over MTV, much like Good Charlotte or Fall Out Boy, or Mariah Carey...

The only decent thing that MTV plays is the Stripes "Denial Twist" video, everything else is intended for the TRL 14-year-old audience.

dcfc all over mtv?! that's surprising, but I certainly don't let it bother me or change my opinion of their music. I have to ask, why do you watch mtv at all? Even at that age (14) i'd realized it was horrible and stopped watching it (except for 120 minutes on Sundays ;)). And believe it or not - some kids at 14 have decent taste! I was listening to Jesus and Mary Chain back at that age and their song 'Head On' was on normal MTV then! (actually - i was 12-13 when that came out).

Also, checking some things you've said you like on the forums (Darkness and Babyshambles) doesn't give you much room to complain about dcfc being too 'intended for the TRL 14-year-old audience'.... (and what is TRL?). I'm not trying to be rude, just making a point. And yes, i've heard both their albums and even seen them both live... once! Not seen dcfc yet tho - but will do in March...

I've always been quite a fan of light guitar indie I must admit (other favorites are Wheat and Toad the Wet Sprocket)... Most get nowhere near commercial success though (but certainly deserved it!). It is ok for bands I like to do well and get popular! I wish more of them did in fact, then at least i could talk to more people 'on the street' about music I like and they would make more albums, rather than give up...

SO! back to subject - what are your top albums for 2005?! :)

I'm not the one watching MTV, believe me. I have a nine-year-old. Her taste in music is mainstream pop-punk (Simple Plan, Bowling For Soup) nothing I seem to make her listen to helps. Who cares what her 'ol man thinks when her friends are all watching Total Request Live.

Anyway, I like the Darkness because it's a kick in the ass from the past. I don't see many other bands making good 80s arena-rock anymore, and I've always been a fan of Queen, Justin Hawkins reminds me much of Freddie Mercury. Babyshambles I can't really explain, I hated the Libertines but have this certain respect for Pete Doherty, sober or not. I think "La Belle et la Bête" is a cool and original song. Speaking of Babyshambes, my top albums of 2005:


White Stripes - Get Behind Me Satan

It's not what you expect from the Stripes, which is the reason why it is so great. I remember when Bob Dylan (my fave) made the switch from acoustic to electric, and the majority booed Dylan and called his electric music crap. But Dylan knew what he was doing. Just like Jack White. Jack didn't rip out another dozen electric riffs, he used his incredible songwriting skills and ability to play piano, marimba, mandolin, and acoustic. The record is truly amazing.

Babyshambles - Down In Albion

I'm not from England, but I've always had the appreciation for bands like The Ramones & The Sex Pistols. Down In Albion SCREAMS Pistols to me, and alot of the songs are very catchy and well-written.

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

While I disagree with the Dylan comparisons, Coner Oberst is still a terrific songwriter.

Stephen Fretwell - Magpie

Another shining songwriter. The lyrics are very good, and the album is stripped down to simply Stephen and his guitar.

Darkness - One Way Ticket To Hell And Back

Okay, so it's not close to as good as Permission To Land, but it still differs from most of the other rock out there. And any rock with ripping guitar solos sits well with me.



Weezer, System of A Down, and Broken Social Scene were my disappointments.

It is really unfair to characterize a list of 50 albums based on one selection, don't you think? I liked the new DCFC album, does that mean I should hang my head in shame around indie scene kids?