soundtrack to my year

i was inspired today by my friend jim, who recently posted his top ten albums of the year on his blog. and i thought to myself, "self," (that's what i call myself), "you should probably do something like this too. because you listen to music like, nonstop, so you should enlighten the world and tell everyone what you like, so that maybe they'll like it too." so here it is...my favorite top however many albums i decide to list for 2005...(in no particular order, well, actually alphabetical because i'm reading down my itunes list):


Anathallo ~ A Holiday at Sea: wow, these guys are incredible. i first heard them on purevolume and then later in the year went to a show with my main man kurt. honestly, it was one of the best live performances ever. their music is really, really deep lyrically and musically. it's like a nine piece band and they just jam out for a while, but not in an annoying phish jam band way. they just are who they are. tracks to check out: a holiday at sea; don't kid yourself, you need a physician.

Anberlin ~ never take friendship personal: ok, i fell in love with these guys the first time i ever heard them. stephen's voice is really different, and really sets them apart from the crowd. some may say that they're too "poppy", but i say, "who cares?" basically i connect with all of their songs in some way shape or form, so that will pretty much do me in when listening to a band. tracks to check out: paperthin hymn; a day late.

The Bled ~ pass the flask: if you are looking to straight up, just rock your face off, here is the album for you. this is definitely an album i've listened to over 30 times. raw emotion, guitar riffs, screaming, maybe some singing, it's all there. and more. plus they rock live too. tracks to check out: never met another gemini; dale earnhardt's seatbelt.

Bradley Hathaway ~ all the hits so far: k, so this is definitely a departure from my musical stylings. bradley is a poet. so his cd is all spoken word, just reading his poems. he states right off the bat in his book, that he really isn't a poet, he doesn't get into all the deep allegories and metaphors most poets do. he just writes what is on his heart. he writes about annoying hardcore kids, getting dumped, feeling joy, pleading with God, all the things that we go through on a daily basis. basically. highly recommend this one (comes with a book too). tracks to check out: manly man; the annoying hardcore kid that goes too far; another one of those nights.

Emery ~ the question: well, the first time i listened to the weak's end, my first thought was, i can't wait for their next album to come out. and i was not disappointed. the question is incredible. while the sound has changed a little, it has changed to the mature side of things, which is obviously a good thing. the songs rock, and the lyrics are so emotionally intense, everything is just tied together so well. if you want a cd that may actually challenge your perspective of the world, this is definitely one to get. tracks to check out: listening to freddie mercury; in a win, win situation.

Haste the Day ~ when everything falls: metal, metal, METAL! this band absolutely rocks. i don't really know what to say. there's not a lot of technical criticism of metal. basically, someone plays a riff, the other guy plays some rhythm, the drummer blast beats, the singer screams then sings then screams and so on, and the bassist does something that progresses the music, i guess. all in all, it's just a fun album to listen to. and come on, who doesn't love metal covers of the goo goo dolls. tracks to check out: when everything falls; long way down.

He is Legend ~ i am hollywood: probably the best signing that tooth and nail/solid state made in recent history. i'm not sure what it is about these guys that's so alluring. maybe it's the dreamy beard that the lead singer sports. or maybe it's their fun video for the seduction, done with hand puppets. anyways, it's a pretty tongue in cheek album, mocking all that is hollywood. just remember, there's a monster in my room, and we discuss movies over coffee. tracks to check out: act 1, scene 1: the seduction; act 3, scene 2: the walls have teeth (end scene).

Mae ~ the everglow: i'll be honest, i actually didn't like this album the first time i heard it. i really loved destination:beautiful, and this seemed a bit too much of a departure from that for me. but i listened to it again, and again, and it grew on me. i especially started to like it after i saw them live last spring. the music took on a new meaning after seeing them actually perform it. and my favorite song rings quite true in my own life, "i just wanna wake up, in someone elses..arms." tracks to check out: someone else's arms; mistakes we knew we were making.

Norma Jean ~ o' God, the aftermath: um...i don't even know where to start with this album. i was really, really worried about where norma jean was headed after the lead singer left to start the chariot. but this album basically stood up and slapped me in the face for ever doubting. the guitars are crushing, the lyrics deep (as usual), and it just flat out rocks. it's kind of fun too because they squash words together for the titles. tracks to check out: vertebraille (choke that theif called dependance); murderotica (an avalanche in D minor).

Showbread ~ no sir, nihlism is not practical: ok, so this didn't actually come out in 2005, but i'm pretty sure i didn't buy it til this year. so i'm counting it in the list. and cuz it's awesome. i'm not really sure how to describe these guys to you, other than out there. i mean...come on, they have a guy in the band that plays key-tar ( you know, that 80's new wave thing) and they put themselves in their own genre called spaz rock. i think that pretty well describes the state of things in showbread. tracks to check out: mouth like a magazine; stabbing art to death.

Starflyer 59 ~ talking voice vs. singing voice: i've been a huge fan of these guys for a really long time. i just wish tooth and nail would promote them better, they're amazing. the overall mood to this album is really haunting. there is just a real melancholy feeling to the lyrics and music that almost gives you the creeps. p.s. it's a little weird, if you didn't catch that from my earlier description. there, i warned you. tracks to check out: easy street; night life.

Thrice ~ vheissu: if you haven't heard thrice before, this is THE album to get first. absolutely incredible. the band has always struck me as pretty spiritual, and this album is no deviation. the tracks seem to speak of things deeper than ourselves, or the things of this world. and beside all the cool hidden meanings and stuff, they straight up rock. in fact, i think they'll rock your face off, so be ready with some duct tape or something in the event that listening to this album actually causes your face to fall off. tracks to check out: image of the invisible; red sky.

well, i'd say that's a pretty good list. so get started, go listen to some of these. have a nice day now.