I've played it pretty safe with my music lately - almost all of my favorite artists released albums this year, so I haven't had tons of motivation to branch out which means I'm just listening to the same stuff I always do. Most played this year: Okkervil River, Decemberists, Iron and Wine, Sufjan, Sigur Ros, etc.

If you'd be so kind, recommend stuff from 2005 that is different from these (and if you know me well enough, different from the other stuff I ordinarily listen to) but that has broad enough appeal that I can ease my way out of the rut instead of jumping straight into, like, Autechre.

Hood - Outside Closer

akron/family - s/t lo-fi ambient electro-folk. multi-instumentalists.

a brief riyl or description would be nice so i don't have to deal with allmusic repeatedly, but thanks - keep em coming

Edan - Beauty and the Beat

sebastien schuller - happiness [beautiful, melodic, similar to air/radiohead]

canadians - the north side of summer [from italy, but have that british guitar band style]

leaves - the angela test [excellent album, similar to doves]

AAAH!

noooooooooo! is good, is good.

The M Ward record is pretty nice- folky (which based on your list I assume you like), but with some Mutations era Beck moments thrown in. The above mentioned Akron/Family will also appeal.

The Sleater Kinney record is fantastic and has a classic rock tip that's hard to beat.

The LCD Soundsystem record has jsut about everything rolled into a nice 2 cd package- a bit of IDM, a bit of rock, lots of fun.

The Clap Your Hands Say yeah record is fantastic post punk revival. There is a bit of backlash that will get me nailed for mentioning it, but I like it quite a bit.

If you are into Krautrock at all, the Caribou release is a fun listen.

To curl up with the lady on the divan, the Archer Prewitt and Damon & Naomi releases from this year work nicely.

Those all stay pretty safe, but delving into some more challenging stuff-

The Dirty Projectors have a fantastic new record called the Getty Address. This guy studied classical music at Yale, dropped out and started making art rock with some classical base to it. It isn't for every day, but once you get used to the bizarre vocals, it's a great record. He played here in an art gallery and it was one of the most enjoyable, creative performances I've seen in a while.

Last year, an Arthur Russell collection came out called World of Echo, Russell used vocals, cello and echo effects, but created beautiful songs, we lost him to AIDS several years ago, but this collection really gives new listeners a great blueprint to a brilliant artist.


I agree on Hood and Edan from the earlier recommendations as well.

God Is An Astronaut (instrumental rock RIYL: Sigur Ros)
Ry Cooder (I don't know how appropriate a Tom Waits RIYL is, but I can see him doing something like this)

The two ESSENTIAL albums of the year are Edgar 'Jones' Jones 'Soothing Music For Stray Cats' and Two Gallants 'The Throes'.

Going by Iron & Wine, Sufjan etc, Two Gallants would be the better initial choice.

The Hold Steady - Seperation Sunday

riyl - the constantines, the oranges band, gbv

Antimatter - Planetary Confinement

Pink Floyd-ee but nt as weird.. acoustic male/ female vocals. ambient esque...

i dunno?

If only somebody would design a website that does exactly this!

*ahem* World Leader Pretend - Punches

Good pop music.

Also:

Black Lipstick - Sincerely, Black Lipstick (RIYL: The Strokes)

Bill Frisell: East/West - My favorite guitarist, hands down, and one of the most influential modern jazz guitarists around. Two incredible trio live sets, one more electric and upbeat, the other more acoustic-ish and quiet. I have absolutely no idea if you'd like this or if you're into jazz, but if you are and are not aware of him, his influences are, among many, many others, Jim Hall, Wes Montgomery . . . and Hendrix. This album is the schnitzel.

Kent - Du & Jag Dodon


RIYL: heavy Coldplay, (Sigur Ros because you can't understand the lyrics) Snow Patrol, Radiohead

don't diss Autechre, yo.

there's only one 's' in 'disrespect' DOY

ew

kraftwerk- minimum maximum

can't go wrong with kraftwerk yo.

also:

ladytron- the witching hour

riyl: fischerspooner, adult. not sure if this is up your alley, but it's something different... i'll hook ya up with a copy if you're interested, i just got the advance today.

Haq, I thought you already got PooPoo Bear vs. the Ticklemonster, but you should try the follow up, "Music for Child Molesters," available here

either that, or get better taste

i'll try the kraftwork, but i am almost certainly not going to like anything that could be called "electroclash." i tried, i really did, but i can't.

That Micah P. Hinson often touted by tentoze is pretty good, but not really a far stray from what I think you tend to listen to.

that's what i figured... but the kraftwerk is something you might like. the new release is a double-disc live set recorded through their 2004 tour in europe so it also has all the hits on it as well.