metacritic's top 30 of 2005 (so far)

paladisiac · **Posted:** Mon Nov 28, 2005 5:07 pm

with 2005 about wound up, here's meta's (http://www.metacritic.com/music/bests/2005.shtml) current top 30 list of 2005:

1 Illinois by Sufjan Stevens 2005 90
2 Z by My Morning Jacket 2005 89
3 Wearemonster by Isolée 2005 89
4 Hypermagic Mountain by Lightning Bolt 2005 89
5 I Am A Bird Now by Antony And The Johnsons 2005 88
6 The Woods by Sleater-Kinney 2005 87
7 Arular by M.I.A. 2005 87
8 Clap Your Hands Say Yeah by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah 2005 86
9 Minimum-Maximum [Live] by Kraftwerk 2005 85
10 The Mysterious Production Of Eggs by Andrew Bird 2005 85
11 Black Sheep Boy by Okkervil River 2005 85
12 LCD Soundsystem by LCD Soundsystem 2005 85
13 Lookaftering by Vashti Bunyan 2005 85
14 Thunder, Lightning, Strike by The Go! Team 2005 85
15 I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning by Bright Eyes 2005 85
16 Blinking Lights And Other Revelations by Eels 2005 84
17 Extraordinary Machine by Fiona Apple 2005 84
18 Mezmerize by System Of A Down 2005 84
19 Beauty And The Beat by Edan 2005 84
20 Oceans Apart by The Go-Betweens 2005 84
21 Chavez Ravine by Ry Cooder 2005 84
22 Apologies To The Queen Mary by Wolf Parade 2005 84
23 Late Registration by Kanye West 2005 84
24 Separation Sunday by The Hold Steady 2005 84
25 Akron/Family & Angels Of Light by Akron/Family & Angels Of Light 2005 84
26 These Were The Earlies by The Earlies 2005 84
27 Twin Cinema by The New Pornographers 2005 84
28 This Right Here Is Buck 65 by Buck 65 2005 84
29 Lost And Safe by The Books 2005 83
30 Gimme Fiction by Spoon 2005 83

opinions?

Senator LooGAR · **Posted:** Mon Nov 28, 2005 5:13 pm

2 of my Top 5 (Stones and Young Jeezy) are no where to be found.

What is wrong with people who adore Sufjan?
A) The Dumb
B) The Ghey
C) Missing Chromonomes
D) A Gas Leak

Yail Bloor · **Posted:** Mon Nov 28, 2005 5:13 pm

No way that Sufjan is better than Z.

DumpJack · **Posted:** Mon Nov 28, 2005 5:17 pm

I think 5 or 6 of my Top 20 are there. I only heard about 1/3 of Illinois and didn't get what the big deal was about the album. Based on the truncated listen, I didn't think it was better than Z either.

Kingfish · **Posted:** Mon Nov 28, 2005 5:17 pm

paladisiac Wrote:

with 2005 about wound up, here's meta's (http://www.metacritic.com/music/bests/2005.shtml) current top 30 list of 2005:

1 Illinois by Sufjan Stevens 2005 90 - For the life of me, I cannot see the appeal. It's okay, but nothing to write home about.
2 Z by My Morning Jacket 2005 89 Really strong album. One of my favorites for the year
3 Wearemonster by Isolée 2005 89 - ? Never heard of it.
4 Hypermagic Mountain by Lightning Bolt 2005 89 - Never heard it.
5 I Am A Bird Now by Antony And The Johnsons 2005 88 - Surprised that I liked it more than I thought I would. Still hard to listen for an entire album. But it's pretty good one song at a time.
6 The Woods by Sleater-Kinney 2005 87 - I dunno. For some reason I can't get into them anymore. It's me not them.
7 Arular by M.I.A. 2005 87 - Utter crap.
8 Clap Your Hands Say Yeah by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah 2005 86 - Been wanting to hear this but haven't yet.
9 Minimum-Maximum [Live] by Kraftwerk 2005 85 - Not my thing.
10 The Mysterious Production Of Eggs by Andrew Bird 2005 85 - Also on my check out list.
11 Black Sheep Boy by Okkervil River 2005 85 - Awesome. One of my favorites.
12 LCD Soundsystem by LCD Soundsystem 2005 85 - eww.
13 Lookaftering by Vashti Bunyan 2005 85 - Never heard. probably never will
14 Thunder, Lightning, Strike by The Go! Team 2005 85 It's fun, but I don't know if I would ever really listen to this on a regular basis.
15 I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning by Bright Eyes 2005 85 - Grew on me. I like it alot now.
16 Blinking Lights And Other Revelations by Eels 2005 84 - Bored me to tears. I kind of like every song, but then get bored with them before they finish.
17 Extraordinary Machine by Fiona Apple 2005 84 - it's okay.
18 Mezmerize by System Of A Down 2005 84 - Not my thing.
19 Beauty And The Beat by Edan 2005 84 - Not my thing.
20 Oceans Apart by The Go-Betweens 2005 84 - haven't heard.
21 Chavez Ravine by Ry Cooder 2005 84 - Really solid effort. Good music to chill to.
22 Apologies To The Queen Mary by Wolf Parade 2005 84 - Haven't listened to it enough, but the voice kind of annoys me.
23 Late Registration by Kanye West 2005 84 - Good follow up but not as strong as his prior.
24 Separation Sunday by The Hold Steady 2005 84 - Haven't heard
25 Akron/Family & Angels Of Light by Akron/Family & Angels Of Light 2005 84 - Haven't heard.
26 These Were The Earlies by The Earlies 2005 84 - Never liked this band.
27 Twin Cinema by The New Pornographers 2005 84 - Never got into this band either
28 This Right Here Is Buck 65 by Buck 65 2005 84 -ewww.
29 Lost And Safe by The Books 2005 83 - Never heard but doubt I would like.
30 Gimme Fiction by Spoon 2005 83 - Good album. I like it more every time I hear it.

opinions?

puma · **Posted:** Mon Nov 28, 2005 5:18 pm

oh no this reminds me i have to start working on my top 20. ahhhhhhh!

Dick Meatwood · **Posted:** Mon Nov 28, 2005 5:21 pm

Sen.LooGAR'sCrunkmas Wrote:

C) Missing Chromonomes

LOL

iron_and_beer · **Posted:** Mon Nov 28, 2005 5:46 pm

Is Z really that good? I've slept on MMJ due to some of the hype by untrustworthy sources (Entertainment Weekly, Rollingstone, etc.), but it sounds like I should probably look into this.

paladisiac · **Posted:** Mon Nov 28, 2005 5:46 pm

paladisiac Wrote:

1 Illinois by Sufjan Stevens 2005 90
- top 5 for me. liked michigan. kinda liked swans. lovin' this.
2 Z by My Morning Jacket 2005 89
- outskirts of top 40 for me. the misses drag down the strong stuff.
3 Wearemonster by Isolée 2005 89
- a couple listens. is ok.
4 Hypermagic Mountain by Lightning Bolt 2005 89
- heard one song, but based on previous album, i prob wouldn't like this
5 I Am A Bird Now by Antony And The Johnsons 2005 88
- probably top 20 for me. too brief.
6 The Woods by Sleater-Kinney 2005 87
- i don't see the big deal. yes, they thoroughly rock here. and...?
7 Arular by M.I.A. 2005 87
- haven't heard.
8 Clap Your Hands Say Yeah by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah 2005 86
- neutral to at first...6months later i'm on my 3rd pass at this and am thinking it'd outskirt my top 40
9 Minimum-Maximum [Live] by Kraftwerk 2005 85
- haven't heard
10 The Mysterious Production Of Eggs by Andrew Bird 2005 85
- probably top 20 album
11 Black Sheep Boy by Okkervil River 2005 85
- probably top 20 album
12 LCD Soundsystem by LCD Soundsystem 2005 85
- on my 2nd pass of this. am liking it (but wish i could find a good copy of that 2nd disc)
13 Lookaftering by Vashti Bunyan 2005 85
- is ok on classic folk, but not exciting
14 Thunder, Lightning, Strike by The Go! Team 2005 85
- good album, but not even top 40. reminds me of saturday morning cartoons crossed with fiery furnaces crossed with a good high school cheerleading squad
15 I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning by Bright Eyes 2005 85
- top 10 for me, probably top 5 -- his best yet
16 Blinking Lights And Other Revelations by Eels 2005 84
- haven't heard yet. still looking for a hook-up. it's on emusic...
17 Extraordinary Machine by Fiona Apple 2005 84
- good, but scatterbrained/inconsistent, and i'm speaking of the orig. version
18 Mezmerize by System Of A Down 2005 84
- haven't heard & no interest
19 Beauty And The Beat by Edan 2005 84
- my #3 rap album behind kanye & game
20 Oceans Apart by The Go-Betweens 2005 84
- good, pleasant stuff
21 Chavez Ravine by Ry Cooder 2005 84
- archaic, inane and so old-school i thought my britches aged 100 years; that said, i like it
22 Apologies To The Queen Mary by Wolf Parade 2005 84
- possible top 20 candidate
23 Late Registration by Kanye West 2005 84
- should make top 10, maybe top 5
24 Separation Sunday by The Hold Steady 2005 84
- haven't heard enough to have an opinion
25 Akron/Family & Angels Of Light by Akron/Family & Angels Of Light 2005 84
- haven't heard; plan on DL'ing via emusic
26 These Were The Earlies by The Earlies 2005 84
- liked it, but not even a top 40-er
27 Twin Cinema by The New Pornographers 2005 84
- top 10, maybe top 5
28 This Right Here Is Buck 65 by Buck 65 2005 84
- haven't heard
29 Lost And Safe by The Books 2005 83
- heard & not impressed; my first books album
30 Gimme Fiction by Spoon 2005 83
- top 20, outside shot at top 10; just not as catchy as gct or ktm

opinions!

Dalen · **Posted:** Mon Nov 28, 2005 5:47 pm

Iron_and_Beer Wrote:

Is Z really that good? I've slept on MMJ due to some of the hype by untrustworthy sources (Entertainment Weekly, Rollingstone, etc.), but it sounds like I should probably look into this.

it's FUCKING BRILLIANT.

tehobner · **Joined:** Mon Oct 25, 2004 8:48 pm **Posts:** 4479

That looks basically like the list you'd expect from a pitchfork or equivalent website.

splates · **Posted:** Mon Nov 28, 2005 5:49 pm

well done, boobs

A Northern Soul · **Joined:** Mon Oct 25, 2004 12:23 pm **Posts:** 3742

1 Illinois by Sufjan Stevens 2005 90
good album, top tenner for sure
2 Z by My Morning Jacket 2005 89
absolutely fantastic. unless something big happens its going to be #1
3 Wearemonster by Isolée 2005 89
only listened to a couple times so far, but it was good
4 Hypermagic Mountain by Lightning Bolt 2005 89
have it, havent listened to it yet.
5 I Am A Bird Now by Antony And The Johnsons 2005 88
meh. kind of a yawner.
6 The Woods by Sleater-Kinney 2005 87
pretty good, probably 10-15
7 Arular by M.I.A. 2005 87
decent, probably makes honourable mentions
8 Clap Your Hands Say Yeah by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah 2005 86
havent listened to it enough yet to pass judgement.
9 Minimum-Maximum [Live] by Kraftwerk 2005 85
dont have it.
10 The Mysterious Production Of Eggs by Andrew Bird 2005 85
havent listened to it in a long time, but i remember it being a kind of yawner. ill have to go back.
11 Black Sheep Boy by Okkervil River 2005 85
decent album, probably somewhere between 10-20
12 LCD Soundsystem by LCD Soundsystem 2005 85
wasnt this a 2004 release? another one i havent listened to in quite a while.
13 Lookaftering by Vashti Bunyan 2005 85
only listened to once, but struck me as another yawner.
14 Thunder, Lightning, Strike by The Go! Team 2005 85
i thought this was another 2004 release, but its an excellent album.
15 I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning by Bright Eyes 2005 85
dont have it.
16 Blinking Lights And Other Revelations by Eels 2005 84
yawn.
17 Extraordinary Machine by Fiona Apple 2005 84
liked it at first, but im now soured on it quite a bit.
18 Mezmerize by System Of A Down 2005 84
not quite as good as toxicity, but still very good. probably makes 15-20 or honourable mentions.
19 Beauty And The Beat by Edan 2005 84
the best underground hip-hop release this year. itll be on the list somewhere.
20 Oceans Apart by The Go-Betweens 2005 84
dont have it.
21 Chavez Ravine by Ry Cooder 2005 84
only listened to a couple times but dont remember it being anything great.
22 Apologies To The Queen Mary by Wolf Parade 2005 84
decent album. probably makes honourable mentions.
23 Late Registration by Kanye West 2005 84
fantastic album. top 3 or 5 easily.
24 Separation Sunday by The Hold Steady 2005 84
dont have it.
25 Akron/Family & Angels Of Light by Akron/Family & Angels Of Light 2005 84
dont have it
26 These Were The Earlies by The Earlies 2005 84
dont have it.
27 Twin Cinema by The New Pornographers 2005 84
didnt like it.
28 This Right Here Is Buck 65 by Buck 65 2005 84
this is a compilation, so it doesnt really count. a lot of the tracks are taken from talkin honky blues though, which was outstanding.
29 Lost And Safe by The Books 2005 83
yawn.
30 Gimme Fiction by Spoon 2005 83
decent album, most likely makes 15-20 or honourable mentions.

almost · **Posted:** Mon Nov 28, 2005 5:55 pm

Iron_and_Beer Wrote:

Is Z really that good? I've slept on MMJ due to some of the hype by untrustworthy sources (Entertainment Weekly, Rollingstone, etc.), but it sounds like I should probably look into this.

I would start with Tennessee Fire or At Dawn first, but Z is pretty rockin' as well. As for the list, why is Spoon at the bottom and SOAD near the middle? Blah.

iron_and_beer · **Posted:** Mon Nov 28, 2005 6:00 pm

Minor note: Deerhoof would at least be close to making this list without a rediculous 20% from playlouder.com. I have no clue what they were listening to.

As is, there are about 7-8 albums in my as-yet-unmade Top 20. Not bad.

Stop Breathin' · **Posted:** Mon Nov 28, 2005 6:08 pm

re: Sufjan

I have regained the chromosome that I lost at the time of Seven Swans. Illinois doesn't do much for me, Seven Swans affected my genetic makeup. The Dumb or The Ghey were never a consideration.

paladisiac · **Posted:** Mon Nov 28, 2005 6:16 pm

Santa's Breathin' Wrote:

The Dumb or The Ghey

= a confusing snoozer soap opera

billy g · **Joined:** Mon Oct 25, 2004 1:41 pm **Posts:** 9020

It's a little surprising to me that Ry Cooder isn't higher. Its a very good album, I'd expect that people assigned to review it would usually be the sorts that would like it, and critics usually overrate not underrate cohesively themed works.

I'm always surprised that Bright Eyes is so loved by critics.

I like these:

5 I Am A Bird Now by Antony And The Johnsons 2005
21 Chavez Ravine by Ry Cooder 2005
30 Gimme Fiction by Spoon 2005 (has grown on me although still not a favorite)

The rest I haven't heard or dislike.

Timis · **Posted:** Mon Nov 28, 2005 6:32 pm

Dalen Wrote:

Iron_and_Beer Wrote:

Is Z really that good? I've slept on MMJ due to some of the hype by untrustworthy sources (Entertainment Weekly, Rollingstone, etc.), but it sounds like I should probably look into this.

it's FUCKING BRILLIANT.

yeah i agree as well...damn good album.....

i am shocked bloc party is not on there....i really do like that album alot....

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah = CRAP

paper · **Posted:** Mon Nov 28, 2005 6:33 pm

dr winston o'boogie Wrote:

30 Gimme Fiction by Spoon 2005 (has grown on me although still not a favorite)

what don't you like about it. just curious, as this is one of my favorite releases this year, if not favorite.

billy g · **Joined:** Mon Oct 25, 2004 1:41 pm **Posts:** 9020

paper Wrote:

dr winston o'boogie Wrote:

30 Gimme Fiction by Spoon 2005 (has grown on me although still not a favorite)

what don't you like about it. just curious, as this is one of my favorite releases this year, if not favorite.

It was one of three that I said I did like. By not a favorite, I meant its not a favorite Spoon album. Its grown on me a bit though and may still grow on me more with more listens and diminished expectations. I'm a huge fan of the sparseness of KTM (Its my fav from their catalog by a country mile) though so it was almost inevitable that I'd find the fuller, more guitar rock sound of Gimme Fiction to be a bit of a disappointment.

andyfest · **Posted:** Mon Nov 28, 2005 6:55 pm

Timis Wrote:

i am shocked bloc party is not on there....i really do like that album alot....

Easily the most overrated album of the year for me. Low is a close second.

nacho · **Posted:** Mon Nov 28, 2005 7:05 pm

re: Sufjan

I think it's brilliant and it's my #1. I've only listened to Z once (my first foray into MMJ) - I liked some of the beginning tracks, but lost interest after a while. It deserves more listens, but I doubt it's something I'll really love. But who knows...

From the list I also really like:

Andrew Bird
Okkervill River
Wolf Parade
New Pornos
Spoon
The Earlies

I still don't get all the love for CYHSY. I feel like it has a few good tracks, but is mediocre overall. Bright Eyes annoys me. I'd like him more if he wasn't always on the verge of tears or in a drunken stupor. I found the Eels record kinda boring, and just couldn't get into Antony & the Johnstons, though I should probably give that one another listen.

Also surprised not to see Bloc Party. I feel like it would be higher had it been released more recently.

huskerpunk · **Posted:** Mon Nov 28, 2005 7:10 pm

1 Illinois by Sufjan Stevens
Top 5 for me, his best yet
2 Z by My Morning Jacket
Top 5, maybe my overall #1
3 Wearemonster by Isolée
Haven't heard, but very interested
4 Hypermagic Mountain by Lightning Bolt
Based on last album, I wouldn't like this
5 I Am A Bird Now by Antony And The Johnsons
Have listened to a few times, just not liking it that much
6 The Woods by Sleater-Kinney
Very good, probably top 20
7 Arular by M.I.A.
Haven't heard
8 Clap Your Hands Say Yeah by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Have heard one song, liked it
9 Minimum-Maximum [Live] by Kraftwerk
Haven't heard
10 The Mysterious Production Of Eggs by Andrew Bird
Top 20 for sure
11 Black Sheep Boy by Okkervil River
Possible Top 20 for me
12 LCD Soundsystem by LCD Soundsystem
Possible Top 20 for me
13 Lookaftering by Vashti Bunyan
Haven't heard, not really interested
14 Thunder, Lightning, Strike by The Go! Team
Love it, but I'm pretty sure I listed this on my 2004 list
15 I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning by Bright Eyes
Growing on me, probably not Top 20 though
16 Blinking Lights And Other Revelations by Eels
Like the songs, but as a whole I'm not feeling it
17 Extraordinary Machine by Fiona Apple
Haven't heard, but interested
18 Mezmerize by System Of A Down
Probable Top 20
19 Beauty And The Beat by Edan
My #3 Rap behind Kanye and Blueprint
20 Oceans Apart by The Go-Betweens
Good, not quite Top 20
21 Chavez Ravine by Ry Cooder
Listened to once, need to give it more time
22 Apologies To The Queen Mary by Wolf Parade
Probably in the Top 10
23 Late Registration by Kanye West
Top 10
24 Separation Sunday by The Hold Steady
Good, possible Top 20
25 Akron/Family & Angels Of Light by Akron/Family & Angels Of Light
Haven't heard, but very interested
26 These Were The Earlies by The Earlies
Haven't heard
27 Twin Cinema by The New Pornographers
Top 10 material
28 This Right Here Is Buck 65 by Buck 65
No interest
29 Lost And Safe by The Books
No interest
30 Gimme Fiction by Spoon
Top 20, maybe cracking the Top 10

Postmersh · **Posted:** Mon Nov 28, 2005 7:21 pm

Postmersh endorsed (though not necessarily top 20):

4 Hypermagic Mountain by Lightning Bolt
11 Black Sheep Boy by Okkervil River
12 LCD Soundsystem by LCD Soundsystem
14 Thunder, Lightning, Strike by The Go! Team
15 I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning by Bright Eyes
22 Apologies To The Queen Mary by Wolf Parade
24 Separation Sunday by The Hold Steady
27 Twin Cinema by The New Pornographers
30 Gimme Fiction by Spoon

I've just been getting more into the Okkervil lately, and only the Hold Steady album'll probably be in my top 10...

And the lack of love for Mountain Goats/Ryan Adams/Silver Jews/Superwolf/etc. on this list? Blasphemy...

metacritic's top 30 of 2005 (so far)

Who is online