The Stairs – On Sleep Lab (The Stairs)
I’ll kick off this list of ten albums from 2005 that haven’t been all over music writers’ year-end lists, but are just as good (or better) than those that have been, with this Massachusetts-based rock band’s swan song. It’s a true epic, full of feeling and mystery. Each song takes off in its own unique direction, be it psychedelic, humorous, or sweet. Look out for the new group that grew from The Stairs’ ashes: Hallelujah the Hills.
If Thousands – I Have Nothing (Silber)
Compact yet large in scope, I Have Nothing is the strongest release yet from this duo of improvisers from Duluth, Minnesota. Their experimental journey started with them abandoning their usual instruments to use ones which they weren’t proficient with, and has only gone interesting places since then.
The Caribbean – Plastic Explosives (Hometapes)
The Caribbean speak their own language: they’re the secret agents of pop, taking well-constructed, melodic pop songs and turning them into riddles and question marks.
Jason Anderson – The Wreath (K)
A gorgeous winter-themed relationship album, with moving songs about being stuck in an emotional limbo of sorts, full of uncertainty. Its ending moment of epiphany, during the album’s last track, is one of the most stirring moments of the year in music, completely inspiring.
The Trembling – Art for the Masses (Boyarm/Top Quality Rock and Roll)
Michigan-based trio The Trembling play rock n’ roll like I like it: Loud and ragged, but with a great sense of melody. Rebellious, but with a purpose. Devoutly independent. Committed to uniting us all though that amazing lift that an energetic, heartfelt rock song can have, the lift that makes you feel like jumping around like an idiot, or doing your best to change the world.
Darren Hanlon – Little Chills (Candle)
An articulate songwriter with an impeccable sense for detail, Australian Darren Hanlon writes songs that are funny, bittersweet, and infectious at once.
Melodium – La Tete Qui Flotte (Autres Directions in Music)
Electronic pop music that feels gleeful and silly, like it was performed by a child, yet at the same time sophisticated and mature.
Modern Giant – Satellite Nights (Pop Boomerang)
Obvious lovers of rock n’ roll, well-versed in its history, this Australian quartet delivered an excellent debut album this year. It’s filled both with catchy pop-rock numbers and some beautifully constructed, ruminative tracks consisting of a band member’s spoken stories and thoughts (about record collecting, infatuation, nostalgia) over music.
Aarktica – Bleeding Light (Darla)
Aarktica’s melancholy ambient-pop music greatly expanded in scope and impact with the release of this weighty, involving album. A touching, sad meditation on urban loneliness, expressed through rich and varied soundscapes.
Colin Clary – Sweater Weather or Not, These Are the Songs That I’ve Got (Asaurus)
The best independent labels have a personal touch to them that you could never find at a major label these days. Here we have a super-talented songwriter recording a batch of heartfelt, catchy pop songs, and the label releasing them in a unique hand-made package, with the CD living inside of a small sweater. A lovingly put-together release, from the music through to the packaging.
