Stars – Set Yourself on Fire (Arts & Crafts)
One of my favorite albums of the year, and spinning it in the store is guaranteed to make the girls in the café happy with me. “When there’s nothing left to burn, you have to…”
Various Artists – Imaginational Anthem (Tompkins Square)
The inaugural release of this new label compiles some of the greatest guitarists in the ‘American Primitive’ style: not just obvious giants John Fahey and Sandy Bull (the latter represented by a previously unreleased track), but also ‘60s legends (some vintage recordings, some new) and the best of the moderns.
Depeche Mode – Playing the Angel (Reprise)
We honestly didn’t think there were so many Depeche Mode fans in Williamsburg; we sold out of this the first week. Maybe a little long – it drags by the end and could stand to lose three songs – but their best in years.
Oneida – The Wedding (Jagjaguwar)
Local heroes expand their timbral options with a string quartet on some tracks. They’re not mellowing, they’re just diversifying their weaponry. Guaranteed to be on my best of 2005 list.
Patti Smith Horses/Horses [30th Anniversary Legacy Edition] (Arista/Legacy)
Not only is the original album (plus the B-side bonus track cover of “My Generation”) as great as ever, now there’s a second disc with the gang (including Tom Verlaine and Flea) doing it all again this past June at a London concert to give us a new perspective.
Castanets – First Light’s Freeze (Asthmatic Kitty)
Some of this was recorded in my apartment in the period when leader Ray Raposa was living in the back room. I will never forget the day when Daniel Carter, one of my favorite saxophonists, showed up. The elusive, elliptical lyrics and quietly intense music keep compelling me to put this disc back in the player.
Dr. John and the Lower 911 – Sippiana Hericane (Blue Note)
We interrupt this party to remind you of your mortality and vulnerability.
Doc Cheatham – Hey Doc!: The Definitive Black & Blue Sessions (Black & Blue) and
The Fabulous Doc Cheatham (Parkwood)
In a year and a half, nobody bought these. Rather than return them to the distributor, I bought them for myself. I’m glad I got to hear Doc in person; he was the last link to a trumpet style that can now only be heard on recordings.
The National – Alligator (Beggars Banquet)
Probably our best-selling album of the year, and the joy of spinning it hasn’t diminished a bit. When they did an in-store here over the summer, we got their earlier releases on Brassland, and if they’re not quite as great, they’re still damn good.
Carlos Delgado joins the Mets
I don’t stand for “God Bless America” either. Someday I’ll say to the yahoos around me at the ballpark who give me flak, “I didn’t know you were so hot for showtunes.” But I want to get health insurance first….
