The good albums of 2005

[brokenhanger]

The new Elbow leaked the other day, and it is stunning. Easilly jumped to the top of the list.

The forthcoming Super Furry Animals record is quite good, too, if not their best. Gruff Rhys's solo album from earlier this year is better.

The new Gravy Train!!!! came out this week, and again it's good if not as good as the last one.

The ODB "Osirus" mix tape from January starts out incredibly strong but loses steam during the last third or so. We miss you, ODB.

I still love the new Nine Inch Nails, I don't care what anyone says. It's a good time and a fantastic return to form from Trent.

The Kaiser Chiefs record is a lot of fun, particularly if you play spot the influence. 'I Predict A Riot' and 'Every Day I Love You Less and Less' are two of the year's finest singles - even if the former came out at the tail end of last year. Shhh, we won't tell anyone.

I hated the early singles, but I quite like the LCD Soundsystem full-length.

The Hidden Cameras just released a new double 7" of demos for next year's full-length, and it is fantastic. It's nice to have these songs I've been hearing live for a year on record now, even if it's not all of them.

There's an EP from an NYC duo named Mommy and Daddy called "Fighting Style Killer Panda" that is quite fun. Similar set up to DFA79 - bass, electronics, vocals - but much more poppy.

The new Supergrass is incredibly mellow but surprisingly good.

The thing is, outside of the Elbow - and I've only heard it a couple of times, so my opinion might change on that - and maybe the Hidden Cameras demos, none of these are "classics". I look at all of them, and they're either just an entertaining diversion or a solid album from an established band that doesn't quite live up to their legacy. In that respect, I'm pretty disappointed in 2005.

Take care,
James