Best of 2005

Since there were no “best of” highlights politically or in the news last year, the saving graces of 2005 were those activities and experiences that presented a pleasant departure from reality. Therefore…. Everything Between’s Best of 2005 is all about the music.

No, it was not as good as past years, however, a positive trend continued, and rock n’ roll again proved its enduring vivacity.

Most of the selections below are featured on Everything Between’s flagship radio station, WOOZradio. Please listen, we appreciate the support.

Top 20 Albums/”Singles” of 2005 (in no order):
1. Surfjan Stevens – Illinois: 2nd of planned 50 records-by-state. Better than Michigan, and shit, IL is my home state.

2. Stephen Malkmus – Face the Truth: Westerberg had the best band of the 80s, perhaps Malkmus’ Pavement was best of the ’90s. The cuts on this record are among the best of ’05, sin duda.
3. LCD Soundsystem – s/t: So what if its a sort of compilation. James Murphy’s shit makes me wanna Get down!

4. Of Montreal – Sunlandic Twins: Freshest, most fun Beatlesque, Pet Sounds inspired record of ’05.

5. Broken Social Scene – “7/4 (Shoreline)“: I fell in love with the live version of this. Its the best cut on these Canadians’ new record and I still can’t get enough.

6. The Decemberists – Picaresque: Once again, a band that increases their merit LIVE. “Sixteen Military Wives” and others kicked my ass… but live at the Fonda… Forget about it!

7. Fiona Apple – Extraordinary Machine: Jon Brion’s mix, or the official mix, this still blew me away. And Warner shelved it Yankee Foxtrot style – unbelievable.

8. Spoon – Gimme Fiction: I love this band. And while this is simply a status quo follow-up to 2004’s Kill the Moonlight, I remain hooked on many of these tracks.

9. Iron & Wine – Woman King Ep: Don’t waste another year without experiencing Sam Beam and Co. live or at least on record. I probably listened to this 6-song EP more than any long-player this year.

10. M83 – “Save us From the Flames”: Blown away by each and every remix I heard of this, not to mention the originial.

11. Antony & the Johnsons – “Hope There’s Someone”: OK, so I was underwhelmed, despite being fortunate enough to see Antony at Schubas in Chicago, perhaps the most perfect venue for music of this type. Still, I can listen to this song over and over and fall off amazed.

12. The Bees – “Chicken Payback”: Hippest song of the year – I lost my shit every time I’d hear anybody else play this in a DJ set.

13. Franz Ferdinand – You Could Have it So Much Better: First band of the Strokes generation to out-do itself on sophomore release. They kicked ass at the Greek Theatre, and the first two singles on this record are priceless.

14. Kanye West – “Gold Digger”: This is one hot song. It brings back the sampled soul of the Moby:Play era.

15. End – “Good Riddance (Good Time Remix)”: Most fun, danceable track that I just could not tire of.

16. Public Enemy – New Whirl Odor: P.E. is back and this record is a classic and simultaneously as grown up as can be. Power to the people.

17. My Morning Jacket – “Off the Record”: I keep wanting to fall in love with this band, but get bored too soon. “Off the Record” is the one cut off this year’s Z that I keep playing over and over.

18. The Kills – “Love in a Trashcan”: Any recipient of my autumn 2005 “Extraordinary Renditions” mix CD knows why this is in the top 20.

19. Devendra Banhart – “Heard Somebody Say”: His latest record, as with his previous work, is phenomenal – but this track stands out above all.

20. Architecture in Helsinki – “Do the Whirlwind”: just because this track has predominated my consciousness over the latter third of 2005.

This list was hastily created and is by no means complete. To hear the best of 2005, check out WOOZradio – where EvBet’s faves stream on.

P.S. Purchasing any of these recordings via the links on this page helps support Everything Between. Thanks.