Secret New Artist Society (SNAS) Top Albums of 2005
We here at SNAS like to piss on everyone's year who isn't a cordoroy wearing pot smoking, semi-guitar playing, guy who drives a shit car and complains about his life as a waiter. Because those people much like my own sell-out self make the world go round musically. We'll tell you what you should like...
13. Andrew Bird
The Mysterious Production of EggsAlthough I missed him at the Funk Box / 8x10 I adore this album. Nervous Tic Motion of the Head to the Left is a brilliant song and the whole album comes off in his genuine, earthy, and rather refreshing in a coffee shop
BOBO way.
12.
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!Oh the hype. They will be crushed from the hype. They were the opening acts on their last tour and people left before the main act went on. Talk about ballsy. They are good and the tracks remind you of an anti- high school football pep rally.
11. Coco Rosie
Noah's Ark Under the radar winner of the year is Coco Rosie. It hasn't been out long enough and falls in the same vein as the Dresden Dolls mixed with John Vanderslice. Right? Yeah - got all that - didn't think so. It really is a precious album and worth a mention. Even if it is sort of bringing up the rear.
10. Oasis
Don't Believe the TruthTheir best effort since What the Story Morning Glory. Personally I just love whatever they do. The last album was pretty much trash but this was great to see live and great to hear while fans flocked them back to the b-side of the fold. Let There Be Love will hopefully be played on the radio here as it makes it's single debut this week in the UK. More than likely not though - but it's really good and you should listen.
9. The Eels
Blinking LightsOh Mr. E how I looked forward to this album since Shootenanny that let me down oh so much in the wake of SoulJacker (your best work). This was a really well put together double album that does much better in Europe, because well, they have better taste than we do and they don't have Nebraska. It's light and airy but it has that bad thing that you do every once in a while - oh - where you get really arrogant and think people WANT to listen to static endings that last 2 minutes. Dick!
8. M.I.A.
ArularYou know I don't buy a lot of dancy stuff. But not only is MIA some hot Brazenglish woman but she is a nice mixer and lifter of other people's shit. She brought back Latin beats with Prodigy alertness and Hip Hop guff.
7. LCD Soundsystem
LCD SoundsystemZorba the Greek made them viable enough to buy their own equipment (see My Big Fat Greek Wedding soundtrack). But - Daft Punk is Playing at My House caused me to run home one night from a local pub while someone was DJ'ing to get this album. It was right when it was released. The DJ winked at me and i handed him the vinyl. He then proceeded to queue it but not play it. Well fuck him! He just doesn't understand the beauty.
6. Ryan Adam & the Cardinals
Cold RosesEven though I walked out on the concert I still think this is much better than Rock n Roll and Demolition (minus - cry on demand). It's not so much of a return as it is a rebirth of what he has always stood for. I always imagine him in front of a magic music blender taking a piss while playing a guitar and then hitting the mix button and saying "Fuck it - that'll rock their asses. Or at least make 'em cry in front of another guy."
5.White Stripes
Get Behind Me SatanWhen my kids ask me what was the most influential band of my generation I won't be saying Nirvana, The Strokes, or Oasis. I'll be explaining the magic that is Meg and Jack White. Real men wear spandex.
4. Spoon
Gimme FictionThe go to college kid album of the year was Spoon and it's head bobby hit Turn My Camera On. A very well done album by the future throne taker to Wilco. This is a damn fucking good album and should be purchased immediately.
3. Danger Doom
The Mouse & The Mask The go-to - we smoke too much pot and watch too much ATHS on the Cartoon network album. So wonderfully put together that you almost forget that you first heard of the MOUSE on the Grey album and Dangerdoom played the Ottobar like 50 times before the line "Shakezula the Mic Rula" came out of his mouth.
"Meat wad get the honey's G" - had to be said.
2. Rilo Kiley
Take Offs And LandingsThe female version of the killers had the female version of Mr. Brightside with their Portions for Foxes. It's a shame they are on a small label because that song would have blown the panties off of anyone listening. Even if you don't wear panties the one's at home in the drawer would have been on the floor soaking wet when you got there.
1. Sons & Daughters
The Repulsion Box Do you like the Black Keys? Do you like the White Stripes? Do you like really awesome music? If you love the blues and want to be the first one on your block to be rocking the British version of the White Stripes than you need to go out, no fuck that, run out of your house right now - hurdle an old lady while yelling something in middle English like "Dar be me Mead in jervin Mervin". After that lower your shoulder into the nearest record store. Grab the pecculi smelling guy behind the counter. Smack him thrice. And say with unabashed will in your best British accent, "Give me the fookin Sons and Daughters mate or I'll slit your jacobs off."
Best NOT-So-New cd found this year: Give It Back by The Brian Jonestown Massacre. This is one of those CD's that hipsters will see next to your collection of Captain Beefheart and Can and say "Goddamn are you cool". If that's the attention you want - -then buy it - - if you just want a kick ass album. It is!
Best NOT-So-New group found this year: Drive-by Truckers - I went and saw them for the first time with Doug at the Baltimore Art Festival thinger and it was unbelievable and country fresh. I also owe a lot of looking this band up to
Large Hearted Boy whose blog you should read every day if you love music.
Best NOT-So-New book read this year: Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy writer of All the Pretty Horses precedes this with a gruesome masterpiece set in the mid 1800's west expansion towns. Tales of scalping and dust riding are told like you have never read. I had to read the first chapter 3 times just to take it all in.
