Jared Kaufman

[Jared Kaufman]

Best Albums:
30. Bright Eyes – Digital Ash In A Digital Urn
29. Copeland – In Motion
28. Ved(er)a – The Weight of An Empty Room
27. Cartel – Chroma
26. Armor For Sleep – What To Do When You Are Dead
25. Fall Out Boy – From Under The Cork Tree
24. Days Away – Mapping an Invisible World
23. Coldplay – X&Y
22. The Receiving End of Sirens – Between the Heart and the Synapse
21. Motion City Soundtrack – Commit This to Memory
20. The Spill Canvas – One Fell Swoop
19. Gatsbys American Dream – Volcano
18. Acceptance – Phantoms
17. My Morning Jacket - Z
16. Bloc Party - Silent Alarm
15. Wolf Parade - Apologies To The Queen Mary
14. Stars – Set Yourself on Fire
13. Page France – Hello, Dear Wind
12. Lydia – This December; It’s One More and I’m Free
11. Spoon – Gimme Fiction
10. Nightmare of You – Self Titled
09. Death Cab for Cutie - Plans
08. The Magic Numbers – Self Titled
07. Say Hi To Your Mom – Ferocious Mopes
06. The Decemberists - Picaresque
05. Bright Eyes - I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning
04. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah – Self Titled
03. Minus The Bear – Menos el Oso
02. Sufjan Stevens - Illinois
01. Thrice – Vheissu

Honorable Mentions (in alphabetical order):
A Wilhelm Scream – Ruiner
The Academy Is – Almost Here
Alkaline Trio – Crimson
The Apprentice – American Portrait
Anberlin – Never Take Friendship Personal
Augustana – All The Stars and Bouelvards
Boys Night Out – Trainwreck
Broken Social Scene – Self Titled
Coheed & Cambria – Good Apollo…
Circa Survive - Juturna
Dredg – Catch Without Arms
Eisley – Room Noises
Emanuel – Soundtrack To A Headrush
Emery – The Question
Fielding – Self Titled
Funeral For A Friend – Hours
Gratitude – Self Titled
Headphones – Self Titled
The Hush Sound – So Sudden
Idlewild – Warnings / Promises
Jack’s Mannequin – Everything In Transit
James Blunt – Back To Bedlam
JamisonParker – Sleepwalker
The Junior Varisty – Wide Eyed
Kaiser Chiefs - Employment
Limbeck – Let Me Come Home
Mae – The Everglow
Mew – And The Glass Handed Kites
Nada Surf – The Weight Is A Gfit
The New Pornographers – Twin Cinema
Panic! At The Disco – A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out
The Perishers – Let There Be Morning
Rogue Wave – Descended Like Vultures
Sherwood – Sing, But Keep Going
Sigur Ros – Takk…
Terminal – How The Lonely Keep
Thin Dark Line - The Resolution
Thunderbirds Are Now! - Justamustache
Umbrellas – Self Titled
Waking Ashland – Composure
Weezer – Make Believe

I know this is a lot of music and extra albums; however, I listened to all of these albums pretty consistently throughout the year as well, and really enjoyed them. My list was just getting ridiculous, and to the point where I didn’t know where to put what, so I had to draw a line. I suggest everyone check out these albums if they have yet to do so; they’re just as worthy of praise.

Most Disappointing Album(s) of 2005:
02. Foo Fighters – In Your Honor
01. Coheed & Cambria – Good Apollo…

It’s not that I don’t like these albums, or listen to them from time to time, it’s just that I was expecting a lot more and something different from both bands and albums due to the talk of them prior to their release.

Albums I Missed In 2004:
05. Aaron Sprinkle – Lackluster
04. Ratatat – Self Titled
03. Chin Up Chin Up – We Should’ve Never Lived Like We Were Skyscrapers
02. Say Hi To Your Mom – Numbers & Mumbles
01. mewithoutYou – Catch For Us The Foxes

These are albums I either totally missed or just couldn’t get into in 2004; however, I grew a strong love for these albums this year, and had I felt the way about them I do now last year, then they would’ve been on my end of the year list then…and pretty high up there.

Best EPs of 2005:
05. Straylight Run – Prepare To Be Wrong
04. The Format – Snails
03. Jimmy Eat World – Stay On My Side Tonight
02. Explosions In The Sky – Travels In Constants Vol. 21: The Rescue
01. Iron & Wine – Woman King

Albums Your Parents Will Love:
05. Days Away – Mapping An Invisible World
04. Copeland – In Motion
03. Coldplay – X&Y
02. Death Cab For Cutie – Plans
01. Neil Diamond – 12 Songs

Best Producer of The Year:
04. Chris Walla
03. Aaron Sprinkle
02. Matt Squire
01. Casey Bates

Best New Bands of 2005:
05. Cassino
04. Lydia
03. Nightmare of You
02. The Magic Numbers
01. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

Best Music Video(s) of 2005:
05. Fall Out Boy – “Dance, Dance”
04. Thrice – “Image of The Invisible”
03. My Chemical Romance – “Helena”
02. Gatsbys American Dream – “Theatre”
01. My Chemical Romance – “The Ghost of You”

Best B-Side of 2005:
01.The Spill Canvas – “The Mother Confessor”

Best Lyrics of 2005:
05. Death Cab for Cutie
04. Bright Eyes
03. The Decemberists
02. The Receiving End of Sirens
01. Thrice

Best Album Artwork (and/or Layout):
05. Page France and Thunderbirds Are Now!
04. My Morning Jacket
03. The Mars Volta
02. A Wilhelm Scream
01. Circa Survive

Best Vocals of 2005:
05. William Pugh (Cartel)
04. Gavin Dino (Dredg)
03. Ben Gibbard (Death Cab For Cutie)
02. Dustin Kensure (Thrice)
01. Jason Vena (Acceptance)

Best Live Show:
05. Jimmy Eat World
04. Bright Eyes
03. Motion City Soundtrack
02. The Receiving End of Sirens
01. Thrice

Hardest Working Band(s) of 2005:
05. My Chemical Romance and Fall Out Boy
04. The Spill Canvas
03. Motion City Soundtrack
02. Page France
01. The Junior Varsity

Best Record Label of 2005:
01. The Militia Group

Most Underrated Band(s):
05. Stars
04. My Morning Jacket
03. The Magic Numbers
02. Lydia
01. Say Hi To Your Mom

Best Single:
02. Fall Out Boy – “Dance, Dance”
01. My Chemical Romance – “The Ghost of You”

Saddest Break-Up:
01. Northstar

Best ‘Other’ Zine Website:
03. Mammoth Press
02. Hate Something Beautiful
01. Pitchfork

Band(s) Most Pimped By AP.net:
04. Cartel
03. The Spill Canvas
02. Fall Out Boy
01. Thrice

Best Band Related DVD:
01) Thrice – If Only They Could See Us Now

Best Movie(s) of 2005:
03. Walk The Line
02. Batman Begins
01. Crash

Best TV Shows of 2005:
09. Scrubs
08. The Office
07. My Name Is Earl
06. 24
05. The OC
04. Entourage
03. Arrested Development
02. Family Guy
01. The Daily Show

Most Anticipated For 2006:
05. Page France
04. Say Hi To Your Mom
03. The Shins
02. Thursday
01. Brand New

Best Song(s) of 2005:
08. Wolf Parade – “You Are A Runner And I Am A Father’s Son” and "I'll Believe In Anything"
07. Motion City Soundtrack – “Hold Me Down”
06. The Decemberists – “The Mariner’s Revenge Song”
05. Death Cab For Cutie – “Marching Bands of Manhattan” and “What Sarah Said”
04. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah – “Gimme Some Salt"
03. Coldplay – “Fix You”
02. Say Hi To Your Mom – “I Think I’ll Be A Good Ghost”
01. Thrice – “Like Moths To Flame” and “Red Sky”

[duffe]

ok.

[dubey]

lolz

[unwritten]

awesome list man

[gonzo3333]

Hopefully it's better than Tate's.

[Kelley Nicole]

Hopefully it's better than Tate's.
this is jared! it'll be good i'm sure.

[gonzo3333]

this is jared! it'll be good i'm sure.

True true.

[The Silencer]

Expect lots of EITS;)

[mondeoman]

Ah you bastard. haha

[knibl]

True true.


word.

[poppa Q]

Expect lots of EITS;)

And rightfully so.

[Kelsey Brusseau]

I <3 and miss Jared :'(

[DroppedUrPocket]

Man, this list in DY-NO-MYTE.

[neo506]

Glad to see somebody put Thrice at 1 after all that hype. Good list Jared. And I'm also glad to see that you and others are recognizing mewithoutYou's brilliance.

[A_Passing_Hero]

my parents didnt like copeland when I showed it to them, maybe you should rethink that one haha.

[OneFellSwoop]

dude does anyone know where i can get that spill canvas b-side - "the mother confessor"??

[indie_ira]

good call on the junior varsity being the hardest working band of 2005.....

[Nate_]

Damn Straight Jason Vena has the best vocals of 05, but will's are good too, a close second.

[Bd4eva]

I Like It!

[Talib Scottie]

I dig it.

[_all_star_me_]

fix you is amazing. and so was the video.

[Scott Weber]

screw you for letting gatsby's fall to number 19! i still love you.

[wakeupgomer]

Yeah, I'm pretty much Jared's clone. Good picks, Jared. I now have some new bands to check out. Also, I completely forgot about the HELENA video after GHOST OF YOU came out.

[poppa Q]

Is EITS really an EP? Eight songs, I suppose it could swing either way...

[Jared Kaufman]

Is EITS really an EP? Eight songs, I suppose it could swing either way...
That's what I've seen it listed as in numerous places, so I just assumed so...

[InaGreendase]

The girl from Vedera really should've been somewhere in that top 5 vocalists list.

[LeftWideOpen]

nobody has shown love for Fiona Apple's latest ..that album is amaaazing.

[Russ Hockenbury]

I am so upset that Upbeetmusic got no love on the Best Other Webzine category...from anyone.

[troublelovesme]

awesome list.

[Jason Tate]

I am so upset that Upbeetmusic got no love on the Best Other Webzine category...from anyone.
Because it's not even in the top 20 for webzines.

[poppa Q]

That's what I've seen it listed as in numerous places, so I just assumed so...

Then that's where it shall land.

[patrickhowell]

I really don't agree on TREOS being anywhere near the top five for best lyrics.....

Nobody communicates like that... all the alliteration and internal rhyme seems soo cheesy to me.

Maybe they should be called The Receiving End Of Thesaurus.

[LPMagic]

Consider me swooned. :)

- Jeff

[LeftWideOpen]

I really don't agree on TREOS being anywhere near the top five for best lyrics.....

Nobody communicates like that... all the alliteration and internal rhyme seems soo cheesy to me.

Maybe they should be called The Receiving End Of Thesaurus.

I'll take:
"And on the eve of battle I'll lay these arms to rest.
Have my subordinate coordinates finally turned themselves in?
Transmitted, encoded, but encryptions have eroded.
Now my whereabouts are living in the airwaves thanks to me."


over:
maybe I'll meet that special
girl along the way
then she'll break my heart
and leave me crying.
I guess I'm giving up on love
'cause it really kind of sucks

anyday.

[Stubby0918]

Crash was an amazing movie. Great pick!

[John-Michael]

Thanks for the plug of Mammoth Jared! Good list.:D

[1Roth4]

i like your style.. sayhitoyourmom whips.

the only thing that upsets me is you put the OC before 24. :shake:

[Scott Weber]

I'll take:
"And on the eve of battle I'll lay these arms to rest.
Have my subordinate coordinates finally turned themselves in?
Transmitted, encoded, but encryptions have eroded.
Now my whereabouts are living in the airwaves thanks to me."


over:
maybe I'll meet that special
girl along the way
then she'll break my heart
and leave me crying.
I guess I'm giving up on love
'cause it really kind of sucks

anyday.
who said he was comparing it to the Ataris? and you also proved his thesaurus point pretty well I think.

[LeftWideOpen]

who said he was comparing it to the Ataris? and you also proved his thesaurus point pretty well I think.

well when he criticized treos, i wanted to see what he listened to. he said the ataris was one of his most anticipated in another thread ...so thats where i got the ataris from.

i'm not condemning listening to the ataris or anything similar to it. I listened to them myself for a while ...but it's a bunch of crap to write TREOS (3/5 of which were educated at a great university) off as being butt-buddies w/ a thesaurus. they use a wide vocabulary but they also use them in the right context - it isnt as if they throw words around that don't have much meaning. What they write is poetry, more so than most other bands this site covers. I don't think they compare to Dustin from Thrice but they're similar in nature for sure, especially his older lyrics. What do you think of his lyrics?

[patrickhowell]

I'll take:
"And on the eve of battle I'll lay these arms to rest.
Have my subordinate coordinates finally turned themselves in?
Transmitted, encoded, but encryptions have eroded.
Now my whereabouts are living in the airwaves thanks to me."


over:
maybe I'll meet that special
girl along the way
then she'll break my heart
and leave me crying.
I guess I'm giving up on love
'cause it really kind of sucks

anyday.


Alright, but there's plenty of artists with deep, meaningful lyrics that don't have to trick you by looking up big words. For TREOS to beat Bright Eyes and Death Cab for best lyrics is almost offensive.

I'd take:

"If you swear that 'there's no truth' and 'who cares' why do you say it like you're right?"

"I hear if you make friends with Jesus Christ, you’ll get right up from that chalk outline."

"If heaven and hell decide that they both are satisfied... illuminate the 'No's on their vacancy signs... If there's no one beside you when you're sould embarks, then I'll follow you into the dark."

Over:

"Some are so rehearsed for hearses it hurts"

"We are up in arms and armed"

"Like a felon, he fell into scandals, scams, and master plans to circumvent all circumstances"




Don't get me wrong, I love TREOS... Between The Heart And The Synapse might actually be in my Top 10 of the year, despite my problem with the lyrics.

Actually, some of the lyrics are great, and they have a lot of cool ideas behind them, but there's just too many tricks in it for it to flow right. (at least to me)

[Scott Weber]

well when he criticized treos, i wanted to see what he listened to. he said the ataris was one of his most anticipated in another thread ...so thats where i got the ataris from.

i'm not condemning listening to the ataris or anything similar to it. I listened to them myself for a while ...but it's a bunch of crap to write TREOS (3/5 of which were educated at a great university) off as being butt-buddies w/ a thesaurus. they use a wide vocabulary but they also use them in the right context - it isnt as if they throw words around that don't have much meaning. I don't think they compare to Dustin from Thrice but they're similar in nature for sure, especially his older lyrics. What do you think of his lyrics?
first of all, your "educated at a great university" doesn't mean anything. MC Lars goes to Stanford. (don't get me wrong, i like mc lars, but.... end of story.) I find TREOS's lyrics to be alright, but they're hard to get into because that album isn't very good IMO. It's a complete clutter of sounds and effects, and I pretty much agree with everything he said about the lyrics. They're ok, but they can't salvage the record.

[LeftWideOpen]

Alright, but there's plenty of artists with deep, meaningful lyrics that don't have to trick you by looking up big words. For TREOS to beat Bright Eyes and Death Cab for best lyrics is almost offensive.

I'd take:

"If you swear that 'there's no truth' and 'who cares' why do you say it like you're right?"

"I hear if you make friends with Jesus Christ, you’ll get right up from that chalk outline."

"If heaven and hell decide that they both are satisfied... illuminate the 'No's on their vacancy signs... If there's no one beside you when you're sould embarks, then I'll follow you into the dark."

Over:

"Some are so rehearsed for hearses it hurts"

"We are up in arms and armed"

"Like a felon, he fell into scandals, scams, and master plans to circumvent all circumstances"




Don't get me wrong, I love TREOS... Between The Heart And The Synapse might actually be in my Top 10 of the year, despite my problem with the lyrics.

Actually, some of the lyrics are great, and they have a lot of cool ideas behind them, but there's just too many tricks in it for it to flow right. (at least to me)

oh okay ..i thought you were passing them off as a bunch of crap. my apologies. I wouldn't try to make a case for TREOS > Ben Gibbard or Connor Oberst, because I don't think thats the case. I do think they're better than most though.

[LeftWideOpen]

first of all, your "educated at a great university" doesn't mean anything. MC Lars goes to Stanford. (don't get me wrong, i like mc lars, but.... end of story.) I find TREOS's lyrics to be alright, but they're hard to get into because that album isn't very good IMO. It's a complete clutter of sounds and effects, and I pretty much agree with everything he said about the lyrics. They're ok, but they can't salvage the record.

i love the record- lyrics, music, production etc ... but i don't expect everyone else to. I think the lyrics they write though are at least worthy of respect. It seemed like you and the other guy werent doing that. So I apologize.

[patrickhowell]

well when he criticized treos, i wanted to see what he listened to. he said the ataris was one of his most anticipated in another thread ...so thats where i got the ataris from.

i'm not condemning listening to the ataris or anything similar to it. I listened to them myself for a while ...but it's a bunch of crap to write TREOS (3/5 of which were educated at a great university) off as being butt-buddies w/ a thesaurus. they use a wide vocabulary but they also use them in the right context - it isnt as if they throw words around that don't have much meaning. What they write is poetry, more so than most other bands this site covers. I don't think they compare to Dustin from Thrice but they're similar in nature for sure, especially his older lyrics. What do you think of his lyrics?

1) Kris Roe's lyrics are just fun and reminiscent, they really can't be compared to something like TREOS. I'm really looking forward to the new Ataris album because, from what I hear, it's supposed to be a lot more mature than their previous records.

2) I really can't say that I agree with you on TREOS lyrics. I agree that they are very educated individuals, and I really like their music, but their 'poetry' as you put it, seems a little immature to me (at least parts of it).

Poetry / Lyrics are a form of art, and no ammount of education can make you a good artist, it can help you develop skills to use in this art (which are very evident in this album) but it can't make you a poet.

Music is subjective, so this is just my opinion, but a lot of the word choice, alliteration, and internal rhyme leave a bad taste in my mouth. I feel like they are trying to impress me with an extensive vocabulary, when simpler words may actually fit the situation better.

3) I haven't paid much attention to Thrice's lyrics... honestly, I've been kind of bored by the band in the past, but since everybody's pushing Vheissu so hard, I think I'll give it a listen.

[starcrossdlovex]

dude does anyone know where i can get that spill canvas b-side - "the mother confessor"??

I was just about to ask the same thing

[Katie Schmitz]

Great list!

[derricklc22]

this is jared! it'll be good i'm sure.
Another great list. We have a lot of the same taste....I'm def. going to buy The Magic Numbers album thanks to you talking about them and the songs I heard on their myspace. Great list and keep up the good work.

[Paul Tao]

next year, my goal is HSB > pitchfork.


hahahhahaa

[XmorganX88]

Best list on the whole site. Apart from Gatsby's at 19.

[gonzo3333]

Pretty sexy list.
Do you listen to The Mountain Goats? Because if you don't you really should.

[xvalorous]

so far this hits closest in my book. somewhat.

[Russ Hockenbury]

Because it's not even in the top 20 for webzines.


Oh Jason, when will you learn to use your powers for good not evil...

[skYcriesforme]

First off I want to say its a great list - not completely identical to my music tastes but you have a lot of my favorites on there, and its probably the one I respect the most of the staff lists.

But I want to just ask a general question that is not specifically directed at you, and this is - why is Stars included on SO many people's year end lists when it clearly came out LAST year? It was on my own, and several other people's best of list last year.

It doesn't matter really, and your list is still great - its just after seeing Stars on about the 800th year end list i had to ask the question.

[CROMagnon]

awesome list jared

[Jared Kaufman]

First off I want to say its a great list - not completely identical to my music tastes but you have a lot of my favorites on there, and its probably the one I respect the most of the staff lists.

But I want to just ask a general question that is not specifically directed at you, and this is - why is Stars included on SO many people's year end lists when it clearly came out LAST year? It was on my own, and several other people's best of list last year.

It doesn't matter really, and your list is still great - its just after seeing Stars on about the 800th year end list i had to ask the question.
Everywhere I've looked has March 8th, 2005 as the release date for "Set Yourself On Fire." Maybe that's the U.S. release date? I mean, they are from Canada, right? Maybe it was released in '04 there? I'm not entirely sure. Either way, everywhere I've seen it listed has it as that release date, and if that's just because that's when it came out here, then it still counts (either way).

[tambo41187]

Everywhere I've looked has March 8th, 2005 as the release date for "Set Yourself On Fire." Maybe that's the U.S. release date? I mean, they are from Canada, right? Maybe it was released in '04 there? I'm not entirely sure. Either way, everywhere I've seen it listed has it as that release date, and if that's just because that's when it came out here, then it still counts (either way).
Correct. It was released in the US in March 2005, but Canada in 2004.

[soreloser]

I'm glad the magic numbers and headphones got a mention <3

[Scott Weber]

Correct. It was released in the US in March 2005, but Canada in 2004.
About to say the same thing.

[HotTubsMolest]

The Magic Numbers! Weehee!

[walk aimlessly]

I'm alittle disappointed that Jared didn't make any predictions for 2006. You were kinda, pretty accurate last year.

[AdmistAPoision]

I feel like a parent then...older

all except for Coldplay XY...I think about the little one "Apple" and i just like their old stuff better.

As for everything else you tate and......weber have awesome list.

It's on a serious note though it's not a generalization in your line ups or bands in your list. i hate genre's.......they are who they are...... bands are what they are given there's always room for improvement in any band wether old or new coming through the soil. When you pay closer attention to all the ingredients.....lyrics.......chords .....etc...the changes and new approaches....being made .have been made...where they are coming in or out of it for me would be harder to pick a favorite.

Me without you.....have an abundance of energy on stage and they sound awesome even outside of the studio I can't express with words...both of their albums i like the old on better but they r very unique....u aren't the only one who missed them in 04." some
other staff did.

It seems you and many others really listen to all particles of music which needs to be done more.

not only in music but movie's also.

i'm going to another staff's list now.....

chow

[Greg Dona]

Nice list. You've got some really good albums on there that I haven't seen much about on this site. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah at four surprises me, but I'm glad it made the list at least.