Garett Press

[Garett Press]

The Best and Worst of All that is 2005

--Overall I felt that this year had a lot of promise but failed to totally make good on all the hype. However, there were definitely a great number of truly remarkable releases. Looking at several of my choices I can't help but think, “wow, how did that make it on to my top 30?” The truth is that there were few releases that were irrefutably top 10 material, so it was more left up to personal opinions and what floats the boat of each listener. So this is a list of the albums that spent the most time making love to my ears, perhaps not technically the “best” albums. I know that there are a million and one albums released this year that were tenfold “better” than The Rocket Summer or The Spill Canvas; but they either didn’t appeal to me or failed to make a dent on my playlist. That being said, I’m hoping for a more musically prosperous year in ’06 and the way it looks, I think my wishes are destined to come true. So, back to 2005 --- here’s how it looks in my book:


~~Best Albums of '05~~

1. Gatsby’s American Dream – Volcano

--No surprises here, both you and I knew this was coming. Gatsby’s American Dream is my favorite band, appealing to me from every angle that a band can. After I listen to Volcano or any Gatsby’s record I’m hesitant to listen to anything else, because odds are I’m so jaded that it won’t compare. The music is creative, and yes, there are other creative artists out there, but this band fuels creativity with a passion, energy, conviction, and accessibility that’s unrivaled. Few bands have worked harder for success and still maintained such a sincerity and appreciation for their art and their fanbase. I encourage you to not only witness their overwhelming live show, but to approach them afterwards. It seems they’ve started a new wavelength in our scene influencing at least half a dozen bands in Seattle including up and comers like Forgive Durden and This Providence and several others elsewhere such as Matchbook Romance. I wasn’t sure in April that this would take my top spot, because though it blew me away, I couldn’t put it above Ribbons and Sugar (and Coheed was also yet to come). However, looking back now, it was my most anticipated, most listened to, and most beloved record of the year, and I’m still discovering new elements of the complex thematic and musical scheme. GO BUY VOLCANO!--

2. Bright Eyes – I’m Wide Awake It’s Morning

--Thought Coheed would have been here? Well I couldn’t not give this spot to Bright Eyes. I’m Wade Awake is perfect. I guess you either love or hate Bright Eyes but I vote for the former. His lyrical prowess never ceases to amaze me and the shimmering beauty of the album often leaves me speechless. This is a true freeze frame portrait of a man lost and despondent in the most mysterious and entrancing city on earth. As the acoustic strings are plucked so solemnly, I can practically see Conor walking drunk on the sidewalk or hungover in his apartment, staring out the window at an urban sprawl.--

3. Coheed and Cambria – Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Volume 1: From Fear though the Eyes of Madness

--Now it’s Coheed time. Flawed? Yes. Still amazing? Yes. I’ve already written a multi-page essay disguised as a review that can be found here (http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=98680), but I’ll reiterate. They tripped a little bit in weaving a distinct nuance into each track, but every other aspect of the album makes up for this. Using their story theme, the band has put themselves in a position where each album is inherently enjoyable to an extent, because it is perpetuated by the suspense and rising action of their tale. On that foundation the thrilling progressive sound on Good Apollo is surefire, taking us on an epic journey soundtracked by rock and roll. Such an outrageous mixture of classic and progressive rock can’t be had anywhere else but in the saga of CoCa. The Willing Wells alone qualify this album for top 10 status.--

4. The Decemberists – Picaresque
5. Death Cab for Cutie – Plans
6. Sufjan Stevens – Illinois
7. The Academy Is… - Almost Here
8. The Spill Canvas – One Fell Swoop
9. Kanye West – Late Registration
10. Maria Taylor – 11:11
11. Bright Eyes – Digital Ash in a Digital Urn
12. The Higher – Histrionics
13. The Rocket Summer – Hello Good Friend
14. Acceptance – Phantoms
15. Cartel - Chroma
16. Circa Survive - Juturna
17. Jack’s Mannequin – Everything in Transit
18. Days Away – Mapping an Invisible World
19. Armor for Sleep – What to do When You’re Dead
20. Orenda Fink – The Invisible Ones
21. Thrice – Vheissu
22. Copeland – In Motion
23. The Mars Volta – Frances the Mute
24. Kevin Devine – Split the Country, Split the Streets
25. Matt Pond PA – Several Arrows Later
26. The Sound of Animals Fighting – The Tiger and the Duke
27. Hot Hot Heat – Elevator
28. Vendetta Red – Sisters of the Read Death
29. Limbeck – Let Me Come Home
30. The Pale Pacific – Urgency

~~Best EP’s of 2005~~

1. Ludo – Broken Bride
2. I Hate Myself – 3 Songs
3. The Format – Snails
4. Say Anything – Was a Real Boy…
5. Amanda Rogers – Something Borrowed, Something Blue
6. Relient K – Apathetic
7. Straylight Run – Prepare to be Wrong

Ludo was cheezy as hell but such a superb listen; I love me a good concept. I thought I Hate Myself was forever disbanded, and instead they put out one last EP and of course... outstanding. They are one of my all time faves.

~~Worst Albums of ‘05~~

1. A Static Lullaby – Faso Latido
2. Finch – Say Hello to Sunshine
3. An Angle – We Breathe Under Alcohol

~~Most Dissapointing Albums of ‘05~~

1. Boys Night Out - Trainwreck
2. Steel Train – Twilight Tales
3. Motion City Soundtrack – Commit This to Memory
4. Fall Out Boy – From Under the Cork Tree
5. Mae – The Everglow
6. Thrice - Vheissu
7. Spitalfield – Stop Doing Bad Things
8. The Mars Volta – Frances the Mute
9. Rufio – The Comfort of Home
10.The Used – In Love and Death

I really enjoyed several of these albums, they just failed to meet expectations. I'm sorry Slade, I'll always love you.

~~Albums I Wish I Got More Into~~

1. Minus the Bear – Menos el Oso
2. A Wilhelm Scream – Ruiner
3. Sigur Ros – Takk
4. The Evan Anthem – Sens
5. Lydia – This December; It’s One More and I’m Free

You know when you hear so much about a band so you constantly try and listen to them, but you never get the opportunity to truly grasp their music? I tried so hard with these bands, and I want to love them all, I just never got to spend enough time with them.

~~Most Anticipated in 2006~~

1. Gatsby’s American Dream
2. Saves the Day
3. Forgive Durden
4. Portugal. The Man
5. Rocky Votolato
6. Matchbook Romance
7. Feeling Left Out
8. The Elected
9. Brand New
10.Rx Bandits
11.Clair De Lune
12.Midtown
13.Rilo Kiley

It’s going to be an interesting year to say the least!

~~Best Songs of ‘05~~

1. Coheed and Cambria – Welcome Home
2. Gatsby’s American Dream – Shhhhhhh! I’m Listening to Reason
3. Fall Out Boy – Get Busy Living or Get Busy Dying
4. Bright Eyes – Easy, Lucky, Free
5. Coldplay – Fix You
6. The Higher – Histrionics
7. Thrice – The Earth Will Shake
8. Cartel – Who Will Save Us?
9. The Apprentice – We Were Just Eighteen
10.The Decemberists – The Mariner’s Revenge Song
11.The Used – I Caught Fire
12.Emery – Studying Politics
13.Death Cab for Cutie – What Sarah Said
14.Say Anything – Wow, I Can Get Sexual Too
15.The Spill Canvas – Staplegunned
16.Straylight Run – Hands in the Sky (Big Shot)

~~Best Concept/Theme~~

1. Coheed and Cambria
2. Death Cab for Cutie
3. Gatsby's American Dream
4. Boys Night Out
5. Armor for Sleep
6. Ludo
7. Mae
8. Sufjan Stevens
9. Jack’s Mannequin
10.The Mars Volta

2005, the year of the concept album. Can't say I don't love it, but it certainly is becoming a trend.

~~Best Vocals~~

1. Nic Newsham (GAD)
2. Will Pugh (Cartel)
3. Claudio Sanchez (Coheed)
4. Jason Vena (Acceptance)
5. Christian Geurerro (BEDlight for blueEYES)
6. Anthony Green (Circa Survive)
7. Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes)
8. Andrew McMahon (Jack’s Mannequin)

~~Best Producer~~

1. Casey Bates
2. Aaron Sprinkle

~~Best Music Video~~

1. Gatsby’s American Dream – Theatre
2. Death Cab for Cutie – Soul Meets Body
3. My Chemical Romance – Ghost of You
4. Bright Eyes – First Day of My Life
5. Jack’s Mannequin - Mixtape
6. The All American Rejects – Dirty Little Secret

~~Best Bridge/Breakdown~~

1. Coheed and Cambria – Willing Well II: From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness
“As father told son in the make of his final escape
Should all good boys die with God at their side,
At the grace of his gates?”
2. Fall Out Boy – Get Busy Living or Get Busy Dying
3. Gatsby’s American Dream – Shhhhh! I’m Listening to Reason
4. Hidden in Plain View – Ashes, Ashes
5. Armor for Sleep – The Truth About Heaven
6. Monty – In this Legacy

Damn that Coheed bridge just hits me straight in the nuts. The FOB as well, very intense. And don't tell me GAD's "Swallow us all up, we are surely not worthy" didn't give you chills the first time you heard it.

~~Best B-Side~~

1. Gatsby’s American Dream – The Guilt Engine (remix)
2. The Postal Service – Be Still My Heart (Nobody remix)

I wish this Guilt Engine made the record, definitely a better version

~~Favorite Slow Jams~~

1. Bright Eyes – Poison Oak
2. The Spill Canvas – Secret Oath
3. Bright Eyes – Easy, Lucky, Free
4. Maria Taylor – Two of Those Two
5. Death Cab for Cutie – I Will Follow You Into the Dark
6. The Rocket Summer – Goodbye Waves and Driveways
7. Cartel – Who Will Save Us?
8. The Apprentice – We Were Just Eighteen
9. Augustana – Boston
10.The Format – On Your Porch (Acoustic)

I'm Wide Awake was my constant mellow/depressed choice, and The Spill Canvas... shit I was screaming along with that album soooo loud in my car, everyone on the road thought I was "challenged." Maria Taylor put me to sleep and Death Cab are obviously champs of melancholy. Rocket Summer and Cartel... truly moving.

~~Best Lyrics~~

1. Bright Eyes
2. Kanye West
3. Death Cab for Cutie
4. Gatsby’s American Dream

You can't fuck with Conor. He is a king of lyrics, there's no disputing it. He played a brand new song live and I was actually stirred by the words, that's never happened to me before.

~~Best Solo~~

1. Coheed – Welcome Home/Willing Well IV
2. The Mars Volta – The Widow
3. Rufio – A Simple Line
4. Monty – Castle Bound
5. Gatsby’s American Dream – The Losing of the Shadow (not really a solo)

It was pretty hard to find candidates for this category, and I probably missed a bunch... but these were all damn good.

~~Albums You Should Make Fun of me for Listening to So Much~~

1. Panic! At the Disco – A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out
2. The Rocket Summer – Hello Good Friend
3. The Spill Canvas – One Fell Swoop

I swear, Panic! just appeared on my playlist. I didn't click shit, I was just sitting there and next thing you know I hear "Sit tight I'm gonna need you to keep time, come on just snap snap snap your fingers for me." Swear to God! Weird dude, fuckingggg weird.

~~Most Catchy Songs~~

1. Fall Out Boy – Sugar We’re Goin Down
2. Hot Hot Heat – Goodnight, Goodnight
3. Motion City Soundtrack – Everything is Alright
4. Thrice – Image of the Invisible
5. My Chemical Romance – Helena
6. The Used – All That I’ve Got

~~Best Label~~

1. Fearless Records
2. Saddle Creek
3. Militia Group

~~Best New Band~~

1. The Apprentice
2. Circa Survive
3. Hello Vegas

~~Next Big Thing~~

1. Forgive Durden
2. Angels and Airwaves
3. The Format
4. Gatsby’s American Dream
5. Cavil at Rest

Lookout for the premiere of new Cavil at Rest material, a possible AP.net exclusive.

~~Best Unsigned Band~~

1. Saves the Day
2. Cavil at Rest
3. Feeling Left Out

How the FUCK is STD unsigned? There's no way their name should be in this category.

~~Biggest Sellouts~~

1. A Static Lullaby
2. Motion City Soundtrack
3. Fall Out Boy

I don't really know, this is awkward.

~~Controversial Moments~~

1. Jenoah, FOB burning
2. AP.net Review Policy
3. DecoyMusic beef

~~Best Christmas Song~~

1. Cartel – Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree
2. Relient K – In Like a Lion (Always Winter)
3. Gatsby’s American Dream – Saint Nicholas
4. Jack’s Mannequin – The Lights and the Buzz
5. Daphne Loves Derby - Silent, White, Christmas Night
6. Anberlin – Baby Please Come Home

~~Best Album Art~~

1. Thrice - Vheissu
2. Emery – The Question
3. A Wilhelm Scream - Ruiner
4. Ludo – Broken Bride
5. Gatsby’s American Dream - Volcano
6. Coheed and Cambria – Good Apollo

Vheissu's album cover is phenomenal, and the Emery packaging just made me smile.

~~Favorite AP.net Forum Members~~

1. Anyone who was kind enough to waste their precious time reading something I wrote. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your interest, your feedback, and your friendship. Thanks for visiting this site and bothering to read my thoughts, it means the world to me. I hope you'll continue to check us out in the coming year, it should be glorious to say the least.

~~Favorite AP.net Staff Members~~

1. I love everyone on this staff. It's a pleasure and joy working with all of you. No wonder this site is freakin huge... the staff is ridiculously passionate and still very down to earth. Jason, Scott (fellow GAD fanboy), Rohan (RoKo), Gabe, and Darren it's been real this year, thanks for the laughs and the conversation. Jason, congrats on what you've created and thanks!

~~Best “Other” Website~~

1. Punknews.org
2. EmotionalPunk.com (about to get a huge facelift, should be good)
3. AcclaimedPunk.com (also about to change for the better)

~~Best Movie~~

1. Sin City
2. Wedding Crashers
3. Batman Begins

~~Best TV Shows~~

1. Reunion
2. OC
3. The Real World
4. Family Guy
5. Curb Your Enthusiasm

I'm a girl when it comes to TV, so sue me!

~~Best Musical/Broadway Album~~

1. The Light in the Piazza

The other genre of music I'm obsessed with, AND i'm straight! The Light in the Piazza is creative, original,
and sweepingly gorgeoussss. Adam Guettel is a genius.

~~Predictions~~

>It’s already started, but Indie is “it”
>Brand New’s next album is loved by fans and trashed by everyone else
>Forgive Durden earns everyone’s respect and they become a major player in the scene
>Everyone loves the new Portugal. The Man record
>Rx Bandits put out a top 5, ridiculously good CD
>Say Anything put out a truly awesome album, but it lacks that "something" factor of Is a Real Boy
>The next Gatsby’s record will kill me upon first listen. It will turn industry heads and they will be off to the next rung on the record label ladder.
>The FBI discovers that the mad scientists linked to laboratories in Omaha, where they manufactured superhuman indie musicians, have moved to Seattle and are genetically breeding flawless indie/pop/emo bands
>Saves the Day enjoy a glorious return to form
>The Format becomes super popular, maybe even getting on MTV
>Absolutepunk.net becomes an unstoppable force

Thanks for reading! Have a HAPPY HAPPY HOLIDAY and an even HAPPIER NEW YEAR! 2006, prepare to be AbsolutePunked :D

[Drew Beringer]

good list.

[Nick Lopez]

Kick ass list. I really, really like this list.

[jaimej]

Really really good list. GAD, Ludo, Circa, etc. And it's such a shame Reunion got cancelled! :crytears:

[Garett Press]

Please forgive me guys, I won't be able to converse much with you over my list because I'm out of town on vaca, but I'm going to get on this laptop every fuckin chance I can. Thanks for checking the list out!

Really really good list. GAD, Ludo, Circa, etc. And it's such a shame Reunion got cancelled! :crytears:
Tell me about it dude, I'm torn up

[Rohan Kohli]

Awesome list, G-Unit. Happy Chanukah =)

[Kelley Nicole]

you're the only person i've seen include maria taylor and orenda fink! my #2 album and my #25 album. those girls are so underrated. more people need to give them a chance rather than just say "azure ray is sooo boring" and not check out their solo stuff. maria especially, 'cause 11:11 is a damn good pop record.

[The Silencer]

that list is fucking ace. good job.

[tambo41187]

I liked the list....spend more time with Lydia, now.

[waggy]

your intro/summary thing sums up exactly how i felt about the music released this year. i couldn't even come up with a list at the end of the year cuz the albums i was coming up with just didn't seem to measure up to my lists from the past few years.

[akster]

Great list :) The Format is gonna be the next Maroon 5. haha

[Steve Henderson]

Thank you for putting Maria Taylor on there...awesome album.

[EvilButters]

Wow...this is probably my favorite out of the lists I read on this site. I completely agree with everything you said about Gatsby's. Um...I didn't even know a remix of Guilt Engine existed. I must hear this.

[fullerm]

seeing as fearless records was obviously in the wrong category for 'best' label, im going to assume you made a mistake because, obviously, it is. youre joking right? seriously.

the pope could have told you that indie is the next pop punk. i dont know what is so "it" about being part of a quickly fading trend. indie is already here and is already played out by an entire year. because why would every single indie singer sound like some robert smith rip-off. just like how everyone in a pop punk band wanted to sound like mr. delonge back in the day.

[Scott Weber]

rad list G, but seriously, Gatsby's at 7 for concept albums? Mae is better? Psh. Volcano's concept is the best because it's not obvious. ANYWHOO killer list...you worked hard on it, you rule all. merry xmas!

[Caleb Cattivera]

nice list fucker.

except ludo is still a bunch of losers and they still suck:)

[patrickhowell]

I think this is my favorite list I've seen (except I'd put Co&Ca a few steps further down the list...)

[Throwback]

>Say Anything put out a truly awesome album, but it lacks that "something" factor of Is a Real Boy

Agreed. I have faith in Max, but Is a Real Boy kicked me in the nuts when I first got it because Say Anything was EXACTLY the kind of band I needed at that moment. But we shall see, a part of me believes he will somehow top IARB and take over modern rock like we all know he should.

[tbag311]

Why the hell is Rufio getting so much hate? Hands down the best pop-punk album of the year...blows 'chroma' out of the water...

[Garett Press]

Wow...this is probably my favorite out of the lists I read on this site. I completely agree with everything you said about Gatsby's. Um...I didn't even know a remix of Guilt Engine existed. I must hear this.
Hey man, that's a crazy compliment. Check out that remix, it's sooo much better.

rad list G, but seriously, Gatsby's at 7 for concept albums? Mae is better? Psh. Volcano's concept is the best because it's not obvious. ANYWHOO killer list...you worked hard on it, you rule all. merry xmas!
No ur right, that was my last category and I rushed it, thanks Scott

nice list fucker.

except ludo is still a bunch of losers and they still suck:)
Hahaha, Caleb u brazen bastard, back up off the Ludo, u know that EP is damn good

[Scott Weber]

Why the hell is Rufio getting so much hate? Hands down the worst pop-punk album of the year...it blows ...
I fixed it for ya.

[HotTubsMolest]

I still think Say Hello To Sunshine was heavily underrated. I never liked Finch before, but I must say I liked this album.

[Blake Solomon]

I really enjoy this list. Mine would probably look like that if i was a bit smarter. Oh well, I'll take more time with my list next year and try to do it sober too.. Great list

[Russ Hockenbury]

Ludo got pissed because I called their EP too preachy and come to find out they're not even Christian. WELL SORRY, but when you r EP contains words and phrases like "Jesus", "let the sinners burn" and "Apocalypse" repeatedly what the hell am I supposed to think?!? Only fucking Jimmy Swaggert referenced the Bible more in 2005.

[btbam > you]

nice list dude. you've always been one of my favorite staff members. keep up the good work.


<3

[storts87]

I agree with pretty much every prediction...besides the one about portugal, the man. ive heard some of it, and i just dont like.

[CorporateFish]

Good list, minus calling steel train dissapointing and saying bright eyes had better vocals than jack's mannequin.

[Steve Henderson]

Ludo got pissed because I called their EP too preachy and come to find out they're not even Christian. WELL SORRY, but when you r EP contains words and phrases like "Jesus", "let the sinners burn" and "Apocalypse" repeatedly what the hell am I supposed to think?!? Only fucking Jimmy Swaggert referenced the Bible more in 2005.
So that is what happened? HAHA!

[jaimej]

Tell me about it dude, I'm torn up
I'm not a dude, but yeah. Ditto. :crytears:

[jaimej]

except ludo is still a bunch of losers and they still suck:)
Caleb! Don't go hating on Ludo! :(

[unwritten]

Best AP Staff Member: Garett Press

[poppa Q]

Fucking great list, Garret...this is why I love you!

I dunno how Ludo went so unnoticed, it was also in my top five CD's. But regardless, great list my friend. Hope you enjoy your vacation!

[dartanian=gods]

i'd say that the new finch is actually #1 in the worst albums category.

[Garett Press]

nice list dude. you've always been one of my favorite staff members. keep up the good work.

<3
ahhh, that's too nice dude, thanks for that!

I agree with pretty much every prediction...besides the one about portugal, the man. ive heard some of it, and i just dont like.
really? maybe i'll have to revise... upon the first few listens it's just so damn good for me

Best AP Staff Member: Garett Press
I know we've been dating for a while, but I think you should move in with me, muchhh love

Fucking great list, Garret...this is why I love you!

I dunno how Ludo went so unnoticed, it was also in my top five CD's. But regardless, great list my friend. Hope you enjoy your vacation!
hahaha yo poppa qizzle, it's been a good year, nothing but love. thanks for the respect

[NameTaken69]

great list, i agree with welcome home, i had it right behind the minstrels prayer as my song of the year

[CalamityRecords]

only two mentions of cavil!?!? tut tut

they should be on the ep of the year list.

[Garett Press]

only two mentions of cavil!?!? tut tut

they should be on the ep of the year list.
They didn't release those songs this year did they?

[andis]

im glad somebody appreciates the rocket summer on this site

[Caleb Cattivera]

ludos not even in the top five bands in saint louis...why the hell are they on this list...

i really hate that ep...their music is terrible...as is their live show.

[Garett Press]

ludos not even in the top five bands in saint louis...why the hell are they on this list...

i really hate that ep...their music is terrible...as is their live show.
shut THE FUCK up... i'm gonna beat your assss Cattivera! Ludo is better than all that shit you listen to, recognize! Urghhhhh, i'm gonna killl youuuuuu

[Nate_RAWKS]

That was very entertaining buddy. You had me chuckling a few times too...Great list...and i'm glad to see you're not that embarrased to say you like the Rocket Summer album.

[Caleb Cattivera]

shut THE FUCK up... i'm gonna beat your assss Cattivera! Ludo is better than all that shit you listen to, recognize! Urghhhhh, i'm gonna killl youuuuuu

bring it bitch!!!

ludo sucks my left nut...and they like it!

happy fuckin new year...bitch:)

[Garett Press]

bring it bitch!!!

ludo sucks my left nut...and they like it!

happy fuckin new year...bitch:)
Cattivera, I'm gonna eat you alive... your best of or mine, i'll take you in either comments section

[Cip2k1]

I....like It!!!

[xllirikx]

well, thats the most intensive list I've ever seen

[Scott Weber]

well, thats the most intensive list I've ever seen
you should see Ryan Mills' list in the best of 04 article...now that is intense.

[Garett Press]

you should see Ryan Mills' list in the best of 04 article...now that is intense.
fuck you weber, can't i have my glory?

[Steve Henderson]

you should see Ryan Mills' list in the best of 04 article...now that is intense.
He said intensive not intense. Which actually makes no sense.

[Scott Weber]

He said intensive not intense. Which actually makes no sense.
Yeah, it really doesn't. Haha