AbsolutePunk.net Staff Overall Top 20

[Rohan Kohli]

Explanation: We used a weighted points system in order to determine the top 20. We took each of the staff member's top 20 lists, and assigned point values for each album based on its ranking. A number 1 album got 100 points, a #2 got 90 points, and on down the line with lower albums receiving less relative weight. A complete scale can be seen below. The albums were then placed in Excel, with each staff member's weighted score next to it. After those points were summed, we sorted the data and came up with AP.net's top 20 overall albums for 2005 based on what our staff liked. Enjoy.

-Scott and Rohan



1. Thrice - Vheissu

http://webdrive.service.emory.edu/users/rkohli2/thrice-vheissu.jpg

Thrice went out on a giant limb and released what some may call the definitive album of their career. Vheissu came in as number 1 on Jared's and Gabe's lists, as well as 2nd on Jason's. Emotional, moody, and full of passion, Vheissu tops the list.



2. Sufjan Stevens - Illinois

http://webdrive.service.emory.edu/users/rkohli2/sufjan_stevens-illinois.jpg

This was the year that indie managed to cross over into mainstream appeal more than ever. Sufjan's soothing voice and his diverse folksy instrumentals made this album too unique to pass up for many of our staff members. Illinois was all over the top 10 of most lists, earning the coveted top spot on Drew's list, and finding itself on lists that otherwise had virtually no indie on them. Sufjan's crossover appeal earned him the number 2 spot.



3. Minus the Bear - Menos El Oso

http://webdrive.service.emory.edu/users/rkohli2/minus_the_bear-menos_el_oso.jpg

Minus the Bear's infectious guitar workings and grooving songs made it yet another smash indie hit across our staff. Topping Pat's list and finding itself amongst many other top 5s, Minus the Bear comes in at number 3.



4. Gatsby's American Dream - Volcano

http://webdrive.service.emory.edu/users/rkohli2/gatsbys_american_dream-volcano.jpg

Innovative, technical, and often unpredictable, Gatsby's American Dream blew away people with a concept album that defined the core of human emotion. Volcano made listeners dance, sing-along, and re-think song structures. Coming in at number 1 on both Scott and Garett's lists, Gatsby's American Dream takes the number 4 spot on our list.



5. Acceptance - Phantoms

http://webdrive.service.emory.edu/users/rkohli2/acceptance-phantoms.jpg

Phantoms is an absolute pop rock masterpiece. With gorgeous, bold vocals, infectious melodies, driving guitars, and incredible production, it was damn near impossible for anyone to dislike this album. Finding itself in Jason, Rohan, Scott, Jon, and Greg's top 10s, Phantoms takes its place at number 5 on our list.



1: 100
2: 90
3: 80
4: 70
5: 60
6: 55
7: 50
8: 45
9: 40
10: 35
11: 30
12: 25
13: 20
14: 18
15: 16
16: 14
17: 12
18: 10
19: 8
20: 6

[Rohan Kohli]

6. Death Cab For Cutie - Plans

http://webdrive.service.emory.edu/users/rkohli2/death_cab_for_cutie-plans.jpg

Though many had their reservations regarding Death Cab For Cutie's major label debut, few were disappointed when they placed Plans in their stereo: with earnest, sincere vocals gracing mellow and tranquil soundscapes, Death Cab did not let us down.



7. The Starting Line - Based On a True Story

http://webdrive.service.emory.edu/users/rkohli2/the_starting_line-based_on_a_true_story.jpg

On their much anticipated follow up to Say It Like You Mean It, The Starting Line delivered with the album we had all been waiting for. Even with the slightly heavier undertones and more mature sound, Based On a True Story satisfied our need for sing-along choruses and cavity-inducing, sweet-as-sugar melodies.



8. The Decemberists - Picaresque

http://webdrive.service.emory.edu/users/rkohli2/the_decemberists-picaresque.jpg

With their majestically poetic indie-rock, The Decemberists take the 8 spot on our list. Often eerie, sometimes gentle, but always beautiful, The Decemberists have gained critical acclaim from fans of all genres this year.



9. Copeland - In Motion

http://webdrive.service.emory.edu/users/rkohli2/copeland-in_motion.jpg

Coming in at 2nd on Rohan's list, Copeland kicked things up a notch on In Motion, perfectly fusing angelic, ethereal vocals with straight ahead rock; crushingly beautiful and exceptionally soothing, In Motion found its way to 9th place on our list.



10. Cartel - Chroma

http://webdrive.service.emory.edu/users/rkohli2/cartel-chroma.jpg

Cartel rounds out the top 10 with their highly infectious brand of pop-punk. Vocalist Will Pugh has one of, if not the best voice in the genre. With big hooks and even bigger vocals, Cartel was an easy choice for Rohan at number 1 and found its way onto many other staff member's lists.

[Rohan Kohli]

11. Bright Eyes - I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning

http://webdrive.service.emory.edu/users/rkohli2/bright_eyes-im_wide_awake_its_morning.jpg



12. Armor For Sleep - What to Do When You Are Dead

http://webdrive.service.emory.edu/users/rkohli2/armor_for_sleep-what_to_do_when_you_are_dead.jpg



13. Coheed and Cambria – Good Apollo I’m Burning Star IV: Volume 1

http://webdrive.service.emory.edu/users/rkohli2/coheed_and_cambria-iv.jpg



14. The Spill Canvas - One Fell Swoop

http://webdrive.service.emory.edu/users/rkohli2/the_spill_canvas-one_fell_swoop.jpg



15. Every Time I Die - Gutter Phenomenon

http://webdrive.service.emory.edu/users/rkohli2/every_time_i_die-gutter_phenomenon.jpg

[Rohan Kohli]

16. Kanye West - Late Registration

http://webdrive.service.emory.edu/users/rkohli2/kanye_west-late_registration.jpg



17. Anberlin - Never Take Friendship Personal

http://webdrive.service.emory.edu/users/rkohli2/anberlin-never_take_friendship_personal.jpg



18. The Receiving End of Sirens - Between the Heart and the Synapse

http://webdrive.service.emory.edu/users/rkohli2/the_receiving_end_of_sirens-between_the_heart_and_the_synapse.j pg



19. Nightmare of You - Nightmare of You

http://webdrive.service.emory.edu/users/rkohli2/nightmare_of_you-nightmare_of_you.jpg



20. Panic! At the Disco - A Fever You Can't Sweat Out

http://webdrive.service.emory.edu/users/rkohli2/panic_at_the_disco-a_fever_you_cant_sweat_out.jpg



21. Bayside - Bayside
22. Jack's Mannequin - Everything In Transit
23. Sigur Ros - Takk
24. Circa Survive – Juturna
25. Mae - The Everglow
26. A Wilhelm Scream - Ruiner
27. Comeback Kid - Wake the Dead
28. Propagandhi - Potemkin City Limits
29. The Mars Volta - Frances The Mute
30. The Junior Varsity - Wide Eyed

[Drew Beringer]

Sucks that Sigur Ros is so low, that album is soooo goood. Also surprising is that Bayside was number 21 (wasn't on my list), and I'm glad Kanye is on there too.

[Scott Weber]

Sucks that Sigur Ros is so low, that album is soooo goood. Also surprising is that Bayside was number 21 (wasn't on my list), and I'm glad Kanye is on there too.
Bayside was number 2 on Greg's list, I believe.

[I am all talk]

No Common?!?!?!?!:'(

[Drew Beringer]

No Common?!?!?!?!:'(

I think I might have been the only person to put that album in a list. I love "Be".

[I am all talk]

I think I might have been the only person to put that album in a list. I love "Be".
I have it as my number two. I love kanye but I don't understand how anyone can put Late Registration above Be.

[tragedyco]

jack's so low...? number one on my list.

[lildevotionalx]

jack's so low...? number one on my list.
agreed:thumbsup:

[Scott Weber]

remember guys, this is an average of all of the staff's lists. there really shouldn't be any suprises here.

[jaimej]

Gatsbys = #1. Should be on everybody's list.

[Adeniz19]

this is a damn good list. and i think it summarizes AP's taste pretty good

[romantic rights]

Sucks that Sigur Ros is so low, that album is soooo goood. Also surprising is that Bayside was number 21 (wasn't on my list), and I'm glad Kanye is on there too.

sigur ros is my number one album, i seriously love it... i still have to finish the rest of my list though...

[streetcar]

No Coldplay? I guess there not punk enough for such a punk rock list.

[halfamile]

sweet. I like it

[Adeniz19]

No Coldplay? I guess there not punk enough for such a punk rock list.do you know how i know you're gay?

[streetcar]

do you know how i know you're gay?



You know how i know you look like a fucking retard?

[I am all talk]

You know how i know you look like a fucking retard?
do you have any idea who the fuck you're messing with?

[Adeniz19]

someone needs to go see 40 Yr Old Virgin....

[rste3]

You know how i know you look like a fucking retard?


You know he's quoting the 40 year old virgin?

[PJ1336]

how the hell did motion city soundtrack not make waaayyyy more lists? every single song on that album is amazing.

im declaring shenanigans right here and right now dammit!!!

[streetcar]

do you have any idea who the fuck you're messing with?

Since we're going with this whole question thing im gonna go with..... What are you gonna beat me up over the internet?

[Gabe Gross]

hot shit....looks good but im really proud of scott and rohan, way to tag team outside the bedroom pwn

[I am all talk]

Since we're going with this whole question thing im gonna go with..... What are you gonna beat me up over the internet?
you listen to coldplay, it wouldn't even be a fight.

[Adeniz19]

do you have any idea who the fuck you're messing with?:kar:

[streetcar]

you listen to coldplay, it wouldn't even be a fight.


Ha you finished it on that one. No i know its from 40 year old virgin i just wasnt thinking cause around my way its 3.

[Snails]

No Common?!?!?!?!:'(
i mean seriously.

[Drew Beringer]

No Coldplay? I guess there not punk enough for such a punk rock list.

X&Y is just not as good as the last two Coldplay albums. I had X&Y on my honorable mention list, though.

[Scott Weber]

X&Y is just not as good as the last two Coldplay albums. I had X&Y on my honorable mention list, though.
i always feel like coldplay is amazing....for about an hour.

[I am all talk]

i mean seriously.
south africa, huh? I like you already.

[Drew Beringer]

i always feel like coldplay is amazing....for about an hour.

Haha, I can only take so much of them too.

[Snails]

south africa, huh? I like you already.
yeah, haha! why you like South Africa?

[streetcar]

I think it's a pretty good list. I do feel that one fell swoop and Based on a... should have been closer to number one along with that new coheed cd...and i dont even like that band.

[I am all talk]

yeah, haha! why you like South Africa?
it just seems so tight. You are in africa, but you are civilized.

[Not That Ugly]

has anyone ever heard of this one band called emery? they're pretty good...

[Drew Beringer]

has anyone ever heard of this one band called emery? they're pretty good...

Emery was number 10 on my list.

[streetcar]

has anyone ever heard of this one band called emery? they're pretty good...


I know what you mean.

[Snails]

it just seems so tight. You are in africa, but you are civilized.
haha yeah... civilisation isn't really so uncommon here, but yeah, i see what you're getting at!

[halfamile]

has anyone ever heard of this one band called emery? they're pretty good...

yeah I never got why the staff never got pumped about emery. oh well.

[patrickhowell]

I'm really content with this list.

Good job, everyone.

[Drew Beringer]

yeah I never got why the staff never got pumped about emery. oh well.

Emery was number 10 on my list.

[Scott Weber]

yeah I never got why the staff never got pumped about emery. oh well.
good album, not top 20 material.

[fluke182]

Definitely makes sense, although some reason I lack recollection of Copeland being on anyone's list, let alone in a lot of top 10's to get to #9 overall!

[Rohan Kohli]

Definitely makes sense, although some reason I lack recollection of Copeland being on anyone's list, let alone in a lot of top 10's to get to #9 overall!

'Twas my #2.

[halfamile]

good album, not top 20 material.
yeah, I guess so. and yeah, I see Scott's Emery pick now

[halfamile]

yeah, I guess so. and yeah, I see Scott's Emery pick now oops, sorry Drew. yeah it's 5am, I should sleep now

[Drew Beringer]

'Twas my #2.

Rohan <3 TMG.

[drivethruduck]

more motion city!
and go see Not That Ugly's band on myspace.

good to see eugene rock represented on ap...

[xcarlupanddiex]

this list is such a mess ... it looks like you wanna say "hey look how indie we are" with such records as sufjan stevens and decemberists and then "but hey, look how emo we are too" with acceptance thrice and the receiving end of sirens ... you should decide what you want to be kids ! because obviously, you can't be both! :)

[halfamile]

this list is such a mess ... it looks like you wanna say "hey look how indie we are" with such records as sufjan stevens and decemberists and then "but hey, look how emo we are too" with acceptance thrice and the receiving end of sirens ... you should decide what you want to be kids ! because obviously, you can't be both! :)

haha, but that's what makes this place so great.

[Moatilliatta085]

this list is such a mess ... it looks like you wanna say "hey look how indie we are" with such records as sufjan stevens and decemberists and then "but hey, look how emo we are too" with acceptance thrice and the receiving end of sirens ... you should decide what you want to be kids ! because obviously, you can't be both! :)
ummmmmm, i don't think ppl here WANT to be anything, dude. Ppls just listen to music they like/ It's not like I'm gonna stop myself from listening to The Most Serene Republic just because i usually listen to The Blood Brothers

[EvilButters]

I made a list of the albums I either listened to but didn't really care for or hadn't listened to at all. The list is about thirteen albums long. I figured if the albums are getting this much attention on this site, then I should try and give them another shot or a first listen to see what I think.

[leafsacc]

putting this list together was a great idea, now i can decide which albums to check out that i haven't heard like Copeland.

[Melie]

for all of the "omg pete posted a new journal entry" fall out boy isn't even in the top 30. wow.

[Throwback]

Nightmare of You seemed to get ignored on alot of these lists. I mean overall I liked everyone's lists, but NOY was usually lower than they deserved to be in my opinion.

[reav]

ETID should have made top 10.

[Handsome&Smart]

Cool I have all but like 3 of those albums. Good list, nice job Rohan and Scott.

[bleed me bleu]

No Chiodos! No Limbeck! No Paramore!.... but i still liked most of the list

[heytheredelilah]

number 5!

[MEGAghost]

dude, does this list actually say that Panic! At The Disco's album is better than Sigur Ros' and Propagandhi's? please, thats total BS man.:shake:

[ArTkY_]

I think I might have been the only person to put that album in a list. I love "Be".
I was under the false impression that it came out last year for some reason, hahaha.

[Criesofthepast7]

good over all list. i like heavier music, but i still dig the list.

[Nick Lopez]

dude, does this list actually say that Panic! At The Disco's album is better than Sigur Ros' and Propagandhi's? please, thats total BS man.:shake:
No, it's saying that overall, Panic! At the Disco's album scored, ON AN AVERAGE, higher on the staff members' lists that Sigur Ros and Propoghandi. That's all.

[Scott Weber]

No, it's saying that overall, Panic! At the Disco's album scored, ON AN AVERAGE, higher on the staff members' lists that Sigur Ros and Propoghandi. That's all.
And that's pretty much only because Brandon Herbel had it as his number 1. Otherwise, it wouldn't have made the top 20.

[weezer182]

jack's mannequin was my number 1

[LeftWideOpen]

i'm surprised days away didnt make this ..that's a shame.

[BlinkFoundMSU]

mae gets no love from AP.net

[HomeGrownInOC]

The Starting Line album was terrible... I agree that Fall Out Boy should be somewhere on that list, you can't discount them just for how big they got, FUCT was great

[MEGAghost]

And that's pretty much only because Brandon Herbel had it as his number 1. Otherwise, it wouldn't have made the top 20.

ok, understandable.

[Rohan Kohli]

The Starting Line album was terrible... I agree that Fall Out Boy should be somewhere on that list, you can't discount them just for how big they got, FUCT was great

Yeah, I love FUtCT.

[shane hennessey]

I think it's a pretty good list. I do feel that one fell swoop and Based on a... should have been closer to number one along with that new coheed cd...and i dont even like that band.
whatever opinion you once had has just been thrown out the window

anyways, i agree with tihs list based on the hype within the site, although i am quite shocked TSL is so high. i would have figured jacks mannequin and circa survive to be much higher

[DeadPoetic]

sigur ros is my number one album, i seriously love it... i still have to finish the rest of my list though...

Takk is my #1 album this year by far.

[NFG4ever]

Takk is my #1 album this year by far.

That album puts me to sleep

[blahme]

Digital Ash was soo much better than I'm Wide Awake.

[ActorInThisPlay]

this is a damn good list. and i think it summarizes AP's taste pretty good
agreed...i like this idea very much. seems like the top 10 at least perfectly fits what I thought would be a broad Top 10 for all the staff...very nice work guys.

[catchmealone]

I was surprised that Motion City Soundtrack didn't make this as well, but then I remembered that I completely forgot about them when making my top 10.

I was kinda bummed Circa Survive wasn't higher, and dredg wasn't listed at all. dredg was my #1, while Circa took my #2 spot.

[tragedyco]

good album, not top 20 material.

ehh i like it better than gatsby and thrice myself...

[tragedyco]

mae gets no love from AP.net

tru dat.

[tragedyco]

for all of the "omg pete posted a new journal entry" fall out boy isn't even in the top 30. wow.

yeah, i had fall out boy in my top 10... guilty pleasure i guess?? its a damn good pop record.

[Drew Beringer]

I was surprised that Nightmare Of You wasn't on this list either, I had it as my number 4.

[Adeniz19]

this list is such a mess ... it looks like you wanna say "hey look how indie we are" with such records as sufjan stevens and decemberists and then "but hey, look how emo we are too" with acceptance thrice and the receiving end of sirens ... you should decide what you want to be kids ! because obviously, you can't be both! :)stupid italians

[Adeniz19]

I was surprised that Nightmare Of You wasn't on this list either, I had it as my number 4.ya i expected it to be higher too

[Drew Beringer]

ya i expected it to be higher too

Oh well, I wish ETID was higher too, Gutter Phenomenon was my number 3.

[EvilButters]

this list is such a mess ... it looks like you wanna say "hey look how indie we are" with such records as sufjan stevens and decemberists and then "but hey, look how emo we are too" with acceptance thrice and the receiving end of sirens ... you should decide what you want to be kids ! because obviously, you can't be both! :)

I don't know...I can't speak for anyone else but I know that I don't want to be anything other than someone who likes to listen to the music that appeals to me and not just because everyone else is listening to them. Don't get me wrong. When there's a lot of hype around a band I haven't heard of or have heard of but haven't gotten around to looking into, I'll look into them to see if it lives up to the hype. What people say doesn't really influence my decision though. I'd like to think that the majority of the staff and forum members think the same way.

[Timberwolf]

this list is such a mess ... it looks like you wanna say "hey look how indie we are" with such records as sufjan stevens and decemberists and then "but hey, look how emo we are too" with acceptance thrice and the receiving end of sirens ... you should decide what you want to be kids ! because obviously, you can't be both! :)
thats such a stupid thing to say, therefore i conclude you yourself must be stupid.

[nerogtr]

Sucks that Sigur Ros is so low, that album is soooo goood. Also surprising is that Bayside was number 21 (wasn't on my list), and I'm glad Kanye is on there too.

takk is a great fucking album. im suprised TREOS didn't make it higher on the list too. there were some great records that came out this year.

[AsianMan696]

great list. much love for kanye...but im surprised theres no MCS, Mae, and FOB

[SLADE775]

:(

[steve-0]

great list. I have like 10 of the top 13.

[OveriseFan]

Panic! at the Disco, The Starting Line, and Acceptance all higher than Jack's Mannequin is disgraceful...

I'm sorry, but you have to re-listen to that album, please.

[watashi-revenge]

So howd you come up with this weighted scale?? Probably would have been better to give #1 albums 20 pts, and then decrease from there. Like the college football polls...

[SC0926]

this is a damn good list. and i think it summarizes AP's taste pretty good
i agree completely...i think it definatly summarized ap

[Scott Weber]

So howd you come up with this weighted scale?? Probably would have been better to give #1 albums 20 pts, and then decrease from there. Like the college football polls...
we posted it on the main page...we pretty much did.

ranking/points
1: 100
2: 90
3: 80
4: 70
5: 60
6: 55
7: 50
8: 45
9: 40
10: 35
11: 30
12: 25
13: 20
14: 18
15: 16
16: 14
17: 12
18: 10
19: 8
20: 6

[Scott Weber]

Panic! at the Disco, The Starting Line, and Acceptance all higher than Jack's Mannequin is disgraceful...

I'm sorry, but you have to re-listen to that album, please.
I can't stand it. Not everyone's taste is the same as yours, you know. All 3 of those albums, especially Acceptance, are far better than JM - in my opinion.

[Scott Weber]

I was surprised that Nightmare Of You wasn't on this list either, I had it as my number 4.
It's number 19, drew...

[Drew Beringer]

It's number 19, drew...

Soooooooooooooooooooooooorrrryyyyy Scott, I'm out of it.

[Ladron]

#29?

God. I fucking hate that album. It just rubbed me the wrong way. and I'm surprised the new Starting Line CD is at #7 since it lost on both of the Best Punk-Pop Albums of 2005 polls.

[white_emo_punk]

motion city soundtrack, spitalfield and boys night out should be on that list.

[watashi-revenge]

we posted it on the main page...we pretty much did.

ranking/points


Yeah, But youre just giving the number one place an excessively higher amount then say the number 10. I guess thats alright, but its the reason for some bands being higher then others.

[Scott Weber]

Yeah, But youre just giving the number one place an excessively higher amount then say the number 10. I guess thats alright, but its the reason for some bands being higher then others.
that's the whole point of a weighted system, number one albums should be worth more...because they are that much more important. I don't know, I feel like a number one is that way because it's by far the best of the year...I mean, I put like fall of troy at 10 on my list, and gatsby's at first, but I like Volcano WAYYYYY better than anything else on my list.

[Darren McLeod]

yeah I never got why the staff never got pumped about emery. oh well.
Emery made my list...
...as one of the most overrated.

Oops.

[Darren McLeod]

BTW Scott - The weighting system is perfect. Number 1s should have much more impact than anything else, and lowering the difference as it went down is great.

Glad to see I helped Propagandhi crack the top 30.

[Scott Weber]

BTW Scott - The weighting system is perfect. Number 1s should have much more impact than anything else, and lowering the difference as it went down is great.

Glad to see I helped Propagandhi crack the top 30.
Sweet, glad you agree.

[Nate_RAWKS]

This was a great idea.

and a pretty nice list :thumbsup:

[AbeLurkin]

i always feel like coldplay is amazing....for about an hour.

agreed.

[CROMagnon]

remember guys, this is an average of all of the staff's lists. there really shouldn't be any suprises here.
scott, i just wanted to say that although i've never been a big fan of gatsby's, i've decided to give them another chance cuz i trust you

you didn't lead me wrong with acceptance

[Adeniz19]

scott, i just wanted to say that although i've never been a big fan of gatsby's, i've decided to give them another chance cuz i trust you

you didn't lead me wrong with acceptancesmart move. i didn't like them at first either but they do get better with every listen.

[Scott Weber]

scott, i just wanted to say that although i've never been a big fan of gatsby's, i've decided to give them another chance cuz i trust you

you didn't lead me wrong with acceptance
nice!

[MonkeyBars]

Awesome to see that Comeback Kid made it on there. I didn't think they got much notice in the States.

[bossman calling]

panic at the disco automatically voids this list

[smelltheglove]

very cool guys! thank you for doing this. i really appreciate this website.

[Scott Weber]

panic at the disco automatically voids this list
you can thank Brandon Herbel for making it his number 1 and giving it a jillion points in the weighted average system

[bossman calling]

you can thank Brandon Herbel for making it his number 1 and giving it a jillion points in the weighted average system
Anyone who gives a band that rips off a band already as shitty as fallout boy that much a number one ranking should be fired from this site immediately and be permabanned from the internet.

[Pete-Roc]

you guys listen to lots of crap

[The Revisionist]

Ugggggh that Kanye album is terrible, especially following up the College Dropout.

[JeffyB]

*applauses*