much much much man, after reading my old 1sies of theseies, and seeing that its been yearly a near, and that my scented toilet paper franchise was a bad idea (it was all clover and now its all over),,,, now what. but the year,,, it was all elbow joint,, no elbow. i mean i liked it,, personolily- i grew kinda up (in a straight up not diagnol sense) and was keeping myself busy enuff as to not writ, write, or wrabble in myspass. nonethenonethe- people've been hating on the year, but i hadda good 2006 year in music. from humming new bishop allen songs monthly to meeting calvin johnson to that rainer maria abundency. so i'll emergency your eyesight---- currently i'm listening to: alias and tangiers "brookland/oaklyn" deerhoof "friend oppertunity" ches smith "congs for brums" and everysingle viva voce record in and out and thru existence.

so whatever is left on my chest is a green hoodie and lover quips. and top fitties:

              songs                                                                   albums

50 +/-: steal the blueprints                                      fields: 7 from the village

49 white whale: we're just temporary ma'am         young people: all at once

48 envy corps: story problem                           the places: songs for creeps

47 coach said not to: city life                bobby birdman: giraffes and jackals

46 lise westzynthus: rock you can fly    the grates: gravity won't get you high

45 beirut: scenic world                                lovely feathers: hind hind legs    

44 viva voce: when planets collide                         two ton boa: parasiticide

43 haley bonar: us               imitation electric piano: blow it up, burn it down, kick it til it bleeds

42 shout out out out out: they tear down houses don't they               danielson: ships

41 birdmonster: cause you can                                subtle: for hero/for fool

40 bishop allen: butterfly nets        david & the citizens: until the sadness is gone

39 rainer maria: life of leisure                                          think about life: s/t

38 islands: rough gem                                                  erase errata: nightlife

37 caroline: where's my love                    isobel campbell: milk white sheets

36 north atlantic: scientist girl                                        xiu xiu: the air force

35 like young: obviously desperate     flying: justonesecondago broken eggshell

34 forget cassettes: quiero, quieres            the decemberists: the crane wife

33 regina spektor: hotel song                                                       espers: II

32 land of talk: breaxxbraxxx                                   cat power: the greatest

31 duke spirit: cuts across the land    rainer maria: catastrophe keeps us together

30 scream club: i'm going crazy             kimya dawson: remember that i love you

29 submarines: peace and hate                               swan lake: beast moans

28 hidden cameras: death of a tune                   dear nora: there is no home

27 emily haines: maid needs a maid             beth orten: comfort of strangers

26 lily allen: smile                         tv on the radio: return to cookie mountain

25 built to spill: goin against your mind        frida hyvonen: until death comes

24 matt and kim: yea, yeah                           heartless bastards: all this time

23 mates of state: for the actor                       the robot ate me: good world

22 xiu xiu: hello from eau claire         shelley short: captain wild horses rides the hearts of tomorrow

21 el perro del mar: god knows (you gotta give to get)              oh no!,oh my!: s/t

20 yeah yeah yeahs: turn into                                                 first nation: s/t

19 nobody&the mystic chords of memory: coyotes song (when you hear it too)                 matt & kim: s/t

18 born ruffians: this song will ruin/save your life               califone: roots and crowns

17 i'm from barcelona: we're from barcelona                            jason collett: idols of exile

16 oohlas: tripped                                   headlights: kill them with kindness

15 norfolk & western: new rise of old labor         rose melberg: cast away the clouds

14 pipettes: your kisses are wasted on me                     malajube: trompe-L'oeil

13 johanna kunin: blueberry                               the fiery furnaces: bitter tea

12 snakes say hisss!: avalon              your heart breaks: new oceans waves

11 concretes: for the songs                                              annuals: be he me

10 karl blau: into the nada       candy bars: on cutting ti-gers in half and understanding narravation

9 everything absent or distorted about love:closer than you think part 1        the blow: paper television

8 dani siciliano: why can't i make you high             neko case: fox confessor brings the flood

7 the thermals: pillar of salt                                           joanna newsom: Ys

6 cat power: love and communication                         liars: drums not dead

5 headlights: tv                          camera obscura: lets get out of this country

4 quasi: alice the goon                                                        beach house: s/t

3 margot and the nuclear so and so's: skeleton key                         envelopes: demon

2 jenny lewis: the big guns              the thermals: the body the blood the machine

1 micah p. hinson: jackeyed                                  pink nasty: mold the gold

that plus wind is in my veins. i developed a pretty solid personal taste for myself. i like raw elaboracy.  both versions of "jet ski accidents" is my favorite song of all time. i quote "elephant eyelash" by Why? more than any other album ever. i check the internet everyday to see if s prcss, noise for pretend, and kleenexgirlwonder will ever put out a new cd. i can't believe i didn't reference pit er pat's "pyramids" yet. i stand by the statement that says something about cockiness is underrated. i like to relate albums to the 1996 chicago bulls with phrases like "thats the rodman of the album" and "theres where they give the ball to luc longley". i'm not sure how much i'll update peepees. just ask. ask with a wood flooring.

hey megaphones, i believe i've had it up to here with and will hence forth review the following at the same time: Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins "Rabbit Fur Coat" and The Elected "Sun Sun Sun". The same time means: my heap of sense got went from deceptively common to a baseball broke the window. Anyhound- they both do their stand apart from the Rilo Kiley, which is what we all wanted them to do, staking themselves deep in a thicker genre to show off their talent asses. First, J.Lew- the first time I listened to this album, it was all a stage for her voice. Which isn't a bad thing, but its not a charming thing. The second listen I found the charm, its in how smartly she uses her voice-- which sorta emphasizes the point its her voice charging the album, but now its a realy good thing. She doesn't slay you with that voice, she just shows you she can and doesn't want to. Theres something to be said for that. And a Traveling Wilburys cover with those heartthrobs!!!! Goolord, Jenny, you go and get paid. Its a solid album. Now for the second album from the Elected, which is Blake from Rilo Kiley's band, which I assumed you knew that but said it anyway,- its a second album. I'm not ganna use the sophomore album cliches here, because I never took the time to learn them. But I think I mentioned before- theres no Jimmy Tamberello- and he sorta elevated that album. Which isn't saying I wouldn't have liked that album without that man, the best song on that last album didn't use that man, this album seems vague without that man... thats all. I still listen to it. Shucks. Both these albums are sixes. If you like them- check out Biirdie. If you're intrigued twine use- check out Biirdie.

And for the hell of it- check out Pet Politics.

Someone asked me, without foreplay first, what are my favorite bands. I usually say Mates of State to that to avoid a long drawn out conversation. But for the sake of that dong lawn out conversation- there are so many bands out there that if they put something out I'm at the least going to download it- its not a definitive list because people put out weak albums (M. Ward), or let themselves sit around (Theo Leo...aw check that- Sons of Cain is pretty indulging). But anyway-  in format- the bands, lets say 10, the Ten Artists who are Classicaly considered to be my favorite:

10. CocoRosie

I was pretty above average fan before Noah's Ark, but really Noah's Ark blew me more away both musically and perversely. As in how only CocoRosie can do that, and thats flexin some pecks.

9. The Kills

The Kills didn't even make my top 70 albums. Maybe becuz they're so entwistled in a straight sound for me that its not going to be special to me. Axtually I think it came out last year, either way it was just there. Not impressive, but not ignored. Add to that Alison is my 10 thru 12th grade crush and how cool it was to hear my email address in one of their songs ("THEY stole something from ME"). Plus the best video of the year for The Good Ones.  Yeah I'm a lifer.

8. The Blow

If I were good enough to start a band, I guarentee you it would be exactly like The Blow. Where my cuteness doesn't outshine my toughness. So I'm saying The Blow has everything I like in a band.

7. Sufjan Stevens

Oh gold- take away his talent, his humor, his intelligence, his sincereity, his up keep... he's still the only Christian artist who doesn't spoon feed it to you. That alone is worth goodies.

6. Noise For Pretend

One album. That was in 2002, and Esperanza Spalding was 17, so what shes 20, 21 now... shes should be settled down by now. It might be the worst thing in the world if Noise for Pretend doesn't release another album, but that one album is the best thing in the world. Li-trally.

5. S Prcss

I even have the S Process LP. I sometimes judge people on whether they've even heard of S Prcss. I used to listen to Spring Garden Drive By all the time. I still say huh-huh. I still listen to the whole dayum album. Also- best song titles in the world.

4. Fiery Furnaces

I don't care how disappointing Rehearsing My Choir was, it just went on even more to show how adventurous they are. Remember when I used to quote Birdie Brain all the time? And how I always played Quay Car in the background? All this never gets old. and oh- March 1st in pumpburgh.

3. Mates of State

By now- me and them- are like finger signals. Just listen to me whistle.

2. Joanna Newsom

Just because I went and downloaded all her older EP songs, and unreleased new songs, and listened to Milk Eyed Mender more than anything ever, and download live performances of her cuz I like how wide her mouth opens. Yeah shes, number 2.

1. Animal Collective

Not only is it an affirmation type music, it makes you look deep for getting into it. And not to mention their side projects. And not to mention their light years are ahead. And then mentioning all that while every album they expand in some way. Seriously by 2019, this will replace sex will replace watching football.

Not not mentioning: Sleater-Kinney, Bishop Allen, Azure Ray, Ladytron, Rainer Maria, Jason Forrest, Bobby Birdman, Blonde Redhead, Pink Nasty, The Books, Phil Elvrum Bands, Camera Obscura,  John Vanderslice, Regina Spektor, and Broadcast are all right there, but hey 10.

For futures, these will probably be around the list, the well on their way are: David Thomas Broughton, Hello Saferide, Nervous and the Kid, Unbunny, Hanne Hukkelburg, Jordan O' Jordan, Au Revoir Simone, Islands, Bodies of Water, Thanksgiving... thats in order from 10 to a 1, Thanksgiving is already a probably already an all timer, but hes like my age, so youth is truth.. and i wish old rhymed with lies. Go get em Sluggers.

tope 6 reasons I've waited so long to update

6. I've been writing Geico commercials like hard.

5. To let my list really ring. I mean reaaaally ring.

4. Won't even notice-ah.

3. reason number 5, but more communicated.

2. My slighted love affair with coming home as an excuse not to be active.

1. New Mates of State record.

Looking back on behindments- Love is All, who saw that coming? No one but pitchfork, I guess. So I got "9 Times that same song" and was mildly milded by it. Its not the glamour record I was told it was, but its junk full of glitz. I'll evoke two of my favorite albums here: Love is All is kinda like an agressive Life Without Buildings or a cuter Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Not as skilled, but making up for it in volume. Not as clever lyrically but making up for it in launching as delivering. Lets call it a chirppy constant violence. The song 'Busy Doing Nothing' is the itch I love to scratch. Anychink- the point here is that "9 Times that Same Song" has everything I enjoy about Guns N Roses without anything I hate about Guns N Roses. This is a listen and probably a top twenty if everyone had to re-do their lists.

 But more shively- Mates of State new album "Bring it Back" is the soul. Where their other albums were the best friend and then th lover, this is the soulmate. I could go on, but I am so bias to this. The first half is a counter point lush set up to, what I think, is the best work of Mates of State career. Thats pushing it, but thats shoving it. "For the Actor" is the standout here, perfectly serving as the quintesstial sum up to a great record and then letting the rest of the album swoon for itself. They really perfected their playfulness here. As in- the neighbors always saying of their "cute" and I always hated that. On this record they, specifically the last half, wear their pop sensibilities as touchstones. Meaning the whole ambience is bigger than the catchiness without denying any of it. I went on. I meant to make this short. I love this record. It comes out March 21, so chug.

Tackling:

1) Tapes N Tapes live offers the grit. Its hard not to call any skilled band a bad live band. Tapes N Tapes triumphs in offering what their record gives and then, splappa, the grit. 2) I thought it was stupid that it was called "The Greatest", and after hearing it I still thought it was a stupid title. But I love the roll to it. Its the slow twang. 3) I really hope that Cadence Weapon blows up and becomes the everywhere of myspace interests: music. Not only for their musical talent (its tight) but for having such a bland name as Cadence Weapon. 4) Song I stop to listen to most: Parker Paul "we miss our lady" 5) song I would stop to listen to more if it weren't so long: Iron and Wine "The Trapeze Swinger"... seriously his best song and seriously him without a beard is hotch. 6) I like Rilo Kiley when Blake sings, therefore the first Elected album was a favorite. This second Elected album is "oh no- wheres tamberello" but still its better than Jenny Lewis' solo shint. Oh my God Blake. 7) I talk about music too much and don't give enough credit to what I listen to all that much, I know I have music snob qualitys and I hate that, thats why I dont have a real blog. I liked how tucked under this is. So what I'm saying is: theres a lot of people who know more than me. So what I'm saying is: I know a lot more than a lot of people, and thats annoying, but thats OK. I like it. 8) Something I'm more ashamed of: the tampa bay buccaneers old logo is the gayest sports logo ever. which beats the pirates early 90s logo. Also if you just saw the vikings logo without knowing its affiliation, you'd be chipped. And the redskins logo is needlessly detailed. I also like logos with the cities skyline. and people named Dottie. 9) Yeah, Oneida does some good work. but how many picture frames have they created? check out The Wedding. 10) I was reminded about the listlessness of the last Metric album, and how I liked the campy song off it. Monster Hospital, though campy, isn't the trying to be stirring as the rest of the album. And its a voice highlighter. So there. 11) and this came up twice in just the last week, which is weird, cuz it is. Its pronounced 'moom'.

I'm a taxidermist. I'll mount anything.- start writing that in public places, preferably in talking bubbles like in comic books.

someone, who is a stranger (rightfully), rightfully said that they liked my blog because they could play knock out osama bin laden on it. and that just made me happier than dawson's creek repeats. also, i've been saying 'sgood' lately, and people have been taking that as something from bruce almighty, which i've only seen the previews of. but, like in the what i've seen, if i had divine powers- could do anything possible in the world- i would also make my dog pee in a toilet. and separate my soup. yeah. anyway i heard on the grown-uppance rugrats the other day (what i'm supposed to defend that), i heard em say "its good with chocolate- deez nuts". while i'm at it- i'm ganna start buying clothings with big buttons.

anyway albums- ali bynumi sans bums. lemme just say crooked fingers "dignity and shame" and fiery furnaces "rehearsing my choir" were disappointing. and i can't defend that cuz i listened to both quite a lot. so this list- this motherfucking list- is trifle. as in theres nothing too definitive. there is, but theres many, so its a vague de-fin-ite-ness. theres no joanna newsom this year (not literally mate). so my albums marked favorite, are ganna change constantly. so lets brape it down 20/ a better 25 pictured alphabetically and then a victomless 25 with vague numbers (you'll get what and like what). thats what you're getting. i do this cuz i care.

Barbra Eden, TV's Jeanie: But why so long? I mean- Disney's Valiant was troublesome, but at least that wasn't a long list?

responitude: its my equivalent of 'check out my muscle'.

semi-autobiographically pleasant: 70- 51

Arab Strap- The Last Romance; Bonnie "Prince Billy" and Matthew Sweetney- Superwolf; Bright Eyes- Its Morning and I'm Wide Awake; Broken Social Scene- S/T; Vashti Bunyan- Lookaftering; Kate Bush- Aerials; Husky Rescue- Country Falls; Joggers- With A Cape and A Cane; Ladytron- The Witching Hour; Love as Laughter- Laughter's Fifth; Mi and L'au- S/T; Mia Doi Todd- Manzita Eye & Ewe; Oxes- EP; Pinetop Seven- Seven Nights Bloom; Sons and Daughters- The Repulsion Box; The Uncle Devil Show- Terrible Beauty; Kanye West- Late Registration The White Stripes- Get Behind Me Satan; Why?- Elephant Eyelash; Xiu Xiu- La Foret,

why we bought the shepard dog, and feed it too: 50-26

13 & God- S/T; Akron/Family- S/T; Antony and the Johnstons- I Am a Bird Now; Arizona Amp and Alternator- S/T; Andrew Bird- ..and the Mysterious Production of Eggs; Boy Least Likely To- Best Party Ever Boards of Canada- The Campfire Headphase; Caribou- The Milk of Human Kindness; Clap Your Hands Say Yeah- S/T; The Decemberists- Picaresque; Fiery Furnaces- EP; Jason Forrest- Shamelessly Excited; Hal- S/T; (the famous band) Lasch- The Principle of Superposition; Liz Janes and Create (!)- S/T; Nedelle- From the Lion's Mouth; Quasimoto- The Further Adventures of Lord Quas; The Robot Ate Me- On Vacation; Silver Mt. Zion- Horses in the Sky; Socalled- The Socalled Sedar; Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin- Broom; Stars- Set Yourself on Fire; John Vanderslice- Pixel Revolt; Wilderness- S/T; Youth Pictures of Florence Henderson- S/T

the light:

25. The Spinto Band- Nice and Nicely Done

24. Blood on the Wall- Awesomer

23. Emiliana Torrini- The Fisherman's Wife

22. Jose Gonzalez- Veneer

21. Jordan O' Jordan- Not Style Nor Season Nor Hard Handed Lesson

20. Architecture in Helsinki- In Case We Die

19. The National- Alligator

18. Sam Prekop- Who's Your New Professor

17. Au Revoir Simone- Verses of Comfort, Assurance, and Salvation

16. Flotation Toy Warning- Buffer's Guide to Flight Deck

15. Coco Rosie- Noah's Ark

14. Spoon- Gimme Fiction

13. Thanksgiving- The River by Thanksgiving

12. Prefuse 73- Surrounded by Silence

11. M83- Before the Dawn Heals Us

10. The New Pornographers- Twin Cinema

I buy all my NewPo albums on vinyl, which doesn't mean a thing- but usually I underrate the 'rnographers albums on purpose- cuz they're just waiting for me to get unlucky and therefore throw some of their grandeurnese on. So tens a good spot for them, like fitness is a good goal.

9. The Books- Lost and Safe

Notice I'm not talking much about musical things, I don't want to come off as... smithatonic... but Lost and Safe wasn't the life affirmation of Lemon of Pink, but something that that makes my soul feel milkshake thick as this- I can go on about for lifetimes. I mean The Books make music to stand up to, and thats why I'm not ganna write much depthly- it sounds screech and its more feeling than technicality.

8. Animal Collective- Feels

oh you know how I feel about this band- its not number 1 (or 2-7) because its more of a groundwork album- like a transition from the c-r-azy sooth to the wrecking ball that takes that down. So their next couple albums will literally end music. Meanwhile check that purple bottle shit out.

7. The Blow- Everyday Examples of Humans Facing Straigh Forward into the Blow

This sister can release about anything and it's automatoicalaco ganna be in my top ten. Its a bias. Miss Khaela just sings about what calebs dig. This came out in January, and I didn't get it until March, I made up for it by listening to it like it was a mom. My favorite moment all this year would be here on 'my heart' where she taunts 'you would be so easy to eat'. so yeah- moms.

6. Broadcast- Tender Buttons

I liked being creeped out in a way that I don't notice it. Then when you add a tough woman who I didn't notice was tough- I notice. If it were up to me- everytime I'd look around sneakily you'd hear 'Minus 3'. This is such a elbow to the shoulder- ya know, its get your attention thru violent asseritive in a comfortable way. I couldn't think of another word for violence.

5. Yacht- MEGA

I could say that Yacht is like The Blow meets Broadcast with The Man singing, but thats too convenient and the man doesn't sing too much. MEGA is so much fun as an album that jokes can be written about it. When the OC finally realizes it cool to be more adventurous then Imogen Heap and Aqueduct (they're cool like, well, me), they're turning to Yacht.

4. Sufjan Stevens- Illinois

OK- yes he's been known to mean more than any other artist to me. yes i did look forward to this more than any other album. yes it probably is the album of the year. it isn't for me cuz 1) theres 3 better. 2) he's more historical than personal, which eeks out the religiousness (i mean it works still). Only 2. But i noticed here, more than the rest of his albums- he balances his humor better than anyone ever. His humor is like neck in the mona lisa in that it'd be kinda lame without it, but you don't notice it so much cuz the rest is just so lovesome. arranging is the new jamming. oh- best lyric of the year too: "even in his heart the devil has to know the water level- are you writing from the heart?"

3. Islaja- Palaa Aurinkoon

this is where my bias ends. i'm indifferent to words in other languages. but when you'r as ecletic with genres while having this beautiful of a voice, you're ganna be my favorite. I mean experimental music has that choppy charm of unknown, but this- GAD. its swallowing melted butter without putting up with the shit afterwards. that raises the question of the feeling of shitting melted butter. foul. anyhunt- if i had just one voice to listen to for the rest of whatever time this is- its gatta be their vocalist Merja. Why isn't this number one- cuz its strangeness is still growing on me. its my new spine.

2. Sleater-Kinney- The Woods

Oh come off it! Everyone recognizes it as a great album, but no ones giving it invincible status. Its not number one due to emotions. But jeepsus- being progressive never felt so ballsy. You can actually violently come from sitting on the vibe from The Woods. This is why there is no tocking of a time bomb, just ticking. This album is a classic. Bar none- the best time flipping I had all year.

1. Deerhoof- The Runner's Four

Did you notice I always let people assume who the artist is? anyway- go back thru my blog entrys, about 10 entrys back, october 11... you'll see how much this meant to me. Its one of THOSE albums. the ones where i can't possibly feel bad because there is something out there that is such a testament for myself. yeah thats lame, but i got something to get me thru that. this album. Its a default number 1, but i'm a default kinda guy.

Me and my brother Jeff used to have this running (more of like a man running in skis) about 'Tis the Season' is such a cute excuse to get by. Like all these maleable things about christmas can just be undershot because tis the season. example: not putting thought into a loved ones concernments when buying a gift or wasting money to make something look like something else for about 2 weeks. plus that lying to kids stuff. and the advantage taken by criminals to trusting civilians. and the blandness of family getting together. its all summed up in 3 words of 'tis the season. so its not really a joke, more of a reactionary tale. anyway, i keep hearing the term "huge gift ideas" and thats hilarious. oh and don't take my list to heart, cuz even i really don't. makers!

Because you still care. But before that, We (us) have traded Rob Mackowiak. Rob Mackowiak is, in my right opinion, the best utility player of his generation. I mean, defensively- brother was so solid and diverse (any outfield, and great picks at 3rd and 2nd). and his bat was a delight bomb. he had the chalant back approach, which made you underestimate his power. I'm not all too bummed, he wasn't getting enough press, and for the White Sox- he's ganna get recognized. Its just sad that I won't get to say "macko-wacko-smackso-splicko-splatso" and variations of everytime he's at bat. I'm talking baseball. anyway it took too much of a while but, mush, I did: 70 songs that I considered Deez Best This (deez) Year Ought Five. So to before that: 20 in alphabetical therefore not numbered just because its easier, 50 topped, because lists are in 50s. Made up of released this 2005th year (so thats why theres no Feist). Of course I'm bound to have missed some. Opinions too. Its all in reflection of what my free time is and that I enjoy liking. A deal. So further ado (itself is):

SONGS: first, actually and technically last, 20 in a particular alpha-order: 70-51:

Belaire- Thru the Wire; Bloc Party- Eating Glass; Ciara- Oh, Kathleen Edwards- Good Thing; Esthero- Wikked Lil' Girls; The Fiery Furnaces- Norweigan Wood; Franz Ferdinand- Do You Want To; Goldfrapp- Ooh La La; Imogen Heap- Hide and Seek; Her Space Holiday- Weight of the World; Lady Sovereign- 9-5; Missy Elliott- Lose Control; Nizlopi- JCB Song; The Poison Dart- Blood; Robyn- Be Mine!; Roman- I Found Love; Sleater-Kinney- Modern Girl; Spoon- They Never Got You; Luke Temple- Someone, Somewhere; We Are Scientists- Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt

Tip Fiftis Sungsis:

50) May or May Not- Gotta Get Outta Here

49) Parker and Lily- I Am A Gun

48) Gorillaz ft Shaun Ryder- Dare

47) Tapes 'n Tapes- Insistor

46) Arctic Monkeys- I Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor

45) Shy Nobleman- Baby in the Rain

44) The Clientele- Since K Got Over Me

43) Need New Body- So St. Rx

42) XXL- Paw Paw Paw Paw Paw Paw Paw

41) Fischerspooner- A Kick In The Teeth

40) The Evens- On the Face of It

39) Baby Teeth- Celebrity Wedding

38) Natasha Bedingfield- These Words

37) Antony and the Johnstons- You Are My Sister

36) Le Sport- Business Girls

35) Heartless Bastards- Onions

34) Animal Collective Ft. Vashti Bunyan- I Remember Learning How to Dive

33) Aqueduct- Heart Design

32) Devin Davis- Iron Woman

31) Kiss Me Deadly- Dance 1

30) Iron & Wine- Jezebel

29) Eisley- Trolley Wood

28) Decibully- Penny Look Down

27) Nic Armstrong- Finishing Touch

26) The Brunettes- When Ice Met Cream

25) LCD Soundsystem- Disco Infiltrator

24) The Prayers and Tears of Arthur Digby Sellers- Concerning Lessons Learned From Aliens

23) Tim Fite- 45 Remedies

22) Magnet- Fall at Your Feet

21) My Morning Jacket- Off the Record

20) Suburban Kids with Biblical Names- Rent a Wreck

19) New Buffalo- I Got You and You Got Me

18) MGMT- Boogie Down

17) Ninja High School- Shake It Off

16) Man Man- 10 lb. Moustache (This was so late 2004, it was basically January, in fact FACTS)

15) MIA- Galang

14) Architechture In Helsinki- Do the Whirlwind

13) Mountain Goats- This Year

12) Martha Wainwright- Bloody Motherfuckin' Asshole

11) Kelly Clarkson (or Ted Leo)- Since U Been Gone

Top Ten are Sapphires.

10) The Tiny- Closer

OK here- Ellekari Larsson's voice is enough to make it to anyone's anything list (presumably positive lists), and you back that up with a stuttering piano, and the classy classy cello- you're ganna get some magic. Where the instruments are the dark cold, her voice is the warm light. Thats a cheesy line. The singing of the word 'closer' is so graspmatastic, you can't help becoming obsessing overing this song.

9) Islands- Bucky Little Wing

Unicorns broke up, everyone went wah. Islands shine up and kept up on the Unicorn humor. Bucky Little Wing is a piano piece dittyified, but the charm is that its a ball of up and down, of letting someone go and being silly. Its the "if you take this seriously, you're a twat", and thats just my alley and up it.

8) Out Hud- How Long

Out Hud made me dance. Even though thats not hard to do and Out Hud has done that countless times before- they never made it memorable. But this has the mist of pomp with the pretty panic that is Out Hud. Just slap a chorus you could rattle out, and zipadip- Out Hud was literally the health of my lower half this year.

7) The Greencards- Time

What song helped remind me that country music is a viable art form? What song made americana music seem less pretensious? A question about harmonies, universal lyrics, and classic string instruments later- Time is a natural, genre defining work. At least for me. for meat. format. form of.

6) David Thomas Broughton- Walking Over You

Brother's gotta creepy voice. There is so much anguish and fever in his guitar playing. The lyrics are like the sadness you get before you're about to puke (not literally, though that'd be such cool).Then when Broughton whistles, it comes off as arrogent in a way. All this makes for one of the most earnest songs of the year.

5) Hello Saferide- Get Sick Soon

I like it when a singers singing hardly syncs up with the music. I like it when the voice is presented sweet, and with an uncomplicated melody. I like lyrics that say something old in a new way, and then they interject personal pups. I like female vocals. I like 'lovely'. Now all that is this: Get Sick Soon is a porno for me.

4) Bodies of Water- Here Comes My Hand

And you ask where's my indie rock? AND AND- its close to twee. But its not twee. Its admittedly amateurish, but then when they work that to their advantage and shout along the way- this is gold. This song is what I love about pop music- something could be so well worn yet still seem new and adventourous. This song screams sunny, and the dance I invented to it is called "The Anticipation".

3) Lavender Diamond- You Broke My Heart

From the careening organ opening to the bells that seemingly shatter: You Broke My Heart is simply the healing song of forever. Becky Stark's voice is like the leader of a musical army thats leading a charge to self recovery. So Puh: this is a charge, the charge, and ga-golly: Lavender Diamond is the winner.

2) Paul Duncan- You Look Like an Animal

The first 5 seconds of You Look Like An Animal might be the best folktronica moment ever. Paul Duncan is geniously talented. The album, Be Careful What You Call Home, is more on the folk side... then this song kicks in: bagoosh. Its pumping without loosing its heart. There is such an air of confusion to You Look Like An Animal, which Paul Duncan lets himself rise above. He utters "let me be your employee of the month" in a way that its not even a stupid lyric. Theres bips and  then theres climax, followed by a banjo. Seriously Paul Duncan, don't hurt 'em.

1) Stars- Your Ex-lover is Dead

This is such a pluck of the heart personal triumph for me, added upon the whole whistfulness of the music. I couldn't help but make this number 1 because by far it was the most memorable. Though everyone likes Ageless Beauty off of Stars' Set Yourself on Fire, this song so much rolling that when I first heard it, I absolutely had to listen to again even before I finished it. The best cello hook I've heard, the horn Oh the horn, they just spill the emotion before we get to the lyrics. Torquil Campbell is the touch and Amy Milan is the feel. I mean when she sings "this scar is a freck on my porcelin skin.." its by far one of the most intense moments in pop music. The music is like the stage for the 2 to duet to let out: "I’m not sorry I met you; I’m not sorry it’s over; I’m not sorry there’s nothing to say; I’m not sorry there’s nothing to save.”  Its so alive with heartbreak. Gosh. So its personal, so theres a stupid old man at the beginning, but when a song is crafted so beautifully and when all these layers of instruments come together in such harmony (check that piano line), "live through this, and don't look back" becomes so poignant for me, for anyone. For me mostly. Baby.

Thats thatter- did you notice 3,2,1 went like You, You, Your. I'll do albums... in enough time. You're thats it for now.

and such this weekender was starting to actually suck another man's suckable in the form of starting my year end list. its not done, cuz baby, tender forever comes out tuesday and jens lekman eludes me presently. so after that its almost close to being set. i listened to 150 plus albums this year, narrowed things to around 66, cuz thats a soul and funk number. i also witnessed dane cook selling out the word bragadocious this weekend, so i can't use it now. speaking of selling and ends, what happened to we are scientists back catalog? remember how i listened to 'the creeper' all the time... well apparantly its in archeology now, i'm saying if you go to the We Are Scientists website and under discography theres no "safety, fun, and learning (in that order)", mack! oh major labelings what a hoot half. Uh, I was talking about year end lists, 66 albums, 66 songs, skewer out 16 on each cuz fifty looks nice. I do albums cuz everyone does albums, and songs because its actually really fun for me to do songs. its shallow and pretensious but i sorta am thatise. anyway instead of whats next, heres what I narrowed out of the list in a no particular fashion bash (the artists whose albums i liked this year but not enough) (gawd caleb, hang it up):

voxtrot, lightening bolt, okkervil river, roisin murphy, tom vek, jaime lidell, ida, tiger bear wolf, great lake swimmers, edan, jane, ravonettes, final fantasy, blackalicious, half handed cloud, clor, light footwork, 31 knots, colleen, piano magic, concretes, lemon jelly, the rosebuds, six organs of admittance, most serene republic, common, sigur ros, devendra banhart, danger doom, troubled hubble, hood, low, electrelane. and its pretty much stupid for mentioning this cuz it makes me look like name droppurd, but thats what lists basically are anyway. its more to chronical my own toughness. i mean if i actually cared what people thupped me as, i wouldn't even have the time to make a list now, idea. so next time at least one list and some aches. in the front.

gills,

so I'm unstable- so I read lists to make me feel slightly better. Cases: Forbes.com has a list of the richest fictional characters of all time (actually he was number 3, obvious) and also everyone has their best album of the year lists (which are soooooo cute). anyway NME, who are grown-ups apparently, made a "cool" list. and i would never comment on something so "hey what ok" unless it sorta gripped my balls. so the point is: on NME's cool list- Jemina Pearl of teenage so-so throwrockNdrive band Be Your Own Pet is number eight. Admittedly shes cool, but its one ahead of Dillon and sister is only 17. Now make your own assumptions about self esteem and steam, but people really only know Be Your Own Pet thru other bands (I heard them thru the Kills, most others thru Kings of Leon or Thurston Moore) and they're considered cooler than Bob Dillon. If NME was trying to do something age disparingly, thats warm. But complaining is mick-dickulous. Alex Turner was number one based on how much everyone likes You Look Good On The Dancefloor (I do, its love). Its just Be Your Own Pet isn't that good. and this isn't one of those jealousy issues, its just ridiculous cuz shes still in school, it dampens the word cool. and I associate that word with conversations I don't like to be in, so how am I supposed to feel about those people now. Jemina Pearl, c'mon. Go to Stereogum for the list. and anyway Be Your Own Pet is a decent enough pop punkly rockum band and its not for me, but they're more tassles than Lindsay Lohan.

and yea, I do make my own best album list, because it is so cute and because everyone does and because I listen to a lot of albums and because I think its pointless if I do which in turn gives me the confidence to do so and because I like doing it and because recognizing reasons behind it is kinda hypocritical to me, just like this whole myspace thing is to me and acknowleding that even more is such spirals. anyway, I'll put the list on here.

Then I say something: 1) Self-relationship with Cat Power Update: I bought Fader magazine with sister on the cover cuz I was in a Borders that was closing and I was reading the article Hanne Hukkelberg (whom I faLove) and they announced bring final purchases, so I paid the 6 dollars and now have some nice pictures of the Power. 2) Food for Animals is my Pavement of rap. 3) Slabco records gives away free music on their website? yes? teamwork. go with casiocore, its first. 4) ass 5) thanks to SCTAS.com for helping me re-find Woody Whatever thru their excellant interview with The Spelling Bees and thusly Agricultural Records. they charge 5 bucks a cd and they're pretty bring back from death records. Also SCTAS has had these wonderroo links to Thanksgiving sites (the shively loved band, not the shively felt holiday, the band- THE BAND). 6) Kemado records has always been the look at me stepchild to me. Not really. But they always pop up like mall maps. Anyway- we heard of them thru powerhorsehouses Dungen and Elefant, but the artist I'm mostly dudigging from Kemado is Cheeseburger, that clean whistlepowerchord romp rock that somehow works and werks well. (warks wall is the last option there.anyway,) 7) just like this: Collection of a Colony of Bees and The Carribean are two prime examples that I'm going overboard... causually. 8) Overboard aesthetically: Jessica Rylan and Coin Gutter. 9) to prove against 7 and 8: Ten in the Swear Jar (pipes!), Bedhead, The Spinto Band, Electric Ladyland.... so I hafta make a career out of doing nothing but listening to music somehow- its getting older. 10) Not only do I have a best albums of the year list, but best songs too, which is annoying but last year both were 60 deep, so I'm annoying but I'm skin deep.

I use references like Cash Money Albums, America's Next Top Model, Fake Films I make up, Still Images from Vice City, and guides on packing.

mico keep this one short.

Super Reverb- a psychadelic duo (which is populadder, i reckon (duos are in general)) with a great album title "Avant Garde is the French Word for Shit". Honestly, I'll quit swearing if you ask... I do it for impact, or in that case: to say a name. Anywayne, they now how to craft their songs and thats saying something with how adventurous they are. Exploring sounds but remaining catchy AND they're a duo. Thats love... slove.

the definitions of bizarre.

1) Jane (the animal collective side oddity) is getting no attention, therefore making it really hard to say they're an animal collective side oddity and establish the dream of animal collective saturation. 2) you look like a beacon of light, baby. 3) Not to sound shallow... but the Pipettes are the hottest girls ever. In music, respect for the music plus instilled attraction equals the biggest attraction ever. thats why joanna newsom is sexxrexier than gwen stefani (paul wall over chamillionaire). but the point- The Pipettes have the throwback girl group sound with gasp! the new flavor. really attractive girls in matching polka dots with great voices and killer pop sensibilities. Thats just hotch. 4) Animal Collective friends of/ labelmates Peppermints is a very either or band. Peppermints is a louder AC with more improvasations... yes. so its a yes. if you're like that. eh its not great. 5) Electrelane. There, I mentioned them... "The Power Out" or "Axes", just do, jussgo. 6) Much to my chagrin, there is a band called Mother Goose... its personal, and annoying, and purple. 7) now: have you heard MidAirCondo? I mean its pretty easy to: www.midaircondo.com. Now: midaircondo can do it. 8) Rough Trade's best band that doesn't get called best band enough: Hal. Seriously, its ka-wack they open for adam green or are even on tour with said green. 9) I only do 10 cuz I run out of into out of ideas, and yeah figures. 10) I found this band, hopefully you did too, Youth Pictures of Florence Henderson. Norwegian rock band whose stupid ass long name counteract the need to name their songs stupid long assily. luckily they sound cool. cool in the sense you heard it before, but its good. leaves a taste in ya kinda good. So look at my stupid long ass title and tell me that titles are a bad thing, cuz Youth Pictures of Florence Henderson screws that. thankfully. Plan to see this name again, cuz its good... better than vegetable good. Oh they sound like if Sigur Ros toned down to just a progressive indie band, but still remained 'out of sight'. its wonderful. my word for it.

jokes about it being a 'swimsuit issue' are immature, g-unit.

hey this,

I usually pluck down something that either enjoys me or annoys me. So in the tradition of doing neither- heres something that just is there: Billy the Vision and the Dancers. I found out about said band because their album is called "I was so unpopular in school and now they're giving me this beautiful bicycle" and how can I ignore that. They're swedish but only their name and titles and lyrics are in english, making one confusing website thats easily navigable (websites omg). But like I said, B the V and t Ds are just a band that doesn't capture themselves in the moment. If they could do something better than similar bands (aberfeldy, boy least likely to, caleb shivelys) they'd be spectacular. But they offer nothing special- sub smart lyrics, cut ya cute melodies, "we know so we're not naive but check out this sound that makes us seem dorky but we're not dorky" sensibility. Listen if you aren't too familiar with twee type music, start here, give them a chance- then listen to Little Wings.

Ohio has two football teams and about a million Freddies.

land: 1) Is there giant rift between Feist 2004 and Feist 2005. Same Album. Great Album- and Miss, how I love Mushaboom. Mushaboom was probably the best song of all of year 2004. But a whole new press pushes it for 2005 best of. Two different album covers, Two Different Videos. Leslie dear, what year are you? Take that spanning different year lists. 2) Speaking of songs I like that won't get remembered when glories make their best of lists: bloody motherfucking asshole by M. Wainwright (Martha W.) reads like when batman causes a gas leak to thwart a villain- its nothing complicated, just cool. 3) Speaking of songs by artists: MGMT- Boogie Down. its a promise keeper. 4) I feel stupid for never mentioning Seona Dancing until now. They're like 4 Gone Conclusion, but real. 5) The Midget... best band on thing space perhaps.. http://www.myspace.com/midgetmusic 6) I found out what cunning meant. 7) OK you have this tv show that garners emmy awards, golden globe awards, golden satellite awards, writers guild awards, countless critical praise of being the best and most unique show in years and you can't market that. you can't market being good. and you're probably going to cancel the show because you can't help it. Fox is ribdishilous. 8) I don't think the world makes fun of Italians enough. 9) You've noticed that this changes all the time, depending on- pfff- my temperature? (stick that.) anyway Mi and L'au are one of the best bands going. Going where? going steady, good music steady. 10) now that the 'fork reviewed badgerlore, I wonder if I won't acknowledge them even harder. (this is the "bands that I can't help but try to help getting caught up in" All-Star Band: Yellow Swans, Six Organs of Admittance, Deerhoof, Charalambides).

tumbling might be the best word ever. verbs, adjtives, the act of tumbling so its a noun. the innocence of tum, and the worldliness of bling. sgood.

Yes Folks its true- I said I'm ganna go hump the fridge. What you may not know is I own a bottle of dick cream, I fondle my sweaters, and often like to smeat mud on my ass. You're probably asking yourselves, is this guy a weirdo? An outcast? A loose cannon? Maybe. I don't think so..... I want to introduce you guys to someone, (raise can) this is my friend. I don't know who he is, but what I do know is this: At a time when I was trying to hide myself from myself, he was there to show me... a new way. Cuz I couldn't hide from him. And I could be proud of who I am! I put it to you Camp Firewood, as we spend our last dinner together- be proud of who you are! LOOK AT ME, MA, I MADE IT I'M O-K! Now if you don't mind... I have some unfinished business to attend to...

7:35: 1)Art Bears- who knew? 2)Add Bishop Allen to your friends on here.. do IT, Do it. 3)If I was in Azure Ray, I'd release a solo record too... only from peer pressure. 4) Cat Power Update: I make fun of the sister now. 5) Figurine over Postel Service... if you're pride is in your punch. Also if you're dadick. 6) Six. 7) Comedy Central has clips of Viva Variety on their dot com. Every character Kerri Kinney has ever done is as hell as sex-richful. EVUR. 8) I did as much research as I could on S Prcss, cuz they're one of my favorite bands and haven't heard from them in awhile, and I found out they're pretty ugly. huh huh. 9) Talking about the Subways are like stealing airplanes from farmers. Its inherently cliche, and the crops go undusted so everyone loses. Inherently? 10) Theres only one Think About Life song thats dittying around me, but, gosh, its un ditty.

Listen I can't explain it here. Meet me at that picnic table in 10 seconds.