  My Morning Jacket |
It's impossible to listen to every album that comes by our desk in the span of a year, but we did manage to come up with 10 musical efforts in 2005 that kept the iPod battery low.
(Of course, lists like this are not a science, so please don't send us hate emails -- and please -- no wagering.)
10. GO! TEAM
Thunder, Lightning, Strike
(Columbia/Sony-BMG)
A healthy merging of dance-pop, old school beats and low-fi sounds that could be the essential musical backdrop for an enormous pep rally.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS: "Panther Dash," "We Just Won't Be Defeated," "Junior Kickstart."
9. HOT HOT HEAT
Elevator
(Elektra/Warner)
Yet another great effort from the Victoria, BC natives. "Elevator" sees the band expanding their musical palate, while still continuing to write the catchiest pop songs around.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS: "Jingle Jangle," "Pickin' It Up," "Middle Of Nowhere."
8. SUPERGRASS
Road To Rouen
(Parlophone/EMI)
If you're expecting big pop hits, you aren't going to find them here. What you will find, however, is some beautifully crafted tracks that impress more and more with every listen.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS: "Tales of Endurance," "Kick In The Teeth," "St. Petersburg."
7. BECK
Guero
(Interscope/Universal)
On his Beck turns up the amps, breaks out the mariachi band, and goes back to being his old wacky self. We wouldn't want it any other way.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS: "E-Pro," "Girl," "Go It Alone."
6. LOUIS XIV
The Best Little Secrets Are Kept
(Pineapple/Warner)
This debut from the San Diego foursome managed to stir up a buzz on both sides of the ocean this year -- and it's definitely not for the faint of heart.
The disc, a glorious mix between mid-'70s Rolling Stones and glam-era David Bowie, is all about one thing -- sex.
Here's a sample from "Finding Out True Love Is Blind" (advisory required):
"Ah chocolate girl, you're looking like something I want / Ah and your little Asian friend she can come if she wants / I want all the self conscious girls who try to hide who they are with makeup / You know it's the girl with a frown with the tight pants I really want to shake up."
Cold shower anyone?
ESSENTIAL TRACKS: "Finding Out True Love Is Blind," "Hey Teacher," A Letter To Dominique."
5. CUFF THE DUKE
Cuff the Duke
(Hardwood Records)
When you think of Oshawa, Ont., eclectic, beautiful and sophistocated music don't exactly come to mind.
Thankfully, the band survived their less-than-stellar suburban upbringing (they're now based in T.O.) and released their gorgeous sophomore disc back in July.
A great blend of country, roots and rock 'n' roll.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS: "Anti-Social," "I Really Want To Help You," "The Future Hangs."
4. KAISER CHIEFS
Employment
(B-Unique/Universal)
What a year for Leeds quartet -- they nabbed a Mercury Music Prize nomination, open dates for U2 during their European tour, and kicked off Philly's portion of the Live 8 show with a stunning performance.
Their latest accomplishment? Well, making No. 4 on our list, of course.
The band's debut, which fuses the guitar-pop smarts of The Jam with a Madness-like sense of humour, is filled with 60 minutes of super-catchy riffs and hooky choruses.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS: "Modern Way," "Everyday I Love You Less And Less," "I Predict A Riot."
3. THE NEW PORNOGRAPHERS
Twin Cinemas
(Outside Music)
For Vancouver's New Pornographers, the third time's the charm.
Although the band has fallen under the radar by most mainstream music fans, they continue to churn out beautifully crafted songs that get praised by many and heard by too few.
This third full-length disc continues where 2000's "Mass Romantic" and 2003's "Electric Version" left off, highlighting the superior skills of singer-guitarist A.C. Newman and the gorgeous vocals of songbird Neko Case.
Why Canadian radio stations fill their CanCon requirements by playing Nickelback non-stop while ignoring these indie-pop heroes is beyond us.
BEST TRACKS: "Use It," "These Are The Fables," "Star Bodies."
2. THE WHITE STRIPES
Get Behind Me Satan
(V2/Sony-BMG)
In what appears to be the big kiss-off to Jack White's former flame Renee Zellweger, this fifth Stripes disc is one of their oddest efforts to date. It also happens to be one of the most satisfying listens of the year.
But heck, what do you expect any less from Jack and Meg?
Sonically, the individual songs are all over the map -- crunching guitars, haunting ballads, and country stompers -- but together, they come off as a beautifully cohesive unit.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS: "My Doorbell," "The Denial Twist," "As Ugly As I Seem."
1. MY MORNING JACKET
Z
(ATO/RCA)
This glorious fourth full-length disc from the Kentucky outfit blends the sonic smarts of Radiohead with a little down-home southern rock flavour.
The highlight of the 50-minute disc is Jim James's vocal range, which rivals vintage Elton John and Van Morrison.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS: "Off The Record," "Gideon," "Dondante."
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITES OF 2005? TELL US HERE!
