THE AMBFAD 'BEST OF 2005'

That's right kids, it's time for the inevitable 'Best of' list...encapsulating the best music that 2005 had to offer (or at least what I heard of it anyways). 2005 was a decent year for music, one that found me fall back in love w/ hip hop upon discovering there is still some great shit out there being put on wax (see #1 and #3). The #2 pick on this year's list saw the return of some badass power pop from one of Canada's finest supergroups and new albums from some indie stalwarts made the list as well. So, without further ado, here's my favorite albums of the past year:

1. 'FLY SCHOOL REUNION' - GIANT PANDA

This one came from out of nowhere to grab the top spot w/in the final couple of weeks of 2005. Some righteous hip hop from the Left Coast, GP delivered an album chock full of great beats, fun rhymes and the best ode to the mix tape i've ever heard. Great stuff.

2. 'TWIN CINEMA' - NEW PORNOGRAPHERS

I gave a shout out to this one earlier in the year. Finely crafted power pop from Canadian indie darling Carl Newman, Dan Bejar, Neko Case and crew. Just as solid of an effort as their previous release, 'Electric Version' and sweet sounding from cover to cover.

3. 'THE FIND' - OHMEGA WATTS

This disc didn't leave my car stereo for almost a month and I gave a full download in a previous post. Positive lyrics that take you back to the Golden Era of hip hop, laid down over fresh beats and instrumentals constructed by the Portland-based producer/DJ/MC. Big ups.

4. 'THE GREAT DESTROYER' - LOW

My first introduction to Minnesota's LOW was a doozy. Contrasting styles ranging from stark melencholy to feedback drenched walls of sound...and that's often just within one song. A completely engaging listen, creepy and beautiful in the same breath.

5. 'DESCENDED LIKE VULTURES' - ROGUE WAVE

As I wasn't a huge fan of their debut or the performance I caught when they opened for A.C. Newman last year, this one was a pleasant surprise. Up-tempo rockers and polished balladry coexist in a wonderfully produced shiney package.

6. 'BEFORE THE DAWN HEALS US' - M83

Much like the previous effort, this album played out as a synth-laden soundtrack to a movie that didn't exist...but if it did, would likely be a cool one. Orchestral and layered, sometimes shining and sometimes frantic/frightening. Whatever the mood of each individual track, a cool listen in it's entirety.

7. 'GUERO' - BECK

A return to the multi-genre stew of 'Odelay' and in complete contrast to the folky 'Sea Change', Beck dropped one hell of a fun album on us in 2005. Sample-based upbeat sonic collages that ran the gambit style-wise, a fine return to form. Check out the remix album, 'Guerolito', as well.

8. 'ILLINOIS' - SUFJAN STEVENS

The second submission in his ambitious project to release a musical companion for all 50 states. 'Illinois' is rife w/ wonderful compostions that may not be too in depth lyrically relative to the state it's covering, but tunes like 'Chicago' have a sound steeped in optimism and make for a pleasant audio experience.

9. 'GIMME FICTION' - SPOON

One of my favortie elder statesmen of indie rock, Britt Daniels and company released a critic's favorite that received a lot of music press. Angular and interesting as ever, they released much better...but relative to other releases, still deserved of an appearance in my list.

10. 'DIOS (MALOS)' - DIOS (MALOS)

The purveyors of a sound that brings to mind the bastard son of Brian Wilson and Grandaddy (raised by the Pixies), the boys from Hawthorne, CA released another fantsatic collection of spacey psychadelic folk rock. More uptempo in spots than their debut, this disc was a great sophmore follow-up.

There you are. It should be noted there is a massive list of 'Hornorable Mentions' that deserve your attention as well (Eels, Pernice Brothers, Time Machine, etc.)...but I don't have a Jan Wenner-sized writing staff to do an organized list of 25 ot 50. Just go back through the archives and see if anything hits you. Anyhow, again, Happy New Year...may 2006 bring us audio goodness worthy of another list come next time. PEACE!