2005 list: The little things

Edit: Added Beck's Guero to the "rejects" list during the construction of the main list. New list up soon!

Here's the albums that didn't make the list because they just weren't that good.

• Beck, Guero: I debated as to where to put this one. It's not bad, necessarily, but, well, it's not that good. Some of the tracks are likable enough in the way that Beck's "up" singles are always likable, and a couple recall good moments from his previous albums. Most, however, don't, preferring to just lie there and be boring. It seems Beck can never go home again. He needs to keep moving from style to style like some sort of musical nomad.
• Weezer, Make Believe: Do I regret my excitement at the return of Weezer with their release of the green album? I'm not sure anymore. The green album and Maladroit at least had some keepers, but this is just worthless. "Beverly Hills" has a nice stomp to it, but in the end, it's just not enough.
• Dave Matthews Band, Stand Up: Yes. I bought this. I can't call it a disappointment, because it's, I guess, better than I expected. A few years ago this would have pissed me off as a sell out album like Everyday, but at this point, everything they could do with the DMB "house sound" has been done, I think. I guess I would have preferred the more prog directions they were going with Before These Crowded Streets, but hey, at least they're trying. Not that they're exactly suceeding...
• Gorillaz, Demon Days: It's sad to see a band put out as kick ass of a single as "Feel Good Inc." and not be able to follow up on its promise at all. One moment of pop greatness and an album full of wankery. Oh well. We should be thankful for what we get.

Here's the top 40ish songs that I actually bothered to download and liked:

• Destiny's Child, "Lose My Breath": Technically a 2004 release, but I just downloaded it this year so I'll use it to bad this list out a bit. I have somebody (the makers of Drumline?) to thank for the popularization of marching band-style backing tracks in pop music. The snares on this track kick so much ass that I can ignore the crappy R&B song slathered on top of it.
• Gwen Stefani, "Hollaback Girl": Continuing the marching band stuff, but this time with a better song and casting Gwen Stefani as a cheerleader ready to kick Courtney Love's ass. Love the brass. The call and response is nice, too, though I'd probably prefer a crowd response rather than Gwen doing both parts...
• Kanye West, "Golddigger":
Heard this a few times (just the "Go ahead girl, get down, get down") before realizing what it was. The use of the Jamie Foxx loop is crucial, but using the original Ray Charles could have spared us a Jamie Foxx album. Though perhaps it was inevitable given Ray's success. Anyway, good song, but leaves me wanting more.
• Kelly Clarkson, "Since U Been Gone": Damnable text messaging-style aside, this song kicks ass. Not that I give Kelly credit, but whoever put this together knew how pop songs work. Great "fuck off" song. Nice use of the drum machine to start off, and then they bring in the kit when it gets heavy. Works wonderfully. Kelly doesn't showboat too much, either. Lots of fun.

And up next, albums that were neglected enough that I couldn't put them on the "Best Of" list. The more I download, the more it happens. Writing this makes me think that there's just too much music for me to keep up with. Add in the old stuff that I love but never listen to, and the old stuff I could have loved but never listened to, and it all gets quite overwhelming:

• Metric, Live It Out: Chris loves them. I was hoping for the Emily Haines of "Anthems For A Seventeen Year Old Girl". Saw them live, and didn't really feel compelled to listen to the album any more. I may not ever.
• Why?, Sanddollars EP: Saw them at the Proletariat. Seemed OK. Could be something I pick up in the future.
• Ward, M., Transistor Radio: I listened to Transfiguration of Vincent a lot this year, but not this one. I'm sure it's great. I just haven't gotten to it yet.
• Sun Kil Moon, Tiny CitiesSo maybe this one doesn't strictly qualify as neglected. I'm more indecisive about this one. Are they great reinventions of Modest Mouse classics, or has he sucked all of the life out of them? I don't know.
• Sigur Rós, Takk: This is the closest I've come to a Sigur Rós album that doesn't put me to sleep. It seems to have some nice Explosions In The Sky bits to it, but it never quite got its hooks into me.
• Serena Maneesh, Serena ManeeshThey've got the right set of influences including My Bloody Valentine and (maybe?) the Velvet underground. I just haven't been in the right mood for them. Seems quality, though. I was pretty tempted to recommend it.
• The New Pornographers, Twin Cinema: Seems like great power pop. But it (nor any of their other albums) have taken hold of me. Bonus points for having Neko Case, though.
• The Mountain Goats, I Hope We Both Die: Dan loves them. The voice takes some getting used to and I haven't felt like expending the effort. I'm sure it's good.
• Mount Eerie, No Flashlight: Listened to it once and it seemed OK, but if I want to get to know Phil Elvrum better, I'll finish the backlog of Microphones albums I've got.
• The Lucksmiths, Warmer Corners: Seems like nice pop. Molly likes 'em. Probably should give this one a chance at some point.
• Low, The Great Destroyer: Another Dan recommendation I've not gotten around to. I have the feeling this probably isn't where I should start getting to know the band anyway.
• Love Is All, Nine Times That Same SongDoes this even count as a 2005 release since printing errors pushed it back to a release this month? Either way, a couple of listens through and I can't exactly tell youw hat they're all about.
• LCD Soundsystem, LCD Soundsystem: Probably too dancy for my tastes, but to be fair I haven't given it a chance yet. "Daft Punk Is Playing At My House" is a song I'd keep around, if nothing else.
• Iron & Wine, Woman King: Still putting off getting into Iron & Wine. Sorry.
• Iron & Wine/Calexico, In The Reins: Ditto.
• Hood, Outside Closer: Seemed like a nice, somewhat electronic British sort of thing that reminded me of Badly Drawn Boy in its better moments. Still, didn't ever take hold.
• Fruit Bats, Spelled in Bones: Listened to it a little before their show, but it didn't grab me. There's just too much music out there.
• Doves, Some Cities: Downloaded this with the intention of listening to it before catching them at Austin City Limits. Didn't do either.
• Coldplay, X&Y: I'm sure it's unremarkable, but I never bothered to confirm that.
• Cloud Cult, Advice From The Happy Hippopotamus: Lumped in with the Lucksmiths and the Boy Least Likely To. Seems nice. Probably needs a good listen or three.
• The Clientele, Strange Geometry
More nice British stuff that I never got to...
• Antony & The Johnsons, I Am a Bird Now: Jeff loves this but I've never gotten past the vocals.
• Archer Prewitt, WildernessAlong with Hood, this was listed on Pitchfork's Best New Music only to be mysteriously removed later. Never listened to it. Folky, I think?
• Banhart, Devandra, Cripple Crow: Devandra is supposed to be good. One of his songs came up randomly the other day and it seemed pretty good. I should probably give this one a shot.
• Bloc Party, Silent Alarm Remixed: Seemed competent, but I'll stick to the original.
• Bird, Andrew, The Mysterious Production of Eggs: Hear good things about this, but haven't gotten around to it yet.
• Bright Eyes, Digital Ash In A Digital Urn: I'm kind of indecisive about this one. Honestly, I expected more electronics. It was supposed to be his "Postal Service" album, after all. "Take It Easy (Love Nothing)" is great, though.
• Bright Eyes, I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning: This was supposed to be the good one. Never got into it. I feel like I should either like Bright Eyes or hate them, but I've never bothered with it long enough to form a full opinion.
• The Boy Least Likely To, The Best Party Ever: Neglected, sadly.
• British Sea Power, Open Season: Seemed nice. Probably would like it better if I knew their influences better. Also, didn't seem like a particularly high priority since I still hadn't listened to their last album all that month. Jeff loves them.
• Cat Power, The Greatest: Cat Power occupies a space similar to Bright Eyes in my mind. I just don't get it one way or the other.

Next up: the best albums of 2005, according to me.