2005: The Year In Music

2005 – Eris, the largest known dwarf planet in the solar system, is discovered. YouTube is founded by Steve Chun, Chad Hurley and Jawed Karim. “Doctor Who” and the U.S. version of “The Office” premier on TV. Tony Blair is elected for a third consecutive term in the UK general election. Ten “Live 8” concerts are held around the world, organised by Bob Geldof. One of the more positive years for news I’ve seen … so let’s keep the positivity flowing for what will no doubt be the best year in music history yet!

I’ll be looking at the popular and highest-rated songs / albums of the year, giving my opinions on their musicality and longevity as well as an overall verdict for the year as a whole.

Before we begin, you can check out some of my related blog posts below:

Billboard Top 10 (Popular) Singles

Source: Wikipedia

10 – Behind These Hazel Eyes (Kelly Clarkson)

To the surprise of absolutely no one, there’s another, more famous Kelly Clarkson song higher up the rankings.

“Behind These Hazel Eyes” is all power chords and emotive belly-aching. It can stay in 2005 for all I care.

9 – Don’t Cha (The Pussycat Dolls feat. Busta Rhymes)

Good rhythm, fairly catchy chorus, but I’ve heard this too many times on the radio to truly like it.

8 – Candy Shop (50 Cent feat. Olivia)

One of the most overtly sexual songs to feature on a Billboard Top 10 yet. I’m sure it’s the start of a new trend.

It’s catchy, I’ll give “Candy Shop” that.

7 – Boulevard of Broken Dreams (Green Day)

Usually when I talk about a song or album over multiple years I tend to skip over any repeats. Green Day’s album released in 2004 so I’ve already talked about some of the songs … but not “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” yet. So I guess that makes it eligible to be 2005’s best song?

It’s one of my favourite Green Day songs, with some memorable chord progressions.

6 – Gold Digger (Kanye West feat. Jamie Foxx)

It’s weird hearing Jamie Foxx as a featured artist, as he’s much more well-known these days for his acting.

“Gold Digger” is an iconic track with a killer hook.

5 – 1, 2 Step (Ciara feat. Missy Elliott)

I don’t think I’ve heard “1, 2 Step” before, which is strange as it sounds like it would’ve been overplayed on radios.

It’s fairly catchy … but the production could be too odd at times.

4 – Since U Been Gone (Kelly Clarkson)

A classic girlboss anthem.

It doesn’t hit as hard as, for example, Alanis Morrisette in prior years, but it does the job.

3 – Let Me Love You (Mario)

A billion Spotify streams for this generic RnB slop?!?

“Let Me Love You” is far from bad, but it’s far from memorable either. It only starts to become interesting in the bridge.

2 – Hollaback Girl (Gwen Stefani)

Is “Hollaback Girl” the most annoying song of the 2000’s? “Crazy Frog” came out in 2003, so there’d be some stiff competition …

The drum beat isn’t as iconic as they think, and Stefani’s girlish vocals are grating as hell. Those synths also don’t fit the song at all.

1 – We Belong Together (Mariah Carey)

Mariah Carey dips her toes in RnB for “We Belong Together”. It’s not the worst song of the year, I’ll give it that.

I’ve never liked Carey’s style, and the songwriting is very tame, but it’s far from my least favourite Mariah Carey song.

FAVOURITE – “Gold Digger” (Kanye West feat. Jamie Foxx)

LEAST FAVOURITE – “Hollaback Girl” (Gwen Stefani)

Top-Rated Songs

Source: http://www.besteveralbums.com

10 – Ghost Of Perdition (Opeth)

Oh good, death metal screaming. One of my least favourite tropes of the Rock / Metal genre.

“Ghost Of Perdition” is great (almost TOOL-esque) in the non-screaming parts, but the aforementioned screaming makes this a song I won’t revisit.

9 – The Predatory Wasp Of The Palisades Is Out To Get Us! (Sufjan Stevens)

Get ready for lots of Sufjan Stevens songs.

This is a gorgeous song that comes near the end of “Illinois”, with some of Stevens’ best vocals.

8 – You Only Live Once (The Strokes)

A great Strokes song, one of their best. “You Only Live Once” is just as good as some of their earlier classics.

7 – John Wayne Gacy, Jr. (Sufjan Stevens)

My god … I need a breather after listening to those lyrics.

“John Wayne Gacy, Jr.” is one of the most depressing songs I’ve ever heard. I love it.

6 – Hoppipolla (Sigur Ros)

“Svefn-g-englar” is my favourite Sigur Ros song, but “Hoppipolla” might give it a run for its money.

It’s somehow even more pleasant and uplifting, with fantastic production that puts my mind at ease.

5 – Arriving Somewhere But Not Here (Porcupine Tree)

“Arriving Somewhere But Not Here” is Porcupine Tree’s 12-minute epic from their “Deadwing” album.

It starts off strong with a slow section, then the first real rise in tempo is a bit underwhelming, but then the second half of the song is great again.

4 – Casimir Pulaski Day (Sufjan Stevens)

“Casimir Pulaski Day” feels even more Folk-y and stripped-back than the rest of the album.

It’s not my favourite, but it’s pleasant enough to be enjoyable.

3 – Come On! Feel The Illinoise! [Part I: The World’s Columbian Exposition – Part II: Carl Sandburg Visits Me In A Dream] (Sufjan Stevens)

No force on heaven or earth could make me type all of that again. What is it with Sufjan Stevens and ridiculous song titles?

This one comes very early in “Illinois”, and it’s incredibly bouncy and playful. It was songs like this that made me eager to listen to the rest of the album.

2 – Feel Good Inc. (Gorillaz feat. De La Soul)

That bassline immediately makes “Feel Good Inc.” an all-timer.

The groove is sublime, the lazed vocals are entrancing, and this has one of my favourite rap features in any song.

1 – Chicago (Sufjan Stevens)

Finally! A Sufjan Stevens song with a normal title!

In many ways, “Chicago” feels like the emotional peak of “Illinois”. It shows vulnerability and maturity whilst also being an intrinsically catchy tune.

BEST SONG OF 2005 – “Feel Good Inc.” (Gorillaz feat. De La Soul)

The best song of the year was actually “Dirty Harry”, but that didn’t make the shortlist for some reason.

Top-Rated Albums

Source: http://www.besteveralbums.com

5 – Takk… (Sigur Ros)

Sigur Ros always take me to a faraway place on a cosmic plane.

“Takk…”, like their other albums, once again takes your breath away. Favourites include “Hoppipolla” and “Saeglopur” (sorry about the spellings).

4 – Silent Alarm (Bloc Party)

Bloc Party’s “Silent Alarm” contains some of the pivotal anthems of my teenage years.

“Helicopter” and “Banquet” are songs I’ll always love, and others like “Like Eating Glass” and “So Here We Are” are great too. It doesn’t grip me from start to finish but it makes for a good overall listen.

3 – Late Registration (Kanye West)

Skits aside, “Late Registration” is yet another banger of a Kanye West album.

“Heard ‘Em Say”, “Touch The Sky”, “Gold Digger”, “Diamonds From Sierra Leone” and “Hey Mama” are all songs I keep coming back to.

2 – Demon Days (Gorillaz)

“Demon Days” was one of the first albums I ever fell in love with front to back.

I couldn’t tell you a song I don’t like. The production is incredible, and songs like “Feel Good Inc.”, “Dirty Harry” and “Every Planet We Reach Is Dead” still get reactions out of me.

1 – Illinois (Sufjan Stevens)

Half the songs in the top rated list were Sufjan Stevens, so I would’ve been shocked if his album “Illinois” wasn’t the number one rated of the year.

It’s safe to say I’ve never heard an album like it. It demands to be listened to in full – even if I found the first half to be stronger than the second.

BEST ALBUM OF 2005 – “Demon Days” (Gorillaz)

“Demon Days” wins for nostalgia, but it’s worth noting that “Illinois” impressed me and will probably become a favourite over time.

Final Thoughts

I’ve come to expect disappointment from the Billboard hits, but I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the high-rated songs and especially albums.

Overall Grade: B-

Aaaaand that’s my list! You can check out some of my latest blog posts below: