Fuzzy Thoughts' Top 40 Albums of 2005: Part II of IV

Hopefully you enjoyed the first portion of the Top 40 list, now here are numbers 29-20. Look for the next set to return once again next week.

29.
The New Pornographers Twin Cinema
The New Pornographers' latest, while not as groundbreaking as their prior albums, was still a remarkably solid effort. Songs such as "Jackie, Dressed In Cobras," "The Bleeding Heart Show," the title track, and the outstanding "Sing Me Spanish Techno" make this an album well worth purchasing.



28.
John Mayer Trio Try!
While live albums usually don't earn a place on the list, this one is an exception as the majority of the material on the album is brand new. With that in mind, this is not only, as previously stated, the best John Mayer album ever to be released, it's also one of the more important releases of 2005. It's rare in this day and age to find a pop star that's savvy enough to go out on a limb and decide that he's tired of writing pop songs and instead wants to embrace his latest love, his love for blues guitar. A must have for 2005.


27.
Lemon Jelly '64-'95
While the premise may seem a bit gimmicky (each track is composed of albums from that respective year, all of which fall between 1964 and 1995), this is a formula that truly works for them. While Lemon Jelly has always been creative, it's pretty cool, even for casual fans, to hear what they can do when their entire album is built around a singular focus. Highlights include "Stay With You," "Come Down on Me" and "The Shouty Track."


26.
Queens of the Stone Age Lullabies To Paralyze
Considering all the drama surrounding QOTSA up to the release of this album (with the departure of bassist Nick Oliveri), it's amazing that these guys were able to ever get it finished, much less make it as good as it is. It's a bit more meandering than Songs for the Deaf and R, but it's an equally adventurous and hypnotic effort. It's also still packed with lots of great hard rocking action and solos, with highlights being "Tangled Up In Plaid" and "Burn the Witch." If this album is truly missing anything (outside of the killer Dave Grohl drumming), it's a true single. Most of the reason for this album falling so deeply under the radar as it did was that its lead single was a relatively anemic "Little Sister." It works well in the context of the album, but standing on it's own, it pales in comparison to every other single Queens of the Stone Age has recorded. Outside of that fact, this is still a very awesome album.


25.
Art Brut Bang Bang Rock & Roll
Currently only available as an Import title
The title of this release is entirely appropriate for the sound of the album. They're a hard hitting, but most importantly fun british rock group, with great spoken vocals by Eddie Argos. The lyrics are both incredibly funny as well as smart all at the same time, it's too bad they have not pushed for a major release here in the states. With clever heartbreak songs such as "Emily Kane," and the superb all out rock of "Bad Weekend," they really could give Franz Ferdinand a run for their money should they decide to bring their sound across the pond. One of the best debuts of 2005, Bang Bang Rock & Roll is really worth a look.


24.
Erin McKeown We Will Become Like Birds
With this being the fourth album of McKeown's career in six years, it seems like she might've finally found her sweet spot. While some songs maintain the fringe genre of folk-rock, it appears that she has matured incredibly and has taken on writing more traditional songs as well, without losing her sense of identity at all. A perfect example of which is "Beautiful, I Guess," a perfectly crafted song about heartbreak, that is very well personalized and at the same time accessible. It's a difficult process, trying new things without coming off as a sell out, but Erin McKeown accomplishes it here and comes up with the best album she's released yet.

23.
Atmosphere You Can't Imagine How Much Fun We're Having
Surprisingly, Atmosphere's latest album released with very little publicity. However, this album is easily just as good as their earlier efforts, but it does show an interesting evolution. The overall production, especially in comparison to the mix-tape quality of Seven's Travels, is very slick and the beats are probably among the best I've heard from ANT. Slug's lyrics, particularly when he's forced to take center stage, are as sharp as ever particularly on songs like "Panic Attack." What's odd is that while many of us may be used to Slug being the centerpiece of Atmosphere, ANT's productions have never been at the level they are now, particularly when looking at tracks like "Musical Chairs," "Smart Went Crazy," and "Get Fly," which almost overshadow Slug and make it seem like he's only trying to keep up. All in all, this is yet another very solid album from Atmosphere, and no they still haven't fallen off like many think.


22.
One Be Lo S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M.
Formerly known as One Man Army, and one half of the now defunct Binary Star, One Be Lo continues that legacy started with his former group on this album. Packed from beginning to end with outstanding smarts, not to mention great lyrics and beats, there's truly very little filler here. His sound brings back the "Golden Age" of hip hop, when the early 90's artists embraced jazz and more mellow grooves as their background. Highlights include "Propaganda," "Axis," and "True Love." One of the best hip hop albums to be released this year by far.


21.
Of Montreal The Sunlandic Twins
While not nearly as good as last years Satanic Panic In The Attic, Of Montreal still has a number of goodies up their sleeves. With songs such like "Keep Sending Me Black Fireworks," "Wraith Pinned to the Mist and Other Games," and "The Repudiated Immortals," it's hard to say that this album has fallen short. With their orchestral synth-pop sound that's overtly bright even for them on this album, it's certainly not for everyone, but a very, very good album nonetheless.


20.
Bright Eyes I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning
Hate him or love him, the more country/folk oriented album of his dual release (the other being the darker and harsher Digital Ash in a Digital Urn), actually makes for quite an enjoyable listening experience. Songs like "Another Travellin Song" recall Bob Dylan, while the sleepy "Old Soul Song (For The New World Order)" soothes and brings a craft of songwriting that hasn't been seen this decade. The real gem is the sentimental yet quirky "First Day of My Life," which is a genuinely touching love song. Impressive and focused, this one proves that maybe Bright Eyes isn't so overrated after all.