Instead of doing them separate this year, I thought I'd do the tunes + albums lists simultaneously.

Before we launch into the top 25, here are 5 albums that just missed the cut.

Close Calls


| Gorillaz - Demon Days |

Favs: Feel Good Inc, Dare, El Manana
Meh: Dirty Harry


| Rachel Stevens - Come & Get It |

Favs: Nothing Good About This Goodbye, Some Girls
Meh: I Said Never Again (But Here We Are)


| Acceptance - Phantoms |

Favs: The Letter, So Contagious, Different
Meh: Glory/Us


| MIA - Arular |

Favs: Bucky Done Gun, Fire Fire
Meh: Hombre


| Bedouin Soundclash - Sounding A Mosaic |

Favs: When The Night Feels My Song, Shelter, Shadow Of A Man
Meh: Rude Boy Don't Cry

More tunes up tomorrow, more albums either Tues or Weds.
Enjoy!

Oh, you did not just "Meh" Dirty Harry. >_<

Otherwise, I know some good albums are going to be on here, I want to see where they place. Don't let me down, soldier.

OMG i love acceptance can u pm me that album!!!

Thanks guys!

We're going to start off with #20-16. And yes, some of these albums cross the 2004-2005 border, but it's the fact that I fell in love with them this year, not the last!


20. The Used - In Love & Death

Top Tunes: I Caught Fire, Cut Up Angels
Low Caliber: Let It Bleed

Finally an album that set them apart. Finally an album whos sound didn't seem to mimick or simply blend in nicely with the pre-breakout albums that MCR, AFI, and Thrice all had at the time. Toning down the sound a tad with songs like 'All That I've Got', The Used show versatility, growth in songwriting, and an overall kick-ass-ness you just can't get enough of.


19. Hot Hot Heat - Elevator

Top Tunes: Goodnight, Goodnight, Dirty Mouth
Low Caliber: Soldier In A Box

It's not quite new wave. It's not quite 80's revival. I don't even think there's that many synths in here. But whatever it is, it's catchy as hell and indie flava flav, Canadian style, at it's finest.


18. Motion City Soundtrack - Commit This To Memory

Top Tunes: LGFUAD, Attractive Today, Everything Is Alright
Low Caliber: Better Open The Door

Teenage angst. Teenage heartbreak. Teenage memories. High school wannabes. Oh the heartache. Fun album though.


17. Snow Patrol - Final Straw

Top Tunes: Chocolate, Run, Grazed Knees
Low Caliber: Somewhere A Clock Is Ticking

If a band could portray melodramatic heartache in a more haunting and impressionable fashion, I'd like to hear it. Snow Patrol are the new wave of Coldplay that stemmed from the UK alongside Athlete and Keane. Unlike the latter, Snow Patrol are not so unnecessairly reliant on overbearing and low monotoned tracks where song writing is B+ at best. Snow Patrol have enough courage to infuse some upbeat melody into their otherwise haunting demeanor.


16. Mariah Carey - The Emancipation Of Mimi

Top Tunes: We Belong Together, It's Like That, Don't Forget About Us
Low Caliber: Stay The Night, Circles

How could you have a 2005 albums list without this on it? The thing about Mariah's comeback is that this album is strictly for singles. As a coherent unit, it doesn't have flow or any sense of symmetry. However, each individual tune does it's fair share to stand out and the singles she has put out thus far have helped accelerate her career when it seemed as if she had lost all that once glittered.

Tomorrow, more tunes, the next, albums!
Two last exams today! Wooo.

Let It Bleed is my FAVORITE song on that album. It kicks ass. And it(and Snow Patrol) came out in 2004 too, but hey, if you heard it in 2005, that's what matters.

Good so far. And i'm not really surprised at the inclusion of Mariah either.

Mariah

20, 18, and 17 are so good. The Used CD has soo many great songs on it. Too bad they released all the wrong singles! Lunacy Fringe ^_^

Roger, have you heard Chemistry? Because no album's list is complete without it!

Alright, #15-11!


15. Franz Ferdinand - You Could Have It So Much Better

Top Tracks: Do You Want To?, Eleanor Put Your Boots On
Low Caliber: Evil And A Heathen

I didn't think it would be possible to live up to insane catchiness of their first album. But here they are, feister and more kick ass retro rock than ever and I applaud them for it. WELL DO YA?


14. Kanye West - Late Registration

Top Tracks: Heard 'Em Say, Crack Music, Touch The Sky
Low Caliber: Bring Me Down

Mr. West. What else can you say except thank god hip hop still has a voice. In an industry where this sort of music is unnecessairly branded by the exploitation of women, drugs, and everything in between via Fitty Cent, I'm glad someone still has a brain.


13. Fall Out Boy - From Under The Cork Tree

Top Tracks: Dance, Dance, XO, Our Lawyer Made Us Change..
Low Calber: A Little Less Sixteen Candles, A Little More "Touch Me"

Who knew that when 'Sugar, We're Going Down' came out what now seems like eons ago, that they would have catapulted to TRL and even Mainstream stardom? I don't know if anyone else noticed, but this album is selling over 100k a week and is already at 1.4 mil? Yeah sales don't always equate to quality, but their generic and safe brand of pop punk fun is lighthearted and fun listening. But why they're more successfull than MCR is beyond me.


12. Weezer - Make Believe

Top Tracks: Beverly Hills, This Is Such A Pity
Low Caliber: Peace

I think this is a solid Weezer album. Not there best, but it has the essential pop song of 2005; Beverly Hills. It's crafty writing, and there isn't really a bad song on it, its just that there isn't really a blowout song either. Still, very well rounded.


11. Panic! At The Disco - A Fever You Can't Sweat Out

Top Tracks: The Only Difference Between.., Lying Is The Most Fun.., I Write Sins Not Tragedies
Low Caliber: Camisado

If I had heard this album earlier in 2005, it would have easily been top 5. But as a result of not even a month exposure, it settles for this still solid slot of #11. These guys have crafted some of the most catchiest lyrics I've ever heard. I don't think teenage angst has ever sounded or felt this good to hear. So thoroughly impressed, I cannot wait to see them live in February.

Tomorrow, tunes #60-51!

Enjoy.

YES. "It's Hard to Say" ^______^

Panic!...I agree "Camisado" is totally beat.
But I saw them back in October with Fall Out Boy, Motion City, Boys Night OUt, and the Starting Line...so I worked its way into my top ten.

FOB should be higher.

I'm holding out for the Academy Is... in the top ten

Here we go! #10-6.


10. Black Eyed Peas - Monkey Business

Essentials

I wonder if I take you home
Would you still be in love baby?
.. Don't Phunk With My Heart

In my book of lies I was the editor
And the author
I forged my signature
And now I apologise for what I did to you
.. Don't Lie

Gone, everything gone, give a damn...
Gone be the birds when they don't want to sing
.. Gone Going

Black Eyed Peas most commercial effort to date post-addition of Mrs. I Wet My Pants When I'm Nervous Fergie, is their most likable and danceable to date. The thing that distinguishes it from 'Elephunk' is that now they have completely sold out from their true hip hop roots and how completely talented they could be. So, why is this #10? Because it's downright catchy, bloody fun to hear on the weekends, and it's commercial corruption at it's finest.


9. Coldplay - X & Y

Essentials

I could feel it go down
Bittersweet, I could taste in my mouth
Silver lining the cloud
.. The Hardest Part

What if you should decide
That you don't want me there by your side
That you don't want me there in you life
.. What If

Maybe you get what you wanted
Maybe you stumbled upon it
Everything you ever wanted
In a permanent state
.. White Shadows

I find it very difficult to listen to this album sporadically. I have to be in a very specific kind of mood, unlike 'A Rush Of Blood To The Head', Coldplay's crowning achievement. However, when I am in that mood, it's like nothing else in the world can possibly distract me from the world this album manifests and attracts you too with it's haunting demeanor, stunning craftsmanship, and crisp tone. If all they did was not live up to their masterpiece, I'd say they still did a pretty darn good job.


8. The Arcade Fire - Funeral

Essentials

If you still want me, please forgive me, the crown of love is not upon me.
If you still want me, please forgive me, because the spark is not within me.
.. Crown Of Love

People say that you'll die faster than without water, but we know it's
Just a lie, scare your son, scare your daughter
Now here's the sun, it's alright! now here's the moon, it's alright!
.. Rebellion (Lies)

'EFF the 2004 release. Montreal, PQ's Indie sweethearts The Arcade Fire are a class ensemble act all the way who deserve every freakin' sense of their new found glory. 'Funeral' is a stunning, mesmerizing piece of work that I will remember forever. It's one of those albums that when you look 10-15 years down the road and can say to your kids, "This was just one of those albums".

#7-6 kids! Soon.

Arcade Fire <3

And here we are, up to the top 5!


7. Madonna - Confessions On A Dance Floor

Essentials

Do you believe in love at first sight?
It's an illusion, I don't care
Do you believe I can make you feel better?
.. Get Together

I don't wanna hear, I don't wanna know
Please don't say you're sorry
.. Sorry

Every little thing that you say or do
I'm hung up, I'm hung up on you
Waiting for your call baby night and day
I'm fed, I'm tired of waiting on you
.. Hung Up

So, you dare ask. How does Madonna top the likes of Coldplay & The Arcade Fire? Well, unlike the Grammy's, I recognize the year in music for the moment, not career achievement. When 2025 rolls around and I compile best albums of the first 25 years, you better well know Madonna will fall below those albums. But for now, let's simply establish the fact that she returned to the scene with her most likeable, 'get into the groove', CLUB BANGING album ever. This music is a riot to hear on the weekends and gets the masses fired up. And it's a lot of fun to be a part of that.


6. The Academy Is - Almost Here

Essentials

Would you believe me if I said I didn't need you?
Cos I wouldn't believe you if you said the same to me.
Someone somewhere said some things that may have sparked some sympathy.
.. Skeptics & True Believers

I'm going to ask you a series of questions
And I want them answered on the spot right now.
Is it serious? I'm afraid it is.
.. The Phrase That Pays

When they review the debut, what if the critics hate you?
Don't worry cos we might just catch somebody off their feet.
.. Black Mamba

It makes me extremely happy to listen to this album. It is the perfect blend of pop infused and soaked punk/emo melodies I've had the pleasure of hearing. They evoke a certain reaction from their listening audience and is able to conjure a serious sense of awakening where the music lifts you out of your seat and makes you rock out with your c.ock out. Well done gentlemen.

BOXING DAY. DA DING. TOP 5 BEGINS.
Oh and I'm pretty sure you're going to frigging love it.
thanks, wow, what a great audience (jimmy).

I'm not a fan or anything, but supposedly The Academy Is... will be performing live on January 17th's TRL.

You did NOT say ALLSC,ALM"TM" was bad

It's true the Academy Is... is TRL-ing on the 17th...I can't wait.

Have you ever seen them live by any chance? <3

^ I saw them at Warped Tour.
And I'm seeing them with Panic! & Acceptance on Feb. 2

#5-3 .. this is a solid set.



5. The Bravery - The Bravery

An Honest Mistake
THE RITES OF SPRING
Unconditional
Fearless



After a helpful suggestion from our very own World Police Actor (Ryan), I checked out "An Honest Mistake" and was seriously impressed with it's quirky sound and insanely catchy beats/hooks. That's all it took. I fell in love with the album instantly. AND WTF. How do you even compare these guys to the Killers? I've seen both live, I have both albums, and am huge fans of both, and besides their "synth, 80's revival" base, the extras couldn't be any more different. The Bravery provided one of the most likeable and danceable albums with sly lyrics, my favourite being "You're the woman that made me a man". Please god let their sophmore be great.



4. System Of A Down - Mezmerize (80%) / Hypnotize (20%)

BYOB
CIGARO
Violent ****ography
Kill Rock & Roll
Holy Mounains



Wow. Talk about surprising the hell out of me. After I heard "BYOB", it seemed as if though 'Mezmerize' became the official album of the summer for me and my friends. Thinking of all the memories dube cruising and listening to Cigaro, Violent ****ography, and Old School Hollywood.. oh man. This album was it. And yes, I'm probably the only one who likes 'Mezmerize' better than 'Hypnotize', and there's 2 reasons: BYOB was a better lead than Hypnotize, and Mezmerize was the original. I found very little hype going into the second of their album releases despite how good it actually is. Both are manifested perfectly into collections of absolute carnage, destruction, and rip-roaring CATCHY-AS-HELL tunes. 'Mezmerize' I find just does it a little bit better.



3. Death Cab For Cutie - Plans

MARCHING BANDS OF MANHATTAN
Soul Meets Body
I Will Follow You Into The Dark
Your Heart Is An Empty Room



I do believe this was the most pleasant surprise of 2005. Although I can fully appreciate how good 'Transatlanticism' was, I give DCFC full credit here because they struck it absolutely freakin' gold despite this being their first release on a major label. A #4 debut with 90k later, they were solid. But despite their latest round of success, it's the fact that this album is a perfect combination of somber, mellow, easy listening that you often find Jack Johnson does in a not so convincing fashion. But these guys are the front runners of the OC, and I think that there ability to convey meaningful relationships, love gone wrong, and feelings of angst is above par to most emo-labelled groups.

Oh and the lyrics? Incredible.

Sorrow drips into your heart, like a pinhole
Just like a faucet that leaks, and there is comfort in the sound

If heaven and hell decide, that they both are satisfied
Illuminate the nodes on their vacancy signs

Cos you're the only song I want to hear
A melody softly soaring through my atmosphere

My top 2 is coming Dec. 28. And it was probably harder to decide this than anything on my tunes chart. Watch out for it!

- - Tomorrow, #30-21. Tunes that is.