It appears to be that time of the year yet again. Christmas time is upon us, the New Year is coming shortly and, with that, comes another year of my end of year charts. However, this year, instead of doing just singles and albums, I am going all out! Along with a few added goodies, this year there will be two main features. Along with my Top 50 Songs Of 2005, in celebration of my longest running daily countdown in years, there will also be a list of the Top 40 "Another Failed Attempt" Songs Of 2005. So not only will you get my own personal choice for song of 2005, but you will also get to see what song dominated all others to become the #1 charting song of 2005. But you will just have to wait and see what songs I feel are the best of 2005. It all starts on New Year's Eve, with the posting of the Top 40 "Another Failed Attempt" Songs Of 2005(this is set) and will culminate with my Top 50 Songs Of 2005 list on New Years Day 2006(this is tentative, could and likely will be posted into 2005).

You may be asking, "Why did you create a thread then?" Well, up until December 31st, every day, I will be posting a few assorted goodies, including my 25 favorite album tracks of 2005 as well as the Honorable Mentions for my Top 50 of 2005(the songs that BARELY missed out) and, of course, what would a year-end review be without my list of the best albums of 2005?

It all begins right now, with the beginning of the 25 Favorite Album Tracks Of 2005 list. Lets start with tracks 25-16.

25) Queens Of The Stone Age - Medication
-- The first real track on Lullabies To Paralyze, "Medication" is a rocking, fun as hell song and sets the stage for a Queens album that is strikingly different compared to its predecesor, Songs For The Deaf.

24) Electric Six - Devil Nights
-- First off, a little *spoiler*: The album this song comes from, Senor Smoke, will actually make a dent on the Top Eleven Albums list. I'd argue that this is one of the best dance songs of 2005. Just listen to the song and see what I mean.

23) The Arcade Fire - Wake Up
-- My favorite song from one of the best debut albums in quite some time. The beginning is pure bliss and the entire song is just filled with classic moments. If there was any song from Funeral that I would introduce to people who want to get into TAF, it would have to be "Wake Up".

22) Coldplay - What If
-- Unquestionably my favorite song from probably the most overrated album of 2005(even though I still liked it), "What If" is the only song on X&Y that truly connected with me and hit me deep. It's also important to point out, that Chris Martin doesn't overdo his voice too much in this song and keeps it simple up until the sublime chorus, which is a key quality in my favorite Coldplay tracks. Classic Coldplay right here.

21) System Of A Down - Violent ****ography
-- If I had decided on this list six months ago, this would be an easy Top 5 track. Time(and perspective) have changed my opinion of it a little bit, but it's still one of the most fun System songs i've heard. One of the few System tracks you can dance to. And yes, that's a good thing. The verses are also really funny.

20) Gorillaz - El Manana
-- Unlike with #21, this one came out of nowhere for me. The opening music is what really makes "El Manana" so awesome, with a dark beginning subsiding for an acoustic guitar playing along to a beat. It's really a wonderful track and, while not my FAVORITE song from their new album Demon Days(that would be "DARE"), it certainly would be a good song to follow the double knockout single combo of DARE/Dirty Harry.

19) Rammstein - Mann gegen Mann
-- I'll tell you the truth right here and now. This song is only on here because of one part in the song. And it's rather silly. But it just makes me love Rammstein that much more. After an awesome instrumental segway, Till Lindemann goes crazy with his voice, viscerally screaming at the masses. And then, he does it: "ARGHHHHHHH!" He repeats it for emphasis. And I immediately fall in love with the song. This is the one reason, above all else, to listen to Rammstein's new album "Rosenrot". It's so silly that you HAVE to love it.

18) Rise Against - State Of The Union
-- This is the opening track on the surprise album of 2005 for yours truly, "Siren Song Of The Counter Culture". It took a truly classic song like "Swing Life Away" to get me into Rise Against. I had also heard "Give It All" beforehand and I went in expecting a fine rock album. Then I heard this song and was BLOWN AWAY. Absolutely nothing like I was expecting. You need to take it upon yourself, at least once, to listen to Rise Against and make up your mind about them. You'll either love them or hate them. I hope you love them.

17) Beck - Chain Reaction
-- Heh, and I doubted that Guero would be as good as people were saying it was. Ha. What a fool I was. Guero is such an awesome album because it does nothing ordinary. Every song has to be something different. There are some other album tracks I like more than this one, but "Chain Reactiom", a bonus track, probably should have been on the actual album. It's better than 3/4 of the album and truly stands out from the pack when you hear it. Trust me. The opening instrumental is enough for you to believe me.

16) Nine Inch Nails - The Line Begins To Blur
-- ..You know what? I don't have a description of this song. I can't describe it. It's the only song on this list(or any of the others) that I just cannot put into words. In short, it's more of a classic Nails song compaired to the rest of With Teeth. The beat, the vocals, the lyrics..it all FEELS like classic Nails. Seek this track out as soon as you can. But this isn't the ONLY Nails song on this list...*cough* You'll just have to wait and see, now won't you?

15-6 will be up tomorrow and then 5-1 on Saturday.

Fantastic start Ry!

But, 'Wake Up' is the third single off TAF's album.

Great to see 'What If' and 'Violent ****ography' on board. Fantastic tunes!

It is? Huh. I didn't know that. Well, it's staying there anyway.

It gets better. Later today, of course, but it gets better.

A 15-6 is you!

15) Electric Six - Rock And Roll Evacuation
-- If you need a song that proclaims just how awesome Electric Six is, look no further than "Rock And Roll Evacuation". This song opens Senor Smoke and is one of my favorite opening songs of the last decade. It sets the mood for Senor Smoke perfectly and cements Electric Six as one of the best dance rock artists out there, popular or not. If you've ever heard "Danger! High Voltage", you need to seek this song out.

14) Weezer - My Best Friend
-- Apparently, this was originally supposed to be the big single off of Shrek 2 and not the horrible "Accidentally In Love". Such a shame, because this song is so much better. I think it fits the movie really well, but that's really not why it's here. It kind of helps that i'm in love right now, and this song may not be on here otherwise..but this is such a wonderful love song. It's so upbeat and poppy and fun that I wouldn't be shocked if it ends up being the fourth single, or at least a pop single. It's probably the most upbeat song among this Top 25, too.

13) Korn - Liar
-- Go on ahead, you Korn haters. Bash them all you want. It doesn't change the fact that this song is truly and undeniably awesome. It's, in my opinion,the one song on Korn's new album "See You On The Other Side" that sounds like Korn at all. It's not my FAVORITE song on the album, but it really represents how far Korn has come, with Jonathan's awesome vocals singing along with the kickass instrumental. This is one Korn song you NEED to seek out.

12) System Of A Down - Soldier Side
-- There are actually many System songs to go still, but this is one of the few that I KNOW I will still love years from now. It's classic System. Very soft vocals and the first two minutes are fairly soft for SOAD, especially compared to the album it's on, Hypnotize. But around the 2:30 mark, it really kicks into high gear, with one of the most kickass choruses of 2005, repeating the words from the intro of Mezmerize, *also* called "Soldier Side" but was put in as a Intro. Put that and the track on Hypnotize together, and you have yourselves a winner.

11) Beck - Missing
-- Guero is amazing. This song is proof. Compared to the rest of Guero, this song seems tame in comparison. But the beauty of this song IS its tameness. The beat is so amazing, Beck's vocals have rarely been better and I think that, if Beck ever decided to release this song, it would be huge. It's like nothing on the radio today. It's truly unique. And that's why it's here on this list.

10) Beck - Que' Onda Guero
-- I knew going into this list that this would be the highest charting Beck song. What makes this song so good is, like with MANY of the songs on Guero, the beat. It's not something you hear every day, pulsating through your speakers or your headphones or whatever you're listening to it on. The chorus is really fun too. Now, I just need to listen to Guerolito to see how much better they could make this song...if that's possible.

9) Kanye West - We Major
-- "George Bush don't like black people". He thinks he deserves the Grammy for Album Of The Year..and he MEANS it. He is an egomaniac and, in some cases, an asshole. But most will not deny that he is a great musician, other than Kworb, of course. This is the crowning jewel of Late Registration and it might actually be better than anything on College Dropout. It is Kanye's crowning glory, with Nas joining in on the fun as well. The beat is one of those beats you cannot duplicate, it's one of a kind and truly worthy of being called one of the best rap songs of this or ANY year. The flow from Kanye and Nas rules and the lyrics are amazing for a Kanye song. In short, this is my favorite Kanye song. Just amazing.

8) Queens Of The Stone Age - I Never Came
-- One of my favorite songs off of Lullabies To Paralyze is, shockingly enough, a slower song. Why is this shocking? Well, for the most part, slow Queens songs are the only ones I *don't* like. In My Head, in my opinion, is the worst Queens song i've ever heard, and it comes from the same album as this gem. There's another Queens song coming up, but this one has been my favorite to simply let myself go to. I let this song take me over and I fall for the wonderful instrumental and Josh Homme's smooth vocals. It hypnotizes me and leaves me entranced. It used to be the normal paced songs that would do that. Not anymore.

7) System Of A Down - Lost In Hollywood
-- The first of two back to back System Of A Down songs, they represent two different styles. This first track is completely dominated by Daron Malakian, in a sign of things to come. As some of you now know, Daron is going to be doing a side project..and it's apparently going to be a electronic album. Yeah...well, anyway, this song is proof that Daron can handle doing a song completely by himself. This is my favorite song on Mezmerize and, like most of my favorite System songs, it is softer than the others. Good times.

6) System Of A Down - Holy Mountains
-- It's only been a month and this song is already up there as one of my favorite SOAD songs ever. The opening alone is enough to put "Holy Mountains" on this list, but then it kicks into overdrive with an awesome instrumental before slowing down again so Serj Tankian can lay down some smooth as hell vocals. Now see, on one hand, the singing team of Daron and Serj works well. But everyone knows that Serj Tankian is the force that keeps System Of A Down moving and not Daron. Serj DOMINATES this song other than a teamup with Daron in the chorus, which is much more like System than the verses. I must mention also that the verses are some of the best verses i've ever heard from SOAD or anyone else. Moral of the story, kids? Serj is the singer of System, not Daron. This song proves it. One of my favorite System songs lyrically also.

And just think, we haven't even gotten to the Top 5 yet! What five songs could possibly be above such greatness as "Holy Mountains"? Well, you'll see tomorrow, with the posting of the Top 5 Non-Singles Of 2005. See you then.

System x3, Kanye, and The Weez ^___^

You're hitting it right on with these System tunes.

Violent ****ography <33333333333333333333 Shoulduv been a single

Also, HM leaked in like August, you didn't know about it till November?!

So there's only 2 Korn songs on here, huh? "Liar" and...I won't give away the other one, but I know what it is. Shame.

Some great **** so far, though, and "Liar" is amazing...it could probably be a single, but I don't want Korn to JUST release the heavy songs; "Open Up" and "Tearjerker" need love, too. Beck, NIN, QOTSA, Gorillaz, and Rammstein get much respect from me.

so far so good

Well, there would have been THREE songs, but "Coming Undone" being the next single prevented it from making the list.

The Top 5 will either be up really soon or tomorrow, but it WILL be up this weekend.

Your taste is so impecable (spelling? haha) that I downloaded every single one of those songs today.

Wow, Chris, that's awesome, really. I wish more people would do that.

Onto the Top 5 Non-Singles Of 2005.

5) Weezer - This Is Such A Pity
-- It's been a wonderful year to be a Weezer fan. "Beverly Hills" was a smash hit, Make Believe sold really well and "Perfect Situation" is well on its way to becoming a smash hit itself. However, my personal favorite track off of Make Believe is most unlike anything that Weezer has done before, a very Cure-esque song with the beat to prove it. "This Is Such A Pity" is also one of those songs where Rivers Cuomo knows exactly how to sing and it meshes perfectly with the music. I wouldn't be shocked if this ends up being a single, because its catchiness alone would make it a big hit. In a year filled with CATCHY as hell tracks, this is near the top.

4) Nine Inch Nails - Getting Smaller
-- First off, let me just say that With Teeth is my favorite Nails album since Pretty Hate Machine and I totally adore it.(spoiler alert? ) Almost every single song is singleworthy and ALL of them kick ass. But in the end, I knew that only one song had a shot at #1 on this chart, and that's this one, the hard-hitting "Getting Smaller". The verses are arguably better than the chorus, with Trent Reznor showing off his vocals. However, what makes this song, as everyone that has heard this song should know, is the music itself. Some of the best music i've heard this year. Kind of like the Nails of old, except on steroids and LSD.

3) Queens Of The Stone Age - Someone's In The Wolf
-- THE most epic song of 2005. Hands down, film at 11. Fittingly, it's a Queens Of The Stone Age song. Their sound altogether gives out a whole epic feel, but this song takes it to another level. The music rules, Josh Homme's vocals are suitably nuts. Around the 4:30 mark, it gets really soft all of a sudden. For close to two minutes, there's close to nothing of note. Then, out of nowhere, BOOM. The music returns, but this time, it doesn't relent. It goes faster, faster, faster, faster..until it hits a peak point and officially goes crazy..and then it ends abruptly. Now, I know there are some fine musicians out there, but how many really could pull this one off?

2) Korn - Hypocrites
-- Hi kids! Do you remember how awesome Korn is? Oh, that's right, a lot of you turned your back on the boys not too long ago, citing that they have "changed" and that their music "sucks" now. Take A Look In The Mirror got almost universally panned, fans and critics alike, though I actually like the album to this day. People assumed Korn was dead, especially after Head packed up and became a Jesus Freak. I assume you kids assumed that, too. Well, look no further than this track to prove that Korn is not only alive, but thriving. This is one of the best Korn songs i've heard in years. The opening alone is worthy of inclusion, a slow, lumbering beat, rumbling along. Then, Jonathan Davis screams out to the world, "HYPOCRITES!"..and the song goes from slow and plodding to rough and ready. I'd argue my favorite part is near the end, with the abrupt stop in the vocals so a ****ing SOLO can take its place. Now see, kids? Korn isn't dead. That was just a figment of your imagination. Listen to this song and you'll believe it yourself.

1) System Of A Down - Kill Rock 'N Roll
-- The top 2 for this list was never in doubt. The placement wasn't in doubt, either. I love "Hypocrites" and it's one of my favorite Korn songs in a long while. It would take something almost unheard of to take it out. And what do you know, it actually happened! A distinct difference between this song and the rest of Hypnotize/Mezmerize is clear. Sure, there are harder songs, sure, there are more melodic songs and hell, there are even more fun songs, but none of the songs on EITHER album meshed all three qualities together as well as "Kill Rock 'N Roll" did. I've stated this before and i'll say it again: This is one of the 5 best System songs *EVER*. It never relents and goes right for the jugular for the entire duration of the song. And this song is especially for the Daron haters out there. He is more of a lead in this song than Serj, but it doesn't change anything. In fact, his vocals add to it rather than subtract. And of course, "accidents happen". Ahh. System. You have made me a happy camper yet again.

And we are done with the Non-Singles! Yay. The next list for your viewing pleasure will be the somewhat anticipated list of the Top 11 Albums Of 2005 and it will be posted starting tomorrow. Until then, enjoy the list above.

WEEZ & SYSTEM.
'Effin Brill Choices Bro!

Nice list. Can't wait for the big lists to start coming.

LOVEEEEEEEEE "This is Such a Pity." Weezer, if they have a 4th single, NEED to release it.

great list, ryan. pretty much all those songs are awesome.

Great List..."Kill Rock 'N Roll" Is The Best Song Off Hypnotize. Can't Wait For The Next List.

"Getting Smaller" and "Someone's in the Wolf" ^___^

And you already know how I feel about "Hypocrites," since it's Korn...ironic that you mentioned Head leaving and whatnot, when the song is actually somewhat fueled by all that. Listen to the words...

Yeah, I kinda figured that. I wasn't too sure about it, but that's good to know that my first instinct was right.

Onward soldiers, as we hit 11-6(and a few close calls) of my 11 Favorite Albums Of 2005.

Close Calls:
Coldplay - X&Y
-- Originally liked this one a lot, but other than a few songs, hasn't held up well.

Franz Ferdinand - You Could Have It So Much Better With..
-- Yes, they still kick ass.

Fort Minor - The Rising Tied
-- Honestly, I expected better, but it was still good, like expected.

Audioslave - Out Of Exile
-- Actually, i'd argue that this is one of the most overlooked albums of 2005.

Gorillaz - Demon Days
-- The best album by a computer animated band ever.

Rammstein - Rosenrot
-- It's frickin' Rammstein. It can't NOT be good.

The Game - The Documentary
-- #12, missed out by *this* much.

Top 11, here we come!


11) Rise Against - Siren Song Of The Counter Culture
-- The most surprising album of 2005. After "Swing Life Away", I was expecting something good, but nothing like this album turned out to be. "State Of The Union" is the perfect opening song, setting you up for an album that is as in-your-face as it can get. "Give It All" has really grown on me, "Life Less Frightening" is wonderful and "Rumors Of My Demise Have Been Greatly Exaggerated" is a great closing track, following "Swing Life Away" as well as it can with great melody to go along with amazing lyrics. Hopefully, that will be the fourth single, if there is one.

Favorite Track: Swing Life Away


10) The Bravery - The Bravery
-- Six months ago, this would have been in the Top 3, easy. Time, perspective and better albums have knocked this album down, but make no mistake, this is still a great dance album. The best song on the album is now indisputable after such a huge amount of listens, as "An Honest Mistake" is just one of those songs that strikes you right away, either good or bad. It leaves a presence within your soul and just does not leave. "Fearless", now that I look back, probably should have been the full-on second single. It's one of the most fun songs of 2005. "Unconditional" is still quite good too, though overplay on my part has made me like it less.

Favorite Track: An Honest Mistake


9) The Arcade Fire - Funeral
-- Like i've mentioned in this thread before, this is one of the best debut albums in quite some time. The four part "Neighborhood" series is stunning, especially "Power Out", a stunning work of art that is powerful and melodic at the same time. "Rebellion(Lies)" is fun and deserves all the love it gets..however, the song that EVERYONE needs to listen to at some point is "Wake Up". "Wake Up" is proof that, if these guys don't break up or disintergrate, they will be a top band for quite some time. Epic, great lyrics, great beat, everything you come to expect after listening to Funeral.

Favorite Track: Duh?


8) Electric Six - Senor Smoke
-- After their last effort, "Fire!", I had really high expectations for Electric Six's new album, Senor Smoke. The first time I listened to it, I was absolutely blown away by "Rock And Roll Evacuation", the opening track. Crazy as hell, it sets the tone for, simply, the most fun album of 2005. The next track is almost as good, as "Devil Nights" takes you on a dance-filled journey. If that song does not want to make you dance, you have no soul. The two "Pleasing Interlude" intermissions are hilarious, "Vibrator" is so funky that it deserves its own spot in the Awesome Hall Of Fame. And hey, the cover of "Radio Ga Ga" isn't all that bad, either.

Favorite Track: Rock And Roll Evacuation


7) Weezer - Make Believe
-- The opening of this album, the smash hit "Beverly Hills", tells you absolutely nothing about what Make Believe is all about. It's the only song that screams *Weezer*. That's the damn truth. Just listen to every other song on the album. The VERY NEXT SONG, "Perfect Situation", is very soft and touching. The next song afterwards, "This Is Such A Pity", is nothing like i've ever heard from Weezer before. Other songs like "Hold Me", "We Are All On Drugs" and "My Best Friend" are not your average Weezer. And then there's "Haunt You Every Day", which SCREAMS "Pinkerton" all over again. This isn't another Pinkerton..frankly, this isn't anything like Weezer. At all. The only thing that lets you know that it's a Weezer album is that Rivers Cuomo sings on it. And that's why I love it.

Favorite Track: This Is Such A Pity


6) Beck - Guero
-- Most of the best albums of 2005 have an opening song that lets you know right away that the album will kick ass. "Guero" is no exception with the first single "E-Pro". The opening instrumental is CLASSIC, and it really is classic Beck. "Guero" feels like a Beck album more than any in a long time. It sets boundaries for other artists to try and break through. Songs like "Que' Onda Guero", "Missing", "Girl", "Hell Yes", "Black Tambourine", "Scarecrow" and "Chain Reaction" really make you feel like you're listening to BECK again and not someone impersonating him. I am going to single out "Missing" here because it's one of the most beautiful songs of 2005, hands down. It's not the BEST on this album, but it's certainly the most poignant. Just seek this album out, damnit.

Favorite Track: Que' Onda Guero

The five albums within the Top 5 should be really obvious, the placement really isn't. Don't know what I mean? You will when I post the Top 5 Albums Of 2005 soon.

SSOTCC was last year

but we won't penalize you too much. Bravery rule.

..Really? I could have swore it came out this year. Meh, I heard it in 2005 and that's what matters. That's how Muse's "Absolution" got to #1 last year.

5-1 will probably be up tonight.