Before I list my top 20 singles of 2005, it's time for my top 5 albums and favorite tracks from each! Here we go...
5. Coldplay - X & Y
Why I chose X & Y
Lots of people hated on this album, but they need to get their ears checked. Coldplay only refined and improved on their style with this album. All of the songs on the album sound great and still seem as genuine as ever to me. I was very impressed with how it turned out.
My top 3 tracks from X & Y
3. White Shadow - One of the catchiest songs on the album and builds up to an impressive final chorus.
2. How You See The World - This is the bonus track, but I think it's one of the best. Quite powerful.
1. Talk - From the original unreleased version to the final album version, this song is fantastic and one of their best.
4. Nine Inch Nails - With Teeth
Why I chose With Teeth
After many years went by with no new material from NIN, I thought Trent Reznor was done. I couldn't have been more wrong. This surprising release does not just mark the return of NIN, but in my opinion, ranks up there as some of their best work ever.
My top 3 tracks from With Teeth
3. The Hand That Feeds - Couldn't have picked a better song to return with. This brought an amazing amount of raw energy and power.
2. Every Day Is Exactly The Same - It's really stunning how Reznor can turn what seems like an emo rant into one of the best album tracks of the year.
1. Getting Smaller - Sounds better than any other song on the album and has an amazing ending.
3. Foo Fighters - In Your Honor
Why I chose In Your Honor
After their respectable but mediocre previous album, Foo Fighters to set out to make this one a lot better, and they most certainly succeeded. The idea to separate the album into a rock disc and an acoustic disc was genius, as we got to see a great side of the Foos that was never fully expressed before.
My top 3 tracks from the In Your Honor rock disc
3. Best Of You - One of the best singles of the year by any band and also easily one of the best songs on the rock half of the album.
2. Hell - Short and sweet. What seems like a filler track on the surface actually stands out as one of the best to me.
1. In Your Honor - The start of it all, this song starts out with a quiet call of "can you hear me" and builds up to an incredible rock fest.
My top 3 tracks from the In Your Honor acoustic disc
3. Cold Day In The Sun - This really should've been a single, no doubt about it. It could do so well and would be catchy to many people.
2. Over And Out - From the addictive and repeating acoustic guitar loop to Grohl's unforgettable vocals, this one is a winner.
1. Still - It's such a simple song, yet it ends up demonstrating the most of Foo Fighters' true ability, talent, and creativity.
2. Fiona Apple - Extraordinary Machine
Why I chose Extraordinary Machine
I thought this album would never get released, but thankfully it did. The result is an absolutely wonderful culmination of 6 years of suppressed creative energy, and is better than anything Fiona has done before. This incredible album is the surprise of the year or perhaps even the decade.
My top 3 tracks from Extraordinary Machine
3. Tymps (The Sick In The Head Song) - Jon Brion's work becomes evident on this track which features a beat that's incredibly catchy.
2. O' Sailor - Certainly one of the most improved tracks on the final release. It has a nearly unbeatable combination of emotion and staying power.
1. Better Version Of Me - I got addicted to the original leaked version of this and it remains my favorite song on the album.
1. Beck - Guero
Why I chose Guero
Beck has been everywhere and has done it all, and on Guero, he does it all again, better than ever this time. Incorporating all of his past styles while also exploring new territory, Beck shows us that he is the master of creativity in both fun and serious music. Guero is Beck at his best and is my pick for the best album of 2005.
My top 3 tracks from Guero
3. Hell Yes - Instantly one of my favorites from the very first time I heard it. The robot sounds alone make this a classic. What can I say? Beck is a genius.
2. Chain Reaction - Only available on the deluxe edition of Guero but definitely one of my favorite tracks. From the video game sound effects to the shouting chorus, it doesn't get much better than this.
1. Que Onda Guero - The ridiculously insane beat that starts this song sets the tone for the rest of it. It's the epitome of everything f--king bonkers about Beck, and I couldn't love it more. Que Onda Guero is my favorite album track of 2005.
