2005's Best - Albums not really from 2005

Play it: 2005's Best Albums not really from 2005

Here's a list of great albums ineligible because they were released prior to this year (even though they saw US re-releases this year.) This is what I like to call the Sam Roberts award. You see Sam Roberts released a great album in late 2002 (in Canada) called We Were Born In A Flame, which made my (unpublished) top 10. In 2003, it was released in the US by Universal and would've made my list that year. Then, Lost Highway records released it again last year (2004.) No one has had the good sense to try and release it again this year, so he get's the honorary title instead.

First on the list is Dungen's Ta Det Lugnt, which made the rounds last year. Singer and multi-instrumentalist Gustav Ejstes wins us over not just with this freakish playing ability, but also with his attention to sonic detail. Every sound is classic and reflective of an era of Swedish prog-rock most of us are blind to, and I have no idea what he's saying in Swedish, but the meatballs are tasty, dig in! [more]
Play it: Dungen Ta Det Lugnt

Next on the re-release for US front is The Go! Team with Thunder, Lightning, Strike. Brighton UK conglomerate knows fun...jump rope rhymes, cheerleader calls, and Jackson 5-like melodies make this referential dream sound surprisingly original. The album apparently lost something in the trip across the Atlantic (not that I can hear it.) US copyright law complicated the release due to some sampled bits, but it's not really noticeable to the untrained ear.
Play it: The Go! Team Thunder, Lightning, Strike

Originally released in January of 2004 on Flemish Eye records, it's now almost been two years since Chad VanGaalen first appeared out of nowhere (well... Calgary) to rave reviews. It went out of print quickly, and Flemish rereleased it this year in March, and then got a one-off distribution deal w/ Sub Pop for a proper (indie-size) US release this past summer.
Play it: Chad VanGaalen Infiniheart

Annie's "Chewing Gum" is prolly the only song in our household that is universally loved. When the song comes on, 9-month old Eli and his mommy break into dance, which should be enough for anyone's personal top 10. While not the most scientific (or objective) of reviews, there's enough ink on Annie to choke a Jules Verne squid, so I defer to those other online rags to sing Annie's praises. I'll just say - a real treat, and not meant to be discarded under a park bench, it's quite the opposite of her lyrical kiss-off ("You think you're chocolate but you're chewing gum.")
Play it: Annie Anniemal

More:
* I Am Kloot I Am Kloot - Originally released in 2003, it finally gets US release to anticipate their proper 2005 release, Gods And Monsters. I Am Kloot probably should've just stuck with this self-titled sophomore release and quit while they were ahead.
* OOIOO Green and Gold This 2001 release from Boredoms side-project finally gets proper US re-release
* Nouvelle Vague Nouvelle Vague V2 records wins again with their domestic rerelease.
* Death From Above 1979 You're a Woman I'm a Machine More from Canada. We should all move there (oh, if it were only warmer.)

Previously: Tripping like it's 1969 (Dungen Ta det Lugnt)

tags: playlist, music, sam roberts, dungen, go team, buck 65, annie, i am kloot, ooioo, nouvelle vague, death from above 1979