Shinyidol
Games, Movies, Movies, & Random Thoughts

iPod owner…

Finally. My girlfriend Apryl was so amazing and got me a 30 GB white video iPod for Christmas! Yes, she rocks!

Favorite Albums of 2005

Well 2005 is coming to and end and I thought I’d take some time and share what albums made a major impression on me this year. If you have read the site, you can probably get an idea of what is already on my list, but there were some great albums released this year.

!@(uploads/2005/12/BSS.jpg:L popimg: “Broken Social Scene”)Broken Social Scene returns in 2005 with a strong effort with their 2005 self-titled release. The jam sessions must have been pretty sweet in production of this album, as it has a very organic feel. I thought it was interesting to hear some drum machine in some of the later tracks like Swimmers and Hotel, which sounded like it was influenced by something from Ok Computer or Kid A, even with Thom Yorke sounding vocals. I got to see Broken Social Scene live in support of this album and it was pretty amazing to see them duplicate the sound of the album, songs that stuck out included 7/4 (Shoreline), with its heavy bassline, and Fire Eye’d Boy.

!@(uploads/2005/12/worldsapart.jpg:L popimg: “And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead – World’s Apart”)Earlier in the year (actually in 2004, but we are talking technically being released in 2005), And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead released what some consider their worst album, but me person find it the most enjoyable, easiet to listen too, and a production masterpiece World’s Apart. The tone is set early on the first track with this crescendo of piano, violins, choir vocals, percussion, and a screaming woman that utters ‘and you will know us by the trail of dead’ as it comes to and end to silence, which lead right into one of the most amazing drum intros for Will You Smile Again?. The album is just powerful. I remember listening to it for the first time and was just amazed at the depth, this wall of sound. That changed on All White with its electric keyboard ala The Doors and Doo Wop background singers, I was just amazed. This album should be on everyone’s list for 2004 2005.

!@(uploads/2005/12/wolfparade.jpg:L popimg: “Wolf Parade – Apologies to the Queen Mary”)My good friend Keith is always keeping me on what is hot, and he was kind enough to give me the scoop on Wolf Parade first major label album Apologies to the Queen Mary. This band really came out of no where for me. I really didn’t see it coming at all. I really didn’t get to hear much of their EPs, which many people consider better then the full album due to production style, but I have to disagree. The album is just fun to listen too and so witty, almost thought provoking. These boys from Montréal delivered a great mixture of rock, punk, and folk. The album has some great high points like We Built Another World which has a upbeat vibe from the high hat and keyboards. Dear Sons and Daughters of Hungry Ghosts probably has some of the best lines I’ve heard in a song, extremely catchy to begin with, but some of the lines are just classic. I’ll Believe in Anything is one of my favorites songs on the track for its anthem sounding intro to a great chours. Wolf Parade also puts on a wicked show. I was lucky to see them open for The Arcade Fire and regret seeing them headline the following night at the Croc.

!@(uploads/2005/12/silent_alarm.jpg:L popimg: “Bloc Party – Silent Alarm”)One thing I have to say is this album got lots of playtime this year. I don’t think I listened to any other album as much as Silent Alarm from Bloc Party. This album is just awesome. There really isn’t any other way to say it. The basslines, the guitar work, the drums, the vocals! What more do you want? You can’t go wrong with the first four songs on this album, it just sinks your teeth in ya and won’t let go. Helicopter has to be one of the best singles of the year, it is just a great rock song. Not far behind is Banquet, that high hat is very catchy! I personally can not wait until they come back to Seattle in that I wasn’t able to see them when they have played here.