Favourite songs of 2005

If it's hard enough to choose my best albums of the year, how hard is it to choose a top 10 of songs? Take for instance the Arcade Fire album, all amazing tunes, but how can you single one out? There were so many songs to choose from, but in some way these tunes stood out for me, for a variety of reasons. Here they are.









1. The Electric South featuring Bob Lind: Sing!
Hands in the air euphoric gospel-soul!









2. 7 Samurai: Marvin
A brilliant original rescoring and remixing of Marvin Gaye’s classic ‘I Want You’ in a soulful latin sylee.









3. The Shortwave Set: Is It Any Wonder?
An indie pop classic from the catchy little intro, through the simple piano riff, swoony vocals. The greatest song Saint Etienne never recorded.









4. Fiery Furnaces: Here Comes the Summer
It came out in winter, but it’s just what you need in these cold January days as you look forward to some light and warmth.









5. Hot Chip: Over and Over
A limited release for possibly the best tune Hot Chip have done. On this evidence, 2006 should spell big things for them









6. The Magic Numbers: Morning’s Eleven
This song was the set closer for their gigs in 2004 and early 2005. The album version isn’t as good as the live one, but still well worth it.









7. Sebastien Tellier: La Ritournelle
The French maverick’s lounge classic, played to death by Rob Da Bank on his Radio 1 Blue Room show.










8. Jamie Lidell: Multiply
The title (and stand-out) track from the new soul genius’ album.









9. Emiliana Torrini: Sunny Road (Manasseh Mix)
A great reggae re-working of the Icelandic folkie’s tune which works a treat in this different guise.









10. My Morning Jacket: Off the Record
MMJ leave the dusty country for Hawaii 5-0 meets slow soul jamming, with impressive results!

Favourite compilations of 2005

I created this category last year, because I was listening to a lot of compilations of music which wasn't necessarily the same type as I was listening to on my favourite artist albums. I wanted to a more representative sample of the music that was moving me. In 2006 however, I wasn't listening to nearly so many compilations (probably something to do with more internet usage and downloading), but for what it's worth here's my top comps of the year.









1. Rob Da Bank presents Sunday Best
Sunday Best record label boss and Radio 1 DJ Rob Da Bank presents the fruits of his label’s recent efforts, and a fine selection of eclectic late night grooves.









2. Soul Gospel
Kinda as you’d expect from the title. Soulful gospel music from the likes of Aretha and the Staple Singers plus a load of gems you won’t have heard.









3. The Sounds of Monsterism Island
Graphics wizard Pete Fowler (he of Super Furry Animals sleeve fame) compiles a set of out-there psycadelic tunes for an island of the monsters he’s created.









4. 2046 Soundtrack
My film of the year, and what a soundtrack to add aural pleasures to the visual delights of Wong-Kar Wai’s movie.









5. Soul of Sue Records: New York City
Classic old school soul music from the classic soul label. From famous artists like Ike and Tina Turner to more obscure gems.









6. Prisoners of Love – Yo La Tengo
I discovered these indie legends this year through this fine double comp. A great starting place for similarly interested parties…









7. Dirty Laundry: The Soul of Black Country
Just to show that country isn’t the preserve of white men in plaid shirts – here are black soul and funk artists in, er, plaid shirts, donned specially to cover some country standards. The gap between soul and country has never seemed so small.










8. Studio One Lovers
I always thought that lovers rock was the sappy side of reggae – the equivalent of ‘smooth R’n’B’. Well, thank goodness that although there’s rubbish, there are also gems like these










9. The Singles - Basement Jaxx
Just proves what a strong collection of tunes Basement Jaxx have managed to release in what seems a short space of time. This is the must-have Jaxx album.









10. Oscillations from the Anti-Sun - Stereolab
Another opportunity to discover indie legends through a compilation, this time arty synth pop kings and queens Stereolab. Almost worth it for the classic ‘French Disko’

Best gigs of 2005

Here are my best gigs now. Again, it can be hard to choose, but these are the ones that had that spine-tingling brilliance and were such a joy to be at. Notice the correlation between these and the album. No coincidence then, and plenty indication of the music I was loving in 2005.

















1. Arcade Fire @ ULU, 17 March
I reviewed this gig on Collective.


















2. Sufjan Stevens @ King’s College, 31 October
I missed the earlier cheerleader-tastic gig at Shepherd’s Bush Empire, but this lower-key affair more than made up for it. Sufjan had re-arranged a load of his songs (mostly from Seven Swans and Michigan) for a string quartet, as well as his regular band. Just beautiful.

















3. Antony and the Johnsons @ Shepherd’s Bush Empire, 6 December
I reviewed this one on Collective.

















4. King Creosote and the Earlies @ Summer Sundae, 14 August
I knew next to nothing about KC before this. I knew The Earlies, and their backing to his beautiful songs just blew me away. A true revelation.




















5. Patti Smith @ Summer Sundae, 14 August
A few hours later, on the main Summer Sundae stage, this rock veteran showed the kids how it was done!















6. Willy Mason/ The Magic Numbers/ Great Days of Sail @ The Barfly, 24 February Magic Numbers pictured. I reviewed this one on Collective
















7. Low @ The Royal Festival Hall, 18 February
Another of my Collective reviews here.
















8. Gruff Rhys @ The Barbican, 17 July
A few days after Super Furry Animals’ high-tech Somerset House gig, their lead singer impressed much more with this lo-fi (free!) classic of a gig in the Barbican foyer. He played mainly from his solo Welsh language album.

















9. Saint Etienne / Annie @ Koko, 16 June
Great double bill of shimmery disco-indie-pop, with my old favourites Saint Etienne playing from ‘Tales From Turnpike House’ their latest and best album for ages. They’ve still got it!















10. Teenage Fanclub @ The Scala, 29 March
More long-time favourites returning. Another Collective review.


PS. I need to give credit to everyone who I've nicked these gig photos from. I didn't take any of these myself, but all are from the gigs mentioned above, apart from Low, Teenage Fanclub and the Magic Numbers (these are just live shots from elsewhere - ironically the Magic Numbers one comes from one of my gigs of last year!). Thanks!

Top albums of 2005

Another top 10 list, artist albums this time. Like other years, there was so much good music released in 2005 to choose from, it felt bad leaving some albums out. But here are the ones that made the biggest impression on me in 2005, whether through sheer originality, compelling music or lyrics or just that I came back to them again and again. Joining the iPod generation probably helped - these are probably also the albums most played on the wee white plastic box...










1. Sufjan Stevens: Come on Feel the Illinoise
The second instalment in the much feted 50 states project. And rather than running out of ideas, it’s like he’s just beginning afresh. The lyrics, the arrangements, even the lengthy song titles are all out of this world! If the other 48 are anywhere near as good as this, I’ve got a lot to look forward to in my old age!









2. Arcade Fire: Funeral
OK, they were the critical hit of the year. But deservedly so. Their music has a passion and a mad intensity that puts them way above their indie-rock peers.










3. Jamie Lidell: Multiply
So I found the most original and best soul voice of the year in an unlikely place – a white Englishman living in Berlin. Coming on like a latter-day Otis Redding meeting Prince with a definite 21st century electronic twist.










4. Antony and the Johnsons: I am a Bird Now
Forget the awards and all that. This was another original new voice, but not a soul one – just something otherworldly and very beautiful.










5. Devendra Banhart: Cripple Crow
Not just the ‘weird folk’ of his past efforts, with this album the eccentric Banhart took in latin sounds, rock ’n’ roll, southern soul and much more on his longest and most consistently great album yet.









6. The Magic Numbers: The Magic Numbers
Last year I’d have thought this much-anticipated album would have been my number 1. After a load of brilliant gigs, the recorded version was a little disappointing. But the songs are still great.










7. Low: The Great Destroyer
The Minnesota Mormons up the tempo a bit on this release, and their new desire to rock a bit more resulted in their most accomplished album to date.









8. King Creosote: KC Rules OK
Second album on the year from Fife folkie Kenny Anderson, this time produced and backed by the mighty Earlies, adding a further dimension to KC’s beautiful songs. He rules!










9. MIA: Arular
Another critics favourite, and deservedly so. Oddly making it bigger in ‘indie’ circles than ‘urban’ ones despite the jittery, funky dancehall, garage whatever she does. Oh well, it’s their loss. Good outfits too.










10. Richard Hawley: Coles Corner
Fourth album from the crooning ex-Pulp guitarist, and another set of fine set of tunes that exemplify his northern working mens’ club meets Americana sound. Only this time people appear to be taking notice. About time too.

Honourable Mentions: The Shortwave Set: The Debt Collection; Saint Etienne: Tales From Turnpike House; Franz Ferdinand: You Could Have it So Much Better; Super Furry Animals: Love Kraft; LCD Soundsystem: LCD Soundsystem

Top films of 2005

Well, it's that time again. Time to get 2005 out the way before a new cultural year can begin. Here are my Top 10 movies of the year. It didn't seem such a great year for films, but maybe that's because I didn't go to the cinema as often as usual. However a few long-distance flights meant I caught up on a load of mainstream movies that I maybe wouldn't have otherwise seen. Which was good, but only one of those made it into my top 10 (See if you can guess which one). Here they go...









1. 2046
Wong Kar-Wai’s follow-up to In the Mood for Love, is a visually stunning epic which follows Chow Mo Wan (Tony Leung) back to a 60s Hong Kong, and into future parallel world. Great cast (also including Zhang Ziyi and Faye Wong), sumptuous cinematography (Wong regular Christopher Doyle) and a glorious soundtrack combine to make an amazing film. I reviewed this a while back.
Director: Wong Kar-Wai
(Hong Kong/France)







2. Crash
Over the course of a day or so in LA, an excellent ensemble cast are forced into encounters with one another in different ways, exploring themes of life, love, and particularly racism and prejudice.
Director: Paul Haggis
(USA)










3. The Edukators
Three idealistic young people play pranks on the rich by breaking into their houses, not to steal, but to unsettle them. They get a bit more than they bargained in one house though, which leads to a road trip and much consideration of their dearly-held ideals. I reviewed this one too.
Director: Hans Weingartner
(Germany/Austria)










4. Maria Full of Grace
Maria (a worthily Oscar-nominated performance from Catalina Sandino Moreno) is a young Columbian woman who gets out of her boring job and signs up to be mule to smuggle drugs into the US. What could possibly go wrong?
Director: Joshua Marston
(USA/Columbia)












5. Sideways
Two old friends with little common interests embark on a stag road trip – one wants to enjoy the finest wines of California, the other wants one final pre-marital fling. A gentle comedy that’s (almost) never forced, has a lot to say about male relationships, and most importantly, it’s funny.
Director: Alexander Payne
(USA)











6. A History of Violence
Perhaps a more mainstream move for Cronenberg, but along with a great cast (Vigo Mortensen, Maria Bellow, Ed Harris) he constructs a movie that plays as a straight genre thriller, but has also got plenty to say about violence.
Director: David Cronenberg
(USA)









7. Broken Flowers
Another road trip movie. This time it’s cult US director Jim Jarmusch directing Bill Murray, deadpanning as he travels around his former lovers, trying to find out which one has borne the mysterious son he’s just heard about.
Director: Jim Jarmusch
(USA/France)










8. The Beat That My Heart Skipped
An unusual remake – this time it’s a French remake of an American film. Romain Duris excels as a dodgy property dealer who rediscovers his old talent for playing the piano, whilst still existing in the Paris underbelly.
Director: Jacques Audiard
(France)










9. Life is a Miracle
Another crazy mess of boozing, fighting and gypsy music from cult Bosnian director Emir Kusturica, this time set against the backdrop of the Balkan war. It’s not a film to be analysed, just enjoy the manic energy, comedy and romance of it all.
Director: Emir Kusturica
(France/Yugoslavia)










10. Bombon El Perro
This one almost gets the ‘nice family film vote’. An old man receives a big dog as a gift, which becomes his travelling companion. His friend however, has other designs – making it a champion show dog. But it never becomes Best in Show. And despite appearances, it never becomes cheesy either.
Director: Carlos Sorin
(Argentina/Spain)

Honourable mentions: King Kong (Peter Jackson), Downfall (Oliver Hirschbiegel), Vera Drake (Mike Leigh), In My Father’s Den (Brad McGann), Palindromes (Todd Solondz)

Brighton Beach, New Year's Day