Artist: The New Pornographers Album: Twin Cinema Label: Matador Release: 2005.08.23

Twin Cinema, the third album from Canada’s nine-piece group The New Pornographers, is yet another rock-driven indie masterpiece. The debate will always rage over whether Carl Newman, Neko Case, or Dan Bejar is the centerpiece of the family-band style collective but it doesn’t matter. All of the members work well as one unit and the only downfall is that with each of those three possible leaders working on other material, it is impossible to predict when the fourth album will hit shelves.

—–

The Decemberists: PicaresqueArtist: The Decemberists Album: Picaresque Label: Kill Rock Stars Release: 2005.03.22

Often called the best writer in the music industry of his generation, frontman Colin Meloy led his band through the construction of their smash success third album, Picaresque. Probably one of the smartest groups around today, The Decemberists — obviously a collection of grown high-school nerds and bookworms — create a powerful sound with their less-than-standard rock group instruments: the upright bass, theremin, and accordion all making several appearances on each album, earning them the label as chamber pop connoisseurs. Sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll are not just for the cool kids anymore.

—–

The Go! Team: Thunder, Lightning, StrikeArtist: The Go! Team Album: Thunder, Lightning, Strike Label: Memphis Industries Release: 2005.10.04

So much energy. The combination of chanting and female-rap with piano, harmonica and samples from the good ol’ days is the stuff that has made this spirited U.K group a hit on both sides of the ocean. Their mostly instrumental and sometimes adolescent music is fun. It’s happy. We could always go for some more of that in a genre where, more often than not, melancholy lyrics and slow beats bring about a mood of longing and depression. I usually despise the use of exclamation points but this group is living up to their title.

—–

Sufjan Stevens: IllinoisArtist: Sufjan Stevens Album: Illinois Label: Asthmatic Kitty Release: 2005.07.05

Don’t let the length of the song titles turn you away; Illinois is a beautiful and moving album that Sufjan Stevens has put together with a variety of musical styles ranging from minimalist folk to complex orchestral arrangements that maintain the light feeling that is consistent throughout the entire set of 22 songs. Michigan was great, Illinois is better; I can’t wait for the third installment in Stevens’ substantial undertaking.

—–

Spoon: Gimme FictionArtist: Spoon Album: Gimme Fiction Label: Merge Records Release: 2005.10.04

This album, as simple as it is, was enough to launch Spoon into a cherished group of my favorite artists. Before Gimme Fiction, the Britt Daniel/Jim Eno duo was defined by sporadically released singles [”Chicago At Night,” “The Way We Get By”]. With their 2005 release — following a three-year hiatus — the anticipation was high and it lived up to every expectation. Gimme Fiction is a meticulously constructed album: slow-building instrumentals, considered lyrics and a strong, ever-present beat — the influences in this album can be attributed to so many forms of rock it can only be classified as indie.

—–

Andrew Bird: Andrew Bird & The Mysterious Production of EggsArtist: Andrew Bird Album: Andrew Bird & The Mysterious Production Of Eggs Label: Righteous Babe Release: 2005.02.08

Chicago-based Andrew Bird has put out more than a handful of albums and it looks as though that is what it took for him to become a recognized force in an industry that tosses its artists to the street after one grand performance. By handling both violin and guitar duties during his live performances, Andrew Bird [also described as a whistler] sounds like two different people depending on whether you hear him from a stage or a disc: both great. This multiple personality description is not something new for the artist that has successfully tackled many genres throughout his career. Add whichever genre you associate mesmerizing albums full of airy vocals, simple chords and gripping violin backed by brushed drums with to the list.

—–

Stars: Set Yourself On FireArtist: Stars Album: Set Yourself On Fire Label: Arts & Crafts Release: 2005.03.08

With developed and intense instrumental sections composed of a mix of guitars, horns, strings and synthesizers this Canadian quartet comes off sounding a lot like contemporaries Broken Social Scene. Vocalists Amy Millan and Torquil Campbell set Stars apart from the rest: their attention-demanding voices coupled with sharp lyrics puts Set Yourself On Fire among the best of 2005.

—–

Broken Social Scene: Broken Social SceneArtist: Broken Social Scene Album: Broken Social Scene Label: Arts & Crafts Release: 2005.10.04

Another Canadian group, Broken Social Scene, makes the list and, after wowing fans and critics alike with their 2002 release, the band has used their popularity to get out a third album, this one self-titled. With a sound that comes off as less conventional than their previous LPs the personality of the musicians shines through with their powerful performance on Broken Social Scene. Hopefully, BSS will be allowed the same creative freedom with their next project. The album speaks.

—–

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah: Clap Your Hands Say YeahArtist: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah Album: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah Label: Self-released Release: 2005.09.13

This album, a debut album nonetheless, was self-released and still made it on all of these end of the year lists and was deserving of the many glowing reviews it received from heavy-hitter music critics. Enough said.

—–

Fiona Apple: Extraordinary MachineArtist: Fiona Apple Album: Extraordinary Machine Release: Epic/Clean Slate Label: 2005.10.04

Oh, Fiona. Her first full album in several years, Extraordinary Machine, has accomplished two things. The album sparked the creation of freefiona.com — a Web site from fans for fans to petition for the release of a shelved album deemed ‘uncommercial.’ Extraordinary Machine also pulled Fiona out of her grouping with other 90’s female vocalists [Sheryl Crow, Alanis, both Natalie’s: Imbruglia and Merchant, you get the idea] when it was finally finished with producer Mike Elizondo of rap fame and released to the public as an artsy, monumental plea. For what? Who knows.