Top 4 albums from 2005:
Lycanthropy - Patrick Wolf
This was the year of Patrick Wolf. I came across his name online in June, with an intriguing description of his music. Tired of rolling around new artists with lazy interest, I went to his website immediately, in order to give myself a pat on the back for effort. Within the day, I became a tremendous fan. Finding his music was the best musical diversion I've had all year. Lycanthropy was the first album of his I owned - full of glitches, frustration, beauty, and urgency...my favorite here is Paris - "...always running with these legs going nowhere / a ghost in the system, an angel on the stairs...but oh! this time...i shall turn, turn my head to the sun...they are marching out of me...one by one, walking free..."
Wind in the Wires - Patrick Wolf
With less distorted electronics and disjointed, brimming urgency, Wind in the Wires smolders with an ache and whimsy that sends me to the floor. Favorite track: This Weather - "...Time slows and slips away / The tourists come around in May 'till August when the clouds roll in / The pier cracks, the awnings fade, the ferris wheel spins slowly in the rain, the day is gone..." Patrick's website
Has A Good Home - Final Fantasy
I followed links from Patrick Wolf and found Final Fantasy. Oh! What bliss! Minimal, lonesome, and mathematical, this is beauty. I don't own anything else that sounds similar, but I've often heard artists who I've wished would give up their complicated sound to reveal something as elegant and raw as this. Favorite track: The Chronicle of Sarina - "...I had to hide myself in a book to keep your love away..."
Paper Anniversary - Christine Fellows
I've been a Christine Fellows fan for years. Perhaps she is the closest thing to Final Fantasy that I have in my collection, now that I think about it. This is a wonderful, warm album that features her stunning lyrics and sparse, precise music. She does this so well. Favorite track: Vertebrae - "...Came this far to say goodbye, to set things right. Instead, I fiddle with his blankets, fetching coffee no one will drink. I am not prepared...this is how it ended..." Christine's website
Top 10 (+4) songs from 2005:
...in no particular order...
Pomegranate Weed - Jennifer Terran
Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels) - Arcade Fire
Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want - The Smiths
Your Heart is an Empty Room - Death Cab for Cutie
Orphan Mae - Laura Veirs
Studying Stones - Ani DiFranco
Half Jack - The Dresden Dolls
Extraordinary Machine - Fiona Apple
Standing Still - Kat Parsons
Veins - Charlotte Martin
Oh, the Endless Fog - Veda Hille
In the Deep - Bird York
Mushaboom - Feist
They - Jem
Top live performance from 2005:
Only one performance spun me off my axis this year: The Dresden Dolls. GO SEE THIS BAND. And take your friends with you.
Top 5 (+1) films from 2005:
...in no particular order...
New York Doll
Murderball
Howl's Moving Castle
Spellbound
Sin City
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Top 5 books from 2005:
...again, in no particular order...
Cosmicomics - Italo Calvino
Blindness - Jose Saramago
Fall on Your Knees - Ann-Marie MacDonald
Keeping Faith - Jodi Picoult
Wicked - Gregory Maguire
[Note: The music/titles listed above weren't necessarily released in 2005. But since they were my favorites from last year, I say they all count.]
This year I also found myself getting into wine, fine chocolate, lovely teas, and gourmet coffee. My future cardiologist will be proud. However, my current ENT...not so much.
Also, I finally cut my hair. I am now free from the burden of lifeless locks. Hallelujah!
For 2006, I really hope to enjoy myself - to obsess less, vacation more, experience new things, keep a cleaner studio, not dwell on negative thoughts so much, stop procrastinating, and celebrate life at every opportunity.
Much love and light to you in 2006 and always.
xo
Terami
