Top Ten Songs about Death...A Laura's Dad Tribute

Actually, it's just my Top 10 of 2005 but i felt like such a ridiculous music nerd so i had to give a nod to High Fidelity...

1. Sleater-Kinney, The Woods
This record could easily go nine rounds with anything from Pet Sounds to Led Zeppelin IV. Riff-for-riff, a brilliant album that (after a decade long career) finally captures the band’s guttural, driving guitars and ambitious composition. Thanks, in no small part, to Dave Fridmann’s production. I can’t wait until 10 years from now when everyone’s talking about how this record changed everything.

2. New Pornographers, Twin Cinema
It seems as though only a band that had no intentions of staying together, whose “real” work is with other bands, could be so impeccable in its impulsiveness and turn out the purest of pop perfection. Crazy Canadians.

3. Mary Timony, Ex Hex
After a couple of solo releases. Timony (ex-Helium) regrouped and realized that she’s at her best when she’s plugged in. Her guitar riffs – shifting from terse stabs to long swerving lines – and meandering piano melodies, create her signature, strange brew. No one does it like Mary Timony and this is a strong return to form.

4. The Hold Steady, Separation Sunday
I’m a sucker for bar band rock and The Hold Steady take it to the Nth degree with this concept album about a hoodrat name Hallelujah. A ridiculously good, straight-up rock record.

5. Richard Hawley, Coles Corner
Despite (or maybe because of) his dirty roots as the guitarist for Pulp, Hawley has somehow turned out an amazing collection of old-school style, jangly guitar tracks led by his sweet, crooning baritone. Tender and evocative, Coles Corner can melt even the black-hearted rockers. Kinda the way Johnny Cash did.

6. Spoon, Gimme Fiction
It’s about time someone made a theatrical indie rock record. Spoon’s flair for the dramatic makes for some stellar composition—drifting strings descending into the dark piano melodies and sparse, strategic guitar lines…also, “I Turn My Camera On” is thee bootylicious dance party track for those of you who’re too embarrassed to play Scissor Sisters outside of your bedroom.

7. Stephen Malkmus, Face the Truth
Little Steve is all grown up but it hasn’t stopped him from getting stoned and noodling on guitar until an album materializes. At times, Face the Truth comes off like a jam-rock record, but really it’s a basement album with more sincerity than Malkmus’ has been willing to reveal in years. I love where he’s at right now.

8. Bob Dylan, No Direction Home: The Soundtrack
This was the year I finally got Bob Dylan. Hearing the rawness of this collection tuned me into Dylan’s roots as a punk-ass poet…I really like that about a guy.

9. Feist, Let It Die
Leslie Feist (Broken Social Scene) is trying to sort out her voice and this record of experiments is an exciting moment in a solo career. Shifting from 60’s pop to bossa nova to torch singer ballads, Feist lays out her range and although the segues don’t always work she still turns out some achingly beautiful songs.

10. Smog, A River Ain’t Too Much To Love
What can I say about Bill Callahan that hasn’t already been said. He hypnotizes me. He’s a true American folk singer in that none of his contemporaries could make you sadder, or happier, or write a lyric that actually makes you smirk. Listening to Smog is like being let in on a secret. The man just puts himself out there.