Four Tet
Everything Ecstatic
Domino (2005)
There is nothing quite like having to follow up a great record. 2003's Rounds was such an album; engaging, beautiful and charismatic. And for an electronica album, or "IDM" if you must, that was really something. Ironically, it was even released in the same month and on the same very label as Ulrich Schnauss's latest attempt to create the perfect … Read more
Franz Ferdinand
You Could Have it So Much Better
Sony (2005)
No longer is Franz Ferdinand the sole property of Glasgow's skinny tie wearing indie elite. They are now a phenomenon. Actually, scratch that. They are a worldwide fucking phenomenon. This results in two things. Firstly, the anticipation surrounding their sophomore album, You Could Have it So Much Better, is massive. And secondly, I no longer look cool for being able … Read more
Frostmourn
Fall of Lordaron
Independent (2005)
Contrary to what anyone may think, writing an unbiased review is actually a pretty difficult process. I mean, when it comes to certain bands that you may have liked for years, that whole impartiality thing is a lot harder to come by than for a band you've never heard of before. What's worse is that when Frostmourn's Fall of Lordaron … Read more
Gang Gang Dance
God's Money
The Social Registry (2005)
Rare is music that can evoke a time and a place in the mind of the listener. Rarer still is when that time and place are of an otherworldly nature, subtle and peculiar, yet strangely settling. Of course, such music is often difficult to embrace, but with enough patience it is often the best. Gang Gang Dance's second LP, God's … Read more
Gay for Johnny Depp
Blood: The Natural Lubricant
Captain of Industry (2005)
In theory alone, I should love this album. Gay for Johnny Depp is a homosexual band. Great, I love homosexuals in bands. They sing about filthy gay sex. Great, I love filthy gay sex. They play cum rocking screamo hardcore. Great, I love screamo and hardcore. They love Johnny Depp. Great, I think Johnny Depp is an okay actor. Theory … Read more
General Patton vs The X-ecutioners
General Patton vs The X-ecutioners
Ipecac (2005)
Each morning as I make my way to work, I find myself flipping through the various local radio stations and select one based upon my mood. If I am feeling that I need a jolt to get me going I may stop on a college station; they're great for punk and metal even at 5:30 AM. But if, on the … Read more
Giles
Giles
Victory (2005)
What the fuck? Let's pretend that your name is "Pablo." Pablo is a pretty unusual name. There are other people in the world named Pablo, but they all live in other countries so you don't know any of them. Your life is pretty interesting, because it's pretty hard for a kid named Pablo to turn out normal. But you're okay … Read more
Girls Aloud
Chemistry
Polydor (2005)
Tits 'n' arse, right? Well, yeah, that's basically what it's all about. Skinny girls showing their skinny flesh to not-so-skinny girls and pubescent boys who are sitting at home, pretending to make out with the one girl that's unfortunate enough to appear on a poster with her mouth open. Tits 'n' arse, always a success. Who cares how it sounds? … Read more
Girls Aloud
Chemistry
Polydor (2005)
"Girls, all I really want is girls / And in the morning it's girls / Cause in the evening it's girls. I like the way that they walk / And it's chill to hear them talk / And I can always make them smile / From White Castle to the Nile" I think The Beastie Boys sum it up quite … Read more
Goldfrapp
Supernature
Mute (2005)
Sitting at a bar in a pub a couple of years back is a lovely looking young lady. The hero of this fictional and highly clich'd story, Fred, strides forth. He has his game face on and is looking for love, or something similar. 'Hi,' he says, not showing the fear, 'My name's Fred. Can I buy you a drink?' … Read more
Goldie Lookin' Chain
Safe as Fuck
Atlantic (2005)
2004 was an odd year in the United Kingdom. The word 'chav' became part of everyday life, there was an extremely hot summer (the likes of which we had never seen), and a bizarre group of Welshmen came out of nowhere to become the most talked about group of the year (mainly in the tabloids). Goldie Lookin' Chain's Greatest Hits, … Read more
Gorillaz
Demon Days
Virgin (2005)
It's been four years since Gorillaz, the world's first animated group, debuted with Gorillaz, a wacky blend of pop, rock, and hip-hop. A fun, terrific debut guided by one of the best single's to hit MTV in the past half-decade, "Clint Eastwood." I myself am not too overzealous when hearing a great single, but damn, that track sucker-punched me pretty … Read more
Gospel
The Moon is a Dead World
Level Plane (2005)
I, for one, was initially startled by The Mars Volta. Their melding of prog-rock and post-hardcore required the status of a level-32 dwarf. Maybe it was Cedric's multidimensional vocabulary or Omar's guitarscapades, but they got boring real quick. Simply put, the Mars lacked Volta. My replacement and newest musical addiction was run by a thousand engines and possessed by one … Read more
Grace Gale
A Few Easy Steps to Secure Heli-Camel Safety
Blackout! (2005)
At any point in time you may catch me watching television, usually an Aqua Teen Hunger Force DVD, Comedy Central, or Cartoon Network. However, lately, I've been watching The Food Network almost nonstop. No, seriously. So with my diligent viewing of shows like 'Food 911!' and 'Inside Dish with Rachael Ray' I've decided to present you with the following recipe. … Read more
Graf Orlock / Greyskull
Split
Dood (2005)
Unless you're backless, you have a backpack. What do you have in your backpack? I'd imagine there's a collection of paper, pens, and hidden condoms. Then again, maybe you have one of those packs equipped for bicycle riding. Oh, watch out for that bump! Just kidding. You're in the comfort of a house on a computer on a chair. Under … Read more
Gratitude
Gratitude
Velvet Hammer Music/Atlantic (2005)
Those among the cult fanbase of former Far frontman Jonah Sonz Matranga were likely shocked when they heard that his latest project, Gratitude, would be signing with a major label. Matranga is well known for the personal relationships he has developed with his fans through intimate recordings and performances. Signing to a major label seemed to go against everything he … Read more
Green Day
Bullet in a Bible
Reprise (2005)
You could almost imagine the epitaph on Green Day's headstone from the moment Reprise got into the whole contract-fulfilling kiss-of-death releases that beset Green Day just this side of the turn of the millennium. A "best of" collection and then the certain doom of the "rarities" compilation followed in quick succession and it seemed that a dying cash cow was … Read more
Hail Social
Hail Social
Polyvinyl (2005)
With independent music, you don't usually have the case of one hit wonders. This is mainly due to the fact that most independent music isn't being played on commercial radio and MTV. But, with Polyvinyl's recent signee, Hail Social, I have a feeling this will not be the case. Having toured with Interpol and Secret Machines, and sharing a sound … Read more
