It’s that time of year again. When everyone else is tucking into mince pies and getting loaded at the office Christmas party, every obsessive music fan starts compiling their lists of the best from the past twelve months. I’m no different, but rather than just give you a run down of my top albums, here (in no particular order) are my ten favourite pop moments of 2005.
Live 8
The sentiment was fantastic. A worthy cause that you couldn’t help but get caught up in. But was anyone interested in spending a whole day watching Saint Bob and Bono healing the world through the power of song? The answer was an emphatic yes. When Pink Floyd are reforming how can you look away? It was a triumph that kick-started a wave of national optimism cut tragically short by the London bombs.
Oasis’ Manchester Homecoming
I’ve always loved Oasis. I remember the life affirming shot in the arm Definitely Maybe gave the nation when I was fifteen. I watched their creative demise at the end of the nineties with disappointment as a band that promised so much became a broken shadow of themselves. After Be Here Now, Standing On The Shoulder Of Giants and Heathen Chemistry, I didn’t hold out much hope for Don’t Believe The Truth. The storming glam rock stomp of ‘Lyla’ got me listening again. Seeing them in action in Manchester was like time-travelling back to the glory days of ‘95.
Take That Reform
It looks like I might be turning into a nineties revivalist but I couldn’t stop myself cracking a smile when I heard that Take That were getting back together. Robbie’s not in on it so it’ll probably be a bit of a damp squib. Worth it, though, to see my female friends in their twenties wetting themselves and screaming like twelve year olds.
Coldplay’s X&Y
I never used to like Coldplay. Yeah, they’ve had a few decent songs. Yellow’s ok and I quite like the Scientist. It’s the whole concept of pseudo-intellectual student rock that really irritates me. X&Y changed my mind though. Chris Martin’s gang were suddenly big league, catapulted to U2 status with a superb album packed full of scorching anthems. They’re going to be with us for a while.
The Unexpected Return Of Lee Mavers
When I heard that the La’s were back in action I could scarcely believe it. It had been rumoured for so long without anything materialising that it seemed the chances of seeing Lee Mavers again were slim indeed. The baggy Syd Barrett was rumoured to be in the depths of drug hell somewhere in Liverpool. Yet another lost genius. When the La’s took to the stage at this years Glastonbury it was a triumphant return for the man who inspired Noel Gallagher.
The Continuing Story Of Pete & Kate
They were never out the tabloids in 2005. As soon as Pete Doherty paired up with Kate Moss the red tops couldn’t get enough. Drugs. Debauchery. Models. Rock Stars. Who wouldn’t want to read about it? It went stratospheric with those pictures of Kate on the front of the Mirror. With the paparazzi hounding and bouts of rehab, it’s amazing the Babyshambles album came out at all. Whatever you think of him, the boy has talent. Let’s hope he doesn’t throw it all away.
Crazy Frog Goes Number One
A few short years ago the concept of a ringtone making it to the UK number 1 would have been laughable, but in 2005 a computer-generated blue amphibian pulled it off with a surreal take on the breakdance classic Axel F. Blanket television advertising drilled him deep into our collective subconscious, propelling him to the position of biggest star of the year. The most irritating record in history? Probably, but also strangely brilliant.
The Arctic Monkeys
The rapid internet fuelled rise of Sheffield’s Arctic Monkeys was a kick in the teeth for the digital doom mongers who claimed downloading would spell the end of the music industry. As everybody got in on the filesharing act, some superb self promotion saw Alex Turner and his crew riding the wave of hyperbole straight to the top of the charts with what was only their second release. Pretty good stuff it was too.
The Michael Jackson Trial
Wacko’s alleged fondness for the kiddies finally saw him in court in 2005. The trial was a farce, but the Peter Pan of pop made for essential viewing as he slipped deeper into his own surreal weirdness. Wearing pyjamas in court while the prosecution analysed his porn stash, Jacko was in the limelight again for one of the most bizarre episodes in pop music history.
Maximo Park and The Futureheads Make The North East Cool
Newcastle is my hometown so maybe I’m a little bit biased. When some of our greatest musical exports are Jimmy Nail and Cheryl Tweedy you’ve got to give us a chance. We’ll take what we can get when it comes to quality local bands. With Maximo Park, The Futureheads, Golden Virgins and Kubichek we’ve finally got a scene going around the Tyne and the Wear. The new Carling Academy helped. No longer are we the poor cousins of Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds. Newcastle and Sunderland are real rocking cities.
Just in case you’re still interested, I couldn’t finish without my pick of the albums that got me all excited in 2005:
Coldplay - X&Y
Nine Black Alps - Everything Is
Hard-Fi - Stars Of CCTV
Arcade Fire - Funeral
Chemical Brothers - Push The Button
Bloc Party - Silent Alarm
Johnathan Rice - Trouble Is Real
Dan Sartain - Dan Sartain Vs The Serpientes
Oasis - Don’t Believe The Truth
Skalpel - Konfusion
.
Live 8
The sentiment was fantastic. A worthy cause that you couldn’t help but get caught up in. But was anyone interested in spending a whole day watching Saint Bob and Bono healing the world through the power of song? The answer was an emphatic yes. When Pink Floyd are reforming how can you look away? It was a triumph that kick-started a wave of national optimism cut tragically short by the London bombs.
Oasis’ Manchester Homecoming
I’ve always loved Oasis. I remember the life affirming shot in the arm Definitely Maybe gave the nation when I was fifteen. I watched their creative demise at the end of the nineties with disappointment as a band that promised so much became a broken shadow of themselves. After Be Here Now, Standing On The Shoulder Of Giants and Heathen Chemistry, I didn’t hold out much hope for Don’t Believe The Truth. The storming glam rock stomp of ‘Lyla’ got me listening again. Seeing them in action in Manchester was like time-travelling back to the glory days of ‘95.
Take That Reform
It looks like I might be turning into a nineties revivalist but I couldn’t stop myself cracking a smile when I heard that Take That were getting back together. Robbie’s not in on it so it’ll probably be a bit of a damp squib. Worth it, though, to see my female friends in their twenties wetting themselves and screaming like twelve year olds.
Coldplay’s X&Y
I never used to like Coldplay. Yeah, they’ve had a few decent songs. Yellow’s ok and I quite like the Scientist. It’s the whole concept of pseudo-intellectual student rock that really irritates me. X&Y changed my mind though. Chris Martin’s gang were suddenly big league, catapulted to U2 status with a superb album packed full of scorching anthems. They’re going to be with us for a while.
The Unexpected Return Of Lee Mavers
When I heard that the La’s were back in action I could scarcely believe it. It had been rumoured for so long without anything materialising that it seemed the chances of seeing Lee Mavers again were slim indeed. The baggy Syd Barrett was rumoured to be in the depths of drug hell somewhere in Liverpool. Yet another lost genius. When the La’s took to the stage at this years Glastonbury it was a triumphant return for the man who inspired Noel Gallagher.
The Continuing Story Of Pete & Kate
They were never out the tabloids in 2005. As soon as Pete Doherty paired up with Kate Moss the red tops couldn’t get enough. Drugs. Debauchery. Models. Rock Stars. Who wouldn’t want to read about it? It went stratospheric with those pictures of Kate on the front of the Mirror. With the paparazzi hounding and bouts of rehab, it’s amazing the Babyshambles album came out at all. Whatever you think of him, the boy has talent. Let’s hope he doesn’t throw it all away.
Crazy Frog Goes Number One
A few short years ago the concept of a ringtone making it to the UK number 1 would have been laughable, but in 2005 a computer-generated blue amphibian pulled it off with a surreal take on the breakdance classic Axel F. Blanket television advertising drilled him deep into our collective subconscious, propelling him to the position of biggest star of the year. The most irritating record in history? Probably, but also strangely brilliant.
The Arctic Monkeys
The rapid internet fuelled rise of Sheffield’s Arctic Monkeys was a kick in the teeth for the digital doom mongers who claimed downloading would spell the end of the music industry. As everybody got in on the filesharing act, some superb self promotion saw Alex Turner and his crew riding the wave of hyperbole straight to the top of the charts with what was only their second release. Pretty good stuff it was too.
The Michael Jackson Trial
Wacko’s alleged fondness for the kiddies finally saw him in court in 2005. The trial was a farce, but the Peter Pan of pop made for essential viewing as he slipped deeper into his own surreal weirdness. Wearing pyjamas in court while the prosecution analysed his porn stash, Jacko was in the limelight again for one of the most bizarre episodes in pop music history.
Maximo Park and The Futureheads Make The North East Cool
Newcastle is my hometown so maybe I’m a little bit biased. When some of our greatest musical exports are Jimmy Nail and Cheryl Tweedy you’ve got to give us a chance. We’ll take what we can get when it comes to quality local bands. With Maximo Park, The Futureheads, Golden Virgins and Kubichek we’ve finally got a scene going around the Tyne and the Wear. The new Carling Academy helped. No longer are we the poor cousins of Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds. Newcastle and Sunderland are real rocking cities.
Just in case you’re still interested, I couldn’t finish without my pick of the albums that got me all excited in 2005:
Coldplay - X&Y
Nine Black Alps - Everything Is
Hard-Fi - Stars Of CCTV
Arcade Fire - Funeral
Chemical Brothers - Push The Button
Bloc Party - Silent Alarm
Johnathan Rice - Trouble Is Real
Dan Sartain - Dan Sartain Vs The Serpientes
Oasis - Don’t Believe The Truth
Skalpel - Konfusion
.