Half Term Report 2005

Yes, it's that time of the year again (well OK it's a little late, as usual) for Parallax View to stick its' taste thermometer into the raging furnace that is the contemporary music scene, and deliver its' not-that-humble-really verdict on the best singles and albums released in the UK between January and June of this year.

Dead Kenny has listened to more albums than usual this year and so it was tougher than normal to whittle them down to 20. As a result, some pretty decent albums by the likes of Low; Bright Eyes; Willy Mason; British Sea Power; Electrelane and The Chemical Brothers didn't make the cut but are still worth investigating.

Also, Dead Kenny didn't consider those records (eg. 'Woman King' by Iron and Wine, 'History' by Controller.controller) that were neither albums or singles, residing in the hinterland that is EP or mini-album. There were also a few records that were released in the qualifying period but have only been purchased in last couple of weeks (White Stripes, Saint-Etienne, Magic Numbers) that weren't considered as too early to place them in proper perspective with their peers.

As for those that were picked, the most controversial will no doubt be the albums by The Departure and The Others. 2005 saw PV out of step with most online music pundits who seem too busy doing circle jerks over Kelly Clarkson's 'Since U Been Gone' to notice the most promising clutch of new acts to emerge in the UK (including Bloc Party; Clor; Tom Vek; Editors; The Departure; The Duke Spirit and Apartment amongst others who are making music dark enough to be intriguing but tuneful enough to be accessible) for over a generation.

Albums

1. Silent Alarm - Bloc Party
2. More Adventurous - Rilo Kiley
3. Superwolf - Matt Sweeney/Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
4. Funeral - The Arcade Fire
5. Devils + Dust - Bruce Springsteen
6. So Jealous - Tegan and Sara
7. Guero - Beck
8. Take Fountain - The Wedding Present
9. EP - The Fiery Furnaces
10. We Have Sound - Tom Vek
11. Waiting For The Sirens' Call - New Order
12. Dirty Words - The Departure
13. Man-Made - Teenage Fanclub
14. The Heartlight Set - Joy Zipper
15. Face The Truth - Stephen Malkmus
16. S/T - The Others
17. Cuts Across The Land - The Duke Spirit
18. S/T - Ambulance LTD
19. The Secret Migration - Mercury Rev
20. Anniemal - Annie



Singles

1. Portions For Foxes - Rilo Kiley
2. So Here We Are - Bloc Party
3. Krafty - New Order
4. Love + Pain - Clor
5. Evil - Interpol
6. Sugar - Ladytron
7. I Ain't Saying My Goodbyes - Tom Vek
8. Lump In My Throat - The Departure
9. Love Is An Unfamiliar Name - The Duke Spirit
10. 1 Thing - Amerie
11. Oxygen - Willy Mason
12. Forever Lost - The Magic Numbers
13. An Honest Mistake - The Bravery
14. Heartbeat - Annie
15. Fallen Leaves - Teenage Fanclub
16. You're So Good/Rockdove - Joy Zipper
17. California - Low
18. Kings Of The Rodeo - Kings Of Leon
19. Neighborhood (Power's Out) - The Arcade Fire
20. Blue Orchid - The White Stripes
21. Walking With The Ghost - Tegan and Sara
22. Cash Machine - Hard-Fi
23. Munich - Editors
24. Daft Punk Is Playing In My House -LCD Soundsystem
25. Jetstream - New Order
26. I Understand It - Idlewild
27. Spit It Out - Brendan Benson
28. Stay As You Are - Ambulance LTD
29. Believe - The Chemical Brothers
30. Entertain - Sleater-Kinney