I’m trying to think of my favorite disc of the last year. It’s really hard to do since often I either pick up my favorite disc a year after it’s been released or there’s always just so much that I’ve loved that it’s easy to forget about that one amazing disc and instead pick a so-so disc that I’ve enjoyed. Also I’m not counting special relase EPs on the iTunes music store, like the recent Snow Patrol live acoustic EP.

Initially I was going to give it to Matthew Good’s In A Coma but since the bulk of it is not new material but a best-of release I’m going to have to go in another direction. Having said that it’s definitly worth a listen even if you’ve got most of the material on his studio albums. Checkout iTunes if you want so you can just pick up the wonderful acoustic versions of some of his best songs.

The Newpornographers’ disc Twin Cinema also gets a nod, but I’ve just not been able to get into it the way I got into Mass Romantic. Still it’s a definite improvement over Electric Version and some sweet poppy goodness. Also fun is Death Cab for Cutie’s Plans.

Nine Inch Nail’s With Teeth was excellent, but not as strong or original as The Fragile Reznor’s previous album. The live show they put on in Vancouver was excellent, though again I enjoyed their previous GM Place visit because I think their material was stronger back in the day. Beck also had an album, though while excellent was not as good as his previous efforts.

So knowing that I’ll probably be kicking myself in a day or so anyway I’m going to give the my stamp of approval for best album of 2005 to The (International) Noise Conspiracy’s Armed Love. I’ve never been into The INC before this disc, and it’s just blown me away. By far my favorite new (for me) group since I first heard “Run” by Snow Patrol, and it’s a wonderful mix of love songs and calls to revolution, often both at the same time.

What’s your favorite disc of 2005? Bonus points for having a Vancouver artist as your favorite.

MatthewGood NewPornographers NineInchNails Beck The(International)NoiseConspiracy 2005