My 20 Favorite Albums of 5765 (Part VII)

#8 Kings of Leon - Ah Ha Shake Heartbreak
I first heard all these songs at the Oxegen Festival in Ireland last Summer.  Hated their first album, but thought every song I heard them play that I didn't recognize was killer.  It was weird to so greatly anticipate an album from a band I didn't really like, but when it was finally released many months later, it completely lived up to every unrealistic expectation I had somehow made for it.  Just hearing these songs once got them stuck in my head for good.  While nearly unintelligible at times, I actually think the lyrics are really smart too.  It's hard to remember, after all this time, how much I wanted this album.  I downloaded a bit torrent of it the day it was released in England.  Haven't stopped listening to it since.  This track below is #1 on my iTunes play count.  It's one of the prettiest songs I've ever heard.

MP3: Kings of Leon - Milk

7# Wolf Parade - Apologies to the Queen Mary
The most common reaction I hear to this album is "I didn't want to buy into the hype, but this album is really that good."  It's true.  Even the greatest skeptics, the ones who inexplicably dislike the Arcade Fire or Clap Your Hands are won over.  I actually had this album on my computer for a while before I really got my head around it.  It took a mind-blowing live performance at CMJ and repeat listens of their first EP to set myself for this.  Once I really got into it, however, there was no other album in the world that could divert my attention.  It's one of those discs where it seems like every day a different song is your favorite.  I've gone through Grounds for Divorce, Shine a Light, This Heart's on Fire, Same Ghosts, Fancy Claps, I'll Believe in Anything, Dear Sons and Daughters...to the point where I don't think I can no longer just pick one.  All the songs complement each other so well, it's like they lose something when heard on their own.  I would have never guessed that the also-ran at the secret Modest Mouse show last year could one day surpass their mentors, but it appears these guys are on the right track.

MP3: Wolf Parade - I'll Believe in Anything

Comments

man, if you had a hard time with the Wolf Parade album, you definitely have a listening disability.

[Jeff]

huh?

[Honey]

I just got into this Wolf Parade album about two weeks ago, and was immediately turned off by it. Today though, I can't stop listening to it. It has this 'driving on a rainy day through east london' feel. Great stuff. "Modern world" is a favorite.

[djlp]

we all know art brut in number one
and editors is number two

thats all u need to know

wolf parade is definitely the album of the year...

[js]

thank you god for giving some credit to the kings of leon. they are a terribly exciting band and i think a ha shake got the shaft mostly from the blogosphere. love wolf parade as well.