2005 is almost over which means it’s time for my best music of the year list.

Death Cab for Cutie – Plans
Uplifting lyrics with excellent musical arrangements that almost alternate between jangly, acoustic guitars and melodic piano. An example of the latter, the track “Different Names for the Same Thing” sounds like a John Lennon song, straight off of Imagine. This CD includes my favorite song of the year, “Soul Meets Body,” a beautiful love song whose chorus stays in my brain for days every time I hear it.

I do believe it’s true,
That there are roads left in both of our shoes.
If the silence takes you,
Then I hope it takes me too.

So brown eyes I hold you near,
Cause you’re the only song I want to hear,
A melody softly soaring through my atmosphere.

Where soul meets body…

The Decemberists – Picaresque
The definition of picaresque fits this album perfectly: “of or relating to a genre of usually satiric prose fiction… depicting in realistic, often humorous detail the adventures of a roguish hero… living by his or her wits in a corrupt society.” The quirky lyrics and melodies on this disc can be humorous and melancholic at the same time. The sea chanty sound of several songs makes the adventurous, satirical moniker very appropriate. Where’s my eye patch?

Aimee Mann – The Forgotten Arm
This concept album, which follows the life of a couple’s relationship, is Aimee Mann’s best release since Bachelor No. 2. Her ability to write great pop songs is very evident here, with tracks like “Dear John,” “Going Through the Motions,” and “Video.” Aimee’s lyrics infused with a bit of sardonic humor go perfectly with the polished, musical style she puts forth in tracks like “Goodbye Caroline” and “Beautiful.”

My Morning Jacket – Z
Take one part Wilco, one part Flaming Lips, one part Allman Brothers, and a dash of Neil Young and you’ve got this album. The musicianship and production are outstanding, as illustrated on “Off the Record,” which starts out with a simple reggae beat, then evolves into a dream-like improvisational jam. The track, “Lay Low” is an excellent song in the southern-rock tradition, complete with harmonizing lead guitars that could have come from the aforementioned Allman Brothers. Other standout tracks include the opening song, “Wordless Chorus,” the dreamy “Gideon,” and the love song, “It Beats 4 U.”

New Pornographers – Twin Cinema
This is my favorite album of the year. For a full review, see my post from September 10th. As an aside, I can’t believe this isn’t even mentioned in Rolling Stone’s list of the top 50 records of 2005.

Sigur Ros – Takk…
With Takk…, Sigur Ros has made another outstanding, ethereal album. I don’t know if it’s the beautiful, icy melodies, the band singing entirely in Icelandic, or the cool, atmospheric instrumentation, but this is definitely a Winter album. Perfect for this time of the year.

Stars – Set Yourself On Fire
On this disc, singers Amy Millan and Torquil Campbell create beautiful harmonies together that blend flawlessly with the guitar, synths, horns, and string instrumentation. To my ears, this release is the best CD in the “indie-pop” category this year.

Finally, in the “Best music I bought this year, that I should have picked up when it came out” category:

The Wrens – Meadowland
This disc, which was released in 2003, is a complex, splendid, and emotional album. At times the band reminds me of the Smashing Pumpkins. Other times they display an influence from the band Pavement. My favorite track on the CD is “This Boy is Exhausted.” A song with an infectious, melodic chorus where the artist questions his ability to earn a living, continue to tour with his band and write music.