Top 10s for 2005: Matthew W. Smith
Nordic Top 10 of 2005 (with apologies to Iceland, the only Nordic country not represented on my list this year):
01. The Cardigans - "Super extra gravity" isn't quite as good as its predecessor, but that doesn't stop it from topping my list. Sonically, lyrically... the Cardies are on a roll. "I need some fine wine and you, you need to be nicer" was the perfect single to kick things off.
02. 22-Pistepirkko - "Drops & kicks" is a fine record by the veteran Finns, with "Not so good at school" the rave-up of the year. The production by Kalle Gustafsson is spot on, as are quirky vocals by P.K. Keränen.
03. The Lionheart Brothers - With a re-release of "White angel black apple" that included the EP "Colour contrast context", this Norwegian band showed off both melancholy symphonic pop and plugged-in, spacey rock on the same excellent disc.
04. The Horror, The Horror - A Stockholm band to keep an eye on, THTH contributed "Sound of sirens" to a small compilation and then re-recorded it for its debut release on Tapete Records. "I blame the sun" is the next single.
05. Kings of Convenience - I saw them on a snowy February night in Virginia and a sunny June evening in Italy, a perfect juxtaposition. Eirik and Erlend put on two sterling performances for respectful crowds. Quiet is still the new loud.
06. The Raveonettes - I love the album they released in 2005 ("Pretty in black"), with its blissful Ronnie Spector collaboration ("Ode to L.A.") and typical fuzzy fury ("Somewhere in Texas"). In concert in Washington, the Danes' newly expanded lineup pounded eardrums into submission with an effective set.
07. Annie - A guilty pleasure for some and a plain pop masterpiece for others, Annie's "Anniemal" album deserved the attention it received for its sugary sweet blending of electronica and pop. I like "Me plus one" better than the hyped "Heartbeat."
08. Sharif - "Lost causes, causes lost" was a welcome comeback for this Malmö band. Its fragile feeling and simple arrangements combined to make this one of the most consistent records I heard all year.
09. Loopy - This Copenhagen-based quartet got "Smile back home" released both in Europe and the USA, the latter courtesy of Zip. "Never loud" is a catchy single made of both shoegazer and pop, and I'm hoping the group will play some shows in North America in 2006.
10. The Blue Van - Sure, most people have had their fill of garage rock over the last few years, but "The art of rolling" shows that rural Danes influenced by The Pretty Things can stomp them out with vintage gear with the best of them. Soren Christensen's organ fills really make the album kick.
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Besides being a regular IAT contributor, Matthew W. Smith is a writer/editor based in Richmond, VA, and currently freezing on vacation in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.