Top DC CDs of 2005
We know some of these bands aren't exactly from "DC," but I think it is safe to say that whether they are from Baltimore, Richmond or DC-proper, all of these bands carry the DC ethos with them, whether that be old-school ethos (ala Lungfish) or new-school (Rah Bras). So look at these 10 CDs as a solid sampler, some of the best DC had to offer. Other bands had some good CDs in 2005 -- Head Roc, French Toast -- but the following 10 really spoke up.
| If we had to pick our top local CD of 2005, this might be it. Odd and eccentric, the trio that make up the Rah Bras are all over the map, and we mean that in a good way. The joy of electronic music is that it allows you to experiments in ways you've never been able to before, and this band takes that ball and runs with it. Yet, many of the songs are extremely catchy. and the vocals -- regardless of whoever might be singing -- blend well with the sonic noise behind them. |  Whohm Rah Bras |
| Not quite Americana and
not really country at all -- alt or otherwise -- the Sketches' true weapons
are merely pop songs. But pop songs that make you think of Petty and Young,
not Madonna or Weezer. I guess you could
say there is a sense of the 70s layered about their music. But while you won't be catching them on any classic rock radio, their big jump onto the DC scene this year happened quickly, and you never know where their next leap might take them. |
 S/T The Sketches |
| Jakuta and Carl are the unlikliest duo in all of DC, and probably a lot further out too. It is safe to say you really need to experience a live show -- and we did say "experience," not "see" -- in order to truely appreciate Joe Jakuta's passion, and Carl's musical intelligence. A friend of BigYawn, whose first experience with the band was running into Jakuta screaming in a stairwell mid-song, has remarked how fondly she will remember that experience. We don't dare say too much about the music, for discovering that is the best part. |  i Jakuta and Carl |
| Wilderness are not from DC. Nor have they even played DC more than once or twice; despite our pleas. But they can boast themselves as one of the best up and coming post-rock bands to ever hail from Baltimore. But you'll never hear them boast. A simple lot, their noise, er, music, speaks for them. Loud indeed, it is the sort of loud someone in DC might actually fall in love with. |  S/T Wilderness |
| Bob certainly has an advantage over everyone else on this list. Maybe more than one. He has a budget to record, which surely no one else here can match. But he also has the connections and the shared experiences to call upon members of Fugazi and Sugar, along with fellow DC electronic artist Richard Morel, to help record his album. Now while many a DC artist can say they've got Don Z. or someone else from the soon to be legendary Inner Ear studios to produce their shit, that doesn't give you the chops to go all out. With this backing band, Bob's got the chops and then some. A return to the Rock for Bob, and we couldn't be prouder of our adopted legend. |  Body of Song Bob Mould |
| The Hold Steady and the Caribbean really were separated from birth. Though a lot more sallow then their Minnesota brethren, the vocal stylings are increasingly similiar. And it is these same vocal stylings that make both bands who they are. I once read a review that called the men from the Caribbean competent musicians. We would agree, but we would also go further, and say their version of bare bones indie-pop is played competently by musicans who could play circles around us all, but instead are internally laughing at all of us while they play their simple songs. Laugh away gentleman, laugh away. |  Plastic Explosives The Caribbean |
| Alright already, we get it, Ian Mackaye. Stop pissing your pants, grow a pair and act like a man. That's right, we love the Evens so much we're willing to give them a little tough love. We kept waiting for something to break on this album, a scream, and crashing guitar, anything. But, true to form, Ian stuck to his guns, and we have to give it to him for that. A lesser man would have turned "Mt. Pleasent Isn't " into "Fuck the Police." And than proceed to start an acting career culminating in a Law and Order spin-off. Way to go Ian. |  S/T The Evens |
| These guys are on this list due to sheer determination and will-power. Talk about a revolving door of musicians, even in the shadow of all the Dischord-band member swapping DC witnessed in the 80s and 90s, Full Minute take the cake. It would be a cliche to say they've finally settled on a line-up, but the bottom line is they were, are, and will continue to be your guilty pleasure. 80s metal-tinged synth rock. It's like Asia fronted by Dee Snyder if Dee looked like a woman. Never mind, it's like Asia fronted by Dee Snyder. |  Alive Again Full Minute of Mercury |
| We've written quite a bit about Metropolitan this year. Now, if only they found the time to play some more shows. By far the band on this list with the smallest "Live" prescence, Metropolitan still managed to make one of the better local albums of 2005 stay stuck in our heads. It's the rock, the pop, and Masters' smooth voice that do it for us. But you know, it's kind of funny, for a band that plays out so little, we sure see John Masters out around town quite a bit. |  The Lines They Get Broken Metropolitan |
| The most DC of all Baltimore bands, Lungfish carry the Dischord ethic all the way to the bank. Sure, they probably all have day jobs to help support themselves, but that's not the point. Lungfish are the one current Dischord band you likely don't know. Why? We have no idea? Feral Hymns continues the line of impressive albums from the emotive group (Love is Love is our favorite). Yet another band we wished played DC more, it is their live show that does wonders for your soul, or more to the point, your heart. |  Feral Hymns Lungfish |