The Best and Worse of 2005

An Eclectic Review of the Year by Scott D. Brown

The great thing about the coming of a new year is the lists that are compiled and released by every media outlet on the planet. From magazines to television, radio and internet sites, they all publish a list of what was best and worse for the year. But it seems they concentrate only on their specific area of interest. The news outlets put their stories in hierarchical order, the music mags tell us what the best CDs are, the movie shows give us their top 10 lists.

But people, in general, are not one-trick ponies. They have many areas of interest. Most delve into more than just one source of culture. I, myself do this on a grand scale. So with that idea in mind, I will give you the best and worse of everything that has crossed my path for the year of 2005.

>> Next: Best Movie News Story of the Year

The Loss of the 2004/05 NHL season - Nothing over the past year has affected more Canadians then the lockout and resulting cancellation of the 04/05 season. Every Saturday night seemed empty. There were no arguments with friends about which of our favourite teams were better. There was no checking the stats in the local paper, no pools to join and no excitement at the Corel Centre, Air Canada Centre or any other NHL arena across North America. The WHL, OHL, and QMJHL had banner years, but in the end it wasn't the same.

So put aside Gomery telling us politicians are corrupt (who knew?), put aside the shootings in Toronto (welcome to the new century), put aside Homolka walking the streets of Montreal (they made the deal and Bernardo is in for life because of it) and put aside all the natural disasters (but not the donations, keep them coming) and thank the powers that be that we are seeing hockey again!


Artist/Band of the Year - Weapons of Mass Seduction

Listening to music for over 40 hours a week it is astounding that a punk band from Ottawa that is known by so few would garner this accolade, but they did. It hasn't been since Propagandhi in the late '90s that a punk band has shown what the genre needs to keep it vital. That is, anger, aggression and a fuck-you attitude on stage that makes you want to drink and smash into anyone within striking distance. Honourable Mention: The Wolf Parade, The Bloody Hollies, The Deadly Snakes.

Most Hated Artist/Band of the Year - Nickelback

With one song that sounds exactly the same as the next, it is surprising they got so popular, or maybe it isn't. They have a sound and they run with it. It's easy to put them on mass radio and they are easy to listen too. Def Leopard did the same in the "80s, but it made a life of hell for everyone who didn't want to hear a song by them every 30 minutes on the radio. Honourable Mention: Bon Jovi, Theory of a Deadman.

Worse Artist/Band of the Year - Theory of a Deadman

A band that is a copy of Nickelback is not a thing to be proud of. Add in lyrics that are repeated over and over and over in their songs, and you get an idea that it isn't all that difficult to create a great radio song.

Best Unknown Artist/Band of the Year - The Bloody Hollies

This garage/punk band is making a name for themselves outside the confines of their Buffalo, NY home. With two albums under their belt (If Footmen Tire You. (2005) and Fire at Will (2003)) they show they are in the business for the long term.

Most Addictive Song - Black Eyed Peas - "My Hump"

It's stupid and annoying but once you hear it you can't get it out of your brain. That you hear it on radio, television and even the musak at work doesn't help matters any. Honourable Mention: Nickelback - "Animals."

Artist/Band on the Brink - The Fully Down

This Ottawa pop/punk band was recently signed to Fearless Records, an indie punk label in California and released their latest CD Don't Get Lost in a Movement in November to good reviews.

Top Albums of the Year (no particular order)

1. Wolf Parade - Apologies to the Queen Mary
2. Broken Social Scene - Broken Social Scene
3. White Stripes - Get Behind Me Satan
4. Propagandhi - Potemkin City Limits
5. Weapons of Mass Seduction - Thank You for Your Daughters
6. The Bloody Hollies - If Footmen Tire You
7. Kathleen Edwards - Back to Me
8. Feist - Let It Die
9. The Moaners - Dark Snack
10. The Deadly Snakes - Porcella

>> Next: Best Movie