Last night, as I watched the just-recently-released video for Jeff Hanson’s “This Time It Will”, I realized some things. First of all, I realized that although you couldn’t shut me up about Jeff’s record during the first part of the year, I haven’t actually listened to it in about 6 or 8 months. But hearing that track again reminded me how much I like that record, and I was surprised that I hadn’t added it to my list over there on the left.

So that, coupled with the admonishment I recently received from Benjamin P regarding Minus Story’s No Rest For Ghosts‘ absence, made me realize that it’s probably time for this year’s Catbirdseat Mea Culpa.

“Mea Culpa: 2005″

Jason Anderson - The Wreath (1-18-2005)

Jason, the “Wolf Colonel”, really wants to come to your town, and sing to you– just you, and 4 or 5 of your friends. And he wants to dance, and he wants to talk to you, and he wants to sing you old cover songs, and he wants to sing you songs from The Wreath. And he wants you to realize how special all of that is. Because, well, I guess it is, kinda.

Jeff Hanson - s/t (2/22/2005)

I know that I jokingly like to refer to him as “Elliott Smith on helium”, but you know, even Jeff himself still makes with the “high voice” jokes, so what the hell. Kaleb did a nice, concise review for the Village Voice back in March.

Okay - High Road/Low Road (3/29/2005)

I gave this a fairly decent entry right when it came out. So why the hell did I forget to add it to my list? Dunno, I’m an idiot. And I’d still be giddy with delight if this got released as a vinyl double LP.

Luke Temple - Hold A Match For A Gasoline World (4/12/2005)

Again, you couldn’t shut me up about Luke’s music during the first part of the year, and yet, I still forgot to ever add him to the list over there. This is especially surprising to me considering the great show that Tim and I saw him turn in at SXSW.

Get Him Eat Him - Geography Cones (7/26/2005)

Definitely my most egregious omission. Splendid nailed it when they pointed out GHEH’s ability to “happily embrace punk rock primitivism and new wave noodling” while leaping “nimbly between lizard-brained sleaze and nerdy angst.” Matt LeMay couldn’t have said it better himself. I saw GHEH at their loosest, at the beginning of their tour, and then later, at their tightest, right at the end of the tour. They were amazing in both instances.

Minus Story - No Rest For Ghosts (10/11/2005)
The record is filled with fantastic singular tracks (”Hold On”, “Little Wet Head”, etc.), but also remarkably cohesive and strong as a whole. You were right, Benjamin, this one should’ve been added a month ago.

Completely unrelated: ILB’s Top 40 Bands In America Poll results are up.