I meant to start this a long time ago (shortly after Steve started that "what the hell are you thinking limiting it to only one" thread), and Posty has just reminded me... so:

what are your favorite Cds of 2005? give us the top whatever list. I hate limits, so no limits. Top 10 or 20 quality, I suppose, but maybe your top 10 list is 50 titles long...

and maybe as a sidebar to your list, you can tell us what music would make your "favorites of the year" list that wasn't a literal 2005 release. maybe you finally opened up that Beatles CD and couldn't stop listening to it this year. let us know...

right now, I don't have much of a list to start this off. but so far...

2005 favorites:
1 - Sigur Ros - Takk
2- Over the Rhine - Drunkard's Prayer
3 - Rosie Thomas - If Songs Could Be Held
4 - Death Cab for Cutie - Plans
5 - Aimee Mann - The Forgotten Arm
6 - My Morning Jacket - Z
7 - Tori Amos - The Beekeeper

non-2005 favorites of the year:
Hem - Rabbit Songs
Hem - (their other one who's name I've forgotten. for now I'll call it "Lampshade")
The Cult - Dreamtime


I'll add much more later.

TOP 5 EPs of 2005
1)
Iron & Wine - Woman King (whispy americana), released Feb '05: If I didn't force myself to split "Fav Albums" from "Fav EPs," this EP would probably crack the Top 5 Fav CDs of 2005. Great songs, great vocals… it got me back into Iron & Wine. Web: http://www.ironandwine.com/

2)
The Album Leaf - The Red Tour -EP- (electronic-fused organic instrumental rock), released Jan '05: Originally available on TAL's 2004 tour, but not commercially available to the rest of us until early 2005… this great EP whets the appetite for their follow-up to In a Safe Place which should be out sometime in mid-2006. Web: http://www.thealbumleaf.com/

3)
Iron & Wine with Calexico - In the Reins (whispy americana stops over in a bordertown), released Sept '05: More of an Iron & Wine record than Calexico. Sometimes the combination works, and sometimes it seems awkward. Luckily, again, it's more I&W… overall a great CD for 2005. Web: http://www.ironandwine.com/

4)
Euphone - V (jazzy groovy post-rock), released Apr '05: I saw Euphone open up for Sunny Day Real Estate in 2000. They were a primarily instrumental band, and when there was singing, the drummer sang. They had a nice vibe and were on indie Jade Tree. I love their records. This EP caught me by surprise. Its five songs clock in at only 13 minutes. However, I could listen to it on repeat for hours. It's not instrumental anymore either. It's also a completely solo effort by the drummer (Ryan Rapsys played all instruments & sang). It's very well recorded for being basically a "bathroom"-type recording. Very well received! In concert, I hear he drums, sings, and plays organ. Wow! Chicago peeps... check him out sometime. Web: http://www.recordlabelrecordlabel.com/

5)
Pristina featuring Sarah Masen - So Alive (indie alt-electronica), released May '05: Well, it's been 4+ years since Sarah Masen released any music. She is desparately missed, but this Pristina single/EP with some Sarah Masen vocals hit the spot for now. Sarah, got anything in the works? Web: http://www.pristinamusic.com/

to be continued…

~fff

1. Illinois by Sufjan Stevens
2. Blinking Lights and Other Revelations by The Eels
3. Be by Common
4. Twin Cinema by The New Pornographers
5. In Case We Die by Architecture in Helsinki
6. Leaders of The Free World by Elbow
7. Silent Alarm by Bloc Party
8. I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning by Bright Eyes
9. The Mysterious Production of Eggs by Andrew Bird
10. Gimme Fiction by Spoon
11. Apologies to the Queen Mary by Wolf Parade
12. Z by My Morning Jacket
13. I Am a Bird Now by Antony and the Johnsons
14. OK Cowboy by Vitalic
15. Set Yourself on Fire by Stars
16. In the Reins by Iron & Wine w/ Colexico
17. You Could Have It So Much Better by Franz Ferdinand
18. Crippled Crow by Denvendra Banhart
19. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (self titled album)
20. Home Sweet Home by Kano (UK)

Albums I still need to listen to:
Bang Bang Rock & Roll by Art Brut
Lookaftering by Vashti Bunyan
The Runners Four by Deer Hoof
Black Mountain by Black Mountain
Black Sheep Boy by Okkervil River

Wow, that was a blast!!!

Best Use of a Horse's Ass (or Horse's Ass Paraphernalia)
Over the Rhine's Drunkard's Prayer


Best Instrumental Album
Tristeza's A Colores (runner-up: Mogwai's mostly instrumental Government Commissions)
/

to be continued…

~fff

Didn't we do this already? Musta been the other two forums...

More or less in order:

Over the Rhine - Drunkard's Prayer Every marriage should be this good.

Cowboy Junkies - Early 21st Century Blues Thanks for speaking up, guys!

Mary Gauthier - Mercy Now Because she's funny and heartwarming and real.

John Prine - Fair and Square Ditto for John. Great to have him back.

Neil Young - Prairie Wind A nice surprise after Greendale (which I also loved).

Kathleen Edwards - Back to Me I just love the way this woman rocks. So pissed I didn't get to see her play this year.

Ryan Adams & the Cardinals - Cold Roses and Jacksonville City Nights The brat with the voice does Grateful Dead and Hank Williams, both remarkably well.

Shelby Lynne - Suit Yourself Shelby Lynne lets her hair down, with fun results.

Rodney Crowell - The Outsider I gave this kick-ass album to a staunch Republican in my department as a Secret Santa gift, forgetting about the left-wing lyrical content. (she forgave me)

Aimee Mann - The Forgotten Arm This concept album was an interesting departure for Aimee, although the usual cynicism and well-crafted pop textures are always in evidence.

Girlyman - Little Star Because they're hilarious and oh so gay.

Ray LaMontagne- Live at Bonnaroo 2005 (EP) Damn, this guy can sing!

where did we do this? last year we did, of course. I don't count the "just name one" thread. that's crazytalk, and very anti-Casey Casum.

Best Soundtrack/Score
Thumbsucker Soundtrack featuring The Polyphonic Spree & Elliott Smith (runner-up: Screaming Masterpiece Soundtrack featuring a dozen+ great Icelandic artists)
/

Best Debut Album
Eisley's Room Noises (runner-up: Headphones' Headphones)
/

to be continued…

~fff - np: testament - low

I've been thinking about this for a while now... a friend asked the same question on his blog... so I suppose I should knuckle down and hit the books, do my homework, and ace this test once and for all... My Top 10 of 2005, OCD order:


Ben Folds - Songs For Silverman: A classy and wonderful collection of songs that really hit home when you least expect them to. You'll end up throwing a tune or two from this album on your comp mixes for other folks if you aren't careful - they sneak in there.

Coheed and Cambria - Good Apollo I'm Burning Star IV, Volume One: From Fear Through The Eyes Of Madness: If there was a category of music called "Music to kill your deceitful girlfriend by," then this album would take top honors, all the way to the bank. Coheed sounds more Zep-ish, more Floyd-ish, and still some how both heavier and proggier, and lead nutcase Claudio Sanchez finds time to write lyrics about digging an open grave and kicking his ex-g.f. into it, and of taking commands to kill people from a demonically-possessed ten speed bicycle. This is art in its highest, most delightful evil form, people. So thoroughly enjoyable! I just hope they can churn out the rest of the albums (IV, vol. 2, and I) before Claud actually kills his ex...

Jack Johnson - In Between Dreams: A great album for rainy days, sunny days, Sunday mornings... just about anything. I think it is his best collection of tunes yet. J.J. isn't really anything spectacular, but it is nice to have something easy on the ears that is very, very good, and this record is very, very good.

John Mayer Trio - Try! Live In Concert: Zappa said it best - Shut up and play yer guitar. Mayer does that very thing on this album... and, kid you not, it is the best live guitar in a trio album since Stevie Ray's Live at the El Macambo DVD, which was the best live guitar in a trio recording since Hendrix's Band of Gypsys.

Magnolia Electric Co. - What Comes After The Blues: Contains the song "Northstar Blues." Might be enough for inclusion on that alone... this is the best Crazy Horse album since, well, the last good Crazy Horse w/ Neil Young album, and hell, we could debate that for days... just a good, solid rock record.

Nickel Creek - Why Should The Fire Die?: After recording a project with Glen Phillips of Toad The Wet Sprocket fame, they did their own thing... and it was their most mature effort yet. They continue to amaze. Anyone who loves good musicianship and good singing should love this group. It was a lot of fun to hear these tunes in concert before they released the album, too.

OK Go - Oh No: Best new rock band around. Uncannily Beatles-esque even as they are a part of the garage band throwback that got really popular four years ago and died along with the Strokes (did anyone else noticed they, The Strokes, released a new album in time for the holidays? Does anyone care? No, me either). This band is incredible, and the album is so much fun. It's actually a little original too, and the songs will get stuck in your head for DAYS.

Over The Rhine - Drunkard's Prayer: I don't think I can improve on Keith's description of this album: "Every marriage should be this good." Every loving relationship, yeah... works for me. Good call, K.

Son Volt - Okemah and the Melody of Riot: The return of Jay Farrar to his rightful place as Alt-Country God. F*** Jeff Tweedy! WEEEEE! Son Volt never sounded so good, and seeing this entire album played live was amazing. I enjoyed Farrar's solo stuff, but nothing can quite top this record. Fully realized. Totally inspired. Absolutely rockin'.

The Warren Brothers - Barely Famous: I went through a C.M.T. phase this year, new Dukes movie coming out and all, and watching the Warren Bros. show on that channel, also called Barely Famous, was quite enjoyable. Just good boys playing music stars, or trying anyway. Very funny. But... there's a scene in that second season where they play this tune called "Greyhound Bus" on acoustics, just chilling on their tour bus (before breaking into "Home Sweet Home" by the Crue). And the lyrics are gorgeous. So I picked up the record... and lo and behold, it's pretty damned good, even for new country. These two kids can write one helluva good song - and they did that frequently on this album.

Oh crap, I forgot Wilco's Live in Chicago album Kicking Television! Best live album I've heard in a long time.

Still haven't decided if I like Twin Cinema or not.


That would be Eveningland, Brook.

1. I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning -- Bright Eyes
2. Drunkard's Prayer -- Over The Rhine
3. Early 21st Century Blues -- Cowboy Junkies
4. Twin Cinema -- New Pornographers
5. Magic Numbers -- Magic Numbers

Sarah is currently living at Martha's Vinyard over there on the east coast, hopefully "recording like a madwoman" (in the words of her husband David)

Best Concept Album
Sufjan Stevens Invites You to Come On Feel the Illinoise (runner-up: Coheed & Cambria's Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV - Volume One: From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness)
/

Best Local Album
The Times' Begin from Cincinnati, OH (runner-up: Shrug's Whole Hog for the Macho Jesus from Dayton, OH)
/
I ♥ CDBaby. Support local / indie music!!

to be continued…

~fff - np: silverchair - freak show interview

Best International Release (US label)
Sigur Rós's Takk... (runner-up: Porcupine Tree's Deadwing)
/

Best International Release (non-US label) i.e.- harder to get ahold of…
Múm's Loksins Erum Við Engin (runner-up: Yann Tiersen's Les Retrouvailles)
/

to be continued…

~fff

(yeah, I'm not ready to post my real Top 20 yet... maybe next week)

Best Indie Album
Sufjan Stevens Invites You to Come On Feel the Illinoise (runner-up: Ani Difranco's Knuckle Down)
/

Best Use of Nature on an Album Cover
King's X's disguised trees on Ogre Tones (runner-up: Copeland's sleek In Motion)
/

to be continued…

~fff

Drunkards Prayer - Over the Rhine
I never imagined that Over the Rhine would top Ohio, but they went ahead and did it, anyway. So happy for them that they put their relationship before their work, saved their marriage, and shared their healing with us. This cd is a balm for the soul.
Aerial - Kate Bush
Kate Bush's first cd in twelve years is absolutely magnificent. The first time I heard this recording, it left me speechless at its beauty and magic. Only Kate could have conceived and executed this music, in her own inimitable way.
Begonias - Caitlin Cary & Thad Cockrell
I'm a sucker for great duets and this cd is a classic. I've followed Caitlin Cary since Whiskeytown broke up, but this collaboration with Thad Cockrell (whose aim is "to put the hurt back in country") is excellent.
X & Y - Coldplay
I haven't been this moved by a rock album since The Joshua Tree.
Hope and Desire - Susan Tedeschi
Although Susan Tedeschi didn't pick up her guitar for this one, she chose perhaps her most consistent set of songs, yet. Love that voice!
Magic Time - Van Morrison
Van is always great! I fully agree with Andy Whitman's Listening to Old Voices column in the Oct-Nov issue of Paste where he lauds not only this album, but his previous two, Down the Road and What's Wrong With This Picture, as well. Van just keeps getting better with age.
Look - Beth Nielsen Chapman
We just got introduced to Beth's music, this fall, when we saw her at a benefit for Attached Parenting International at the Bluebird Cafe in October, and we were bowled over by her. This has to be the best example of classic pop recorded in a long time. We've chased down every cd of Beth's that we can get our hands on, since then.
Front Parlor Ballads - Richard Thompson
We saw Richard at the Belcourt Theater back in May (for the first time, and it won't be the last), and he previewed some songs from this cd to great response. I love Richard's music, and I always will.
The Girl Who Couldn't Fly - Kate Rusby
Nobody sings like Kate Rusby, and this cd is her most fully realized with probably a half-and-half mix of traditional and her own songs. The great thing about Kate is that you can't distinguish the old from the new songs because she is so fully immersed in the British folk tradition. She could sing the phone book, and I'd buy it.
Make It Through This World - Greg Trooper
Greg opened for Richard Thompson at the Belcourt, and we were knocked out by him. I've never seen one guy with an acoustic guitar and one accompanist rock that hard. We've chased down every cd of Greg's that we can get our hands on, since then.

I could have sworn i posted in this one already, oh welll...

10 best albums for 2005

10. Laura Veirs - Year of Meteors
9. The Fiery Furnaces - EP
8. Clap your hands, say yeah - self titled
7. The Fiery Furnaces - Rehearsing my Choir
6. Immaculate Machine - Ones and Zeros
5. Over The Rhine - Drunkard's Prayer
4. Sigur Ro's - Takk
3. The New Pornographers - Twin Cinema
2. Ladytron - The Witching Hour
1. Sufjan Stevens - Come on, feel the Illinoise

Best Album Packaging & Design
Fantômas's Suspended Animation and its 30+ page spiral calendar with illustrations by Japanese artist Yoshimoto Nara (runner-up: Ani Difranco's Knuckle Down slip-case and landscape-oriented lyrics book)
/

Best Album Artwork
The Iron & Wine and Calexico collaborative In the Reins -EP- painting (runner-up: Sufjan Stevens Invites You to Come On Feel the Illinoise's cease-and-desist-inducing "Superman cover")
/

to be continued…

~fff

Biggest Disappointment
Gary Cherone's solo debut Need I Say More -EP- (he didn't need to say more, he just needed to say it better)


Worst Album Art (for an otherwise stellar album)
The Squirts Resquirted… great album, very Matt Bissonette/Jughead/Mustard Seeds-y, yet dumb, dumb, dumb cover…


to be continued…

~fff

That'd be good. 2006 maybe? I also heard that she was working with Ric Hordinski, but that was posted in 2004 and nothing ever came of it (that I know of)...

~fff

yeah, I think she did that too. "Notebook" was the work in progress at that time. she's saving it all up for a 5-disc box set maybe...

and since I didn't want to end on a sour note, here are two more "Best Of" winners before I get into my TOP 20 LIST…

Best Book on CD
Noam Chomsky's Imperial Ambitions (runners-up: George Carlin's When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops? -and- Al Franken's The Truth (With Jokes))
/ /

Best Album named "Suspended Animation"
Fantômas's Suspended Animation definitely over Dream Theater guitarist John Petrucci's first solo album under the same name
/

to be continued…

~fff

TOP 20 ALBUMS of 2005

20)
Headphones - Headphones (melancholically sung synth-pop), released May '05: I dig David Bazan's Pedro the Lion music a lot. This seemingly one-off project with TW Walsh was great as well… casio-sound and all. Web: http://www.headphonesmusic.com/
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19)
Copeland - In Motion (power-pop rock), released Mar '05: One of my rock heroes is Ken Andrews. I got into him backwards… first ON, then Failure (then Year of the Rabbit, in the correct order). Regardless of all of that, I noticed his imprint on Copeland right away, almost subconsciously. Anyway, I stuck around due to the great vocals (vocals are usually the "make-it-or-break-it" with me). Mr. Marsh's vocals are a delight for me. Web: http://www.thecopelandsite.com/
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18)
Erin McKeown - We Will Become Like Birds (pop singer-songwriter), released Jun '05: I bought this album due to Peter Mulvey guest vocalling on it. I continue to enjoy this album for the other 11 songs that are sheer singer-songwriter pop-delight. Web: http://www.erinmckeown.com/
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17)
Ani Difranco - Knuckle Down (the folkstress who needs no description), released Jan '05: This album is probably Ani's most solid since Revelling / Reckoning. The packaging is superb as well… which is something she's taken a shine to as of late. Web: http://www.righteousbaberecords.com/
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16)
The Squirts - Squirts II: Resquirted (fantastic melodic rock with a dumb name), released sometime in 2005: I always loved The Mustard Seeds… a melodic, pop-sensible hardrock band from SoCal. They only released two albums… But, but, but… ringleader Matt Bissonette is a busy muthafunka. 2005 alone saw three Matt Bissonette-related releases, and one of his side bands, The Squirts, has a really close to Mustard Seeds vibe (as do two of his other sidebands, Jughead and Raising Lazarus). Walrus, take note. Anyway, this Squirts album is pop-rock delight. Catchy throughout and chunky when it matters. The last track, "Lobster," is reason enough to buy the CD. Yeah, I know, dumbass cover art (and band name for that matter), but it's really, REALLY GOOD. And it's completely indie... a purchase directly benefits Matt Bissonette and his family. Web: http://www.mattbissonette.com/
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15)
Tristeza - A Colores (experimental twitchy instrumental rock), released Nov '05: Tristeza continues on even after Jimmy LaValle's departure to dedicate his time to his solo effort, The Album Leaf. Both bands, Tristeza & The Album Leaf, have a similar style. I dig 'em both. If you like mellow, yet ecstatic, instrumental-tronica… you'll dig 'em, too... Web: http://www.trstz.com/
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14)
Ben Folds - Songs For Silverman (piano pop with fuzz), released Apr '05: Ben continues his solo path, while bringing back the sound very reminiscent of "The Five." His new bassist and drummer definitely harken the sound of Darren and Robert from BFF. This album is solid, which is usually expected from the songwriting likes of Mr. Folds. Web: http://www.benfolds.com/
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13)
The Mob - The Mob (hardrock übergroup), released Nov '05: A supergroup made up of a bunch fo '80s washouts (from Winger and Night Ranger) and also Doug Pinnick from King's X ("and also" meaning he's not included in the "washout" category). Doug sings on most of the album, and it doesn't really sound dated like I thought it would (mainly due to Doug's involvement, mind you). It's got some classic rock / hairband overtones, but again only "overtones." Overall it's a great record!! It can be had directly from the Italian label for as much as Amazon is hocking it for... but there's a slight "PSOL"* issue. Web: http://www.kingsxonline.com/
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12)
Foo Fighters - In Your Honor (power-pop rock), released Jun '05: Pure double-album pop enjoyment. Dave Grohl continues to impress me with his relentless delivery of great rock tunes. It seems effortless for him. Kurt is missed, but after its all said and done, I think Dave might win out as being the better pop songwriter... Web: http://www.foofighters.com/
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11)
Dredg - Catch Without Arms (passionate hardrock), released Jun '05: From out-of-nowhere… I heard (and liked) Dredg's song on the Stealth Soundtrack, even moreso than the Incubus songs that I bought the soundtrack for in the first place. Then I saw Dredg open up for Coheed & Cambria in Columbus on 9/30/05, I was hooked. Powerful melodic rock, with an ecstatic drummer and great vocals. Web: http://www.dredg.com/
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*- PSOL = PayPal for Speakers of Other Languages.

to be continued…

~fff - np: nellie mckay's "the big one" from the forthcoming album pretty little head (early front-runner for Best of 2006)

TOP 20 ALBUMS of 2005 (in two parts due to the "max images per post" thing)

10)
Opeth - Ghost Reveries (swedish death metal), released Aug '05: The last three Opeth records had Porcupine Tree Steven Wilson at the production helm. Perhaps he was too busy supporting his own band to help the O out, but this album came out a-OK anyway. Sometimes the keyboards sound… um… dumb… but luckily there is enough thrash and growl to cover it up. Hail Satan! Hail Satin! Hail Stan! Web: http://www.opeth.com/
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9)
Beck - Guero (folk-tronic), released Mar '05: One of the best Beck albums in years… reminds me a lot of Odelay. Really funky, and it fits the "folk-tronic" badge well. And he's got a remix album of it coming out soon (entitled Guerolito)… Web: http://www.beck.com/
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8)
Coheed and Cambria - Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV - Volume One: From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness (geekcore, emo-pomp), released Sept '05: There are so many cheesy aspects to C&C's sound and marketing that make me cringe (it's such an over-the top geek-and-wank fest)… yet their sound simply sucks... me in. To quote a drummer from an unrelated band, "balls and chunk is where it's at!" Web: http://www.coheedandcambria.com/
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7)
King's X - Ogre Tones (melodic hardrock), released Sept '05: 25 years and still counting… damn. I've been a King's X fan for a longtime (not all 25 years, though), but their last two efforts left me nonplussed. This latest one, however, hits me square across the mouth -- in the good way. Fantastic return to form, Jetydo! Web: http://www.kingsxonline.com/
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6)
Fiona Apple - Extraordinary Machine (jazzy, sultry broodstress), released Oct '05: Long-awaited… not as jazzy or cohesive as When the Pawn, but still a stellar performance. I dig this version of the album over the earlier Jon Brion/leaked version, but I do dig the Jon Brion-produced tracks that sandwich this record the most (go figure). Overall, this album was mostly worth the wait… now if only she'd tour on her own and not part of the Clodplay: Cloding Up the Great Indoors Tour '06... Web: http://www.fiona-apple.com/
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5)
Eisley - Room Noises (rocks more than Sixpence), released Feb '05: Another "hadn't heard of them 12 months ago" band. I can solely blame the Paste Magazine DVD sampler for this crush. Anyway, I'm looking forward to great music from Eisley in the years to come… assuming they can keep their sibling rivalries in check... Web: http://www.eisley.com/
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4)
Glen Phillips - Winter Pays For Summer (pop singer-songwriter), released Mar '05: This was in the top spot for the better part of the year. A great follow-up album to his solo debut Abulum. As of early December, Glen's also in the studio for a follow-up to this one… yay! Web: http://www.glenphillips.com/
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3)
Sufjan Stevens - Invites You to Come On Feel the Illinoise (quirky folk), released July '05: Wow. 12 months ago, I had only heard a few (boring) songs by Sufjan. Now, I'm hooked. His quirky, banjo-driven, xylophone-infused group-folkrock stylings really make me happy. His show at the Southgate House in Newport-KY this year was easily one of my top two concerts this year (Sigur Rós in Ann Arbor being the other). With two states under his belt (Michigan being the previous state album), I wonder how the remaining 48 will turn out... Web: http://www.sufjan.com/
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2)
Porcupine Tree - Deadwing (modern progressive), released Apr '05: I saw Porcupine Tree live twice within about a month of owning this disc. I think it spun in my rental car in Chicago about 8 times… then it finally sunk in. I still hold In Absentia or maybe Lightbulb Sun as my favorite PT CDs, but Deadwing made music listening in 2005 a lot more enjoyable. Web: http://www.porcupinetree.com/
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1)
Sigur Rós - Takk (ambient & angelic), released Sept '05: This Sigur Rós album didn't catch on with me as quick as their two prior albums, but after several listens, it gains the top spot for the year. I still don't agree with many people's assessment that it is "more accessible," but regardless, they continue to make captivating music. Web: http://www.sigur-ros.co.uk/

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Honorable Mention:
Tori Amos - The Beekeeper - Audioslave - Out of Exile, Clodplay - X&Y, The Mars Volta - Frances the Mute, and Derek Webb - Mockingbird.
/ / / /
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yes, I like lists… and the "concatenate" function…
~fff - np: nellie mckay's "the big one" from the forthcoming album pretty little head (early front-runner for Best of 2006)

Top 16

1. Kathleen Edwards - Back To Me. Kind of a female Tom Petty, if you will. There's nothing really new or innovative here, just some amazing songwriting and a great voice, and seemed to be the 2005 album I kept coming back to more than any others.

2. The Rolling Stones - A Bigger Bang. Sure, no one cared, they just want to hear them play "Brown Sugar" for the 5,000th time, but this really was a killer album. They did what worked on Voodoo Lounge and got rid of the guests, slick production, and cheesy horns, and just cut a straight ahead raw rock album. Great shit.

3. Nine Inch Nails - With Teeth. While I loved The Fragile, Trent really did need to come out with a more focused album this time, and he did, not only putting out his best singles in a decade, but using more live guitars than any record since Broken. People always talk about the aggressiveness of NIN, but what I really love is the way Trent's albums balance that side ("The Hand That Feeds") with really haunting, fragile pieces ("Right Where It Belongs").

4. Porcupine Tree - Deadwing. This one took awhile, since it's not as immediate as In Absentia or as intimate as Stupid Dream, but ended up being really rewarding once I spent enough time with it. Another one of those albums that had the misfortune of coming after one of the best albums they'd made, but I think it holds up pretty well.

5. Doves - Some Cities. "Black And White Town" is the best single to come out of the UK in years, and the rest of the album is just as good. Why these guys aren't bigger than Coldplay, I have no idea.

6. Aimee Mann - The Forgotten Arm. Okay, so it sounds like every other record Aimee's made since the Magnolia soundtrack. But I liked it, and I thought the songs were more memorable than most of the stuff on Lost In Space. I think she's kind of running in place a bit with her albums, but she's doing it so well, I'll let it slide this time.

7-8. Better Than Ezra - Before The Robots and Our Lady Peace - Healthy In Paranoid Times. And from the "where the **** did this come from?" department came these two albums, from two of the last bands I ever expected to make brilliant records in 2005. I knew BTE was still kicking around, but I had no idea they had an album like this in them, and I didn't even know Our Lady Peace was still together, but they made an album I like more than anything I ever heard them do in the 90's.

9. Bruce Springsteen - Devils And Dust. Okay, I was a little disappointed that Springsteen made yet another record without the E-Street band, but I ended up really liking it anyway. Plus, it felt like a nice balance to the heaviness of The Rising and yet didn't sound like a re-write of either of his earlier acoustic discs.

10. Over The Rhine - Drunkard's Prayer. Probably not the best album they've ever made, but "Spark" and "Firefly" are easily in my top 10 songs of the year, and it's a very enjoyable record from start to finish, even if it's a little too laid back at times.

11. Bon Jovi - Have A Nice Day. I was pleasantly surprised by this one. It could've used a few more hard rock tracks, but it's a really solid album with some surprisingly good singles, and you can't ask for much more in a Bon Jovi album. With all this My Emo Romance garbage all over the place, it's nice to hear a rock album that doesn't make you feel like shit afterwards. (and has guitar solos once in awhile)

12. Tori Amos - The Beekeeper. Okay, immediate points withdrawn for a) having Damien Rice singing on your CD, and having wuss-boy sing on the worst song you've ever written. Having said that, the rest of the album was great, and hearing "Ribbons Undone" live was one of my highlights of the year.

13. Paul Weller - As Is Now. I don't think the writing is as strong as on his last album, but after a few too many laid-back, mellow albums, he's finally plugged in again, and the sheer energy of Weller and the band overcomes a few of the weaker songwriting moments.

14. Neil Young - Prarie Wind. Points for being the best album Neil Young's made in ten years. Points taken off for the fact that with the sheer number of albums he's made, it's impossible for Neil to surprise anyone musically. But if you've worn out your copy of Harvest Moon, you can't go wrong with this.

15. Foo Fighters - In Your Honor. Like Ohio or Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness, whittled down to 12-15 tracks, this could have been album of the year. (also could have fit on one disc if Dave had just cut one or two songs ). But when it's good, it's great, and few people know how to spin a great rock song like Dave Grohl, and the acoustic disc was surprisingly strong.

16. Trey Anastasio - Shine. In almost 20 years, this is only the second or third Phish or Phish-related studio album that really stands out...after Billy Breathes, it's actually the best pure songwriting record Trey has ever made. None of the tracks runs for over 6 minutes, and the songs are kept to concisce, tight arrangements that make this a really easy, enjoyable listen. I'm sure this isn't what Phish diehards want to hear, but for everyone else, it's a great record.


Honorable Mentions - The "good, but not as good as their last album" pile::
The Cardigans - Super Extra Gravity
A-Ha - Analogue
Morcheeba - The Antidote
Neal Morse - ?
Beck - Guero
Paul McCartney - Chaos And Creation In The Backyard
Depeche Mode - Playing The Angel

Posty:



Whoa! I love Sarah Masen! I'm gonna have to check this out!



Have You Heard their Know Nothing Stays the Same EP? Cover songs always seem to be hit or miss, but they did 5 on this release that I, unexpectedly, really enjoyed ("Another Day in Paradise," "Come Around Again," "She's Always a Woman," "Take My Breath Away" and "Part-Time Lover"). I haven't heard any of their original work, however...

I haven't listened to nearly as much music this year as I usually do, so my top ten list is probably a little uninformed, but nonetheless:

10. The Fiery Furnaces - EP

My first exposure to this group. Fun and experimental. Not something that will be in my regular rotation, but I've defginitely acquired a taste for it.

9. Charlie Sexton - Cruel and Gentle Things

Probably his most cohesive album to date. Simple, but polished production. Almost puts me in the same mood as when I listen to Springsteen's Nebraska.

8. The Mountain Goats - The Sunset Tree

His most "mature" album to date. Still wry, but now with a little more substance than just general angst.

7. Eisley - Room Noises

Great debut. I just fear for any follow-ups.

6. Bright Eyes - Digital Ashes in a Digital Urn

I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning would probably make number 11 or 12, but i think i must be the only person in existence who likes this album better. I guess I just have a soft spot for electronica.

5. Over The Rhine - Drunkard's Prayer

Nuf' said.

4. Andrew Bird - The Mysterious Production of Eggs

This one really hit me out-of-the-blue. Someone from another board I frequent gave this album high praise and I picked it up on a whim at Barnes & Noble when I saw it. I'm not sure if I like the lyrics or the music progression more. Exquisite album. If I had to recommend one album from this year for someone to listen to it would be Sufjan Stevens' -- but this would be my second choice.

3. The Decemberists - Picaresque

Folk music for the English major. I found it reminiscent of Belle & Sebastion -- only more enjoyable.

2. The New Pornographers - Twin Cinema

Sort of a guilty pleasure -- pure pop bliss. And it doesn't hurt that I just melt at the sound of Neko Case's voice.

1. Sufjan Stevens - Come on, Feel the Illinoise

For me, easily the best album of the year. In fact, my favorite album since Nick Cave's Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus. I doubt any album I haven't heard yet will from this year will top this one.

Right-o... I think "Orange Knickers" is what bumped her to the "honorable mention" spot... overall, it's a great record, it just didn't grow as well as some of her past ones have...



'Tis good... but not enough Sarah Masen, I might add. One song, three other remixes of it, two versions of a non-SM song. But worth $6 or whatever it's going for...


I dig their original work. I have that EP, and it's OK... but I got into In Motion first... it's a great CD...

~fff

Lord. Expect mine in a few weeks, at the earliest. It usually takes me until February to get a good year-end list going. Hell, it's reading other people's lists that usually inspires me to buy half the albums on my own list. I'm looking at you, Posty...

Well, you are responsible for me buying Sufjan's entire catalog this year... including MI & IL on vinyl and the b-side/extras on iTunes... so...

~fff

now that's a great cartoon!

blah blah blah. crying doesn't make you a pussy. blah blah blah. it's a brilliant album, and rather than making a "dumb jock level" joke, why not just come out and say that you don't like the record? it's fine to not like a brilliant record. I don't like tons of brilliant records.

~fff

Finding that comic funny has nothing to do with whether or not I like the record. I just like poking fun at those kind of guys, especially since they've multiplied in ridiculous numbers in the last few years.

Writers of quirky and fun songwriting has multiplied? But aren't you always complaining about "the state of music" and how it's in dire straits?

Don't you like the Polyphonic Spree? I think you may have heard a compilation of only the slow Sufjan songs, because Sufjan's stuff is a lot closer to the Spree in arrangement and quirkiness... I'm just sayin'...

I think it's a funny cartoon on an initial knee-jerk reaction, but overall it's missing the boat... and it's quite stereotype-pushing and "jock-humor" biased in its approach... I'm just sayin' (again)...

~fff

because that's not as funny as asking if someone kicked you in your pussy...

Whoa. I just got all tingly. I love that feeling.

That comic posted by Steve: Funny. Cut and dried.

Agreed. Although, usually indietits isn't that funny....J Jacques' best work is easily his Questionable Content comic.

I'm almost ashamed to admit my favorite albums of 2005....I don't like Sufjan's style too much, and the artists I listened to this year didn't put out anything that was all that great. None of my favorites from this year deserve to be "the best of the year" or anything else like that.

Sorry, I double posted. It's been a while!

I thought 2005 was a fairly lame year for music in general. However, there are a few gems I can foresee playing well beyond 2005.

These are in no particular order (with the exception of #1):

1. Death Cab For Cutie - Plans
2. Cary Brothers - Waiting For Your Letter (E.P.)
3. Nada Surf - The Weight Is A Gift
4. Josh Rouse - Nashville and Bedroom Classics (Vol. 2)
5. My Morning Jacket - Z
6. Kaiser Chiefs - Employment
7. Pernice Brothers - Discover A Lovlier You
8. Denison Witmer - Are You A Dreamer?
9. Buddy Miller - Universal United House Of Prayer (A late 2004 release)
10. Bruce Springsteen - Devils & Dust
11. Beck - Guero
12. Amos Lee- Self Titled
13. Foo Fighters - In Your Honor
14. Over The Rhine - Drunkard's Prayer
15. David Crowder Band - A Collision

David Crowder Band - A Collision
Project 86 - And the Rest Will Follow...
Audio Adrenaline - Until My Heart Caves In
Over the Rhine - Drunkard's Prayer
John Davis - John Davis
Lost Dogs - Island Dreams
the Choir - O how the mighty have fallen
Switchfoot - Nothing is Sound
Jars of Clay - Redemption Songs
Jason Gay - The Better Part of Me

Oh my God. I think we were separated at birth.

I don't have a top 10, but really, Death Cab's Plans is insanely good, and the only reason Sufjan Stevens' Illinois wouldn't make my list is I don't yet own it. The LeeVees' Hanukkah Rocks would be on there for making me laugh harder than any other album this year, and Drunkard's Prayer for making me cry like a little girl. And of course the Cowboy Junkies' Early 21st Century Blues.

Based on you Apples' impeccable taste in music, it looks like I need to pick up Clap Your Hands, Say Yeah's self-titled and The Beekeeper when I go looking for Illinois (sorry Steve, but I like Damien Rice).

FloridaGirl:

I hope not! I find you far too attractive to be a relative. I mean, that would just be creepy.





Actually, I haven't heard either of these yet. Like I said, my list this year is a bit uninformed...



So do I. That's nothing to be ashamed of.

1. Nickel Creek - Why Must The Fire Die?
2. Porcupine Tree - Deadwing
3. Sigur Ros - Takk
4. Echolyn - The End is Beautiful
5. Frank Hart - Human Liturgy
6. Over The Rhine - Drunkard's Prayer
7. Clutch - Robot Hive/Exodus
8. The Mars Volta - Frances The Mute
9. Lori McKenna - Bittertown
10. King's X - Ogre Tones

How is this? Did you go to the CD release for it a few months ago?

~fff

random order:

1. Sufjan Stevens -- Illinois
2. Bright Eyes -- I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning
3. Sigur Ros -- Takk
4. Nickel Creek -- Why Should the Fire Die?
5. Over the Rhine -- Drunkard's Prayer
6. The Decemberists -- Picaresque
7. Coldplay -- X&Y
8. The Frames -- Burn the Maps

to name a few...

Yes I did attend the CD release. The album is wonderful. Very different from his work with Atomic Opera. This album is full of rock/folk/Indian influence. Alot of the album is acoustic and uses some sitar and other exotic instruments. It is great. I believe you can check out some mp3s here.

Opening comments

I just learned today that October 1st is the cut off date for albums to be considered for the Grammy wards. Maybe we should have posted a date like that for inclusion on our list? Since we did not, I have stretched the limits on certain CDs because, either they have not been released in the US yet or I learned about them this year even though they missed the cutoff date.

Never in my life have so many foreign CDs made it into my hands in one year. Maybe it's the internet that seems to make our world seem smaller and smaller, but whatever it is, there are many CDs on my list this year that are available in the USA only as imports. As a result, I will note whenever that's the case.

Second, for me this was one of the best years in music in my 46 years of existence. I sincerely mean that. I am blown away when I hear people say this was a bad year in music. Hopefully, this gigando list will help you change your opinion. If not, then I'm sorry for wasting your time.

Finally, I keep finding great CDs from this year. I was intending to purchase John Mayer's new CD when I got bored with what I am currently listening to, but then my Sister gave me the new John Mayer Trio for Christmas! I love the blues, so now after only a couple listens I have to work this CD into my list as well!

Hopefully, you'll find the information below helpful, but if you want to know more PM/email me as I love to discuss music!


The List


#1 Porcupine Tree Deadwing



The best Progressive Rock since the early 70's IMO...your mileage my very. This CD rawks my façade off! And then on the next song places me in my etherly happy place. Pink Floyd meets Queensrÿche is not quite adequate as neither of those bands employ a piano on a regular basis, but I think you get the general idea. Steven Wilson, the driving force and guitar virtuoso is a genius. This CD is also lyrically very interesting as well. Here are a few examples:

Follow me down to the valley below
moonlight is bleeding from out of your soul

God is in...

Never look for the truth in your Mother's eyes

This band has just blown me away. I really dig Deadwing, which really got things rolling for me. Upon liking this CD so much, I searched the web for their website. Upon finding it I found that they have like 10 or 12 or 40 CDs of which I have most of at this point. IMHO, The Sky Moves Sideways (fool your friends by playing this CD and tell them it's Pink Floyd's new CD!), Up The Downstair, Stupid Dream, Signify are as good or better than Deadwing. In Absentia is a little harder rocking metalish but still a really good CD. Many people say it's their best. I haven't listened to the rest of them enough yet to warrant comments at this time, but I will buy all of them. Basically, the reason I have chosen PT as my #1 for 2005 is that I can't stop listening to all of this band's CDs and this one started me down that path. Don't get me wrong, it is a great CD!


#2 Elbow Leaders of the Free World [import]



British pop: Coldplay meets the Dandy Warhols with a healthy obeisance to the Beatles. If I had another couple months to listen to this CD, it could be the best CD of the year. It is brilliant. But, there are plenty of brilliant artists that either do or don't do it for me. It's like opening a great wine before its peak. Yeah, it's great, but it may be better after it's had time to develop...

Here's the chorus from the title tracK:

But the leaders of the free world
Are just little boys throwing stones
And it's easy to ignore
Till they're knocking on the door of your homes


#3 Maktub Say What You Mean



Rockin' soul

If the last two songs on their previous CD, Kronos, "No Quarter" (a Led Zeppelin remake) and "Then We'll Know" would have been included on this disc, it would have been my number one CD of the year.

There are a couple of free acoustic mp3's on their website that you can download to get a feel for their music.

20 Years features a guitar solo that reminds me of the guitar in Wildflower. Folks, this song is rocking my world. For those of you who remember Rubicon, there are definite similiarities!

I found this blurb on their website:

Think of it as a Soul sprinkled with psychedelia and a high-octane, pop/rock blend. Better yet, don't think at all until you give Say What You Mean a spin. The thundering drum lick that kicks off "Promise Me," the Memphis heat and teasing beat of "Say What You Mean," the crescendos that whip the choruses of "20 Years" into explosions of emotion -- whatever you want to call this music, it's impossible to ignore and even harder to forget.

I simply couldn't say it any better.


#4 Thirteen Senses The Invitation 2005 UK [import]



This is ambient pop at it's best. it fits right in with Coldplay, Doves, Turin Brakes, Travis, Kings Of Convenience, Pearlfishers, etc. It is mellow, but catchy all the same. I'm amazed that it hasn't been released in the US yet.

This was my early front runner for CD of the year. I think this CD surpasses Coldplay's effort this year by a long shot. I like every song on this CD.


#5 RPWL World Through My Eyes Germany [import]



Progressive/Symphonic rock. Mesmerizing! One might say that this is Pink Floyd reincarnated. However, PF tended to be more symphonic or should I say instrument ladden. This CD also has a very heavy Emerson, Lake & Palmer influence. er pe ve el has the soaring guitar, but replaces the instruments with synthesizers. If you dug early PF & ELP, you will dig this CD also!

They also employ a piano quite often. The 8:43 song Everything Was Not Enough starts off like a Coldplay ballad complete with Yes-like harmonies and ends like a anthem. Lights begins with an acoustic guitar and adds amazing almost Eagles-like harmonies, but has that unmistakable PF feel when a sound track of people talking and laughing in the back ground like you're riding a subway/railway is added and then morphs into an ELP-like synthesizer solo. You don't need to see the video, they create it in your mind for you. And when you think they're finished, they kick in a Floydian guitar solo. Yes, the song's like 9 minutes long and ends back in the subway station. BTW, neither of these two songs are the best song on the CD nor the longest! They also delve into philosphy like PF.

Yes, I purchased two more of their CDs already...


#6 Eskimo Joe 5/14/2004 Australia [import] **



I like to describe this band as Badfinger meets Jeff Buckley with an occasional Maroon 5 twist. Some of the songs on this CD are the best that I've heard this year, but a couple songs on the CD are little more than filler. Still, for me it was worth the $20 spent on an Australian import. Their first full length offering "Girl" is interesting as well and a little less poppy than this CD. Kind of like the highs are higher and the lows are lower, but Girl is in between.

I believe the ladies will love this lead singer. They add a little humor and sex into their song writing and it turns out to be a great CD.


#7 Anna Nalick Wreck Of The Day



Pure pop heaven. If I wasn't married... I love this chick's voice. She can soothe your bad days like good merlot. Her songs are catchy and meaningful. This whole CD is just great. Amazingly great for being only 21 years old. I started to list the songs that I really like and when I got to 5 knowing there are more, I decided not to list them. You can buy this used on Amazon for $5! However, you may want to try the samples and pay full price so that you can support the artist...


#8 John Butler Trio Sunrise Over Sea



Southern rock, acoustic rock, and blues from Australia. This is a really good CD that remindes me of Collective Soul's debut, but way more innovative. I love the fact that it varies textures frequently. It's a very, very good CD.

The opening track Treat Yo Mama is great Southern Rock anthem that's as swampy as Mofro.


#9 KT Tunstall Eye To The Telescope * UK [import] (to be release in US in February)



Earlier, I suggested that she sounded like a mature Nelly Furtado meets Shawn Colvin. However, I'm ready to add the Cardigans, Sheryl Crow and Bonnie Raitt to the mix. KT has the gravelly thing going on in her voice that definitely takes on a BR sound quite a bit in fact. But unlike BR, KT tends to be a little poppier... BR a little more bluesy. Don't get me wrong, I don't think you would compare KT to Kelly Clarkson or that ilk...

I especially like the song Heal Over. Fantastic harmonies. I also really dig Stoppin the Love. It has this chunky guitar sound that reminds me of Sheryl Crow. I also like Black Horse and the Cherry Tree.

This is acoustic pop similar to Anna Nalick or Missy Higgins. I'm sure they'll all end up on a compilation CD of mine soon...


#10 Low The Great Destroyer



Slowcore is like doing ludes without the chemical...your mind just seems to shift speeds and cares drift away... - Red House Painters meets Ida (or Kings of Convenience). This is one of the more interesting CDs I found in 2005. The opening song, Monkey rawks! And the song Silver Rider is one of the best songs of the year. The song Broadway (So Many People) has harmonies like Simon & Garfunkel, but also touts a screaming guitar.

(continuted)

#11 Tab Benoit Fever for the Bayou



Best pure Blues CD of 2005. Tab has been my favorite blues player for a number of years now. I dig almost everything he's done. There was one of his CDs that was just a little too swampy for me, but the rest are what I dig about the blues. This is one of his best. It's still a little swampy and a little honky tonk.

One of my favorite lines on this CD is "The Blues don't burn they just smoke." And, "The Blues just come, they don't go."

If you like blues even a little check out this CD!


#12 Calla Collisions



Dandy Warhols meet the Cars meet Echo & the Bunnymen meet the Doves. It's atmospheric moody indie pop slow core. This CD may actually deserve to be in my top 10, but I didn't pick it up until the end of the year after I found it on a couple of other lists.

My favorite song is Play Dead, but Pulvarized and This Had Better Go As Planned are right there as well. Play Dead just has the Cars written all over it...


#13 Josh Rouse Nashville



Rouse's last CD, 1972, was considered a break out album for this pop genius. With Nashville, Rouse shows the world what he's capable of doing on a regular basis. Many people consider this CD his best, but I really dug the retro Steely Dan feel of 1972. Nashville is just great pop and if they are not playing it on the radio, it just goes to show you the state of American radio in the mell'00's...


#14 John Mayer TRY! (John Mayer Trio: John Mayer, Steve Jordan & Pino Palladino)



I can only hope that John Mayer's foray into the Blues will spark a trend that will see many other artists do the same. I love slow blues and wailing guitar solos that are soothing to the brain like dark chocolate and rain. (Okay, I wanted to say champagne, but I don't know if champagne is really soothing and back rubs didn't rhyme...) This is what John Mayer was born to do, play the blues. He is a player. And he's got a great voice. Come on Michael Gurley, please make this a trend! (MG is DADA's lead guitarist...for those of you who may not be aware...) JMT is a great little CD.


#15 Long-View Mercury



Coldplay comes to mind, but this CD is much heavier than Coldplay. It also has interesting lyrics. There are times when it sounds like a choir singing. Several songs on this disc rock me hard. However, this isn't a heavy band. The CD is called Mercury. Their website lists a bunch of stuff, but I think they are like singles and EPs.


#16 Over The Rhine Drunkard's Prayer



I recently learned that many of these songs were written during a tumultuous time in Linford and Karin's life. Now, I'm going to have to go listen to this like a dozen more times so that I can learn what they learned...


#17 Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Howl *



Changing labels was like being born again for BRMC. Howl is mostly acoustic, with supporting harmonica and almost spiritual tones in several songs. This is a major change from their previous CDs. Reportedly, people who like their previous persona don't like their new sound. I really dig it. The worst thing I can say about this CD is it's another one of those &*%^#$!@ copy protected discs that you should not play on a PC.


#18 Nickel Creek Why Should The Fire Die



New Grass as opposed to Blue Grass. This CD is almost alternative grass. Interesting songs, interesting melodies, interesting harmonies...if they just had a lead guitarist... It's going to be a fun ride watching these kids grow up!


#19 Low Millions



This is interesting pop. Did you guys buy Gus's Word Of Mouth Parade? The Low Millions CD has a feel kind of like that CD, only he varies the sound well and dips into Josh Rouse, Will Hoge, Luce and Howie Day.


#20 Athlete Tourist



I really dig this CD, but it gets a little repetitive after a while. It's over flowing with ballads and whispery vocals. If you like Coldplay, you'll probably like this CD.

(continued)

#21 Son, Ambulance Key - released: Oct 26, 2004



Indie Pop. Joe Knapp is the musical genius behind Son, Ambulance. Paper Snowflakes is a great song. The rest of the CD is very interesting. They shared their debut with Bright Eyes, but IMO, this is way better than anything I've heard from Bright Eyes. They have been compared to Radiohead and Death Cab for Cutie. I don't get that so much, but I'm not much of a Radiohead fan and DCfC is okay. The changing textures are great even though the whole CD is piano based. There's a lot of interesting voicings and music.


#22 Copeland In Motion



Everyone sites this band as sounding like Mae, but I think they sound exactly like Jars Of Clay. The song "Choose The One Who Loves You More" is probably being played to death on the radio? But since I don't listen to the radio, whenever it hits my rotation, my ears pick up. The one negative is that IMO this CD is over produced. There's still plenty of reasons to check this disc out.


#23 Leela James A Change Is Gonna Come



Leela doesn't just pay tribute to pioneers of soul in her song Music, she weaves her own groove that could have been written in 1975. But the record doesn't depend just on it's soulful merits alone. This lady can sing. Sometimes she reminds me of Aretha and other times Shemekia Copeland (who also released a new CD this year, but I haven't gotten around tuit yet...) Leela moves in and out of dance, gospel, hip hop, blues and funk as smoothly as Silk used to shoot the rock. If you like soul, this one's nothin' but net!

#24 Embrace Out Of Nothing Jun 14, 2005 US (2004 in the UK)



More ambient pop. Embrace's latest offering, Out Of Nothing, is now available in the US. They have something like 6 or 7 CDs. They're more reminiscent of Travis than Coldplay, but it's all good Brit pop...


#25 Kim Taylor So Black, So Bright



Kim opened for Over The Rhine on tour this year. Her style is kind of a forbidding folk. Not quite as dark as the Cowboy Junkies and froth with religious symbolism, but not necessarily positive symbolism. It's the kind of music that you wish the Library played instead of muzak... She's got a Fiona Apple quality to her voice, but IMO, the music is much better than Fiona's... (Speaking of Ms Apple, I just don't get why so many people are including her CD among the best of the year? It does hardly anything for me.) I can't wait until I drive to Chicago or Denver so I can listen to this CD like it's meant to be heard...in wide open spaces with no sharp objects in the near vicinity...



Honorable mentions:

Bruce Cockburn Speechless



Instrumental Acoustic Guitar done right! BC is my all time favorite artist so I decided to reprint this blurb from The Cockburn Project website:

So pronounced is Bruce Cockburn's reputation as a celebrated singer-songwriter that it's easy to overlook the fact that Cockburn is also an exceptional guitarist. Speechless should change all that. A collection of previously recorded and brand new instrumental tracks, the album puts the spotlight squarely on Cockburn's brilliant acoustic guitar playing. Despite its absence of words, Speechless is highly expressive. Ranging from some of his earliest numbers to three recent compositions, the album showcases the breadth of Cockburn's eclectic guitar style. There's a strong cinematic quality to much of the album, whether it's in pieces from the 1970s like the haunting "Islands in a Black Sky" and the cascading "Water into Wine," or else in 1990s instrumentals such as the emotional "When It's Gone It's Gone" and the ambient "Mistress of Storms."

The new instrumentals on Speechless include the meditative "Elegy," played on the dobro and the circular "The End Of All Rivers." On the latter, Cockburn makes use of an echo effect that allows him to harmonize with the melody as it progresses. Another piece came about when co-producer Colin Linden wanted more blues on the album and suggested a new version of "Mama Just Wants to Barrelhouse All Night Long." Cockburn wasn't so sure. But he remembered a piece that had its origins in a performance in New York's Central Park, where he'd played guitar with a reading that Pulitzer Prize winning author Robert Olen Butler gave called "Three Ways to Die in the '50s." That evolved into the bluesy "King Kong Goes to Tallahassee."

The title is partly a reference to Butler, who lives not far from Tallahassee in the Florida Panhandle, and to Ottawa poet Bill Hawkins, who was a mentor to Cockburn in the 1960s when he first started writing songs. Says Cockburn: "Bill wrote a series of poems that featured King Kong going to various places and always getting into trouble, so the title is also something of a tribute to him."

"Rise and Fall," is a piece that was previously only available on the Japanese edition of 1999's Breakfast in New Orleans, Dinner in Timbuktu.

~ from True North

I'm a completist so I had to purchase this CD anyway, but it's worth the price of admission just for the three new songs. However, having seen BC live just a few months ago in KC, The End Of All Rivers if phenomenal live!


Raul Midón State Of Mind



I could almost close my eyes and imagine that I was listening to George Benson until the harmonica kicked in and I thought to myself, self that sounds like a Stevie Wonder song. Raul is a masterful guitarist. Kind of in the style of Flamenco, but more jazzy. Impress your friends by buying this CD and showing them what good of taste you have!


Sufjan Stevens Illinois



Folkie Pop which way too many people are touting as brilliant, but what do I know? I have now purchased several Sufjan's CDs and I still can't tell you if I like the music or not. Illinois (or is it Come On Feel The Illinoise?) is just a little to hurdy-gurdy for my tastes. There are certainly high points on this CD and the storytelling is interesting and in depth. But after you've seen Big Fish, you've seen it.

You may say why did you include it on your top picks of the year and rightly so... I became intrigued with it when I ran across a regular priced copy in my favorite local CD store, CD Warehouse. I knew about the Superman controversy and there it was with the cartoon character prominently displayed. New copies now have the super hero removed. Not quite the flames on Lynyrd Skynyrd or the unauthorized use of peoples likenesses on Some Girls, but a collectible none-the-less. Maybe it was just too highly praised and just didn't grab me like that, I'm not sure? Anyway, it showed up on more lists than any other CD from this year according to Metacritic. So I placed it in my Honorable Mention section with a promise to give it more spins and maybe it will grow on me...


Blackfield Blackfield



More brilliance from Steven Wilson. If I could stop listening to Porcupine Tree, this CD would have received much more CD time... It sounds like Porcupine Tree. Personally, I would buy all the PT CD's before this CD, but I like to know the history and evolution of music.


Blue Merle Burning In The Sun



Counting Crows meets Coldplay with a mandolin accompaniment. 3/4 of this disc is really good. The rest of it is forgettable, but tolerable. When I first heard about this disc, someone told me it sounded like Chris Martin, but after careful investigation, I have concluded that Luke Reynolds cloned Adam Duritz's voice, but joined a Nashville band so it wouldn't be readily noticable.


Brandi Carlile



Raw and authentic indie pop. She's so sexy cute, she makes me feel like a dirty old man. There's an intensity in those big brown eyes that tell me she's going to conquer the world by storm. Watch out Lucinda, Brandi's self-titled CD not only has sex appeal and innocence, but also a voice that slips from a bluesy growl to an aching falsetto that reminds you of Patsy Cline without being emersed in country. Again, I didn't start listening to this CD until toward the end of the year so given time, it may replace a CD or two in my top 25.



CD's I found this year that are great IMHO

Rubyhorse - Goodbye To All That released: Jun 22, 2004

Trespassers William - Different Stars released: Sept 28, 2002 re-released: Feb 3, 2004

Ray Lamontagne - Trouble released: Sept 14, 2004

Brian Vander Ark - Resurrection released: May 2003 re-released: March 2004

Paul Thorn - Are You With Me? - released: Aug 10, 2004

Daughter Darling - Sweet Shadows - released: 2002

Stereophonics - You Gotta Go There To Come Back - released: Jun 2, 2003

The Jelly Jam - The Jelly Jam - released: March 19, 2002 (Germany)


* Copy Protected disc - do not play in a computer

** Outside of the October 1st deadline, but as of yet is not released in the US


Disappointments:

#1 Sony for resorting to hacker methods and putting copy protection on CDs that is harmful to your computer.

#2 Cardigans - Super Extra Gravity [import]

After Long Gone Before Daylight, it was going to be difficult to match the quality of that CD. But SEG is just a major disappointment that doesn't come close to it's predecessor. Maybe that's why it's not released in the US yet?

#3 Luce - Never Ending

Luce's self-titled 2001 disc was my favorite CD that year. Tom Luce is an excellent song writer and was supposedly working with X-Train member Chordy. The problem with this CD is that it's boring.

#4 Ben Taylor - Another Run Around The Sun

Bad softmore slump. Famous Among The Barns showed signs of the brillance his genealogy should produce. Songs like Island blew me away. This is just another boring CD.

#5 Turin Brakes - JackInABox

What happened to the brilliance of The Optimist LP? Again, just another boring CD.

#6 Cheryl Crow - Wildflower

Maybe the most boring CD of 2005. And I like Cheryl Crow!

#7 Tracy Chapman - Where You Live

Unimaginative and boring.