Top Ten Albums of 2005
I know we're a bit late, but galactic_jack requested people to do top tens for the movies of 2005, but I told him I hadn't seen enough to play fairly... but I could definitely do it for music. So, he told me to do that instead :)
So here ya go...
10. Fiona Apple: Extraordinary Machine
Was it worth the wait? Maybe. Maybe not. It's not as great as I thought it would be. I was exposed to the leaked version, and there was a certain individuality with that that's not on the mass-produced studio album. I do really like the improvement of "Please Please Please." And, "Better Version of Me" is still, hands-down, the best song on the album.
9. Michael Buble: It's Time
Even though he's not known to write any of his own songs, I really like his take on a lot of these classics. Probably more than the originals. However, nothing is going to stop me from loving "Home," which is the one song that he did write as an original.
8. Coldplay: X&Y
Lots of goodies. The stand-outs, without a doubt, are "Fix You" and "White Shadows." I don't "feel" this album as much as do the prior two, but it's still remains to be a solid piece of work.
7. Ben Folds: Songs for Silverman
Ben Folds is one of those male musicians that has done no wrong in my eyes. This album is just as excellent as his debut album with Ben Folds Five ten years ago. I totally melt with the song "Gracie," and "Time" is great cuz of the backing vocals of Weird Al.
6. John Mayer Trio: Try! (Live)
I didn't get this until Christmas, but hot damn! This is an excellent live album and a wonderful showcase of Mayer's talent as a guitarist. I'm going to so smack the next person who says he's a Dave Matthews knock-off because ultimately, Mayer is more talented and not as overrated as DM is...
5. Beck: Guero
Whoa. I borrowed this from Jay, and it felt like a pure fluke that I actually enjoyed this album from start to finish. I've always respected Beck as an artist, but now I finally get why. I love on the bonus (or limited) edition there's a song called "Clap Hands." It's so fun. I also totally dig "Black Tambourine."
4. Casey Stratton: DIVIDE (Limited Edition)
This is heaven in my ears. If I died tomorrow, I want Stratton's music to be what I hear. I feel such a spiritual awakening when I hear his stuff. I mean, don't get me wrong that he writes about important stuff like politics and love, but when I hear it... it's just a different experience. And, that just totally comes to life when you see/hear him live.
3. Madonna: Confessions on a Dance Floor
She knows her shit! There's a reason she's been around for 20+ years and making a solid dance album is one of them. Lord knows I don't go for that repetitive dance shit, but this one is actually pretty good. It's not her strongest lyrically, but that's not the point. The only one I can do without is "Isaac." But other goodies are "Future Lovers," "Get Together," and "Like It or Not." Who would've thought that for at least this year, she'd rank higher than my other classic faves, Ani and Tori.
2. Moby: Hotel
Yay! A whole album without sampling. I love this one. Can't stop lovin' it. And, his female vocal, Laura Dawn, is pretty damn incredible. My fave songs are "Where You End," "Spiders," and "Very."
1. Imogen Heap: Speak for Yourself
Like, okay. If you've been reading me at all this past year, this shouldn't come as any surprise. I can't stop listening to this album. It's eargasmic, over and over. She's definitely stolen the light from Tori and Ani this year. This is a flawless album--an excellent follow-up to her Frou Frou collaboration. If you've not heard of her or heard of her stuff, please do give her a serious listen! :)
Honorable Mentions; I enjoyed these, but they don't quite make the cut:
Ani Difranco: Knuckle Down
Nickel Creek: Why Should the Fire Die?
Dar Williams: My Better Self
Tori Amos: The Beekeeper
OK Go: Oh No
So there you go. Feel free to discuss or disagree, or even do your own top ten! :)
So here ya go...
10. Fiona Apple: Extraordinary Machine
Was it worth the wait? Maybe. Maybe not. It's not as great as I thought it would be. I was exposed to the leaked version, and there was a certain individuality with that that's not on the mass-produced studio album. I do really like the improvement of "Please Please Please." And, "Better Version of Me" is still, hands-down, the best song on the album.
9. Michael Buble: It's Time
Even though he's not known to write any of his own songs, I really like his take on a lot of these classics. Probably more than the originals. However, nothing is going to stop me from loving "Home," which is the one song that he did write as an original.
8. Coldplay: X&Y
Lots of goodies. The stand-outs, without a doubt, are "Fix You" and "White Shadows." I don't "feel" this album as much as do the prior two, but it's still remains to be a solid piece of work.
7. Ben Folds: Songs for Silverman
Ben Folds is one of those male musicians that has done no wrong in my eyes. This album is just as excellent as his debut album with Ben Folds Five ten years ago. I totally melt with the song "Gracie," and "Time" is great cuz of the backing vocals of Weird Al.
6. John Mayer Trio: Try! (Live)
I didn't get this until Christmas, but hot damn! This is an excellent live album and a wonderful showcase of Mayer's talent as a guitarist. I'm going to so smack the next person who says he's a Dave Matthews knock-off because ultimately, Mayer is more talented and not as overrated as DM is...
5. Beck: Guero
Whoa. I borrowed this from Jay, and it felt like a pure fluke that I actually enjoyed this album from start to finish. I've always respected Beck as an artist, but now I finally get why. I love on the bonus (or limited) edition there's a song called "Clap Hands." It's so fun. I also totally dig "Black Tambourine."
4. Casey Stratton: DIVIDE (Limited Edition)
This is heaven in my ears. If I died tomorrow, I want Stratton's music to be what I hear. I feel such a spiritual awakening when I hear his stuff. I mean, don't get me wrong that he writes about important stuff like politics and love, but when I hear it... it's just a different experience. And, that just totally comes to life when you see/hear him live.
3. Madonna: Confessions on a Dance Floor
She knows her shit! There's a reason she's been around for 20+ years and making a solid dance album is one of them. Lord knows I don't go for that repetitive dance shit, but this one is actually pretty good. It's not her strongest lyrically, but that's not the point. The only one I can do without is "Isaac." But other goodies are "Future Lovers," "Get Together," and "Like It or Not." Who would've thought that for at least this year, she'd rank higher than my other classic faves, Ani and Tori.
2. Moby: Hotel
Yay! A whole album without sampling. I love this one. Can't stop lovin' it. And, his female vocal, Laura Dawn, is pretty damn incredible. My fave songs are "Where You End," "Spiders," and "Very."
1. Imogen Heap: Speak for Yourself
Like, okay. If you've been reading me at all this past year, this shouldn't come as any surprise. I can't stop listening to this album. It's eargasmic, over and over. She's definitely stolen the light from Tori and Ani this year. This is a flawless album--an excellent follow-up to her Frou Frou collaboration. If you've not heard of her or heard of her stuff, please do give her a serious listen! :)
Honorable Mentions; I enjoyed these, but they don't quite make the cut:
Ani Difranco: Knuckle Down
Nickel Creek: Why Should the Fire Die?
Dar Williams: My Better Self
Tori Amos: The Beekeeper
OK Go: Oh No
So there you go. Feel free to discuss or disagree, or even do your own top ten! :)