More Reasons Why Being Deaf Sucks/Rocks

The end is nigh, the end of the year that is. Thus we at InsidePulse Music have devoted our columns this week to a “Best of 2005” theme. I’ve always found that these lists tend to provide a real glimpse into the true musical taste of the writer. Accordingly, I’m all over the map. Some of these albums you probably would have suspected that I enjoyed while others may catch you off guard. Who knows?

I managed to cull my list to 10 albums that affected not only my ears, but occasionally my heart, mind and soul. Thus I present to you The Best of the Best: 2005 Edition (in alphabetical order as usual.)


Ryan Adams & The CardinalsCold Roses

It was really only a matter of time before the prolific Adams released a double album. This was his first release of the year (two more followed) and it was by far my favorite. For the better part of the year this was the album that stayed in rotation. I really fell in love with this album.

It’s very much a “down home” album full of lovelorn tales and the occasional twang. But it’s also a pretty pure album and it doesn’t feel overly long as many double albums do. It’s a very heartfelt album, which is why I connected with it so much. I really do love this album.

Choice Cuts: Meadowlake Street, Let It Ride, If I Am a Stranger, Mockingbird


Fiona AppleExtraordinary Machine

Rarely are “long delayed” albums worth the wait. Extraordinary Machine was “supposed” to be released last year. A rough cut was leaked on the net earlier this year, with the official version released later. I have them both, and I’m really favoring the official version.

The finished songs sound so much better with Apple filling the lyrics with raw emotion. Her rich voice varies from fierce to vulnerable, from enraged to demure. Having ?uestlove drumming on your album is never a bad thing and the reworked songs do sound fuller and more vibrant. Extraordinary Machine rewards Apple’s fans for their support by being worth the wait and silencing her critics.

Choice Cuts: O’ Sailor, Please Please Please, Parting Gift


BeckGuero

Even though he’s a Scientologist, I dig Beck. But Beck’s as predictable as the lottery; you never know what you’re going to get. Fortunately Beck decided to hook back up with the Dust Brothers, who produced his 1994 debut. While the magic isn’t reproduced, the product does exceed expectations.

Beck has grown decidedly more somber with age and occasionally the lyrics can be real downers. But other times, like when Beck’s remembering what it was like being white in a Latino neighborhood (hence the album’s title) it’s pretty amusing. This album was the soundtrack to my summer.

Choice Cuts: Missing, Earthquake Weather, Hell Yes


Bloc PartySilent Alarm

I despise hype. I really didn’t want to like Bloc Party. MTV loved them. Zia Zine featured them on the cover. I tried my best to avoid them. But I happened to catch them on Conan and Banquet just proved too irresistible. I dug the song. I wanted more. Plus, I really wanted to support a Black dude doing the “rock” thing.

I was surprised how melodic the songs were. I love the swing in moods throughout the album and how you can actually feel the emotion infused in every track. . This is an album that sounds like it was constructed organically without the need to create a “single.” I dig the menacing bass lines and the killer guitar riffs. This album was a surprise, but of the best kind.

Choice Cuts: Like Eating Glass, Blue Light, Positive Tension


CommonBe

This is an album that I’ve been waiting for, for years. I loved Common’s second album (Resurrection) and to me everything after, while mostly solid, failed to match his high mark. Before it was released this album was hailed as a classic. I was certain that it was impossible for this album to live up to the hype and my expectations. Yet it did.

Over beats by Kanye West and J-Dilla, Common sounds refreshed and better than ever. And even though West produces the bulk of the album, his influence is more subtle than oppressive. The album’s only flaw is that it’s too brief, when it’s over you long for more. But I suppose that you feel that way after listening to any masterpiece. Album of the Year

Choice Cuts:Be, Faithful, GO!


Little BrotherThe Minstrel Show

I love Little Brother. I love that they’re trying to create as opposed to capitalize. I love concept albums. I love that they have a wicked sense of humor. I love that they’re more talented than 95% of Hip Hop’s other “artists.” But I hate that this album isn’t moving units.

The Minstrel Show is one of the best Hip Hop albums in the past five years, much less this year. Pooh, Phonte and 9th Wonder have an album that could be the beginning of a movement. This is a certified great album that doubles as satirical look at Black music and culture in general. Little Brother is the both the heir apparent to early De La Soul (because this album is hilarious) and a contemporary of the current De La Soul (The Minstrel Show is very much a companion to De La’s release last year The Grind Date.) I really believe that if enough people listened to this album it could change the world.

Choice Cuts: The Becoming, We Got Now, Still Lives Through


Queens of the Stone AgeLullabies to Paralyze

As much as lineup changes suck, they are a forgone conclusion in the world of Rock & Roll. Along with changes in lineup the quality generally decreases. Thus, I was worried about the absence of Nick Oliveri on this disc.

Upon listening to the disc I found my fears allayed. While it’s not quite as strong as previous QOTSA albums, its still a good album, a fact all the more remarkable by Oliveri’s absence. The songs are palatable yet threatening. The mood is dark and the attitude remains the same.

Choice Cuts: Skin on Skin, Burn the Witch, Broken Box


Sufjan StevensIllinois

I’m not even going to pretend that I was up on this album all year long. I’ll be brutally honest; I bought this album the Tuesday before Christmas. My best friend told me that I should give it a shot. I put it in, pressed “play”, and was slayed. This album hasn’t left my player in over a week. It’s become my “go to” album.

I’m a sucker for a concept album. I’m also a sucker for singer/songwriters. This album was made for my ears. It’s got a grand sweeping epic feel, yet it’s also inviting. Stevens’ voice is mesmerizing and his lyrics are as catchy as they are perplexing. He’s got a knack for crafting characters and creating situations that seem all too real. Stevens has made a fan for life, I can’t wait for the next state. Good lookin’ out Jay!

Choice Cuts: Come On! Feel the Illinoise!, Decatur, Chicago


Kanye WestLate Registration

This album was everything I hoped that it would be; undeniably great and superior to his debut in every regard. Kanye had people wishing failure on him because he was viewed as arrogant and I really wanted him to prove them wrong. Thankfully he did just that. Late Registration sounds great on headphones, a booming system or from a passing car.

Kanye takes bold risks (Game only on the hook? Common has a solo cut?) and makes them seem like logical decisions. Kanye revisits the topics of family, the effects of success and race, but he avoids preaching by admitting his own transgressions. Jon Brion deserves loads of credit for this disc’s unique sound (it sounds like what someone thinks that Hip Hop would sound like in 2008, technically the future, but still pretty much the present). But clearly Kanye’s greatest accomplishment is making Paul Wall tolerable.

Choice Cuts: Touch The Sky, Late, Crack Music


The White StripesGet Behind Me Satan

I’ll admit it; I was iffy about this album. Blue Orchid didn’t really set my interest aflame, which is odd because I usually love White Stripes singles. Still I decided to give the album a shot and I wasn’t disappointed.

What’s nutty is how “experimental” this album is even for an album by Jack White. Jack’s piano playing is as present as his guitar playing. And many times the guitar appears as jarring stabs throughout the song. Still the album maintains an even keel even if Jack never gets lucky with the ladies.

Choice Cuts: The Nurse, White Moon, Instinct Blues

And there you have it. Those were the albums that were released in 2005 that really moved me. Is there something that you thought should have made my Top 10 but didn’t? Is there an album that you can’t believe did make my Top 10? Drop me a line and let me know.

Next week I’ll probably round out my Top 20. Probably.

Perfectly Comfortable

KDP has EP news

It’s that time of year again; Best of the Bootleg.

Gloomchen and I agree about some albums and disagree about others. Check out her year-end wrap up.

Shawn has news items about Howie Day and Gwen Stefani and one involves slapping!

Tom runs down his Top 10 which features a couple of surprises.

Weirdly New

Phil runs down the disappointments, his wishes for 2006 and remembers those who passed on.

Ian has good Radiohead news, bad Feist news (no Vegas dates?) and he also showcases his usual wit.

Five Albums That Got Crazy Burn in 2005, But Were Released Prior to 2005

1. The Zutons – Who Killed …The Zutons
2. Tegan and Sara – So Jealous
3. Chocolate Genius – Black Music
4. Soundtrack – Music From the Motion Picture “Ocean’s Twelve”
5. Soundtrack – The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou