2005 is almost a wrap, so it's time for the ROTATION ROOM to hit you with our favorite albums of 2005. We're not judging "good" or "bad," we're judging what we like.
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25. Original Soundtrack - Walk The Line ... Relive the film of the year (in my opinion) with original singing by Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, Johnathan Rice, and more.
24. Picaresque - The Decemberists ... The wry-sounding Canadians were back at it again this year with another sharp album.
23. Veneer - Jose Gonzalez ... As mentioned on this site, Gonzalez is one of today's best up and coming songwriters.
22. HOWL - Black Rebel Motorcycle Club ... Representing a complete style change, BRMC has traded biker boots for cowboy boots on this alt-country flavored record. Good move.
21. Descended Like Vultures - Rogue Wave ... Follow-up to 2004's indie hit record, Out of The Shadow, Descended pushes the envelope past Shins-like comparisons. "10:1" is one of my favorite tracks of '05.
20. Over & Over - The 88 ... Major label debut for these suit-styled Californians. They have a sound that is equal parts Beach Boys and Wilco, and is worth the listen.
19. Amos Lee - Amos Lee ... File under "up and coming songwriters" as well. Lee blends soul-filled pianos and acoustic guitars to produce a sound that reminds me of Ben Harper and Norah Jones.
18. Illinois - Sufjan Stevens ... Let indie-king Stevens take you to the next stop on his 50 States tour. It's worth the trip.
17. The Cloud Room - The Cloud Room ... Fueled by lead single "Hey Now Now" this record from NYC's The Cloud Room is one of the tightest debuts I've heard since Interpol's Turn On The Bright Lights.
16. Life In Slow Motion - David Gray ... He's back at it again. Hearing Gray perform this album at Webster Hall this fall assured me this record would be outstanding, and that "Lately" is one of his best songs to date.
15. The Magic Numbers - The Magic Numbers ... What an original sound. This band makes me feel like I'm on the dusty Oregon Trail and the rolling green hills of Ireland at the same time. I can't explain why, but that's not important.
14. The Alternative To Love - Brendan Benson ... Detroit's lesser-known badass (behind Jack White and Ben Wallace) put together one of the year's most catchy albums, start to finish. "Cold Hands, Warm Heart" is the ultimate breakup song. Stay tuned for his '06 collab with Jack, under the band name The Reconteurs.
13. Late Registration - Kanye West ... The more I listen to this album, the more I believe The College Dropout was better, but then again that album is in my top 25 of ALL TIME. "Hey Mama" is one of West's most powerful songs.
12. Nashville - Josh Rouse ... The best album to date from one of my favorite artists. "Sad Eyes" has gotten a lot of love, but "Streetlights" may be the smoothest song on the record.
11. You Could Have It So Much Better - Franz Ferdinand ... The New Scottish Gentry is back with an even more layered and diverse dance party soundtrack than their self-titled debut. "Walk Away" sounds like The Smiths meeting Elvis Presley, and "You're The Reason I'm Leaving" is the high-octane alter-ego of Brendan Benson's "Cold Hands, Warm Heart."
10. Thunder, Lightning, Strike - The Go! Team ... This album is an absolute party waiting to happen, and "Ladyflash" is the best song of the year. Period.
09. Silent Alarm - Bloc Party ... The next band in the line of UK dance-rockers stayed in Franz's shadow for all of .01 seconds. "This Modern Love" is outstanding.
08. Get Lifted - John Legend ... This album dropped in late '04, but makes this year's chart. With the K.West stamp of production, Legend's debut launched him to immediate stardom, drawing comparisons to the likes of Al Green and Alicia Keys. "Ordinary People" is a beautiful song with worldly implications.
07. Get Behind Me Satan - The White Stripes ... Just when I thought Jack & Meg couldn't surprise me, they dropped "My Doorbell" and had me doing the Harlem Shake. "The Denial Twist" may be Jack's best lyrical effort to date.
06. Cold Roses - Ryan Adams & The Cardinals ... The Grateful Dead-influenced double-disc from the NC/NYC Americana/alt-country/folk/punk rock star represented a return to his country-rock roots, reenergized his fans, and even impressed some critics. "Magnolia Mountain" and "When Will You Come Back Home" highlight the first disc, while "Let It Ride" and "If I Am A Stranger" bring it home on the second.
05. Aha Shake Heartbreak - Kings of Leon ... If I were given two words to describe this record, they would be "beautifully filthy." An outstanding sophomore effort from the preacher's sons, Aha takes the band's sound past the Skynyrd comparisons and into their own world. "King Of The Rodeo" has more attitude than Gene Simmons' tongue, "Soft" is the ultimate tale of rock-star delusion, and bonus track "Where Nobody Knows" provides a snapshot of a dark place of heartbreak and pain.
04. Guero - Beck ... The fly white guy is back, and he brought some tricks. Guero, Beck's best effort since Odelay, was the album of the summer, thanks mostly to mega-hit "Girl," electro wonder "E-Pro," and my personal favorite, "Hell Yes."
03. Funeral - The Arcade Fire ... As U2 was preparing to take the stage at Madison Square Garden, the Arcade Fire's "Wake Up" exploded through the arena's speakers. If that isn't the ultimate compliment, I don't know what is. I wouldn't be surprised if this album shows up on everyone's Top 25 of the decade list.
02. Jacksonville City Nights - Ryan Adams & The Cardinals ... His second release of the year with fantastic new backing band, The Cardinals, this is Adams' best record since Heartbreaker. A country masterpiece of stories both fictional and personal, Adams described Jacksonville as a "punk version of a country record" for its one-take approach. His lyrics are heartfelt and dark, broaching topics of loneliness, pain, and death with the eloquence that few have ever expressed. "The End" is haunting, "A Kiss Before I Go" is ironically uplifting, and "My Heart Is Broken" is my favorite Adams song of all.
01. Naturally - Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings ... Sharon Jones is the queen of today's soul movement, and she's here to bring you the truth. Few albums of the past decade have conveyed such a vibrant spirit with such a harmonious balance of grace, fire, and attitude. Naturally will remind you that we live in a beautiful world of people with real struggle and true love. "Stranded In Your Love" will make you cry and "How Long Do I Have To Wait For You?" will make you dance. Most importantly, Sharon Jones will make you feel.
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Honorable Mention: Arular - M.I.A, I'm Wide Awake It's Morning - Bright Eyes, The Richard Swift Collection, Vol 1 - Richard Swift, Be - Common, Plans - Death Cab For Cutie
