Here's my list, in alphabetical order, as I'm still contemplating which numbers to apply:
Beck, The Information
Rolling Stone called this CD Beck’s best and it doesn’t take more than one listen to know why. Employing blues, soul, hip-hop, pop, funk, spiced with a few samplings of electronica, Beck throws out his rhythmic poetics 's among cleverly engineered sounds, beats, and delightfully crowded melodies. Evocative. Substantive. Poetic. His utterly hipnotic song "Nausea" is one of the year’s best.
Citizen Cope, The Clarence Greenwood Recordings (2004)
I’m including this CD because I was introduced to Citizen Cope last year so it was the first time I heard it. HIs fascinating mixture of folk, soul, blues, hip hop, and rock make this a truly remarkable CD. Amazing voice. Timeless and poetic lyrics. Classic.
Corrine Bailey Raye, Corrine Bailey Raye
Raye has one of those soft, soulful voices that echoes to a quieter, gentler time when there just seemed to be more innocence in the world. Raye delivers one of the most lyrical, beautiful CD’s of the year. She was nominated for her delightful summer-like song "Put Your Records On" but it is her first hit "Like a Star" that literally shines! I’ll never forget it.
Dixie Chicks, Taking the Long Way Home
Taking The Long Way highlights the trio’s acclaimed harmony throughout the CD, but especially on songs such as the beautiful "Lullaby," "Easy Silence" which speaks at the state of the world, "Silent House," and "Baby Hold On." But Maine’s vocals on many songs (especially "Baby Hold On") exhibit an emotion that is so vivid and on the surface that it is absolutely exemplary–there is an immediacy to it that is utterly convincing and striking to the heartstrings. Solid. Timeless. Simply delightful.
Gnarls Barkley, St. Elsewhere
Gnarls Barkley heavy 70's style soul-rock and funk is captivating and fresh. His song "Crazy" is one of the year’s best, lyrically and vocally. Besides Cee-Lo’s exceptional and highly-listenable vocals, St. Elsewhere is chuck full of delicious sounds, psychedelic beats, and poetic lyrics – "Transformer," "Go-go Gadget Gospel," "The Boogie Monster," "St. Elsewhere," "Necromancer," and "Storm Coming," especially.
IL DIVO, Ancora
IL DIVO’s second CD is solid, a highly impressive compilation of covers (translated into Italian or Spanish) and original songs that raise their repertoire to include classical as well as extremely enjoyable pop songs. On a personal note, one of my favorite songs on the album is Joaquín Rodrigo’s hauntingly beautiful song "En Aranjuez Con Tu Amor." IL DIVO nails it! Another timeless collection of pop-opera!
Justin Timberlake, FutureSex/LoveSound
In 1987, George Michael brought "sex" to the forefront in pop music and it has taken twenty years for the sexy to come back, with as much charismatic, testosterone-flying, feet stomping impact. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Justin Timberlake and his excellent sophomore CD FutureSex/LoveSound, produced by my choice for producer of the year, Timbaland. Timberlake evokes the sound of old-time Prince and Jackson and literally comes into his own as an up-and-coming contender for pop king.
Two of my favorite songs of the year come from this CD: "Sexyback" & "My Love"
Nelly Furtado, Loose
Timbaland literally resurrects Nelly Furtado’s music career with the hip and sultry "Promiscuous." Furtado’s rich international sound, style, and beat gets a face-lift with Timbaland’s production and engineering.
Two of my favorite songs of the year come from this CD: Promiscuous & "Say It Right."
Madonna, Confessons on the Dance Floor
Madonna comes away with yet another Grammy this year for her highly-enjoyable Confessions on the Dance Floor.
Thom Yorke, The Eraser
Possibly my most favorite song and video of the year, "Harrowdown Hill," is about the place where the body of Dr David Kelly was found in 2003. Dr Kelly, as you may recall, was part of the IEAE team who went to Iraq to seek evidence regarding Saddam Hussein's possession of Weapons of Mass Destruction. He was found dead after he returned to Britain to raise concerns regarding the build-up for an invasion without substantial evidence. In the style of RadioHead, which Yorke is frontman for, Yorke’s unsettling, emotional vocal style and poignant lyrics lend the perfect vehicle for such a tragic event.
Yorke’s equally poetic lyrics and electronic rhythms all create this aura of complete pathos that one thinks is about him until your hypnotically involved and suddenly you are walking right along with him in his introspective ruminations. Nominated for Grammy: Best Alternative Music Album.
Honorable Mentions:
Sarah McLachlan, Wintersong
McLachlan’s Christmas collection is simply beautiful. As always, fortifying her angelic voice are poignant and meaningful original songs, non-traditional covers, and traditional covers that bring all the warmth and goodwill familiar to Christmas burning in your heart! An instant holiday classic!
Happy Feet Soundtrack, featuring groovy, get-up-off-your-ass-and dance songs from Prince, Pink, Britney Murphy, Chrissy Hynde, Nicole Kidman, Robin Williams, Hugh Jackman, and Patti Labelle.
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