During the time that 500 Words was on hiatus, 2005 ended and 2006 started. Lost in the transition was my annual list of my favorite CDs of the year.
I wouldn't bring this up; however the unwashed masses have bitched and moaned requested that I post my annual look back at the year that was.
1. The Magic Numbers, The Magic Numbers.
They certainly aren't pretty, but their music certainly is. Their modern take on classic melodies from 1960s British pop hits resulted in a disc that was nothing short of a revelation. And they hit the No. 1 spot despite standing me up for interviews twice.
2. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah.
The No. 2 spot on this year's list goes to another band who released its self-titled debut this year. If you don't know about this New York City band, then you're not one of the 50,000 people who brought their disc before it even had any label distribution.
3. If You Didn't Laugh, You'd Cry, Marah.
It seems that this Philadelphia-based band manage to find its way to the top of this list every year. The real question is not how they manage to repeat this feat year-after-year, but rather, why are they not one of the biggest bands on the planet?
4. Q-Unit Greatest Hits, Queen and 50 Cent.
There were several underground mash-up discs that made a significant impact this year -- Dean Gray's American Edit is another example -- but none was better than this remarkable combination of Queen and 50 Cent, which worked so well, it was frightening.
5. Cru, Seu Jorge.
Those of you who saw The Life Aquatic might remember Seu Jorge as the member of the crew who sang David Bowie songs in Portuguese. Turns out, he's a hell of a musician and Cru proves that.
6. LCD Soundsystem, LCD Soundsystem.
The best dance disc of the year comes straight out of Gotham. Truth be told, James Murphy is a genius and that's all you really need to know before you go out and buy this disc.
7. Amusement Parks on Fire, Amusement Parks on Fire.
Had you asked me in late May, I would have insisted that this would be the best disc of 2005, which is an indication of how solid a year this was in the music world. This album is a throwback to the 1990s; noisy, and slightly unsettling early on, it builds to a magnificent cresencdo.
8. Dimanche a Bamako, Amadou & Mariam.
Amadou & Mariam are a pair of blind Senegalese singers whose Afro-rock songs are catchy and never too complex to transcend language differences. The combination of African percussion with sweet guitars is nothing short of magical.
9. Back to Bedlam, James Blunt.
Back in August, I missed the opportunity to see him in a small New York City showcase. I'd already heard his wonderful album and was disappointed that traffic conspired against me. That's the only negative thing I can say in relation to James Blunt, who proved to be one of my favorite interview subjects of the year as well.
10. Thunder, Lightning, Strike, The Go! Team.
How does one describe this disc? Think Saturday morning cartoon on acid. Think cheerleaders on crack. Think dance and pop and rock and funk and did I mention the guitars? Don't try to characterize this disc. Just enjoy it.
As for the rest of the top 50, here they are without comment, though I will be glad to explain my decisions on specific discs if asked to in the comments.
11. Cold Roses and Jacksonville City Nights, Ryan Adams.
12. The Weight is a Gift, Nada Surf.
13. Arular, M.I.A.
14. Gone Again, Chris Trapper featuring the Wolverine Jazz Band.
15. Live at Stubbs', Matisyahu.
16. The Further Adventures of Lord Quas, Madlib & Quasimoto.
17. Demon Days, Gorillaz.
18. The Mouse and the Mask, Danger Doom.
19. Howl, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.
20. Going Somewhere (Extended Version), Colin Hay.
21. Silent Alarm and Silent Alarm (Remixed), Bloc Party.
22. Man-Made, Teenage Fanclub.
23. Spamalot, Original Broadway Cast Recording.
24. Be, Common.
25. Waiting for the Sirens' Call, New Order.
26. Make Do With What You Got, Solomon Burke.
27. A Drawing of a Memory of a Photograph of You, Space Mtn.
28. Intensive Care, Robbie Williams.
29. The Craft, Blackalicious.
30. Everybody Dies, Dramarama.
31. I'm Wide Awake It's Morning, Bright Eyes.
32. Kasabian, Kasabian.
33. I've Got My Own Hell to Raise, Bettye Lavette.
34. Strange and Beautiful, Aqualung.
35. Extraordinary Machine, Fiona Apple.
36. Hurry Home Early: The Songs of Warren Zevon, Various Artists.
37. Employment, Kaiser Chiefs.
38. Hurricane Bar, Mando Diao.
39. One Way Ticket To Hell... And Back, The Darkness.
40. The Best Little Secrets Are Kept, Louis XIV.
41. Strangers, Ed Harcourt.
42. East Village Opera Company , East Village Opera Company.
43. The Cosmic Game, Thievery Corporation.
44. Twin Cinema, The New Pornographers.
45. Roller, Tvfordogs.
46. Devils & Dust, Bruce Springsteen.
47. Cutting Room Rug, Arms of Kismet.
48. Fingers Crossed, Architecture in Helsinki.
49. Lost Horizon, Friends of Dean Martinez.
50. Takk, Sigur Ros.
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