Here are my picks for best music of the year, including samples of key tracks.
Richard Ashcroft – Keys to the World
The former lead singer of The Verve, Richard Ashcroft pulled from a variety of styles to make an outstanding CD. The Motown flavored “Music is Power,” the brit-pop “Break the Night with Colour” and the Paul Westerburg-like ballad “Sweet Brother Malcolm” are all excellent songs. The title track is another superb brit-pop song.
I’ve been listening to the new CD by Neko Case, Fox Confessor Brings The Flood over the past few weeks and it’s one of the best albums I’ve heard in quite a while. You could probably file her music under the alt-country genre (along with bands like Wilco, or even Graham Parsons). Ms. Case prefers the term “neo-country,” a label once used by a reviewer to describe her music. However, like other outstanding musicians, Neko Case’s sound does not easily fit into strict categories.
2005 is almost over which means it’s time for my best music of the year list.
Death Cab for Cutie – Plans
Uplifting lyrics with excellent musical arrangements that almost alternate between jangly, acoustic guitars and melodic piano. An example of the latter, the track “Different Names for the Same Thing” sounds like a John Lennon song, straight off of Imagine. This CD includes my favorite song of the year, “Soul Meets Body,” a beautiful love song whose chorus stays in my brain for days every time I hear it.
I do believe it’s true,
That there are roads left in both of our shoes.
If the silence takes you,
Then I hope it takes me too.So brown eyes I hold you near,
Cause you’re the only song I want to hear,
A melody softly soaring through my atmosphere.Where soul meets body…
Since it was released a few weeks ago, many critics have been raving about The New Pornographers latest release, Twin Cinema. With so many positive reviews, I felt an obligation to go out and buy the CD, which is exactly what I did.
When I first listened to it, I wasn’t so sure I agreed with all those reviewers. Maybe because the band’s style, which isn’t so easily categorized, has to aurally ripen for a while to be appreciated. As I played the disc more, it really began to grow on me. After owning Twin Cinema for a few weeks it’s now the CD I can’t stop listening to.
The end of the year means it’s time for me to list my favorite CDs from the past twelve months.
Air – Talkie Walkie
See my post from February 20.
The Dandy Warhols – Thirteen Tales from Urban Bohemia
Better late than never. This album was released four years ago and I don’t know where I was then, but I’m sure glad I found it this year. It’s easy to hear the band’s Brit-pop influences, but their sound is unique and edgy, painting musical pictures you want to hear over and over. My favorite musical discovery of the year.
About a month ago I went to see Sting and Annie Lennox in concert. Sting was pretty good, but Annie Lennox was excellent. Based on the performance of both artists, I thought Annie Lennox should have been the headlining act.
It’s funny how certain music can really fit the moment you are in. I had one of those experiences the other day, listening to a CD that was recommended to me by one of my favorite library patrons.
The Delays debut album, Faded Seaside Glamour is filled with excellent pop melodies and jangly guitars that sounded great to me while I was driving home on a beautiful summer evening. The music fit perfectly the movement of my truck, the warm breeze flowing through the windows and the gorgeous sunset I was driving towards.
