2005 Music Journals

[Josh]

I doubt any of us will have much use for this thread for at least a few weeks, but I figured we should go ahead and sticky it so that it will be here when we need it.  

You all know the drill by now... in this thread, you can keep track of all the 2005 music releases you hear, and feel free to include ratings, summaries, links to reviews you've written, tenative top 10 lists, etc. Whatever tickles your fancy.

[dgp11776]

Top 25
1.  Sufjan Stevens - Sufjan Stevens Invites You To Come On! Feel the Illinoise!  A+
2.  Mars ILL - Backwaterprophets  A
3.  Listener & EQ - Ozark Empire  A
4.  Over the Rhine - Drunkard's Prayer  A
5.  4th Avenue Jones - Stereo:  The Evolution of Hiprocksoul  A
6.  Deepspace 5 - Unique, Just Like Everyone Else  A
7.  Mae - The Everglow  A
8.  Harry Connick, Jr. - Occasion  A
9.  L.A. Symphony - Disappear Here  A-
10.  MercyMe - The Christmas Sessions  A-
11.  Starflyer 59 - Talking Voice Vs. Singing Voice  A-
12.  New Pornographers - Twin Cinema  A-
13.  Listener & Dust - Just In Time For Christmas EP  A-
13.  House of Heroes - House of Heroes  A-
14.  Jack Johnson - In Between Dreams  A-
15.  Franz Ferdinand - You Could Have it So Much Better  A-
16.  Andrew Bird - The Mysterious Production of Eggs  A-
17.  Bart Millard - Hymned No. 1  A-
18.  Matt Redman - Blessed Be Your Name:  The Songs of Matt Redman, Vol. 1  A-
19.  Anberlin - Never Take Friendship Personal  B+
20.  Delirious? - The Mission Bell  B+
21.  Eisley - Room Noises  B+
22.  Adelaide - Overtired and Ill-Prepared  B+
23.  The Ragbirds - Yes Nearby  B+
24.  David Crowder Band - A Collision  B+
25.  Bethany Dillon - Imagination  B+

The Rest
Coldplay - X&Y  B+
Switchfoot - Nothing Is Sound  B+
The Decemberists - Picaresque B+
Jars Of Clay - Redemption Songs  B+
Michael Buble - It's Time  B+
Herbie Hancock - Possibilities  B+
Point of Grace - Winter Wonderland  B+
Shaun Groves - White Flag  B+
Diana Krall - Christmas Songs  B+
James Blunt - Back to Bedlam  B+
John Davis - John Davis B+
Tony DeSare - Want You  B+
Gorillaz - Demon Days  B+
The Pernice Brothers - Discover A Lovelier You  B+
Sleater-Kinney - The Woods  B+
Half-Handed Cloud - Thy Is A Word and Feet Need Lamps  B+
The Evan Anthem - Sens  B
Steven Curtis Chapman - All I Really Want For Christmas  B
M.I.A. - Arular  B
Brian Wilson - What I Really Want For Christmas  B
Lizz Wright - Dreaming Wide Awake  B
Sigur Ros - Takk  B
Telecast - Eternity Is Now  B
Nickel Creek - Why Should the Fire Die?  B
Relient K - Apathetic EP  B
Embrace - Out of Nothing B
The Myriad - You Can't Trust A Ladder  B
Newsong - Rescue: Live Worship  B
Natalie Grant - Awaken  B
Kirk Franklin - Hero  B
Sleeping At Last - Ghosts of Christmas Past EP  B-
Tobymac - Renovating Diverse City  B-
Amici Forever - Defined  B-
Various - WOW Christmas Green  B-
Josh Kelley - Almost Honest  B-
Ed Harcourt - Strangers  B-
Various - Happy Christmas 4  B-
DJ Maj - BoogiRoot  B-
The White Stripes - Get Behind Me Satan  B-
Sexsmith & Kerr - Destination Unknown  B-
Paul Colman - Let It Go  B-
Matthew West - History  B-
Casting Crowns - Lifesong  B-
The Fiery Furnaces - EP  B-
Jason Mraz - Mr. A-Z  B-
Third Day - Wherever You Are  C+
Audio Adrenaline - Until My Heart Caves In  C+
Paul Wright - Sunrise To Sunset  C+
Hot Hot Heat - Elevator  C+
Jaci Velasquez - Beauty Has Grace  C+
The Mars Volta - Frances the Mute  C+
Blindside - The Great Depression  C+
Copeland - In Motion  C+
The Afters - I Wish We All Could Win  C+
Joy Williams - Genesis  C+
Oasis - Don't Believe the Truth  C
Zoegirl - Room to Breathe  C
Aimee Mann - The Forgotten Arm  C
The Bravery - The Bravery  C
Jeff Deyo - Surrender  C-
pushmode - pushmode  C-
Stellastarr* - Harmonies For the Haunted  D+
Kutless - Strong Tower  D

Digesting
BB King & Friends - 80
Brian Setzer - Dig That Crazy Christmas
Jamie Cullum - Catching Tales
Jane Monheit - The Season
The Listening - Rock N Roll Worship Circus Becomes 'The Listening'
Lonestar - Coming Home
Monday Morning - Fool's Paradise
Paul McCartney - Chaos and Creation in the Backyard

Awaiting/Want To Hear
Emery - The Question
Falling Up - Dawn Escapes
Kevin Max - The Imposter
Kevin Max - Holy Night
Tree63 - Worship Volume 1:  I Stand For You

Coming in 2006
The Bros. Martin
Caedmon's Call - In The Company of Angels - The World Will Sing
David Crowder Band - Collision B
downhere
Family Force 5 - Business Up Front, Party In The Back
Flaming Lips - At War With the Mystics
4HIM - Encore:  For Future Generations
Gaither Vocal Band - Give It Away
GRITS - 7
Kutless - Hearts of the Innocent
Listener - Not Waving, Drowning
Luna Halo - Crush and Burn
MercyMe - Coming Up to Breathe
MuteMath
Plumb - Chaotic Resolve
P.O.D. - Testify
Radiohead
Sanctus Real
Sarah Kelly - At About Midnight
The Shins
Sleeping At Last

Last Update:  12/28/05

[Josh]

[murlough23]

The Best of 2005:
1. Sufjan Stevens - Come On! Feel the Illinoise! A+
2. Eisley - Room Noises A-
3. Mae - The Everglow A-
4. Nickel Creek - Why Should the Fire Die? A-
5. Jars of Clay - Redemption Songs B+
6. Dream Theater - Octavarium B+
7. Switchfoot - Nothing Is Sound B+
8. Anberlin - Never Take Friendship Personal B+
9. David Crowder Band - A Collision B+
10. Thrice - Vheissu B+
11. The New Pornographers - Twin Cinema B+
12. Sigur Rós - Takk... B+
13. Olivia the Band - Olivia the Band B+
14. Mew - And the Glass Handed Kites B+
15. Copeland - In Motion B
16. John Reuben - The Boy Vs. the Cynic B
17. Over the Rhine - Drunkard's Prayer B
18. Elbow - Leaders of the Free World B
19. The Myriad - You Can't Trust a Ladder B
20. Kevin Max - The Imposter B-

Honorable Mention:
21. Falling Up - Dawn Escapes B-
22. Delirious? - The Mission Bell B-
23. Coldplay - X&Y B-
24. Andrew Bird - The Mysterious Production of Eggs B-
25. Dean Gray - American Edit B-
26. Shaun Groves - White Flag B-
27. The Fiery Furnaces - EP B- *
28. Superchic[k] - Beauty from Pain B-
29. Various Artists - Ultimate Music Makeover: The Songs of Michael W. Smith [bB-[/b]
30. Jack Johnson - In Between Dreams B-

The Rest:
Sara Groves - Station Wagon B-
Ken Oak Band - Symposium B-
Jason Mraz - Mr. A-Z B-
House of Heroes - House of Heroes B-
Phil Joel - The Deliberate People B-
Rob Thomas - Something to Be C+
Joy Williams - Genesis C+
Nichole Nordeman - Brave C+
Alanis Morissette - Jagged Little Pill Acoustic C+
Fort Minor - The Rising Tied C+
Rebecca St. James - If I Had One Chance to Tell You Something C+
Third Day - Wherever You Are C+
John Mayer Trio - Try! C+
Thousand Foot Krutch - The Art of Breaking C+
Matt Redman - Blessed Be Your Name: The Songs of Matt Redman C+
Chris Rice - Amusing C+
4th Avenue Jones - Stereo: The Evolution of HipRockSoul C+
Andrew Peterson - The Far Country C+
Blindside - The Great Depression C+
Corrinne May - Safe in a Crazy World C+
The Juliana Theory - Deadbeat Sweetheartbeat C
Derek Webb - Mockingbird C
Bethany Dillon - Imagination C
Sara Groves - Add to the Beauty C
M.I.A. - Arular C
Passion Worship Band - How Great Is Our God C
ZOEgirl - Room to Breathe C
Various Artists - Happy Christmas, Vol. 4 C
Vic Chesnutt - Ghetto Bells C

Dishonorable Mention:
13. Various Artists - Music Inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia C-
12. Lifehouse - Lifehouse D+
11. Jaci Velasquez - Beauty Has Grace D+
10. Dave Matthews Band - Stand Up D+
9. Casting Crowns - Lifesong D+
8. Krystal Meyers - Krystal Meyers D
7. Audio Adrenaline - Until My Heart Caves In D
6. Various Artists - Come Let Us Adore Him: A Christmas Worship Experience D
5. Various Artists - Second Chance Soundtrack D
4. Scott Stapp - The Great Divide F
3. Josh Bates - Perfect Day F
2. Kutless - Strong Tower F-
1. FFH - Voice from Home F-

EP's and Such:
Iron & Wine - Woman King EP B+
Iron & Wine/Calexico - In the Reins EP B
David Crowder Band - Sunsets & Sushi: Experiments in Spectral Deconstruction B-
Relient K - Apathetic EP B-
Justis Kao - Acoustically Me EP B-

* NOTE: I usually consider EP's to be ineligible for my best album lists, simply because they're not full albums. The Fiery Furnaces' EP, however, is as long as some full albums, so I feel OK ranking it as an album. (Plus it just coheres a lot better than I'd expect the songs on an EP to, especially the opening song trilogy.)

Just Don't Get It, So I Can't Rate It:
The Decemberists - Picaresque
Fiona Apple - Extraordinary Machine

Looking Back:
2004 Music Journal
2003 Music Journal
1991-2002 Music Journals

(Last Update: 4/28/10)

[danny316]

11/25
Sam Ashworth - Gonna Get It Wrong Before I Get It Right ****
Low - The Great Destroyer ****
Over the Rhine - Drunkard's Prayer ***1/2
Switchfoot - Nothing Is Sound ***
Coldplay - X and Y ***
Jars of Clay - Redemption Songs ***
W0rmSiGn - Big In Japan ***
Lifehouse - Lifehouse **

Digesting:
Headphones - Headphones
Hammock - Kenotic
Rocco DeLuca - I Trust You To Kill Me

Music is dead.  

[bdg13disciple]

here's a quick rundown, though most of them are still in the early thoughts stage i have some opinions formed.

The Jury is In:

Mars Ill - Pro*Pain (early front-runner as 2005's best release - it will take a lot to dethrone it) - Morning Walk TRu -  A
John Davis - John Davis (amazing, think Sufjan Stevens and Brian Wilson) Review - A
Scott Krippayne - Gentle Revolution (very solid) - Review - A/A-
Shai Linne - The Solus Christus Project (surprisingly solid production and nice delivery) - review - A-

Eisley - Room Noises (Jump Sixpence, really nice sense of melody) - Review - A-/B+
Phanatik - The Incredible Walk (nice solo debut, loads of wordplay) - Reviews: 1 - 2- B+
Anberlin - Never Take Friendship Personal (Clean rock sound nice overall album) - Review - B+
Man of War - Love and War (really nice production and sound, unique for rap) - review - B+
The Afters - I Wish We All Could Win (the next big thing? at least a solid project) Review - B/B+

David Crowder Band - Sunsets and Sushi (pretty interesting) - Review - B
Yellow Second - Altitude (pretty solid mellow rock) Review - B
Seventh Day Slumber - Once Upon a Shattered Life (pretty solid) - Review - B
Paul Colman - Let It Go Review - B
Chris Rice - Snapshots: Live and Fan Favorites (not a bad way to close out your contract) Review - B

Forever Changed - The Need to Feel Alive (slightly washed out sound, but not horrid) Review - B/B-

M.O.C - Jersey Chica (Female rap with an attitude) - Review - B-

Joel Engle - Made For Worship (pretty nice worship, simple)Review - B-/C+
Stellar Kart - all gas. no brake.  (grows on you) ... Morning Walk TRu Review - B-/C+
Exit East - self-titled (washed out modern worship meets modern rock) Review - B-/C+

Olivia The Band - self-titled (decent, but they have a ways to go still)  Review C+
Steve Green - Somewhere Between (eh... it's good but i'll probably never listen again) - Review - C+
Kutless - Strong Tower (bland and pretty good at it) Review - C+
KJ-52 - Behind the Musik (ah, kj...) - Review - C+
Michael Cook - Imprint (not too bad, a bit on the blase side of things though) - Review - C+
Grand Prize - Identity (not bad for a debut, mediocre though) - Review - C+

Kara Williamson - Undisguised (a "singer/songwriter" who co-writes at best)  - Review - C

Benjiman - Activate (horrible album) Reviews:1 - 2 - D
Sonicflood - This Generation (formulaic, blah, etc.) Review - D



Processing:

out...
Sev Statik - Slow Burn (solid hip hop)
Allan Asbury - Stand (nothing exciting)
Joel Engle - The Ultimate Worship Collection: Passion (fairly enjoyable collection of songs)
Mary Alessi - More (haven't listened to yet)

coming (dated)...
3.15.05 ZOEgirl - Room to Breathe (interesting, almost a rock/country vibe to it)
3.15.05 Jeff Anderson - Open My Eyes (the next big thing in modern worship leaders or something)
3.15.05 subseven - Free to Conquer (surprisingly not out of control and not too bad)
3.22.05 Jars of Clay - Redemption Songs (very folky and i like it)
3.22.05 Natalie Grant - Awaken (she's got a good voice, the music is pretty decent)
3.22.05 Bryan Duncan - Music City Live (barely listened, but what i heard was pretty decent)
3.22.05 Chronos - Downpour (haven't listened to the final copy, the pre-release i got a while back was unimpressive)
3.29.05 Superchick - Beauty From Pain (ten tracks is pretty disappointing, but they're a fun listen)
3.29.05 4th Avenue Jones - Stereo: The Evolution of HipRockSoul (spectacular)
3.29.05 Out of Eden - Hymns (everything i expected from an OOE spin on hymns)
4.05.05 Kent Bottenfield - Take Me Back (haven't listened yet)
4.26.05 Kainos - Alive (all i've heard is a single that sounds like Gwen Stefani)

coming (undated)...
nicolas jones - self-titled (yeah, call him jump 1)
Macho (from New Breed, Tunnel Rats) - Freedom the EP (nice stuff tight beats etc.)

Anticipating:

Sufjan Stevens
Audio A
Switchfoot
labklik
deepspace5 (2 releases)
the listener
Paul Colman - OGOV pt. 2
Mute Math
Macrosick


*(10 March) edited - added/switched a whole bunch*


peace... love... bdg...

[worldofcm]

Updated 12/1

Running Top 10

1.  David Crowder Band, A Collision - A+
3.  4th Avenue Jones, Stereo:  The Evolution of hiprocksoul - A+
3.  Bart Millard, Hymned - A+
4.  Mary Mary, Mary Mary - A
5.  Andrew Peterson, The Far Country - A
6.  Chris Rice, Amusing - A
7.  Shaun Groves, White Flag - A
8.  Scott Krippayne, Gentle Revolution - A
9.  Sara Groves, Add to the Beauty - A
10.  Ashley Cleveland, Men & Angels Say - A

Missing the Cut
Kendall Payne, Grown - A
Kirk Franklin, Hero - A-
Bethany Dillon, Imagination - A-
Natalie Grant, Awaken - A-  
Jars of Clay, Redemption Songs - A-
John Reuben, The Boy vs. The Cynic - A-
Anberlin, Never Take Friendship Personal - A-
Booth Brothers, The Blind Man Saw It All - B+
McRaes, Perfect Love - B+
Ashley Cleveland, Men & Angels Say - B+
Amy Grant, Rock of Ages - B+
Jody Brown Indian Family, Come Ride With Me - B+
CeCe Winans, Purified - B+
Jaci Velasquez, Beauty Has Grace - B+
Nichole Nordeman, Brave - B+
Ginny Owens, Long Way Home - B+
Buddy Greene, Hymns & Prayer Songs - B+
Antonio Neal, Days of My Life - B+
Tree63, Worship Vol. 1 - I Stand For You - B+
Shane & Shane, An Evening with Shane & Shane - B+
NewSong, Rescue - Live Worship - B+
Anointed, Now Is the Time - B+
Out of Eden, Hymns - B+
Judy Martin Hess, Color Me - B+
Paul Colman, Let It Go - B+
Karen Peck & New River, Good To Be Free - B+
Crabb Family, Live from the Brooklyn Tabernacle - B+
Matthew West, History - B
Michael Olson, Long Arm of Love - B
Krystal Meyers, Krystal Meyers - B
Hoskins Family, It's Over...Let Eternity Begin - B
Shawn McDonald, Live In Seattle - B
Lincoln Brewster, All to You...Live - B
Jason Upton, Great River Road - B
Robbie Seay Band, Better Days - B
Big Daddy Weave, What I Was Made For - B
David Crowder Band, Sunsets & Sushi - B
Forever Changed, The Need to Feel Alive - B
Mark Schultz, Live...A Night of Stories & Songs - B
Paul Wright, Sunrise to Sunset - B
Yellow Second, Altitude - B-
Superchick, Beauty from Pain - B-
Casting Crowns, Lifesong - B-
Joy Williams, Genesis - B-
Switchfoot, Nothing Is Sound - B-
Sarah Brendel, Sarah Brendel - B-
BeBe Winans, Dream - B-
Olivia the Band, Olivia the Band - B-
David Phelps, Life Is a Church - B-
Various Artists, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe - B-
Various Artists, Songs From the Bennett House - B-
Jeff Anderson, Open My Eyes - B-
Various, The Rocks Cry Out - B-
Various, Ultimate Music Makeover - C+
Audio Adrenaline, Until My Heart Caves In - C+
Tumes, Ashton, Dente', Lost In Wonder - C+
ZOEgirl, Room to Breathe - C+
Yolanda Adams, Day By Day - C+
Kristin Chenowith, As I Am - C
House of Heroes, House of Heroes - C
Aaron Shust, Anything Worth Saying - C
The Afters, I Wish We All Could Win - C
Jeff Deyo, Surrender - C
Delirious? + Hillsong, Unified Praise - C
Allen Asbury, Stand - C
Various Artists, Beth Moore Presents...Voices of the Faithful - C
Bryan Duncan, Music City Live - C
Josh Bates, Perfect Day - C
Casting Pearls, Casting Pearls - C
Various, Sonic Praise - C
Disciple, Rise Up - C
Michael Cook, Imprint - C
Benjiman, Activate - C
Stellar Kart, All Gas. No Break. - C-
Grand Prize, Identity - C-
Peculiar People Band, Not Ashamed - C-
BarlowGirl, Another Journal Entry - C-
Exit East, Exit East - C-
Mark Harris, The Line Between the Two - C-
Derek Webb, Mockingbird - C-
The Katinas, Timeless - C-
Kutless, Strong Tower - C-
Carried Away, Closer to You - C-
Crystal Lewis, See - D+
Kara Williamson, Undisguised - D+
Third Day, Wherever You Are - D+
Todd Agnew, Reflection of Something - D+
Kainos, Alive - D
Sonicflood, This Generation - D-

Currently Digesting
Rebecca St. James, If I Had One Chance to Tell You Something
Delirious?, The Mission Bell
Steven Curtis Chapman, All I Really Want for Christmas
Natalie Grant, Believe
MercyMe, The Christmas Sessions
Sandi Patty, Yuletide Joy
Various Artists, WOW Christmas Green
Various Artists, Come Let Us Adore Him
Point of Grace, Winter Wonderland
Martha Munizzi, When He Came
Bryan Duncan & the NeHo Soul Band, A NeHo Soul Christmas
Jeremy Camp, Live: Unplugged: Franklin, TN
Chris Tomlin, Live From Austin Hall
The Kry, God of Infinite Wisdom
Nicholas Jonas, Nicholas Jonas
Lisbeth Scott, Passionate Voice
Deep Space 5, Unique Like Everyone Else
O.C. Supertones, Faith Like a Child
Bleach, Farewell Old Friends
Oak Ridge Boys, Common Threads
Pee Wee Callins, Street Soul
Phanatik, The Incredible Walk
dj Maj, BoogiRoot
Manafest, Epiphant
Tru-Life, The Journal, Vol. 1
Jontez, And So It Is...

Waiting to Hear
Blind Boys of Alabama, Atom Bomb
Eisley, Room Noises
Sara Groves, Station Wagon
Passion, How Great Is Our God
Starflyer 59, Talking Voice vs. Singing Voice
George Huff, Miracles
Aly & AJ, Into the Rush
LA Symphony, Disappear Here
Ana Laura, Ana Laura
FFH, Voice From Home

 

[bloop]

The Best of 2K5
1  Sufjan Stevens Invites You to Come on Feel the Illinoise, Sufjan Stevens (10.0)
2  Picaresque, The Decemberists (9.5)
3  Serena-Maneesh, Serena-Maneesh (9.5)
4  Andrew Bird & The Mysterious Production of Eggs, Andrew Bird (9.5)
5  Drunkard's Prayer, Over the Rhine (9.5)
6  Yes Nearby, The Ragbirds (9.0)
7  Apologies to the Queen Mary, Wolf Parade (9.0)
8  Takk, Sigur Ros (9.0)
9  Extraordinary Machine, Fiona Apple (leak) (9.0)
10 Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (9.0)
11 The Woods, Sleater-Kinney (9.0)
12 Quit +/or Fight, Holopaw (9.0)
13 Guero, Beck (9.0)
14 Late Registration, Kanye West (9.0)
15 Twin Cinema, New Pornographers (8.5)
16 Feels, Animal Collective (8.5)
17 Arular, M.I.A. (8.5)
18 Why Should the Fire Die?, Nickel Creek (8.5)
19 Devils & Dust, Bruce Springsteen (8.5)
20 Demon Days, Gorillaz (8.5)
21 I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning, Bright Eyes (8.5)
22 Woman King EP, Iron & Wine (8.5)
23 Howl, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (8.5)
24 La Foret, Xiu Xiu (8.5)
25 I Am a Bird Now, Antony and the Johnsons (8.0)
26 Begonias, Caitlin Cary & Thad Cockrell (8.0)
27 Face the Truth, Stephen Malkmus (8.0)
28 You Could Have it So Much Better, Franz Ferdinand (8.0)
29 Before the Dawn Heals Us, M83 (8.0)
30 Dreaming Wide Awake, Lizz Wright (8.0)
31 Playing the Angel, Depeche Mode (8.0)


No Dice
Wilderness, Archer Prewitt (7.5)
Love Kraft, Super Furry Animals (7.5)
Wind in the Wires, Patrick Wolf (7.5)
X&Y, Coldplay (7.0)
Songs for Silverman, Ben Folds (7.0)
EP, The Fiery Furnaces (7.0)
Redemption Songs, Jars of Clay (7.0)
Get Behind Me Satan, The White Stripes (7.0)
Room Noises, Eisley (7.0)
The Everglow, Mae (7.0)
Lullabies to Paralyze, Queens of the Stone Age (7.0)
Strong Tower, Kutless (3.0)
Awake is the New Sleep, Ben Lee (5.5)
Frances the Mute, The Mars Volta (6.5)
Digital Ash in a Digital Urn, Bright Eyes (6.0)
Never Take Friendship Personal, Anberlin (7.0)
With Teeth, Nine Inch Nails (6.0)
Stand Up, Dave Matthews Band (5.5)
Mezmerize, System of a Down (7.0)
Make Believe, Weezer (5.5)
TheFutureEmbrace, Billy Corgan (5.5)
OK Cowboy, Vitalic (6.5)
Be, Common (7.0)
In Your Honor, Foo Fighters (6.5)
One Night in Bangkok, DJ Shadow (bootleg) (7.0)
Nothing Is Sound, Switchfoot (6.5)
A Bigger Bang, The Rolling Stones (6.0)
Chaos and Creation in the Backyard, Paul McCartney (7.0)

updated 1/1/06 - I think I'm done now.

DON'T EVEN BOTHER:
0.0: Not one redeeming characteristic (F)
0.5-1.5: Painful (F)
2.0-2.5: Terrible (F)
3.0-3.5: Poor  (F)
4.0-4.5: Nearing average (D)

BE WARNED:
5.0: Average  (C-)
5.5: Slightly above average (C )
6.0: Pretty Good; serious flaws (C+)

TRY IT:
6.5: Solid; detracting problems (B-)
7.0: Good; well above average (B)
7.5: Impressive; few major reservations (B+)

BUY IT:
8.0: Excellent; repeated listens suggested (A-)
8.5: Exceptional; repeated listens demanded (A)
9.0-9.5: Great; good top 10 material (A+)
10.0: Essential; Among the best of genre (A++)

[Tom]

...

[dgp11776]

I just realized that my top 3 albums are all hip-hop/rap!

[Josh]

Hey Dv... where's YOUR music journal, man? Last year, your list turned me on to some interesting new discoveries, and I've been missing it this year.

[cbluejays]

UPDATED: 6/30

New albums I've heard:

Mars Ill - Propain  ...  A
Bruce Springsteen - Devils and Dust ... A-
Over the Rhine - Drunkard's Prayer ... B+
Common - BE ... B+
Coldplay - X&Y ... B
Jars of Clay - Redemption Songs  ...  B
Eisley  ...  B-
The Afters ... B-
Lifehouse - s/t  ...  C+



Wow...my new music consumption has been remarkably weak this year...

Looking forward to:

LA Symphony
Deepspace 5
Dave Matthews Band
Shaun Groves
...and some others that I will have to add as I think of them

[DvChWi]

Hey Dv... where's YOUR music journal, man? Last year, your list turned me on to some interesting new discoveries, and I've been missing it this year.

Sorry.  We've had an awesome ski season this year, and that's been sort of eating through my spare cash.  As a result, I've only purchased one album this year, the Fiery Furnaces' EP.  I've been gettting stuff from the library and re-exploring older albums.   However, I now have some spare cash, so new music will be coming.  

[DvChWi]

Ok, here we go:

1. Sufjan Stevens,  Illinois (A+)
2. The Decemberists, Picaresque (A+)
3. Andrew Bird, Andrew Bird and the Mysterious Production of Eggs (A)
4. Sleater-Kinney, The Woods (A)
5. Over the Rhine, Drunkard's Prayer (B+)
6. Jars of Clay, Redemption Songs (B+)
7. The Fiery Furnaces, EP(B+)
8. Eisely, Room Noises (B-)

Digesting:
Coldplay, X&Y
Gorillaz, Demon Days

Last updated 6/25/2005

[plvarona]

Updated 7/26/2009.

Top 20 Favorite Albums of 2005:
1. Sufjan Stevens: Illinois (A)
2. Justin McRoberts: Grace Must Wound... (A)
3. Mae: The Everglow (A)
4. Andrew Peterson: The Far Country (A)
5. Shaun Groves: White Flag (A-)
6. Thrice: Vheissu (A-)
7. Kevin Max: The Imposter (A-)
8. Over The Rhine: Drunkard's Prayer (A-)
9. Eisley: Room Noises (A-)
10. David Crowder Band: A Collision (A-)
11. Anberlin: Never Take Friendship Personal (A-)
12. Jars of Clay: Redemption Songs (B+)
13. Switchfoot: Nothing is Sound (B+)
14. The Myriad: You Can't Trust a Ladder (B+)
15. John Reuben: The Boy vs. the Cynic (B+)
16. The Evan Anthem: Sens (B+)
17. Sara Groves: Add to the Beauty (B+)
18. The Rocket Summer: Hello, Good Friend (B+)
19. Nickel Creek: Why Should The Fire Die? (B+)
20. Bleach: Farewell Old Friends (B+)

Honorable Mention:
21. Kendall Payne: Grown (re-release) (B)
22. Bethany Dillon: Imagination (B)
23. Yellow Second: Altitude (B)
24. Chris Rice: Amusing (B)
25. House of Heroes: self-titled (B)
26. Ultimate Music Makeover: The Songs of Michael W. Smith (B)
27. Derek Webb: Mockingbird (B)

Mild Recommendations:
Nichole Nordeman: Brave (B-)
4th Avenue Jones: Stereo: The Evolution of Hiprocksoul (B-)
Forever Changed: The Need to Feel Alive (B-)
Monday Morning: Fool's Paradise (B-)
John Davis: self-titled (B-)

Nah:
Lifehouse: self-titled (C )

Currently Digesting:
---

Still Interested in Checking Out:
Anna Nalick: Wreck of the Day
Denison Witmer: Are You a Dreamer?

[murlough23]

Jennifer Knapp (I didn't know she had a new one coming out, but apparently some other people are listing her.)

Wishful thinking.

[Wildcatblue7]

I bought loads of CDs in January I now wish I had not bought, but most of them were from last year or several years ago so they don't count for this list.  Anyhow, I've only bought two 2005 releases as of April 18:

Norma Jean--O God, the Aftermath
Mae--The Everglow

and I love both of them.  Norma Jean is slightly higher on my list just because of the ten minute opus "Disconnecktie: The Faithful Vampire."  

Albums I plan on checking out or buying:
Still Remains--Of Love And Lunacy (May 3)
Dream Theater--Octavarium (June 7--this one should OWN)
Project 86 (DVD in late summer/early fall, CD in late fall)
blindside (DVD sometime (summer?), CD in fall/winter)

I've heard rumors about Nightwish heading back to the studio, but I don't think there was any truth to those.

[Tom]

[dgp11776]

9. Aqualung - Strange & Beautiful

I listened to a few clips of that at Barnes & Noble this weekend.  Sounded decent, but rather snooze-worthy - but, then again, those were 30-sec clips.

[TheWanderer]

Top Albums of 2005 so far
1. Deepspace5 - Unique, Just Like Everyone Else
2. The Mars Volta - Frances The Mute
3. Mars Ill - ProPain
4. Mae - The Everglow
5. Matisyahu - Live At Stubb's
6. Anberlin - Never Take Friendship Personal
7. Over The Rhine - Drunkard's Prayer
8. Joy Zipper - American Whip
9. John Davis - self-titled

[dgp11776]

Top Albums of 2005 so far
1. Mars Ill - ProPain
2. Mae - The Everglow
3. Over The Rhine - Drunkard's Prayer
4. Joy Zipper - American Whip
5. Starflyer 59 - Talking Voice vs. Singing Voice
6. Anberlin - Never Take Friendship Personal
7. John Davis - self-titled

Well looky there - our top 2 are the same!  I suppose I should respect your taste more now!!  =D  

[TheWanderer]

Top Albums of 2005 so far
1. Mars Ill - ProPain
2. Mae - The Everglow
3. Over The Rhine - Drunkard's Prayer
4. Joy Zipper - American Whip
5. Starflyer 59 - Talking Voice vs. Singing Voice
6. Anberlin - Never Take Friendship Personal
7. John Davis - self-titled

Well looky there - our top 2 are the same!  I suppose I should respect your taste more now!!  =D

Well I had Mae up there and I remembered "Hey idiot, don't forget Mars Ill!!"

[bloop]

[TheWanderer]

Top Albums of 2005 so far
1. Deepspace5 - Unique, Just Like Everyone Else
2. The Mars Volta - Frances The Mute
3. Mars Ill - ProPain
4. Mae - The Everglow
5. Matisyahu - Live At Stubb's
6. The Choir - O How The Mighty Have Fallen
7. Anberlin - Never Take Friendship Personal
8. Over The Rhine - Drunkard's Prayer
9. Joy Zipper - American Whip
10 . John Davis - self-titled

[Wildcatblue7]

Current frontrunners:
1. Norma Jean--O God, The Aftermath (clear cut number one)
2. Still Remains--Of Love and Lunacy
3. Mae--The Everglow

I just realized I've bought only three CDs that have actually released this year.  Wow.  There's just not much I'm particularly excited about buying.  The following, however, give me the jibblies:

Dream Theater--Octavarium (6/7)
Project 86--. . . and the rest will follow (9/27) + DVD sometime this summer  =D [title announced woot woot]
blindside--untitled for now (8/2)

For everyone's benefit . . . do not buy The Agony Scene's The Darkest Red.  There's about three good songs, and the rest are pretty mediocre.  (I have the leaked mp3s . . . well, I did, I deleted them.)

Yeah . . . I think that's all for now.

[dgp11776]

Top Albums of 2005 so far
1. Deepspace5 - Unique, Just Like Everyone Else
2. The Mars Volta - Frances The Mute
3. Mars Ill - ProPain

*weeps*  How has Mars Ill slipped to #3???  

[TheWanderer]

Top Albums of 2005 so far
1. Deepspace5 - Unique, Just Like Everyone Else
2. The Mars Volta - Frances The Mute
3. Mars Ill - ProPain

*weeps*  How has Mars Ill slipped to #3???

dude..the DS5 album is amazing.  When the final release of Pro-Pain comes out, I might change it.  However DS5 is the best rap album so far and I am in love with The Mars Volta.  Frances The Mute is a stellar album

[dgp11776]

dude..the DS5 album is amazing.  When the final release of Pro-Pain comes out, I might change it.  However DS5 is the best rap album so far and I am in love with The Mars Volta.  Frances The Mute is a stellar album

I haven't heard Mars Volta, but I agree that DS5 is amazing.  Splitting hairs, really, since I feel it is an A album vs. an A+ for PRO*PAIN.

[TheWanderer]

I haven't heard Mars Volta, but I agree that DS5 is amazing.  Splitting hairs, really, since I feel it is an A album vs. an A+ for PRO*PAIN.

I can't give PP an A+ yet because the final version hasn't come out yet.  DS5 is an A+ solely on album length and quality and balance of each song (plus nice artwork).  After Pro-Pain releases in June, then I'll make a final decision.  Right now, Mars Ill is a temporary A- (the album needs to be a bit longer)

[Brenden]

My journal

Top 15

1. Sufjan Stevens, Come On, Feel the Illinoise! - A+
2. Fiona Apple - Extraordinary Machine - A
3.  Eisley - Room Noises - A
4. Death Cab For Cutie - Plans - A-
5. Andrew Bird & The Mysterious Production of Eggs - A-
6. The White Stripes, Get Behind Me Satan - A-
7. Starflyer 59 - Talking Voice Vs. Singing Voice - A-
8. Over the Rhine , Drunkard's Prayer - B+
9. David Crowder Band - A Collision - B+
10. Bart Millard - Hymned #1 - B+
11. Jars of Clay, Redemption Songs - B+
12. Brendan Benson - The Altenative to Love B
13. Kevin Max - The Imposter - B
14. Nickel Creek - Why Should The Fire Die? - B
15. Switchfoot - Nothing Is Sound - B





The Rest of the Albums
Kevin Max - Holy Night - A- (Christmas album, not gonna be included in the top 15)
Anberlin, Never Take Friendship Personal - B
Coldplay, X & Y - B
Relient K - Apathetic EP - B (EP not eligible)
Sigur Ros - Takk... - B-
Falling Up - Dawn Escapes - B-
Blindside - The Great Depression - B-
Kanye West - Late Registration - B-
Kyle Riabko - Before I Speak - B-
David Crowder Band , Sunsets and Sushi EP - B-
Eric Clapton - Back Home - C+
Kids In The Way, Apparitions of Melody - C+
Jason Mraz - Mr. A-Z - C
Wormsign, Big in Japan - C
Lifehouse - Lifehouse - C-
All American Rejects - Move Along - C-
Kelly Osbourne - Sleeping in the Nothing - D+

Currently Listening

[murlough23]

I just upgraded Mae from a B+ to an A-. It had nothing to do with extraneous stuff like the booklet... I just started to realize how much I loved the vast majority of the songs and how well they all came together. All of you who guessed that I'd give that album a 5 instead of a 4 in the SGTC game, and suffered a tragic loss as a result of the 5/6 or 5/7 of a point you didn't get as a result of that, you may now curse and throw things at me.

NP: "I Wasn't Prepared", Eisley

[wildcatinIllinois]

Dream Theater's Octavarium is easily the best thing I've heard this year.  I kind of wish I could bump down my ratings on everything else now.

[starhawk]

I'll make an entry...


2005 releases reviewed so far:
Headphones- Headphones
Bleach- Farewell Old Friends (primary review)
Kutless- Strong Tower
Big Blue Hearts- Here Come Those Dreams Again
Hunt Sidway- Balance
Sufjan Stevens- Illinois
Mike Kinnebrew- Vertical
Starflyer59- Talking Voice Vs Singing Voice (primary review)
Mae- The Everglow
Big Daddy Weave- What I Was Made For (secondary   review)
Shaun Groves- White Flag (third review)

2004 or 'other' releases reviewed this year:
Jacob Zachary- Fury and Spin
The Arcade Fire- Funeral
The Castanets- Cathedral
Chronos- Downpour (secondary review)
pinkeye d'gekko- Dry Clothes for the Drowning
Joy Electric- Friend of Mannequin EP
Todd Rundgren- Liars
Kevin Max- Between the Fence and the Universe
the echoing green- the story of our lives EP
the echoing green- the winter of our discontent [Special Edition] (primary review)
Bjork- Medulla
Jinny Kim- Salty EP
Sufjan Stevens- Seven Swans
Seventy Two Others- Hard to Find EP
Velour100- Fall Sounds
Starflyer59- The Last Laurel EP


2005 Favorite so far:
Starflyer59- Talking Voice Vs Singing Voice
Runner up: Sufjan Stevens- Illinois

Dubious honors-

Bullet Dodger:
Mae- The Everglow

Most under-appreciated:
Headphones- Headphones

Release I waited far too long to finally purchase:
Velour100- Fall Sounds

2005 Avoid at all costs list:
Kutless- Strong Tower

Best independent release:
Jacob Zachary- Fury and Spin

[Josh]

I've been blogging about my favorite and least favorite albums of the year so far, as well as the biggest disappointments and the most underappreciated record.

[RavishingJohnny23]

CD that I've got my hands on:
I am poor and can not afford alot of music like everyone else so my list is short.  I apologize because some are 2004 releases and some are 2005.

1. Get Lifted-John Legend A(Ordinary People is an offical banger. A great ballad about love that isn't glossy and lovey dovey.) I really want to give this cd some more listens and hopefully I will.

2. Emancipation of Mimi- Mariah Carey B+( Feel good R&B CD, what takes it down for me is that she's pimpin' out the rappers Snoop Dogg(Crybaby was better then Say Something by leaps and bounds), Twista(Great song, great choice as he's on the rise.), Nelly(Overused, sing songy colabbo), Jermaine Dupri(Do we really need JD on every Mariah CD? HAHAHA)... But besides that I love

3. Kelly Clarkson-Breakaway B( I adore Kelly... I always have loved her since American Idol. I think she's come along way and that her singing talents are shining through. I really like this CD and her more rock approach instead of the pop she sung on Thankful.

4.The Game-The Documentry B(Right... There are a few tracks that drop this down from a B+ or an A- of a CD but I really do love The Game. Man this cd just hit me like a ton of bricks and I've been hooked. Hate it of Love it folks The Game's a heavyweight.)

5. Destiny Childs-Fullfilled B-(Soldier is a great track, Can you keep up again great track,  Cater to you another solid effort, Through with Love, another solid effort. But after that it's hit and miss really. Shortish CD with the other songs really tag alongs to the obvious bangers. Solid effort but not reall great.

6.Jodeci-Back to the Future B-(I loved this R&B group and it's been ten years since they made their last album The Show, The Hotel, The Afterparty. Man I have to say this greatest hits album for the most part nailed it dead on as to the essential Jodeci songs. Like the saying goes Cain't nobody F' with Jodeci and this cd lays out the tracks as to why. knocked down a bit because I didn't like a few of the selections.)

7. Eminem-Encore C+( Mockingbird, Title track, Evil Deeds, Yellowbrick Road, Never Enough and then nothing else. It left we wanting so much more and the tracks listed lift it up above a C or C- in my book. It feels like a rushed effort that is hit or miss. Mosh, Just Lose it, Like Toy Soldiers, and Ass Like That are bad singles. Especially since this whole cd has been pimped and he's squeezed five singles out of it. Those first four don't stand up at all by the "standard" of his previous albums.)

8. Switchfoot-Beautiful Letdown C(I don't know but besides the title track, the Vh1 airplay giants Meant to Live, and Dare you to move. I was kind of left with a bad taste in my mouth. Some songs are very grating, some like the afformentioned are overplayed, and On Fire and twenty-Four are the gems of this album.)

9. Goodies-Ciara C-(She can dance, she has a pretty good voice, her songs are lacking. The singles carry a lacking disc that has really bad spots in them. And the Jazzy Phae over injection is very annoying.)

10. The Massacre 50 Cent D( HYPE KILLS! Doesn't even stand up to Get Rich or Die Trying. Hype kills. Wha-Wha-Wha-Whack CD Fifty.)
 

[murlough23]

I am poor and can not afford alot of music like everyone else so my list is short.

What, you think we actually bought all of those albums?

[Tom]

i own all but Dream Theater's "Octavarium" in my top 10. and i own a few of the albums that got near the top 10 my list.

all the rest i got to hear from the library. there's no way i could afford all of them. but at least i got to hear them.

[starhawk]

I bought some of the releases I wrote about (mostly the 2004 releases), but there's no way I can afford to buy all of the records I wrote about.  Part of why this appeals to me is receiving free music. =)

[murlough23]

all the rest i got to hear from the library. there's no way i could afford all of them. but at least i got to hear them.

I try to buy the ones I actually like and would consider listening to on at least a semi-regular basis, though some of those end up being free. If something's in my Top 10 (past the point where everything's in my Top 10 because I have a small overall list, of course), I make it a priority to own it. But seeing something on my list is in no way an indication that I own it. It could be a pre-release, I could have downloaded it, or I could have streamed it online.

NP: "Dream Away", Pax217

[Brenden]

I own a couple, the rest I heard through other means.