2005 Midterm: How's it Lookin'?

[Josh]

Well, with the year almost 2/3 of the way over, how would you rate 2005's crop of new music releases? Has this been a great year for music? S-so? Lousy?

I guess I'll go with "well above average." In terms of sheer number of great new releases, there haven't been quite so many, but in terms of quality... well, the new discs from Andrew Bird and Sufjan Stevens are  as essential as just about anything released this decade, and as close to instant-classic standing as you can get.

And, with new records from Sam Phillips, Derek Webb, Ron Sexsmith, and others on the way, I just might have to bump my rating up a notch come December!

[Tom]

well above average.

right now there are 3 albums already released that could end up being my number #1 by the end of the year. most years there is one clear-cut winner with several others that lag behind. this year has many strong contenders, in my book.

and if Sam Phillips maintains her superbly high standards, she has a very good chance of placing in my upper top 10, (if not #1) as well.

and Derek Webb has yet to disappoint me.

[plvarona]

I'm also in the "well above average" camp, primarily because the albums that have been good this year have been very good.  Three albums released this year have already garned "A" ratings from me, and I have never given more than that in a single year.  Additionally, this is looks like it's going to be the first year ever that an album with a "B+" or higher rating from me will not make my top 10 for the year.

Now as for why I didn't rule this an "Exceptional year", it's because there have been a fair number of disappointing albums that have been released this year.  However, this isn't reflected in my music journal because most albums that were that disappointing I didn't even buy at all.

[RavishingJohnny23]

I'm in the well above average camp aswell.

 The John Legend and Mariah Carey albums rocked my world. I look forward to the rest of the year eagerly. =)

[dgp11776]

I voted well above average, even though now I'm thinking I should have voted exceptional.  In terms of hip/hop music, this has been an unbelievable year in my opinion.  Mars ILL (A+), Deepspace5 (A), Listener (A), and 4th Avenue Jones (A) make up four of my top six...and L.A. Symphony is still on the way.

[Escuchame]

The John Legend and Mariah Carey albums rocked my world. I look forward to the rest of the year eagerly. =)

Unbelievably, I'm YET to hear the new Mariah album.  Shameful Mariah fan am I.  I've loved the singles, though, particularly "We Belong Together."

John Legend is from last year, though.  It's a keeper, though.  What a great album.

[adriftconscious]

I put slightly above average. I've been slightly let down by some artists who usually put out very strong material. At the same time, I've found enough discs from other artists to balance that out for the most part.