Best of 2005

As the year 2005 closes it becomes time to look back at the best stuff in music from the past year.

Albums:

Lucero - Nobody's Darlings
www.luceromusic.com

A line from the title track of Lucero's fourth album states; "We ain't nobody's darlings, we never should have made it this far." Produced by Jim Dickinson, Nobody's Darlings showcases a band who plays rock and roll with something not heard enough in music these days, heart and soul. Whether it be songs of lost love, regret or frustration, the emotion is real and relatable. While it may be true that now they are nobody's darlings, they should be, and given time, they will be.


My Morning Jacket - Z
www.mymorningjacket.com

My Morning Jacket's fourth album is a departure in more ways then one for the band. The band recorded Z in a studio in upstate New York instead of a barn near their hometown of Louisville, Ky where their previous albums where recorded. They hired a producer, John Leckie, where previous albums were self-produced. And the trademark reverb soaked vocals of their past were not as soaked this time around. The result, an album that is different from it's predecessors yet distinctly My Morning Jacket. While the lyrics can be nonsensical at times, start to finish the listener is treated to a sonic bonanza of guitars, bass, drums, keys and vocals unlike anything heard before. As lead singer Jim James proudly proclaims in the opening track, Wordless Chorus, "We are the innovators. They are the imitators".

Bulldog - Bulldog
www.bulldogdetroit.com

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Howl
www.blackrebelmotorcycleclub.com

Alvin Youngblood Hart - Motivational Speaker
www.alvinyoungbloodhart.net

Gods of Cock Rock - The White Russian Session
www.gocr.org

Why I started this blog

Good question. Seemed like a good idea at the time. I listen to a lot of music, mostly by bands flying under the radar of most people. I'll post album & concert reviews, music news, band websites, stuff like that.