(In alphabetical order by artist...music is too subjective for any ranking to make any kind of real sense. Well anyway, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.)
Bjork – Medulla
(Otherworldly…and yet at the same time, comfortingly down-to-Earth…Bjork combines the human voice with minimal instrumentation to create gorgeous, challenging, rewarding music.)
Ray Charles – Genius Loves Company
(Even with his voice weakened by illness, Ray’s bluesy soul shines strong finding able assistance from stellar friends and fans like Willie Nelson, Gladys Knight, Norah Jones, and Van Morrison.)
Elvis Costello and the Imposters – The Delivery Man
(Costello delivers an irresistible collection of sweaty, swampy R&B and Rock ‘n’ Roll as well as delicate balladry. The ever-amazing Emmylou Harris and Lucinda Williams offer sparkling guest turns along the way.)
Diana Krall – The Girl in the Other Room
(Krall stretches past the standards with a collection of lovely original songs and challenging covers and she soars triumphantly.)
Loretta Lynn – Van Lear Rose
(Shania Twain and her ilk should play this disc over and over until they understand what honest and engaging soulful country music is really supposed to sound like.)
Los Mocosos – American Us
(Though it veers off into a little preachy-ness near the end, this blend of Latin rhythms, hip hop, and big band rock is infectious as all get out.)
Nellie McKay – Get Away from Me
(The audacious, witty, delightfully eclectic (sultry torch songs here, feisty dance pop there, some freewheeling and funny hip hop over in the corner) debut from a 19-year-old who, if there’s ANY justice, should have a long and prosperous career.)
Prince – Musicology
(His Purple Highness brings the old school funk and rock in the way only he can…looking back a little but stepping confidently into the future as always.)
Queen Latifah – The Dana Owens Album
(The Queen reigns with an assured collection of covers that find new life with her honeyed, soulful voice and style.)
R.E.M. – Around the Sun
(Shimmering, bittersweet ruminations on love, loss, and healing that harkens back to past triumphs while looking forward in new, engaging ways.)
Rilo Kiley – More Adventurous
(An involving collection of rocking “indie pop”…whatever the heck that really means…anchored by solid hooks and the sultry voice of Jenny Lewis. Pure pop for now people, circa 2004.)
Linda Ronstadt – Hummin’ to Myself
(Lots of folks have dipped into the so-called “Great American Songbook” over the past few years; some to nice effect…take a bow, Chaka…some with less pleasing results…step away from the microphone, Mr. Stewart…but none as well-suited as my girl Linda whose rich voice is perfectly suited to relive the classic chestnuts from the golden age of American popular song.)
Patti Scialfa - 23rd Street Lullaby
(Mrs. Springsteen offers up a wonderfully engaging collection of nearly flawless power pop.)
U2 – How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
(The veteran band offers up another amazing collection of Rock and Roll that doesn’t just sit on its laurels but grabs you by the collar and demands your full attention.)
Various Artists – Enjoy Every Sandwich: The Songs of Warren Zevon
(Some of Zevon’s many friends and fans bid him and fond farewell with heartfelt…but not carbon copy…versions of some of songs.)
Kanye West – The College Dropout
(Uplifting but clear-eyed rhymes combined with powerful, infectious beats and melodies to create a hip hop classic...and since I'm not the biggest fan of most hip hop out there it surprised me how much I like this record.)
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