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Norm's Top 10 for 2005

Hey Soul Mates,
it's Christmas Eve and perhaps you've got to make one last run out to a Loss-Leader to pick up a gift for someone. Well, here's my year-end run down of the best of 2005 in music. I'm going to be a little lazy this year and not write a whole lot about the choices. Why? Well, many of these LPs got the full treatment earlier in the year when they arrived. But I do recommend all of them and hope that you may enjoy them, too.

In order of finish:
1. Get Behind Me Satan - The White Stripes. Simply the most interesting LP of the year.
2. The Emancipation Of Mimi - Mariah Carey. Call it a comeback. This is a contender for best pop album of the young millennium with Timberlake's Justified.
3. Late Registration - Kanye West. A tad long, but Gold Digger is the best single this side of A Talent For Loving.
4. You Could Have It So Much Better - Franz Ferdinand. Just a fun album of glammy Scots stomping.
5. A Bigger Bang - Rolling Stones. Their best in nearly 30 years. It really does have great songs.
6. Demon Dayz - Gorillaz. Like an 80's throwback jersey for the ears.
7. Don't Believe The Truth - Oasis. A nice return to form.
8. Bright Idea - Orson. Locals who are now opening for Duran Duran. Bravo, gang.
9. Chaos & Creation In The Backyard - Paul McCartney. Not so good as the Stones new LP, but solid for Macca. His best since Flowers in the Dirt.
10. Get Lifted - John Legend. I tired of this by year's end, but it was smoove while it lasted.
Honorable mention: A Time For Love - Stevie Wonder.

As we get closer to the Grammy's I'll have more to say about these choices as many of them got nominations. I also got to see five of the above artists perform this year. They all put on wonderful shows, with the White Stripes being the most mind-bending. Note: Concert of the year was ABC at the House of Blues.

My favorite (non-RHS) songs of the year:
Gold Digger - Kanye West (feat. Jamie Foxx)
My Doorbell - White Stripes. Although, Blue Orchid, got me to buy it in the first place.
Do You Want To? - Franz Ferdinand
Say Somethin' - Mariah Carey w. Snoop Dogg. Frankly every single from this album ranks.
Dirty Harry - Gorillaz
Rough Justice - Rolling Stones
Hollaback Girl - Gwen Stefani
Ordinary People - John Legend
Behind These Hazel Eyes - Kelly Clarkson
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band - Paul McCartney with U2 (Live at Live8)

Happy Christmas and Happy Hannukah!
Love, Power, Peace on Earth

Comments

Anonymous said…
My top 5
1. Done lost my mind - RHS
2. Everything My Heart Desires - RHS
3. Everyone's Ingenue - RHS
4. Talent for Loving - RHS
5. No Tomorrow - ORSON

I love Rush Hour Soul

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