T U E S D AY, D E C E M B E R 2 0 , 2 0 0 5The Best CDs of 2005 -- The Extended VersionBEST ALBUMS OF 20051.</p><p> Richard Swift – The Richard Swift Collection, Volume One(literate pop) – in this day and age -- when every band is overhypedand "discovering" someone means watching them perform in arecurring role on a primetime series -- stumbling on a new artistunawares is almost impossible.</p><p> But a tiny, one paragraph review in aBritish music magazine compelled me to buy this album by the WestCoast-based artist.</p><p> Think Randy Newman (without the cynicism),Harry Nilsson (without the vocal flourishes), Van Dyke Parks (withoutthe artifice) and Tom Waits (without the gravel).</p><p> A story teller and aromantic, Swift’s songs sound like they were written in a dusty hotelroom circa 1920 by a young man wearing a natty suit and composinghis lyrics on a manual typewriter.</p><p> Swift's website is nifty too.2.</p><p> Sufjan Stevens – Illinois (eclectic pop) – when Sufjan Stevensreleased Michigan and said he was going to release one concept albumfor every state, it sounded like a threat.</p><p> Now it seems like a giddypromise.</p><p> Here he uses many styles – Philip Glass, folk, rock, pop,country – to tell many stories about Illinois, whether it’s a UFOsighting, Superman or a serial killer.</p><p> Bursting with ambition, itsucceeds.3.</p><p> The Eels – Blinking Lights and Other Revelations (suicidal pop) –never really focused too strongly on the Eels before, but this MagneticFields-like opus makes an obsession with death and dying seemwonderfully life-affirming.4.</p><p> Amadou & Mariam – Dimanche a Bamako (world pop) – a famedMali duo for decades, Amadou & Mariam were new to me.</p><p> However,I’m a big fan of their producer here, Manu Chao, who brought his giddyworld pop sensibility to their music.</p><p> The fusion is infectious.5.</p><p> Betty LaVette – I’ve Got My Own Hell To Raise/ Various – IBelieve To My Soul (soul) – No producer had a better year than JoeHenry.</p><p> He gave soul survivor LaVette the album she always deserved(“Just Say So” will break your heart) and then turned around andNext Blog»sal1mineo@hotmail.comSEARCH BLOG FLAG BLOGFOLLOW BLOGP O P S U R F I N G .</p><p> C O MS U R F I N G T H E WAV E S O F P O P U L A R C U LT U R EB Y M I C H A E L G I LT Z & F R I E N D SPOPSURFING.COM: The Best CDs of 2005 -- The Extended V ...http://popsurfing.blogspot.com/2005/12/best-cds-of-2005-exten... 1 of 37/25/09 2:14 AMFAV O R I T E L I N K SAmericablogFive O'Clock Lightning baseball blogDeep Pop -- Lori Lakin's BlogThe Back Page -- Jason Page on ESPNRadioCine-Blog -- George Robinson's BlogDocuments On Art & Cinema - DarylChin's BlogBrucie G's Wondrous Blog OfAdventure and Mystery -- BruceGreenspan's BlogB L O G A R C H I V E▼ 2009 (15)▼ July (2)Swimming Bans Those Hi-TechSuits!Best Movies Of The Year -- TheMaster List► June (3)► May (1)► March (2)► February (1)► January (6)► 2008 (87)► 2007 (781)► 2006 (2412)► 2005 (5)C O N T R I B U TO R SAaronBiboyMichael in New York POPSURFING.COM: The Best CDs of 2005 -- The Extended V ...http://popsurfing.blogspot.com/2005/12/best-cds-of-2005-exten... 2 of 37/25/09 2:14 AMPOPSURFING.COM: The Best CDs of 2005 -- The Extended V ...http://popsurfing.blogspot.com/2005/12/best-cds-of-2005-exten... 3 of 37/25/09 2:14 AM
