stillbreathing

Ok, so there's a lot of top 10 lists towards the end of the year:

TOP 10 RESTAURANTS OF 2005
TOP 10 VACATION SPOTS OF 2005
TOP 10 NEW WEIRD PLASTIC SURGERIES IN LA

So I thought I'd do a little list here entitled (huge orchestra swells...)

TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2005 THAT YOU DON'T HAVE (BUT SHOULD)

(golf claps. Churp, churp...)


*mateo warning: I didn't include anything like Beck, Bright Eyes, Death Cab, etc. cause I'm hoping your mama brought you up right and you have all of these more "known" albums already. Nuff said.

10. HUSTLE AND FLOW FILM SOUNDTRACK

Star Terrence Howard's songs from the film are all here, and for once, the musician in the film actually makes good music (best: "It's Hard out her for a pimp"). Other ones feature Juvenile, Al Kapone, and 8ball. If this is sounding completely foreign to you, take a deep breath. It did to me too when I picked it up, but the movie moved me so much I had to have the music too. And it was a damn good little buy.

9. CORI YARCKIN: RINGING IN MY HEAD

This Florida native I actually met on "MySpace" and ended up going to see on of her live shows, which I had honestly low expectations going in. My speakers were broke, so I didn't even know what she sounded like. But she rocks a pretty good game, and tracks like "Gratitude" and "Everything you said" show a lot of promise in her rollicking debut.

8. BIF NAKED: SUPERBEAUTIFULMONSTER

Not her best album by far (that would be "I Bificus"), but a very good one by any means. A cover of Metallica's "Nothing Else Matters" really spins well, and "Let Down" showcases her talent for adding the zaniest humor into a rocking song. Spinning it though, don't get thrown off by the first song, "Adandonment," which is a fine song, but shouldn't have started off the album on such a down note. But a very good entry on this Canadian rock singers quest for the "Goblet of Rock..."

7. GO BETTY GO: NOTHING IS MORE

Not only does this all Latino, all girl pop-punk (I hate that term) band have a song on my own film's soundtrack, but they've finally released a full length album and the results are somewhat uneven, but some serious gold catchy nuggest in there. "The Pirate Song" is an odd, weird gem, and "No Hay Perdon" and "Unreal" really hit high notes. Up and coming. Watch out.

6. OVER THE RHINE: DRUNKARD'S PRAYER

Beautiful, sparse, and tranquil is the best three words to describe this husband/wife team. The gorgeous, "I want you to be my love" starts off the album and a wonderful cover of "My Funny Valentine" ends it on a lovely note. Two other high notes include "Hush Now (Stella's tarantella)" and "Little Did I know."

5. JILL STEVENSON: L

Another artist on my film's soundtrack (she has several songs), this is the newest release from this NY singer and good friend of mine. It's her first live album, but features almost all new material, and she's known for an incredible live show, so this is one to pick up. "Suger Sweet," "Mr. perfect" and "Show You" are some of my favs. I'm biased slightly, but it's still damn good.

4. THE KILLS: NO WOW

If you don't own a Kills album yet, slap yourself. Then go out and get both of their full length albums ("Keep on your Mean Side" is the other). This features their biggest "hit" so far, "The Good Ones," and "I hate the way you love P. 1&2," plus the great "No Wow." It's a guy and girl, yes, but by far they are not "The White Stripes." Different, and original.

3. NIKKA COSTA: CANTNEVERDIDNOTHIN

I just discovered her this year, and, by God, and I glad now. An amazing album, which great track after track. Some highlights: "Til I get to you," "On & On," "Swing it around," and a cover worthy of Tina herself, "Funkier than a Mosquita's Tweeter." Funkier indeed (wow, that was so cheesy...).

2. FIONA APPLE: EXTRAORDINARY MACHINE

Yeah, definately not a new artist, but she's been gone for quite a while now, and I was sadded to hear how many people didn't know who she was. My sister even said, "Who?" Broke my heart. You all know the story behind it: Recorded, shelved, "Free Fiona," Leaked, re-recorded, and now released. "Extraordinary Machine" is perhaps one of the top two songs she's ever done ("Never is a promise" is the other), and "Get him Back," "Better version of me," and "Waltz (better than fine)" all scream instant classics. There's not even a "very good" song here. They're all great. How often can you say that?

1. RENT FILM SOUNDTRACK

So, as a fellow "Renthead" and "Rentaholic, (see my MySpace page for further proof on this)," I am very glad that the film was released and is reaching a wider audience. However, it's not reaching as many as I hoped, and the soundtrack isn't hitting as many charts as I would have liked. So go discover a musical that will move you, touch you, and you won't be able to get out of your head. It deals with heavy subjects (AIDS, Homelessness, depression) but takes it all in stride and makes "living" with a disease into beautiful music. "Seasons of Love," "I'll Cover You (both versions)," "One Song Glory," "Take me or leave me" and "Will I?" are just a few of the many glorious songs on this soundtrack. See the film. Buy the soundtrack. Then see the stage production and buy that soundtrack (which features even more beautiful musical moments). Discover Jonathan Larson's music. You won't be dissapointed.

And now, my bed is a'calling...Let me know what you think and if you have a "no one knows my favorite band" album, let me know...I'm always looking for a No. 11...