Fuzzy Thoughts' Top 40 Albums of 2005: Part IV of IV- The Top 10

10.
Gorillaz Demon Days
With Danger Mouse producing, it was certain that the new Gorillaz latest would go in a much different direction than the previous album, but the amount of growth and general musicianship from the group couldn't have been expected. Beyond the irresistibly catchy singles of "Feel Good, Inc.", "DARE", and "Dirty Harry" are a slew of darkly-tinged songs, that are as challenging as they are exceptional. MF Doom guest stars on the outstanding and trippy "November Has Come," while Dennis Hopper narrates what is easily one of the darkest tracks on the album, "Fire Coming Out of a Monkey's Head." While it might have been easy for many to dismiss Gorillaz originally as being a clever gimmick, Gorillaz proved this to be all but untrue with the release of Demon Days.

9.
Andrew Bird The Mysterious Production of Eggs
Chicago-native Andrew Bird has really been on a roll lately. His second solo release is another outstanding and incredibly intimate effort, with gorgeous tracks such as "Sovay" and "Masterfade." Lyrics are particularly well crafted as always, and show Andrew Bird's incredible versatility not only as a musician but also as a songwriter. Andrew Bird can still pull off a darn good alterna-pop song as well with catchy tracks such as "Fake Palindromes" and the exceptionally stylized "Skin Is, My." Ani DiFranco should be very pleased in picking up Andrew Bird onto her label, as he has more than made it worthwhile based on this album's release alone.

8.
The Go! Team Thunder, Lightning, Strike
Easily one of the most exciting groups to come out this year, this group hailing from Brighton, England have made themselves a hit with an unstoppable force of an album. From beginning to end, each and every track packs a punch rarely found in any genre of music today. Highlights include the summery "Ladyflash," "Get It Together," and the powerhouse "Junior Kickstart." While it may seem a bit like high school cheering squad practice at first, give these guys a chance. Their sound is completely unique and incredibly addicting and they deserve the utmost attention and praise for being so daring and so fun-- all at the same time.

7.
Broken Social Scene Broken Social Scene
Broken Social Scene have got quite a good thing going, as they've yet to really release a bad album. While it's hard for many to laud this album as every release they come up with will almost certainly pale in comparison (for many, anyway) to You Forgot It In People, I have to say BSS got it right here. From the opening "Our Faces Split the Coast in Half," you get a pretty good idea of what kind of sound is going on here, as BSS appears to be stuck in "jam out" mode, which is hardly a negative for them. "7/4 (Shoreline)" is easily one of the best songs this year, while "Swimmers" is another superb albeit slightly more derivative song. All in all this is another solid showing by Broken Social Scene, and easily one of the top albums of 2005.

6.
Bloc Party Silent Alarm
Bloc Party made a huge splash this year, thanks in part to a lot of exposure from all types of media from MTV2 to NME magazine to being named the Okayplayer artists of the month. Bloc Party proved to be well worth the hype as many people are still talking about them now even though their album was released very early on in the year. While it'll be hard from them to run away from comparisons to bands such as U2 (and consequently Coldplay), these guys are very capable of being in the same league as both groups (well, maybe not U2), and establishing their own sense of dominance internationally. The fantastic opener of "Like Eating Glass" leads into the incredible "Helicopter" which is in full force with swirling guitars that compete with the confident vocals. Also well worth noting is the single "Banquet" which was really a perfect single for them, as it represents their sound as a whole: rhythmically intricate with engulfing guitars and passionate but derivative vocals. This is an astounding effort from this group, as it's only their debut, and it'll be interesting to see where these guys go from here.

5.
Kanye West Late Registration
So Kanye proved just about everyone wrong with The College Dropout, and after the huge amount of success, everyone figured that he'd just ride off into the sunset and go back to producing for good right? Wrong, as a matter of fact, Kanye was just warming up on The College Dropout and really gets to work on this release. Overall, Late Regestration is a much stronger effort than the debut. Kanye was smart in seeking a helping hand in Jon Brion with production as the classical orchestration added a great amount of depth to what were already solid tracks. Also, the addition of Jamie Foxx and Adam Levine on "Gold Digger" and "Heard 'Em Say," respectively, added to the musicality to each of the tracks and, in the case of "Heard 'Em Say," smartly added to the intimacy and importance of the song and message that Kanye was delivering. The album is also much more focused than his previous effort, allowing for him to focus on a singular message (or grouping of messages) that he wants to focus on rather than being a little bit all over the place. Overall this is a superb album, not only in hip hop but in general, and is the best hip hop album to be released this year.

4. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah was the DIY success story of 2005. Without ever being signed to a major label, they managed to create enough attention through word of mouth to become one of the best selling indie albums this year, not to mention the most critically acclaimed. Adding one more favorable review to the pile, I did a full length review of their album back in October and haven't really stopped listening to them since. Inspiring and beautiful, there's something for everyone in this album. In particular, "Over and Over Again (Lost and Found)," "The Skin of My Yellow Country Teeth," and "Is This Home On Ice" are all instant classics. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah are the story of the year for their incredible success based on little to no promotion, and also debut of the year for their great release. An outstanding effort.

3.
Sufjan Stevens Illinois
No album this year has been as grandiose as Stevens' Illinois and between that, his immense creativity and craft of writing, Sufjan Stevens' second of his proposed 50 state releases finds itself #3 on my top 40 list. While always recognized as a very talented singer/songwriter, it seems that Stevens really shines on this album through his pseudo-silliness yet poignant songwriting displayed throughout this album. His songs are just as important as always, with such sincerely touching tracks as the beautiful opener of "Concerning The UFO Sighting Near Highland, Illinois." Stevens really gets going however on "Come On! Feel The Illinoise!" a piece so dynamic, it could almost serve as a number to a musical. "Chicago" is an equally vibrant piece, with outstanding storytelling. The most powerful aspect of this album is the way in which Stevens engrosses himself and also the listener in every track, you almost feel as if you've spent the duration of the song in every single moment listed in the album. A very praiseworthy effort, and while Stevens may not manage to get all 50 states done, if he continues to churn out albums such as this one and the previous ode to Michigan, he still has quite a legacy to be proud of.

2.
Spoon Gimme Fiction
Despite a few popular singles, Spoon is one of the few alternative rock bands that, unfortunately, has yet to really hit it big. This is really a shame because quite frankly, Spoon has been one of the most consistent bands this decade, and that trend continues with Gimme Fiction. While the overall texture is grittier than any of their previous releases, Spoon has managed to fine-tune even further their seemingly perfected guitar pop craft. There isn't a second of filler on this album, and as good as individual songs such as "Sister Jack," "I Turn My Camera On," and "I Summon You" are, the album is all the more enjoyable when listened to straight through. Immensely clever and fulfilling, Spoon's latest is the kind of album that you immediately like and then begins to grow on you as you listen to it more before you finally find yourself humming to each and every tune. It's just that good.

1.
My Morning Jacket Z
Despite losing two band members, this Louisville, KY group just keeps on rocking. Their second release on Dave Matthews' ATO label is the one we've all been waiting for. While It Still Moves was easily one of the best albums of 2003, there still appeared to be some untapped potential in the band, and here on Z they've gone far beyond the expectations of many, including myself. The opener "Wordless Chorus" is easily the best song of the year, if for no other reason but Jim James' amazingly high vocals over the fun and bouncy baseline. What My Morning Jacket does best here is approach their love for country/rock and atmospheric sound in a completely different manner, including allowing themselves to have some fun with it, as exemplified on "What a Wonderful Man." Another incredible track is "Off the Record," particularly on the jammed out ending which breaks it down like no other band has done in a very long time. To be honest, I didn't know they made albums this good anymore, there really hasn't been this big a wow factor in an album since The White Stripes' Elephant in 2003. A triumph and a masterpiece through and through, Z is as good as it gets.


I hope you all enjoyed the list, and since this will be the last post of 2005 here's wishing you all a happy and safe New Year's! See you all in 2006!

Fuzzy Bits: December 30, 2005 (All about upcoming albums/tours)

The Strokes are back!
While the single "Juice Box" has been floating around for quite some time now, the album entitled First Impressions of Earth will hit US shores January 3. Given the great amount of anticipation for this album, I'm really hoping that they do not disappoint. Personally I thought that Room on Fire was a very good album, even if it first appeared like a glossed over Is This It? 2.0. While US tour dates haven't been announced yet, expect them to come back from Europe around March and tour here into the summer.

Ben Harper's latest slated for March 21
Much appreciated to Ben Harper fans I'm sure, the release will be a two-disc effort. One containing all funk tracks and the other strictly ballads. Releases like this are starting to wear thin on me, as many of the albums would be much better off with cutting out the fat and making it a single disc, I suppose we'll have to wait and see if Ben Harper's latest will suffer from the same problem. Harper is expected to tour in support of the album in February or March, and as more details are given, I'll be sure to release the information to you guys.

Josh Rouse's Subtitulo to be a reflection of his move to Spain
Also going to be released on March 21, Rouse's lead single and video will be for the track "Quiet Town." This should be a very interesting album, and has the makings of being a breakthrough as well for mainstream audiences. Like many other artists, when Rouse is inspired he's as good as it gets, so he should truly be on with this release. He has scheduled a few concert dates for January, which are as follows:

1.19 Chicago, IL - Black Orchid
1.20 Nashville, TN - The Belcourt Theater
1.24 Los Angeles, CA - Troubadour
1.26 San Franciso, CA - Swedish American Hall
1.30 New York, NY - Joe's Pub
1.31 New York, NY - Joe's Pub

For those interested, here's the track listing for Rouse's upcoming effort:
01. Quiet Town
02. Summertime
03. It Looks Like Love
04. La Costa Blanca
05. Jersey Clowns
06. His Majesty Rides
07. Giving It Up
08. Wonderful
09. The Man Who Doesn’t Know How To Smile
10. El Otro La

Fuzzy Thoughts' Top 40 Albums of 2005: Part III of IV

Happy Holidays to everyone! Here is the third installment of the Top 40 albums:


19.
Nic Armstrong & The Thieves The Greatest White Liar
A terrific debut from a terrific band, The Greatest White Liar is much more than a simple 60's rock revival, but instead a worthwhile album from a band that should be as well appreciated as the Strokes or the White Stripes were when they both hit the music scene. The single "Broken Mouth Blues" is easily among the best songs of the year, while other songs such as "I Can't Stand It," "Down Home Girl," and "She Changes Like The Weather" add up to what's not only an outstanding debut, but a very fun and stellar overall album.


18.
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Howl
Whatever it is that got into these guys during the time between Take Them On, On Your Own and this album, it has definitely been beneficial. Abandoning their all-out rock and replacing it with acoustic guitar and even gospel in many cases, BRMC's latest showcases their ability as true musicians. For those going in expecting a "balls to the wall" rock album like the two predecessors may find themselves disappointed, however, come with an open mind and you'll find yourself howling that this is one of the best albums of the year.


17.
Ryan Adams & The Cardinals Cold Roses
To say that 2005 has been a big year for Ryan Adams would be a massive understatement. The crown jewel of his trio of albums, Cold Roses, showcases Adams at his best not only musically but also lyrically. His most consistent album since Gold, Adams has his backing band The Cardinals to thank for the expansive musicianship that's showcased throughout this album. Whether it's an intimate studio effort or a rollicking country-rocker, The Cardinals are up to the task in either case and thankfully relieve Adams of some pressure. A very highly recommended album.


16.
Sleater-Kinney The Woods
Easily winning out as being the loudest album of 2005, Sleater-Kinney also find themselves in their best form in over a decade. Powerful as well as poignant, The Woods opens with a killer instinct with the track "The Fox" and continues that momentum throughout the album. There's a distinctive feeling of self-assuredness as well as maturity that oozes through each and every track. If you can handle the voltage, Sleater-Kinney's latest, as always, is well worth getting.


15.
Beck Guero
Beck, the epic chameleon of alternative music, has done it again with Guero. After the beautifully somber Sea Change, Beck returns to his most familiar form with Guero, as it stands as a spirited mix of latin, funk, punk and of course a touch of hip hop. While not as groundbreaking as some of his previous albums, Guero is successful in its longevity. Even overplayed songs such as "E-Pro" and "Girl" still manage to stay relatively fresh after repeated listening, even now. Beck is also, as always, still a trendsetter and retains a timeless sound. That's something that's growing increasingly rare, and it's good to see that the Beck we all know and love is back on this album.


14.
Common Be
One of the most anticipated hip-hop debuts of 2005, Common certainly delivered. While he did have Kanye's production in part to thank, it's Common's lyrics that also contribute to Be being the success it is. With guests ranging from John Legend to John Mayer to of course Kanye himself, this is a star-studded album. Gone is the eclectic fat that bogged down Electric Circus and some of his other previous albums, and instead this is a focused bare-bones release. Highlights include the introductory title track, "The Corner," "Go (featuring John Mayer)" and "The Food (featuring Kanye West)" which is from the Chappelle's Show. An outstanding achievement in hip-hop, this should stand next to Like Water For Chocolate as Common's two greatest achievements.


13.
Wolf Parade Apologies To Queen Mary
Wolf Parade made a huge splash with their debut release, and if it weren't for the even bigger DIY-debut of another indie rock group that will be mentioned later on, they'd perhaps be the most lauded band of 2005. With extremely well written lyrics and a surprising sense of maturity from such a young group, songs like "You Are a Runner and I am My Father's Son" and "Shine a Light" become instant classics. Another mentionable highlight is the powerful "Dear Sons and Daughters of Hungry Ghosts." A must have for any indie rock fan.


12.
Dangerdoom The Mouse and the Mask
As mentioned when originally reviewing this album, Danger Mouse and MF Doom's collaborative effort is the most fun hip hop album since the "Golden Age" of the genre. Incorporating the voices of Adult Swim cast characters, MF Doom's quirky wordplay fits in perfectly. Talib Kweli is outstanding on the track "Old School," a tribute to old school cartoons, while Cee-Lo guests on the super cool "Benzie Box." Nearly all of the tracks relate to the Adult Swim characters or shows, the most obvious example being "ATHF" (Aqua Teen Hunger Force) which is a fantastic rap about each of the characters from the hit show. Danger Mouse's productions match MF Doom perfectly and keeps the album lighthearted. Here's hoping that these two decide to work together again very soon.


11.
Stars Set Yourself on Fire
In any other year this album would've been in the top ten easily. Despite that, this is a near-perfect album that has so many high points that they're nearly impossible to mention individually. Each and every track is crafted incredibly well, flowing from one to another without a hitch. Highlights include the incredible guitar pop of "Reunion," the atmospheric "Sleep Tonight, "and the frantic "Soft Revolution." A truly great achievement in music, Stars' Set Yourself on Fire is an album well worth serious recognition and consideration.

Ryan Adams 29

Ryan Adams final release of the 2005 trilogy is a fine album. While not as sharp as the masterful Cold Roses this is a very poignant set.

Adams' 29 is a 9-track effort, with each track representing a year of Adams' life between 20-29. As such, it's a very personal album, and gives Adams to focus on what he does best: storytelling. On this release, he is without the support of the Cardinals, instead choosing to go with predominantly solo effort. The song starts off with the sly rocker of "29," a song that sounds a bit Chris Isaak-ish in nature, but works very well. Don't expect the rest of the eight tracks to be anything like this though, this isn't Rock 'N Roll rehashed, and this is probably the first album that is completely unlike anything else Ryan Adams has done, at least within the last six years. This is clearly evidenced by such epic pieces as the eight-minute "Strawberry Wine," and the beautifully haunting "Blue Sky Blues." While a very dark and somber release, Adams' 29 is perhaps the most generally cohesive album he's ever released. It's almost impossible to be appreciated unless listened to all the way through from beginning to end. What's best about this album is that given the personal nature of it, you feel a sense of connection with Adams' every word, and with every note played, and you're taken to the places that he's been. That is a feat that only the best singer/songwriters can accomplish; kudos to Ryan Adams for doing just that.

Rating: 90

King Kong

Is it over the top? Yes. Is it too long? Yes, what Peter Jackson movie hasn't been? Is it original? No, not particularly. Is it fun? Yes, more fun than people probably realized going to the movies could be, which is an achievement all its own.

Starring: Naomi Watts, Jack Black, Adrien Brody, Thomas Kretschmann, Colin Hanks and Andy Serkis.
Written by: Peter Jackson, Fran Walsch, Phillipa Boyens.
Story by: Merian C. Cooper and Edgar Wallace
Directed by: Peter Jackson.

It's hard to believe that after three prior versions that a fourth could be released with such little scrutiny. Considering Peter Jackon's decision to go way over budget (the final movie cost was estimated at $207 mil) in order to fulfill his desires to inject the movie with grandiose effects and use CGI extensively. While neither one of these things help the main storyline, and in some cases it actually hurts it, the overall effect of these elements is what makes the movie experience so much fun. Peter Jackson uses these scenes as an opportunity to engross even the most intellectual of film viewers into the movie, and then capitalizes on it by playing with our emotions. Scenes displaying the true side of King Kong and his near human qualities, particularly when he's interacting with Ann Darow (Naomi Watts), as well as the many jungle scenes that are so intense that you almost get fatigued from watching it. The cinematography by Andrew Lesnie is also very outstanding and contributes to one of the reasons why King Kong works so well, particularly in the very complex CGI-incorporated scenes. The problem with King Kong is that there is such a great build up, especially from the middle of the movie onwards, that the pace of the ending appears to come to a screeching halt. Trying to overbuild the sensation of drama as King Kong meets his demise, the final scenes do more harm than good to the overall movie. All in all however, the positives far outweigh the negatives. All the while the film almost makes you feel like a little kid that's been thrown into a world that, while familiar, is so fascinating that you can't help but want more. It's within that feeling, that Peter Jackson's directing propels this movie into being one of the true great Hollywood films. Brilliance isn't the intention, just the purest form of bliss through escapism, that's where the film succeeds.

Rating: 88
Rated PG-13 for frightening adventure violence and some disturbing images.

Fuzzy Thoughts' Top 40 Albums of 2005: Part II of IV

Hopefully you enjoyed the first portion of the Top 40 list, now here are numbers 29-20. Look for the next set to return once again next week.

29.
The New Pornographers Twin Cinema
The New Pornographers' latest, while not as groundbreaking as their prior albums, was still a remarkably solid effort. Songs such as "Jackie, Dressed In Cobras," "The Bleeding Heart Show," the title track, and the outstanding "Sing Me Spanish Techno" make this an album well worth purchasing.



28.
John Mayer Trio Try!
While live albums usually don't earn a place on the list, this one is an exception as the majority of the material on the album is brand new. With that in mind, this is not only, as previously stated, the best John Mayer album ever to be released, it's also one of the more important releases of 2005. It's rare in this day and age to find a pop star that's savvy enough to go out on a limb and decide that he's tired of writing pop songs and instead wants to embrace his latest love, his love for blues guitar. A must have for 2005.


27.
Lemon Jelly '64-'95
While the premise may seem a bit gimmicky (each track is composed of albums from that respective year, all of which fall between 1964 and 1995), this is a formula that truly works for them. While Lemon Jelly has always been creative, it's pretty cool, even for casual fans, to hear what they can do when their entire album is built around a singular focus. Highlights include "Stay With You," "Come Down on Me" and "The Shouty Track."


26.
Queens of the Stone Age Lullabies To Paralyze
Considering all the drama surrounding QOTSA up to the release of this album (with the departure of bassist Nick Oliveri), it's amazing that these guys were able to ever get it finished, much less make it as good as it is. It's a bit more meandering than Songs for the Deaf and R, but it's an equally adventurous and hypnotic effort. It's also still packed with lots of great hard rocking action and solos, with highlights being "Tangled Up In Plaid" and "Burn the Witch." If this album is truly missing anything (outside of the killer Dave Grohl drumming), it's a true single. Most of the reason for this album falling so deeply under the radar as it did was that its lead single was a relatively anemic "Little Sister." It works well in the context of the album, but standing on it's own, it pales in comparison to every other single Queens of the Stone Age has recorded. Outside of that fact, this is still a very awesome album.


25.
Art Brut Bang Bang Rock & Roll
Currently only available as an Import title
The title of this release is entirely appropriate for the sound of the album. They're a hard hitting, but most importantly fun british rock group, with great spoken vocals by Eddie Argos. The lyrics are both incredibly funny as well as smart all at the same time, it's too bad they have not pushed for a major release here in the states. With clever heartbreak songs such as "Emily Kane," and the superb all out rock of "Bad Weekend," they really could give Franz Ferdinand a run for their money should they decide to bring their sound across the pond. One of the best debuts of 2005, Bang Bang Rock & Roll is really worth a look.


24.
Erin McKeown We Will Become Like Birds
With this being the fourth album of McKeown's career in six years, it seems like she might've finally found her sweet spot. While some songs maintain the fringe genre of folk-rock, it appears that she has matured incredibly and has taken on writing more traditional songs as well, without losing her sense of identity at all. A perfect example of which is "Beautiful, I Guess," a perfectly crafted song about heartbreak, that is very well personalized and at the same time accessible. It's a difficult process, trying new things without coming off as a sell out, but Erin McKeown accomplishes it here and comes up with the best album she's released yet.

23.
Atmosphere You Can't Imagine How Much Fun We're Having
Surprisingly, Atmosphere's latest album released with very little publicity. However, this album is easily just as good as their earlier efforts, but it does show an interesting evolution. The overall production, especially in comparison to the mix-tape quality of Seven's Travels, is very slick and the beats are probably among the best I've heard from ANT. Slug's lyrics, particularly when he's forced to take center stage, are as sharp as ever particularly on songs like "Panic Attack." What's odd is that while many of us may be used to Slug being the centerpiece of Atmosphere, ANT's productions have never been at the level they are now, particularly when looking at tracks like "Musical Chairs," "Smart Went Crazy," and "Get Fly," which almost overshadow Slug and make it seem like he's only trying to keep up. All in all, this is yet another very solid album from Atmosphere, and no they still haven't fallen off like many think.


22.
One Be Lo S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M.
Formerly known as One Man Army, and one half of the now defunct Binary Star, One Be Lo continues that legacy started with his former group on this album. Packed from beginning to end with outstanding smarts, not to mention great lyrics and beats, there's truly very little filler here. His sound brings back the "Golden Age" of hip hop, when the early 90's artists embraced jazz and more mellow grooves as their background. Highlights include "Propaganda," "Axis," and "True Love." One of the best hip hop albums to be released this year by far.


21.
Of Montreal The Sunlandic Twins
While not nearly as good as last years Satanic Panic In The Attic, Of Montreal still has a number of goodies up their sleeves. With songs such like "Keep Sending Me Black Fireworks," "Wraith Pinned to the Mist and Other Games," and "The Repudiated Immortals," it's hard to say that this album has fallen short. With their orchestral synth-pop sound that's overtly bright even for them on this album, it's certainly not for everyone, but a very, very good album nonetheless.


20.
Bright Eyes I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning
Hate him or love him, the more country/folk oriented album of his dual release (the other being the darker and harsher Digital Ash in a Digital Urn), actually makes for quite an enjoyable listening experience. Songs like "Another Travellin Song" recall Bob Dylan, while the sleepy "Old Soul Song (For The New World Order)" soothes and brings a craft of songwriting that hasn't been seen this decade. The real gem is the sentimental yet quirky "First Day of My Life," which is a genuinely touching love song. Impressive and focused, this one proves that maybe Bright Eyes isn't so overrated after all.

New addition to the family! (Off Topic)

Joining the increasingly popular Fuzzy Thoughts blog is another blog that will focus more on the technological side of things-- Fuzzy Tech. While both webpages will be manned by me, you shouldn't see a loss in terms of number of updates, and I'll still provide the same timely entries with this site as the other one. So, please welcome in Fuzzy Tech, and do check it out from time to time as I add more features to it. Why did I decide to add another blog? Well, here are a few of the reasons:
I wanted to provide a technology-related blog that would help people in the decision making process. Too often people walk into stores not knowing what they want, much less what they actually need, and walk out wondering if they somehow got ripped off in the back of their minds. To educate everyone, I'm hoping to not only provide great insight into the world of technology (from reviews/news MP3 players to cell phones to computers and otherwise), but also give opinion columns that help put the latest tech in perspective for the common person. Essentially my whole point is to make a tech blog for people that aren't really into tech, and are just looking for clear, concise answers. So, anyway, enjoy the new page, and be sure to e-mail me for any questions, comments or concerns.

Fuzzy Bits: December 13, 2005

New Releases Week!
Among the releases this week is Beck's Guerolito which is a collection of remixes from his Guero album. Like all other remix albums, this one is pretty sketchy at best but does feature a few killer remixes that are well worth mentioning if you haven't heard them already as they were previously released as singles. Those are: "GHETTOCHIP MALFUNCTION (Hell Yes remix by 8Bit)," "Ghost Range (E-Pro remix by Homelife)," and finally "Broken Drum (remix by Boards of Canada)." The others range from decent to relatively disposable, and overall probably won't hold your attention for more than one listen. Also released this week is Ludacris' label Disturbing Tha Peace album, which, like every other label album before, features pretty mediocre talent outside of the major acts, and those few tracks alone don't make the album worth purchasing. Unfortunately overall it looks like another weak release week, so for those looking for something new to get or perhaps even a Christmas purchase, try mulling over the recent reviews and the first portion of the Fuzzy Thoughts Top 40 of 2005 list (the second installment of which will be coming this weekend).

Grammy News!
It would be nice if the Grammy's at least pretended they cared about actual talent rather than simply the most popular artists, but once again the MTV awards for everyone leaves a lot to be desired with their nominations. John Legend (huh?), Mariah Carey (double huh?) and Kanye West lead the list of nominees with eight each.
Album of the Year Nominees
Mariah Carey Emancipation of Mimi
Kanye West Late Registration
U2 How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
Paul McCartney Chaos and Creation in the Backyard
Gwen Stefani Love.Angel.Music.Baby

Record of the Year Nominees
"We Belong Together" by Mariah Carey
"Feel Good Inc." by Gorillaz Featuring De La Soul
"Boulevard Of Broken Dreams" by Green Day
"Hollaback Girl" by Gwen Stefani
"Gold Digger" by Kanye West

The only nominations worth noting is that Common received four nominations, including best rap performance and best rap album. Also, The Arcade Fire received a nod for Alternative Album of the Year, competing with Beck, Franz Ferdinand, Death Cab for Cutie, and the White Stripes. Surprisingly, Coldplay has been snubbed for the majority of nominations settling for at best Rock Album of the Year and also the previously mentioned White Stripes only received one other nomination. Personally, I'll be waiting for the Shortlist awards.

Prince set to release new album
Prince's new album 3121 should be coming out soon, although a specific date has yet to be set. The video for his single "Te Amo Corazón" was released today on his NPG Music Club webpage. It stars Mia Maestro (Motorcycle Diaries), and was directed by Salma Hayek. Prince plans to support his latest release next year.

Fuzzy Thoughts' Top 40 Albums of 2005 Part I of IV

40.
Ben Folds Songs for Silverman
Ben Folds returned with a much more somber and retrospective album in 2005. The shortfalls of Folds' latest, like many of his other previous albums, lies within the inconsistencies of the record. Unfortunately, this time around there are no stellar singles to make up for it. While still a worthwhile album, particularly for fans, there's nothing truly noteworthy about this album, though many will be happy with the mere maturity that exists within it.


39.
Franz Ferdinand You Could Have it So Much Better
Franz Ferdinand returned after their breakthrough debut album hoping to continue to fuel the feeding frenzy. However, it appears that they perhaps tried too hard, and rushed through this album. There are definitely some good fun songs on here, but they hardly showed much growth. These guys are talented, that's obvious, but they have to start pushing themselves a little bit more before they become the Fatboy Slim of the Indie Rock world.


38.
Amos Lee Amos Lee
Under the Blue Note label, where he benefitted from the publicity of not only being featured in Starbucks, but also in having Norah Jones as his labelmate, Amos Lee was able to have a great commercial foundation for this release. Ranging from the blues to folk to R&B, Amos Lee is as talented as he is dynamic, and if there were any justice in the world, he would be the cover boy for Blue Note rather than the aforementioned counterpart. Songs like "Seen It All Before," "Colors," and "Keep It Lose Keep It Tight" are sincere and mature in their approach, and really show the depth that Lee possesses as a songwriter. One of the top new artists of 2005, this is surely worth a look.


37.
OK GO Oh No
Chicago-based OK GO's sophomore album is anchored by the Franz Ferdinand-esque single of "A Million Ways," which classifies the new sound that has been integrated with the likes of more traditional OK GO songs such as "Oh Lately It's So Quiet." This album feels a bit like Phantom Planet's self-titled debut album of last year where they took their ultra-pop sound and trashed around a bit and came out with a sound that while harsher and more aggressive on the outside, still is infectiously sweet on the inside. Not for everyone, fans should find enough to enjoy, and for those that are looking for a dose of what OK GO is like, they should find something on this album as well.


36.
Jack Johnson In Between Dreams
It's interesting how an artist like Jack Johnson can be hammered by most reviewers, yet a band like Coldplay can be so well celebrated. Yes, Jack Johnson writes incredibly mellow music, no he's not the best songwriter on the face of the earth, but here's the one stat that counts: He's gotten better with each release, and this has been his best release yet (and that's more you can say for the British mellow-rockers). Tracks 1-4 are all very good, with other highlights being "Breakdown" which is a carry over from Johnson's work with Handsome Boy Modeling School and also the single "Sitting, Waiting Wishing." Really worth a look.


35.
Jamiroquai Dynamite
Dynamite shows Jamiroquai in their best form since 1996's Travelling Without Moving. Packed from beginning to end with top-notch r&b and dance grooves, this is surely their most consistent album yet, even if it isn't their most ambitious.




34.
Kings of Leon Aha Shake Heartbreak
This effort from the Nashville group is pure fun. While the bold, brash, and cocky sound may not be for everyone, Kings of Leon are well on their way of becoming household names. From the frustrated innuendoes of "Soft" to the spunky and rollicking "Razz" and "Four Kicks" to the classic rock of "The Bucket" and "Slow Night, So Long" there is something for everyone, particularly if you have any type of fascination for southern-rock based music.

33.
M.I.A. Arular
Few independent artists made as big a splash as M.I.A. this year, and even before her release of the single "Galang" people were talking about her. Already an intriguing artist, based upon her eccentric history, she also struck a lot of people's attention with her infectious danceable rhythms that covered up the incredibly intellectual political implications found within many of her songs. Very engaging and fun at the same time

32.
Fiona Apple Extraordinary Machine
From one heavily hyped album to another, Apple's Extraordinary Machine was a long time coming. After being shelved for a little more than a year, she was finally able to redo the album, leaving only two tracks as is from the original Jon Brion-produced version. After such a lengthy absence (her last release was back in 1999), it's almost impossible to satisfy her hungry followers. However, all things equal, Extraordinary Machine doesn't hold up nearly as well as her two previous releases. Despite this, it's still a very good album, and proves that even when Fiona Apple isn't in top form, she's still one of the best.

31.
LCD Soundsystem LCD Soundsystem
From the moment "Daft Punk is Playing at my House" blares as the opening track of this album, it's pretty apparent that LCD Soundsystem is a very special group. Incredibly intelligent, witty and aware, each of the songs ooze with pop culture references that make not only for endearing spoofs, but also good fun. Highly recommended.



30.
Doves Some Cities
Having been around since 1998, it's amazing that Doves have not come to see the same level of success as other British rock groups. Instead, they have maintained under the radar, with only a few singles that have managed to become popular thanks in part to TV spots. With Some Cities Doves changed the landscaping of their music slightly, as it's both slightly more expansive and rocks a bit harder. While there are highlights, specifically "One of these Days," "Black and White Town" and the title track, there really isn't a bad song on this cd.

Look for Part II to be featured next week

John Mayer Trio Try!

By far the best record released by John Mayer, this should prove all the doubters wrong once and for all... bring on the studio album

The first thing anyone will notice is that whether or not this new John Mayer is a phase or something that's going to stay, it's a hell of a lot better than where he was only a year ago. That's not to discredit anything that Mayer has released previously, for the short amount of time that he's been a part of the music industry, he's undoubtedly made his mark, however, as he's admitted himself, he can't make hopelessly romantic/sappy pop songs forever. So in enters the new John Mayer, which in itself is a bit of a misnomer because anyone who's seen him in concert probably always had a feeling in the back of their mind that he had this in him. Of course, thinking it, and seeing it played out consistently over the course of a 60-plus minute album, is something completely different, and that's what's so impressive about this effort. Outside of two tracks, the album is all new material, with a couple of very noteworthy covers. The best of these covers is a surprisingly effective "I've Got a Woman," which finds Mayer at his strongest in terms of vocal delivery, as his voice floats ever so gleefully above the music. This is where the moniker of the "new John Mayer" is applicable: before, one could see John Mayer as being a shy sort, where now there's an accentuated air of confidence about him, he really knows and loves what he's doing now, and it shows. If the lead single of "Who Did You Think It Was?" isn't enough, check out the 7:40 straight out blues of "Out of My Mind." Here, Mayer completely engulfs himself into the blues genre, not just with his guitar (on which he has some mesmerizing solos), but also with his voice. No, it's not full of the richness that help make certain blues artists legends, but at the same time, he's so unintimidated that it really doesn't matter, the heart and soul of the piece and his emotions are still there. Not straying so far off the beaten path are the tracks "Vultures" and even more so "Gravity," which are also stellar songs. In "Vultures," the underlying elements of the song is all blues, but the vocals and lyrical delivery is very much in John Mayer's typical style. This creates an interesting tension, that Mayer completely breaks through every time he hits the high notes of the chorus. "Gravity," rather than wallowing in the same way that many of his other songs did, is instead delivered with such an air of experience that it feels more real, and reads more of a traditional rock ballad than light-hearted pop song. It also finds Mayer at his best in terms of songwriting, something that is followed through with nearly every other track on this great live album.

Having already relatively high expectations coming into listening to this album, it's amazing to still come away impressed after listening through the album, and with each repeated listen there are nuances of John Mayer's newfound approach that make the album all the more interesting. Highly recommended.

★★★★¾

Concert Review: Dave Matthews Band Live at Assembly Hall 11.30.05

Wow, easily one of the best concerts they've performed recently

While it was a little bit shorter than to be expected, the reason being that the band jammed out more than they had originally planned, there were a vast majority of great epic jams to be had during this concert. DMB got the crowd going with "What Would You Say" and then shifted into "#41" which was stellar, although the "Everyday" outro has kind of lost it's luster as of late--if you're going to do that song, just play the full out "#36/Everyday" don't mix it in with a song as soothing as "#41." The centerpiece of the show was an over 20-minute rendition of "Seek Up," which is one of the many surprises that DMB had planned for this tour. It was obvious that the newer fans present weren't quite able to appreciate the extensive jam--not to mention that they were even playing such a rarely heard piece-- as some chose to sit down, but both Butch Taylor (keys) and Carter Beauford (drums) shined on this piece. The second highlight, and quite possibly the one of most importance, was the "American Baby Intro" which has really taken a life of its own since its original conception on the album Stand Up. It's incredible beauty comes from how the song manages to be both expansive yet simplistic, as the root of the song is effectively four notes. Dave Matthews voice perfectly matches the passion that lies within the playing of his bandmates as he eventually screams out the lyrics to the intro "She said, a hundred times/She said, a thousand miles" to the point that he turned completely red while doing it.

As stated before, "American Baby Intro" has truly evolved to the point that it's hardly an introduction, but a song all on its own that should be a DMB staple for some time to come. This song was appropriately bridged into "Dreamgirl" which was probably at its best at this show-- it truly has come along way from the original live versions as well. Butch Taylor and Stefan Lessard do an excellent introduction to the song, and the band has finally figured out a way to build on the song without completely losing the flavor of the piece. "Jimi Thing," while almost always expected to be good, was particularly well done because Butch Taylor was given the opportunity to have a good five minute solo where he also scatted along, and combine that with some great drumwork from Carter Beauford and you've got another sure winner. The encore was perfect, as Dave and Carter performed "The Christmas Song," a perfect song for such an intimate arena like Assembly Hall, and then of course finished off with an incredibly energized version of "Ants Marching."

The band as a whole was playing with so much energy that they probably could've played another half hour at least, and I really wish they had. Either way though, it's great to see that these guys are well-rested and back up to top form, and it should be great to see them again come the spring/summer tour.

★★★★★

From the Vault: The Dears No Cities Left

Brooding and awesome, if you somehow missed out on them last year, this is truly a must have

The Dears, hailing from Montreal, were sandwiched in with the hype that surrounded The Arcade Fire. Despite having a completely different sound, having the same hometown can do that to a band. The Dears, headed by Murray Lightburn, find themselves constantly in an intriguing balance of edgy rock and orchestral compositions, with the perfect example residing in "Never Destroy Us." Another stand out track, "Warm and Sunny Days" combats the smooth baseline and vocals with bursts of electric guitar chords. The overall effect is very stimulating and at the same time slightly uneasy, because the sound is so incredibly dissonant sometimes that there's a distancing affect. Overall, this album is nothing short of outstanding, and while the band has yet to have released anything since the this album, it's certain that something should be coming from them again soon.

★★★★★