2005 did not start off as a good year for music for me. 6 months into the year and all I had for my top ten was Kelly Clarkson's "Breakaway" album. I was wondering if I would even have a best of. At the end of the year the usual flood of albums came out, some were great surprises (Madonna's Confession On A Dancefloor, Guilty Pleasures by Barbra & Barry, Drama by Bananarama), while others were huge disappointments (see below).
On a commercial note, the big successes in North America were 50 cents (can I scream!). The big comeback of Mariah Carey's “The Emancipation Of Mimi”. Her song “We Belong Together” became her second longest # 1 single ever and she would close the year off with a record breaking 17 # 1 songs, a tie with Elvis for 2nd place. Other big acts included Coldplay and Gwen Stephanie first solo outing "L.A.M.B.". In the UK Madonna would close off the year with “Hung Up” which became one of her biggest UK singles.
The biggest success to me was Kelly Clarkson's Breakaway album. In a world that is dominated by Rap and R&B music Kelly's rock/pop sound was able to break through and produce 4 top ten singles (“Breakaway”, “Since U Been Gone”, “Behind These Hazel Eyes” and “Because Of You”). While 2005 did not live up to the amazing year of 2004 it did produce some fun stuff.
01 Breakaway--Kelly Clarkson
Who would have thought an American Idol Winner would top my list of 2005. This album just ROCKS!! From the explosive mega hit “Since You've Been Gone” to my favorite heartbroken song “Behind Theses Hazel Eyes”. This is not the same girl we heard singing the syrupy ballad “A Moment Like This”. Kelly co-wrote a bulk of the songs. She collaborates with Ben Moody from Evanescence on the power ballad “Because Of You”, they turn it up a notch with the rock heavy “Addicted”. Canada 's own Chantal Chantal Kreviazuk and hubby Raine Maida collaborate with Kelly on “Where Is The Heart” and “Walk Away". The title track went on to becoming the biggest AC hit of the year.
02 Confessions On A Dancefloor--Madonna
This album is one big non-stop dance remix, no gaps between songs. Madonna has always prefered the remixes of her songs to the album versions so she decided to start from there. On an initial listen I loved "Hung Up" and "Jump" but but every time I play the CD another song stands out. While "Hung Up " is the only track to borrow another song ("Gimme, Gimme, Gimme A Man after Midnight", ABBA) others songs are heavilly influenced by the past. "Get Together" sound like it's about to explode into "Take Your Time Do It Right" by the SOS band, and "Future Lover" is a big homage to Giorgio Moroder and Donna Summers with a backbeat reminiscent of "I Feel Love". Make no mistake the album is not retro sounding but very modern, the stuff you would hear in the clubs or raves. Other standout tracks include the catchy "Sorry" and the beautiful arranged "Let It Will Be".
03 Guilty Pleasures--Barbra Streisand & Barry Gibb
I have to say I was skeptical, sometimes trying to re-create a certain magic doesn’t work, well I was wrong the magic is back. This CD is one of the best adult contemporary albums in a long time. Barbra's voice has never sounded better and Barry Gibb (in my opinion) is one of pop music’s best songwriters. The first single “Stranger In A Strange Land” is a beautiful song dedicated to the troops overseas . Hideaway is just gorgeous. The Barry Gibb duet “Come Tomorrow” a bit country sounding is heavenly. This is not a dance album but those looking for an upbeat song will be happy with “Night Of My Life”. Other standouts include “All The Children”, her anti-war song with it’s ethnic beat, “(Our Love) Don't Throw It All Away” (a hit by Andy Gibb in the 70’s), and "It's Up To You" a Hommage to Motown.
04 Unwritten--Natasha Bedingfield
Welcome new Brit sensation singer/songwriter Natasha Bedingfield. I got hooked after hearing her song “These Words” a top 5 hit in Canada and top 20 in the US . The title track “Unwritten” is allready in my top 10 favorites of the year . It’s a great album, a mix of pop and R& B. She could well be the next big thing.
05 Drama--Bananarama
The ultimate 80's girl group is back with a euro electro album. Great dance tracks like the hits “Look On The Floor” and “Move in My Direction”. They turn it down a bit for the beautiful “Middle Of Nowhere” but the rest will make you want to move your booty to songs like “Lovebites” , and “Don't Step On My Groove”.
06 Shane Wiebe
One of my favorite top ten Canadian Idol contestants, I love Shane's beautiful clear voice. No weird voice acrobatic just a great sound. I wasn't expecting him to be a great songwriter as well. This album reminds me of bit of George Michael and Rock Voisine. Great tracks include “When I'm With You”, “Just Wait”, “Love Is” and the beautiful duet with his wife “ “Trace You
( Lost In Your Love).
07 Life--Ricky Martin
I was surprised to hear a Middle Eastern sound instead of his usual latin beats but I really like it. With the exception of 3 songs Ricky is credited as one of the many songwriters. I love the first 3 tracks “Till I Get You”, I won’t Desert You” and the first catchy single “I don’t Care”. Diane Warren gave him a beautiful ballad “Stop Time Tonight”. He has a few guest rappers and singer on the album, but not too much to over take the music. There is only one song that I found annoying “This is Good” otherwise it’s a good collection of 10 songs. The album ends with 2 extra Spanish translations of It’s Alright, and “I Don’t Care”.
08 Body Acoustic--Cyndi Lauper
I usually don't like it when an artist re-records their hit songs but “The Body Acoustic” is not bad. The best tracks are the new ones recorded for the album, “Above The Clouds”, and “Ill Be Your River”. Her recent material sounds great acoustically like the amazing “Shine” and "Sisters Of Avalon”. As for the older material “Money Changes Everything” is kind of neat a bit country sounding, and “All Through The Night” sound great even with the rap by Shaggy. Some of the stuff you have to wonder what Cyndi was thinking, “She Bop” should never be a slow acoustic song you can barely recognize it and it sounds like she's on Prozac.
09 Never Gone--Backstreet Boys
While not a masterpiece “Never Gone” is a good pop album. Great ballads like “Incomplete” and Siberia , and cute pop song like “Poster Girl” and “I Want You To Know” are as good as any of their older hits. I love Nick's version of the penned John Ondrasik (Five For Fighting) song “Weird World”.
Best Cover artwork and Best comebackThe Emanicipation Of Mimi--Mariah Carey
I guess I could have listed this at #10 on my list. Commercially it was a huge success but hits like the mega smash "We Belong Together" just bored me and "Shake It Off" was one of the worst singles of 2005. The best tracks were never released like "Stay The Night" and "Circles". Can't Mariah do an album without all the guest rappers and sampling? Now about the cover WOW!! I want to learn from the photographers/designers. The cover was airbrushed to death but it's gorgeous.
Photography by Markus Klinko & Indrani
Disappointments
Intensive Care--Robbie Williams
As one of Robbie's biggest fans I don't know what to say. I love the first single “Tripping” but the rest of the album sound nothing like it. His homage to Elvis “Advertising Space” is OK but the rest is all very ballad boring. All the steel guitars make it sound country, where is the upbeat rock artist I used to love? This is Robbie first album without his writing partner Guy Chambers, I really think they need to get back together. Thumbs up to the the Grant Morrison & Frank Quietly cards and artwork.
Samantha Fox--Angel With An Attitude
I'm still not sure what I think of this album. I don't really like the production it all sounds the same. For those who love club music might like the album. I was hoping for a more pop sound. I like “To Be Heard”, “The Power” and the ballad “Dreams Unfold”.