Best of, Schmest of the Deuce K Pound (2005)

This is the third draft of my "Best of" list. The first version was way too long and focused more on albums that I hated, which was almost every major release (see: M.I.A., Coldplay, etc.). The second was a little leaner, but was still way too word-y, as I tend to get. But I ain't Pitchfork (mostly because I WOULD NEVER give Lil' Kim a rating over a 4), so this is my uber lean "Notables" list for the 2K5. I will have a worst album list, but y'all can wait for the negativity.

Most Important Album
Sage Francis, "A Healthy Distrust" (Epitaph)
I'm not sure Epitaph has released any album this good since Refused's "The Shape of Punk to Come." This is one of the few hip-hop releases in their catalog, but it stands to be their most punk rock in the last few years.

Most Overhyped Album
M.I.A., "Arular" (XL/Matador/Interscope)
This particular album was hard to keep on the racks at Easy Street because Pitchfork hyped the hell out of it. But to paraphrase Mr. Har Mar Superstar, anything that Pitchfork is excited about is immediately suspect. I didn't buy the whole Sri-Lankan Missy thing. M.I.A. is awful and annoying. I'd rather spend my money on a REAL hip-hop album (like The Coup's "Genocide and Juice") and not on this poor imitation of a poor imitation.

Best American Band that Sounds Like a British Band
Nightmare of You, "Nightmare of You" (Bevonshire Label/Eastwest)
The Killers tried making a stab at this category by reissuing "Hot Fuss" with bonus tracks, but they lost out to this quartet from Long Island.

The Paris Hilton Award
Fall Out Boy, "From Under the Cork Tree" (Island Def Jam)
It seemed that for awhile, you couldn't walk a foot without seeing Paris Hilton's ugly face on some magazine. Fall Out Boy has had similar exposure this year where they've appeared on a ton of magazines (Alternative Press twice!), televsion, and all over Warped Tour -- all to promote an album that wasn't as good as their previous offering. The children can keep their sacred cow, I'll always have Dag Nasty to fall back on.

Comeback Album of the Year
Thrice, "Vheissu" (Island Def Jam) (Rock)
Common, "Be" (GOOD) (Hip-Hop)
For both these acts, this was a stellar year for releases. Thrice took a very large leap outside of the "emo-metal-hardcore-openchordchugging" box and made a beautiful record. Common dropped the hippie vibe of "Electric Circus" and made a record that's most like 1994's "Resurrection."

Best Compilation of the Year
Motown Remixed (Motown)
Unlike "Verve Remixed 3" or "Beatles Regrooved," the heads at Motown went and sought out good producers to retouch their classics. The Jackson 5 never sounded so funky until after Z-Trip laid down some thicker basslines.

Letdown of the Year
Handsome Boy Modeling School "White People" (Warner)
Z-Trip "Shifting Gears" (Hollywood/Warner)
There are many similarities to these two records: fans have been salivating for these releases for years; they both featured Chester Bennington from Linkin Park; and they were not very good. For all its hype and budget, Z-Trip failed by not focusing on the "turntable music" image he's been trying to shake for the last three years. Instead we get a bunch of rushed vocal tracks by Soup from Jurassic 5. Similarly, Prince Paul and Dan the Automator may have bitten off more than they could chew as Handsome Boy 2 stumbles into calling itself a "concept album."

Second Spins
Kanye West, "Late Registration" (Roc-A-Fella)
Death Cab for Cutie, "Plans" (Atlantic)
The incredible media coverage of Kanye West made me put off listening to his album until recently. I've been hearing the singles since March and having actually sat down and listened to it, it's quite good. I still stand by my review of Death Cab's fifth album and major label debut, but a few more of the songs have grown on me.

Best Video
Blue Scholars, "Freewheelin'" (from "Blue Scholars")
Well first of all, for an independent video, it sure as hell doesn't look like someone at the Art Institute made it with a budget of $200 (for catering and extras). So Geo and Sabzi have that going for them. Secondly, there's something entertaining about Geo (who's Filipino) rhyming in the "International District" (formerly Chinatown).

Best Single
GZA and Ras Kass, "Lyrical Swords" (from "Wu-Tang Meets The Indie Culture")
I shouldn't have to write anything about this crazy tune.

Rock Album of the Year
Eisley, "Room Noises" (Reprise)
The Dupree family should be proud of this album as it captures sweet melodies and lush images wrapped and transforms them into the catchiest pop record of 2005.

Hip-Hop Album of the Year
The Perceptionists, "Black Dialogue" (Def Jux)
It's skilled as it is scathing, insightful as it is entertaining. The Perceptionists are Public Enemy for a generation of apathetic, internet news fed b-boys.