Scott Freeman

Scott Freeman’s Top Albums of 2005

OK, compiling this list I realize that popular music has passed me by. I’ve gandered at a lot of best-of music lists for this year and, frankly, I hate most of them.
I don’t like rap or hip/hop or whatever it’s called. Jesus Walks is cool but that’s about it.
All the pseudo-rock bands that sound alike? No thanks. You can keep your modest pornographers morning cab chemical volta.
Give me lyrics I can understand, some simple chords and either a dash of wit, melancholy or dissent and I’m a happy man.
Here’s my list:

1. Sweet Somewhere Bound by Jackie Greene–Are you sure this isn’t Dylan’s son? You can tell on every single track who his main influence is. Best album of the year, hands down. Nothing else comes close. Wow, wow and double wow. If you have never take one of my recommendations, now is the time to take one. If you love Dylan, GET THIS ALBUM!
2. Defying Gravity by Cheryl Wheeler–Nobody writes a better ballad than Wheeler does. Two tracks about the death of her father, Since You’ve Been Gone and Blessed will break your heart. She’ll crack you up too. Her parody of cell-phone ring tones, It’s the Phone, is timeless.
3. Regulars and Refugees by Carrie Newcomer–This is a concept album set in a diner. It tells the stories of the individuals who are assembled together on this one particular evening. It weaves together a rich tapestry of community, belonging and hope.
4. Master of Disaster by John Hiatt–He jangles and rocks with the North Mississippi All-stars. Rock and Roll the way it’s meant to be played. If you don’t own some John Hiatt, you are missing out.
5. Solo Acoustic, Vol. 1 by Jackson Browne–He is the most under-rated songwriter in rock history. Classic Browne tunes get an intimate retelling here. Every song is stellar and the dialogue between songs is not to be missed.
6. Have a Nice Day by Bon Jovi–Pure pop candy. Nothing more, nothing less.
7. Fair and Square by John Prine–Equal parts eccentric and hard hitting. John Prine is a master wordsmith who pumps pure joy into a long run.
8. 12 Songs by Neil Diamond–Rick Rubin did wonders with Johnny Cash late in his career. Now he does the same with Neil. There’s only one Neil, right?
9. The Hard and the Easy by Great Big Sea–The pride of Newfoundland puts their own stamp on 12 Newfoundland classics. I defy you to listen to Come and I Will Sing You without tapping your feet.
10. A Collision by David Crowder Band–There is so much missing in Contemporary Christian Music that it was hard to find much to be excited about in 2005 (reasons why later). However, Crowder rises above the cookie-cutter uniformity that is CCM to create something that is an instant classic.

There is my list. Any thoughts?