Someone asked me two weeks ago for my choice for the best album of 2005. I thought for five minutes and I had my response. There was no “best” album of 2005.

It was a dreadful year for music.

The obvious choices are those that are both best sellers and critically acclaimed. Two albums fit into that recipe of success: Kanye West’s Late Registration and Coldplay’s X&Y. Late Registration was not as good as The College Dropout and X&Y was nowhere near as good as Coldplay’s previous albums. So picking either album would be a bad choice.

It’s a popular choice to think indie. With that mentality, one could consider albums by The White Stripes (they are still indie by definition), Feist, The Arcade Fire, and maybe even Matisyahu. But were any of them worthy of the “best” title? Hardly.

Hip-hop didn’t have a particularly good year in terms of good music. In terms of sales, hip-hop will never have a problem as long as 50 Cent has albums to reissue. But credibility, quality, superior music? Common and Damian Marley come to mind. They both had solid albums from the first track to the last, but again, there has to be something better out there.

The legends, anything there? Paul McCartney, U2, Neil Young, Ray Charles. They all released albums, some great (U2), some not so great (P.Mac). But none deserve the title. Next!

Remix albums and greatest hits compilations? Just kidding. Sorry Britney Spears, ‘N Sync, and Hilary Duff. Not even close.

I’m out of ideas.

Almost.

andPOP’s choice for album of the year: In Your Honor by the Foo Fighters. Don?t be too flattered, Dave. The best album of 2005 isn’t awarded to the best of the best. It’s given to you, the best of the worst.

Good luck, 2006. I miss you, 2004.






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