The lemons grow like tumors, they are tiny suns infused with sour -- Other Albums of Note from 2005

I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning – Bright Eyes
I couldn’t have been more surprised by this album. I really liked it when it first came out and it has faded some since then. Going back not too long ago I found that some of the songs are still really strong, but not the whole thing.

Humming By the Flowered Vine – Laura Cantrell
I really wish I could have gone to the Laura Cantrell concert with Scott and Mike last year. I think I was coming back from Florida the day of the show. Not everything works out like you want it to. Doing a little bit of self reflection when it comes to my #1 picks for 2004 and 2005, I see that I saw those artists live both years. Coincidence? Hmmmm. Maybe I would have liked this one more if I had made it to the concert. I don’t know. It’s still really good but I’ve liked her other albums better.

The Forgotten Arm – Aimee Mann
I really like Aimee Man and I’ve enjoyed this album the few times I’ve played it. It just sounds too much like her last two albums. Nothing stands out.

The Woods – Sleater-Kinney
I admire this more than I really like it. There have been times when I really dug it and other times when I just turned it off. It’s frustrating because I think it’s a great album. It’s sequenced really well. I know this because in my frustrations I tried to rearrange the tracks to see if it might work out better for me. Oh, well. It’s just not something I think of putting on when I want to enjoy a great album. It hardly makes sense, but there it is.

Devils & Dust – Bruce Springsteen
I like quiet, folk-y Springsteen. The Ghost of Tom Joad was one of my favorite albums back when it was released. This one is good, but not great. I haven’t really wanted to go back and hear it much.

Here Come the ABCs – They Might Be Giants
This is a great kid’s album. I’ve really enjoyed listening to it with Aden. It also wins the award for album I’ve listened to the most from 2005.

Late Registration – Kanye West
It would be impossible for a rap album to make my top 10. Not because I don’t like the genre, but because for an album to be repeatedly listenable, it can’t have stupid segues, skits, and interludes between songs. If you’ve heard those once, that’s enough. Still, this album isn’t on my Top 10 for other reasons as well. There are some really weak songs mixed in with the good ones.