This year was a good year for great music. My three favorite bands all released albums and I was able to catch a couple of them on tour this year as well. For what it’s worth I wanted to live out my small fantasy of writing reviews for Rolling Stone here on my site. So with out further ado, Here is a list of my favorite albums of the past year. They are listed in no particular order because that wouldn’t be fair to any of the bands that don’t have The Edge as a guitarist. Enjoy and feel free to let me know what you think.

How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
U2

The boys from the north side of Dublin do it again! If this isn’t the best album of the year it sure is the most fun. Unos, Dos, Tres, Catorce! Top Tracks: Original of the Species, Crumbs From Your Table, Yahweh, City of Blinding Lights

Chaos and Creation in the Backyard
Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney released a wonderful album this year that hasn’t gotten much attention. Instead of being backed up by George, Ringo, and John, Sir Paul’s back-up band is— Sir Paul McCartney. On the first song alone, Paul plays 9 different instruments. Although there are no “radio-friendly-Top-40” breakout hits this album showcases Paul’s musical and lyrical prowess. The album stays with you long after you have placed the disc back in its case.Top Tracks: Fine Line, Jenny Wren, Too Much Rain

X&Y
Coldplay

Chris Martin and Co. came back with a vengance this past year and brought with them a great album. Nothing I could say here could capture the places that this album can take you. Stop right now, buy this album and listen to it! Pure genius. I believe that in the coming years this will be one of those definative records that everybody owns. Get yours today. Top Tracks: Fix You, Square One, A Message, Talk, The Hardest Part, Kingdom Come

Jagged Little Pill-Acoustic
Alanis Morrisette

I can remember listening to the original Jagged Little Pill back in high school. Alanis Morrisette decided that the best way to re-release this classic album was to reunite with uber-producer Glen Ballard for a thorough re-telling of every song, note for note. I bought this CD at Starbuck’s thinking that it would be the usual “unplugged” album. I was wrong. The songs were re-crafted to work within the acoustic setting. The sounds were just as fresh as they were back in ‘95. A few misses but still one of my favorite albums of 2005.

Live at Stubb’s
Matisyahu

A Hasidic Jew who sings Reggae in the vein of Bob Marley and the Wailers. If it wasn’t real it would be a terrible, off-color joke. Well, it is real and it rocks! Matisyahu spent a summer as a Phish-head traveling around the country. He got in touch with his Hasidic roots and began to lay down some heavy beats. I loved this live album. Recorded in Austin, TX, Live at Stubb’s showcases Matisyahu’s deeply spiritual lyrics and captures the raw, enigmatic vibe of this blistering set. Check this album out.

Stand Up/ Weekend on the Rocks
Dave Matthews Band

An ambitious album from DMB followed up by an end of the year live release. Nine tracks from Stand Up are featured on Weekend 2 CDs and the live concert DVD proving that the only way to experience Dave Matthews Band is live. The live album highlights of Stand Up’s hip-hop heavy beats show that the new stuff can stand side by side old standards like “Everyday,” “41,” and “Crash Into Me.” The CDs and the DVD are actually the best of Dave and Co. four day stand at Red Rocks Amphitheater. You can purchase the Complete Weekend on the Rocks from the Official DMB online store (8CDs and 1 DVD) for $59.00. Top Tracks: Stand Up: Dreamgirl, Everybody Wake Up, Hunger for the Great Light. Weekend on the Rocks: American Baby, Time of the Season, Bartender (16+ minutes of pure jam bliss).

Late Registration
KanYe West

Right up front: Micheal Felker cares about KanYe West! Everybody’s favorite conflicted rapper released his second album in the fall of 2005. Much like his comments concerning the Hurricane and the Pres., Late Registration is filled with socially conscious lyrics (“Diamonds from Sierra Leone”) and socially irresponsible lyrics (“And I know that the Government administered AIDS”). Much like the artist himself, this album is full of contridictions but it is still one of the best albums of 2005. Top Tracks: Heard ‘Em Say, Diamonds From Sierra Leone, Bring Me Down, Hey Mama

Honorable Mention
Get Lifted
John Legend

Redemption Songs
Jars of Clay

In Between Dreams
Jack Johnson

A Collision
David Crowder* Band