Thursday, December 29, 2005

2005 Year in Review (Part 1)

(Note: I do not claim that the following are the BEST songs, movies, etc. of 2005. These are my favorites of 2005. There is no rhyme, reason, voting, or computer composite poll involved. If one list has only four items, it is because I felt that only four were worthy of recognition. Now, on to the winners...)

Top Songs of 2005:
10. "Nothing But the Blood," from Redemption Songs--Jars of Clay
>>>>>Jars of Clay is good. And so are The Blind Boys of Alabama. But putting them together? Now that's genius.

9. "Daisy," from Nothing is Sound--Switchfoot
>>>>>Daisy=Furman students. Let it go, people.

8. "Suspension," from The Everglow--Mae
>>>>>It's a good song, definitely, but it makes this list for the jam session during the bridge.

7. "My Heavenly," from iTunes Originals--Jars of Clay
>>>>>I always said about the original, "this would be incredible if it was more stripped down and focused on vocals and piano more." And apparently someone listened.

6. "You Have My Attention," from In Motion--Copeland
>>>>>Yeah, Copeland is a little emo-esque, but I don't fault Johnny Cash for being country-esque, either. Look for this song during BCM Dinner Theater 2006.

5. "Swallowed in the Sea," from X&Y--Coldplay
>>>>>The catchiest song ever.

4. "The Everglow," from The Everglow--Mae
>>>>>I'm not sure what it is about this song, but it gives me an overwhelming sense of hope.

3. "Fix You," from X&Y--Coldplay
>>>>>Yes, everyone in the world likes this song, but for a good reason.

2. "Till Kingdom Come," from X&Y--Coldplay
>>>>>More heartfelt, real, and moving than most "overtly Christian" music you'll ever hear.

1. "The Blues," from Nothing is Sound--Switchfoot
>>>>>"Is this the Kingdom, or just a hit and miss?" Good question....easily one of the most relevant songs I've ever heard.


Top Albums of 2005:
My top songs of the year kind of make this category pretty obvious.
4. Redemption Songs--Jars of Clay
>>>>>This album reminded me that A)Hymn texts can be very moving, and B)Setting them to better music really helps.

3. Nothing is Sound--Switchfoot
>>>>>Will it be as popular as The Beautiful Letdown? Nope. That's because it's better.

2. The Everglow--Mae
>>>>>Instantly listenable. I'm not sure what that means, but that's what this album is. I'm also a sucker for piano-based rock and poetic lyrics. (See Coldplay.)

1. X&Y--Coldplay
>>>>>Some good albums came out this year, but X&Y takes the top spot without breaking a sweat. It doesn't break any ground, it's not very innovative, and it won't set the world on fire. It is simply amazing music. Coldplay has mastered the ablility to create songs that are insanely likable. And while it is friendly to the masses, it dares to cross into that forbidden realm (in popular music) called "meaningful." It's the best album yet from the best band out there right now.


Top TV Shows of 2005:
1. Lost
>>>>>I don't watch much TV, but I would still own one if Lost was the only show on. It has the market cornered on amazing depth, writing, acting, stories, and (best of all) cliffhangers.


Top Movies of 2005:
7. Sahara
>>>>>If it wins anything come Oscar time, then the academy has failed. But it's one of the better fun popcorn movies in recent years.

6. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
>>>>>I didn't read the books, but the movie made me laugh almost to the point of tears.

5. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
>>>>>It's exactly what middle/high school was like for me....you know, plus dragons and evil lords. The Harry Potter movies started out as mediocre, but at this point, the series has aged very well.

4. Batman Begins
>>>>>What is this? Plot? Character depth? Emotion? Moral struggle? Ladies and gentleman, this is Batman the way it should be done.

3. Cinderella Man
>>>>>One of the most beautiful movies I have ever seen. By the time the credits rolled, I was in awe.

2. Walk the Line
>>>>>Joaquin and Reese, I would lobby for Oscars for the both of you if I could.

1. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
>>>>>All they had to do was faithfully recreate the vision of the book, and I would have been sold. Mission accomplished.

posted by Taylor @ 8:30 PM