10 (Least) Favorite CDs of 2005

The bad and the ugly

by j. brotherlove

Like last year, before I post my favorite music of 2005, here’s my list of CDs that made my head hurt.

The results:

10. Hip Hop In General.
Hip Hop was last on my list last year and I almost left it off this time due to a couple of solid releases. However, as a resident of the south, I get bombarded by all sorts of horrid, degrading, sing-song, unimaginative, and just plain wack hip hop songs on the daily.

9. Some Kinda ~ Dwele.
Dwele man, what happened? There are some solid tracks but the overall effort is uneven. Couple that with serious problems getting the disc ripped due to “copyright protection”. You think if you restrict ripping, I will listen to your music at all? Please! Can Virgin Records spell bit-torrent?

8. Dance Of The Infidel ~ The Spirit Music Jamia f/Me’Shell NdegéOcello.
I was looking forward to Me’Shell’s delve into jazz fusion. Somehow, it puts me to sleep every time.

7. Libra ~ Toni Braxton.
In all honesty, I don’t expect much from Toni Braxton. Libra takes the “use every style ‘til something sticks” approach. In the end, it still sounds like Toni singing other people’s songs.

6. Starlite Lounge ~ Bridgette McWilliams.
This is Bridgette’s third release which is interesting since most people have never heard of her. She tried a Brazilian approach which led to most of the CD sounding like one long song (from now on known as the Babyface effect).

5. A Change Is Gonna Come ~ Leela James.
Remember how I was looking forward to this? Perhaps having a record on the shelf for three years isn’t a great approach to music.

4. If You Could Love Me ~ Mica Paris.
How I can lover her at all after this record is the question. It’s so hard when one of your favorite artists continually makes bad music.

3. Dynamite ~ Jamiroquai.
The majority of Jamiroquai fans I know herald Dynamite as a return to previous funky form for the group. Despite songs like “Seven Days In Sunny June”, the disc still falls flat to me. I’m not confident they’ll be able to get the groove back.

2. Dreaming Wide Awake ~ Lizz Wright.
Did you forget this came out in 2005? Good for you.

1. Confessions On A Dance Floor ~ Madonna.
And the gays clutch their pearl and swoon. Oh but it’s true. Sure “Hung Up” was a homerun but Madonna needs to pick a country and stick with it Euro-Circuit is so 90s.

Now that I have finally gotten this posted, lemme crank out my Favorite list so I can get to more pressing business.

Dance of the Infidel: Overall, I didn’t care for the album, but I did love “Aquarium” and “When Did You Leave Heaven” and “The Chosen”. Wait, that’s like half the album, right? And I’m a jazz head — I thought I’d have enjoyed it, but I always end up skipping the first two tracks unless I need a sleeping pill.

Dynamite: I’m glad you said it. It seemed too much A Funk Odyssey and not enough Emergency From Planet Earth.

Dreaming Wide Awake: That entire album is more stoic than an Emily Dickinson poem. Amazon’s selling that and Dance of the Infidel together as a “Best Value”. Coincidence maybe?

Krash?! Where you been? *clicks over to bgb.com*

J, I think we were separated at birth or something. I’m nodding my head throughout this whole list. Hip-hop was not my thing. I’m barely a hip-hop head to begin with, but this year was dismal. Dwele is always lackluster. You like a song or two and the album as a whole leaves you thinking, “WTF?” As for Madge, “Hung Up” is the only decent cut on that new album.

I rather liked “Dance of the Infidel,” but I have to admit, it’s not something I listen to often, and it’s not my favorite Me’Shell endeavor. I’m ready for her to do vocal again.

Toni- Why do I keep expecting to read about her headlining on a Carnival Cruise ship one day? She’s been around too long to still sound like she ain’t got a clue.

Dwele- Despite a couple nice moments, I found this mess perplexing. Who is advising this young man?

Madonna- A grooveless wonder. A listless “dance” record. Stacy Q where are you when we need you!?!?!

Lizz- I actually liked this one. One of my favourites of the year. Granted, it was not as immediately accessible as “Salt,” but it kept growing on me. A bit somber at times, yet her voice continues to captivate me.

I’ont like nunna them eitha.

I’m just working on getting all the old music I used to have on vinyl [now at my folks’ house] on my computer! Screw this new crap…most of it.

lol @ “[Toni’s] been around too long to still sound like she ain’t got a clue.”