Christmas gift to all

Baby Pandas for everyone!!!

Best Albums 2005

15. We Are Scientists - With Love and Squalor
14. Kanye West - Late Registration
13. Franz Ferdinand - You Could Have it So Much Better
12. Death Cab for Cutie - Plans
11. Ryan Adams - Jacksonville City Nights

10. Anthony & the Johnsons - I am a Bird Now

9. Shout Out Louds - Howl Howl Gaff Gaff

8. Low - the Great Destroyer

7. Augustana - All the Stars & Boulevards

6. M83 - Don't Save Us From the Flames

5. Coldplay - X&Y
The british band has yet to produce a bad album. It's intriguing to see where their songwriting has taken them. Most of the album's tracks have an epic feel to them such as "Fix You" or "Swallowed by the Sea."

4. Sufjan Stevens - Illinois
Theme based album detailing the history of my great homestate ranging from outright adventurous songs like "Chicago" to the haunting "John Wayne Gacy."

3. Ryan Adams - Cold Roses
Ryan returned with his first of 3 new albums in 2005. Cold Roses was a double disc designed to remember the feeling of having 2 sides to a record.

2. Bloc Party - Silent Alarm
Best Export from the UK since Franz Ferdinand... who they also toured with. The album begins harshly with "Like Eating Glass" and slowly throughout the album reveals its heart in "Here We Are" and "This Modern Love"

1. Bright Eyes - I'm Wide Awake, it's Morning
If there is an album in recent times that has made me feel and made me choke, this is the one. Conor can put how we all feel inside, into poetry that we all can connect with.
The album has intense emotions dealing with love, life, and loss.

My favorite lyrics on the album are also possibly the most romantic lyrics ever written "this is the first day of my life, i'm glad i didn't die before i met you"

Best Singles 2005

25. M.I.A. "Galang"
24. 50 Cent vs. the Game "Hate it or Love it"
23. Shout Out Louds "the Comeback"
22. We Are Scientists "Nobody Move, Nobody Gets Hurt"
21. The Fray "Cable Car"
20. LCD Soundsystem "Daft Punk is Playing at My House"
19. Bright Eyes "First Day of My Life"
18. The White Stripes "the Denial Twist"
17. The Futureheads "Hounds of Love"
16. The Bravery "An Honest Mistake"

15. Kanye West "Gold Digger"
14. Doves "Black & White Town"
13. M83 "Teen Angst"
12. Gorillaz - "Feel Good Inc."
11. Motion City Soundtrack "Everything is Alright"

10. Ryan Adams "Let it Ride"

9. Bloc Party "Here We Are"

8. The Killers "All These Things That I've Done"

7. Coldplay "Speed of Sound"/"Fix You"

6. The Stereophonics "Dakota"

5. The Afters "Beautiful Love"
Fits a good template for how a rock song should be played. I was drawn into the song immediately by the singer's voice. This might end up being a one hit wonder, but it's a great song to be known for.

4. Franz Ferdinand "Do You Want To?"
Franz quickly shut the door on being a one album wonder. The song even follows the "Take Me Out" formula of going in a different direction after fooling the listener of the pace of the song. The video is incredible as well. Matter of fact - if you don't like this song, you may not be cool.

3. Foo Fighters "Best Of You"
Definitely one of their best, probably one of their strongest. This song was packed w/ so much more emotion than most of the rock music released this year. I've been a fan of the band since I was young, and it's a refreshing feeling to not outgrow the music as a fan. The Foo Fighters are staying relevant and continuing to produce great music

2. Augustana "Stars & Boulevards"
Terrific voice and fantastic melody. A jaded lovesong defied by distance begging for another chance finds a way to creep into my heart. The touching moment happens at the end of the song with the lyrics "any inch of you that hasn't said it all or read it all or sung my life away."

1. Kelly Clarkson "Since U Been Gone"

I'm well aware of flak I may receive by praising this as the top single, but it's well deserved. Without a doubt, this changed pop music. It crossed boundaries where rockers such as Ted Leo and Butch Walker have been heard covering it.

A theme I repeatedly mention is energy, and this track brings it. Kelly's vocals compliment the edgy rock tone of the pop anthem. What works for this song is that Kelly has conviction in her voice. She believes what she is singing. Since U Been Gone provides a happy ending and strength to the hurdle or heartbreak that we may experience in life.

New Coke with Lime

I cannot get enough of this commercial! When I see it, I just can't help but sing along...