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MIRANDA LAMBERT
Latest release: "Kerosene" (Epic)
1. Old Crow Medicine Show, "O.C.M.S." (xx). It very much felt like I was listening to a modern day version of the Band. Great album all around.
2. Lee Ann Womack, "There's More Where That Came From" (MCA Nashville). A breath of fresh air for traditional country music. Great songs, and Lee Ann sings them beautifully.
3. Jon Randall, "Walking Among the Living" (xx). This might be the most underrated record of the year from one
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of the most talented songwriters. Everyone should own this.
4. Kathleen Edwards, "Back to Me" (Rounder). You can hear the passion in Kathleen's voice and her songs. I especially love the guitar tones on this record.
5. Ashlee Simpson, "I Am Me" (Geffen). Ashlee pulled off a solid follow-up record. I love listening to this album.
6. Dwight Yoakam, "Blame the Vain" (New West). This is a record that really captures what Dwight does live. He used his road band to capture a great groove.
7. My Morning Jacket, "Z" (ATO/RCA). This sounds so fresh; it hooked me immediately after one listen. I love what these guys are doing, and I can't wait for the follow-up.
8. Ryan Adams & the Cardinals, "Cold Roses" (Lost Highway). Every record Ryan Adams has done has been different. I've been a fan of all of them because the consistent thing is great songwriting. He's a true genius.
9. Shooter Jennings, "Put the 'O' Back in Country" (Universal South). Shooter is picking up where his father left off. He's making great music with no regard to a genre.
10. Allison Moorer, "The Definitive Collection" (MCA Nashville). I know it's kind of cheating to put a "best of" on an album list, but I have to. This is a phenomenal collection of hits.
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BLAINE LARSEN
Latest release: "Off To Join the World" (BNA)
1. Brad Paisley, "Time Well Wasted" (Arista Nashville). I love the outtakes at the end of the record and the voice that says the record is over at the very end!
2. George Strait, "Somewhere Down In Texas" (MCA Nashville) This is my favorite album he has made in the last few years. It has so many songs that epitomize what his music is to me.
3. Kenny Chesney, "Be As You Are" (BNA). I love music that is very personal and that is why I loved this record.
4. Martina McBride, "Timeless" (RCA). What can I say? Martina can sing, and hearing her on some of my favorite songs makes the hair on my neck stand up.
5. Deirks Bentley, "Modern Day Drifter" (Capitol Nashville). I just think his voice is cool and he's a nice guy too.
LAUREN LUCAS
(Warner Bros. Nashville debut forthcoming)
1. Bonnie Raitt, "Soul's Alike" (Capitol). Bonnie Raitt just keeps getting better. This album has some traditional Bonnie-type songs with tons of soul and awesome grooves, along with some unexpected turns. It's an amazing album.
2. Maia Sharp, "Fine Upstanding Citizen" (Koch). Maia Sharp is one of the best writers today. Every song is incredible and her voice oozes with honesty.
3. Sugarland, "Twice the Speed of Life" (Mercury).
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Sugarland is one of my favorite new bands. This album is filled with easy-listening, fun music. And I think their musicianship is outstanding.
4. Dierks Bentley, "Modern Day Drifter" (Capitol Nashville). I love Dierks Bentley because of his honesty. I had the opportunity to open for him this past summer and his music really reflects his personality. He's got a good sense of humor about his music and he's a great writer.
5. Lee Ann Womack, "There's More Where That Came From" (MCA Nashville). I know I'm not alone here with this pick. Lee Ann's voice is one of the best in the biz and it is shown off so beautifully on this record. The songwriting is also what really brings this album to life.
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ROCKIE LYNNE
(Universal South debut due in March)
1. Alison Krauss + Union Station, "Lonely Runs Both Ways" (Rounder).
2. Brooks & Dunn, "Hillbilly Deluxe" (Arista Nashville) Ronnie Dunn is doing some of the best singing of his career on this album.
3. The Rolling Stones, "A Bigger Bang" (Virgin). Those guys still can make records that sound like they give a damn.
4. Secret Machines, "Now Here Is Nowhere" (Reprise). They are refreshing and new and different. I love the mix on that record. It's not overly compressed. The drummer sounds like John Bonham.
5. Bruce Springsteen, "The Essential Bruce Springsteen" (Columbia) You can really see how significant he has been in shaping the entire musical landscape of music today.
6. Shooter Jennings, "Put The 'O' Back in Country" (Universal South). He is brave enough to do something different. He has something to say and tried to do his own thing, which a lot of people don't have the nerve to do. Even if I don't always agree with what he says, I admire him for saying it.
7. Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley, "Welcome To Jamrock" (Universal). This could be the best reggae album ever made.
8. Chevelle, "This Type Of Thinking Could Do Us In" (Epic). I think they are a great rock band.
9. Lee Ann Womack, "There's More Where That Came From" (MCA Nashville). This is just a good, traditional-sounding country record.
10. The Wiggles, "Big Red Car" (Koch). My daughter loves this record. It's funny how this stuff gets stuck in your head.
M83
Latest release: "Before the Dawn Heals Us" (Mute)
1. Coldplay, "X&Y" (Capitol).
2. Gwen Stefani, "Love. Angel. Music. Baby." (Interscope).
3. Depeche Mode, "Playing the Angel" (Sire/Reprise).
4. Sigur Ros, "Takk" (Geffen).
5. Kate Bush, "Aerial" (Columbia).
6. Guided By Voices, "Propeller" (Scat reissue).
7. Animal Collective, "Feels" (Fat Cat).
8. Talking Heads, "Brick" (Rhino reissue).
9. Vitalic, "OK Cowboy" (PIAS).
10. M.I.A., "Arular" (XL).
JAMES McNEW
Yo La Tengo bassist
Latest release: "Prisoners of Love: A Smattering of Scintillating Senescent Songs: 1985-2003" (Matador)
1. Yura Yura Teikoku, "Sweet Spot" (Sony).
2. Mike Ladd, "Negrophilia" (Thirsty Ear).
3. The Fall, "Fall Heads Roll" and "The Real New Fall" (Narnack).
4. Archer Prewitt, "Wilderness" (Thrill Jockey).
5. Blockhead, "Downtown Science" (Ninja Tune).
6. The Scene Is Now, "Songbirds Lie" (Tongue Master).
7. El-P, "Collecting the Kid" (Definitive Jux).
8. The Coctails, "Let's Enjoy the Coctails" (Presspop).
9. Fog, "Ether Teeth" (Big Dada).
10. Sam Prekop, "Who's Your New Professor" (Thrill Jockey).
NATE MENDEL
Foo Fighters bassist
Latest release: "In Your Honor" (Roswell/RCA)
1. Roots Manuva, "Colossal Insight" from "Awfully Deep" (Big Dada).
2. Broken Social Scene, "Our Faces Split the Coast in Half" from "Broken Social Scene" (Arts & Crafts).
3. The Arcade Fire, " Neighborhood #3" from "Funeral" (Merge).
4. Petra Hayden, "I Can See for Miles" from "Petra Hayden Sings: The Who Sell Out" (Bar/None).
5. Bloc Party, "Blue Light" from "Silent Alarm" (Vice/Atlantic).
6. The Constantines, "Working Full Time" from "Tournament of Hearts" (Sub Pop).
7. Supergrass, "Tales of Endurance" from "Road to Rouen" (Capitol).
8. Death Cab For Cutie, "Summer Skin" from "Plans" (Atlantic).
9. Minus The Bear, "The Game Needed Me" from "Menos El Oso" (Suicide Squeeze).
10. Queens Of The Stone Age, "Medication" from "Lullabies To Paralyze (Interscope).
SERGIO MENDES
Latest release: "Timeless" (Concord/Starbucks Hear Music, Feb. 14)
1. Black Eyed Peas, "Monkey Business" (A&M/Interscope).
2. Stevie Wonder, "A Time 2 Love" (Motown).
3. Jamie Cullum, "Catching Tales" (Verve Forecast).
4. Kanye West, "Late Registration" (Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam).
5. Gwen Stefani, "Love. Angel. Music. Baby." (Interscope).
6. Paul McCartney, "Chaos and Creation in the Backyard" (Capitol).
7. Yo Yo Ma, "Silk Road Ensemble" (Sony Classical).
8. Herbie Hancock, "Possibilities" (Vector/Starbucks Hear Music).
9. Carlos Santana, "All That I Am" (Arista).
10. Thelonious Monk Quartet With John Coltrane, "At Carnegie Hall" (Blue Note/Thelonious Records).
PETE MOSELY
Yellowcard bassist
Latest release: "Lights and Sounds" (Capitol, Jan. 24)
1. Nickel Creek, "Why Should the Fire Die?" (Sugar Hill).
2. Ben Folds, "Songs for Silverman" (Epic).
3. Coldplay, "X&Y" (Capitol).
4. Foo Fighters, "In Your Honor" (RCA).
5. Death Cab For Cutie, "Plans" (Atlantic).
6. Fiona Apple, "Extraordinary Machine" (Clean Slate/Epic).
7. Weezer, "Make Believe" (Geffen).
8. Paperface, "The Legend of Harley Knowles" (Paperface).
9. John Lennon, "Working Class Hero" (Capitol).
10. Glen Phillips, "Winter Pays for Summer" (Lost Highway).
BOB MOULD
Latest release: "Body of Song" (Yep Roc)
1. Telepopmusik, "Angel Milk" (Capitol).
2. Broken Social Scene, "Broken Social Scene" (Arts & Crafts).
3. Sufjan Stevens, "Illinois" (Asthmatic Kitty).
4. The New Pornographers, "Twin Cinema" (Matador).
5. Chris Brokaw, "Incredible Love" (12XU).
6. M83, "Before the Dawn Heals Us" (Mute).
7. Engineers, "Engineers" (Echo).
8. Doves, "Some Cities" (Capitol).
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9. Low, "The Great Destroyer" (Sub Pop).
10. Amusement Parks On Fire, "Amusement Parks on Fire" (Filter).
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JAMES MURPHY
LCD Soundsystem
Latest Release: "LCD Soundsystem" (DFA)
1. Black Dice, "Broken Ear Record" (DFA).
2. The Juan Maclean, "Less Than Human" (DFA).
3. Gavin Russom and Delia Gonzalez, "The Days of Mars" (DFA).
4. Mu, "Out of Breach" (Output).
5. Thomas Prinz, "Major Swellings" (Noid).
6. Kanye West, "Late Registration" (Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam).
7. M.I.A., "Arular" (XL).
8. Optimo, "Psyche Out" (Eskimo).
9. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, "Clap Your Hands Say Yeah" (self-released).
10. Hot Chip, "Coming on Strong" (Astralwerks).
THE NATIONAL
Latest release: "Alligator" (Beggars Banquet)
1. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, "Clap Your Hands Say Yeah" (Self-released).
2. Menomena, "I Am the Fun Blame Monster!" (Film Guerrero).
3. M.I.A., "Arular" (XL).
4. Yo La Tengo - Prisoners of Love
5. Bloc Party, "Silent Alarm" (Vice/Atlantic).
6. Antony and the Johnsons, "I Am a Bird Now" (Secretly Canadian).
7. Mogwai, "Government Commissions: BBC Sessions" (Matador).
8. The Clientele, "Strange Geometry" (Merge).
9. The Kills, "No Wow" (Rough Trade/RCA).
10. Bonnie "Prince" Billy, "Summer in the Southeast" (Drag City).
JAMIE O'NEAL
Latest release: "Brave" (Capitol Nashville)
1. Keith Urban, "Be Here" (Capitol). Love the songs, the messages, the great grooves and his soulful singing.
2. Sara Evans, "Real Fine Place" (RCA). What a great album full of hits. I think it's her best one yet.
3. Various, "Music From and Inspired by Desperate Housewives" (Hollywood). I love compilations, and this one is full of great chick singers and funny, quirky songs.
4. Kelly Clarkson, "Breakaway" (RCA). The girl can sing, sing, sing!
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5. Faith Hill, "Fireflies" (Warner Bros.). I always believe her and that makes for a great album. She's got so much soul!
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PAUL OAKENFOLD
Latest release: "Perfecto Presents ... The Club" (Thrive)
1. U2, "Vertigo 2005: Live From Chicago" (Interscope DVD). They continue to be one of the biggest musical influences for me in my career This live recording gives something special to the long-time fans.
2. Chab, "Dubs, Edits and Whiskey-Coke" (Saw Recordings). Top-notch production, solid track listing all the way through. Great for the dance floor or listening at home.
3. Various Artists, "Zoola" (Agnosia). Compilation of
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beautiful down tempo-ed tracks. My favorite thing to listen to when I want to escape for a while and relax.
4. The Game, "The Documentary" (Aftermath/G-Unit). Extremely powerful lyrics. Moves hip-hop dance floors everywhere. I'll look forward to hearing his upcoming projects.
5. Mark Isham, "Crash -- Original Motion Picture Soundtrack" (Superb). Beautiful music carried this film and helped to make it one of the most powerful pictures of the year"
6. Gorillaz, "Demon Days" (Virgin). Gorillaz once again delivers a great combination of beats, interesting lyrics and innovative concepts.
7. Depeche Mode, "Playing the Angel" (Sire/Reprise). Great to see the band continue to create new sounds while at the same time sticking to their roots. I feel this is their strongest album in years.
8. Kanye West, "Late Registration" (Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam). The follow-up to his debut album proved he is one of the strongest players in the hip-hip world. Production is top-notch and special guests add to the album's quality.
9. Hans Zimmer/James Newton Howard, "Batman Begins -- Original Motion Picture Soundtrack" (Warner Sunset). Another example of how the right selection of music can only add to a great film.
10. Paul Oakenfold, "Perfecto Presents ... The Club" (Thrive). It was an honor for me to remix the work of so many great artists on this album. It was a special project to me.
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O.A.R.
Latest release: "Stories of a Stranger" (Lava)
CHRIS CULOS
Drummer
1. Bright Eyes, "Digital Ash in a Digital Urn" (Saddle Creek).
2. Little Brother, "The Minstrel Show" (Atlantic).
3. Ryan Adams & the Cardinals, "Cold Roses" (Lost Highway).
4. Jack's Mannequin, "Everything in Transit" (Maverick).
5. Foo Fighters, "In Your Honor" (Roswell/RCA).
6. Gorillaz, "Demon Days" (Virgin).
7. Avenged Sevenfold, "City of Evil" (Warner Bros.).
8. Jack Johnson, "In Between Dreams" (Brushfire/Universal).
9. Bloc Party, "Silent Alarm" (Vice/Atlantic).
10. Brazilian Girls, "Brazilian Girls" (Verve).
JERRY DePIZZO
Saxophonist
1. Kanye West, "Late Registration" (Roc-a-Fella/Def Jam).
2. Ryan Adams, "Jacksonville City Nights" (Lost Highway).
3. My Morning Jacket, "Z" (ATO/RCA).
4. The Mars Volta, "Frances the Mute" (GSL/Universal).
5. Coldplay, "X&Y" (Capitol).
6. Bright Eyes, "I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning" (Saddle Creek).
7. Bill Frisell, "East/West" (Nonesuch).
8. Nine Inch Nails, "With Teeth" (Interscope).
9. The Southland, "Influence of Geography" (Ruffworld).
10. Ryan Adams & the Cardinals, "Cold Roses" (Lost Highway).
ADAM OLENIUS
Shout Out Louds vocalist
Latest release: "Howl Howl Gaff Gaff" (Capitol)
1. Architecture In Helsinki, "In Case We Die" (Bar/None).
2. Antony and the Johnsons, "I Am a Bird Now" (Secretly Canadian).
3. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, "Clap Your Hands Say Yeah" (self-released).
4. M.I.A., "Arular" (XL).
5. The Magic Numbers, "The Magic Numbers" (Capitol).
6. The Decemberists, "Picaresque" (Kill Rock Stars).
7. Feist, "Let It Die" (Cherry Tree/Interscope).
8. Teenage Fanclub, "Man-Made" (Merge).
9. My Morning Jacket, "Z" (ATO/RCA).
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Beck, Oakenfold, members of Rascal Flatts, QOTSA, Doves & more share their faves of 2005.
The personal picks of the year's best from the Billboard Information Group staff and our freelance writers.
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MELISSA AUF DER MAUR
Latest Release: "Auf Der Maur" (Capitol)
BECK
Latest release: "Guerolito" (Geffen)
DIERKS BENTLEY
Latest release: "Modern Day Drifter" (Capitol Nashville)
ADELE BETHEL
Sons And Daughters guitarist
Latest release: "The Repulsion Box" (Domino)
KIX BROOKS
Brooks & Dunn
Latest release: "Hillilly Deluxe" (Arista Nashville)
CARRIE BROWNSTEIN
Sleater-Kinney guitarist
Latest release: "The Woods" (Sub Pop)
COWBOY TROY
Latest release: "Loco Motive" (Warner Bros.)
THE CRYSTAL METHOD
Latest release: "London" (Tiny E, Jan. 24)
JOHN DOE
Latest release: "Forever Hasn't Happened Yet" (Yep Roc)
THE EARLIES
Latest release: "These Were the Earlies" (Secretly Canadian)
SARA EVANS
Latest release: "Real Fine Place" (RCA)
JACE EVERETT
Latest release: "Jace Everett" (Epic)
SAM FORREST
Nine Black Alps vocalist/guitarist
Latest release: "Everything Is" (Universal International)
GIANT DRAG
Latest release: "Hearts & Unicorns" (Kickball)
BILLY GILMAN
Latest release: "Everything and More" (Image Entertainment)
JIMI GOODWIN
Doves vocalist/bassist
Latest release: "Some Cities" (Capitol)
GOLDFRAPP
Latest release: "Supernature" (Mute)
ALBERT HAMMOND JR.
Strokes vocalist
Latest release: "First Impressions of Earth" (RCA, Jan. 3)
JOSH HOMME
Queens Of The Stone Age vocalist/guitarist
Latest release: "Over the Years and Through the Woods" (Interscope)
PATTERSON HOOD
Drive-By Truckers vocalist/guitarist
Latest release: "Live at the 40 Watt: August 27 & 28, 2004" (New West)
IDLEWILD
Latest release: "Warnings/Promises" (Capitol)
MIRANDA LAMBERT
Latest release: "Kerosene" (Epic)
BLAINE LARSEN
Latest release: "Off To Join the World" (BNA)
LAUREN LUCAS
(Warner Bros. Nashville debut forthcoming)
ROCKIE LYNNE
(Universal South debut due in March)
M83
Latest release: "Before the Dawn Heals Us" (Mute)
JAMES McNEW
Yo La Tengo bassist
Latest release: "Prisoners of Love: A Smattering of Scintillating Senescent Songs: 1985-2003" (Matador)
NATE MENDEL
Foo Fighters bassist
Latest release: "In Your Honor" (Roswell/RCA)
SERGIO MENDES
Latest release: "Timeless" (Concord/Starbucks Hear Music, Feb. 14)
PETE MOSELY
Yellowcard bassist
Latest release: "Lights and Sounds" (Capitol, Jan. 24)
BOB MOULD
Latest release: "Body of Song" (Yep Roc)
JAMES MURPHY
LCD Soundsystem
Latest Release: "LCD Soundsystem" (DFA)
THE NATIONAL
Latest release: "Alligator" (Beggars Banquet)
JAMIE O'NEAL
Latest release: "Brave" (Capitol Nashville)
PAUL OAKENFOLD
Latest release: "Perfecto Presents ... The Club" (Thrive)
O.A.R.
Latest release: "Stories of a Stranger" (Lava)
ADAM OLENIUS
Shout Out Louds vocalist
Latest release: "Howl Howl Gaff Gaff" (Capitol)
STEPHEN PEDERSEN
Criteria vocalist/guitarist
Latest release: "When We Break" (Saddle Creek)
ROBERT POLLARD
Latest release: "From a Compound Eye" (Merge, Jan. 24)
RASCAL FLATTS
Latest release: "Feels Like Today" (Lyric Street/Hollywood)
JULIE ROBERTS
Latest release: "Julie Roberts" (Mercury)
MORGAN ROSE
Sevendust drummer
Latest release: "Next" (Winedark)
MATT RUBANO
Taking Back Sunday bassist
Latest release: "Louder Now" (Warner Bros., spring 2006)
SASHA
Latest release: "FundacionNYC" (Global Underground)
SEN DOG
Latest release: Cypress Hill, "Greatest Hits From the Bong" (Columbia)
AARON TIPPIN
Lyric Street recording artist
JEFF TWEEDY
Wilco vocalist
Latest release: "Kicking Television: Live in Chicago" (Nonesuch)
CARRIE UNDERWOOD
Latest release: "Some Hearts" (Arista Nashville/19 Recordings/J Records)
JOHNNY VAN ZANT
Van Zant vocalist
Latest release: "Get Right With the Man" (Columbia)
MARTHA WAINWRIGHT
Latest release: "Martha Wainwright" (Zoe)
RICKY WILSON
Kaiser Chiefs vocalist
Latest release: "Employment" (Universal)
LEE ANN WOMACK
Latest release: "There's More Where That Came From" (MCA Nashville)
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