Extra! Extra! Mid-Year Delights

Oasis – Don’t Believe The Truth (Epic) – Since Jim immortalized me in his Oasis concert review I have to list this album just to spite him and continue our behind-closed-doors debate. I still don’t know who Jim DeRogatis is anymore.



Star Wars : Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (Sony Classical) – Who says an original motion picture score can’t stand along side a rock album? By far, John Williams’ finest work to date.






Queens of the Stone Age – Lullabies to Paralyze (Interscope Records) – There’s enough twists and turns to keep me wanting to hear more. “Long Slow Goodbye” is sinisterly smooth to the bone.



Son Volt – Okemah and the Melody Riot (Transmit Sound/Legacy) – Farrar makes his most energetic solo album under the Son Volt name. Farrar has nothing to prove but has a lot to say.






Garbage - Bleed Like Me (Geffen Records) - The album starts off by lifting lines from Foreigner's "Hot Blooded." I got the joke. Fortunately, the rest of the album wasn't.



Beck - Guero (Interscope Records) - Listening to this album is like walking knee deep in mud and actually enjoying it.

The White Stripes - Get Behind Me Satan (V2 Records) - Oh my god! They can write songs that all don't sound like "Fell In Love With A Girl." Now, if only Jack can dump the shtick about Meg being his sister.


Doves – Some Cities (Capitol) – This other band from Manchester, England went for the straightforward approach and came up with gems like “Black and White Town” and “Ambition.”






Stereophonics – Language. Sex. Violence. Other? (V2 Records) – The Black Crowes + Oasis = New Stereophonics Album. “Dakota” deserves to be among the summer’s best singles.


Coldplay – X&Y (Capitol) – I concede. Coldplay won me over with an album that is both daring and fresh, not to mention has Oasis’ Definitely Maybe to thank for even being made.



*The Sound Opinions crew have compiled lists of their best of the mid-year. My list is based on albums that are under my roof, bear the seal of 2005, and have been given more than one listen. To read the entire crew's list, check out the Sound Opinions site and click the "Best of 2005 (so far)" image.