Best of 2005

It's that time of year where we all take a breath and think about what has happened, before leaping into the unexpected once again. Ready? Go!

Anyway... here are the year-end music pieces I wrote for Newsday.

The year in review: This time last year, Mariah Carey was a punch line. Now she's hotter than ever. 50 Cent, not so much.

The best albums
1. Antony and the Johnsons, "I Am a Bird Now" (Secretly Canadian): Antony Hegarty's voice is simply stunning - vulnerable, yet powerful, a mix of Nina Simone and Little Jimmy Scott. The particulars of his songs, which run from gospel to alt-rock with an undercurrent of jazz, may startle some people, but the themes of looking for love and acceptance in "Hope There's Someone" and "You Are My Sister" are universal. And the artistry he brings to "My Lady Story" makes Antony almost impossible to forget once you are lucky enough to hear him.
2. The Hold Steady, "Separation Sunday" (French Kiss)
3. Bruce Springsteen, "Devils & Dust" (Columbia)
4. M.I.A., "Arular" (Interscope)
5. Kaiser Chiefs, "Employment" (Universal)
6. Kanye West, "Late Registration" (Roc-A-Fella)
7. System of a Down, "Mezmerize" and "Hypnotize" (Columbia)
8. Missy Elliott, "The Cookbook" (Atlantic)
9. Bright Eyes, "I'm Wide Awake It's Morning" and "Digital Ash in a Digital Urn" (Saddle Creek)
10. Go! Team, "Thunder, Lightning, Strike" (Memphis Industries)


The best singles
1. Kelly Clarkson, "Since U Been Gone" (RCA): Bow before the power of The Clarkson! Oh sure, it may not be "hip" to like the Kellynator, but she had the smarts to turn up the guitars on this Swedish pop confection and enough Mary Tyler Moore moxie to make it work. Any song that can unite Ted Leo and Nile Rodgers in appreciation has to be something special.
2. System of a Down, "B.Y.O.B." (Columbia)
3. Arcade Fire, "Wake Up" (Merge)
4. Kaiser Chiefs, "I Predict a Riot" (Universal)
5. Fannypack, "Seven One Eight" (Tommy Boy)
6. Hawthorne Heights, "Ohio Is for Lovers" (Victory)
7. Amerie, "1 Thing" (Columbia)
8. Gorillaz, "Feel Good Inc." (Virgin)
9. Antony and the Johnsons, "Hope There's Someone" (Secretly Canadian)
10. Lee Ann Womack, "I May Hate Myself in the Morning" (MCA Nashville)

PREVIOUS BESTS: 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000