The albums I chose are albums that I played in rotation with two things: events in my life and/or the quality of the lyrics/theme. These albums embody my very emotions and continue to serve as inspiration and cathartic release.
10.
Marques Houston
Naked
Release date: May 24, 2005
Label: Universal/TUG
Marques' sophomore effort leaves the listener in awe as his approach from just singer to mature singer slowly begins to settle in. With the majority of the production done by Chris Stokes' iinstated producers The Corner Boys, Marques Houston delves into the many faces of love, including those boundaries which scream taboo. Naked strips him of his childish mindstate and into the world that is adult issues.
Stand-out tracks: "Naked", "Cheat", "I Like It"
9.
Black Eyed Peas
Monkey Business
Release date: June 7, 2005
Label: Interscope/A&M
After years of being underground and the scouting of 4th member Fergie (Stacy Ferguson), the 5th studio album of the Black Eyed Peas lives up to its symbolism, 'monkey business'. With member Will.I.Am's production flavor of funk and hip-hop enfused with a slew of eclectic guest stars (Jack Johnson, The Police's Sting, Justin Timberlake), Monkey Business takes a dip into ass shakers and dries off with a bit of enlightenment to melt on the tip of your musical tongue.
Stand-out tracks: "My Humps", "My Style", "Dum Diddly"
8.
Amerie
Touch
Release date: May 3, 2005
Label: Sony Urban Music/Columbia
Amerie's sophomore effort reveals a more risqué girl than what we know from her debut All I Have. Touch takes listeners on a ride of sexuality spirts, girlish coy, and feminine intuition. Teamed up with long time partner, and up and coming producer Rich Harrison, Amerie woos and grooves over the contemporary soul blended 11 tracks, not only showing her artistic growth, but establishing her as a voice to anticipate in the future.
Stand-out tracks: "Not The Only One", "Fallin'", "Can We Go"
7.
Fort Minor
The Rising Tied
Release date: December 7, 2005
Label: Warner Bros.
Linkin Park member Mike Shinoda helms the 'fort' on this CD as a side project gone in the right direction. Executively produced by Collision Course partner Jay-Z, Mike puts hip-hop on the map in a totally different form. Blaring deep drum combos and piano melodies in minor key, Mike Shinoda, along with R&B newcomer John Legend, Chad Hugo protége Kenna, Kanye West protége Lupe Fiasco and his newest artist, Holly Brook, runs through many personal issues as well as cosigns on many issues that are continually reviewed in hip-hop for a great listening experience.
Stand-out tracks: "Spraypaint", "Kenji", "Where'd You Go", "High Road"
6.
Madonna
Confessions on a Dance Floor
Release date: November 15, 2005
Label: Warner Bros.
The Queen of Pop's newest release takes a step into the dance world. The properly titled Confessions on a Dance Floor starts off with the disco-pop "Hung Up" and each piece leads into the next, taking listeners through on a rollercoaster of disco, techno, electronica, 80's dance, and pop that'll leave your ears thirsty for more.
Stand-out tracks: "Sorry", "Hung Up", "Get Together"
5.
M.I.A.
Arular
Release date: March 22, 2005
Label: XL/Beggers US
UK's newest eclectic hip-hop lyricist M.I.A. bursts out on the scene with Arular, a critically acclaimed mesh of nationalistic propaganda and 'I'll kick you ass' flows. The production on the album is done simply, but it's M.I.A.'s flows that make the album what it is. Simple beats and frank flows is the perfect equation for this hip-hop marker.
Stand-out tracks: "URAQT", "Sunshowers", "Bucky Done Gun"
4.
Mary J. Blige
The Breakthrough
Release date: December 20, 2005
Label: Geffen
This serving as the Queen of Hip Hop soul's 7th studio album, 7 is definitely her lucky number as The Breakthrough breaksthrough the end of the year as an album worth the 14 bucks. Belting over the tracks with her soulfully classic voice like on the lead single "Be Without You", Mary' make shift decision to release this project before a greatest hits album yields nothing but praise for her second impulse.
Stand-out tracks: "Enough Cryin'", "Take Me As I Am", "No One Will Do", "Good Woman Down"
3.
Missy Elliott
The Cookbook
Release date: July 5, 2005
Label: Atlantic/Goldmind
Callin' all the stops, and collaborating with hip-hop's top names (Scott Storch, The Neptunes, and Timbaland), Missy Elliott adds a dash of dance and a pinch of singing to concoct The Cookbook. Full of different flavors, from dancehall to reviving an old Apache classic, Missy holds true to her off the wall formula for a flawless contemporary hip-hop album.
Stand-out tracks: "On and On", "Bad Man", "Lose Control", "Meltdown"
2.
Kanye West
Late Registration
Release date: August 30, 2005
Label: Roc-A-Fella
Egotistical producer turned lyricist Kanye West outdoes himself on his second studio album, Late Registration. Chock full of old school samples, tinged snares, and consciously formed rhymes and a line-up of hip-hop fan favorites leaves this album scarring the ages as a hip-hop pinnacle.
Stand-out tracks: "Heard 'Em Say", "Roses", "Late", "We Major"
1.
Coldplay
X&Y
Release date: June 7, 2005
Label: Capitol
This heartracing, three year awaited album, the follow up to the ear gainer Parachutes, and the Grammy winning A Rush of Blood To The Head yields nothing but more followers. Alternative rock done RIGHT in the form of leading piano melodies and guitar riffs with the right equation of builds and crescendos and a hint of ethereal flavor makes this album the best this year.
Stand-out tracks: "Fix You", "Talk", "What If", "X&Y"
That's interesting.