Thanks to Christine, Hue, Carl and Derek for at least attempting to give me some feedback on this year's best music. It appears that we aren't as current as we used to be. However, there was one album that we all spoke of with more enthusiasm than any other. It also appeared on the majority of the best-of lists sent to me, so the unofficial "mykng blog album of the year" is:

Illinois by Sufjan StevensIt's notable when an album can claim to be well-researched. It's even more remarkable that the same album can incorporate so many diverse styles, such as folk, jazz, pop and indie rock, yet still remain both accessible and exciting. However, what makes this album great is that those innovative qualities (the Illinois theme/setting, the broad musical palate) merely provide building blocks upon which Sufjan Stevens performs songs that are deeply personal, spiritual and moving. Is this album more style or substance? Well in this case, it's the style that attracts your attention, but the substance that keeps you listening.
Personally, my to five albums of the year are:
5.
Late Registration by Kanye West
4.
Twin Cinema by The New Pornographers
3.
Illinois by Sufjan Stevens
2.
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
and
1.
The Woods by Sleater-Kinney

This is everything I want in an album. A varied collection of songs, each great individually, no filler here; yet at the same time all the songs fit well together, making the album more than the sum of its parts. As for the music, well Sleater-Kinney have completely outdone themselves. Ever since I started listening to
The Woods, their well-accomplished back catalogue now pales in comparison. It's as if this special brand of immediate, virtuosic, classic-rock inspired punk is the kind of music this band was meant to make.
The following are my favorite songs of the year. In reverence to the fact that great songs are discrete little packages of musical bliss, I will attempt to explain my admiration for each one in only three words. (By the way, I am aware that one of the songs was actually released on an album in 2004. However, I first heard it when it was it came out as a single in early 2005.)
5.
"Since U Been Gone" by Kelly Clarkson
Mainstreamed Pixies Influence
4.
"I'll Believe In Anything" by Wolf Parade
Classic Indie Style
3.
"Wait (The Whisper Song)" by The Ying Yang Twins
Style Beats Substance
2.
"The Bleeding Heart Show" by The New Pornographers
Unembarrassingly Earnestly Pretty
1.
"Upon This Tidal Wave of Young Blood" by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Timeless Pop Masterpiece
As if this entry couldn't get any longer, here are my friends' contributions:
Christine Ju5.
Be by Common
4. to 2. (Tied)
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah,
Silent Alarm by Bloc Party,
Takk by Sigur Ros
1.
Your Favorite People All In One Place by Medications
Carl Kelsch"Haven't bought a lot of music this year, but I think there are 5 albums that I've gotten excited about."
Illinois by Sufjan Stevens
Get Behind Me, Satan by The White Stripes
Guero by Beck
Plans by Death Cab For Cutie
Silent Alarm by Bloc party
Derek HarperWell, he never contributed his list. However, since he's responsible for everyone on this list listening to Sufjan Stevens, I'll credit him with
Illinois.
Hubert WangAlbums:
X&Y by Coldplay
From Under The Cork Tree by Fall Out Boy
Motown Remixed by Various Artists
Verved Remixed, Vol 3 by Various Artists
Songs:
"White Shadows" by Coldplay
"Touch The Sky" by Kanye West
"Feel Good Inc." by Gorillaz
"We Belong Together" by Mariah Carey
"Only" by Nine Inch Nails
Well, what do these lists mean for those of you who read this entire entry? For one, there is a lot of music out there that we feel passionately about, so if you're looking for something good to get into... start listeniing.