Top Albums and Singles for 2015

I usually scoff at people who claim that they like "all kinds of music."  How is that possible?  There are simply too many genres and sub-genres imaginable.  More specifically, there is so much music outside the confines of Clear Channel radio stations for most Americans to make such a bold statement.

Have I captured "all kinds of music" on my top albums listicle this year?  Not exactly. I've included an eclectic mix, but certainly not "all kinds."  With so much music being released each year, I could have overlooked a musical genius lurking about somewhere.

Who decides which musicians are relevant these days?  I'd like to think that in the Internet age, we, mere digital consumers, have more of an influence than we may realize.  Let's swap our favorites and introduce one another more kinds of music.

Top 5 Albums of 2015

1.  Sound & Color - Alabama Shakes

2.  I Love You Honeybear - Father John Misty

3.  Currents - Tame Impala

4.  Yours Dreamily - The Arcs

5.  Goon - Tobias Jesso Jr.

Top 40 Singles of 2015

1. Snakeskin - Deerhunter

2.  Easy Way Out - Other Lives

3.  A Heart Like Hers - Mac Demarco

4.  PPP - Beach House

5.  Huararche Lights - Hot Chip

6. Reality in Motion - Tame Impala

7. Chateau Lobby #4 - Father John Misty

8. Gimme All Your Love  - Alabama Shakes

9.  Green and Gold - Lianne La Havas

10.  Everyday - Diane Coffee

11.  Young and Dumb - The Bird and the Bee

12.  Northern Highway - Martin Courtney (Real Estate)

13.  False Hope - Laura Marling

14.  An Illustration of Loneliness - Courtney Barrett

15.  California Nights - Best Coast

16.  Tomato Can - The Arcs

17.  Little Ballerina - Emile Haynie ft. Rufus Wainwright

18.  Lonesome Street - Blur

19.  To Die in L.A. - Lower Dens

20.  Silent Ivy Hotel - El Vy

21.  You're Wasting Out - Andy Shauf

22.  What Part of Me - Low

23.  Big Decisions  - My Morning Jacket

24.  Taste the Ceiling - Wilco

25.  Falling From the Sky - Calexico

26.  Went to War  - Amason

27.  Lisa Sawyer - Leon Bridges

28.  Apollyon of Blue Room  - Of Montreal

29.  Eugene - Sufjan Stevens

30.  Empty Me Out - Liz Vice

31.  Hot Coals - Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Fields

32.  Tropic of Cancer - Panda Bear

33.  Teenage Talk - St. Vincent

34.  Leaving L.A. - Tobias Jesse Jr.

35.  Yes Man - Ben Folds

36.  I - Kendrick Lamar

37.  Uptown Funk - Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars

38.  No No No - Beirut  

39.  Black Star - David Bowie
40.  Busy Earnin' - Jungle

Who have I left out?  What are your top albums (or singles) of 2015?  

See also: Top Albums and Singles of 2014

Top 5 Greatest Music Videos Featuring Puppets

Since approximately 3000 BC, puppets have been used in various ways.  Whether to educate, minister or entertain, puppets have made their mark historically.  Because every culture has adopted some variation of puppetry throughout the centuries, there's no reason why these (rather animated) inanimate objects couldn't make the transition to popular music videos.  Listed below are my top 5 favorite music videos featuring puppets:



5.  Cause I'm a Man - Tame Impala

I suppose this video may be deemed as a more timely selection.  Released just a week ago, I've been hypnotized by Tame Impala's psychedelic DIY approach.  Witnessing the band in the form of puppets makes me want to see if the real life band members instill the same idiosyncrasies.





4.  Pumping On Your Stereo - Supergrass

Like Tame Impala's "Cause I'm a Man," the members of Supergrass are transformed as puppets, although in this particular case, the instruments have come to life as well.  It's a colorful and peculiar video that suits this punchy anthem quite well.





3.  Do It Anyway - Ben Folds Five

This music video meshes my childhood love for Fraggle Rock and my teenage angst accompanied by Ben Folds Five.  Though Fraggle Rock and Ben Folds Five share ultimately nothing in common, they do tend to represent cult status and will always return to the scene anytime their fans holler.




2.  Conceived - Beth Orton

Orton, or her management, haven't provided users with the embedded video, therefore, you will need to click on the link below to view this treasure.  Watch Beth Orton perform her 2005 single "Conceived" with her favorite woodland pals.  Be sure to bookmark this video and return to it whenever you have "a case of the Mondays."

https://youtu.be/0EsRs9kCJB0?list=RD0EsRs9kCJB0


1.  Keep Fishing - Weezer

Like Ben Folds Five, Weezer had also been a teenage favorite of mine.  Unlike Ben Folds Five, this video was released when the band was still relatively relevant amongst their fan base.  Reviewing Weezer's music video discography, it's easy to see how effortless they can incorporate humor in their musical storytelling experience. The Muppet's upbeat and zany disposition works incredibly well against Weezer's deadpan spirit.  I just hope that Kermit still has his Weezer shirt hanging in his closet somewhere.






Honorable Mentions

Champagne On My Shoes - Pigeon John
Alfie - Lily Allen


Photo Credit: Muppet Wiki