Dave's Faves 2005

Once again, this goes beyond a top five, but I've opted to make this an annual exception to my strict "rule of five". Forgive me. Now, if you don't mind, let's get cookin'!

Take one blank 80-minute CD-R. Add 18 of my favorite pre-mixed songs of 2005. Pour gently into the CD writing software of your choice. Allow contents to completely burn. Then, what you will have in your hot little hands... fresh out of the oven, is a comprehensive year-in-review best-of CD compiled by none other than yours truly! It's the gift that keeps on giving, isn't it? And without further delay... the ingredients are:

Ryan Adams "Cold Roses" from Cold Roses
Lou Barlow "Mary" from Emoh
The Brokedown "Down In The Valley" from The Dutchman's Gold
Caitlyn Cary & Thad Cockrell "Two Different Things" from Begonias
Coldplay "Fix You" from X & Y
The Decemberists "The Bagman's Gambit" from Picaresque
John Doe "Twin Brother" from Forever Hasn't Happened Yet
Ben Folds "Landed" from Songs For Silverman
Ida "Written On My Face" from Heart Like A River
Low "California" from The Great Destroyer
Natalie Maines "Travelin' Soldier" from Songs For Tsunami Relief: Austin To Asia
Van Morrison "Just Like Greta" from Magic Time
Robert Plant & The Strange Sensation "All The King's Horses" from Mighty Rearranger
Sexsmith & Kerr "Listen" from Destination Unknown
Shivaree "It Got All Black" from Who's Got Trouble?
Smog "Let Me See The Colts" from A River Ain't Too Much To Love
M. Ward "Fuel For Fire" from Transistor Radio
bonus outro track:
Brad Paisley "Shatner Says Goodbye" hidden track from Time Well Wasted

There were many great songs that were on this list at one point or another, but simply didn't have the endurance to hold up as a year-end favorite. Kudos go out to all the runners-up including a barn-burning effort by Richard Buckner & John Langford. Maybe next year, guys. As for the rest of you... let's see your best of 2005 lists!