My record of the year is Robbie Fulks GEORGIA HARD, but I wouldn't 
necessarily recommend it to those only in search of great pop, because 
it isn't a pop record per se, however  great I think it is.  I haven't 
heard a  pop record this year that  knocked me over and out, but  
Brendan Benson's ALTERNATIVE TO LOVE has been a true "grower" for me 
(perhaps as I've begun to forgive it for not being LAPALCO),  and is a 
strong (if slightly inconsistent) record on its own merits. -b.s.

William Rabeneck asked:

> I know that soon, in January, everybody will be doing Top 10, 20, and 50 lists; but I was wondering right now what each of you would consider to be the top album that you've heard in 2005.
>   
>  I'm on college break right now, and I'm going to be having a little more time to listen to music, so I was wanting to get some opinions on what might be some good CDs to pick up.
>   
>  Right now, if you ask me, the New Pornographers' "Twin Cinema" would be the top album of 2005, IMHO.
>   
>  Interested in seeing what the rest of you have to say.
>   
>  
>