The Best Of 2005
The wonderful, friendly and knowledgeable Rhapsody Editors review 2005 in one playlist, which includes tracks by M.I.A., Gorillaz, My Morning Jacket, The Magic Numbers, Kanye West, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Beck, Amadou & Mariam, Aqualung, Lady Sovereign, Common, Death Cab For Cutie, Bloc Party, Dungen, etc. Rock on in 2006 Rhapsody!

Nick Drake | Five Leaves Left
An absolutely stellar debut to a short and understated career, Five Leaves Left is Nick Drake's first (and finest) album. Although not recognized by his peers at this time, this album has long become regarded as one of the greatest alt-country records. Joe Boyd's production of a soft voice and string and wind arrangements creates an overall excellent album. Drake's lyrics capture a subtle poetry of emotion, as on the pastoral semi-fantasia of "The Thoughts of Mary Jane," employing his soft, articulate singing which he has become well-known for after he left this earth too soon as one of rock's early tragedies. - Don Law
One track recommendation: "Time Has Told Me"

Phish | Live At Madison Square Garden New Year's Eve 1995
I can't believe it's been ten years since this legendary run....my how we've grown. It still made me quite happy to see this show pop up on Rhapsody today. Anytime you get a crisp sounding New Years' version of "Reba", "Sanity," and "You Enjoy Myself, well, you know it's worth a listen or two. The highlight of 95 New Years? Mike's -> Auld Lang Syne -> Groove, complete with Time Factory/setbreak. And has there ever been a better cover of The Who's "Drowned"? Methinks not, but would accept Big Cypress 1/1/00 and possibly accept 12/3/97 as well, but those shows did not have a stunningly beautiful Who "Sea and Sand" to complement it, give S&S a listen ASAP. For comic relief, there's the sickest "Audience Chess Move" ever released on digital? Band resigns and bands and fans tie 1 to 1! Oh how crazy life was ten years ago. One thing that is really ironic to me is that the song they poke fun at during Forbin->Mockingbird shares the same title as the new Trey album that is being made fun of today. "Shine" on, brother. - TK

Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey | The Sameness of Difference
A wonderful album by my favorite freaks from Oklahoma. I've loved the Fred since Thanksgiving of 2000, but they have yet to put out an album has captivated my attention like this one has. Produced by Joel Dorn and engineered by Gene Paul (son of Les), it simply sounds amazing, and it flows wonderfully as well. Plus, the song choices are delicious. Besides always incredible originals (Halliburton Breakdown", the covers on the record are the glue that holds it tightly together. The Flaming Lips "The Spark that Bled" is done justice, along with "Happiness Is a Warm Gun," "Don't Let It Bring You Down," and a drippingly basstastic Have You Ever Been To Electric Ladyland?" I'll be a Fred Head for life. - TK

Trey Anastasio's Celebrity Playlist
In celebration of his new album Shine, Trey provided a playlist to another paid download provider (Thanks to Guy S for the inside tip!) Now, you could pay $10 to hear what 10 songs big red gets inspired by, or you could click here and stream the same 10 tracks through the magic of Rhapsody. The playlist consists of one song each by Bruce Springsteen, Arcade Fire, Pretenders, Talking Heads, Rufus Wainwright, Bob Marley, David Bowie, and... Devo. Just found out that the Black Crowes have added Trey to the NYE show at MSG. Seeing Trey at the Garden, brings back memories of 12.30.94, 12.30-31.95, 10.21-22.96, 12.29-31.97. While I would rather see My Morning Jacket at this point in my life, I will keep an open mind and hope to be blown away by Trey...insane things have happened before with the hollow Languedoc and simultaneous pedal stomping madness. See you there? -TK

The Aristocrats (**Explicit** Soundtrack)
This isn't so much a soundtrack to the hit documentary about comedians telling the dirtiest improvisational joke in history as the audio to the entire freaking movie. Not everything survives without the visuals (Whoopi's version of the joke works with her facial contortions -- swear!), but Sarah Silverman and Martin Mull's bits remain especially hilarious. - Nick D.

Remembering John Lennon
It's hard to believe that 25 years ago John Lennon was gunned down in front of his New York home, but, alas, December 8, 2005, marks that very sad occasion. I can so distinctly remember sitting in my mother's bed, watching the news with her, not even sure why this fellow was making her cry the painful tears of loss. Obviously, after poring through the catalog of his music and all those millions of musicians that he influenced, it may be harder to find a more influential musician. To pay our respects, we've assembled a playlist of some of his peers covering his Beatles' work, as well as a handful of young upstarts who worship at the altar of Lennon. The man may be gone, but his music continues to entertain, inspire and influence generations. -TK

Tea Leaf Green | Taught To Be Proud
Tea Leaf’s primary songwriter/lead singer/keyboardist Trevor Garrod appears to have built a well over an underground stream of the stuff on their fourth studio release, the soaring, spirited Taught to be Proud. The first thing that hits you is how immediate, how fantastically present the recordings are. Each instrument, each reaching vocal is well placed. It’s like the band is in the room singing only to you. The arrangements let individual aspects shine, but it’s their togetherness that’s so bloody satisfying. It would be enough to play so well, but this is also the best set of songs they’ve ever recorded. "I’ve Been Seeking" could slip onto the Dead’s American Beauty and no one would blink. "5000 Acres" is a crazy satisfying Almost Famous-style mini-epic with guitars one could rightfully call 'incendiary.' "Ride Together bottles high spirits and sends us on down the highway with them. "Flippin’ The Bird" nicely conjures the same California vibe as early Jackson Browne, which is a gigantic compliment in my book. - Dennis Cook

Fiona Apple | Extraordinary Machine
After an seriously extended time off, the amazingly talented Fiona Apple returns with her most creative album yet. Her voice is exquisite, emotional, and captivating. The title track opens things up in a surprisingly lighthearted, showtune-y way before the vibes get heavier and the mood grows darker. The creative, baroque orchestrations from albums past are still present, giving further distinction to an already singular artist. Bravo to Fiona for going way out beyond what anyone expected. - ND/TK