2005 top 10:
music

Top 10 pop

The Woods Sleater-Kinney This dyke-inclusive postpunk combo have never rocked harder--or better-- than on their groundbreaking 2005 release.

Melissa Etheridge on the Grammys What a comeback! Our bald, beautiful cancer survivor does justice to a Janis classic. She'll always have a big piece of our hearts.

I Am a Bird Now Antony and the Johnsons Mercury Music Prize-winner makes velvety underground lullabies, which sort of makes him a Nico for right now.

Mercy Now Mary Gauthier A throaty, captivating set from a lesbian daughter of the South who's been there and back. Must to download: "I Drink," "Mercy Now."

Fine Upstanding Citizen Maia Sharp Out songwriter Sharp, long behind the scenes, comes into her own with this melodic set of captivating tunes, richly sung.

Tragic Realism LD & the New Criticism Crunchy pop-punk + Sondheimian wordplay = angsty breakup songs for grad students and other book owners.

Prom Amy Ray The darker half of the Indigo Girls took no prisoners in this hard-rocking, guitar-fueled leap back into those queer discovery days of high school.

Takk... Sigur Ros True, we still have no idea what these Icelanders are singing about. But with music and vocals this haunting, who needs lyrics in English?

Twice the Speed of Life Sugarland Major-label success greeted this rockin' country trio anchored by unapologetically out singer-guitarist Kristen Hall.

In Good Company Lee Lessack The cabaret artist gathered his all-star pals together for this smooth, accomplished set of duets, both luscious and lounge-y.

In a category all its own

Rodrigo, Villa-Lobos, and Ponce concerti Sharon Isbin, New York Philharmonic The foxy lesbian guitar virtuosa snagged a Latin Grammy nomination for this disc. Top 10 indie

Where Joy Kills Sorrow Garrin Benfield Benfield's all-around talent includes a gift for beautiful songwriting on top of his prowess as a singer and musician.

Love Will Take Over: The Remixes Ari Gold All soulful, sexy strut, Gold's groovy dance music has already made the Billboard charts.

God-des and She on Logo's Hip Hop Homos Add a sultry R&B singer to a crotch-grabbing rapper and you've got a perfectly matched set of women.

Shadowed Sacha Sacket He's the boy Tori Amos, with moody, piano-driven pop and spare electronic flourishes.

Year Gone By KJ Denhert If the music industry can accommodate the uniquely retro sounds of Norah Jones, then Denhert deserves her own break.

Ruby Red Christine Havrilla Armed with a deep back catalog of great songs, she's an artist primed and ready for plenty of reissues.

Marry Me Tori Fixx This artist has already masterminded enough dance music that his first major-label release could be a greatest hits collection.

Wandering Eyes Dylan Rice This sensitive-guy singer-songwriter with a rough, gritty edge perfectly blends pop and rock.

Whores Have More Fun Houston Bernard Rock and roll dance music, wild theatrical performances, and an adolescent delight in dirty words and cheap sex.

Danielle Lo Presti and the Masses at the San Diego Indie Music Fest 2005 Aggressive, ambitious, female-fronted rock band, crossing genres with tight playing.