Anyone who puts out fantastic albums every year deserves to be on the Top 7 list. This year, Rouse released Nashville and toured Europe and the U.S. behind it. The last show of his U.S. Nashville tour was incredible and appears at the top of my Top 7 concert list. And now he's working on a new CD to be released on his new record label, Bedroom Classics.

 

It's hard being an independant musician, but Prall keeps trucking along. With the release of his third album titled, fizzlebuzzie, Prall has resurfaced and is once again making waves in the Midwest. WayCool raved about the CD a couple of months ago, so there's no need to do that again. Let's just say that you're missing out if you haven't gotten this record yet. Playing sold-out CD release shows and supporting the likes of Glen Phillips, The Clarks and Matt Wertz, Prall has been busy. We hope it stays that way.

A banjo player on the Top 7 list? Yep. It's shocking, I know, but totally deserved. Many know Toshinsky as the guitar and banjo player for the band Bering Strait. He's a founding member and a key instrumentalist in the band, but recently decided to take a break from the band and explore new projects. He co-wrote and appeared on Eliot Morris's solo CD that I discovered in 2004, and he recorded tracks for Morris's upcoming Universal release. He also produced the latest offering by Moses Mayfield (formerly The Stewart Mayfield Project). And doesn't every musician need their own studio? He has one in Nashville to keep him busy at the producer's helm. There are rumors of more side projects coming up, so keep your eyes and ears open for more from him.

For me, Phillips tops the list because he is the ultimate triple threat - is an influential lyricist, has a heart breaking voice and is a stellar live performer. Add to that, Phillips is one of most gracious human beings I've ever met. This year, he released a highly anticipated solo CD that exceeded my expectations (with one tiny exception). In between recording sessions, Phillips hit the road both as a solo acoustic artist and full - on rock star. He brought the rock with such talents as Nickel Creek, Pete Thomas (drummer for Elvis Costello) and John Paul Jones (yes, the guy from Led Zepplin) during the MAS tour. After WayCool's interview with Phillips earlier this year, it solidified the fact that he is one of the most intriguing and talented folks in the music business today.

Another year, another amazing CD with such a solid batch of songs that it's quite easy to take his talent for granted. While the mass market may underappreciate Rouse, it just takes one listen to his new CD, Nashville, to ensure loyalty from this fan. His live performances are always memorable due to Rouse's unique brand of showmanship enhanded by his multi-talented band mates. I look forward to what this man will create in 2006.

If you read WayCool's review of Prall's 2005 independent CD release titled, fizzlebuzzie, you won't be surprised that his name showed up on this Top 7 list. I had the pleasure of hearing this collection of songs from their infancy, as solo acoustic pieces and as full rock anthems. Like Phillips, Prall has the ability, as live performer, to hold an audience enraptured in the music while demonstrating his appreciation of their attention. Keeping my fingers crossed that the music business catches on soon so that Prall can continue to create wonderfully relevant music for years to come.

It's hard to believe that Morris was totally unknown to me until this year. Thanks to some auspicious opening slots for Phillips and Matt Nathanson, WayCool was, gratefully, turned onto this new talent from Alabama. Morris has a rich, warm voice and writes songs with insightful and passionate lyrics. He shows a sincere appreciation for his fans who are expected to grow exponentially in number as he hits the road with James Taylor, Marc Broussard and Glen Phillips this summer. WayCool is impatiently awaiting his first major label release, due in early 2006, but will happily enjoy hearing the new material at his live shows until then.

Admittedly, I was slow to jump on the Ben Gibbard bandwagon due to his/his band's recent coronation as the "it" band. Because how often does the mass market embrace actual talent? Well, they've done it successfully in Gibbard's case. His music tends to sneak up on you, sonically not overly complex, but lyrically phenomenal. I can't count the number of times each day that one of his songs (either a Death Cab or Postal Service tune) runs through my head making me smile. Looking forward to the next CD, I will run, not walk, to the nearest CD store for my copy.

As Kendra summed up, Toshinsky is an immensely talented banjo and guitar player who is genuinely passionate about making music, either his own or collaborating with others. Studying and playing music from a very early age, Toshinsky is doing what he loves as evidenced by the huge, infectious smile spread across his face when he is onstage. Recently taking a step away from his band, Bering Strait, to devote more time to his own projects, Toshinsky is sure to succeed in whatever he aims to do.

Benson is a breath of fresh, frenetic air in the music business. He released another amazing CD, The Alternative To Love, overflowing with really unique songs. His songwriting leans toward story telling with a twist; unexpected character studies that always satisfy. Not content to simply craft the songs, Benson also played the majority of instruments on the CD. Not sure if it's fair that one person possess so much talent, but at least I can enjoy his gifts on a daily basis.