Best of 2005 (according to me, anyway)…

Not that anybody cares about my opinions about music, books or film. . . . but blogging is, by its nature, a self-obsessed activity, so I thought I’d indulge by listing the best of two things which occupy most of my time. . . anthropology and music (mostly alt.country music these days).

Note: that these are, of course, only my opinions. . . I make no claims to have read and/or listened to all available material released/published in 2005. . . I have read and/or listened to the stuff on my lists. . . & I think they work. Check them out if you have the chance.

JCB’s Best Anthropology/Archaeology/History of 2005 (in no particular order):

1. Industrial Archaeology: Future Directions edited by Eleanor Conlin Casella and James Symonds
2. Archaeological Theory: Who Sets the Agenda? edited by Norman Yoffee, Andrew Sherratt, Wendy Ashmore, Francoise Audouze, Cyprian Broodbank, Colin Renfrew, Nathan Schlanger, Timothy Taylor, Tim Murray
3. Reforging the White Republic: Race, Religion, and American Nationalism, 1865-1898 by Edward J Blum
4. Appalachians and Race: The Mountain South from Slavery to Segregation edited by John C Inscoe
5. Odd Tribes: Toward a Cultural Anaylsis of White People by John Hartigan, Jr.
6. The Archaeology of Plural and Changing Identities: Beyond Identification edited by Eleanor C Casella, Chris Fowler

My Favorite Music Releases of 2005 (in no particular order):

1. The Outsider by Rodney Crowell (August 16, 2005)
2. Back to Me by Kathleen Edwards (March 1, 2005)
3. Come on Back by Jimmie Dale Gilmore (August 16, 2005)
4. Get Myself Together by Danny Barnes (August 2, 2005)
5. Mercy Now by Mary Gauthier (February 15, 2005)
6. Year of Meteors by Laura Veirs (August 23, 2005)
7. Okemah And The Melody Of Riot by Son Volt (July 12, 2005)
8. The Real Deal by Billy Joe Shaver (September 20, 2005)
9. Get Behind Me Satan The White Stripes (June 7, 2005)
10. Suit Yourself by Shelby Lynne (May 24, 2005)