Musicians replay a familiar melody

U2, Mariah Carey, Green Day, Paul McCartney and the Rolling Stones did well.
By JOHN BENSON
vindicator correspondent
The notes and faces may change, but the story lines in the music world remain the same. Sure it's an easy, if not clich & eacute;d, position to take when reflecting back on what was the Year of Music in 2005, but the tune was familiar. It was also exciting, entertaining and at times, heart wrenching.
When the world hurts, rock 'n' roll comes to the rescue with numerous charity events benefiting Hurricane Katrina victims and tsunami survivors. Rock, pop and hip-hop bigwigs gathered around the world for African debt relief with Live 8, which saw pigs fly when Pink Floyd reunited.
The Rolling Stones and Sir Paul McCartney both carried on with new albums and successful tours; however, both British Invasion acts bypassed Cleveland on their tour itineraries, which doesn't bode well for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame city and its incessant love affair with classic rock.
Emo, with all of its heart-wrenching emoting, metal histrionics and alternative melodies, remained the rage among TRL fans and Vans Warped Tour followers. Perhaps the Story of the Year was The Used Taking Back Sunday for a My Chemical Romance and Matchbox Romance. (Sorry, I couldn't resist!)
Noteworthy developments
Also in 2005, Britney Spears procreated; Christina Aguilera married; Jessica Simpson separated, and Ashlee Simpson lip-synced into history. We learned that Gwen Stefani can survive without No Doubt, the world wasn't necessarily ready for 50 Cent to become an actor, and Mariah Carey had a comeback. In fact, if an award was given for Comeback Artist of the Year, Carey would get it hands down, having now officially overcome any leftover "Glitter" fallout.
Calling it quits this year may be Eminem, whose future remains uncertain; however, the celebrated swan song belonged to R & amp;B act Destiny's Child, with the future of each "Independent Woman" band member remaining bright. As the American Idol franchise flourished with Carrie Underwood becoming AI-IV (that's American Idol winner No. 4), 2005 may best be remembered as the year original AI winner Kelly Clarkson's vocal talents were recognized with her ubiquitous and catchy single "Since U Been Gone."
Bands that rocked
Rock seemingly crept its way back into the picture with three bands -- U2, Green Day and The Killers -- that released albums at the end of last year enjoying center-stage spotlight in 2005.
After being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum this past winter, U2 supported its latest effort "How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" with a spectacular two-legged tour that sold out over 80 dates and firmly placed the Irish band in the pantheon of greats.
The other big-winner in 2005 was Green Day with its politically charged, multi-platinum album "American Idiot." This Bay Area punk trio, who joined the alternative nation a decade ago with mostly power-punk rantings, turned solemn with its Iraqi war-commentary video "Wake Me Up When September Ends." The last spotlight outfit of note was newcomer The Killers, whose neo new wave posturing had Gen Xers hungry like the wolf for its Duran Duran-esque sound.
Bruce Springsteen returned to his solo ways (with a Cleveland tour date!), while Kanye West and Keith Urban dominated their respective genres. Coldplay lived up to expectations with "X & amp;Y," while Sheryl Crow blossomed again with "Wildflower." Albums failing to live up to past glory include Weezer's "Make Believe," Bon Jovi's "Have a Nice Day" and Nine Inch Nails' "With Teeth."
This past month marked the 25th anniversary of John Lennon's murder, putting the Beatle back into the media spotlight with countless reflections on the singer's life and death. Considering the somewhat tumultuous year, with hurricanes and terrorists and global warming, Lennon's "Imagine" seems just as poignant as it was when it was released nearly 35 years ago. More so, it's giving us hope, and we're still imagining.!