Best of '05 Preview: Marianne Faithfull's Beautiful 'Poison'

ARTIST: Marianne Faithfull

ALBUM: Before the Poison

STANDOUT TRACKS: "My Friends Have," "The Mystery of Love"

DISTINCTION: Don't let the pretty cover shot fool you. Faithfull has one of the most startling and discomforting voices recording today. "My Friends Have" is the best PJ Harvey song PJ Harvey didn’t record (although in fairness, Harvey does play guitar and sings background vocals on this standout track).

SOUND: Rough, raw, hard and melodic. You don't forget this record. Faithfull has had a renaissance and for good reason. This is not the wide-eyed blonde bombshell who hung out with the Stones in 1966. Faithfull has matured exponentially, and her smoky, rough voice is immediately identifiable and unforgettable.

YEAR-END CUMULATIVE GPA: Before the Poison: 3.4..."My Friends Have": 3.85: [Faith]full-filled fantasy.