My favorite album of 2005 is Edan’s “Beauty and the Beat.”

This disc contains a seriously random mix of elements.

Take one part 1960s European psychedelic pop, one part turntableism, and one part hard-core rap, and while your at it, take this and put it on your tongue, and you’ve got Edan’s “Beauty and the Beat,” a swirling, flowing, vibrating mish-mash of excellent DJ work and wordplay with a flavor all of its own.

Its not as easy as you think. Someone less skillful could seriously mess up such a potent mixture and it would be an extremely bad trip. Fortunately, Edan pulls it off better than you could ever imagine. There are so many layers to each song on this disc that I am still find another little trick or lyric that makes me smile each time I listen.

The psychedelic stylings in the rap lyrics are one of my favorite aspects of this album. While Edan isn’t the first to do it, it’s still very fun and refreshing to hear songs about traveling through space and time instead of your typical fair.

I will admit that “Beauty and the Beat” is challenging at times, but after a few listens I think you will realize that it’s all part of the ride.