2
SIGUR ROS
TAKK
EMI
With Takk, Iceland's favourite post-rockers Sigur Ros have
released a record that finds them at their most accessible
yet. Breathtaking and epic in a way most bands can only aspire
too, Takk is simply the most beautiful and moving collection
of music you'll hear all year.
Read the full review
here > >
3
BRIGHT EYES
I'M WIDE AWAKE IT'S MORNING
Saddle Creek
Released the same day as Digital Ash, I'm Wide Awake It's
Morning finds Conor Oberst in acoustic mood. Duets with Emmylou
Harris and nu-folk pop songs combine to ensure that this is
a record to remember and cherish.
Read
the full review here > >
4
STARS
SET YOURSELF ON FIRE
Arts & Crafts International
A swooning and dreamlike record that pits droning guitar fuzz
against deliciously romantic melodicism, Set Yourself On Fire
see's Canadian band Stars delivering the finest argument for
a shoegazing revival since Joy Zipper last year.
Read
the full review here > >
5
MIA
ARULAR
XL Recordings
A spectacular soundclash of cultures and musical genres, Arular
is an album that breaks a few boundaries, divides many opinions
and starts a few parties. More in your face and punk rock
than any guitar band, MIA proves that dance music in 2005
can still be vital, groundbreaking and visceral.
Read the full
review here > >
6
BOARDS OF CANADA
THE CAMPFIRE HEADPHASE
Warp
More organic and human than previous records, The Campfire
Headphase finds Boards Of Canada adding gentle guitars and
emotion into the mix. Still as ice cool and mysterious as
ever, but with added humanity this time round.
7
THE WHITE STRIPES
GET BEHIND ME SATAN
XL Recordings
Both their most musically adventurous and wilfully bizarre
album, Get Behind Me Satan saw The White Stripes bringing
in pianos, basses and Marimbas. From the infectiously catchy
My Doorbell to the sweetly disturbing The Nurse, this is the
record that saw The White Stripes go from cult heroes to stadium
slaying superstars.
Read the full
review here > >
8
PHILLIP ENO
COMFORT ROOM
Cactus Killer
A complex and multi layered affair, Comfort Room finds New
Yorks' Philip Eno delivering their most cohesive and rewarding
record to date. Lush melodies and warm guitar washes of sound,
this is an album that takes dreampop in an electronica direction.
Read
the full review here > >
9
ELBOW
LEADERS OF THE FREE WORLD
V2
Delivering the album that finally see's Elbow crawling from
the shadow of underground favourites, the third times a charm
for this Manchester collective. A barnstorming record that
tramples over efforts by the likes of Oasis and Doves, Leaders
Of The Free World deserves to propel Elbow onto similar commercial
heights.
Read
the full review here > >
10
THE MAGIC NUMBERS
THE MAGIC NUMBERS
Heavenly
Anyone who's not been touched by the warmth and humility of
The Magic Numbers this year is surely missing the point. Life
affirming live shows, magical songs and a gorgeous sounding
debut album should be enough to ensure that 2005 will be long
remembered by this band.
Read the
full review here > >
11
SUFJAN STEVENS
COME ON FEEL THE ILLINOIS
Rough Trade
The latest in Sufjan Stevens' ambitious project to document
every US state one album at a time. Come On Feel The Illinoise,
finds Stevens discovering a love of show tunes and theatrics
and emerging as a songwriter to rival Stephen Sondheim on
occasion.
Read
the full review here > >
12
BRIGHT EYES
DIGITAL ASH IN A DIGITAL URN
Saddle Creek
The electronica influenced side of Conor Oberst's twin album
onslaught, Digital Ash In A Digital Urn finds Bright Eyes
getting weird and experimental. Dark beats and surreal soundscapes
find Conor coming on like a twisted version of Beck.
13
JOY ZIPPER
THE HEARTLIGHT SET
Vertigo
Not quite up to the glorious heights of last year’s
work of genius, The Heartlight Set is instead a softer and
folkier affair. Tabitha Tinsdale and Vincent Cafiso prove
yet again that they do romantic tinged indie pop like no other.
Read
the full review here > >
14
EDITORS
THE BACK ROOM
Kitchenware
While the Joy Divison comparisons are obvious and undeniable,
Editors are a band that rise above such criticism on further
inspection. The Back Room is a deliciously dark and atmospheric
debut record that brims with confidence and majesty.
Read
the full review here > >
15
SCHIZO FUN ADDICT
THE ATOM SPARK HOTEL
Carnarsie Records
Another New York band with an eye on the shoegazing revival,
Schizo Fun Addict make deranged guitar abuse sound like the
most soothing noise on earth. The sound of The Jesus And Mary
Chain reinventing The Velvet Underground, The Atom Spark Hotel
is a record that bristles with slanted lo-fi glory.
Read the
full review here > >
16
RYAN ADAMS & THE CARDINALS
COLD ROSES
Lost Highway
The first of a proposed three new albums this year from Ryan
Adams, Cold Roses see's the troubled alt-country star debuting
a new band and another new direction. Recalling the classic
country rock of Neil Young or CSN, Cold Roses finds Adams
returning with a record that marks his finest work since that
stunning debut.
Read
the full review here > >
17
CADILLAC
CADILLAC
Kong Tiki Records
Like Queens Of The Stone Age trading blows with Interpol,
Cadillac make noisy rock music with a dark centre and a pop
edge. Huge choruses and even bigger riffs, Cadillac is an
album that's impossible to ignore.
Read the full review
here > >
18
SPERRY ALAN
ALBUM A
East Coast Rising
With a fresh and original sounding take of indie guitar rock,
Sperry Alan are a Canadian band with much to offer. Straddling
post-rock, blues and indie, Album A is a sublime and mesmerising
listen.
Read the full review
here > >
19
THE LOVEGODS
AUDIENCE OF ONE
Bread Records
Though not officially out until the spring of 2006, The Lovegods
debut album proper demands attention now. Making good on all
that early potential and streamlining their mesmerising live
performances into an impressive record, Audience Of One is
sure to see this band emerge as stars.
Read
the full review here > >
20
BLOC PARTY
SILENT ALARM
Wichita Recordings
In a year that saw them go from virtual unknown indie scenesters
to festival headlining stars, Bloc Party's debut album was
an early treat. A mixture of post-punk posturing and art-rock
moves, Silent Alarm is a surprisingly mature and self-assured
record that promises even bigger things for the future.
Read the full review
here > >
21
HARD FI
STARS OF CCTV
Atlantic
A heady brew of ska, indie rock and massive tunes has seen
Staines new favourite sons flourish this year. Managing to
capture the excitement of their live performance into a debut
album that recalls the brilliance of The Clash, Stars Of CCTV
is a winning proposal.
Read
the full review here > >
22
...AND YOU WILL KNOW US BY THE TRAIL OF DEAD
WORLDS APART
Interscope Records
Trading the usual swirling chaos and broken instruments for
epic rock majesty in the vein of Smashing Pumpkins, Worlds
Apart is the album that saw ...And You Will Know Us By The
Trail Of Dead stepping blinking into the rock limelight.
Read the full review
here > >
23
RYAN ADAMS & THE CARDINALS
JACKSONVILLE CITY NIGHTS
Lost Highway
Jacksonville City Nights finds Ryan Adams returning with his
second album of the year, again with his new band The Cardinals.
Briefer than Cold Roses, this time round Adams is in full
Gram Parsons mode and this is a country rock treat.
Read
the full review here > >
24
MAXIMO PARK
A CERTAIN TRIGGER
Warp
Angular, arty and fresh - Newcastle’s' Maximo Park have
made 2005 there own. Snappy pop songs with razor sharp edges,
A Certain Trigger is a record that continues to delight and
surprise.
Read
the full review here > >
25
QUERELLE
QUERELLE
Sink & Stove Records
An alt-rock record that recalls the delights of early Sonic
Youth and Blonde Redhead, Querelle is slanted and skewed in
all the right directions. Noisy, artsy and touching on genius.
Read the full review
here > >
26
COLDPLAY
X & Y
Parlophone
One of the most eagerly awaited records of the year, X &
Y is the record that finds Coldplay returning to the music
scene as global conquering superstars. With the pressure to
follow the multi-million selling A Rush Of Blood To The Head,
Coldplay released an album that was as deep, complex and rewarding
as you could hope for.
Read the full review here > >
27
CTRL ALT DELETE
CTRL ALT DELETE
Motivesounds Recordings
An instrumental rock record with epic aspirations and big
ambitions. Sprawling song structure with sharp dips and climaxes,
Ctrl Alt Delete throw around some of the best post-rock shapes
since Mogwai last made a record.
Read the full
review here > >
28
SKOUD
SYSTEMS AND DRAFTS
Motivesounds Recordings
Systems And Drafts is an album of moody intelligent dance
music that finds Skoud treading that fine line between minimalist
techno and atmospheric big beat. One to file alongside your
Aphex Twin and Board Of Canada records.
Read the full review
here > >
29
THE BRAVERY
THE BRAVERY
Polydor
Despite the years bickering with The Killers and chaotic live
shows, New Yorks' The Bravery managed to deliver a shiny pop
record in the shape of their debut. One part Duran Duran and
one part Gang Of Four,
The Bravery look like they're here to stay.
Read the full review here > >
30
RUFUS WAINWRIGHT
WANT TWO
Dreamworks
A follow up record to last years sublime Want One, Want Two
is much much more than a collection of loose ends. A majestic
collection of flamboyant orchestral pop songs, Rufus Wainwright
has emerged as a glorious pop star and a magnificent songwriter.
31
THE CRIBS
THE NEW FELLAS
Wichita Recordings
Playing snappy indie rock with attitude, The Cribs have made
some of the catchiest punk tunes this year and done it with
style. Regularly bleeding on stage for their art and always
with a smile on their face.
32
MARTHA WAINWRIGHT
MARTHA WAINWRIGHT
Drowned In Sound
Less hyped and applauded than brother Rufus, Martha Wainwright
instead creates moody acoustic folk songs that purr with a
country flecked edge. A debut album that heralds the arrival
of a major songwriting force, Martha Wainwright is here to
stay.
Read the
full review here > >
33
FRANZ FERDINAND
YOU COULD HAVE IT SO MUCH BETTER
Domino Records
Coming back with a second album that takes what they did so
fantastically well on their debut, but this time bigger, bolder
and brasher. An in-your-face art-rock pop album that proves
that lightning can strike twice.
34
BRITISH SEA POWER
OPEN SEASON
Rough Trade
Epic songs that put a surreal twist on stadium rock, dancing
bears and gigs in caves - British Sea Power aren't your average
indie rockers. Open Season is the album that see's them translating
over to record seamlessly, The Psychedelic Furs meet The Beta
Band.
Read the
full review here > >
35
THE DEPARTURE
DIRTY WORDS
Parlophone
Another band wearing their Joy Divison influences on their
sleeve, The Departure dish out songs that wallow in the doomier
and gloomier end of indie rock. Dirty Words is an album that
transcends the influences by virtue of catchy tunes and tons
of energy.
Read the full
review here > >
36
VACABOU
VACABOU
All Saints
Smooth and silky dance music that stirs up memories of classic
Saint Etienne, Vacabou write pop songs with a touch of class.
The debut self-titled album is a collection that sounds like
Zero 7 with added heart and soul, mesmerising and enchanting.
Read the full review
here > >
37
RILO KILEY
MORE ADVENTUROUS
Brute
An unadulterated pop album that wears its heart on its sleeve.
More Adventurous contains enough classic moments to ensure
Rilo Kiley a lasting place in the hearts of everyone, songs
like Portions For Foxes and Does He Love You? are simply timeless
pop classics.
38
WONDERFUL ALLSTARS
TRY/PURPOSE
Positive Impact
A wonderfully skewed album of noisy lo-fi chaos, Try/Purpose
is a record that at times sounds in danger of collapsing under
the weight of its own ramshackle genius. Shambolic, messy
and brilliant.
Read the
full review here > >
39
MARCONI UNION
DISTANCE
All Saints
Distance is a record that takes you places, seven songs of
the kind of delicious ambience to allow you to dream and transcend
the everyday. Manchester dance duo Marconi Union have an air
of the mysterious and the sublime about them.
Read the full
review here > >
40
BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB
HOWL
Abstract Dragon
With a complete change of direction from white noise and fuzz
to gentle country rock, Howl is the album the see's Black
Rebel Motorcycle get political and stripped back. A brave
new direction and one that has paid off.
Read
the full review here > >
41
GORILLAZ
DEMON DAYS
Parlophone
With an eclectic cast list (Dennis Hopper, Shaun Ryder, Roots
Manuva) and a band made up of cartoon characters, Gorillaz
second album Demon Days is a work of pop genius. Spawning
number one singles, genius videos, awards and still managing
to stay cool, Gorillaz could be the best move Damon Albarn's
ever made.
42
THE WEDDING PRESENT
TAKE FOUNTAIN
Scopitones
David Gedge once again proves that he can do the indie rock
shuffle like the best of them. Older and wiser, but still
chronicling the ennui of male angst The Wedding Present return
with an album that shows new pretenders like Bloc Party how
it's really done.
Read
the full review here > >
43
LAURA VEIRS
YEAR OF METEORS
Nonesuch
Following last years breakthrough album Carbon Glacier, Year
Of Meteors is another record that proves Laura Veirs as one
of the most original female singer/songwriters around today.
Breathtaking songs sung by a vocalist with a stunning voice,
Year Of Meteors is just sublime.
Read
the full review here > >
44
MISTY'S BIG ADVENTURE
THE BLACK HOLE
A nine piece band that straddle the fine line between genius
and madness, a dancer called Erotic Volvo and a collection
of ear catching pop songs - Misty's Big Adventure are that
little bit special. The Black Hole is an album packed full
of pop goodness, and it's only a matter of time before they're
household names.
Read the
full review here > >
45
QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE
LULLABIES TO PARALYZE
Interscope Records
More colossal riffs and fuzz, and while Queens Of The Stone
Age may have lost founding bass hero Nick Oliveri - it's clear
that it’s business as usual on album number four. Guest
appearances by ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons and a string on infectious
singles, Josh Homme looks in no signs of slowing down.
46
BECK
GUERO
Geffen
Heading back to the pop of Odelay, Geuro finds Beck getting
funky again after the downbeat acoustics of his last two records.
Latin beats and hip-hop, collide in a record that re-establishes
Beck as a postmodern pop star.
47
AUTUMNDIVERS
AUTUMNDIVERS
Onlinerock Records
Gregory Paul's second Autumndivers album is a consistent and
coherent record that does a fine line in anthemic indie rock.
Beautiful, mesmerising and at times epic, Autumndivers is
a special record.
Read the full
review here > >
48
THE MARS VOLTA
FRANCES THE MUTE
Universal
Even more ambitious and sprawling than the last album, Frances
The Mute see's The Mars Volta doing away completely with anything
approaching the mainstream and delivering twenty minute guitar
solos. This is prog rock by way of punk and is probably the
scariest and most ambitious record you'll hear all year.
49
THE SPECTACLE EXPERIMENT
JUST IN TIME FOR NOTHING
Carnarsie Records
Another band furthering the cause for an imminent Shoegazing
revival, The Spectacle Experiment make gorgeous soundscapes
with the occasional foray into goth rock. Centred around mainman
Hadrian Mordecai, Just In Time For Nothing is an intense and
worthwhile experience.
Read
the full review here > >
50
NINE BLACK ALPS
EVERYTHING IS
Island
Rocking like it's 1992 all over again, Nine Black Alps are
single-handedly attempting a grunge revival. Everything Is
may not do anything original but it rocks in all the right
places and throws up some decent pop tunes into the bargain.
Read the full
review here > >
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