Top 10

10. BLACKALICIOUS
The Craft
As far as I am concerned Blackalicious crafted the true hip-hop album of the year in 2005, much like they did with their last release "Blazing Arrow". Chief Xcel has put together some sicke beats, but more importantly Gift Of Gab has taken a bit of a breather. Infamous for his ridiculously talented speed raps, on "The Craft" Gabby actually only periodically dials up this talent and it helps. Making the album less of a spectacle and more of a complete hip-hop gem. Its not that "Late Registration" was bad… it just plain and simple Blackalicious did better.

9. NADA SURF
The Weight Is A Gift
I'll get it out of the way, yes this is the same band whom had the song "Popular" when you were in highschool and yes they were good even then. However, they were never as great as they are on this album. A much more mature, and confident sound. Nada Surf kinda does what Jimmy Eat World can do at their finest without ending up sounding annoying. Is this emo? Is it rock? Is it pop/punk? Well… basically it is the best elements of all three which is good because two out of those three genres I normally don't care for. Maybe the catchiest album of the year.

8. DANGERDOOM
The Mouse And The Mask
When I heard about Dangermouse's Grey Album I ignored it. With all the hype surrounding it I just thought it was overrated. I was wrong. DJ Dangermouse is amazing, combining his talent with MF Doom was damn near diabolical. Doom on his own is fucking awesome but together they are lethal. This album is themed around the famed latenight swim cartoons in the US. In particular, Aquateen Hunger Force. I'm sure anyone could appreciate the beats and Doom's talent on the mic but being familiar with that show and perhaps being familiar with the ganja will bring you to a level of enlightened cherishment.

7. WHITE STRIPES
Get Behind Me Satan
There was a timw when this had slipped out of my top 10, and then all of a sudden it made a huge charge back into the mix.

The harshest criticism anyone could give older White Stripes records was that they were limited. Well, they blew that criticism right out of the water with this album. Easily their most ambitious release, and arguably their best release period. It should only get better from here.

6. SILVER JEWS
Tanglewood Numbers
Is there a better pure singer/songwriter than Dave Berman? If so, let me know because I have to hear it myself. This album doesn't try to do too much, and that is one of its biggest strengths. Instead relying on excellent songwriting combined with great vocals and harmony. Berman has been to the bottom and is on his way back up again, something you can experience with him in the music.

5. GORILLAZ
Demon Days
After a long hiatus the Gorillaz returned minus my favourite member Dan "The Automator" and replaced him with DJ Dangermouse. I was turned off right away. I didn't want to like it, so the fact that I loved it as much as I did speaks volumes on the album. They have a unique way of making extremely dark beats and topic matters sound ridiculously catchy without ever accidentally slipping into lame territory. Many might assume "Feel Good Inc" is a strong barometer for this album, and they would be very wrong. The catchy lead single from the I-Pod commercisals does not hold a candle to the other powerful songs you'll find inside.

4. M.I.A.
Arular
I get as much pleasure out of this delicious album today as I did near the beginning of 2005. Maya Arul made a massive splash in the music industry this year from Sri Lanka of all places. This music explodes with energy, both inside the bombastic almost tribal sounding old school beats, and also in her poignant and intriguing lyrics. Whether she is talking about a revolution, or fucking your husband Maya just makes it all sound fantastic. Definitely worthy of all the hype bestowed upon it.

3. ANTONY & THE JOHNSONS
I Am A Bird Now
An album that is still growing on me to this date. First listen, I liked it and saw a Ben Harper comparison. Next few listens, I started to realize it was a lot more than that. Somewhere around the tenth listen I started to delve into the lyrics. Around the twentieth or so listen I started to feel the music and the pain and passion that Antony & The Johnsons were portraying with it. Now, this music has become a visceral experience for me. You won't find me listening to it with a crowd. No, this is personal music I find it is best appreciated in that type of setting. So many people write Antony off because he wishes he was a woman and dresses as such and that my friends is just plain unfortunate.

2. ANDREW BIRD
The Mysterious Production Of Eggs
I often describe Andrew Bird as doing everything that I could possibly want out of music at this point in my life. Bird has so much talent that it must be hard at times to fit it all into one album. Bird has a great voice but as a credit to him his voice isn't even why I love this album so much. It's a combination of things. From his whistling, to his violin, guitar and perhaps more importantly his ability to tie it all together so flawlessly. I could have easily put four or five songs off this on my best of 2005 mixtape.

1. ARCHITECTURE IN HELSINKI
In Case We Die
There are those who will deflect this album by calling it twee, and there are those who will eagerly explain their love for this album by calling it twee.

The truth is somewhere in the middle, and so what if it is twee? I know that the music has a certain innocent, almost childish quality to it that will turn some of you off right away. However, those who like it love it and Cam's and my lists will attain to that.