Album of the year contenders so far:

Bright Eyes -- I'm Wide Awke, It's Morning (or was that last year, I don't remember)
Decemberists -- Picaresque
The National-- Alligator

Argh, just thought of two, but after checking have realised that they were out last year, Mylo and Aberfeldy. Bright Eyes would've been one of mine too... It says 2005 on the back of the box, but I'm not sure if that's just the british release???

Ah well, Sons and Daughters was a definite Highlight for me this year. Had their EP on vinyl, and love the album so far. Only heard half of it though.
I'm disappointed to say I'm loving the Magic Numbers' album, I'm just so mainstream in my old age!! But they were fantastic live at T in the Park, and the album doesn't have one bad song on it, imho. I'm away to buy Kid Carpet's album tomorrow, either that, or Malcolm Middleton's one. Either way, I suspect they'll be up there for my nomination.

LCD Soundystem
Maimo park a Certain Trigger
the go team
the shins new one should go on this list of mine too.

Shins new one?

Im gonna have to say..

Cold- A Different Kind of Pain
Five.Bolt.Main
Soilwork-Stabbing the Drama
Default- One Last Thing
Fear Factory-Transgression


Theres others but I cant remember if it was early this year or late last so Ill skip them.

of montreal - the sunlantic twins
the ponys - celebration castle

British Sea Power: Open Season

Kate Bush: Aerial

New Order: Waiting for the Sirens' Call

Gorillaz: Demon Days



[Edited on Nov 15, 2005 by bankerboy]

Psst the Arcade Fire album came out LAST year. Otherwise I would nominate it. This year, it's all about Sufjan Steven's album Illinoise, the most musically beautiful and ambitious compositions released this year.
Also on the list, Broken Social Scene-self titled.
Fiona Apple-extraordinary machine.

I really like...
the new Death Cab

I thought the new As I lay dying was great.
The new auqabats was a schnazzzy album

eels - blinking lights

Amazing album!

I gotta agree that Mesmerise by System was one of the best this year. Contrary to popular opinion I also loved the new Disturbed one, Ten Thousand fists that got a lot of play in my car.

No Hope In New jersey were my favourite new discovery, with A Steady Diet of Decline, great debut record.

well, it's november

and


JESU WINS!!
JESU WINS!!

there is a real chance i have no idea what i'm talking about, for all I know it came out in 1999 but its the one with 'caring is creepy'

if thats the case than open season by British sea power came out in 2005 and I have no idea why they are not as big as as other bands around.

Soulfly - Dark Ages

1) The White Stripes, Get Behind Me Satan
2) Lightning Bolt, Hypermagic Mountain
3) The Evens, self-titled
4) Mount Eerie, No Flashlight/Singers
5) The Yellow Swans, Bring the Neon War Home
6) Deerhoof, The Runners Four

Honorable Mention: The Punks, Thank You For the Alternative Rock as Prankster Album of the Year.

I have not yet heard any of the Animal Collective's releases from this year, along with the new Calvin Johnson and Neil Young records and albums by several other artists. The Boredom's Seadrum/House of Sun is not included in this list because it was originally released in Japan last year.

Some of you probably notice the absence of a certain Sleater-Kinney record. It is not on this list because I cannot stand to listen to it anymore, and if that fucking atrocity can't stand up after six months, it sure isn't gonna be remembered in twenty years--except as a fucking punchline. The songwriting, with the exception of "Jumpers," is weak, and that band obviously doesn't give a fuck anymore about the state of the world--compare "Wilderness" with "One Beat," and you can see how vacuous and meaningless The Woods is.

As for reissues, the Sanctuary Records' mammoth 3-CD of the Kinks' We Are the Village Green Preservation Society is fanfucktastic, as is Sonic Youth's Goo. I can't even describe the sheer joy caused by The Complete Motown Singles or the Stooges' remasters, either.

Get Behind Me Satan is not only the best record that was released in 2005, it's also the bravest, most inventive, and its sound and scope sweep over vast emotional and psychological terrain. The White Stripes have created the single best record of this current decade, another chronicle of a band that refuses to give in to cultural complacency and conservatism. They have obliterated the formula that showed signs of exhaustion on Elephant with staggeringly beautiful results.

So yeah...that's my list. Make of it what you will.

[Edited on Nov 17, 2005 by Baise]

The Decemberists--Picaresque
The killers-Hot Fuss

their on top baby

I think I'm just gonna stop pretending to be a snob about it and say I really like "Get Behind Me Satan" by The White Stripes...

Album of the year? I don't know. Too many to mention. It's been a pretty good year, in my humble little opinion.

It came out in 2001.

I can't comment on best, but the ones I've listened to the most are:

1. Bright Eyes "I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning"
2. The White Stripes "Get Behind Me Satan"
3. The Decemberists "Picaresque"
4. DCFC "Plans"