SASIC Singles Of 2005 - 10-1

So, this will definitely probably be the last poll thing I do concerning 2005, mainly 'cos its 11 days ago now and we should all instead look at the future (2006) and not the past (2005)! But I half started it earlier so I ought to finish it....

10. Hard To Beat - Hard Fi [Unnecessary Records]
The record label name is quite ironic really considering how many consider Hard Fi to be unnecessary themselves and to an extent they are - a dull live act and a patchy at best album. But here there is an urgency, a certain wit to the lyrics and a spark in both musical and vocal delivery that means they'll never have been a complete waste of time. Nice faux-trance section in the last bridge too. Chav-Rock!

9. In The Morning - The Coral [Deltasonic]
Just as The Coral release there best single since 'Dreaming Of You' they drop off the radar. Oh dear. A shame since this breezy, cheery summer anthem was a highlight of the usual flabby radio playlists this year and is PROBABLY the best song Paul McCartney never wrote. So, destined probably to be forgotten instead for stuff of the second album which weren't half as lovable as this. Isn't life, and the music industry, a bitch?

8. E-Pro - Beck [Interscope]
As the lead single from the under-valued 'Guero' album, E-Pro highlights all this is great about Beck - effortless innovation and an almost cast iron gaurantee of something quite unlike anything you'eve ever heard. Buzzing with crunching guitars, what has to be the video of the year, and some noncensical lyrics about some bollocks, a micor classic from start to finish. It even as a 'na-na-na-na-na-na-na-NAH' chorus! YES!



7. Biology - Girls Aloud [Polydor]
After Love Machine the girls best single, a riotous move from Northern Soul pastiche through electro-pop to an outro that sounds worringly and brillaintly close to Bowie's Jean Genie, a flawless example of perfect pop personified. Undoubtable the best straight-up pop group ever.

6. Apply Some Pressure - Maximo Park [Warp]
Something of a mysterious signing to Warp Records, the most fun you can have whilst listening to a band trying to our Gang Of Four/Wire the Futureheads yet still ull and exhuberrent enough for you to love instead of hate. A blistering example of how a single should be done - as catchy as rabies, as simple as Jodie Marsh and as exhillarating as driving the wrong way down a motorway. Probably.

5. You Don't Have To Shout - The Robocop Kraus
Bizarre bizarre bizzare. German electro pop running riot, involving the years best example of the repetitive chorus par excellence, this barking madness deserved to be one of the years underground successes and wasn't. In fact I didn't discover it myself until last month, for shame. Ahh well, give it a try just don't expect to particualy understand what is going on.

4. The Importance Of Being Idle - Oasis [Big Brother]
Ahh, The Kinks where great weren't they? My favourite Kinks song is either Waterloo Sunset, Sunny Afternoon or The Importance Of Being Idle. What? The Importance Of Being Idle isn't by The Kinks? Who is it by? Oasis? I thought they just ripped off The Beatles? Oh I don't mind - it's summery, its quite clever lyrically and its a big bold bitch of a tune, which surely is what Oasis are all about. Their best single since 'Don't Look Back In Anger'.


3. Munich - Editors [Kitchenware]
Yeah, I know its been released this year but that was a re-release it sill qualifies. The highlight of their Back Room album, a rip roaring indie rock stompy that remorselessly crushed any band trying anything similar this year (and their were plenty). The vocals of course recall a certain Mr Curtis, but that can't be helped - anything this dramatic deserves nothing less.

2. Everything I Taught You - The Alterkicks [Fierce Panada]
Quite frankly these should have been the biggest new band of the year. Scraping in at just 75 in the hit parade a confusing and glorious fusion of scouse rock and flamenco guitar to create a spacey yet familar sound complete with plaintive yelp and intriguing atmosphere, the best anyone human managed all year. The single picture here is actually from this years re-issue (everyone does that now don't they?) so I;m hoping you'll see it and March and maybe, just maybe, recognise it and pick it up.


DRUM-ROLL PLEASE! The winner of our first (and probably only to be honest) annual Single Of The Year is...



1. Feel Good Inc. - Gorillaz feat. Del La Soul [EMI]
'Shum-dum-dum-dum-dum-dum-dum-erh-hurr'! The most gripping intro to any song this year, the best bass-line of the year, a guest appearance for DEL-LE-FRIGGIN'-SOUL this is practically the perfect single. Heralding the return of Damon Albarn's cartoon side project, Feel Good Inc. held the listeners attention more effectively and happily more than any other 3 minutes this year. So no one knows what its about (probably nothing) but it doesn't. This is what a single is meant to be. Hip-Pop bliss!