SASIC Top 30 Albums of 2005 - The Top 10-6

Oh lordy it's that time - the top ten albums of the last twelve months! There'll be tears, tantrums and the most obvious winner imagineable! Huzzah!

10. Takk... - Sigur Ros [Fat Cat Records]
Translating as 'Thanks' in the bands native icelandic, a glacial masterpiece that corrects much of what was wrong with last album () and reminds everyone why they fell in love with Agertis Byrjun (I make NO apologies for spelling that wrong). Only they do this kind of thing - but godamn, they do it well.

9. You Could Have Had It So Much Better - Franz Ferdinand [Domino]
Well, to answer the band we already have - on the first album to be precise. Still a commendable and worthy follow up, brimming with the hooks and such that we all love, and a first foray into differert styles with album highlight, the wonderful 'Eleanor, put you're boots back on.' Swish

8. Into The Woods - Malcolm Middleton [Chemikal Underground]
As grumpy, sweary and beligerent as ever, any album with the line 'Ah, Autumn, you fucking cunt' is 100% on the money in everyway possible. In fact lyrically the album is almost flawless, with lines such as "rather have you than sing these shit songs' showing a humour so often missing in similar work. Like a more accessible Arab Strap album. What more recommendation do you need?

7. Illinoise - Sufjan Stevens [Rough Trade]
The second entry into the ridiciously ambitious 'States' series is Stevens' finest hour. The only complaint one can have is it's a tiny bit overlong, but don't let that take away from what is a stunning musically inventive, lyrically ingenius set that probably taught me more about America than everything else I've ever seen/read ever. Roll on the other 50-odd states!

6. Feels - Animal Collective [Fat Cat Records]
A heady mix which is sometimes pop ansd sometimes not, just a great big fat brilliant album.. of which I don't really know what to say other than BUY IT NOW!

I shall make you wait for the fearsome top 5!!!