SASIC Top 30 Albums of 2005 - The Top 5-1

So here we are, the last five records that, both numerically and musically form the SASIC Top 5 albums of 2005. Of course you disagree, you’re ignorant and prejudiced, but, hey, that’s what the little comments section at the foot of this post is for. So use it.

5. Andrew Bird And The Mysterious Production Of Eggs – Andrew Bird [Fargo]
Falling vaguely in the area of Jeff Buckley, but infusing rock, jazz, pop and folk to create a melting pot of styles without straying away from his own sound, the prolific Bird’s latest offering is his best yet. Songs such as ‘Fake Palindromes’ and ‘Measuring Cups’ will still sound as fresh and invigorating in 10 years.

4. Outside Closer – Hood [Domino]
Still no closer to anything approaching mainstream acceptance, Hood’s latest offering is as different from their last record as that was its predecessors. Glitchy beats, synths and hushed vocals create a soundscape all of their own and the songs are memorable even without anything approaching choruses. An understated, overlooked classic.

3. Z – My Morning Jacket. [ATO Records]
A name which sounds worryingly like that of an emo-band but MMJ are anything but, with Jim James versatile voice soars over a mixed collection of metal, pop and funk in an album of two very different halves, from the minimal feel of ‘Wordless Chorus’ to the layered bombastic tracks such as ‘Off The Record’ from the album’s second half, presenting an always entertaining and surprising album.

2. Alligator – The National
Grasping the chance of a major label debut, The National’s third album sparkles with a hunger and ambition perhaps lacking from earlier releases. If there’s a band with a more emotional front man than Matt Berringer than they’ve kept themselves well hidden in the last year, and their live shows whilst touring the record have been some of the most involving. Add to this a tendency for Pulp-like half spoken vocals and a wicked turn of phrase and you have as finely balanced a record as seen this decade.

1. Funeral – The Arcade Fire [Rough Trade]
Oh, it’s so obvious! The Arcade Fire as album of the year! You know why it’s so obvious? Because it IS the best album of the last 12 months. Hell, it’s probably the best album of the last five years. Seemingly coming from nowhere, Win Butler’s powerful, idiosyncratic yelp mixed in with their own take on Talking Heads art-rock creates a sensational set of well crafted, individual songs that stick in the head long after the last track, the gorgeous ‘In The Backseat’ has drifted by. Album of the year in just about any year.

So, there you have it, the Top 30 records of an eventful twelve months. What about for 2006? Well Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and Belle And Sebastian will definitely be there or there abouts and the Arctic Monkeys probably won’t. Anywho here’s the Top 30 count down just for those who can’t be bothered to scroll down a bit.

1. Funeral – The Arcade Fire [Rough Trade]
2. Alligator – The National [Beggar's Banquet]
3. Z – My Morning Jacket. [ATO Records]
4. Outside Closer – Hood [Domino]
5. Andrew Bird And The Mysterious Production Of Eggs – Andrew Bird [Fargo]
6. Feels - Animal Collective [Fat Cat Records]
7. Illinoise - Sufjan Stevens [Rough Trade]
8. Into The Woods - Malcolm Middleton [Chemikal Underground]
9. You Could Have Had It So Much Better - Franz Ferdinand [Domino]
10. Takk... - Sigur Ros [Fat Cat Records]
11. A Healthy Distrust – Sage Francis [Epitath]
12. Aerial – Kate Bush [EMI]
13. In Case We Die – Architecture In Helsinki [Mooshi Mooshi]
14. Best Party Ever -The Boy Least Likely To [Too Young To Die]
15. Don’t Believe The Truth – Oasis [Big Brother]
16. The Meadowlands – The Wrens[Lo-Max]
17. Late Registration – Kanye West [Roc-A-Fella]
18. Before The Dawn Heals Us – M83 [EMI]
19. Arular – M.I.A. [XL Recordings]
20. The Great Destroyer – Low [Rough Trade]
21. Richard Hawley - Coles Corner [Mute]
22. Rilo Kiley - More Adventurous [Brute]
23. Jim Noir - Tower Of Love [My Dad Recordings]
24. Gorillaz - Demon Days [Parlophone]
25. Department Of Eagles - The Cold Nose [Melodic]
26. Maria Taylor - 11:11 [Saddle Creek]
27. Keren Ann - Nolita [Blue Note]
28. Black Mountain - Black Mountain [Jagjaguwar]
29. New Order - Waiting For The Siren's Call [London]
30. Editors - The Back Room [Kitchenware]