Best Music of 2005

Before anyone complains, this is a list of what I consider to be the best music of 2005 -- as in the best music I discovered in 2005. So even though some has been released years ago it's still the best I came across this year. To start things off, I bring you, the best album of the year by far.

Sufjan Stevens -- Illinois
Holy shit this is a fantastic album. Part two of Sufjan's 50-States project, this album is so emotional, historically accurate, beautifully composed and oh fuck it...just go buy the damn thing already.


















And now in no particular order, the rest of the best of 2005.

The Postal Service - Give Up
Excellent pop stuff from Ben Gibbard of Death Cab.


Sigur Ros - Takk


Death Cab For Cutie -- Transatlanticism


Yo La Tengo -- And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside Out


Bright Eyes -- I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning


Iron and Wine with Calexico -- In The Reigns


The Notwist -- Neon Golden


Bloodhound Gang -- Hefty Fine
Who could say no to the year's most catchy song, Foxtrot Uniform Charlie Kilo, or the brilliance of a song composed entirely of Ralph Wiggum quotations? Not I sir, not I.


Rachel's -- Handwriting
People often quote Music For Egon Schiele as being Rachel's best, but nothing compares to this modern chamber orchestra's music on Handwriting. Southbound to Marion is a definite stand out track.


Unkle -- Edit Music For a Film
Holy crap. Unkle of "Rabbit in your headlights" and DJ Shadow fame takes on movie soundtracks. He remixed soundtrack chunks from movies that have emotionally effected him. Never before have tunes from movies as diverse as 2001, Bladerunner, Alive!, Solaris and Scarface rocked ourt so much. One for the movie geeks.


Arcade Fire -- Funeral and EP.
Never before has a band needed to bring out a second full-length album so badly. Oh god. If Illinois hadn't come long this would have been the album of the year by far. I also inlcude EP 'cause it has some great tracks, too.


Andrew Bird -- And The Mysterious Production Of Eggs