Best Of 2005

1) Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

An irresistible concoction, bursting at the seams with flavour, yet never too rich or sickly sweet.


2) Bloc Party - Silent Alarm

Do believe the hype. The British music press get it right on this fractured, angular, splintered shard of guitar pop.


3) Sufjan Stevens - Illinois

2 down, 48 to go, and Stevens is already honing his songwriting technique to the point of perfection.


4) Mew - And The Glass Handed Kites

You know the people you meet who are really hard to get to know, but end up being one of your best friends. Well here's the musical equivalent.


5) Sigur Ros - Takk

The voice of a generation with nothing to say.


6) Architecture in Helsinki - In Case We Die

Eight Australians launch another jaunty, ADD-friendly attack on the world. Wide-eyed and wonderful.


7) Wolf Parade - Apologies To The Queen Mary

Yes, they do sound like that other band, but they still have plenty to say, and shout, for themselves.


8) Brakes - Give Blood

16 songs, fast and furious, country punk, sore neck.


9) The National - Alligator

A seemingly innocuous incognito that'll lurk in the shadows and will hit you when you least expect it.


10) Caribou - The Milk Of Human Kindness

Electronica comes of age, Manitoba who?



Almost made it (in descending order)

11) Franz Ferdinand - You Could Have It So Much Better

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.


12) Stephen Malkmus - Face The Truth

Ex-Pavement frontman rediscovers his knack for the shambolic.


13) Michael Knight - Youth Is Wasted On The Young

Ireland finds its own Belle & Sebastian, Beach Boys & South Ambulance. Read the review


14) Super Furry Animals - Love Kraft

Nine years on, and the Welsh lads still haven't lowered the bar.


15) The Ponys - Celebration Castle

Frenetic guitar onslaughts periodically make way for melodic chorus'


16) British Sea Power - Open Season

At least one thing good came out of the great war. Read the review


17) Doves - Some Cities

Cemented their reputation as a must-see live act, and at least the first four songs on this record are a must-hear. Read the review


18) Mercury Rev - The Secret Migration

The old stagers prove that the songs haven't deserted them yet. Read the review


19) Maximo Park - A Certain Trigger

Spraying aural graffiti inside your head.


Honourable Mentions (in no particular order)

The Go! Team – Thunder, Lightning, Strike
Willy Mason - Where The Humans Eat Read the review
The Spinto Band – Nice & Never Done
Elbow - Leaders Of The Free World
Thirteen Senses - The Invitation Read the review
Boards Of Canada - The Campfire Headphase
The Magic Numbers - The Magic Numbers
The Arcade Fire - Funeral (2004's winner if indiecater.com was alive back then) Read the review

Stars - Set Yourself On Fire
Belle & Sebastian - Push Barman to Open Old Wounds (best compilation)
My Morning Jacket - Z
Animal Collective – Feels
Calla - Collisions
Kaiser Chiefs - Employment
The Boy Least Likely To - The Best Party Ever
Editors – The Back Room
Low – The Great Destroyer


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