Getting an ipod mini has enabled me to appreciate music again, even though in the span of roughly 8 months it has become another New Relic. It’s all too easy to expose myself to new music when I have the capacity to browse multiple records at once. Coupled with my iTrip I never had to listen to the radio again.

But first, a preamble to the year of music that was 2005: If I hear of one more band with the word “fire” in their name, I will scream. I am serious about this – I will scream and you will hear me, wherever the fuck you are viewing this hypertext from. And as for Wolf Parade making their way onto year end lists left and right – I say again that copying someone else makes you unoriginal. You might as well be listening to Funeral again you pretentious twats.

How the fuck did I get so off track? This is supposed to be a best of list, not my intense hatred of Pitchfork Media made flesh. The following albums are the best things I listened to all year. And I force fed myself a lot of polished turds based on some of these.

5. Nine Black Alps – Everything Is
What happened to grunge? I think it was put in a time capsule ten years ago and these guys dug it up early. Forget The Vines; those guys are just shit. Nine Black Alps is nothing you haven’t heard before, done a lot better. Did I just type that? I’m starting to sound like NME. Anyway give it a listen if you’re good and nauseous from all the post-punk electro-rock that the music press thinks you want to hear.

4. The Hold Steady – Separation Sunday
The Hold Steady can stand proud knowing they likely have the worst singer in recorded history. The numerous Bible references and religious undertones might turn off a few listeners as well. So why is this listed? Because, to quote a friend, it’s rawk with a motherfucking a-w. I like their numerous E-Street Band influences as well. Digested as a whole, and realizing that this is in fact a concept album with a running story, it’s one of my favorite listens of the year. I still don’t understand the hoodrats.

3. Calla – Collisions
I don’t doubt for a second that these guys have toured around playing to minimal crowds since their formation in 1997. I was fortunate enough to see them play the Horseshoe to a crowd of thirty people back in November, having heard nothing but the freely available “It Dawned on Me”. The more I listen, the more I appreciate their minimal, haunting sounds. I can see them becoming one of my favorite bands; I have already started collecting their older material.

2. The Clientele – Strange Geometry
Like the Shins’ Oh, Inverted World, the music of the Clientele is extremely comforting in its familiarity, and almost dream-like in its delivery. This is the perfect record to listen to on a frosty Sunday afternoon, while nestled in a comfortable chair pretending to read a book. I mostly just fell asleep, though. So I guess it’s great music to fall asleep to.

1. Bloc Party – Silent Alarm
You’ve heard the hype. Repeatedly and without end, I’m sure. I’m giving you permission to believe it. This is the only band you need to hear from the post punk revival that’s beginning to look like the next American Idol in terms of the quantity of entries and their obvious lack of quality. I used to play the drums, and every time I listen to this record I find myself wanting to play again. Dismissed by some as being “too” inspired by some of their influences (again, I really never want to understand the music press) a band like this needs to be around right now.