Knew's Top Five Albums of 2005

After viewing pitchfork media's query to some musicians asking for their top five albums, I thought I'd follow suit. I don't think I can think of another album that is even close to these five, although if we're talking songs I'm sure I could throw down 100.

Stars - Set Yourself on Fire (Arts & Crafts)

Although I was already a fan of this band due to their connection to Broken Social Scene, I was blown back by this album. To me it is the only "front-to-backer" of the year, whereas you can listen to it front to back without skipping a track. The buzz behind this band was solidified to me after seeing them in Manchester this past fall. Favorite Track: The Big Fight

Broken Social Scene - Broken Social Scene (Arts & Crafts)

This was an easy choice for me as they are everything I look for in a band. Experimental yet down to earth, hard yet soft, big yet compact, and old yet young. This may be seen as a slip from form for this band, but fortunately they should be releasing another album this year, considering it took three years to put out this one. As I once opened some Xmass gifts early then rewrapped them one year when I was a kid, I had heard most of the songs on this album before it came out, so it sort of ruined it. Favorite Track: Hotel

Danger Doom - The Mouse and the Mask(Epitaph)

Although my love for Hip-Hop has waned in the last few years, something as epic as Danger Doom can not be ignored. Comprised of two of the saviors of Hip-Hop, producer Danger Mouse (The Grey Album, Gorillaz), and MC MF Doom (KMD, Madvillian), their mixture gells like no other duo out right now. Playing on the fact that both of their handles are cartoon in nature, the whole Adult Swim gang makes appearances. The beats are stellar, the rhymes are ingenious, and the mix of real Hip-Hop and pot shots toward the rest of the industry mesh like two sides of a zipper! Favorite Track: Sofa King (Retarded)

Doves - Some Cities (Capitol)

Most people know I have a soft spot for Brit-pop and the rest of you have never heard that term before. It may not be the correct classification for this band, just like most people can't tell the difference from Techno to House (and rightfully so), but it will have to do. This Manchester trio hit a soft spot with me this year because as I learned I may be moving to England, their song "Black and White Town" was in my head, and gave me a taste of what it would be like (although completely untrue). I could have easily jumped on the Coldplay wagon for this list, but I haven't gotten through their whole album and this one is clearly better. They really mix pop with elaborate sweeping sounds so well. Favorite Track: Snowden

KT Tunstall - Eye to the Telescope (EMI)I also have a place in my heart for women singer songwriters. KT cannot hold a candle to the Feist's and Kimya Dawson's of the world, but her cocky attitude is so appealing. Her songs are a little poppy for the indie elite, but it suits my soul perfectly. The only thing she may lack is the mysterious qualities of the aforementioned singers, but the catchiness of her album drew me in immediately. Favorite Track: Under the Weather

When I embarked on this task I was under the impression it would be easy to pick five, but it was harder than I could have imagined. Next year should be unbelievably easy, as Feist, Broken Social Scene, Badly Drawn Boy, The Streets, Sam Roberts, The Strokes, The Shins, Tenacious D, Modest Mouse, and De La Soul are due to release albums in 2006. Shit, we may even see a Spice Girls reunion or even more unlikely, I may not even be using computers by next year!!