by Seb MathewsDearest 2005, you have treated Refinery29 with so many lovely albums, it's almost impossible to choose our top ten. Ultimately, it came down to how much we listened to them, for nothing else really measures an albums impact more than how many spins it's earned. So, it is with pleasure we announce ten amazing albums from 2005 we can 100 percent stand behind, whether you're at the shop, in the kitchen, in bed, in the bus or wherever your journeys take you. We look forward to more from these bands and more discoveries to come in 2006.
10. The Books—Lost & Safe Soft, tender glitchy songs with just enough vocals to keep you interested. An understated album that really grows on you with every listen.
9. Black Mountain—Black Mountain Heavy psych-rock with rousing male/female vocals and the thickest guitar riffs around. We still can't believe they were asked to tour with Coldplay!
8. The Russian Futurists—Our Thickness Bedroom electro-pop with Beach Boy harmonies and tales of loves lost. Just when you think you are going to cry, get up and dance instead.
7. Jackson & His Computer Band—Smash Possibly the most complex dance record we've heard in ages with tremendous bass and impossibly wonderful cut-up rhythms. We hear it took him years to complete and every second was worth the wait.
6. Of Montreal—The Sunlandic Twins Harmonies you can't get out of your head peppered with spooky yet upbeat moments of choral bliss. A million albums later, Of Montreal strike gold.
5. Cass McCombs—Perfection Reedy and reverbed, Cass sounds like he recorded this album under a haze of heroin and tears. Touching yet provocative&mdash. A must-have.
4. Broadcast—Tender Buttons Stripped down to just two members, Broadcast released their best album to date and have finally put to bed any questions in the perennial Broadcast v. Stereolab debates.
3. Chad VanGaalen—Infiniheart Oh cold and lonesome Canada, how you make us weep. This epic and heartfelt album is possibly the most amazing singer-songwriter debut we've heard in years. Vocals like Neil Young and songs that captivate.
2. Grizzly Bear—Horn of Plenty Grizzly Bear had been a favorite all along, but now that the band has decided to re-release their album appended with a bonus disc of remixes from a host of indie stars, "Horn" has become an essential purchase and one of the best pop records this year.
1. Sigur Ros—Takk... Finally these guys got it right and started writing songs under eight minutes long, and man, does it do them a world of good. The most infectuous and awe-inspiring release of the year, hands down.Illustration by Pepin Gelardi, www.pepingelardi.com
Fill in the blanks on your holiday wish list with our favorite top ten releases from 2005.