2005 will go down in our book as the year of sharp contrasts, with a vast number of overrated and over-hyped albums (Coldplay included), sitting uncomfortably alongside some of the best releases in recent times. As usual, our selection of Best Albums of 2005 is as diverse as it is fantastic, and we would plead with you to ignore the swelling tide of seasonal compilations and go for any one of the following albums. The top twenty Best Albums of 2005 are without doubt some of the best albums released in recent years. In addition, the acts responsible for them are stunning and highly involving live performers – they are the double-headed coins of the music market.

Martha Wainwright MARTHA WAINWRIGHT. Drowned In Sound

Album of the year, by the most important singer/songwriter to emerge in the last five years. Buy the new Special Edition version with three fabulous bonus tracks.

Frames BURN THE MAPS. Anti

Ireland’s Frames is the best rock band in the world that you probably don’t know. And this album proves it.

Dirty Three CINDER. Bella Union

70 minutes and 19 tracks of the most emotional, and unique instrumental rock from this brilliant Australian trio.

The Arcade Fire FUNERAL. Merge/Rough Trade

The finest pop/rock album for many years. Imagine your first sky dive - that’s the adventure, exhileration and spine-tingling excitement you’ll experience from listening to this fabulous album.

Terence Blanchard FLOW. Blue Note

Put simply, modern jazz at its very best. Stunning!

Coheed & Cambria GOOD APOLLO I’M BURNING STAR IV/VOL 1…. Sony

Quite simply the best alterbative rock album of the year, with soundscapes that will inspire every fan of seriously heavy rock music, and just about everybody else…

Sufjan Stevens ILLINOISE. Rough Trade

An epic and adventurous pop/folk album.

Ani DiFranco KNUCKLE DOWN. Righteous Babe

This prodigious and unique American singer/songwriter hits the mark every time. This is her second album without a backing band, and is superb.

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Veda Hille RETURN OF THE KILDEER. Ape

Canadian folk singer/songwriter Hille never fails to enthrall with her deeply sensitive voice, lyrics and compelling melodies. This is one of her best.

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club HOWL. Echo

A surprising and remarkable record from this heavy rock band. Blues and country music dominate, together with melodies that should make Westlife feel inadequate. A fabulous, and often moving album.

Alex Parks HONESTY. Polydor

The best UK female solo artist album of the year. A deeply moving, haunting, introspective collection of songs, with the Parks finger print embedded passionately in each of them. A slow-burner that needs several listens to fully appreciate its true quality and beauty.

The John Butler Trio SUNRISE OVER SEA. Jarrah

This Australian act combines roots, blues and rock to create the most moving and memorable vibe. A most beautiful album.

Johnathan Rice TROUBLE IS REAL. Reprise

A young American singer/songwriter with an acute sense of melody. An epic, moving, and introspective pop/rock album.

Cayto !BLUNDERBUSS! Rictus

The most diverse and innovative rock album of the year by a country mile. If you’re missing Radiohead, try this one on for size from Glaswegian five-piece Cayto.

Rosie Thomas IF SONGS COULD BE HELD. Sub Pop

This is the lady’s third album, and her best by a very long way.

Ryan Adams & The Cardinals COLD ROSES. Lost Highway

Adams released two sizzling country tinged albums in 2005, and both are amazing.

Stephen Fretwell MAGPIE. Polydor

Forget the over-hyped and oversold. Brit Fretwell is the time-served, genuine article, and this wonderful album proves it. Essential.

Foo Fighters IN YOUR HONOUR. RCA

A 2CD album, one electric heavy rock, and one acoustic. Great song writing and one of the best albums from this great band

Angil TEASER FOR MATTER. Unique

This French singer/songwriter has produced an album that Nick Drake would have been proud of. It’s that good.

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Baxter Dury FLOOR SHOW. Rough Trade

A fabulous, distinctive and diverse debut from a young man with an equally original dad.

Eileen Rose COME THE STORM. Banana Recordings

Another wonderful USA singer/songwriter but one who lives in the UK. This is her third album and her best.

Patricia Vonne GUITAR & CASTANETS. Measured

A vibrant and heart-warming album of Latin/Tex-Mex music with a rocky twist. Superb!

Ryan Adams & The Cardinals JACKSONVILLE CITY NIGHTS. Lost Highway

The second alt-country release from Adams in 2005. Consistently good, and at times brilliant.

Amplifier THE ASTRANAUT DISMANTLES HAL. spv

This extraordinarily adventurous rock album is reported to be a filler while the band’s next album is readied for release in 2006. Hell!

Chris T-T 9 RED SONGS. Snowstorm 2005

A wonderful modern British folk album that, at last, tells it how it is – politically. Chris T-T has a strong voice; writes songs with strong lyrics and great melodies; and possesses a unique style.

Elbow LEADERS OF THE FREE WORLD. MAG/V2

The thinking person’s Coldplay triumph again with conviction and fearlessness. A beautiful and very moving album.

Kaiser Chiefs EMPLOYMENT. B-Unique

The best mainstream rock album of the year, crammed full of well-written chart singles, and a great live band to boot. Check out the new ENJOYMENT DVD –it’s a hoot!.

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Deadman OUR ETERNAL GHOSTS. One Little Indian

A beautiful, haunting album from this American acoustic folk/pop duo.

Kate Bush AERIAL. EMI

The first CD of this 2CD album is a tortuous affair, while the second CD is simpler, fabulous and includes some of her best work ever.

Francoiz Breut UNE SAISON VOLEE. Bella Union

A distinctive and occasionally rocky album from this young, top drawer French singer.

Jose Gonzalez VENEER. Agencia

Stripped-down, Drake-esque singer/songwriter. A beautiful and moving album.

Beck GUERO. Interscope

Back on form with this occasionally epic pop album

The Ga Gas TONIGHT THE MIDWAY SHINES. Sanctuary

New young Brit rock band, and this debut marks them out for future success.

KT Tunstall EYE TO THE TELESCOPE. Relentless

An excellent debut album with strong melodies and sensible lyrics. This young Scots lass is dynamite live.

Lizz Wright DREAMING WIDE AWAKE. Verve

Wright is up there in the finest black USA vocal tradition, and this is a fine album of great covers and three excellent self-penned songs.

Athlete TOURIST. Parlaphone

If only this band were this dynamic live. Great pop tunes and honest performances from this hard-working Brit band.