Totally getting into this, nice and chilled. Great lyrics - I was surprised.

I'm always singing, "I wanna live!".

Good angry women's music.

Nathan sounds like he's singing with a fake Pommie accent, but live these guys are amazing.

Rock on! Farkin' awesome CD. Once again, every track rocks out – no one is weaker than another.

Set to be my favourite summer album, a band with something really special going on.

Bloody Damon Albarn. How can such a seemingly dull and flaccid man create such an energised and interesting project? He chooses the perfect people on every track.

Well, you expected it didn't you?

It wouldn't make any sense if it wasn't in my top ten, now would it?

This pick is based purely on the ‘sound' of the year, which is the crazy beat to the track "Ramalama (Bang Bang)".

One of the 2 cartoon influenced (toon-hop) albums dangermouse has leant his genius to this year. The man's a genius. A mad mad genius.

How can a bunch of cartoon characters whose leader was heavily to blame for Britpop make such awesome hip hop? That's not actually a rhetorical question. I really wanna know.

Every time I listen to this album it makes me feel like I'm dreaming the most beautiful dreams while being wide awake.

Apparently Sufjan is making a conceptual album for every state of the US on which he'll write and play up to 20 instruments himself. Sounds like a shit idea doesn't? It's not – volume 1 ( Michigan ) was awesome and this volume can be filed under "life changing".

Time to party like it's 1973. Plus they have the best hair in modern music. Actually I think they take that title in the ancient music category as well.

It was a near thing with my neighbours becoming intimate with the Bondi boys as well. Takes you through every emotion and back again.

Of course.

Proof that dire situations provide inspired music.

25 years in the biz and they still managed to create one of the best albums of their career and the year. Never sounded better live.

Nearly didn't get in because the title was too long for me to type. Lucky it's a great record and definitely one to listen to late at night. Blues for the new millennium.

Punk rock anthems that make you want to get off your ass and go to a show, punch your fist in the air, shout a long, dance and have a good time. You gotta love Against Me!

I just got this album last week and have not stopped listening to it. Reminds me of early Hot Water Music meets Strike Anywhere, with a splash of Against Me and Pegboy.

Prog rock for punk kids. This is an epic album of lush sounds provided by amazing musicians – recommended for punters with an open mind to their punk sounds looking for something truly unique.

Fans of old school US hardcore like Black Flag and Bad Brains need this album. Intense anger hardcore. Perfect driving music actually.

Great Brisbane street punk with not a fringe or eyeliner in sight. Catchy as hell songs that live up to the high standards they set with earlier releases.

It's a compilation and a tribute album all in one. And it reminds you that the best songwriting comes from all the places you'd never, ever look.

A lo-fi hip hop album that is so expressive and creative, I can hear the colours

Silencing all the non-believers with one self-titled behemoth of a rock record. Fulfilling all their potential and promising so much more at the same time.

Brilliant pretentious punked up rock and roll. Stay off the crack.

1960s Backroom boffins invent the sound of the next 40 years of pop music using nothing but a razor blade and a wobbulator.

The best Australian film of the year isn't a film at all.

The King gives the performance of a lifetime as he takes the stage with a small combo (in a boxing ring, no less!) to show the world that he can rock with the best of them.

More twisted disco from the DFA hit factory.

Beats, accusations and Ray Charles. Tops.

So F***ing Useless!!

They remind me of They Might Be Giants, for some
reason. Oh that's right, they're wordy white Americans.

I really like it, apparently they've even stopped smashing stages apart when they play live.
So serious.

Sigur Ros
Takk

This record is my aural amphetamine – always guaranteed to give a high. And like all amphetamines, it goes damn well with water. Perfect for sitting on a beach, strolling beside a lake or dozing in the bath. I'm yet to try it with hard frosty type of H2O native to Iceland, Sigur Ros's homeland. But I suspect that a scotch and dry tipped over a couple of blocks of the stuff would go quite nicely too.

A fantastic album from a Sydney based instrumental five piece more than worth the four year wait the band put us through to get it. Each track takes you on an amazing journey full of dynamic changes, subtle moods and brilliant technique.

It's like the soundtrack to a bollywood musical set in south London and starring Missy Elliot. This debut album slapped me in the face and knocked me right over. I staggered back to my feet and wished I could make them move the way those bhangra beats were begging them to….

This album confirmed that an insatiable love of Motown doesn't have to be uncool

Sons And Daughters
The Repulsion Box

It's angry and it's sexy. Like a destructive relationship you just can't leave coz the making up makes all the tears worthwhile. Gee I'd like to see behind the scenes band dynamics of these Glaswegians!

There are so many good songs on this album and they are all such fun. No bullshit bouncy pop rock - love it!

I love driving around posh neighbourhoods blasting out Fast Girl - yup, I'm a sad f#*ker.

The most original voice in years, I love the lyrical content and Boy George.

Everyone hates this MOR bo**ocks but I love it. I love Chris Martin and want to fondle him.

I think Bernard has such a distinctive voice and really like his lyrics. Songbird is a great song too.

Easliy the 2nd best album of the year.

I put this on when I hit the sack and I always have filth dreams.

I'm a big fan and I reckon this is their best album yet. OK, I'm a gushing idiot, but Ozi Batla's and Urthboy's voices are hot hot hot!

I just discovered MIA this year and just like Lady Sovereign, she's really electric and awesome when you're in the car and up for some eratic chair dancing.

Heard Richard Kingsmill play Hanne Huckleberg on 2005 and loved it right away. She uses everyday objects as instruments and it can get pretty kooky, but her appeal isn't novelty value, she creates a really nice feeling in her songs and I love her voice.

I reckon you really need to listen to this whole album at the one time. A long car trip at night would be good.

I feel like I SHOULD love this, but it's here mostly for my cats (artreyu and biaggi) who seem to understand Sigur Ros at a deeper level than myself. It's cat music, for sure.