I'm off to see Antony and the Johnsons tonight so I thought it was good idea to get the 'favourite music of 2005' post out of the way. By the way, we put our christmas tree up yesterday. It's white and plastic and is decorated with minature gold crackers and 6 heavy mirror/disco balls. Which brings us back nicely to my favourite music of 2005:

The disco ball theme of the spellcnut christmas tree is a celebration of the shiniest (yes, even shinier than Goldfrapp) Madonna album ever. Confessions On A Dancefloor has swept us off our feet in the last month and re-ignited my latent love for the patron saint of chameleons. I thoroughly enjoyed American Life, Music and Ray Of Light but this one has got 'classic' stamped all over it. And she's done that 'zeitgeist' thing again (i.e. Vogue and the movie 'Paris Is Burning' back in the 90's), this time with La Chapelles krumping movie 'Rize' (which we saw in LA back in February *buffs fingernails on shirt*).

Antony and the Johnsons. I Am A Bird Now. It's beautiful and sad and makes me want to be a better gay (it's my Helen Hunt). Daily listens of this album have dwindled to weekly now but it still 'stirs' me.

Demon Days by Gorillaz has been a constant pleasure since the summer. It's very catchy and clever and even has my first wife singing on it (remind me to tell you about my 'breakdown' in 1994 when I convinced myself I was married to Neneh Cherry and was removed from her Torremolinos garden by the police).

Bloc Party, The Cribs, The Rakes, Art Brut, Editors, British Sea Power, Franz Ferdinand and Maximo Park all made great British albums this year but if I had to pick a favourite it would be Bloc Party. By the by, the drummer from Franz was sat opposite me on the tube on Saturday afternoon. Victoria line, Northbound. He wore a scarf with 'Scotland' on it and had an expensive carrier bag with tissue wrapped gifts in it. He got off at Walthamstow. Very weird.

My favourite neck, wrists and hands of 2005 belong to James Murphy from LCD Soundsystem and his album was thick (like his neck) with good stuff. And look! We have something in common as we both worship Michael Clark.

Honorary mentions must go to System Of A Down, Queens Of The Stone Age and The White Stripes for their noisy and driving rock music.

I gave several albums more than a few listens this year but just wasn't rewarded with any pleasure: Dungen, MIA, Magic Numbers, The Engineers, Doves, Kate Bush and Bright Eyes spring to mind. Must do better.

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I've just re-read this post and realised I missed out loads of other faves: Goldfrapp, Kaiser Chiefs, Arcade Fire and Gang Of Four (remix album) all made mighty grand albums 2005.