Since I’m going away, I thought it best to get my 2005 list out before everybody else. 
A little premature sure, but unless something comes out in the meantime that knocks me off my feet these are my favourites.
The following are in alphabetical order, purely because I hate to dissect which albums I like over others – it’s hard enough for me to whittle the list down to ten albums.
Aberdeen City – The Freezing Atlantic
I was recommended this by a friend, but ten seconds into the first track had written them off as Strokes wannabies. Then it promptly kicked in and I was sold. This is a solid album, made even better by showing a maturity in their music far beyond the time they’ve been a band.
Through a strange coincidence they just happen to play in San Francisco the very day I arrive there; so I can’t wait to hear it all live. 
Aimee Mann – The Forgotten Arm
This album hooked me from the first listen, and only gets better every spin. Anybody who isn’t already a fan needs to go buy a copy of this, because nobody deserves to miss out on music this good.
Bernard Fanning – Tea & Sympathy
I was expecting this to be a very laid-back acoustic album, typical of the solo album stigma. I wasn’t wrong but it’s so well made and insanely catchy that it’s hard not to smile listening to it time and time again. Good to see another Powderfinger member staking a claim outside the band.
Drag – The Way Out
It had been a long time since anything was heard of Drag, Darren Middleton’s other band. Aside from Fiona Apple’s album I don’t think I can think of a more diverse sound this year – one second it’s gun’s-a-blazing, the other a quiet lullaby. Amazingly fresh stuff.
Fiona Apple – Extraordinary Machine
Now don’t get me wrong; I’m not talking about the butchered retail version that’s in stores. The album on my list is the leaked Jon Brion produced version, which is completely original and just brilliant. See my rant, Fiona Apple’s Extraordinary Machine’d Retail, for what I think about the “new” version.
Flyleaf – Flyleaf
I caught this on recommendation and was thoroughly impressed. They remind me of a female Finger Eleven, although obvious references to Evanescence will hound them for a long time.
Michael Penn – Mr. Hollywood Jr., 1947
If there were one album that I was waiting for all year, it would be this. The immensely ignored Michael Penn releases his fifth album to date, and it’s easily on par with his best work. Well worth listening to; it’s just a shame I still have to import his work – if you haven’t heard anything from him yet, this is a great album to start on.
Nine Inch Nails – With Teeth
You’d have thought by now Trent Reznor would either be content with what he’s done so far or completely burnt out with nothing else to offer. Not so this declares, as he adds his nineteenth halo to the list. Again, as Weezer did this year, there’s one or two decidedly retro tracks on here but they only add to the fold. Can’t wait for the remix album.
The Red Paintings – Walls
Okay, this is an EP, but you can’t hold it against this superb Brisbane band. Highly original, this beautiful and complex work shows a band that (although not having a genuine LP yet) have already got their sound by the neck and know what they’re doing. If there’s one thing you need to hear this year, it’s Walls.
Weezer – Make Believe
I’ve found in the past a true testament to a great album (by a band i’m already familiar with) is plainly not liking the new album at all. This happened with Make Believe, but decided that because it was Weezer, i’d have to give it a couple listens. Twenty or so later I decided it was not only okay, it was one of my favourites for the year. The once annoying retro-style of some songs (“This is such a pity” being the prime suspect) turned into an enjoyable retro-style overnight.
That wraps it up for 2005 for me; if you were wondering what would have been #11, I probably wouldn’t have gone past Pete Murray’s latest, See the Sun. After Feeler let me down, this latest effort is halfway back to just how good his original EP and LP (The Game) were.
