Which album did you have the hardest time leaving off of your 2005 Shmoo Poll Top 20?

For me, it was Heavy Trash. Probably would have made it in just about any other year, but there was just too much stiff competition this time around.

art brut. god i love that album.

I think it was The Magic Numbers for me.

Rogue Wave - Descended Like Vultures

Though I fudged mine, this and Twin Cinema prolly shoulda appeared.

I am also pissed that I never heard the entire Black Mountain s/t especially considering how much I lurv "No Satisfaction" and it's oldbullee's #1, cos me and my Cajun Brutha is usually simpatico

tonedeff archetype

Yep, I am super pissed I haven't heard Black Mountain yet. I haven't cashed in my $10 iTunes certificate yet, so I figure that's what I'll get with it.

I only heard 21 new records last year. So it was

Bright Eyes - Digital Ash In A Digital Urn

Although the technical answer is that Black Mountain and Son Volt went back and forth for number 20... the more authentic answer is probably:

I was driving through the Santa Cruz Mountains today in the early morning... heavy rain and occasionally patches of blue sky. Listening to Kate Bush's Aerial and thinking this is the best music ever made... although it was #42 on my list...should be in the top ten I thought.

I think it is just so evocative of things I've lost or never had.

Now a completely separate question is why the fuck a man of my age should care about where a song is placed on "my list." O/C disorder no doubt.

i couldn't make it to 20.
i only did about 14 or so.

Boris - Akuma No Utuma

Actually, If I did my list over again, I would have taken out a few albums and added the following.

Avila Brothers - The Mood: Soundsational
Black Rob - The Black Rob Report
Modeselektor - Hello Mom

This year was great, but 2006 is going to be overwhelming for me. Based on the upcoming releases lists that I've been reading, 2006 may be my best year for music since 2003.

eels-blinking lights and other revelations

There are my near 20s:

The Books - Lost & Safe
Orthrelm - OV
High On Fire - Blessed Black Wings
Andrew Bird - The Mysterious Production of Eggs
Bruce Springsteen - Devils And Dust
Excepter - Throne

For my Shmoo Poll 21 would have been Teenage Fanclub's 'Man Made' but it was 27th on my Konstantiranks list. 28th was Uncle John & Whitelock, 29th was Amon Tobin and 30th was The Spinto Band.

i think it was Sufjan or Bit By Bats.

Sufjan Stevens

Little Brother

architecture in helsinki-in case we die

Kanye West Late Registration - which probably should've been on my top 20 but that whole tokenism thing was playing on me.

Probably Oranges Band or Eels, though I did like that Heavy Trash a fair bit, though.

Sigur Ros - Takk

This nearly made it and would if I were to tweak the list. Didn't own it until last week (though I'd heard it months ago). Wasn't sure when it was released overseas, either. But what a voice she has. Rwwoowwwwwwrrrrrrr.

i can't remember, but i think it was August Born