Soundtrack of 2005

So our shearpassion collective list isn’t together yet, and I’m still mulling over my personal top 20 albums of the year list. With 2005 already in its last month and final 24 days I thought I’d put forward my own personal “Soundtrack of 2005” (which is set out below). It’s really been a great year for music with breakouts, rebirths and the industry embracing the digital boom, so forgive me if I’ve missed something.
So lets get started…

Amerie – 1 Thing
With “this years Crazy in Love”, Amerie produced a track with an undeniable beat and cross over mass appeal.

Arcade Fire – Neighbourhood No.3 (Power Out)
So much variation and emotion in one song, don’t like it first time – persevere and be rewarded. One of the many highlights from a great album, with a cool yet freaky ‘moomin-esque’ video.

Arctic Monkeys – Bigger Boys & Stolen Sweethearts
What a rise from nowhere to the biggest new band in the UK, watch and learn the power of the internet, this song is symptomatic of Alex Turners well observed, funny lyrics name checking Novas and Burberry hats + free demos = gold.

Athlete – Wires
Athlete suffered a bit of an unfair backlash from some critics this year, mostly for a similarity to Coldplay. Wires was justifiably all over the radio this year, I love the lyrics, sentiment and premise of this song.

Bloc Party – Banquet
“I can’t think straight” - I know, I know this surfaced what seems like years ago, but released as a single in 2005 this is the synonymous track from the East London band. Great vocals, great drumming.

Bright Eyes – First Day Of My Life
Great track, great lyrics (my favourite from the I’m Wide Awake, Its Morning album). This year Bright Eyes hit the mainstream – even sliding into the O.C. soundtrack.

Chemical Brothers – Galvanise
Using Q-Tips vocal on this track pushed all the right buttons this year. The standout electronic track of the year not by Gorillaz.

Common – The Corner
Common’s rhymes are regarded as some of the best in the business, and with Kanye’s production harnessing his already critically acclaimed sound he really hits pay dirt. Great track.

Coldplay – Fix You
Yes it reminds some people of The Scientist, but this track proves sampling Kraftwerk hasn’t diminished Chris Martin’s talent for writing a heart yearning classics.

Foo Fighters – Best Of You
Although one of my new years resolutions this year may be: Stop expecting Dave Grohl to better The Colour and The Shape, In Your Honor still has good songs, Best Of You being the highlight on the stronger Rock disc.

The Futureheads – Hounds Of Love
Cover of the year in my book (even though the album was out in 2004). I prefer this to the Kate Bush original. Sunderland based post-punk? The Futureheads are due a new album out in early 2006 with new track Area whetting my appetite

Gorillaz – Feel Good Inc
Chose this above DARE as this song has something for everyone, best electronic track of the year. Ten years ago who’d have imagined Damon Albarn and De La Soul collaborating – let alone sounding so good?

Hard-Fi – Cash Machine
Sounding like a modern day mix of the Clash and the Jam with savvy naughties lyrics Hard-Fi were one of 2005’s success stories. I could have picked Hard to Beat, but Cash Machine felt especially appropriate at this time of year with long dark days at work and Christmas shopping to buy.

Jamie Lidell – Mutliply
With a great soul voice, Jamie Lidell could be this year's best-kept secret. Producing great sounding soul akin to John Legend minus some of the production or a kind of older male version of Joss Stone. Multiply is his first single of 2005, and has a kind of authenticity to sound like it could have been plucked from the 60’s or 70’s.

Joseph Arthur – Even Tho
New York based singer-songwriter’s single and finest track from his Our Shadows Will Remain album. Lush, layered, emotional and melodic.

Kanye West – Gold Digger
With Kanye’s production, dry delivery and Jamie Foxx’s vocal sample from Ray, this was always going to be good, but it’s my Hip-Hop highlight of the year from an album that’s the same.

Kaiser Chiefs – I Predict A Riot
Incendiary, infectious and undeniable. Brit-rock track of the year.

The Magic Numbers – Forever Lost
Don’t call them the three-lettered ‘F’ word. Barring Top Of The Pops, The Magic Numbers are another of this year's winners - sweet melodic summery rock at its best. This particular track reminds me so much of this summer. (Strange fact: Magic Number have an alphabetic coincidence of sitting side by side on most peoples i-pods with sound-a-likes The Mamas and Papas).

Nickel Creek – Doubting Thomas
Creek not Back. Chad Kroeger worries aside, sometimes bands come into your life from seemingly out of nowhere, and to me this year Nickel Creek were a great introduction. This acoustic track like most of its 2005 parent album Why Should The Fire Die; is full of emotion melody and tenderness.

Nizlopi – JCB
A wonderful father-son themed song with some excellent imagery. Another track that ‘came from nowhere’, initially most buzz came from the internet promotion of JCB’s inspired cartoon video. Nizlopi are now a possibility for (UK) Christmas number one after BBC Radio One and Two DJ’s picked up on the track.

Oasis – Let There Be Love
“A good year for Oasis” would be an understatement. Lots of tracks to pick from, but at the moment the dual vocals put this top for me – a possible (UK) Christmas No.1 – Oasis continue to amaze.

Sigur Rós – Sæglópur
One of the many highlights, and my personal favourite from the Icelandic band’s 3rd full-length album Takk. (Sæglópur translates to ‘Lost at sea’).

Stereophonics – Dakota
Minus Stuart Cable - plus some young Argentinean guy. Stereophonics produce their first number one and an anthem great for driving to. Seriously try it, strap yourself in with a pair of Kelly Jones shades, but watch out for the fuzz!

The White Stripes – My Doorbell
They venture a little out of their safe zone of the signature Elephant sound and continue to impress. I love the simplicity of this track, especially the lyric.

Have I missed one of your favourites? Then post your comments and suggestions below…