There have been a lot of good albums, but if i was to pick one that ive listened to more often then most this year, it would probably have to be The killers album

How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb - it actually is the bomb!!!

The Shins "Chutes too narrow" (technically a 2003 record - it was released Stateside in Oct 2003 - but was only released in Europe in April 2004 or so). Other best albuims of the year: The Blue Nile's "High" and Modest Mouse's "Good News For People Who Love Bad News". My wish for 2005? That all of these 3 acts go on tour. That would be just perfectly rich. eoghan

Think when it comes to the crunch it would have to be Interpol's 'Antics'....can't turn it off!

Surprised that anyone mentioned The Shins 'Chutes Too Narrow', I think this is a great album. Other nominees for me would be: Declan O'Rourke 'Since Kyabram', Republic Of Loose 'This Is The Tomb Of The Juice', Hope Of The States 'The Lost Riots', Kings Of Leon 'Aha Shake Heartbreak'. But I'm with Bonzo with declaring the new U2 album as my best album of 2004.

"Chutes too narrow" is my #3 of the year. My #1 is Sufjan Stevens - "Greetings from Michigan the great lakes state" which was released in the states last year the same way that The shins was, so if you want to disqualiy that then I'd say TV on the Radio - "Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes"

Methinks Nick Cave agus na Bad Seeds: Abattoir Blues/Lyre of Orpheus

Josh Turner - Long Black Train You can't get it here in Ireland but its worth buying online. Best Irish release of 2004 was Clive Barnes - Goldtooth Cinnamon. Wonderfull stuff

Really liked - Lambchop - Awcom'n/noyoucom'n

With Eric on the Lambchop choice...their releases are always quite singular and unique, and AwC'mon is one of their better ones.

Sufjan Stevens -"Greetings from Michigan...." -top drawer..

Goto call Klootfan, for pure pop perfection, it had to be the Killers. The Loose would run them danm close in my book.

Sun Kil Moon - Ghosts of the Great Highway

I WAS going to behave and only post one, but since other people got away with more I'll offer up my top 5: 1) Kings of Convenience - Riot on an Empty Street 2) Elliott Smith - From a Basement on a Hill 3) cLOUDDEAD - Ten (US only thus far) 4) The Streets - A Grand Don't Come For Free (I don't care how much hate I get for picking this. It's great.) 5) Arcade Fire - Funeral (US only thus far I think, but SO worth tracking down...(http://www.mergerecords.com/media.php?query_band_id=98 if you want to preview it. I'd say start with "Wake up" )... BIG HEAD-NOD OF AGREEMENT to Eric for the Lambchop pick. Easily my sleeper hit of the year...

Right I'm gonna stick with just the one: Ah I can't do it....... Air - Talkie Walkie Badly Drawn Boy - One Plus One Is One Beta Band - Heroes to Zeroes

nic armstrongs long player 'the greatest white liar' on the one little indian label. brilliant stuff altogether!!! have yet to hear the shins albums although i did see 'em at oxygen and i thought they were excellent - deadly backing vocals....now must go out and buy cause of all your recommendations!!!

favourite album of the year: Interpol - Antics. gets better with every listen, i was disappointed at first, but its really shone, so it has.

Can't believeeeee I forgot Walkie Talkie...I went to feckin' Paris to see the fecker's tour d bleedin' thing....so I stand corrected.