2005: George Bush doesn’t care about black people.

or Albums: Part Two

5. The White Stripes – Get Behind Me Satan
The suddenly sexy rhythm section helps a brother work it out, mad marimba-style. When ya gonna ring it, indeed.

4. Bright Eyes – I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning
(And I’m half asleep, it’s 2006.) Asking Emmylou Harris to do harmony vocals is never a bad idea.

3. Wolf Parade – Apologies to the Queen Mary
Arcade Fire + Modest Mouse, sure, but songs this good don’t write themselves. Delivered with passion, and frankly I’m not in love with the modern world either.

2. Keren Ann – Nolita
A cabaret full of slinky pop that will do more for your love life than anything advertised in the back of Esquire.

1. M.I.A. – Arular
If this isn’t the sound of 2005 – equally obsessed with sex and terrorism, a smorgasbord of samples over Latin beats, all produced by a southerner, then personified by a British-Tamil beauty – than what is?