10. Sufjan Stevens – Seven Swans (Sounds Familyre)
My love for Sufjan Stevens stems from my love for The Danielson Famile. At first, in my eyes, he was just an adopted member of the Smith family, supporting Daniel on his solo tour. But two critically acclaimed albums later, Sufjan is an artist of his own. The Seven Swans was produced by Daniel Smith (Brother Danielson of the Danielson Famile) and features pretty much all of the family performing on the record. This definitely shows as the songs have a pop feel that rings differently then anything sufjan has done before. With the popularity of folk music on the rise, Sufjan can definitely be credited as a major player in the indie rock UNIVERSE. — Jay C.

9. The Polyphonic Spree – Together We’re Heavy (Hollywood)
While The Polyphonic Spree’s major label debut Together We’re Heavy didn’t make much of a commercial splash, the band was successful in its efforts to create a beautiful, happy go-lucky pop symphony for the masses. Frontman Tim DeLaughter lead this group of over 20 musicians in a strangely hypnotic and uplifting choir that channels The Beach Boys and The Flaming Lips into a series of epic musical movements. Despite the spiritual “new age” undertones (no they’re not a cult), the album works. Some will argue that the whole thing feels too contrived, but if you ask me there’s a sincerity that comes from a whole army of people singing in harmony that gives the songs a life of their own. — Sean

8. !!! – Louden Up Now (Touch & Go)
» Read Space Junk review
Looking back on this year’s releases, the so-called “disco-punk” genre didn’t quite explode like it seemed it was about to in 2003. Regardless, some of this year’s best releases managed to get dance floors grooving without the help of a trend to carry them. !!!’s 2004 effort Louden Up Now makes good on the prog-punk-disco-funk fusion they introduced with their earlier recordings on GSL. Less horns, more electronics and longer jams fill the album, the centrepiece of which is their 12-minute single “Me And Guiliani Down By The School Yard”. Not every track is quite so dynamic, but when all is said and done these guys have created some timeless and original music within the record’s duration. — Sean

7. Blonde Redhead – Misery Is A Butterfly (4AD)
“Misery…” is a natural yet bold step forward for Blonde Redhead, who have in the past been dismissed as Sonic Youth clones. This year the “clones” have surpassed the veterans, and expanded into more of an individual style. Singer Kazu conveys so much romanticism and desperation in her vocals, and the backing music reveals its complexity more and more with each listen. Incredibly sad music for different reasons most people are accustomed to. — Goon

6. Stars – Set Yourself On Fire (Arts & Crafts)
Broken Social Scene have been getting rave reviews from indie rock fans for years, but it wasn’t until I heard the BSS side project Stars and their album “Set Yourself On Fire” that I really started to take notice of the fine music coming from Toronto-based label Arts & Crafts. The album runs the gamut from warm and fuzzy electro-pop to moody My Bloody Valentine-esque rock to stripped down acoustic numbers brimming with tenderness. Every year there are a few Canadian acts that blow everything else away. This is one of them. — Sean

5. Les Savy Fav – Inches (French Kiss)
» Read Space Junk review
The debate rages on about whether “compilations” should be eligible for a year end top 10 list, but when it comes to Les Savy Fav’s collection of 7 inch recordings, we all pretty much agreed that it was too good not to mention. Besides, the project was always intended from conception to add up to a cohesive set of songs, and it’s pretty damn cool how all the covers fit together to form one larger picture. Inches is possibly the best thing Les Savy Fav have released up to this point, the perfect combination of their shimmering guitar and driving basslines, with Tim Harrington delivering his witty lyrics in schizophrenic spasms and poppy harmonies. If it turns out to be their final release (rumour has it that they are on an indefinite hiatus) it will make an excellent swan song to this underappreciated band. — Sean

4. The Futureheads – s/t (Sire)
Every year there seems to be a band that pops up out of nowhere and impresses me beyond belief. Last year it was Junior Senior, this year it’s The Futureheads. Judging by their cover artwork, I was expecting another “dance-punk” record trailing on the success of The Rapture and Hot Hot Heat, but I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the roots of this record are a little deeper. Stop-start guitars and vocals are mixed with a heavy pop influence to create an album that is somewhat avant garde, but extremely listenable as well. The album can be easily summed up as modernized combination of Devo and The Jam. While it may not be the most original record, it’s definitely the most fun. — Jay C.

3. The Hives – Tyrannosaurus Hives (Interscope)
» Read Space Junk review
I don’t know why this album is called Tyrannosaurus Hives. It is anything but a lunking dim witted monster. The album much more brings to mind some imaginary razor sharp toothed bunny rabbit – or a can of Red Bull come to life, because “ferocious energy” are the key words to describe this album. While Vini Vidi Vicious was muted and 60s sounding, the Hives 2004 release is much more crisp, clever and alive. — Goon

2. Modest Mouse – Good News For People Who Like Bad News (Sony)
The strange thing about Modest Mouse is that I seem to enjoy their major label albums more than their indie records. With that said, Good News For People Who Love Bad News would have to be their biggest album to date. It’s strange seeing an indie band getting swept up into the world of car commercials and The O.C., but I guess it makes sense seeing as this album is one of the most accessible the band has released to date. But in this case, accessible isn’t a bad thing. I much prefer the pop sensibilities of Float On than the loud, dirty sounds of some of their older albums. — Jay C.

1. Arcade Fire – Funeral (Merge)
The Arcade Fire has presented us with a heartfelt, catchy, quirky, sullen but somehow cautiously optimistic and inspiring, collection of songs. Inspired by the deaths in the family of several band members, “Funeral”’s musical variety stretches far across the indie rock spectrum, and much like Broken Social Scene last year, they strangely let the collaborative nature of the band shine through. This intangible quality causes so much connection with the band, which might explain why half the albums songs are titles “Neighborhood”. Toss in the fact that”Funeral” has the best cover artwork and liner notes of the year, and its easy to see why this title is tops on so many peoples favorites of the year. With the Arcade Fire, its now become a clear pattern that Canadian homegrowns are releasing the best underground albums, period. — Goon

Honourable Mentions: Air – Talkie Walkie, Franz Ferdinand – s/t, TV On The Radio – Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes, Bjork – Medulla, Brother Danielson – Brother Is To Son

Reader’s Choice: Arcade Fire – Funeral