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It’s Boxing Day! And what does that mean? Eating rubbish to stave off your hangover, getting bored with your presents and pretending to be nice to relatives you’re only really semi-familiar with!

But it’s also a time for reflection. Reflection on the year gone by. And that’s what we’re going to do right now. All this week to avoid doing any real work look back fondly on the year gone by. And that starts right now, as a whole bunch of hecklerspray writers decide upon their best CD of 2005…

Chris Lake, CEO, hecklerspray
Treasure -  Cocteau Twins (CDs). OK, so it was released in 1984, but I only got around to picking it up in 2005 and how I’ve managed to live without it is a mystery. Classic 4AD music, so lots of weirdness from ‘mad’ Liz Frazer. Quite beautiful. Other joys of the year include Safe As Milk by Captain Beefheart (released almost 40 years ago…), The Sea Nymphs LP (1992), late-period Stereolab, the new Fall record, It’s 5 by Architecture In Helsinki, revisiting Altered Images remains a lot of fun, Bach‘s Organ Chorals, the full 5 CD Basement Tapes…

Stuart Heritage, editor, hecklerspray
Avoiding the smart-arse answer and claiming that the best album I bought in 2005 was a reissue of Before And After Science by Brian Eno (it was, but that’s beside the point), there’s been an wealth of stunning music put out in the last year. Artists like Devendra Banhart, Super Furry Animals, Jennifer Gentle, Matthieu Boogaerts, Mother And The Addicts and Doveman have all released mindblowing material, but the CD I’ve found myself going back to again and again is Absolutely Worthless Compared To Important Books by Tiger Tunes. Partly because there’s a naivety to lines like "Don’t make me deathpunch your nosebone," that makes the whole record sound equally weird and affecting, and partly because Tiger Tunes have split up now, which means that this is all we’ll ever hear from them.

C J Davies, writer, hecklerspray
While honorary ‘shout-outs’ (I’m down with the kids, see) must go out to Elbow, The Arcade Fire, Ladytron and Joy Zipper, the title of My Best Shiny Disc Of The Year is hereby granted to Sufjan Stevens (CDs) for his genre-defying odyssey Illinoise. Stevens is determined to record an album about each of the fifty US states, yet this – his second in the line-up – has raised the bar so high it’s hard to imagine how he can top it. Shimmering, epic, magical and encompassing everything from UFOs to serial killers, all it ironically requires is the following three-word synopsis: Buy. It. Now.

Chris Laverty, writer, hecklerspray
Predator soundtrack (CDs) by Alan Silvestri
Are you even still reading this..? Hope so. Predator soundtrack is bloody brilliant. No messing. Plus it has laid unreleased until now (actually about January 2005) – which is why an eighteen year old piece of music can even qualify for this spot at all. Arnie’s fame still owes a lot to Predator, and Predator still owes a lot to Alan Silvestri. The instantly recognisable Main Theme, the classic beyond all recognition Jungle Trek, Building A Trap, Blaine’s Death – all perfect for humming while you stand outside the pub waiting for a taxi. That’s right, even hecklerspray needs a geek. I also like Hard Fi.

Shawn Lindseth, writer, hecklerspray
If I was a man prone to big sweeping statements I would say that …And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead‘s 2005 release Worlds Apart (CDs) is the best album since the very conception of man. I’m not that man, however, so I’ll settle for the very best album of 2005. I say this because no other album this year was better, hence Worlds Apart is best. And I don’t just mean superior music (which it was), I mean physically stronger too. I saw more than one grudge match between this one and other would-be contenders for the years most coveted title, but none other could vanquish it.

Dd W, writer, hecklerspray
Maximo Park, A Certain Trigger (CDs). One of my bands of the year – with an album to match. My favourite tracks include Coast Is Always Changing, Going Missing, Now I’m All Over The Shop, Graffiti… well, most of them really. I’ve been lucky enough to see them many times year, so having an album that captures the same life-affirming urgency, freshness and positivity, only serves to remind me of all the great shows. They’re not just another ‘angular sounding indie band’ they’re so much more inspired than that. The scissor kicks, the strobe lights, the tunes, the pure positive energy! I love them.

Nick Levine, writer, hecklerspray
Madonna – Confessions on a Dancefloor (CDs). Is it a postmodern masterpiece or just another shrewd reinvention from La Ciccone? Does anyone really care? Career Salvation on a Dancefloor is the most exciting album of the year by a (Wiltshire) country mile.

Joanna Sim, writer, hecklerspray
For some reason in 2005 I heard very little new music, however I did listen to – and love – The White Stripes Get Behind Me Satan (CDs). The oddball red, white and black duo’s fifth studio album is a typically eccentric record but with a more mysterious twist than it’s predecessor, Elephant. The second track on the album The Nurse holds the key to how the rest of the album sounds, but My Doorbell – which at times sounds like it was recorded in a public lavatory – is perhaps the best on the album.

Jack Johnson, writer, hecklerspray
Now this would have to be Queens Of The Stone Age – Lullabies To Paralyse (CDs). The main reason being that it is without doubt the CD I have most played all year long. Every track is laced with simple brilliance. In My Head just feels like one of the most dark, evil stalker tracks ever.

Coming up later… friends of hecklerspray choose their best CDs of the year. In the meantime, pop your ideas for the best CD of 2005 as a comment below…