The results of the first annual Acclaimed Pazz & Jop Poll

1. Sufjan Stevens - "Illinois" 170 (11)
2. Antony and the Johnsons - "I’m a Bird Now" 78 (8)
3. Sleater-Kinney - "The Woods" 70 (6)
4. Gorillaz - "Demon Days" 61 (5)
5. The Go! Team - "Thunder, Lightning, Strike" 56 (5)
6. The White Stripes - "Get Behind Me Satan" 55 (5)
7. M.I.A. - Arular 54 (6)
8. The Decemberists - "Picaresque" 51 (5)
9. Kanye West - Late Registration 49 (5)
10. LCD Soundsystem - s/t 48 (6)
11. Sigur Rós - "Takk ..." 48 (4)
12. The New Pornographers - "Twin Cinema" 46 (5)
13. Franz Ferdinand - "You Could Have It so Much Better" 44 (6)
14. My Morning Jacket - "Z" 44 (4)
15. Annie - "Anniemal" 36 (3)
16. Bright Eyes - "I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning" 33 (3)
17. Super Furry Animals - "Love Kraft" 32 (4)
18. Bloc Party - "Silent Alarm" 31 (3)
19. Devendra Banhart - "Cripple Crow" 31 (2)
20. Kate Bush - "Aerial" 30 (5)
21. Wolf Parade - "Apologies to Queen Mary" 27 (3)
21. Elbow - "Leaders Of The Free World" 27 (3)
23. Supergrass - "Road to Roun" 25 (2)
24. Low - "The Great Destroyer" 24 (4)
25. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - s/t 24 (3)
26. The Mars Volta - "Frances The Mute" 24 (2)
27. Shakira - "Fijación Oral, Vol. 1" 22 (2)

Number of votes is listed in parenthesis. Nineteen ballots were cast.

Glad to see seven of my top 10 make it into the top ten here, and two of the other three make it into the top 16.

Surprises for me: Bright Eyes and Bloc Party didn't do better.

Not only did Sufjan Stevens have the most supporters, they were also the most ardent, giving "Illinois" a 15.45 average, more than any other album with at least three votes.

Until next year ...

I hope Stefan will include this list in his next update!

This list is bullshit for the most part. At least Supergrass and Elbow posted. I still think it's crazy that The Go! Team was eligible when everyone knew about that album in 2004, even though it was an import. These lists are becoming more predictable. Bloc Party was ridiculously low.

I voted for The Go! Team because I was struggling to make a top 10, it is a 2004 album though.

So, Michael, what you're saying is that most people who post on this Site are full of bullshit, since that is who is responsible for this poll.

Personally, I think most of the people here have pretty discerning tastes in music. Although I did think Bloc Party and Supergrass released above average albums this year, let's be honest, one was simply a new-wave retread, and the other was moody atmospherics with nothing much new to offer.

Thanks for doing this RR, I like the way it panned out. The Go! Team is a 2004 album but will no doubt be high up in the real Pazz and Jop as it wasn't released in USA till then. Elbow isn't relesed in the US untill later this year so we have both sides off the coin.

Glad to see my #1 I Am A Bird Now do well still haven't got into "The Woods" but haven't like any S/K album beforehand so it's unlikely. The Supergrass album has it's moments but it's brevity meant I didn't vote for it. Hopefully they will keep up sounding like the Beatles next time and not revert back to type.

Bloc Party at 18 seems fair to me, The better tracks on it are very, very good but the second half doesn't have the makings of a classic. The amount of singles released before it dropped lessened it's impact for me too.

Frances The Mute was horroid though

No, I am saying they are predictable. What's the point of posting a rehashed version of lists that have been posted by lots of other sources??

Because it's what we like.

I can't wait until Wolfmother is released internationally. It was my number one and I'd be interested what others have to say about the album.

I understand what you like but it's stating the obvious too. I like the albums on the list and own most of them, but yet, things just get too samey.

It just means that people with good taste in music and with higher expectations than your average top 40 stuff like the same kind of music. Isn't it obvious????????? Don't you get it????????

If you want to see a completely different list just for the sake of it being different, go to Billboard.com or something.

Of course I can understand a list composed by a Simpleton. What YOU fail to understand is the list is a waste of space...tell us something we do not know already! THOSE albums were not the only quality albums of 2005!

It's just a simple list for all the people who post here regularly to see which albums were the consensus favorites. I'm not sure why you take such umbrage to it?

But according to your last comment, you're basically saying this whole Site is a waste of space. So why keep coming here and boring us with the same old complaints over and over again?

And reducing your argument by name-calling is just the mark of a small mind.

YOU were the one who became anal retentive when I started criticizing the list. You may not agree and that's fine and dandy, but if you're going to comment, do it respectfully and tactfully. That way, you won't look so ignorant. All I am saying is what is the point of regurgitating the same old list. Evidently, my comment hurts because you're being awfully insecure. Why can't you do something more thoughtful like albums that don't normally appear on lists, but should? If something like that comes up, maybe I wouldn't have to bitch so much.

Also, speak for your damn self. If others have a problem with what I have to say, they are free to respond themselves. They don't need you to speak for them. Are you their ringleader?? So do us all a favor and keep their names out of your mouth. If I am boring you, you sure keep coming back to get the last word, huh?

Rocky Raccoon,
Many thanks for doing this P&J-like poll! I hope this feature will return every year. Next year I will be better prepared and participate myself.

Michael,
If you prefer a list of albums that don't normally appear on lists, why don't you list these albums (or even arrange a new poll) instead of insulting others work?

It wasn't a direct insult. It's not like I said, "Mr. Raccoon, you're full of shit and have no idea what you are talking about." In fact, I should not have even said anything. It is just frustrating how so many music listeners don't seem to have minds of their owns. No one gave a shit about Antony & the Johnsons until it was announced he was the winner of the Mercury Prize. No one gave a damn about Sufjan Stevens' last two albums in comparison to Illinois. People didn't start to give Coldplay backlash until they became an overnight success in America. Everyone gives glory to Common's Be (a brilliant album) but derides Electric Circus, a masterpiece in every sense of the word. Everyone found ...And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead's Worlds Apart pretentious and sprawling. Is Illinois NOT? I just don't know whether people are being legit with their opinions or not. You say I am insulting people but examples like these frustrate me just as much if not more. I am sorry I am so misunderstood.

"I Am A Bird Now" was my favourite album of the year before it won the Mercury (so much so that it's victory won me £80.) I could show you links to me saying this well before it was nominated on other boards etc. but I hardly see the point.

It's fair enough if you think that this list looks like every other list you've seen and you don't get why "Illnois" won by such a large margin. The way you said this wasn't exactly constructive critism nor has it endeared you to the people who submitted lists.

Considering there were 19 ballots cast and less than 30 records got more than 2 votes you might want to look at the original ballots it fou are seeking some names you haven't seen on several EOY lists before.

I never said it was constructive criticism, but neither was Rocky's. I never intended to be constructive; I was pissed and that showed. Anyway, I am sure that I Am a Bird Now was an early favorite, but it's not like it's heads and shoulders above their criminally forgotten self-titled debut. I'm pretty sure a lot of people don't even know that this is their sophomore album. The very best albums are always overlooked come year end. Where is Broken Social Scene? Where is Coldplay? (Yes, I said Coldplay) Where is Doves? The only reason people remember these albums is because of the excessive hype.

I would have bet money that Fiona Apple would have topped this years list. She's not even on it. Usually if it's in RS and Spin it makes the list. Wow! I'm even more suprised to see Annie. This is SFA's 1st time making the top 20 and Supergrass did well too. I guess it's an OK list considering they didn't have much to work with.

Tim, it seems like you may be under the impression that this is THE Pazz and Jop list, the poll conducted every year by the VILLAGE VOICE. It's not -- it's "our own" P&J poll, compiled from the top ten lists of Acclaimed Music readers. The VOICE list should be coming out in about three weeks or so.

Why do they take so damn long. It used to come out in December. I'm sure their list will pale in comparison to ours

He he... Michael does the old Heidegger thing... like that

I find it amusing that you compare me to a quasi-Nazi, Belgian Waffle. I just know how to THINK FOR MYSELF unlike many people on this forum.

The VV containing the results is out on Tuesday. If Kanye doesn't win I will eat my hat.

I am sure Kanye will top it. Late Registration won more publicity and controversy than The College Dropout. Hopefully that will work in his favor.

i agree with michael..the list is so boring..i guess the list just reflects a conventional wisdom...

the white stripes in the top 10? talk about hype..

best album i heard this year was an argentine band called babasonicos with "anoche"...really phenomenal...its available on amazon