Time flies when you’re having fun says the proverb. It hasn’t all been fun, but it seems like yesterday when we presented you our last year round up, and it is this time of the year already. Listening to some, it has been a rather rich year when it comes to music, while listening to others, it has been rather poor. Well, here at themilkfactory, we certainly think there has been some good and some not so good, but all in all, there's been plenty to talk about. We’ve welcomed new contributors and featured more albums than any of the previous years, yet, looking back, there are so many we’ve missed it doesn’t ever bear thinking about… so here’s the official year round-up from us… almost!

1. COCOROSIE Noah's Ark
TG281 - Touch & Go

The Casady sisters reactivated their strange and wonderful sonic bric-a-brac this year with this second slice of oblique pop. Building on the delicate moods of its predecessor, Noah’s Ark shows a much more inquisitive and disarmingly charming nature. The album features contributions from Antony, without his Johnsons, Devandra Banhart and Spleen.
What we said then 08’05
CocoRosie’s intoxicating pop songs have considerably matured too. The melodies are sharper, at once more complex and more delicate, while the lyrics continue to draw poetic circles all over this album.

2. BROADCAST Tender Buttons
WARPCD136 - Warp Records

Now a duo, following the departure of guitarist Tim Felton, Broadcast demonstrate, with this third album, an impressive level of maturity. Gone are the complex drum patterns and psychedelic sonic structures, Broadcast version 2005 have stripped their sound down to its bear essential and considerably gained on impact.
What we said then 09’05
Broadcast have grown up, got rid of the excess luggage and focused on the essential elements in their music to produce a consistent, confident and mature record.

3. BIOSPHERE Dropsonde
TO66 - Touch

Following a series of almost isolationist records, Biosphere’s Geir Jenssen returns to warmer soundscapes and ambiences, and re-introduces beats via jazz-inspires sequences.
What we said then 03’05
With Dropsonde, Jenssen returns to more hospitable territories. Abandoning drone-like moods for richer soundscapes, Jenssen applies jazz-infused beat patterns and tones over sumptuous loops

4. SUPERSILENT 7
RDV2047 - Rune Grammofon

Although 7 documents a recording of one of Supersilent’s concerts of last year in Norway, this is actually presented as a new album with added moving images, and demonstrates once again why Supersilent are one of the most revered experimental acts around.
What we said then 11’05
The music is utterly unpredictable and visceral. The formation is found exploring the outer limits of musicality and noise, combining both into something totally fascinating.

5. PREFUSE 73 Surrounded By Silence
WARPCD129 - Warp Records

Prefuse 73’s Scott Herren invites a wide range of artists to collaborate on this album and continuously revisits his musical scope to get the best out of them.
What we said then 03’05
Delivering a perfectly polished and adjusted soundtrack, Herren doesn’t just sit in the background. His presence is felt on every note, behind every sound, over every beat, omnipresent shadow carrying the vocal performances, constantly pushing each contributor into new corners.

6. THE BLACK DOG Silenced
DUSTSND003 - Dust Science

After almost ten years, the legendary Black Dog returns, once again led by Ken Downie, augmented of Martin and Richard Dust. Here the trio establish a bridge between old school and contemporary electronica and produce a superb collection of deeply atmospheric moments.
What we said then 09’05
Developed over eighteen tracks in just under an hour, the running themes of this album are that of tortured soundscapes, dark back alleys electronica and intricate textures. Silenced snakes its way down the subconscious, infiltrates the mind and refuses to come out.

7. JACKSON Smash
WARPCD137 - Warp Records

Although not a total new comer, Paris-born and based Jackson finally puts his computer band to the pace and creates a totally eclectic, enchanting and inspiring record.
What we said then 10’05
Jackson never set out to impress or do better than anybody else. His only concern is the consistency of this record, and he confidently manages to stay on track all the way through while continuously exploring new avenues

8. REIGNS We Lowered A Microphone Into The Ground
JFR018 - Jonson Family Recors

This debut offering from British brothers Tim and Roo Farthing is a wonderful collection of stunning semi-acoustic compositions which in turn charm, amuse and captivate. Could easily claim ‘most poetic record of the year’ accolade.
What we said then 03’05
This is highly evocative music, with cinematic aspiration, yet, Reigns refrain from grandiose soundscapes and sweeping melodies, preferring instead to craft each sound, each note, each tone to keep full control on the emotional landscape of their compositions.

9. GREG DAVIS & SEBASTIEN ROUX Paquet Surprise
CRPK030 - Carpark Records

The prolific and accomplish American musician Greg Davis here teams up with French sound artist Sebastien Roux. Working on their respective side of the Atlantic, the pair bounce ideas back to each other via the Internet and create a truly magnificent soundtrack.
What we said then 11’05
Greg Davis and Sebastien Roux work as one here, applying elegant sonic touches all the way through. Descending right at the heart of the sound, they weave a dense canvas which allows them to then build solid compositions, experiment and explore with confidence.

10. ANIMAL COLLECTIVE Feels
FATSP11 - Fat-Cat Records / Splinter Series

Still producing albums with regular precision, Animal Collective open up here to a more varied series of moods and tones, ranging from catchy off-beat pop to more introvert delicate acoustic songs.
What we said then 10’05
If Animal Collective continue to evolve within their own boundaries, Feels shows a more varied collection of moods, allowing for the band to expand on their original framework while remaining true to their roots.

THE REST OF THE BEST

11. THE VILLAGE ORCHESTRA Et In Arcadia Ego
12. KEITH FULLERTON WHITMAN Multiple
13. VASHTI BUNYAN Lookaftering
14. IRIS GARRRELFS Specified Encounters
15. MAGNETOPHONE The Man Who Ate The Man
16. MURCOF Remembranza
17. AUTECHRE Untilted
18. DEVENDRA BANHART Cripple Crow
19. FOUR TET Everything Ecstatic
20 .BOARDS OF CANADA The Campfire Headphase

BEST SINGLES

1. BROADCAST America's Boy (Warp Records)
2. THE BLACK DOG Trojan Horus EP (Dust Science)
3. ANIMAL COLLECTIVE Ft. VASHTI BUNYAN Prospect Hummer (Fat-Cat Records)
4. SEELAND Wander / Pherox (Duophonic)
5. CONRAD NEWHOLMES Conrad Newholmes (Snakebird Records)
6. ANIMAL COLLECTIVE Grass (Fat-Cat Records)
7. PREFUSE 73 & THE BOOKS Prefuse 73 Reads The Books (Warp Records)
8. FOUR TET Sun Drums & Soil Sa Ra Remix (Domino)
9. BENOIT PIOULARD Enge (Moodgadget)
10. FENNESZ / SAKAMOTO Sala Santa Cecilia (Touch)