Some photos I took of Spencer Street over the past 3 years when I heard they were going to reconstruct it.

Anyone with the right software (tell me what it is!) want to attempt some panoramics?

For a large set of official photographs, check out the official website.

When I look at the list I don't feel qualified to be making any Top 10 Albums of 2005 lists. But I will say MY fav albums I bought this year. No order, just albums that blew me away.

• Fantomas, "Suspended Animation"
• Slipknot, "Vol. 3 (The Subliminal Verses)": A recommendation from my little sister in law. I'm told it's the album they "sold out", but I'm happy they did. Excellent mix of very heavy music and rock melodic choruses.
• General Patton Vs. The X-Ecutioners
• The Darkness, "One Way Ticket To Hell... and Back": Much better than the first album, amazingly crafted. Not fantastic, but getting there. I'm really sorry I missed seeing them live @ The Corner all those years ago.
• Ween, "Shinola Vol 1": A collection of offcuts from their years, but it's probably my favourite overall album Ween album now. Can't wait for Volume 2.
• Tori Amos, "Beekeeper": Prefer it over the sometimes boring Scarlett's Walk.
• Alarm Will Sound, "Acoustica": I'm not very familiar with Aphex Twin so I didn't get any culture shock listening to this album (the album is an acoustic band covering Aphex Twin tracks). All I heard was some damn cool jazz jamming.
• System Of A Down, "Mezmerize": They're halfway through jumping the shark with this album (Hypnotize sees them well and truely over the shark) but somehow it made it interesting. I doubt you'll hear such deliberately pop (think N'Sync) choruses from a metal band again in a long time.
• Children Of Bodom, "Are You Dead Yet?": Holy crap how haven't I heard this band before? They are frigging amazing. They've got the proginess of Dream Theater (including keyboards), only a little less wanky and 100 times heavier. And to think I bought this album by mistake! I meant to buy their new one.

Special mentions

• Roadrunner United, "All-Star Sessions"
• Soulfly, "Dark Ages"

On first listen these are both great but I couldn't claim them as favs for this year. Not enough listens.