I spent the weekend listening and re-listening to some of the almost 100 releases I bought from 2004 (now I know why my bank balance is so low!) and came up with the following list.  Thanks to Mike for compiling the votes and thanks to everyone for posting their lists - I have added over forty CD's to my want list based upon these lists!

1) The So and So's - Give Me Drama (Super Tiny) (female fronted pop/rock band from Boston - far and away the most played CD on this list - gotta get over to Boston and see them play sometime soon I hope)
2) Hindu Rodeo - Nalladaboobr (Awkward Pop)
3) The Dollyrots - Eat My Heart Out (Beauty Freak Show) (now also available on yummy colored vinyl!)
4) Big Kid - You Must Be Kidding (self released)
5) The Features - Exhibit A (Universal)
6) Tripsitter - California Son (self released)
7) Local H - Whatever Happened to P J Soles (Studio E)
8) Brian Wilson - Smile (Nonesuch)
9) All Day Sucker - s/t (self released)
10) Hem - Eveningland (Rounder)
11) Lolas - Something You Oughta Know (JAM)
12) Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers - Americano! (Emma Java)
13) Spymob - Sitting Around Keeping Score (Ruthless)
14) Cliff Hillis - Better Living Through Compression (Tallboy)
15) Loveless - Gift to the World (Q Division)
16) Vinyl Candy - Pacific Ocean Park (Vinyl Candy Army)
17) Adam Marsland - You Don't Know Me (Karma Frog)
18) Jellybricks - Power This (Kool Kat Musick)
19) Eytan Mirsky - Everyone's Having Fun Tonight (M Squared)
20) Eugene Edwards - My Favorite Revolution (Tallboy)

Top EP's: The Charms - So Pretty (Primary Voltage), Lisa Mychols - In the City (Cactus Boy), Brian O'Brien - Spark (self Released), Second Saturday - Greetings from Mount Rockmore (self released)

Would have been in my list but the copyright date says 2005: The Dotted Line - s/t (Not Lame) (4 stars in December UNCUT)

Top compilations: IPO, Volume 7 (Not Lame), Future Soundtrack for America (Barsuk)

Favorite reissue,  comp, hits, whatever: Cloud Eleven - Terrestrial Ballet (JAM), Jeffrey Foskett - Stars in the Sand (The Pop Collective)

Christmas presents, so who knows where they might have placed: Swan Dive - William & Marlys, Dogs Die in Hot Cars, Green Day, Tears for Fears, timewellspent

Favorite finds from Previous Years: Sugarbomb - Tastes Like Sugar (Rainmaker, 1999), Bailey - 2002 (self released, 2002), Harem Scarem - Weight of the World (Frontiers, 2002), Nicole McKenna - Stay Awhile (20/20 Music, 2003)

Favorite live events: IPO Liverpool, Dewey Beach Pop Festival, Ira's house concerts

CD that would have been in my top 5 if I had heard it/bought it/got it: Johan - Pergola (ordered from Parasol on 1/7/05)

CD I forgot to buy but will (soon): Michael Carpenter - Rolling Ball (3 stars in December UNCUT)

Hope everyone has a great 2005.  Maybe even see some of you at an IPO in your neighborhood!  Anybody making plans for Nashville?

Pop on!
John Hastie

np: Jabberpony - So Far (Feedbag, 2001) (highly recommended if you like Renaissance w/Annie Haslam)