How to compile a 'Best Of 2005' album

I have a friend who traditionally receives a compilation CD from me for Christmas and so I struggle with this issue around this time each year. But then I found an article online that served as the basis for my own advice, which I'm going to share with you. Hope you find it helpful. I'd love people to add to this is anyone wants to comment. PS i actually like Coldplay.

• Before you begin, make sure you pre-empt your list by mentioning that there weren't many great albums out this year and that music in general is rubbish right now. If you don't, people will assume that you derive pleasure out of making lists about your favourite things. And that's pretty uncool.
• Remember to include at least one (but no more than 3) hip hop tracks. This shows that you are receptive to all types of music and that you are "down." Don't get fancy, stick with what works, even if they didn't release an album this year.
• If you don't plan on naming a couple of tracks off Import albums that don't come out in this country until the Spring of next year then stop reading right now
• This should go without saying, but be sure to include one band that nobody's ever heard of. This is a good time to list your friend's 3 track EP that he gave you one night when you were out. Including his band's album on your list accomplishes two things: 1) it's a safe bet they're completely unknown, and 2) it makes him happy.
• Don't include your actual favourite track from the year. It may have been good when you started listening to it, but now it's cliche. Deal with it.
• If they recognise it, stuff from Jan-June will be so far back in people's memories that they will think it was actually from 2004 (aargh!). You want max two tracks from this period. Assuming a ten track album you can then safely use four tracks from July-October and four from November-December.
• Make sure to include something from an album that just came out. This will lead people to believe that you got an advanced copy months ago and had plenty of time to get into it. But WARNING- BE CAREFUL- make sure it's not something that will become popular or produce a radio-friendly single in the next couple of months. Nothing will kill your indie cred than including the next Coldplay on your next Hip List.
• Include one random way-out selection ie. A bit of speech or a kitsch christmas tune. Although it's there as padding it'll look as if you had so much you could have included that you thought 'sod it', didn't make the choice and threw this in instead.
• If you're including a track from a major release make sure you dig up the 'live' or 'acoustic' version.
• Space out bands with names that begin with "The" appropriately.
• Space out tracks with one-word titles appropriately. This is more important than arranging the order of the tracks according to mood/tempo etc.
• To really drive home the point that you're not mainstream, add a list of "Albums that just missed the cut." There-- and ONLY there-- do you include the bands that had a song on the radio in 2005.
• Sting did not release an album this year. It just felt like he did. Ditto Moby.
  
• Do not include a track because you liked the design on the packaging. This subtle point will be lost on the recipient.
  
• Final check to ensure that the recipient of the best-of didn't recommend anything on the best-of list to you cos that would be an admission of failure. This may entail different individualised 'best of' lists for each recipient.
• Remember that making a best-of compilation album for a girl (if you are a boy) is the 'root of all evil'. A complicated issue I won't go into here. ie. Usually ends in tears.