is The Coral album out yet? I thought it was 26th May, must get it if it is. M83 'Before The Dawn Heals Us' is a great record too, that would be top of my list for 2005 so far.

Album of the year : The Others

The M83 album is good, thought the last album was better though, 'Satans Circus" by Death in Vegas gets my vote

Weezer? You've *got* to be kidding. edit: Oh, and err, my favourites so far: Redjetson - New General Catalogue Hood - Outside Closer Sleater-Kinney - The Woods Bloc Party - Silent Alarm Of Montreal - Sunlandic Twins Stars - Set Yourself on Fire

as you may have guessed from my review on the site, for me 'want two' by rufus wainwright is the best I've heard so far in 2005: great tunes, clever lyrics, thoughtful songs, playing around with styles, plenty of confidence and attitude and a sense of humour too - after a few years it will be seen as being a very influential record.

Joe Chester - A Murder of Crows

Very little has really blown me away this year, The Bloc Party and Wainwright siblings' albums stand out but I'd hardly say that they are destined to be classics.

That Konono No 1 album is very good, I dont think it really comes across that well on the recording though. I would imagine they are amazing to hear live, (and the album is still very good) but I get the feeling that there is an awful lot was lost in the translation.

I am probably going to get hung for this but I don't think that Bruce Springsteen's "Devils & Dust" is comparable in quality to either 'Nebraska' or 'Ghost of Tom Joad'. Yes, it is a very fine album but there is something missing, prehaps it is intent. Bruce never meant 'Nebraska' to be released, it started out as a series of private demos for the 'Born' sessions and yet, there alone in his house we saw Bruce at his most raw. This one sounds too finished.

My fav of the year so far has to be Mercury Rev - Secret Migration. A real slow burner. They also have a new bass player who has a real meandearing type of beat which gives a kinda jazzy feel to the album.

Rev Jules - I totally agree. If 'Devils & Dust' was Bruce's first record we might we here discussing the talent of this fine songwriter but with such great albums already behind him, this simply does not hold enough punch to tackle either 'Nebraska' or 'Ghost Of Tom Joad'.

For me so far: Jack Johnson 'In between dreams' Arcade Fire 'Funeral Lou Barlow 'Emoh' Go Team 'thunder lightening strike' Joe Chester 'Murder of Crows'

I know I'm repeating myself but the following albums were all actually released last year; Arcade Fire - Funeral The Go! Team - Thunder Lightening Strike Husky Rescue - County Falls Anthony & The Johnsons - I Am A Bird Now They're all class records though, and in all fairness the music scene does seem to have an awful sense of Déjà Vu about it these days so it's easy to get confused. What with Jerk It Out by The Caesars, Banquet by Bloc Party, Decent Days and Nights by The Futureheads and Oh My God by the Kaiser Chiefs all getting re-released this year. And apparently Riot Radio by the Dead 60's, I Predict A Riot by the Kaiser Chiefs, The Greatest Hit by Annie, All These Things That I've Done by the Killers and even Freak Scene by Dinosaur Jr are all set for a second release before the end of the summer. Oh well I suppose it's all just a little bit of history repeating. Is that Joe Chester fella worth a look? Does he have a website or is there anywhere online where you can check his stuff out?

you can check out samples of his tunes, joe chester that is,at www.joechester.com And im my humble opinion, he is he peeertty darn good

Fair enough. I know everyone and their uncle is mad about Yankee Hotel Foxtrot but am I only person who actually prefers Summerteeth?

some of mine... Mercury Rev - Secret Migration Josh Rouse - Nashville Great Lake Swimmers - Bodies & Minds Ryan Adams - Cold Roses that Joe Chester record is good, must give it another few listens.