The best of the year would be tough, but it has got to be............ Mars Volta.......De- loused in the Comatorium, absolutely totally f**kin class.

Albums of the year Fiery Furnaces 'Gallowsbird Bark' -if you like the whole brother/sister blues thing this is one of the best David Holmes & The Free Association -reinventing soul Majesticons 'Beauty Party' -brilliant hip-hop concept album Kings of Leon 'Youth & Young Manhood' -rocking

Hmmm... My favourite albums. Phantom Power - Super Furry Animals Criminally neglected band. Lovely melodious album, warm, inviting and rewards repeated listening. Unlike, say, Elephant by the White Stripes. Black Cherry - Goldfrapp Wonderfully sexy electro-pop. Glacial vocals, lovely tunes. Unique band. Shootennany - The Eels Typically effortless US rock from one of the best lyricists on the planet. Great tunes too. A real return to form after the difficult Souljacker. 1972 - Josh Rouse Simply the most melodious album of the year. And a fab cover. Long Gone Before Midnight - The Cardigans Since when did they become a country (ish) band? All the better for it with a bunch of sombre tunes that linger in the memory. Especially And Then You Kissed Me - my favourite song of the year - a simply devastating tale of an abusive relationship that reminded me of the similarly harrowing Me And A Gun by Tori Amos. Feast of Wire - Calexico The weirdest band of the year but their merging of country, jazz, Mexicano and pop is so winning. This album twists and turns like a snake but it's simply great. And my album of the year? On Your Side - Magnet The album I wish Radiohead were still capable of making. Accessible, beautiful melodies. Burbling sound effects, whimsical vocals, tunes to hum till your lips are numb... Go buy.