Records of the year

Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds 'Abbatoir Blues / The Lyre Of Orpheus'
An amazing collection of songs, and the best live band this year too.

Elliott Smith 'From a basement on the hill'
This is what we miss now he's gone.

PJ Harvey 'Uh huh her'
People said it wasn't her best, I say not her best is still way better than most.

Wilco 'A ghost is born'
More maverick pop genius.

The Futureheads 'The Futureheads'
Modern life isn't rubbish - total energy and a great live band too.