I'm now on my third copy. It's a record I think you really need to get to know again every couple of years. This time round the second half seems a lot softer, and the lyrics kinda piss me off (when you get to know a record without being able to check what the lyrics are, they take on a certain profoundness. The reality is often not so great…) The guitar playing is without fault though, and for a debut album it really is rather astonishing. Check the reissue for some great liner notes, photos of the band rehearsing in a Manhattan loft, reviews from the time etc…

myspace.com/televisionband

I love it when you think a band you quite like have fucked off forever, then they come back with an absolute gut-buster of a record, and everyone loves it. This is one of 'em. Pretty much amazing from start to finish. And the titles are hilarious: 'Raging In The Plague Age' or 'Scotchgard The Credit Card' ...anyone?

myspace.com/lessavyfav

As the broadsheets say, 'reclusive genius' or 'maverick legend' ...basically he's not that arsed putting records out. Which is a shame really, 'cos this, his first in 15 years, is really rather nice… Featuring members of Ladybug Transistor, The Aisler's Set and Teenage Fanclub, as well as old Soft Machine buddies Hugh Hopper and The Wyattron himself, 'The Unfairground' is lush baroque pop, thick strings and layered voices, all underpinned by Ayers' resonant baritone.

myspace.com/whatevershebringswesing

Album of the year, hands down.

myspace.com/fieldmusic

A bizarre, nightmarish trawl through the mind of Genesis P-Orridge. Via child-like free-association, S/He guides the band through horror-funk, Spiritualized-esque dream-pop, Sixties jangle, and full-on psychedelic noise collage. By turns, a beautiful, disturbing, terrifying, yet ultimately life-affirming, album.

myspace.com/ptv3

Some of the best chord changes to come out of Brighton this year. And that's saying something. With 'Boys Need Jazz' Matt Eaton's songwriting reached new levels of musical genius and lyrical hilarity, and the playing was there to match it. An unfortunate series of events surrounded it’s release, most notably a last minute title change. It was supposed to be called 'Show Madeleine'... Matt Eaton is currently recording for The Drift Collective, in Stroud, and has some typically stunning new stuff up on his myspace.

myspace.com/actresshands

Solo album from the man behind the drums on the last ESP tour, Mr. Damo Waters. Has to be heard to be believed. Truly inventive prog-pop of the highest order.

myspace.com/muddysuzuki

Though I actually prefer last year's 'The Sunlandic Twins', this is still a pretty amazing record. Crackling drum-machines, compressed sun-light guitars, multi-tracked vocals, and the feeling that Kevin Barnes has gone just a little bit mad.

myspace.com/ofmontreal

This band features Greg Saunier, the best drummer I think I've ever seen or heard. Check him out HERE Anyway, this record is amazing for so many reasons. It is the sound of a band who know that there are no limits. Beautiful sleeve too, courtesy of David Shrigley.

Songs: myspace.com/deerhoofer
Info: myspace.com/deerhoof1

Ok, so they haven't released a good record for 20 years (depending on who you talk to…) ...but a real inspiration for me this year, and something that has soundtracked it (perhaps not always by my own choice) ...are the first 10 or so Chicago albums, especially the first 5. There's a level of musicianship and arranging that rarely happens today. It's what Keith Richards referred to as 'The Roll'. Like when people talk about 'Rock and Roll' music, and the emphasis is on the 'Rock'. But actually what swings, what grooves, is the 'Roll'. And it has absolutely nothing to do with loud guitars. Anyway, the first 5 are amazing, and the rest are well worth checking out.

Info: myspace.com/chicagotheband