Top 5 - Tim Kennedy
1) Teenage Fanclub, Songs From Northern Britain (Creation/Sony). This is joyful guitar music in the tradition of Beatles, Byrds, Neil Young, The Eagles. A finely crafted work from a happy yet thoughtful bunch of chaps.
2) Verve, Urban Hymns (Virgin). Verve have made 76 minutes of some of the most vital songs of many a year. Vocalist Richard Ashcroft is a man of passion, conveying desolation but with a glint of glory in his eye.
3) Oasis, Be Here Now (Creation/Epic). Not the most original music you'll hear or the best lyrics, but the songs remain excellent, and this contains some of their best performances to date.
4) Sundays, Static And Silence (Geffen). A thing of beauty and a joy forever. Harriet's singing is as uplifting as ever and the gentle arrangements are a worthy update on the great first album of seven years past.
5) Seahorses, Do It Yourself (Geffen). A good solid first album from the plucky youngsters, and they are not overpowered by the presence of guitar God Squire.
