40

Bodyrockers - I Like The Way

For someone who doesnt really like rock or dance music, I surprised myself for liking this one! Seeing as the verses seem to be a creepy sounding man growling at his object of lust, it must have those other important ingredients that make a good pop tune: A simple chorus, (quite) a good looking singer, and a good guitar riff. What more do you want?

Veronica S

No of votes: 5, Score: 22, Highest vote: 2nd

38

Elbow - Forget Myself

Artist link:6 15

Elbow have been earnestly been peddling their trade for over half a decade, producing some gems already in their previous 2 albums. This, the lead single from the third album "Leaders Of The Free World", shows that the musical masterclass continues unabated. I can almost picture this song as some sort of march through the streets of Manchester. It all starts quite understated, the verse being a simple bassline, a rhythm sounding like a beaten bin lid and Guy Garvey's vocal sounding like he's breathing it into your ear from an inch away - as if they start the proceedings in their own living room. But as it nears the chorus, they throw open the door and emerge into Deansgate with a 100 piece marching band, majorettes, and Guy Garvey belting out the chorus sitting astride an Indian elephant. Lord alone knows what it may actually mean (and it's getting late and I'm not going to investigate), but it shines so brightly anyone who thinks it's grim up north would be choking on their southern shandies.

Jason M

No of votes: 5, Score: 23, Highest vote: 3rd

36

Doves - Black And White Town

Artist link:12 13 44

Blunt metal beats over minor keys conjure perfectly the romanticised bleakness of the souls living in what Weller once described as a "drab and colourless place". Doves take this further with sharp budget films and symphony in their strings. They dropped the video in behind them whilst playing this at Southampton Guildhall. It looked stunning. For me, rich, warm, goose-pimple music.

Paul H

No of votes: 5, Score: 26, Highest vote: 1st

34

The Futureheads - Hounds Of Love

Tricky fellow, Johnny Cover Version; if you make a carbon copy you lose all your credibility unless you're a tribute act. Whereas, if you make a gutless, half-baked squib, it looks like your creative juices are naught but gruel. And the fans of the act you cover will almost certainly hate you. So picking something from Kate Bush's extensive and luxurious canon really is setting yourself up for a kicking. What's required is to do it very differently, with verve and above all - make it your own. So replacing the Blessed Kate's sumptuous mid-80's terrorscape with guitars, bass, drums and football terrace-style a capella chanting was probably the only way to go. Chock-full of passion and intent, it's still a huge wave bearing down on the listener, just like the original. All delivered in Sunderland accents - a welcome slap in the face for Geordie dialect expansionism.

P Shoo

No of votes: 5, Score: 39, Highest vote: 2nd

32

Franz Ferdinand - Do You Want To

Artist link:2 35

Boy, they don't mess around, do they? It's quite a strong work ethic that allows you to turn around a follow-up to your debut album in the next year, but nonetheless, that's exactly what Franz Ferdinand did. I get the feeling that Kapranos and co knew that being the flavour of the year for 2004 if they wanted to capitalise on their success, they'd have to get something out sharpish to prevent the always fickle music public losing patience and getting their attentions diverted elsewhere. This lead single from the second album continues to hone their trademark sound, sharp angular guitar riffs combining with a stomping rhythm to devastating effect. It's undeniably anthemic, and the public lapped it up, but one minor irk for me - what IS that ending (it builds and builds and builds and then wimps out with a single "yeah!") about? No matter, the preceding 3 and a half minutes certainly make me forget that quickly enough.

Jason M

No of votes: 6, Score: 28, Highest vote: 3rd