In some circles it has been

suggested that 1996 was not a good year for music. Well, bullshit is all I can

say as I can think of another 20 albums that could follow these - enough to

make a good year anyway.

1) Beck, Odelay: Cliche choice now, but

some of us thought it the moment we heard it. Didn't we? Anyway, he slices, he

dices, he even juliennes. And all for one amazing low price!

2) Manic

Street Preachers, Everything Must Go: They lose a key member and make

their greatest album. Go figure. If you don't like this album, then put the

flame on me.

3) Super Furry Animals, Fuzzy Logic: An amalgam, but

what a leftfield mix of pop. Their best single of the year, "The Man Don't Give

a Fuck" (with the cool Steely Dan sample) isn't even on this. England may be

dreaming, but the Welsh are very much awake.

4) R.E.M., New Adventures

in Hi Fi: Still great. And they do it with a such minimum of fuss.

Bastards.

5) Screaming Trees, Dust: Revelatory. The true death of

Grunge.

6) Gallon Drunk, In the Long Still Night: What does go

through Mr. Johnston's head? This is warped, but sexy.

7) Lemonheads,

Car Button Cloth: Evan Dando probably dreams in tune.

8) Wilco,

Being There: Too derivative? At times maybe and this is the only reason

it's not on top.

9) Imperial Teen, Seasick: Undervalued and

overlooked. At times fragile and soft, at times hard and soaring. Near perfect

and you can call it what you will.

10) Animals that Swim, I Was the

King, I Really Was the King: Lyrical prose instead of poetry enveloped in

some stunning arrangements. Truly British in a good way and truly fabulous. And

they dress really bad - and that's good.