SAM'S TOP 10 ALBUMS

KINGS OF LEON Aha Shake Heartbreak

This album... Where do I start? Flawless. The rum-tum-tum sound of Nathan like a kid with a new marching snare at Christmas. But the vocals are the most original thing I've heard in a long time - Caleb Folowill is a diamond in the rough. There is nothing there that I don't like. Standout track? Easily Milk.

BRIGHT EYES I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning

There are so many reasons for this choice, so many things I love about our plagued and tormented balladeer. He could easily have been dismissed as a whiny little hack riding the success of a mediocre, overrated first official release... But a slammed back, wowing critics and fans alike with the double release of Digital Ash In A Digital Urn and my personal favourite, I'm Wide Awake It's Morning. His lyrics can go from insightful, yet not richeous (Road To Joy) to stinging and personal (Poison Oak). His voice grinding, whispering, screaming. In addition, the backing vocals by country legend Emmylou Harris are the cherry on top. A brilliant album from start to finish. A++

COUNTING CROWS This Desert Life

I had a hard time choosing between this, and the bands first, and most successful album, August and Everything After. But personally I think this album was crafted extremely well, with the obvious benefit of more time and money. Adam Duritz it perhaps the most underrated songwriter of recent times, able to shape rolicking upbeat radio friendly hits (Hanginaround) and heartbreaking ballads (Colorblind). Another standout for me Mrs Potters Lullaby was critisised for 'outstaying it's welcome' - no way -the brilliant lyrics keep you hanging on. As does the rest of the album.

COLDPLAY A Rush of Blood to the Head

Unlike some of the others, it's not hard for me to pick my favourite Coldplay album. Parachutes was great, but like the Crows, they needed more time and money to work with the material. On the flipside, X&Y was good, but I think too much time and money bloated the production. They hit their stride on AROBTTH. The opening track Politik to me, is a good indication of how the entire album is shaped. Smashes in, slows, smashes again, then ends in a heartbreaking, pull-at-your-heartstrings, boy with piano. Standout tracks; The Scientist, Clocks, Green Eyes, Warning Sign and my personal favourite, Amsterdam.

SMASHING PUMPKINS Rotten Apples : Greatest Hits

Okay, so choosing a greatest hits is kind of cheating... But what I love about this band is their evolution, their diversity. They made strides somewhat akin to a a grunge version of blink-182. The difference between their first single, Siva and their last, Try, Try, Try is absolutley mindblowing. Both as good as eachother, but if not for Billy Corgans nasaly holler, you could be forgiven for thinking they were different bands. Their glory years are well documented here from Today to Bullet With Butterfly Wings and Ava Adore. A brilliant group, I can't wait to see what re-banding will bring...

JEFF BUCKLEY Grace

The voice, the voice, the voice. Oh the voice of this boy is a gift, from those on high. One listen to the late Buckley's Grace and you will be a believer. His voice is not of this world. He sweeps effortlessly from the hymn-like Corpus Cristi Carol to the almost grunge growl of Eternal Life and back again. Though scattered with a few covers, this man makes them his own, doing Hallelujah better than Leonard Cohen ever did. Buckley has been quoted as the inspiration from artists like Thom Yorke to Jamie Cullum. It's a shame we never got to hear what this self professed perfectionist could've become.

RYAN ADAMS Heartbreaker

This was hard to choose. 8 studio albums, all brilliant in my opinion... It's hard to pick a favourite. But I'll go with his first. Heartbreaker totally wowed critics, and garnered him fans by the likes of Bob Dylan, Cameron Crowe and Elton John who said that year, "It inspired me to go back to basics and do the album I did last year." (Reffering to his 2001 release Songs From The West Coast). I think there is brilliant honesty is Adam's work captured in his whispered ballads (Call Me on Your Way Back Home) and his angry/self pitying snarls (Come Pick Me Up) but this doesn't mean he isn't capable of some Beatles-esq pop (AMY). A real all rounder, another reason it was so hard to choose - this man is a chameleon.

DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE Plans

I nearly had to toss a coin to choose between this and their stellar 2003 opus Transatlantism. But personal grievances aside, I really think Plans was a better album. Marching Bands of Manhattan is one of those songs that almost leaves you emotionally confused, 'does that leave me happy or sad?' - an amazing mix of emotion that is laced thoughout. From the stripped back echo of I Will Follow You Into The Dark to the heart wrenching piano driven honesty of What Sarah Said to perhaps the most up-beat track in Death Cab history Crooked Teeth. Well done boys, you weren't devoured by the major label crossover. :)

RADIOHEAD The Bends When I first actually got this album, and listened it through in Rheem's car... I got that rare feeling of just knowing you're going to love it - from the first listen. When you hear this album, you cant help but make comparisons to the countless acts that have followed Radiohead into new territory. Muse, Travis, Coldplay... Even Panic! At the Disco sight them as influences (not that you can hear it in them like the rest of the list!). Although the slowest, possibly least musically ambitious, Fake Plastic Trees is by far the best track on the album. Other standouts include High & Dry, Bones, My Iron Lung and Black Star.

ELIZABETHTOWN Music From The Motion Picture 1 & 2

Probably an odd choice I know, but when I boil it down, these two companion albums spend a lot of man hours in my stereo. They are in my opinion, the BEST mixtapes I've ever heard. A testement to Cameron Crows years at Rolling Stone, and his continuing eye on the industry. Ranging from the 70's to now, the mix amazingly flows gently and brilliantly into a swirl of Americana. I owe these albums my discovery of Wheat, My Morning Jacket, Hellen Stellar, Tom Petty, Eastmountainsouth and of course, Ryan Adams. I honestly couldn't pick standout tracks, the entirety of them take from eachother. Two thumbs up Cameron.

And that's that. Sam's Guide to Becoming a Musical Genius in stores 7/7/07...

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