The Shins - Saint Simon

Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_jywe_vAm8

Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Chutes-Too-Narrow-Shins/dp/B00009LVXT/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1227821229&sr=8-2

The Stills - Love And Death

This a solid track from their debut album, and is sufficient enough to help us forget that much else of what they have done is largely...forgettable.

Listen: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=vNNKZMBaB2k

Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Logic-Will-Break-Your-Heart/dp/B0000D9PI4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1225140931&sr=8-2

Rocket Science - One Robot

Australian group Rockety Science have a cult following, but much of their work slips by unnoticed. "Being Followed" is a quality track and liable to end up on here at some point in the future. "One Robot" is equally as listenable and I hope it brings pleasure to all and sundry.

Listen: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3JpnO6-0pA

Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Contact-High-Rocket-Science/dp/B00009L55A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1225140988&sr=1-1

David Bowie - Quicksand

Taken from one of Bowie's earliest and finest pieces of work "Hunky Dory" this track encapsulates early Bowie. Dark, moody with air of desperation it sums up why Bowie is and moreso was one of our finest ever song writers.

Listen: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=nrptumUcv8E

Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hunky-Dory-Remastered-David-Bowie/dp/B00001OH7O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1223066358&sr=1-1

Morning Runner - Frayed Edges

Unfortunately (as happened with the 22-20's) Morning Runner made one brilliant debut album and then split up. Their mix of piano, guitar and quality lyrics struck a chord with me anyway. This track is lifted off a B-side, although I am not sure which one.

Listen: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ux27DJxX2t8

Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wilderness-Paradise-Now-Morning-Runner/dp/B000E6UWRQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1223066023&sr=1-1

The Bees - Got To Let Go

Come on now people you cannot fail to enjoy the ska pop hooks of the fun loving Bees. Thus track is a raucous tune taken from the their third album. All the sounds of the summer and nothing lost in the process. Roll on album number four.

Listen: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=O-Jmo7bAw3s

Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Octopus-Bees/dp/B000KB6DAA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1223065732&sr=8-1

Richard Ashcroft - Brave New World

Even though I loved the Verve I've never been utterly convinced by Ashcroft as a solo artist. He is without doubt a songwriting talent but I think the sugar coated over-production of some of his solo material has put me off. The Verve were massive and had a quality sound but Ashcroft has only produced moments of magic on his own (maybe why the Verve reformed and released a new album - 'Forth').

This is a good tune. 'Brave New World' invokes the spirit of 'Urban Hymns' and is a brief return to form. Enjoy.

Listen: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=dQZ_UHDAsbI

Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alone-Everybody-Richard-Ashcroft/dp/B00004TRE7/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1223065283&sr=8-1