Phil Gardin

8: Arctic Monkeys - Humbug
As a lover of Josh Homme (see below), I was excited to hear that Sheffield's finest were producing their next album with the BIG GUY!
The reason for the nomination, however, is as a result of "Crying Lightning" where Mr Turner manages to add the following products to his lyrics: "Pick and Mix", "Cracker Factory", "Strawberry Lace" and "Gob Stopper".

7: Jack Penate - Everything is New
On the basis that this, his second album, is a million miles away from his first (and I loved number one) he deserves a place in the Top Ten.

6: Muse - The Resistance
Only five words sum this up - "Super Gay Dr Who Rock"

5: Doves - Kingdom of Rust
Special this one - my first LP download from iTunes and a Doves album that I have genuinely liked every track!
What makes it even more special is that Stu in my team is in a band with the brother of Jez and Andy from said Doves - and they claim Doves nicked the melody for Winter Hill from them!

4: Manic Street Preachers - Journal for Plague Lovers
I don't think I need to explain... Their best album since Holy Bible.

3: Sweet Billy Pilgrim - Twice Born Men
The band that should have won the Mercury award, with 218 iPod plays since I downloaded it "Truth only Smiles" is my third most played song of the year for one reason and one lyric only: "Tell me we're leaving all this far behind us. Tell me the lights still flicker when we kiss."
Holy Crap - the hairs on the back of my neck are standing up after listen 219 - AND THEY USE A BANJO!

2: Them Crooked Vultures - Them Crooked Vultures
Homme, Grohl and the fella from Led Zep - just awesome!

1: The Leisure Society - The Sleeper

It all started with the fourth song off the album, "A Short Weekend", when I saw them on Youtube doing a busking gig in Northampton, I think. The combination of guitar, banjo (AGAIN) and strings made me swoon!
To then find out that the band were nominated for an Ivor Novello award (the first time ever a nominee has not had a record contract) was even more special.

However - the real GEM is the song "Last of the Melting Snow". I am really finding it hard to explain why I love this song so much, but I do, I Bloomin well do and I would go so far to say that only Morrissey and
the Cinematic Orchestra have ever written a line in a song that brings me to tears every time - NOT SOMETIMES - But every time I hear it.

The lyric? "In no doubt as I leave this town, I will not return."