Listmania!
25 Albums I Couldn't Do Without
The Stone RosesThe Stone Roses by Stone Roses
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £2.48
I know a lot of people will disagree but this is a classic. Certainly my favourite album, and for purely subjective reasons. But that's what music is, isn't it?
Led Zeppelin IVLed Zeppelin IV by Led Zeppelin
Buy new: £3.98 / Used from: £1.89
My favourite Led Zep album: rock and blues in equal measure - sublime
Wish You Were HereWish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
Buy new: £7.98 / Used from: £4.76
Brilliant album, which I prefer to DSOM. Title track for my funeral.
The BendsThe Bends by Radiohead
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £2.99
Radiohead at their peak, it was downhill from here.
Germ Free AdolescentsGerm Free Adolescents by X-Ray Spex
Buy used from: £5.50
If only all punk albums had been like this. Raw and brilliant.
Unknown PleasuresUnknown Pleasures by Joy Division
Buy new: £9.78 / Used from: £5.00
A dark troubled beauty.
Where Are YouWhere Are You by Frank Sinatra
Buy new: £3.98 / Used from: £3.57
a difficult choice, but this really is my favourite Sinatra album - heart-wrenching.
Station to Station: RemasteredStation to Station: Remastered by David Bowie
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £2.97
Most consistent Bowie album, modernity personified.
Setting SonsSetting Sons by The Jam
Buy new: £4.37 / Used from: £16.85
Not their best in absolute terms, but means a lot to me.
Minimum - MaximumMinimum - Maximum by Kraftwerk
Buy new: £12.98 / Used from: £7.00
Kraftwerk live shouldn't work, but this is superb.
ReplicasReplicas by Gary Numan
Buy used from: £4.57
A great album at the time that still sounds fantastic today.
The Man Comes Around: American IVThe Man Comes Around: American IV by Johnny Cash
Buy new: £18.09 / Used from: £3.99
The whole American Recordings series is brilliant, but this is the pick.
Life in a Scotch Sitting Room Vol.2Life in a Scotch Sitting Room Vol.2 by Ivor Cutler
Buy new: £8.79 / Used from: £33.29
Clever, funny and brilliantly performed live. Episode 13 cracks me up every time.
Felt MountainFelt Mountain by Goldfrapp
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £1.89
Beautiful, sensual music. Just better than Supernature.
GeraeuschGeraeusch by Aerzte
Buy new: £23.99 / Used from: £17.94
Marvellous double superbly recorded.
Searching for the Young Soul RebelsSearching for the Young Soul Rebels by Dexys Midnight Runners
Buy new: £5.37 / Used from: £3.25
I liked it at the time but love it more and more as the years pass.
Red Dirt GirlRed Dirt Girl by Emmylou Harris
Buy new: £11.98 / Used from: £5.50
Emmylou finally started writing, and how. Easily her best.
Ella & LouisElla & Louis by Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong
Buy new: £8.79 / Used from: £19.84
From the picture on the cover to the faultless performances everything here is perfect.
Rattus Norvegicus: IVRattus Norvegicus: IV by Stranglers
Buy new: £6.98 / Used from: £6.49
Their first 4 albums a all great, but this is the most wonderful.
Back in BlackBack in Black by AC/DC
Buy new: £6.98 / Used from: £5.99
Fantastic rock album, also hilarious.
World Without TearsWorld Without Tears by Lucinda Williams
Buy new: £4.37 / Used from: £3.23
Stunningly beautiful album.
Mystery White BoyMystery White Boy by Jeff Buckley
Buy new: £6.37 / Used from: £3.68
I actually prefer this to Grace. Excellent performance which better shows his talent.
ProductProduct by Buzzcocks
Buy new: £16.98 / Used from: £14.50
Bit of a cheat as I couldn't decide between Another Music... and Love Bites.
Love Is RedLove Is Red by David Poe
Buy new: £12.69
Outstanding album from this little known singer. One of my reference recordings.
KilimanjaroKilimanjaro by The Teardrop Explodes
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £4.62
Original album rather spoilt by extra tracks here. Brilliant nevertheless