The Top 20 British Albums of the 2000's:

1. Absolution – Muse (2003)

A whirlwind ride through epic sound-scapes featuring the truly standout tracks “Hysteria” and “Stockholm Syndrome”. A band of limitless talent making the best record they, or anyone, could.

2. XTRMNTR – Primal Scream (2000)

The most influential album of the decade. Dance rock never ever sounded so good.

3. Infinity Land – Biffy Clyro (2004)

This is a strange and endearing mix of the sublime and the utterly mental.

4. Kick Up the Fire and Let the Flames Break Loose – The Cooper Temple Clause (2003)

It proves a much maligned release that grows better with every listen, the perfect marriage of indie rock, ambient and electro in the most ambitious album of the decade.

5. The Barbarians Move In – Duels (2008)

An anthemic, grandiose record, full of ambition and grim menace. A record far beyond the maturity and imagination of most other bands.

6. Kasabian- Kasabian (2004)

Following on from where XTRMNTR left off, purifying the sound and adding the mentality of an angry mob. Soaring bass, snarling guitars and the best choruses known of, make this the best dance rock album in years.

7. Silent Alarm – Bloc Party (2005)

A record so good it couldn’t be adequately copied or repeated. The arty, noisy hooks were too good to be true, a great album – the downfall of a good band.

8. Capture/Release –The Rakes (2005)

Modern British life soundtracked with a posh-boy wit and intelligence over 11 throwback art-punk songs. Tracks so good they prove an absolute delight on any “play-all”.

9. Up the Bracket – The Libertines (2002)

A truly glorious, unmistakeably English punk record that has inspired countless teenagers to pick up a guitar and form a band.

10. Untitled Musical Project – Untitled Musical Project (2007)

Faster. Harder. Cleverer. The Refused once announced themselves as “The Shape of Punk To Come”; although it’s easy to see that UMP are the best equipped to be just that.

11. Horse of the Dog – The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster (2002)

A bewildering metal assault from a decidedly odd troupe.

12. In Rainbows – Radiohead (2007)

A return to form for one of Britain’s all-time best bands.

13. Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand (2004)

Utter pop mastery. Played in Topshops everywhere. Putting the indie dance floor back on the map.

14. Kala – MIA (2007)

One of very few hip-hop albums with the guile and ambition to not end up stuck in the same old rut.

15. Seldom Seen Kid – Elbow (2008)

Elbow producing the record they always threatened to make.

16. Think Tank - Blur (2003)

Blur back to their best, at their last.

17. Chat and Business – Ikara Colt (2002)

A much underrated offering from Britain’s best alt-rock band in years. Natural successors to The Fall and Sonic Youth.

18. Hail to the Thief – Radiohead (2003)

Taking the straightforward nature of “The Bends” and mixing it with the wonderful experimentation of “Kid A” proved a winning combination for Thom Yorke and Co.

19. Ham – The Chap (2005)

An album defying classification. A band everyone needs to hear.

20. The Futureheads - The Futureheads (2005)

The perfect pop end to the top 20. Catchy, quirky and fun with the cockiness to end an album by screaming “Shut Up!!”.