Best record of the year: Point of View by DB Boulevard
Simple, to the point, to the heart, with a hook like barbed wire. Those opening bars will mix into almost any other record, and they'll get me onto almost any dance floor as well. As for the video, not since Blue Peter has corrugated cardboard been put to a more creative use. And a great singalong too. Can't you see life's easy, if you consider things from another point of view.
Best album of the year: Original Pirate Material by the Streets
Cheeky UK rap as urban poetry, and the perfect cockney geezer record. Fresh-faced Mikey really should have won the Mercury Music Award, no contest, but alas not. Expect a lot more success at the Brit Awards next month, which'll be just after I've been to see them in concert - can't wait. They've even heard of this bloke on breakfast TV in the States! Essential.
Best unreleased song of the year: Second Time by the Cling
This band aren't even signed yet, unless someone had the sense to do so after last night's impressive gig in Camden, but this is my second favourite song of the year. One day this could be a huge hit, or else there'll only ever be three of us who've ever loved it. Hear it here and make up your own mind.
Best hook of the year: Nice Weather For Ducks by Lemon Jelly All the ducks are swimming in the water, fal-de-ral-de-ral-do, fal-de-ral-de-ral-do. From an album for people who don't think they like albums (Lost Horizons) comes this completely off the wall track that so shouldn't work, but so does. It's released as a single (with video) in two weeks time, and even Radio 1 have stuck it on the playlist, so there's hope.
Best International Act: Röyksopp
A Norwegian duo who do dance music properly, in a way that doesn't sound like dance music. You'll know So Easy from the T-Mobile picture messaging advert (or from every chillout album released in the last six months) and the video for Remind Me is outstanding. If you haven't yet bought the album, Melody AM, do yourself a favour.
Best live band of the year: the Buffseeds
There is indie life outside the charts, and it rocks, but only in a very British sort of way of course. Thoughtful, melodic and catchy. Strawberry is a particular favourite of mine, but sadly that's already been wasted on a B-side. Three charming unassuming lads from Devon, plus Ella the drummer. You really should hear Kieran's unaccompanied version of Genie In A Bottle. Oh, and that's Ella, by the way, in miniature.
Best song from a film: Mad World by Gary Jules
Is is really 20 years since Tears for Fears emerged into the 1980s with the original version of this song? Who would have thought that a quiet piano-based cover version could send shivers down the spine so effectively, but Gary's does. It's from the closing credits of what is undoubtedly the best film of the year - Donnie Darko.
Best record my brother might like: Strange and Beautiful by Aqualung
Clearly the best record Coldplay never made, and used very successfully in that VW Beetle car advert. Not so strange, but certainly beautiful.
Best band from the mid 90s not discovered until this year: Denim
How did I ever miss this band first time round? And how could anyone fail to fall for a group with songs called Wear Your Foghat With Pride and Ankle Tattoos, not forgetting the utterly enchanting Internet Curtains? Wonderfully tongue-in-cheek, a sort of Half Man Half Biscuit with synthesiser backing. Alas, Denim have since evolved into the not-quite-so-good Go Kart Mozart.
Best tune on my mp3 player I'd never own up to having on there: Peak Performance by Zack Lawrence
That'll be the theme tune to Treasure Hunt, and the original theme tune, not the extremely poor update. Sigh, I wasn't supposed to admit that was I?
Best record by a Popstars-type Act: Colourblind by Darius
Can you believe that seven of the top 20 best selling singles of 2002 are by Popstars-type acts. That's two Gareths, two Wills, Girls Aloud, Liberty X and this track. Don't ask me why I really like it, and I know I shouldn't, but at least it isn't Baby One More Time.
Best song released this week most likely to be in people's Best of 2003: Danger! High Voltage! by Electric Six
I first thought this lot sounded like a bunch of quirky central Europeans trying to outcamp Sparks or Army Of Lovers but no, they're an American guitar band from Detroit. Catch them live in London at the end of the month. In the meantime gasp at the astonishing video, and add this gem of a electro disco rock anthem to your list of favourite records of 2003.
The 2002
Best live band of the year: the Buffseeds
