Originally Posted by Gavin B.

I'm not very surprised by any of the NME selections, including the Smiths. If you're an avid reader of NME the top 25 albums are precisely the sort of glam rock, Brit rock and indie rock that NME has passionately advocated for the past four decades. I am surprised that none of the Roxy Music albums made the list. Roxy really revolutionized British rock and spawned legions of imitators and followers.

The selections Marvin Gaye, Kanye West and Public Enemy were mild surprises for me. But not really... It seems that every alternative rock critic includes a few token hip-hip and/or soul artists on his favorite lists.

I'm also surprised that NME didn't select Kala by M.I.A. who is the most notable rapper to ever come from the U.K.