10.
Any Other City-Life Without Buildings
This record here paved the way for the rediscovery of post-punk that would go on to characterise British indie rock for much of the decade, by recasting it as superb pop music. It's a real shame it continues to be overlooked, especially considering how much it paved the way for, for better and for worse. It's also great fun to listen to, most importantly.
9.
Badly Drawn Boy-The Hour Of Bewilderbeast
Whilst Damon Gough has yet to fully fuffill the promise shown on this wonderful debut ( his About A Boy OST aside), this remains a warm-hearted pop joy, with genuinely wonderful arrangements, a delightful sense of humour and a much wider sonic vocabulary than anyone'd expect. An absolute pleasure which proved there was still an audience for rewarding, creative pop songwriting.
8.
Lambchop-Nixon
In much the same vein as Badly Drawn Boy comes this delight, a record seamlessly fusing country with Curtis Mayfield-styled soul. The laidbackedness of it hides an appealing cynicism, and the songwriting is outstanding, making it a shame it was as overlooked by the public in the era of nu-metal and past-it's-prime Britpop. Nevertheless, it always brings a smile to my face, and the fact it has nothing to do with Nixon makes me love it all the more.