Metro-sexual's guide to this year's must have music albums
Never underestimate the importance of an up to date music collection and an interest in current musical trends. You can impress people as much as you like with tailored shirts and a sharp haircut, but if they realise that you still think Counting Crows are 'bloody excellent' and can only dance to 99 Red Balloons then it's game over.
Here are a few albums which if you don't have already are worth investigating. Some are obvious, some less so. They don't represent any particular genre, but are all good purchases and may even impress your partner into thinking you're more sensitive/cool/alternative/intellectual than you really are. Let us know if there are any key releases you think should be up here.
| Damien Rice | O | Don't buy james blunt because he was number one and you quite like the single, get the real deal. One of the best acoustic albums of recent years. |
| KT Tunstall | Eye to The Telescope | Of all the so called 'girls with guitars' this is the one worth checking out. |
| Kaiser chiefs | Employment | Favourites for the mercury prize this year, one of great breakthrough acts of 2005. No bed wetting in sight mind, just great 80's influenced pop. |
| The Killers | Hot Fuss | Where have you been? |
| Jack Johnson | In Between Dreams | UK breakthrough record for this most chilled of acoustic surfer/songwriters. Your partner will love it. (And Him!) |
| John Legend | Get Lifted | He says it 'fuses classic old school soul music with the edgy flavour of 21st C hip-hop'. He means it's somewhere between Otis Redding and Kanye West. |
| Chemical brothers | Push the Button | The boys have done it again. |
| Hard fi | Stars of CCTV | The best band from staines since...? The Clash and suburban club culture permeate songs about disaffected youth and being skint. Ok, you don't need to identify with it to like it. |
| The Magic Numbers | The Magic Numbers | Harmony led,60's influenced, breezy summer pop songs from this brother and sister combo. |
| Ray Lamontagne | Trouble | One of the most soulful records of last year from reclusive new Hampshire songwriter with a voice like no other. Sounds like a classic from start to finish. Highly recommended. |
