McFly -- Wonderland

A second album, a slightly more mature sound, but nobody's going to mention these guys in the same breath as Kaiser Chiefs or Franz Ferdinand.

A little unfair, because there isn't that much difference between McFly's material and the more poppy songs of the "serious" bands.

It's light and infectious stuff, songs of young love aimed squarely at the quartet's predominately young fans.

But there's a craftsmanship to the writing and playing that marks them out for a much longer career than their old pals Busted.

David Knights

Kanye West

West's obvious talents as a producer are matched by his presence as a performer -- rivalling, if not eclipsing -- current golden boy Pharrell Williams.

Most of the tracks feature samples of bygone songs from the likes of Ray Charles, Shirley Bassey, Otis Redding and Bill Withers. Put simply, a rapper who can sing about his hospitalised grandma and get away with his cool intact has got to be doing something right -- something he does with flair in the wonderful Roses.

Look out for another apparent contradiction in the catchy Addiction, which features a sample from Richard Rodgers' My Funny Valentine. Now there's a combination.

Gemma Berry

Juliet -- Random Order

Had I not known better on playing this album for the first time I'd have sworn I was listening to the new release by Goldfrapp.

Sassy keyboards and dirty bass-lines that bump and grind dominate this twelve-song debut.

Juliet's vocals have three obvious comparisons. The aforementioned Alison Goldfrapp, but she also sounds remarkably like Jem on Avalon and Waiting. On the tracks that lean away from the dance-beat style and sound rockier -- Ride The Pain, Puppet and On The Dancefloor -- you could be forgiven for thinking Shirley Manson had walked into the studio and taken over the mic.

Graham Scaife

Iggy Pop -- Greatest Hits

A combination of Bob Marley-esque music with a typical 70s rock feel.

This type of music would be perfect for those people who like to spend all available free time smoking weed.

Although Iggy Pop spent most of his time doing just that, his music throughout the years has gone from good to bad!

Ignoring this however his music has a real 'feel good' factor to it and could also be considered easy listening for those who just cannot be bothered to do anything but sit around in general!

Joe Marshall