It was 1999 - end of a century, partying like it really was, too. It was bizarre - I really could remember clearly how far 1999 seemed into the future - and now it's eight years ago. Ulp.

Musicwise, this is what I loved. At first I didn't think it was much. Now, it turns out, it's a lot... had to cut it all down...

Songs

The Need of You - Beverley Knight. This is such a gorgeous, glorious song, and it's absolutely beautifully sung.

Flat Beat - Mr Oizo. Because it's still genius - when 2manydjs played it at the Primavera Sound System a few years ago everyone went nuts. And that was when levis ads still mattered.

All I Can Say - Mary J Blige. This was actually when Lauryn Hill was at the peak of her powers, and produced this gorgeous, shimmery and sweet song about being happily in love. Lauryn, we miss you.

Coffee & TV - Blur. The video was insanely sweet, the lyrics funny (practically floored), and it was by far the best thing off 13 - although I still have a soft spot for Tender, and I've been listening to it more. It's grand.

U Don't Know Me - Armand van Helden. Because it reminds me of nights out staggering around Cambridge's finest venues...

Scar Tissue - RHCP. Before they went cheesy, as seen these days, the Chili Peppers looked like they were never coming back and One Hot Minute would be their last testament. This was sweet, old-style chili peppers, brought back John Frusciante... it all looked so promising.

Driftwood - Travis. I loathe Travis, apart from two songs - their cover of One More Time and this, which is just lovely.

Dusted - Leftfield. Rhythm & Stealth is not quite Leftism, but this Roots Manuva-rapped tune is brilliant.

Good Stuff - Kelis. It just makes you happy, and the start, possibly, of my deep and utter love for the Neptunes.

Got Your Money - ODB. Another classic neptunes tune... genius.

Albums

Vertigo - Groove Armada. Perfect lounging music... There is a song on this album for whatever mood I'm in, and yet, it sounds like a complete album when listened through from beginning to end. Weird.

Remedy - Basement Jaxx. To think I didn't think much of this album when I first heard it... and now... well, the Jaxx are the Jaxx. It's still their best, in my opinion.

Black on Both Sides - Mos Def. This album is still his best, too - and Ms Fat Booty will always be a fixture on any party playlist I make.

Freq's, Geeks & Mutiiations - Freq nasty. I have no idea what he's doing now, but this album accompanied a great deal of my work during my final year at college.

Beaucoup Fish - Underworld. Similarly, a work fixture - probably not as good as the first two albums, but still had some fantastic moments on it.

Blazing the Crop - Rae & Christian. This is one of my favourite mix albums of all time - it's so, so, so good, and just reminds me of the other half, driving in Rufus, our knackered red car round the North Circular. And, honestly, that's a good thing.

DJ Kicks - Thievery Corporation. Another classic mixalbum... so so so good.

It's been a while, but I thought I'd procrastinate / ignore my paper / exam needs and write this... I've been very good most of today, so it's a deserved treat. Honestly.

Anyway, I have been listening to my 1998 playlist, and it's a bit of a golden year, it would appear. So let's start with the singles of the year...

Music Sounds Better by Stardust - Alan Braxe is a genius, anyway, but this is one of his many pinnacles. It is completely evocative of a summer where I danced away, particularly one night where KTB and I went to Turnmills ostensibly to see Fatboy Slim, who was off his rocker and rubbish, so we saw the Lo-Fi Allstars in the chillout room, and they were absolutely brilliant. I think the last four songs included Out of Space by the Prodigy, this, and some other classics. We knew it was going to be good when we walked in and they were playing Mama Said Knock You Out by LL... sweet.

If You Can't Say No by Lenny Kravitz - this is such a gorgeous, seductive song; poor old Lenny is having to be realistic about the thought of his woman cheating on him. Another one that I only knew due to the wonders of KTB.

Concrete Schoolyard by Jurassic Five - it's just a choon, summery, and old school.

Broken Homes by Tricky & PJ Harvey - heartbreaking, beautiful, haunting... that gospel choir at the end. Despite being on a SCARY album, this is absolutely the best thing he's ever done, in my opinion.

What It's All About by Slum Village - this is so good and features Busta Rhymes just as I like him - as a guest artist, which is just the right amount...

Start the Commotion by The Wiseguys - although Ooh La La got more attention, this is by far the best thing they did, with an utterly genius video. Sadly not available on youtube just yet...

Galaktika by MC Solaar - this is just a fricking genius tune from one of my favourite artists - although surely that's not right given that I can't understand a word he says...

Albums of the Year:

Mezzanine by Massive Attack - In some ways, this is my favourite album of theirs. It's darker, creepier, and genius (they were clearly smoking something rather specially strong at the time, it's utterly paranoid in its sound). But that may be influenced by the three absolutely brilliant singles, Teardrop, Angel, and Risingson. Nonetheless, I love it, and there are many other moments of beauty, such as the sinister Man Next Door - Horace Andy, I love you so.

Moon Safari by Air - it took me a while, but particularly La Femme D'argent reminds me of when me and the other half first got together and went out on a trip to see a heavy meteor shower. Plus I just found out that a friend of mine is in the video for Kelly Watch The Stars - she's the dark haired one...

Bring It On by Gomez - extraordinary range, fun, playful, soulful, and that guy really does sound like Tom Waits. Shame all their other stuff was pants, but Tijuana Lady will always be a favourite...

Hello Nasty by The Beastie Boys - it was a grower, certainly. Gets a place on the list for the glorious Intergalactic and, of course, the mighty Just a Test. Genius.

On the Floor at the Big Boutique by Fatboy Slim - this was the year of big beat, and no one beat it bigger - this is also there simply because of his remix of Because I Got It Like That by the Jungle Brothers, which is my all-time top listened to tune on Last.fm...

Ray of Light by Madonna - my favourite Madonna album. Full stop. Bar none. Worth it for Nothing Really Matters and The Power of Goodbye.

Sketches for My Sweetheart the Drunk by Jeff Buckley - because it's glorious, funny, sexy, and a poignant pointer as to what could have been... Plus Everybody Here Wants You is my favourite song.

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill - told you this was a bumper year. This was an extraordinary album, and I've recently started listening to it again, absolutely brilliant. It made me excited to be young and carefree...

New Forms by Roni Size - it was London, new, different, and I could dance to it - oh how I loved drum and bass. This is still a quality album... even if perhaps OK Computer better stood the test of time, this captured a time in music and culture that made it a worthy winner of the Mercury, too...

Recently I've read a couple of things about female singers on blogs I read... and they made me realise that I really don't listen to that many female rock singers. Soul, yes, folksy type stuff, yes, but rocking? Nah.

Furthermore, the women listed in someone's top ten weren't really... rocking. So instead of sweet-sounding indie kids, how about:

1) PJ Harvey - because she has the most amazing voice, and continues to be interesting and innovate. And Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea is in my top ten albums of all time. EVER EVER EVER.

2) The Gossip - Beth Ditto also has an incredible voice and dominates this album, which makes me want to dance, throw my arms around and just have fun. It's brilliant.

3) Yeah Yeah Yeahs - I really wasn't sure about them for a long time, but Fever to Tell is my NYC album - it reminds me of the first semester rocking up to law school. Karen O is fabulous. And she's called Karen O.

4) Long Blondes - an ALL-FEMALE GROUP, no less. From Sheffield, too, which pleases the other half. And they're great - fun, upbeat, witty... absolutely great.

5) Goldfrapp. Ok, so this isn't really rocking but this woman rocks, and that's what counts.
Also honourable mentions to Rilo Kiley, Sleater-Kinney... And Amy Winehouse. All about the Amy.

Shuffle kindly brought me to the first track off Rumours, which remains one of my favourite albums of all time. Sorry, but it's true. That's not the point. The point is that I switched off shuffle and then remembered the painful cover version of Dreams, the next track.

Which led me to think about the cover versions that have made me angriest over time. Here I shall share them with you. Please feel free to contribute...

In no particular order:

1) Dreams by The Corrs - bland, insipid band utterly failing to do justice to a wonderfully bittersweet song actually sung with emotion by Stevie Nicks. And that stupid eurobeat behind it. Ugh.

2) Lover, you should have come over by Jamie Cullum - what exactly is the point of ruining what is a perfect song? I believe it was a member of Suede who said about cover versions that if the song is bad, don't touch it; if the song's good, don't touch it. While I do have a love for some cover versions, this is essentially heresy - the song is utterly perfect. Why would you ruin that? WHY JAMIE WHY?

3) Baby, Can I Hold You by Boyzone. This is a classic example of a bad cover version because it has all the right ingredients. The original is a beautiful simple and sweet love song, which is complicated and melancholy, sung with great and yet understated expression. The Boyzone version is just a bland horrific thing which doesn't begin to express a millionth of the emotion because you've got some overwrought ronan warbling on. it's grotesque. Ronan was also responsible for a mangling of Big Yellow Taxi (which is a sanctimonious song anyway but at least Joni's interesting) and the Fairytale of New York. BAD RONAN BAD. And he's responsible for Westlife. The damage this one man has wrought is phenomenal.

4) ANYTHING AT ALL by Michael fricking Bolton. Honestly man, did you really think you could match up to Otis Redding? Seriously? Seriously? What on earth is wrong with you? It's just painful to listen to. Horrendous. Not to mention your version of When a Man Loves a Woman. God it's depressing to think about this.

Ugh.

5) There She Goes by Sixpence None The Richer. Irritating irritating voice of that irritating stupid woman and then make a sweet, beautiful song (admittedly about heroin) sound bloody awful.

Ugh.

Any more?

I have just listened to two pieces of music that make me happy happy happy AND grateful for the input of friends.

Currently, that's Pulse State by Future Sound of London - thanks to Big Mike, I love FSOL, and Accelerator is up there, I reckon, in my top ten of favourite albums of all time. Yikes. Really? Yes, really, I think.

But before then, I was listening to No More Shall We Part by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. I have Lolamonster to thank for that one. So I am compiling a list of albums I love thanks to other people's pods. And that is one - I never would have thought I would like his stuff, but the album is gorgeous... As I Sat Sadly By Her Side is another glorious song from it. GO PURCHASE, PEOPLE!

Will reinstate the year by year pod thing next week in order to procrastinate from the mountain of work I have to do.

I have just listened to two pieces of music that make me happy happy happy AND grateful for the input of friends.

Currently, that's Pulse State by Future Sound of London - thanks to Big Mike, I love FSOL, and Accelerator is up there, I reckon, in my top ten of favourite albums of all time. Yikes. Really? Yes, really, I think.

But before then, I was listening to No More Shall We Part by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. I have Lolamonster to thank for that one. So I am compiling a list of albums I love thanks to other people's pods. And that is one - I never would have thought I would like his stuff, but the album is gorgeous... As I Sat Sadly By Her Side is another glorious song from it. GO PURCHASE, PEOPLE!

Will reinstate the year by year pod thing next week in order to procrastinate from the mountain of work I have to do.

First off, I have discovered last.fm and I love it. Except it doesn't seem to be working right now. But, in theory, I love it.

It's grand.

Anyhoo, onto 1997. An important year, given that it was the last year of school, first term of university, and it was a transition phase, to say the least. Reminds me of being 17 and being in good shape and with the future ahead... it was exciting.

Come From Heaven - Alpha. This was slightly cheesy triphop just as it was on the verge of going out of fashion, but I loved this - sweet, gentle, and fun.

Blur - Blur. Their fifth album, and by miles, their best. Why? On Your Own, Song 2, Beetlebum - even KTB liked those two - You're So Great, Death of a Party (which curiously reminds me of Will Self's version of Dorian), and the ultimate sign of growing up, Look Inside America, where they finally realised that being anti-American to such an extent (see Magic America from Parklife) was perhaps a bit juvenile. It's more mellow, and sweet, and I love this album.

Let's Get Killed - David Holmes. How an Irishman from Belfast produced the most New Yorkie-New York album ever I don't know, but I think he may have just done it. He's the Sheikh!

Better Living Through Chemistry - Fatboy Slim. Before he became ubiquitous for the marriage, the videos, and the Rockafella Skank, this was an incredible first album. It reminds me SO MUCH of being young, going out... from the very start of Song for Lindy... it's fabulous.

Maverick a Strike - Finley Quaye. My god, this was an AMAZING year for music, and British music, at that. This is... the sound of my first year at university. Ultra Stimulation always on the jukebox, thanks to Gav. Cheers, Gav. I went to see him (in 1998) at the first Creamfields - he was bloody awful. He was wearing that pink shirt, mind.

Harlem World - Mase. And now for something slightly different... Why is this so good? It has three tunes that are amazing - Lookin' At Me, Feel So Good (CHEEEEESEFEST) and What You Want (feat. Total) which is one of my favourite tunes ever. The rest is rubbish, mind. But those three...

Supa Dupa Fly - Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott. Remember when she actually included the "Misdemeanor" bit? I raved about her before, but this was her height of sheer craziness - dressing up as a ladybird, as an inflated gangster... the woman was unlike any hip hop star in the world.

Nuyorican Soul - Nuyorican Soul - because anything that includes It's Alright... I feel it! is wonderful, and Jocelyn Brown and Roy Ayers on the same album? Ridiculous. Jennypabu described it as happy music, and that is the understatement of the year.

YIKES - still tons to go.

OK Computer - Radiohead. Well, duh. I still prefer The Bends, but this is an amazing album.

The Fat of the Land - Prodigy. True, a step down from the peak of Jilted Generation (did anyone my age go to a single party where No Good wasn't played), but several standout tracks, the inclusion of Kool Keith and somehow a good song with that div from Kula Shaker. Remember them? Ye gods.

Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space - Spiritualized. My favourite album from this year, getting on for one of my top ten of all time. Self-indulgent, psychedelic telling of how that bloke from the Verve nicked his bird. This album, incidentally, was recorded with his bird still in the band. How on earth do people get on with this incredibly personal stuff? Like Fleetwood Mac and Rumours - masochists/nutters/self-indulgent egotists. Who can say? But it's just beautiful - every track a winner, although possible my favourite is I think I'm in Love, mocking himself... I saw them live at the Roots festival in Finsbury Park, and it was amazing - they finished with a rendition of the gospel classic "Oh Happy Day", having had a gospel choir there... it was great. I fell in love there and then, bought the album soon after.

SONGS OF THE YEAR

Wayfarin' Stranger - Spearhead. Spent a LOT of time listening to this in JKS's room, drinking bourbon and playing Shithead. It was grand. Who would have thought Joan "What if God was One of Us?" Osborne could be involved in anything this good?

Round and Round - Mary J. Blige. This may be my ultimate favourite MJB track, even more so than Real Love - I love it, love it, love it - her voice is amazing, this has attitude and sass...fabulous.

1-800 Suicide - Gravediggaz. It's a classic, that's why.

Fighting Fit - Gene. Because I have a weakness for foppish English smiths-tribute style bands, and Olympian didn't come out after 1996.

All That Glitters and Rocco by Death in Vegas - another band I saw at the roots and these are just classic, quality British dance music, when it was at the height of its powers...

Diamonds are Forever - McAlmont & David Arnold - because this kicks the arse of the Shirley Bassey version - his voice is utterly, utterly glorious.

Dry the Rain - the Beta Band. Just reminds me of that year...

Bentley's Gonna Sort You Out - Bentley Rhythm Ace. A reminder that British dance music didn't take itself too seriously...

All Mine by Portishead - because it is just... spinechilling. That voice. The brass. Creepily obsessive - reminds me in that sense of Heard it Through the Grapevine, which is about the highest compliment I can pay...

So, peeps, what am I missing? After the deafening silence from 1996, I am sure you're eager to provide more input...

It goes to Spinning Classes in Costa Rica. You know what kind of music I'm talking about - that horrible nastiness that makes Euro Students in Leicester Square do the "Oooh Oooh" noise. Horrible. Hurts my ears.

However, I have rediscovered two lost loves. This morning, in Spinning, we also listened to Come Undone by Duran Duran, which is one of my favourite songs and for some reason I don't have... well, I know why. It's because I bought it on tape, and never transferred to CD, so didn't put it on the pod, didn't bring it to the US, either. So downloading of Duran Duran's Greatest Hits taking place as we blog!

Plus, as I was writing my 1996 entry yesterday, I cheated, I must confess. But it won't happen again... however, what occurred was my thinking to myself, hmm, I wonder what year Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space was released... no way, 1997! But I MUST have it on my ipod before I do the 1997 entry... and I listened to it last night almost continually. If you don't have it, GET IT. That too was on tape... my adherence to tapes for so so long may well hinder my ipod collection. It's such an amazing album, I was transported back almost ten years*, and it is still wonderful.

*AAAAAAAAAAAAARGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH MY GOD I AM OLD.

FAVOURITE 1996 albums:

Endtroducing... - DJ Shadow. God, I remember feeling so hip buying this, particularly as it didn't come in a plastic cd case - always a sucker for that sort of marketing. Never mind that every vaguely hip person my age owns it. But that may be because it's fucking brilliant. I still listen to it a lot... I don't think anything since has been as good, but he's still pretty reliable.

Pre-Millennium Tension - Tricky. I think the first time I listened to this was just after I bought it at KTB's house. I thought it was amazing. She didn't. I don't think. But it has three monster songs on it - Makes Me Wanna Die, Christiansands and Tricky Kid. Plus, this is the year that Nearly God came out (below!). And the rest is insane - a taster of what was to come.

Second Toughest in the Infants - Underworld. This was my ultimate working album, it still sounds amazing and I love it. Probably my most listened to album of 1996.

The Sun Is Often Out - The Longpigs. The rest of it may be rubbish, but the first four songs are classics. On and On remains in my top ten of all time. It's just gorgeous. The jukebox at the Fox experienced this a great deal.

Walking Wounded - Everything But the Girl. I know, I know. Drippy. But I looked again and four fantastic tracks on a nine track record - Wrong, Before Today, Walking Wounded, Single - indicate that it's a good thing. Sorry!

SONGS OF 1996

No Diggity - Blackstreet. Seriously, you CANNOT mess with this. It is just... perfect. Everything about it. Even Dre's slightly pants rap. That "can't get her out of my mind" bit... amazing.

Da Funk - Daft Punk. Well, my pod says it's from then. It's amazing. I can really take or leave Daft Punk, and I LOATHE "One More Time"... "if I hear that one more time violence will happen" is actually what I thought it should have been called. But this is fabulous, and I also like Rock 'n Roll from the same album...

Do I Qualify? - Lynden David Hall. I'm still scarred from the fact that this sweet, beautiful man died at the age of 33. It's horrendous. I loved this song - sweet, gentle soul with a bloodcurdling voice. Loved it.

If Your Girl Only Knew - Aaliyah. This, along with Hot Like Fire, was the launching pad for the ridiculously talented production team of Timbaland and Missy Elliot. Remember what RnB and modern soul sounded like before them? Not really, me either. There was MJB's harder, street sound and New Jack Swing (Teddy, oh Teddy), but basically they revolutionised how it sounds. Sinuous basslines, whispering voices, everything other producers like the Neptunes, Darkchild, even Puffy (and I HATE him but the man has occasionally come up with the goods) rely on all these tricks that Missy and Timbaland innovated.

You're All That I Need/I'll Be There For You - Method Man & Mary J Blige. Because the production is fabulous, her voice floats over it, and I loves me the Method Man. The original from Tical is great, but I love this even more...

Super Sharp Shooter - Ganja Cru. Yes it is this old. And remains iconic in my youth, and I love it.

Fu-gee-la - The Fugees. A world before Wyclef - it did exist, but it's hard to remember that, too.

She Cries Your Name - Beth Orton. I'm not a big fan of hers, but I loved this song so, so, much, and the video with caravans (as in the houses, not of camels) in the desert.

Nancy Boy; Teenage Angst - Placebo. This really reminds me of the golden era of Eastenders, with crazy Joe Wicks who went mad and covered his microwave with tinfoil. On one of these occasions, Placebo was playing in the background - the delicious irony being that you had to know the song to know it was called Teenage Angst. I used to love that. Shame it's rubbish now.

Poems - Nearly God. My song of the year, for several reasons. First, Tricky - at that point, he could do no wrong in my eyes. Second, Martina Topley-Bird, who has the most exquisite voice. Third, Terry Hall, long time hero. Fourth, together they produced a concoction which lifted the hairs on the back of my neck, and still does every time I hear it (putting it in a very sparsely populated category along with Lover, You Should Have Come Over and Unfinished Sympathy).


So that's what I have for 1996. MORE PEOPLE, more - what am I missing? Tons, I am sure.

I've had my pod for a year now, and I've been wondering to myself recently whether my ipod reflects my taste in music fully, what records I genuinely enjoyed. So I set myself the challenge of working out what my favourite albums from each year from 1996 onwards (sort of last decade) are... but only those that are on my ipod. None that aren't. And they don't have to have been enjoyed by me at the time of release, can be subsequent discovery and love.

2003 seemed to be particularly poorly represented, it has to be said.

But that is all to come... one year a day.