Bon Jovi

No 1: Jun 4th

Their first album for five years Crush sees New Jersey boys Bon Jovi debut straight at no 1 on June 4th. The first single It's My Life is becoming a world-wide hit and although it sounds pure Bon Jovi, it's actually written by Swedish hitmaker, Max Martin, the man behind teen sensation, Britney Spears. Having said that this album is a return to form for the boys, updating their classic Slippery When Wet sound with a more mature outlook. Highlights include the powerful ballad Thank You For Loving Me, the rock party stomper One Wild Night and the summery fun song Captain Crash & the Beauty Queen from Mars.

... The Beautiful South

No 2: Oct 15th

The last three albums by the Beautiful South all reached no 1 but without a Rotterdam or Perfect 10 to so far publicise it, Painting It Red chalks up no 2 on its first week on October 15th (although Radiohead may have a little to do with that position). Closer Than Most was the lead single but with 18 other tracks there are many other pretenders for the big single from this collection. 'Til You Can't Tuck It In is another swipe at the ageing body, The River a heartbreak ballad. Other favourites are Hit Parade and Tupperware Queen. While the music is never more than middle-of-the-road, the wit and warmth of the lyrics mark this as yet another intelligent album.

... Belle and Sebastian

No 10: Jun 11th

Belle and Sebastian, named after a children's TV series of the sixties, have always been a bit of an enigma. They avoid most forms of publicity, putting out little more the names of the band members, and yet the band formed in a Glasgow all-night cafe, have become increasingly successful in the indie markets of the UK, France and the US. Their latest offering Fold Your Hands Child, You Walk Like A Peasant debuts at no 10 on June 11th. With tracks in the same folk-rock vein of before the album should please existing fans if unlikely to win any new friends, especially in the press...

... The Bluetones

No 7: May 21st

The Bluetones third album Science & Nature is a return to form just as most of the music press have been writing them off. Their second album (always a difficult time for a band) was seen as a failure and rumours were everywhere that Polygram were about to drop them. That proved to be false and the London based lads get to emulate their no 1 debut Expecting To Fly. Outstanding tracks are The Last of the Great Navigators, The Basement Song and Emily's Pine. "The best lyrics in the world don't mean anything without a nice tune," singer Mark Morriss said five years ago and how right he still is...

... David Bowie

No 7: Oct 1st

... Toni Braxton

No 3: Apr 30th

... Jeff Buckley

No 8: May 14th