20) Van Morrison - Astral Weeks (1968)

I'm calling this a debut as Morrison rightly considers it such. What a body of work.

19) Slowdive  - Just For A Day (1991)

More popular and respected in 2014 than they ever were back in the day. So happy they reformed. They won. We won.

18) Sugababes - One Touch (2000)

The classic Overload seats routine.

Mutya Keisha and Siobhan were just 15 when they recorded this. They'll be 50 before we hear their second album.

17) School Of Seven Bells - Alpinisms (2008)

Their subsequent albums were even better. One of my favourite discoveries of recent years. I never knew or even met Benjamin Curtis but, as was the case with John Peel, his death at the end of last year affected me in ways I wasn't prepared for. 

16) Kristin Hersh - Hips and Makers (1994)

I've got a long standing relationship with this record. It means a lot.

15) Anna Calvi - Anna Calvi (2010)

Everyone should go and see Anna Calvi play guitar.

14) Belly - Star (1993)

Oh Tanya. I'd seen her with Throwing Muses before but this where I took notice. I was at Belly's first UK show. She gave me a badge. Although a grown up man I wore it on my coat for years. I was somewhat besotted with her in the day, to be fair.

So happy she recently released new stuff and played some shows with Kristin. Belly remains her finest work.

13) Pavement - Slanted And Enchanted (1992)

I discovered Pavement through The Wedding Present (who covered Box Elder in 1990), so I was there for all the hype leading up to this album's release, including their London debut. Great times.

12) Gemma Hayes - Night On My Side (2002)

And so began a series of albums with consistently brilliant songwriting. 

11) The Go-Go’s - Beauty And The Beat (1981)

I don't think they get the credit they deserve. Hugely influential I think. Also, Belinda.


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