Third time's a charm. Here we go again (on my own, probably).

1. Howling Bells - Setting Sun

Australian alt.country noir! Or something. Anyway, it's on Bella Union, which is always a good sign in my book. Juanita Stein (these crazy Aussie names, eh?) leads the line with a restrained and plaintive vocal that sums up the album well. A strong moment from a strong album. Go investigate.

2. Bromheads Jacket - He Likes Them Airbrushed

Cockneyfied Monkeys (or Monkees?). An up and down album, this is a suburban view of lads mags and their ilk. Don't you just hate it when bands get all political? Anyway, it's ok. By no means the highlight of the album (that honour probably goes to Poppy Bird).

3. The Jam - Mr Clean

I can't decide whether I admire or detest Paul Weller. Sometimes I think he's just being obnoxious for the sake of it, but then can't help agreeing with his views on whoever he's just called a c*nt. Anyway, that's got nothing to do with the song, which isn't a bad effort but not one I'll be revisiting anytime soon, sPazAmp permitting.

4. Rainbow - Starstruck

Ah, this takes me back to my youth. From the legendary Rainbow Rising, this is Blackmore and Dio in perfect harmony. One of their 'to the point' efforts rather than an epic and none the worse for that. Of course there are rainbows, of course there are stars, although there actually aren't any dragons as far as I can make out. What there is is Richie soloing in extravagent manner but NOT overdoing it, and L'il Ronnie powering through the vocals as only he can. Classic.

5. The Offspring - The Kids Aren't Alright

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Particularly as it has the most inappropriate use of a 'whoa-whoa' ever, following, as it does, a line about suicide. Good work.

6. Muse - Ruled By Secrecy

The usual epic madness from Muse. Thank goodness someone still thinks epic can be good (and can generally prove the point). Occasionally, Matt Bellamy (always imagine him with Craig Bellamy's head - which obviously includes his neck as well as there is no join) gets a little too soprano for my liking (for about 1.3 seconds in this instance) but it doesn't hamper the enjoyment too much. This is more understated than usual despite the piano kicking in at 3 minutes and making you think you're watching Phantom of the Opera. Good stuff.

7. The Autons - Firebird

Their 2007 debut album is called Short Term Manifesto and the band members are Tony, David and Ray Auton. Allegedly, they met whilst auditioning to be extras on Dr.Who (as Autons, naturally) , were unsuccessful and so decided to form a band. Whatever nonsense is claimed on their website, this is a very nice slice of synth/rock/pop?!? Or something. Not entirely representative of the album (it's mostly more aggressive than this tuneful effort) but a good sampler.

8. James Blackshaw - Stained Glass Windows

Classical guitar virtuoso by all accounts, and listening to this you'd have to agree. Downloaded on a whim from eMusic (because it only had 5 tracks and seemed like good value for money!), this is a sumptious instrumental that both impresses and engages in equal measure. A rare surprise amongst the usual record industry tat released in 2007 thus far and one of the albums of the year. This is the 15 minute album closer, it sounds like about 15 people are playing at once, such is the man's dexterity, and it deserves 15 minutes of your time. They'll pass quicker than listening to the next 5 songs that happen upon your radio (especially, if they average over 3 minutes each!).

9. Pearl Jam - Release

The closing track from debut album 'Ten'. Drifting along for 9 minutes, and following on from Mr Blackshaw, this is turning into the longest sPazAmp ever! Given that I love every track on 'Ten', still listen to it more than any other album released in the 90s, and take a copy to bed with me every night, it'll come as no surprise to find me telling you that this is essential. A welcome balance to the cut and thrust of the majority of the album, this is in Temple Of The Dog territory for the most part and that is a very good thing indeed.

10. Brad - Down

sPazAmp has clearly got the message, and yet again, we get not only Pearl Jam (almost unavoidable) but also Brad (sPazAmp being much more selective there). Mellow grunge from debut 'Shame', just put your headphones on and listen to it alone and try not to be moved. Alternatively, throw one of those parties I was on about the other day and put this on at the end. Invite me, though, won't you?

11. Morrissey - First Of The Gang To Die

Unlike most people my age with any kind of interest in music, I didn't have that massive Mozzer fixation phase during those awkward teenage years. Was going to add 'not sure why' but clearly I do know and the reason was this: I was too busy throwing shapes to Dio albums for all that literate pop to have a chance of seeping in. Plus, it was actually illegal to like heavy metal and The Smiths at the same time. Once the law was repealed in the early nineties I was able to fully appreciate The Smiths' output properly but without the need to deify Mr Moz. Hence, I am able to say "this is a moderately decent pop tune that keeps you amused for a while but does little else" without the fear that I might turn to dust for uttering such heresy.

12. The Smiths - Hand In Glove

See, now it looks like I'm obsessed or something. sPazAmp clearly went around acnefied and miserable when it was 14. Me, I like the bits where Moz tries to fit too many words in the best but don't analyse that because I don't have the history, remember.

13. Aerosmith - Dude (Looks Like A Lady)

After classic Smiths, classic 'Smith. I like the way you move, sPazAmp. Yes, it's cheesy. Yes, it's from the 80s. And yes, it's quite preposterous. But it rocks like Peter Crouch in a (clearly, very) high wind. Quite how they managed to arrive at their 'Permanent Vacation' peak is a mystery to one and all, but arrive they did. Obviously, they have no idea how they did it either, vaguely recreating it for follow-up 'Pump' (childish giggle) but then forgetting completely in the 18-odd years since. Regardless, this hasn't even aged in the intervening years, which for an 80s track is truely something.

14. Ryan Adams - Burning Photographs

The most prolific man in music - I've actually given up buying Ryan Adams' albums because he makes them faster than I can save up to buy them. This isn't from any of his classic albums and certainly bears no comparison to the very best of Whiskeytown, so it's best that you move on. Go on, there's some late 80s trash/glam metal on its way!

15. Love/Hate - Rock Queen

See, told you. Now it seems to appear that Love/Hate are sPazAmp's favourites from the era and genre. However, last time they picked an awful track from their second album. This beauty is a different beast however, from debut 'Blackout In The Red Room', it's glamtastic in every possible way. Even the bit where Jizzy sings 'let me touch your cookies'. Always careful not to sing that one to myself whilst I'm wandering around Tesco.

16. Elvis Costello - Good Year For The Roses

An abrupt change of pace and tone, sPazAmp. Not sure I can actually listen to this because I'm still in cookie-touching mode. My apologies.

Right, I've contained myself now, enough to say I actually like this laid-back little number quite a lot. Costello doesn't evoke a lot of love from me - he suffers from that muso-affliction where you know he's deliberately being too clever for his own good when all you really want out of him is a decent tune - but this is one of the half-dozen tracks that I will go back to. Once every 5 years, at least.

17. Joy Division - Komakino

Interesting Joy Division track but not particularly memorable. Doesn't make you want to go back and check out their back-catalogue with any kind of urgency. Am I being too harsh? It's fair to say, I don't love this, I just own because you have to.

18. I Am Kloot - Untitled #1

Ah, the 'Kloot. About time, sPazAmp, they're hardly under-represented in your vaults. Not one of their very best, but to be honest, every Kloot track is a winner and you should head to your local record emporium immediately and buy their entire catalogue (and also place an order for their forthcoming new one). Plus how can you not love a song that contains the lyrics ,"say, you're like a tree, or a bus stop" as well as the confusedly spoken"well he said he was a vegetarian. Well, there's animals in water?" Class.

19. Snow Patrol - Make This Go On Forever

One of the less exciting numbers from latest, 'Eyes Open'. I'm not trying to be funny there, I actually have a bit of a thing for Snow Patrol and get frustrated by the fact that they get lumped into that whole Keane/Coldplay/Snow Patrol axis of evil thing. They're far more intelligent than either of those two bands, and display an honesty of emotion lacking in most modern pop. So there. Obviously, they were much better when they weren't famous (you know, on the two albums nobody's ever heard of - not even the majority of the ill-informed music press) and I'm not going to claim that I love 'Eyes Open' to bits, but it is, you know, quite good.

20. Stereophonics - I Wouldn't Believe Your Radio

Anyway, now that my credibility is entirely shot, it seems only right that sPazAmp also points out that I own some Stereophonics albums. There'll be no robust defence of them though. Oh no. First album - yes, brilliant, but then came possibly the worst decline in output in music history (excluding Oasis, naturally). This at least has the advantage of coming immediately after the first album and so, having only taken part in the start of the decline, still has some merit. 'Performance and Cocktails' does have its moments, but the fact that they released about 17 singles from it kind of lost them a lot of affection. This is ultimately pedestrian and symptomatic of what was to come...