My favorite pop albums this year have been Solly 'Get It Wrong It's
Alright'and the new Teenage Fanclub. Both were quite splendid start to
finish. 

And on a non-pop note I have been listening (every day) to what would
have been my favorite album of 2004 had I heard it in time, Devotchka
'How It Ends'. Perhaps a few people on this list may enjoy it. I would
describe it as very eclectic chamber-pop with Morrisey/J. Buckley type
vocals. There's a heavy Eastern European influence with some mariachi(!)
and straight up pop as well. Not normally my cup of tea but somehow this
works out to be quite a modern classic. Give it a try : www.devotchka.net  

Matthew

-- 
 "You can't be the Rolling Stones. You've gotta quit while you're
relatively handsome."  Bob Pollard 4-24-04