5. THE STROKES – Room On Fire
By rights, the words “careless” and “effortless” should be synonyms, but they’re not. The Strokes’ second album, like their first, manages to sound not careless but effortless, in the very best sense of the word. A snappy and perfectly-crafted triumph once again, then, but perhaps they won’t be allowed to stand quite so still next time around.
Key track: ‘I Can’t Win’

4. MOGWAI – Happy Music For Happy People
The most perfectly realised album-length statement of what they’re all about to date.
The songs on Happy Music For Happy People possess a poise, grace, beauty and sheer cohesion that is unparalleled on any earlier record (I’m not of the opinion that Young Team’s their best – quite the opposite).
Key track: ‘Hunted By A Freak’

3. EXPLOSIONS IN THE SKY – The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place
A storm in heaven. And that’s all you really need to know.
Key track: ‘Memorial’

2. THE MARS VOLTA – De-Loused In The Comatorium
Wonderfully, wildly ambitious – 70s prog dreamscapes and musicianship meets post-hardcore muscle and power. Out of the clanking darkness seemingly random strands and ideas suddenly coalesce and fuse to form songs which flash and dazzle with a remarkable intensity. Unapologetically difficult at first, but give it time and I guarantee your patience will be richly rewarded.
Key track: ‘Drunkship Of Lanterns’

1. THE RAVEONETTES – Chain Gang Of Love
Raymond Pettibon’s black and white cover for Sonic Youth’s 1990 major label debut album Goo features two young tearaways sat in a car and the words “I stole my sister’s boyfriend. It was all whirlwind heat and flash. We killed my parents and hit the road”. Well, this is the album the pair were listening to, the sound of The Beach Boys and The Ronettes being roughed up at knifepoint in an alleyway by The Ramones and The Jesus & Mary Chain. Sheer black-hearted magic.
Key track: ‘Love Gang’

And finally, a reminder of SWSL’s Top 10 Albums Of 2002:

1. SPARTA – Wiretap Scars
2. INTERPOL – Turn On The Bright Lights
3. SONIC YOUTH – Murray Street
4. …AND YOU WILL KNOW US BY THE TRAIL OF DEAD – Source Tags & Codes
5. GODSPEED YOU! BLACK EMPEROR – Yanqui UXO
6. QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE – Songs For The Deaf
7. IDLEWILD – The Remote Part
8. CAVE IN – Tides Of Tomorrow
9. THE HIVES – Your New Favourite Band
10. BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB - BRMC

(If you asked me now, the following would all have found their way into that list: LOW – Trust, THE CORAL – The Coral, THE DELGADOS – Hate, CALLA – Televise.)