#330 - Marc Cohn, Marc Cohn

"Marc Cohn is one of the finest debut albums of the 1990s, and it brought adult piano pop back to the radio. Every song is well-crafted, and Cohn's singalong choruses, introspective lyrics, and vocal stylings reveal his '60s soul and '70s singer/songwriter influences. His voice is rich, but has a roughness that adds emotion when stretching to the upper end of his range while remaining subtle at the lower end. Marc Cohn shows himself to be an accomplished and versatile songwriter." (allmusic guide)

#329 - Welcome Interstate Managers, Fountains Of Wayne

"The group's third album (their first in four years) puts them back on top in the clever tunesmith game. With their shamelessly perfect arrangements, Fountains of Wayne create instantly catchy pop songs that feel vaguely familiar, but have lyrics that no one else would write. Summery, post-modern pop fun." (real music guide)

#328 - Franz Ferdinand, Franz Ferdinand

"The Scottish group's debut is a dirty, stylish racket filled with needling guitars courtesy of the school of art/punk (circa 1982). Throw in their tendency to fall back on a solid 4/4 beat, and you've got a recipe for mega-hipness in 2004. This wouldn't mean a thing if the songs weren't good, but they are." (real music guide)


#327 - Pleased To Meet Me, The Replacements

"The Nevermind for those who'd already lost faith in rock'n'roll heroes, even the music industry thought this far-reaching album would turn the 'Mats into the next big thing. Crossover success didn't happen, but such tracks as "Alex Chilton," "Never Mind," "Skyway," and "Can't Hardly Wait" ensure this disc will be cherished by each new generation of wounded romantics." (real music guide)

#326 - Texas Flood, Stevie Ray Vaughan

"It's hard to overestimate the impact Stevie Ray Vaughan's debut, Texas Flood, had upon its release in 1983. At that point, blues was no longer hip, the way it was in the '60s. Texas Flood changed all that, climbing into the Top 40 and spending over half a year on the charts, which was practically unheard of for a blues recording. Vaughan became a genuine star and, in doing so, sparked a revitalization of the blues." (allmusic guide)