Ricky Wilson, singer, and Nick Hodgson, drummer, Kaiser Chiefs

The New Fellas by The Cribs

We have been touring with The Cribs this year, and we will be taking them with us on tour again next year. Their new album, The New Fellas, has the best songs of the year on it. We think that it has been overlooked in the end of the year polls, and it really should be investigated by everyone.

Chuck D, MC, Public Enemy

Live At The Harlem Square Club 1963 by Sam Cooke

I bought Sam Cooke's Live at the Harlem Square Club 1963, on iTunes, and I've been listening to it endlessly. It's incredible because he is absolutely shredding the spot. Also, a friend of mine e-mailed me an MP3 file of 'San Francisco' by John Lee Hooker, and it's phenomenal. I've bought three or four of his albums hoping it would be on there.

Gary Kemp, songwriter and actor

More Adventurous by Rilo Kiley

I thought this was an astonishing selection of ironically uplifting songs about heartbreak. They share the same country/pop terrain as Elvis Costello and their singer Jenny Lewis's intrepid lyrics are great. Try 'Does He Love You?' for emotional elegance.

Katie Melua, singer

Aerial by Kate Bush

This album was even better than I expected. Her originality and eccentricity always make her stand out from the crowd, and, after the long wait, it was a relief when the album was so special.

Damon Albarn of Gorillaz and Blur

Never The Same: Leave-Taking From the British Folk Revival 1970- 1977

I would pick this compilation, which is as dark as this country, and London Is The Place For Me 3. While mainstream pop culture was chugging along at these times there was all this amazing music being made, as these two brilliant compilations demonstrate.

Kanye West, rapper, musician, and producer

You Could Have It So Much Better by Franz Ferdinand

Record of the year would have to be the Franz Ferdinand album. I also really like Common's latest, Be, and Hypnotize by System of a Down

Johnny Marr, songwriter and guitarist, The Healers

Broken Social Scene by Broken Social Scene

My favourite is the Canadian band Broken Social Scene's eponymous album. It's innovative, it's got a cool atmosphere, and it's a nice alternative to the 'guys-in-ties' scene. I also like Love Kraft by Super Furry Animals.

Paul Smith, singer, Maximo Park

A River Aint Too Much To Love by Smog

I have followed Bill Callaghan and his malevolent words for a long time. This album adds a tender quality to his unflinching gaze at the human condition. I find it redemptive, hilarious, loving and lonely. Each time I hear it, I feel a richer person.

Hard-Fi

Demon Days by Gorillaz

We've all got varied tastes in music, but this is the one that we agree on " it's been on the tour-bus stereo pretty much non-stop over the past few months. Great songwriting, great production " it's a great, great album.

Corine Bailey Rae, solo artist

Get Lifted by John Legend

John Legend has the most soulful voice and Get Lifted is a great, great record. Although Snoop Dogg's R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece came out right at the end of 2004, it's been my favourite album of the last 12 months. The Neptunes' production on tracks such as 'Drop It Like It's Hot' is constantly amazing and, despite my feminist principles, I can't help loving the album.

Sarah Harding, singer, Girls Aloud

Late Registration by Kanye West

This is one of the albums I've played most. I love the way he raps about serious issues, then brings humour in as well. I like the style of his rapping too " he has a great flow. So many other people are trying to sound like Kanye now. That's always a sign that somebody is hot.

Jamie Cullum, singer and pianist

Closer by Beady Belle

I love this. There are few bands that understand the world of jazz, electronica, pop, dance and great songwriting, but here it is wrapped up in one beautiful, elegant package.

Sharleen Spiteri, singer, Texas

Funeral by Arcade Fire

This makes me feel really excited about being in a band: somehow they make it more than just being a singer or a songwriter. Despite its dark themes, Funeral is life affirming.

Win Butler, singer, Arcade Fire

Apologies To The Queen Mary by Wolf Parade

The new Wolf Parade album is wonderful. It's full of real songs sung by real people. I like Antony and the Johnsons, and the Joanna Newsome album The Milk-eyed Mender, too. Both Anthony and Joanna have truly amazing voices.

Mark Oliver Everett, aka E of Eels

Illinoise by Sufjan Stevens

I am currently driving up and down California and have been listening to Illinoise, which is very good. I don't have it any more because I gave it to Tom Waits. For this, I think Sufjan should write a song called 'Mark Oliver Everett' for his Virginia album. [Stevens has vowed to write an album themed around each of America's 50 states.]

Drew McConnell, bassist, Babyshambles

Dan Sartain vs. The Serpientes by Dan Sartain

Dan Sartain is this crazy, Hispanic-looking storyteller guy with a cheap-ass guitar that he bought from Walmart. It's gritty, authentic Southern folk and blues.

Teddy Thompson, singer-songwriter

Extraordinary Machine by Fiona Apple

I'd been looking out for the new Fiona Apple record and it didn't disappoint. As a songwriter, she's a cut above and she redeems the 'girl with piano' genre a bit! The title track and 'Parting Gift' are stand-outs.

Tom Fletcher, guitar and vocals, McFly

Bullet in a Bible by Green Day

I'm a huge fan of Green Day, so I've been listening to this live album in my car. It has an amazing energy. It's a DVD release too, and I was in the audience when they filmed it at The Milton Keynes Bowl earlier this year. Seeing them open with 'American Idiot' and 'Jesus of Suburbia' blew me away, plus they did lots of old classics like 'Basket Case.'

Juliette Lewis, actress and singer with Juiette and The Licks

Our Shadows Will Remain by Joseph Arthur

'The Devil's Broom' from Joseph Arthur's new album Our Shadows Will Remain kills! It's so passionate and rocking. I love the production, and the distorted sound of his guitar reminds me of Neil Young's electric guitar playing. Joseph's voice is all power, anger and anguish. He's a great lyricist, and musically speaking he can do just about anything.

Craig and Charlie Reid, The Proclaimers

Shots by Damien Dempsey

In the autumn, we had the honour of touring with the Dublin-born songwriter Damien Dempsey. Shots is brilliant stuff from a dynamic, soulful performer. The opening track 'Sing All Our Cares Away' is arguably the best song of 2005.

Kelly Jones, singer,

Stereophonics

Howl by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

I bought Howl the day it came out. There's a gospel thing and a Dylan thing going on, but with a punk attitude. We listen to the Kings of Leon album over and over in the dressing room as well, mainly to try to work out what the singer is saying. But it doesn't matter, because it all sounds so good.

Gaz Coombes, singer, Supergrass

Get Behind Me Satan by The White Stripes

This is a strange album. It's got some throw-away songs, but there are three or four tracks that just blow me away. The stuff that they're writing and the way they record " it's still a long way from getting tired.

Stevie Jackson , guitarist, Belle and Sebastian

Beauty and the Beat by Edan

The best two records I got this year were Beauty and the Beat, and Patrick the Survivor by Lucky Luke.V CThey're from different ends of the spectrum, but there is a common thread. Lucky Luke are inspired by psychedelic folk bands from the late Sixties, whereas the Edan record features lots of samples and loops of psychedelic Sixties stuff. It's a satisfying record to listen to from start to finish " not full of banging tunes, but a real 'album' album.

Suzi Quatro, singer

Magic Time by Van Morrison

As always with Van Morrison, Magic Time has some great songs. He takes the vocals to unusual places and has an edge to his voice. I especially like this Van album because it has some swing on it. If Van had been born in another time, he would have been an excellent crooner. My favourite tracks are 'Stranded' and 'Keep Mediocrity at Bay', but I love listening to the whole record in my car. That's the true test of a good album.

David Gray, singer-songwriter

Befriended by The Innocence Mission

If I had to pick one, it would be Befriended, which is absolutely stunning in places. I also loved Illinoise by Sufjan Stevens and Micah P Hinson's Micah P Hinson And The Gospel Of Progress.

Luke Concannon and John Parker, Nizlopi

Twenty Twenty Fiction by Gary Dunne