fiona Apple Tidal Only 19 when Tidal was originally released, Fiona Apple put her huge,doleful peepers to good use on the sleeve photo. Musically, however, she managed to eschew the overwrought mannerisms of, say, Tori Amos (to whom she was compared) to create a remarkably tempered stab at singer-songwriter confessional. Tidal is rich and soulful to boot. The song Criminal is a classic.

Fever Kylie Minogue
Light years ahead of the opposition, this is another lethally pure musical concoction from the sexiest thirty-something in pop. Includes the singles
'Can't Get You Out Of My Head' and 'in Your Eyes'. Austrailia's pop pixie has done it again with this album proving she is timeless, and to boot she is looking bloody good for a thirty year old.

Laundry Service Shakira Already a huge star in Latin America, Shakira's first English language album is set to take the UK by storm. 'Laundry Service' breaks through cultural boundaries, making the world dance as one.

kerrang
What a year 2001's been for metal! The last year has seen rock music of all shapes and sizes take on the mainstream at their own game, and win. Limp Bizkit, Papa Roach and Wheatus have all had smash hit singles this year, whilst in the shape of Slipknot and Staind there are two bands that entered the UK album charts at number one over consecutive weeks. On a purely musical level, there's very little the aforementioned have in common, but they're united by that simple but essential quality - attitude. A desire to stick two fingers up at convention and corrupt as many people along the way as humanly possible. Which brings us nicely to 'Kerrang! - The Album 2'. Over the course of its thirty-eight tracks you'll find highlights from some of the biggest, the best and most important records of the year - including tracks from Linkin Park, OPM, Sum 41, Marilyn Manson and many, many more.
Live life loud!