iPod 'Most played' Top 10

Why not liven up your rainy Bank Holiday weekend by putting some of these beauties on your iPod? I did.

1) Richard Hawley - Some Candy Talking (from the album Q Covered): "Sheffield crooner turns The Jesus and Mary Chain's druggy indie classic into a towering torchsong that's reminscent of Roy Orbison. A stirrring epic - strings and everything!"

2)The Upper Room - Black and White (single): "I'm a sucker for this blast of '80s influenced guitar pop - it sounds like it's been around for years. Great harmonies, jangly guitars and a chorus to die for. Like finding a tenner in an old pair of jeans."

3)Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs: Different Drum (from the album Sid 'n' Susie - Under The Covers Vol.1) : "Power-pop supremo teams up with Bangles singer to cover the Stone Poneys '60s classic. Irresistible sunshine sing-a-long - dig those harmonies and strings,man. Beachboys associate Van Dyke Parks plays harpsichord and piano - what more do you want?"

4)Pet Shop Boys - Minimal (from the album Fundamental): "Tennant and Lowe are back on form with this sublime helping of streamlined electro-pop - '80s vocal effects, super synth lines, grandiose strings and a bassline that's stolen from New Order. Absolutely fabulous, darling."

5)The Boyfriends - Adult Acne/ Tears Before Bedtime (CD single) : "Wonderfully evocative indie that harks back to the glory days of The Smiths and '80s bedroom angst."

6)Franz Ferdinand - What You Waiting For? ( Radio 1 session): "Scottish art-rockers' take on Gwen Stefani's pop gem. A killer version - new wave disco riot!

7)Richard J. Parfitt - Downtown (from the album Highlights In Slow Motion): "This moving acoustic ballad is taken from the long-forgotten solo album by the former frontman of '90s Welsh punk-soulsters, 60 ft Dolls. Sounds great being played on your iPod at 3am whilst walking through central London in the rain - I'd imagine. You can probably find the album in a bargain bin somewhere - I did. Well worth checking out."

8) Shack - Finn, Sophie, Bobby & Lance (from the album The Corner of Miles and Gil): "Welcome return for Scouse pysch-folk popsters. This is one of the highlights - a beautiful, haunting track that namechecks the cast of Home Away. Weird. Imagine Nick Drake with a penchant for Aussie soaps!"

9) Alex Lowe - Where To Begin (white label): "Former Hurricane 1 vocalist cranks it up on a fuzzy garage rock classic - like Rod Stewart fronting The Kinks. Currently unreleased - honestly, there's no justice in the world."

10) James Roberts - On The Peak (demo): "Ex-Delta singer comes across all Neil Young on this captivating acoustic guitar/piano ballad. Heartbreaking stuff."