Things are more than all right. They’re positively joyful when bands like Fanfarlo are around.

Available on iTunes from August but 11 getting one of them hold it in your hands and actually own it releases on September 15, Beggars is the latest offering from American post-hardcore-outfit-turned-vaguely-proggy-metal-shebang, Thrice (yeah, pigeon-holed the shit out of that).

Dennis Coyne, Casey Joseph, Matt Duckworth and James Young are Stardeath And White Dwarfs and this, The Birth, is their debut album.

Led Bib - this year's token jazz act - are nominated for Sensible Shoes. It's like Primus' Sailing The Seas Of Cheese album, with trumpets.

Birmingham’s Blakfish have been doing the rounds on Britain’s burgeoning post-hardcore scene for a number of years.

A typical London accent regaling enthrallingly crafted tales of city living that enlighten rather than boast, delivered over delicate, laid-back jazz and folk flourishes.

A largely ignored but critically acclaimed group with two albums under their belt producing a relaxing and endearing blend of electronica and folk.

From the moment Animation begins to rotate in the record player it becomes very clear that this is no ordinary pop album.