Okay, okay, so maybe it did come out in the UK earlier but I'm a U.S. citizen damn it. It wasn't released in the U.S. until early 2000. The fact is that Fran and the boys have crafted a free flowing slice of accessible pop. Simple and pure, The Man Who offers up such catchy numbers as "Writing to Reach You," "Driftwood," and 'Turn.' This is the most instantly hummable album of the year even slightly surpassing those legendary Irish rockers, U2.

1. Travis - The Man Who . . .
2. U2 - All That You . . .
3. Shelby Lynne - I Am Shelby Lynne
4. ColdPlay - Parachutes
5. Richard Ashcroft - Alone With Everybody
6. Joseph Arthur - Come To Where . . .
7. PJ Harvey - Stories . . .
8. Peter Case - Flying Saucer Blues
9. Aimee Mann - Bachelor #2
10. Poe - Haunted
11. Eels - Daisies of the Galaxy
12. Doves - Lost Souls
13. Steve Earle - Transcendental Blues
14. Steely Dan - Two Against Nature
15. Mark Knopfler - Sailing To Philadelphia
16. Badly Drawn Boy - Bewilderbeast
17. Eminem - Marshall Mathers
18. Grandaddy - The Sophtware Slump
19. Robbie Williams - Sing When You're Winning
20. Sigur Ros - Agetis Byrjun
21. Primal Scream - XTRMNTR
22. Juliana Hatfield - Beautiful Creature
23. Radiohead - Kid A
24. Dandy Warhols - 13 Tales
25. Madonna - Music