A

The logical beginning of my pursuit is obviously...A. Currently I have 17 artists beginning with the letter A. That is 25 albums. The artists are: AC/DC, Alanis Morrissette, Albert Hammond Jnr, The All American Rejects, Amy Winehouse, Andy Able, The Animals, The Answer, Antonio Vivaldi, Antony & the Johnsons, Anubis 5, Arcade Fire, Arctic Monkeys, Aretha Franklin, Art Brut, Audioslave and Awkard Why?

AC/DC - Back in Black & Highway to Hell. I love them. I really do, but I can't see myself listening to them on my iPod. I don't now. They are a car band. A party band. A PLAY LOUDER BAND. Not a private I have my headphones on and I'm listening to AC/DC band. Highway to Hell and Back in Black are struck from the list. They will forever remain in CD collection. Result: 22 albums/16 artists.

Alanis Morrissette - Jagged Little Pill. From the age of 8 years old I have listened to this album. I am now 20. I was first exposed to her at my Nan's/Auntie's/Uncle's house. My Auntie Sarah and Uncle Pete to be precise. I was first exposed to alot of bands by these two. I thank them for some...I hope I am now repaying the favour with bands I tell you to listen to. I remember the stereo was in the living room but there were speakers set up in the kitchen linked up to the stereo. We used to listen to Jagged Little Pill and cook Spagetti Bolognese. Sometimes we cooked curry and and sometimes we made cakes. I was the only kid at school who knew the words to the entire album - subtly glossing over the swear words when I was singing it too so not to get into trouble. This remains one of my favourite most listened to albums. It stays. Result: 22 albums/16 artists.

Albert Hammond Jnr - Yours to Keep. I like the Strokes and I thought I would give this album a try. Technically it has all the makings of a very good indie pop record. But I just don't listen to it or like it very much. It goes. Result: 21 albums/15 artists.

The All American Rejects - ST. I only actually like two songs on this album - Swing Swing and My Paper Heart. This album came out when I first worked at Virgin Megastores. I worked with a lad called Ray who liked it. ALOT. He played it constantly, these were the only two songs that didn't get old. I might keep them as a momento but I think the album goes. They can stay in the world of 60gb iPods, scary ruthlessness. Result: 20 albums/14 artists.

Amy Winehouse - Back to Black. I have not listened to this album enough. I hear her elsewhere and I love her music and yet I haven't listened to the album properly. She is a character. I love her music. Her lifestyle however reminds me of the great Janis Joplin (disclaimer: I am not comparing her music/talent to Janis Joplin, just the drug taking). I hope she doesn't go the same way as Joplin. One massive waste of talent is enough. There have already been too many. The album stays. Result: 20 albums/14 artists.

Andy Able - odds and ends. Andy Able is a hip hop artist hailing from Canada. He is half of Exit Theme, his partner being Anubis 5. I loved exit theme but I really don't think he makes it on his own. I will keep his material though. If you like J5esque hip hop check him out here:

http://www.myspace.com/andyablemusic.

Result: 19 albums/13 artists.

The Animals - Best Of. Two tracks on this album stand out: Don't let me be Misunderstood and, almost obviously, The House of the Rising sun. I love them both but there's not much to say really. The whole album is a solid listen but I think they are more of a vinyl band. Maybe CD - a Sunday band. Windows open music on, drink in hand - 'chillaxing'. The go. Result: 18 alums/12 artists.

Not much to say about the next few (The Answer, Antonio Vivaldi, Antony & the Johnsons, Anubis 5), except: stays, goes, stays, goes. Result: 16 albums/10 artists.

Arcade Fire - Funeral & Neon Bible. Two of my favourite albums at the moment. I had the pleasure of seeing Arcade Fire at Leeds Festival this year. They were out of this world, me and my good friend Andy stood and watched in awe. Lucky really. I had a bet with Andy, because he was missing We Are Scientists to see them, that if he didn't 100% enjoy Arcade Fire, I would buy him tickets to We Are Scientists when they tour. Put it this way - I don't owe him any tickets. They stay. No questions. Result: 16 albums/10 artists.

Briefly: Arctic Monkeys: first album stays, second album goes, Beneath the Boardwalk demo stays. Aretha Franklin: both albums go but a best of will come in. Art Brut: goes. Stays on hard copy though. They are extremely entertaining. Audioslave: Out of Exile stays, ST goes. Result: 11 Albums + 1/9 artists. Thats 12 albums.

Awkard Why? - Six Bubble. Canadian hip hop at its finest. Awkward Why? is one of the many names for a man named Bookworm. He is part of a group called the Oddities. I love the Oddities and some of Bookworm's other stuff but this doesnt really grab me. It goes. But if you would like to listen to him yourself: http://www.myspace.com/sprawlicstream. Result: 11 albums/8 artists.

So thats A done. If you'd like to contest any of my decisions or recommend some other bands beginning with A or any other letter leave a comment. Final result: 17/25 has become 8/11. A job well done. I think.