Song: Gravity

Artist: Embrace, England

Album: Out of Nothing, 2004

Notes: Anthemic Brit-rock cover of a song written and given to them by Coldplay.

Song: When Loves Break Down

Artist: Prefab Sprout, England

Album: Two Wheels Good, 1985

Notes: Hidden treasure from one of the most complete and overlooked albums of the '80s.

Song: Samson

Artist: Regina Spektor, Russia

Album: Begin To Hope, 2006

Notes: Perhaps the best ballad to date from the Russian-American singer-songwriter/pianist.

Song: Sugar For The Soul

Artist: Steve Balsamo, Wales

Album: All I Am, 2002

Notes: Bouncy, melodic pop-rock from a relatively unknown performer, alumnus of Prince's Trust musicians charity.

Song: Hard Road

Artist: Shore, Silver Lake, CA

Album: The Shore, 2004

Notes: Terrific West Coast rock trio, still occasionally touring, another solid outing from debut album.

Song: Say After Me

Artist: Bic Runga, New Zealand

Album: Birds, 2005

Notes: Breezy, mellow musings with lovely string arrangement from part Chinese/Maori singer-songwriter.

Song: Spinning Wheels

Artist: Angel Taylor, Los Angeles

Album: Love Travels, 2009

Notes: Every track from her maiden album is a winner, a rare achievement these days.

Song: So Slow

Artist: Ari Hest, New York

Album: The Green Room Sessions EP

Notes: Perfect, jangly pop-rock by little-known singer-songwriter from the Bronx.

Song: Homeless

Artist: Ladysmith Black Mambazo, South Africa

Album: Graceland, 1986

Notes: Timeless World Music classic by legendary South African township a capella vocal troupe.

Song: Always The Sun

Artist: Stranglers, England

Album: Dreamtime, 1986

Notes: Melodic pleaser from former British punk/new wave pioneers led by Hugh Cornwall.

Song: No Work and All Play

Artist: Frankel, Los Angeles

Album: Not available

Notes: Brand new, easy-swaying, acoustic outing from upcoming performer, Michael Orendy.

Song: In My Place

Artist: Coldplay, England

Album: A Rush of Blood To The Head, 2002

Notes: Mighty, evergreen rock smash, won the Grammy for Best Rock Performance.

Song: Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want This Time

Artist: Dream Academy, England

Album: peanutdungeon.com

Notes: Rare vocal version, dreamy cover of a Smiths nugget by 'Life In A Northern Town' hitmakers.

Song: Travel In Time

Artist: Carmen Rizzo, New York

Album: The Lost Art of the Idle Moment, 2005

Notes: Successful electronic musician and producer who

Song: 7 Seconds

Artist: Neneh Cherry & Youssou N, Sweden/Senegal

Album: The Guide (Wommat), 1994

Notes: Epic electronic/World Music stylings - she sings in English, world music great N

Song: Barren Ground

Artist: Bruce Hornsby & The Range, Williamsburg, VA

Album: A Night On The Town, 1990

Notes: Much-neglected but beautifully executed gem graced by backing vocals from Shawn Colvin.

Song: Raise The Dead

Artist: Colin Devlin, Ireland

Album: Democracy of One, 2009

Notes: Terrific solo ballad by lead singer of Irish alt-rock combo he formed with his brother, the Devlins.

Song: The Weakness In Me

Artist: Joan Armatrading, St. Kitts

Album: Walk Under Ladders, 1981

Notes: Torn between two lovers, as ever, dripping with soul, smart lyrics, effortless melodies.

Song: Sing

Artist: Travis, Scotland

Album: The Invisible Band, 2001

Notes: Still underrated combo from Glasgow, song featured in Sandler-starring movie, 'Mr. Deeds'.

Song: The Word Girl

Artist: Scritti Politti, England

Album: Cupid & Psyche, 1985

Notes: Reggae-splashed, electro pop-rock from highly inventive Green Gartside.

Song: Chanty

Artist: Son Volt, St. Louis, MO

Album: Wide Swing Tremolo, 1998

Notes: Rootsy instrumental art of the under-appreciated Americana band front by Jay Farrar.

Song: Our Town

Artist: James Taylor/Randy Newman, Lenox, MA/Los Angeles

Album: Cars Original Soundtrack, 2006

Notes: Composed by genius Newman, plaintive ode to struggles and decline of a recession-era town perfectly executed by Taylor.

Song: Steppin’ Out

Artist: Kaskade, Chicago

Album: In The Moment, 2004

Notes: Fabulous electronic pop-rock from American DJ, Ryan Raddon better known as Kaskade.

Song: Mary

Artist: Sarah Slean, Canada

Album: Day One, 2004

Notes: Quirky, winning lost nugget by underrated singer-songwriter, pianist and actress.

Song: Could You Be Loved

Artist: Bob Marley & The Wailers, Jamaica

Album: Uprising, 1980

Notes: From Marley's final studio album. He never had a top 50 hit on Billboard Hot 100.

Song: Hey Now

Artist: Augustana, San Diego

Album: Can't Love Can't Hurt, 2008

Notes: Tremendous slice of forgotten, no-nonsense modern-rock from 'Boston' hitmakers.

Song: My Side Of The Bed

Artist: Susanna Hoffs, Los Angeles

Album: When You're A Boy, 1991

Notes: Delightful jangling pop-rock from the distinctive former Bangles lead-singer from maiden solo album.

Song: Silent Sigh

Artist: Badly Drawn Boy, England

Album: About A Boy, 2002

Notes: Featuring wacky piano riffs, taken from soundtrack to Hugh Grant movie, entirely composed by Damon Gough.

Song: Say Goodbye

Artist: Fleetwood Mac, Los Angeles

Album: Say You Will, 2003

Notes: Standout multi-rhythm track by Lindsey Buckingham from band's last studio album. Gorgeous.

Song: You Could Be Happy

Artist: Snow Patrol, N. Ireland/Scotland

Album: Eyes Open, 2006

Notes: Too sad for words, sparse, reflective pearl as ever about the painful end of a relationship.

Song: Annie You Save Me

Artist: Graffiti 6, England

Album: Colours, 2011

Notes: Second spin for outstanding new single by UK duo of Tommy D and Jamie Scott.

Song: Day Too Soon

Artist: Sia, Australia

Album: Some People Have Real Problems, 2008

Notes: Infectious cut from her still-overlooked sparkling third album.

Song: Nowhere Warm

Artist: Kate Havnevik, Norway

Album: Melankton, 2006

Notes: Norwegian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist with the melancholic, thoughtful ballad.

Song: Stranger

Artist: Electric Light Orchestra, England

Album: Secret Messages, 1983

Notes: Long after their career had peaked, ELO were still making top-drawer melodic pop rock like this.

Song: Ever After You

Artist: Gabe Dixon Band, Nashville

Album: Live At World Cafe

Notes: Billy Joel hasn't written a ballad this good for years. Top-notch by sorely underrated singer-songwriter/pianist.

Song: See The World

Artist: Gomez, England

Album: How We Operate, 2006

Notes: Great sentiment, glorious rolling indie-rock from their fifth album.

Song: Part of Your History

Artist: Blue Merle, Nashville

Album: Burning In The Sun, 2005

Notes: Bittersweet, literate Americana from the short-lived band. Get the album, superb.

Song: Odd World

Artist: Molly Marlette, Los Angeles

Album: mollymarlette.com

Notes: Entirely unknown, promising newcomer with a rather refreshing, perky little ditty.

Song: Lay Lady Lay

Artist: Bob Dylan, Duluth, MN

Album: Nashville Skyline, 1969

Notes: Classic, timeless, audible.

Song: The Funeral/One More Day

Artist: Sinead O'Connor, Ireland

Album: Veronica Guerin Original Soundtrack, 2003

Notes: Celtic-language version of her exquisite film theme segued into English-language rendition.