WHETHER you love it or loathe it, Christmas is now nearly over and we are fast approaching the New Year.

This gives us time to take stock of the past year, and to look forward to what 2003 brings.

As there are just a few days to go until 2003, I thought I would ask my fellow reporters their favourite musical moments of this year, plus any musical events and records they are looking forward to in 2003.

Dave Lewins says his highlights of this year are Badly Drawn Boy and the Fun Loving Criminals.

"Low points of 2003 are The Streets, without a shadow of a doubt," he says.

"I hated their weak attempt at street poetry."

Dave says his tips for the top for 2003 is The Polyphonic Spree, and Queens Of The Stoneage.

The Charlatains were this year's favourite musical moment for Alex Earnshaw, who saw the band live at Birmingham Academy.

"My favourite album of this year is McCalmont and Butler - Bring It Back. It's a welcome comeback," he says.

"Down points are anything by Ja Rule because Ja Rule sounds like a seal, and most of the Top 10 I don't like.

"I think we need to have a good sprinkling of rock n'roll in the charts, that's been lacking this year.

"Tim Burgess from the Charlatains is set to release a solo album next year and I'm looking forward to that."

Lauren Cumming says the band The Music has been a high point of her year.

"The Las Ketchup song is a low point, because colleague Alex keeps doing the dance!" she says.

"But next year Mr Scruft is going to be big."

Moby at Birmingham Academy, and the new Red Hot Chilli Peppers album have been the highlight of the year for Ann Wheeldon.

"Next year I'm looking forward to seeing Counting Crows in January. Singer Adam Duritz has a unique voice," says Ann.

"Low points this year have been Atomic Kitten, Jennifer Lopez and Pop Idol rubbish -and Justin Timberlake - just what is he doing?"

Deborah Clarke-Sutton says the best thing about this year has been Richard Ashcroft.

"He's released a good album, with a good gig in Wolverhampton," she says.

"Pink's Get The Party Started is single of the year.

"I can't stand Will and Gareth, they have no talent at all and murdered Unchained Melody.

"I'm looking forward to next year if The Rolling Stones go on tour."

Melanie Hall, says her favourite musical experience this year was when she went to a Brian Wilson show at the Royal Festival Hall in London.

"It was the most amazing thing," she says.

"Low points of this year have been the genre of music with R&B boy bands like Blazing Squad.

"Next year I will be interested to see how Robbie Williams does, if he will fall flat on his face."

Kathy Don says she has enjoyed listening to Dido this year and Ronan Keating (because her teenage daughter listens to him.)

"Low points has been a lot of stuff my son plays, there's always a lot of bass - it makes me twitch!" she says.

Alison Fraser says her high points of this year have been seeing Sum 41 playing at Wolverhampton Civic.

"It was my favourite gig because it made me feel young again. It made me feel like I was still at school because there were so many school kids there."

Alison voted for Idlewild The Remote Part as her favourite album of the year, and it has barely left her CD player.

"Low points have been the continuing pap that's Pop Idol and Pop Rival," she says.

"Next year I'm looking forward to hearing the new Travis album and I'd like to see the Red Hot Chili Peppers play Birmingham."

Guy Whitmore admits to giving the Las Ketchup song a big thumbs up this year.

"The lowest point was Oasis. I've never liked anything they've done apart from Wonderwall," he says.

"Dirty Vegas will be my top tip for next year."

The Flaming Lips album, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots was the favourite album this year for Richard Babington.

"Low points have been Gareth Gates and Will Young for existing," he says.

"Next year I'm looking forward to seeing Bob Dylan again if he's still alive."

Janet Brice predicts The Streets will win all the awards next year and steal Robbie Williams' crown.

"Low points this year have been manufactured acts such as Hear'Say," she says.

"Next year the low point will be the Fame Academy tour."

When it comes to singles and albums, chief reporter Mike Nolan, says his favourite album is Coldplay, A Rush of Blood to the Head, and his top single is X-Press 2 - Lazy.

"There's so much dross around, this is always a low point musically," he says.

"I hope the end of manufactured pop will happen next year, but I doubt it will."

Tanya Gledhill, deputy news editor says her favourite song is Darius' Colourblind.

"Moby had the best album this year and Robbie Williams' new album is fantastic," she says.

"Low points are any thing to do with Geri Halliwell and Victoria Beckham, because musically Victoria is a complete freak.

"She can't hit a note - let's be honest.

"My prediction for next year is that the winner of Fame Academy will never be heard of again."

News Editor Tina Faulkner says her favourite gig of the year was JJ72 at Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall.

"They are in-your-face different," she said.

"They should go on to much bigger things. Pink also came into her own this year.

"Low points - I'm fed up of Pop Idol. Next year I'd like to see JJ72 put out to the masses."