It's a worthwhile debate, but I don't see the either/or division as good for the industry or the (dread phrase) art form. The NME, back in the days when it actually had good writers, brilliantly responded to the increasingly stuffy reverence for albums by celebrating the art of the single. It was a genuinely inspired move which really did change many musicians' perspective. And it didn't come from knocking albums, it just reaffirmed the magic of the alternative. And I think that's what's needed now - not saying do one and not the other, but rather a greater precision in praising both. Say what suits albums and embrace it, and do the same for singles and embrace that, too. Where I think JK is spot on is in highlighting that neither form actually is treated with much care. Singles artistes are churning out singles without much inspiration and leaving it to marketing to make them sell (god help them if they relied on radio plays), and albums are just a waste bin for said singles. So neither genre wins.

Radio 2 should do a series each on the art of the single and the art of the album, and then hold a debate about both. The likes of Q and Mojo could get involved. There could be a greatest singles compilation and a greatest albums poll. Loads of things could be done.