RADIOHEAD - RADIOHEAD LEAD NME NOMINATIONS

RADIOHEAD look set to retain their rock royalty crown at this year's (04) NME AWARDS, after receiving five nominations including BEST SINGLE and BEST ALBUM.

But the PARANOID ANDROID band face tough competition from THE WHITE STRIPES and THE DARKNESS, who have each been nominated for four awards by the respected British music magazine.

Other stars to be acknowledged - in varying categories - include JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE, OUTKAST, THE STROKES and RYAN ADAMS.

The awards ceremony takes place in London on 12 February (04).

The list of nominees is as follows:

BEST SINGLE:

SEVEN NATION ARMY - WHITE STRIPES

THERE THERE - RADIOHEAD

I BELIEVE IN A THING CALLED LOVE - THE DARKNESS

DON'T LOOK BACK INTO THE SUN - THE LIBERTINES

HEY YA! - OUTKAST

BEST INTERNATIONAL BAND:

THE STROKES

KINGS OF LEON

THE WHITE STRIPES

QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE

FOO FIGHTERS

BEST NEW BAND:

JET

KINGS OF LEON

FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND

THE THRILLS

FRANZ FERDINAND

BEST LIVE BAND:

MUSE

RADIOHEAD

QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE

THE LIBERTINES

THE DARKNESS

BEST SOLO ARTIST:

RYAN ADAMS

HAR MAR SUPERSTAR

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE

DAMIEN RICE

PINK

BEST FILM:

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL

KILL BILL VOL 1

THE LORD OF THE RINGS: RETURN OF THE KING

BEST ALBUM:

ELEPHANT - THE WHITE STRIPES

ABSOLUTION - MUSE

HAIL TO THE THIEF - RADIOHEAD

ROOM ON FIRE - THE STROKES

YOUTH + YOUNG MANHOOD - KINGS OF LEON

BEST VIDEO:

TIME IS RUNNING OUT - MUSE

THE HARDEST BUTTON TO BUTTON - THE WHITE STRIPES

THERE THERE - RADIOHEAD

GO WITH THE FLOW - QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE

I BELIEVE IN A THING CALLED LOVE - THE DARKNESS

BEST UK BAND:

RADIOHEAD

THE DARKNESS

COLDPLAY

MUSE

THE LIBERTINES