New Releases, 12th May, with Rick Allen's missing arm

Hey man. Y'see this guy here? It's my old pal, Rick Allen. Rick's the drummer with Def Leppard. Now, The Deflep guys like to rock y'know? Not me. I've got other interests. Man. I dig jazz, rock, folk... but not really metal. I jus' can't buy into y'know? So, a while back, me and Rick split. It was painful at first, but y'know, after a while, we started writing letters and swapping emails and things are pretty good between us.

People always ask me if me and Rick will ever get back together, but it'll never happen. We're both happy doin' our own thing y'know? The last time I saw Rick was around the car crash... I was lying down, jus' laughing after our race with an Alfa Romeo, then, up comes Rick, blinking wildly and muttering "I'm a famous rock drummer!", "I want my mommy!" Crazy times. Well, now it's time for me to get reviewing for Electric Roulette... and there's LOADS of good records out today!

Review - Portishead 'Third'

Like most, Electric Roulette has to wait a bit to get a record. Sometimes, we're a bit lazy and don't get 'round to doing something, buying an LP long after reviews are out... but that shouldn't stop us reviewing an album when we do get out arses in gear. Seeing as we didn't get a review copy of Portishead's 'Third', and I went and bought it yesterday, I thought it was time for a peer into the murky sky flickery.

I've heard a lot of snippets and leaked tracks, but that only served as a taster. I've always felt that Portishead were an album band and that the singles, or at least single-tracks, only told a bit of the story. Go back to 'Dummy' or the eponymous LP and you'll see that, as a whole, they make a lot more sense than grabbing a track on (the horrendous) shuffle function on an MP3 player. So, as a whole, what is 'Third' like?

'Bird Sounds In Close-Up', and the Legend of Victor C Lewis

Released on Hallmark / Pickwick in 1969, 'Bird Sounds In Close Up'  is the possibly the greatest LP I've reviewed in Electric Roulette's entire 48 year history. BSICU, as it is referred to by absolutely nobody, features 100 different "sound items" from the vocabulary of 40 British Birds, live in their late 60s natural habitats around the UK including Meadow Pipits, Yellowhammers, Cirl Buntings, Corn Buntings and various types of Tits.

The man responsible for recording and compiling this seminal work was Nature Sound Recordist Victor C Lewis. 1969 saw the release of numerous "landmark" rock and roll albums. The MC5's debut. Led Zeppelin II. Miles Davis' 'In A Silent Way'. 'The Best Of The Easybeats - Volume 2'. Perched head and shoulders above them all is 'Bird Sounds In Close-Up', and yet despite the critical plaudits heaped upon the LP, the life of it's creator remains clouded in rumour and mystery. What follows is an attempt to shed a little more light on the Victor C Lewis legend, through a close study of this, his defining work.

Review: Mother Earth - Stoned Woman (expanded edition)

Back in 1992, I was working in my first job - behind the counter for a chain record store. Highlights of the working week were days off, the doors closing at the end of the day and the new release deliveries on a Monday. One particular Monday, Stoned Woman arrived. It stayed on the deck for weeks.

Back then, I knew nothing of its origins, aside from knowing the name from the Totally Wired compilations. I didn't really care either - the mix of soul, funk and 60s-style grooves was the perfect shop soundtrack, going down well on the home stereo too. And now it's back, reissued by Ace in expanded form to celebrate the Acid Jazz 20th anniversary.

Electric Roulette Top Picks

One of the joys of writing about the best music in the world is that you get to share it. Of course, you could see it as 'jamming our opinions down yer damn throat'... but either way, you get some good tip offs so we all win.

Naturally, this being the brink of summer, Electric Roulette folks have taken on a decidedly cheery frame, so maybe it's reflected in the tunes we're currently hoppin' to. You can be the judge I s'pose.

Anyway, enough jabberin', read over for ten randomly plucked treats from the trove... it's the top picks from May 2008.

Review - Le Beat Bespoke 3 (V/A)

Rob Bailey, the bloke behind Le Beat Bespoke, and I, have had our run-ins. Basically, I was a little let-down by his festival and he thought I was a dick. This being the world of music, no-one was gonna back down. Quite right too. So with that, I'm now sat with a copy of the new Rob Bailey compiled Le Beat Bespoke 3 compilation and I'm tempted to act like a child and say it's the worst thing I've ever heard. However, that would make me rather petty.

Before all the spats and snidery, I'd bought the previous LBB comps. The first outing didn't do it for me, but the second one blew me away. As a whole, it was a decent comp, but a couple of tracks made it well worth buying. So will the third outing be like the first, second or, something completely new?

Review - The Junipers 'Cut Your Key'

When Roulette hero, Mark Wirtz (man behind many popsike masterpieces) declares "Love it! Makes me cry with nostalgia!", you know you're in trouble. But what glorious technicoloured trouble we're in. The Junipers have been featured on these pages before (click here) leaving me gasping that they had "more hooks than a Abu Hamsa lookalike competition". It's safe to say that I absolutely adore this band... and with good reason.

Thankfully, San Remo records seem to agree and have given the psychedelic good vibers a chance to make a full and proper LP. The world needs to brace itself. With the release of 'Cut Your Key', summer has officially started... and it looks something like The Magical Mystery Tour.

New Releases, 6th May, with Jim Davidson

Hello hippies. Jim Davidson here. You may remember me as that bloke off the telly who is stinking rich and more. Now, looking at the Electric Roulette writers, you lot probably don't like me much. Well tough. Tough. I couldn't give a f--k. I say what I like, when I like, about whoever I like. Usually brown people and women. Deal with it.

I'm in a good mood at the moment with the rise of the Tories and Bo-Jo! Boris Johnson got in and when the result of the London Mayoral race was announced, I nearly spat my tea everywhere thinking about the look on the faces of all those po-faced liberals everywhere crying and moaning. Anyway, I'm here to review the latest releases, so let's get on with so I can get back to my masonic lodge.

Review - Pathaan 'Globetronica'

Sometimes, albums make it really easy for a reviewer to dish out kickings. I mean, I took one look at this compilation and thought 'crusty'. It's called 'Globetronica', which is like, totally a play on words... like, electronica, but worldwide... man... like, electronic music puttin' arms around the Earth and saying 'It's okay man... I'm a hippie on my flying scooter and everything's gonna be jus' okay... NOW WHO IS READY TO PAR-TAY?!'

I've no idea who this Pathaan is... but I'd like to bet that he's got at least one dream-catcher in his house. I'd also like to bet that he's a bit exotic... like his dad is Moldovan and his mum is from Sri Lanka... leaving our Pathaan the most exotic person to ever live in Brentford. Anyway, Pan Handle has got a new comp out set to free minds, open hearts and shove in huge spoonfuls of lentils.

Review - Blame It On The Dogg (The Swamp Dogg Anthology 1968-1978)

Looking at this LP, it's not immediately obvious what it is. Doing a little assuming, I thought 'it's probably some underrated genius too long for his dues... producer... singer..." and basically, that line of thinking is pretty much true.

Jerry Williams Jr, or Swamp Dogg to his mates... and you...has many facets... soul singer, songwriter, producer... cool muvvafugger. Basically, since the mid 60s, Swamp has been responsible for creating some of the most inventive and innovative black American music that the world will ever see. Not that anyone toldya about it. Until now. 'Blame It On The Dogg' brings together hits and rarities from his early days as a staff producer and A&R man for various cool soul labels, up to and including the independently-financed sessions from the mid-70s that established him as one of the genuine greats of soul music.

Pre-order The Last People On Earth LP right now!

The release of The Last People On Earth's 'Electric Angel' saw this writer speculating that the earthquake we had a few months ago, was actually the fault of this very band. Psychedelic tremors sent from melting speakers pointing into the earth saw us all shaking in our beds and The Last People On Earth giggling at the thought of their next stunt.

Anyway, their LP left me stunned into submission. I said 'it's one of the best albums I've heard - period' and I still think that now. The band have created a psych-prog masterpiece and everyone needs to get aboard their cosmic bus to be taken on a trip somewhere very fuggin' weird indeed. If you need refreshing, click here for review or, if you've been waiting for its release click here to pre-order Electric Angel.

New Releases, 28th April, with Peter Stringfellow

A big hello to all you Electric Roulette readers... especially the ladies. Are you feeling sexy? I'm only kidding! I'm not like this all the time... unless you want me to be... you cheeky girls!

Of course, I'm Peter Stringfellow. I am wonderful, with a perfect physique, very charming, rich and look like Jude Law. Har! Just kidding again. You may not know it, but I'm actually a very hilarious man. Naturally, being the owner of a club, I have to know a lot about music and the hit parade, which is probably why the Roulette gang (all men sadly) asked me to do this week's reviews.

So, let's crack on! Did someone say crack?! Oooh, you are naughty! I'll spank you if you keep this up you naughty things...

Review - The Shortwave Set 'Replica Sun Machine'

If you look hard enough, you can find hundreds of bands trying to recreate the sounds of 1966 - 1970. Most of these bands are looking to make a punky racket like The Seeds or aiming for the tripped out folk of Pentangle. Shortwave Set aren't your average revivalists. In fact, I'm not sure they're revivalists at all.

Shortwave Set, clearly owing a lot to the 60s and 70s, are avoiding the usual influences and seemingly gunning for something that lies between bubblegum psych of Mark Wirtz or Curt Boettcher and mixing it with something very modern indeed.

It's pop Jim, but not as we know it.

Review - Ubyk 'Matryoshka'

Last time around, a spelling mistake nearly scuppered the sentiment of Ubyk. Click here to see the fine margin between 'in' and 'is'. Anyway, scrap all that. The brilliant Ubyk have a new EP out called 'Matryoshka' and what a strange creature it is.

Kicking off with the psych-folk of the title track, Ubyk make an impressive sonic weave with only two people. Delicate and spooky guitars tell you that the sixties are over, they're selling hippie wigs in Woolworths and that, the drugs clearly failed to boot down the doors of perception. Harmonies drift in and out, gently tugging at your collar telling you that "everything is going to be alright", before spinning you 'round and making you feel all creeped out. I like it.

Review - Martina Topley Bird 'The Blue God'

Before we get reviewing, I have to show you something. Don't worry, it's relevant. The picture you see to your right is the promo of Martina Topley Bird's new album, 'The Blue God'. Isn't it lovely? Most companies send you stuff on CDR... not that there's anything wrong with that... but like the music contained on this lovely looking card thing, I hell of a lot of effort has been put into this long player... but has it been worth it?

If you've been reading Electric Roulette for a while, you'll know that we've been banging on about her. Her 'Carnies' single is one of the best pop songs I've heard in years. It's unashamed pop... but it's smart and sophisticated... without being too clever for it's own good. I love it. So, this LP has a lot to live up to...

                                       ...is the hype worth it?

Review - Andrew Weatherall 'Watch The Ride' (DJ Mix)

Let's have a brief look a Andrew Weatherall's CV. Weatherall started life as an acid man, entering our ears via acid house and the Manchester scene. He's mixed New Order, Siouxie Sioux, My Bloody Valentine. He also gave us Primal Scream's Loaded as well as setting up Boy's Own, Recordings. He was also in The Sabres of Paradise and Warp signings Two Lone Swordsmen. Not to mention a million DJ gigs and the like. He's even been at the controls for Bananarama.

So, now you know the back story, let's look at his new mix album, 'Watch The Ride'. Is it any good?

Review - Arborea 'Arborea'

When I reviewed Arborea's first LP - Wayfaring Summer - I uttered the word "masterpiece". It was a big claim. However, it was a big claim that was completely justified. So, here I sit with their second long player - an eponymous cut - and I'm pleased to say that this is a band that gets better with each release.

Normally, a band has to find their feet before really hitting stride, however, Arborea aren't your average group. Like The Band, which they share a certain woody charm with, this is a band that has landed fully formed. Where The Band did the Rag Mama Rag, Buck and Shanti Curran make beautiful, timeless albums that seem to almost make time freeze like the winter stopping streams. And if you think that's flowery, you ain't seen nuthin' yet. This is a band that demands you get your poetic hat on.

New Releases, 14th April, with Boris Johnson

Ah. Er, well. What do I do? Okay. Boris here. Boris Johnson. Real name Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson . I was born in the musical year of 1964 and now I'm writing about some new musical releases for Electric Roulette. My agent said that doing this sort of thing would, uh, haha, yes, help raise my profile or something in my bid to become the Mayor of London. I understand that Red Ken did some records with Blur, but I'm about to prove that I'm as hip as he is.

So uh, yes. I'll be reviewing music that has been released today before dark forces drag me away from the keyboard, swirling forces of irresistible intensity and power. Ahm. Haha! Yes. I've been told that I should type 'tell the readers to click over the jump for more' whatever this jump is. Is some threat on my life? No. Uh. Over the jump. What? I already said it? This is ridiculous. Must I go through this charade every time I need to curry favour with the poor?

Review - Captain Beefheart 'Electricity'

The first thing that strikes you about this Captain Beefheart release is the awful cover. I mean look at it. Duff. However, if there's one thing that psychedelic reissues and rarities albums have taught us, it's not to judge by cover. So what's the music like?

Well, it's Beefheart, so it's obviously sublime... but that's not the whole story. This 2CD set seems to be a little confused. CD1 is pretty much Safe As Milk in it's entirety. So why not just buy Safe As Milk? For a start, Safe As Milk looks a lot nicer. Well, for those who want to maximise their poundsandpence, CD1 features some unusual bonus tracks...

...which I'll tell you about overleaf.

Three Spirit reissues... which one to buy?

No doubt about it. Spirit are one of the most underrated American bands who ever exploded through an airwave. Their debut cut, 'The Family That Plays Together' showcased the wild and frenzied guitar work of forgotten genius Randy California, as well as a first peer at jazz influenced psychedelia. Now, jazz-rock sounds bad I know, but Spirit were so good that they made it work. Man, they even did a song in Hebrew and it's great!

If you've heard of this band, it's probably via 'Fresh Garbage' (much comped and sampled by Pink of all people), 'I Got a Line On You' (garagey rocker) or 'Taurus' (stolen by Led Zep for Stairway to Heaven')... but there's so much more to this great band. So, with that, SPVs Yellow label have put out three albums by Spirit... let's get reviewing...

New Releases, 7th April, with Jesus Christ our Lord

Hello. Jesus Christ here. 'Bout time someone gave me the chance to talk about some music... man, I'm sick to my holy teeth 'bout them hymns. The Gospel ones are alright and I dig Reverend Gary Davies... but yeah, I loves my music. Chekkit. Psalms 33:1-4 sez "Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise. For the word of the Lord is righteous and all his works are done in truth." Can you dig that?

Not only that, but I'm omnipotent aren't I? I know my shit. Plus, I got more names than P. Diddy (Jesus of Nazareth,  Yehoshua, Christ, Messiah... it goes on man). An' even though shammers be portrayin' me with a white face, the beard bit is bob on because I seriously dig The Band... and who wouldn't wanna git down with those guys... "rag mama rag..."

Anyways, it's about time I had a look at the new releases. I guess you're wonderin' why I choose my comeback on a poky music site... well, I don't wanna barge the party and holler up my name y'understan'? Figure this. It's like a spoiler. A sneakin' out so people get used to the idea of me bein' back in town. Anyways, 'nuff politics, let's listen to some 45s.

Rolling Stones get remixed by Soulwax - what do you think of it?

Okay. Here's an opinion splitter. Soulwax have remixed The Rolling Stones' classic 'You Can't Always Get What You Want'. Some people are throwing themselves in rivers after hearing it... whilst others are asking 'got any tablets?'

Of course, this ain't the first Stones remix (Fatboy Slim did 'Sympathy For The Devil') Which side are you on? What do you make of it? Ain't heard it? Click here and press one of the many play buttons.

Single review - Martina Topley Bird 'Poison'

'Carnies' by Martina Topley Bird (formerly Tricky cohort amongst others) was one of the best pop releases of 2008 and thankfully, she's not letting up with her newest track 'Poison'. Breathe a sigh of relief as you find out that it's not a cover of an Alice Cooper track.

Anyway, 'Poison' is a wonky popper with snake hips. There's a sniff of the sixties about it... but not in a cabaret way... Dangermouse, producer of the track, has done a sterling job of making this sound like a classic track while still retaining something refreshingly modern.

There's no hiding from the fact that this is pop in it's purest form... but it's well informed pop that it's okay to like. We're not talking about big synthy Girls Aloud ripping off Goldfrapp... we're talking catchy, brainy pop that doesn't mind if you lose it on the dancefloor - drunk - in your handbag. I'd like to see Martina Topley Bird becoming a big star... gawd knows we need a smart popstar right now. Oh, it's out May 5th

Hot 45: Graham Day and The Gaolers 'Travelled and Unravelled' EP

Anyone who sends a 45 in the post to Electric Roulette is asking for a good write-up. Thankfully, Graham Day and The Gaolers don't need any favours as their 'Travelled and Unravelled' EP is one of the most cookin' records I've heard in ages.

For those that don't know the pedigree, Graham Day is no newbie, green around the gills. He was founder member of The Prisoners, Prime Movers & The Solar Flares as well as drummer in The Mighty Caesers and bassist in The Buff Medways alongside old friend Billy Childish. The Gaolers, Dan Elektro and Buzz Hagstrom, you might recognise from legendary US garage band The Woggles. Interested? You should be...

New Releases, 31st March, with Jeremy Paxman

Hello. Jeremy Paxman here... debasing myself for some poxy online music rag talking about the latest releases from the putrid hit-parade. I imagine there'll be lots of guffawing and snickering as I take some of them to task... quite sad really.

Of course, you're probably more used to seeing me pulling the backbone out of pathetic members of parliament, leaving them jaundiced and trembling. To be honest, I feel the same way about musicians, although, I'm often willing to cut them a bit more slack as they tend to have better choruses and don't take us to stupid wars.

Whatever. Let's get on with it before my face tumbles off my skull in boredom.

Not one, not two, not three but FOUR LPs by Thee Headcoatees!

Hard-to-get Japan only releases and general record shop awkwardness has seen Thee Headcoatees become a little collectable over the(e) years. Now, Holly Golightly, Ludella Black, Kyra Rubella and Bongo Debbie are back in a spate of re-issues from Damaged Goods on lovely vinyl and nice digipack CDs. So what can you get your hands on and what the frig do the LPs sound like?

Available for all is Have Love Will Travel, Ballad of the Insolent Pup, Here Comes Cessation and Bozstik Haze. So whut they like? Worth spending a tenner or so on?

LP Review - Rusty Springfield 'Please Don't Dance Whilst Holding Drinks'

I don't know a damn thing about Rusty Springfield and their new LP, 'Please Don't Dance Whilst Holding Drinks' isn't telling me much more apart from the fact that they've clearly got a sense of humour (I mean, come on, look at that sleeve) and that the band members are called Wolfman, Birdie and The Butcher. So what's in store?

A quick check of the tracklisting before playing reveals things called 'Gorilla', 'Andy Warhol Hair' and 'Werewolf'. We're gonna have some fun here eh?

Well, fun seems to be the name of this band's game... but what kind of fun? The kind of fun that ends in slight injuries, beer, loud rock 'n' roll music and punching the ceiling. That's the kinda fun I like best.

Fuzz Dog Representing In Full Effect

Hey kids! Ever dreamt of being a member of Staten Island's finest rap music band The Wu Tang Clans? Well, dream no more - with this Liquid Swords Instrumentals CD you'll feel like you're really hanging in the "Wu-dio" with Ghost, Dirty, GZA and the whole Tangy gang! Rap along in Real Time to the RZA's hip-hopping lyrics-free beats! How about this 'dope' rhyme from Killah Priest's verse on '4th Chamber' "I'm overwhelmed as my mind roams the realm, my eye's the vision, my memory's the film"? That's some metaphysical 'shit' right there, 'dog'! Or how about 'flipping the script' on those Wu Tang boys and coming up with your own 'fresh' rhymes to 'spit' over RZA's hard hitting beats? Check it out: "Yo! My name's P Fuzzy and it's clear to see, that I am the best so listen to me!" Yeaaah boyyyy! It's all waiting for you on Liquid Sword: Instrumentals, available on CD here, today! (PF)

MRR-ADM feat. Malcolm Catto: "Untitled" 10 inch

I dig on The Nazz as much as the next guy, but the big JC's gonna haveta jus' cut me some slack while I take His name in vain this Easter Monday: Jee-zus Christ this record is good. No title, no liner notes, no song titles - no nuffin', 'cept for 6 tracks of insanely dope psychedelic fuzz-funk featuring The Best Drummer In The World, Heliocentrics / Soul Destroyers etc sticksdude Malcolm Catto. Fully loaded with a ton of bugged-out library record analogue synths, buzzing guitars and massive drums, the last LP that sounded like this was... well...Catto's own Mo'Wax LP, the criminally underrated Popcorn Bubblefish. I know absolutely nuffin' 'bout 'MRR-ADM', apart from the fact that they've got a shit name, come from LA and have produced the best instrumental record of the year so far. It's like listening to the out-takes from Lalo Schifrin's Dirty Harry OST. Limited to a 1000 pressing, if you don't got this already, better make tracks. Hear, and buy, it here. (PF)

Review - The Routes 'Let My Mind'

Hands up if you like your beat to be fueled by very little in the way of chords and loads of skuzz? Kind lady, kind sir, you will be wanting to let the sounds of The Routes kick you 'bout your lugs with their latest snot-propelled creation, 'Left My Mind'.

Now, you might be wonderin' why the hell you should bother with yet another band trying to ape The Sonics are somethin'. Fair enough. There's enough of them out there... but not one of them are a buncha Japanese noiseniks side-stepping The Sonics adn going straight for the high yelp o' The Wailers. Man. After listening to this LP, I would kill to see 'em batter Dirty Robber. But I'm gettin' ahead of myself... you ain't heard this LP and you wanna know what it's like dontcha?

New Releases, 17th March, with He-Man

Hi all. He-Man here (or Adam of Eternia to those that know me from The Palace). Many know me for my heroics against Skeletor and Hordak... what d'ya mean you don't remember Hordak? Heh heh... well... I dispatched him pretty quick so I guess... anyway... what a lot of people don't know about me is that, on Eternia, I run a music magazine, very much like Q, which means I save a lot of money of covers as I keep using the same picture of U2 every month.

The mag is called Masters of the Musicverse, which is a hilarious pun on Masters of the Universe, the name of the TV show which chronicled my adventures, along with my bezzie, Dunc' (Man-At-Arms as you might know 'im). So, I guess you could say I'm pretty handy with a sword AND a vinyl deck! So it's with that, we'll have a look at the new single and album releases for Electric Roulette.

I HAVE THE POWER!

The Tony Williams Lifetime: Turn It Over

Based on the fact that I have just recently read a Lester Bangs article in which he quoted 'Right On!' by The Tony Williams Lifetime as an example of the enduring influence of the sonic template set out by The Velvet Underground's 'Sister Ray', I picked up this album at my local record store (Rebound Records, represent!) on Saturday for £13. Turn It Over, released on Verve in 1970, was the second LP by The Tony Williams Lifetime, a jazz trio comprising of Tony Williams (drums & Vox, ex-Miles Davis), Larry Young (organ, played on Bitches Brew) & John McLaughlin (guitar ex-Miles Davis). This jazz-rock all-star band was joined on Turn It Over by Jack Bruce, ex of Cream, on bass. Impressive stuff. Still, apart from Lester's reference -and the fact that the sleeve looks exactly the same as White Light/White Heat - nothing had prepared me for the furious, fuzzed-out distorto Velvets-go-jazz heavy rock sound presented on this thunderously brilliant LP.

Review - Howl Griff... and the LP, Howl Griff.

I'm pretty sure that, as an outfit, Howl Griff are pretty sick of talking about beekeeping, Los Galacticos, Super Furry Animals and jus'whatisthatonthecover? Well, to get it out of the way, Howl Griff is headed by a Welsh singing beekeeper, the band are from all over the place (both in geography and mental wellbeing) and... well... they don't know for sure what the beast on the cover is... but he comes in peace, so that'll do for now.

Of course, so many album review get caught up in pointless trivia, like, I could tell you that this LP has links to newest pop-topper Duffy and links to Spiritualized... but all this pointless trivia talk so far does (for once) go some way to explaining what Howl Griff is... are... going to be...

New Releases, 10th March, with John Motson

Hello. John Motson here. You may sometimes refer to me as Motty, but my actual name is Motson, just to clear up any confusion.

Now, I've been a football commentator for the best part of a Millenium now, and in that time, I've seen many great soccer games. Of course, in that time, I've also heard a lot of music over the tannoy at half-time. I recall one funny moment when Brentford had to wait about 20 minutes to kick off an FA Cup match because the club wanted to play The Stooges' Fun House in it's entirety... they lost the game 6-0.

Anyway, it's probably the best moment of my career to review the new single and album releases for Electric Roulette... so let's get cracking shall we?

So, this is the tale of the Courteeners' new LP, St. Jude...

I'm not sure what to tell you. The Courteeners, thenextbigthingright?, sent me a sampler of their new LP, St. Jude. We've told you about their tour (click here if you've forgotten all about it) and well, they're clearly going to be huge. Fans already know that they mix the jauntiness of most popular indie about at the minute... except this lot look like they'll knock you out instead of peeping outta fey fringes and mewing about sum problums.

So what's this new LP like then? Well, keep in mind, this sampler says PLEASE DO NOT REVIEW on it in big letters, I can't really tell you. What I will say is that this is one of the strongest debuts cut in a long time. It's not strictly my bag, but it's clear to see that these thugs ain't your usual buncha schminds. It also contains the line "they do my fuckin' head in" which I quite liked. If you like this band already, St. Jude is gonna blow your brains out. This is a band ready to deliver. If you're a bandwagon jumper, get on it now.

Review - The Charlatans 'You Cross My Path'

It seems that, if you're a big established band, the best thing to do is give your new album away. Radiohead did it (with a nominal fee to cover costs), but The Charlatans, going one better, are giving away their new LP, You Cross My Path, away for free free free... no money need change hands. Here. Have it. It yours. So is it a substandard Charlies product?

Well, if you trust Joaquin Phoenix, he's been saying he loves the album , chirruping "Holy f*cking sh*t, The Charlatans record is mega. A real beauty. I can't wait to see it live!" Seriously. I didn't even make that quote up. On initial listenings, it ain't half bad at all... although is it as good as Alan McGhee's "best things since 'Tellin' Stories'" comment  true?

New Releases, 3rd March, with George Galloway

Hello everyone. I'm George Galloway; politician, reality TV star, soapboxer and freedom fighter. It gives me great pleasure to look at the new releases for Electric Roulette.

Of course, the Rouletteers are fine upstanding commie boys who don't buy the claptrap old rope peddled out by the machinery of this world and I definitely heard one of them say "illegal" which must be a damning attack on the war in Iraq. It has to be. The word wasn't invented until this ghastly attack on the people of the Middle East.

Anyway, onto lighter things, let's have a look at the new singles and LPs, or as some of you youngsters call them these days, downloaded album files.

Review - The Last People On Earth 'Electric Angel'

Oh my. I'm in all kinds of trouble. I've just been listening to The Last People On Earth's 'Electric Angel' LP and I don't think I'm ever going to recover. Now, this album was released on Tea House Records, based up in Lincolnshire. This may seem trivial, but when you consider the fact that Lincs just gave us an earthquake, I think I might know why. They were probably pressing this very LP, and the tremors nearly knocked England over into the sea.

So what's the fuss? Well, Electric Angel is one of the best LPs I've ever heard. Period. It's an incredibly far-sighted cosmic psychedelic prog LP that's got more ideas-per-song than your average band does in a lifetime. Somehow, this brilliant group manage to make the notion of a concept album a fine idea indeed. This band has produced an album to soundtrack your life, your birth, your death... this could be the start of something very beautiful indeed.

Review - The Masonics 'Royal and Ancient' LP