On the record

By Andy Welch

BRAZILIAN outfit CSS, or Cansei de Ser Sexy to give them their proper name, have released their hotly anticipated second album, Donkey. But is it any good? Elsewhere, we have Primal Scream's ninth album and Sharleen Spiteri ditches the blue-eyed soul of Texas for her string-laden solo album.

Various - Now 70

The very first Now (That's What I Call Music!) compilation album hit record shops in 1983. Two and a half decades and an immense 69 records on, the latest instalment of this musical institution is as fresh and eclectic as ever. Thankfully Kajagoogoo and Phil Collins have been replaced by the modern-day brilliance of Duffy, Sam Sparro, Scouting For Girls and co. Now 70 is a colourful romp through the best music of the last few months and the perfect soundtrack for summer. Mint Royale's Singin' In The Rain gets a look-in thanks to Britain's Got Talent and the long-awaited Coldplay track Violet Hill tops off Disc One. Disc Two is dominated by R&B from old favourites Britney and Mariah plus newcomers like Taio Cruz. Rating: 8/10

(Review by Kate Whiting)

Primal Scream - Beautiful Future

After slipping back into something a little more comfortable - in their case some good-time Rolling Stones approximations - for 2006's Riot City Blues, Bobby Gillespie and co are back in edgier mood for their ninth studio album. The titular opener fuses a hooky chorus with some typically menacing imagery, while lead single Can't Go Back recalls the unreconstructed ferocity of Evil Heat to thrilling effect. CSS siren Lovefoxxx pops up in a supporting cast which includes Josh Homme and folk queen Linda Thompson but it is in their own company, on the snake-hipped Uptown and fierce Suicide Bomb, where the band shine. Rating: 8/10

(Review by Rory Dollard)

U2 - Boy/October/War

Regardless of your opinion of Bono and his politics, U2 are one of the biggest bands of all time, with a catalogue of instantly recognisable songs. It wasn't always like that, however, and if you're unaware what the band did to get in the position they're now in, check out their first three albums, which have been digitally re-mastered and re-issued. Before they became world-beaters, the Irish quartet were once a simple punk-rock band, contemporaries of Echo And The Bunnymen and Simple Minds. Listening to tracks such as I Will Follow from 1980 debut Boy, I Threw A Brick Through A Window from 1981's October or Sunday Bloody Sunday, taken from 1983 effort, War, and it's clear the band were something pretty special, destined for more than their peers. They may not have come of age until their fourth album, The Unforgettable Fire, but this trio proves the writing was on the wall from day one. Ratings: Boy 7/10, October 7/10, War 8/10

(Review by Andy Welch)

Martha And The Muffins - Danseparc

This remastered, re-issued version of the 1983 album is a precursor to the Canadian band's new album, Delicate. Known primarily known for new-wave pop hit Echo Beach, the band goes for a more measured and polished approach on this concept album about parks. It's a little bit funky, a little bit jittery and very Talking Heads. Danseparc is an overproduced, very stylised release from U2/Peter Gabriel producer Daniel Lanois, with plenty of flange, chorus, sax and synth. It will definitely strike a chord with fans of contemporary funk-punk bands but may be a little slicker than today's electro crowd are used to. Rating: 6/10

(Review by Delia Barnard)

CSS - Donkey

CSS captured the zeitgeist with their infectious debut, a joyously ramshackle clatter of saucy broken English and punky electropop. Since then, they've had some bad times (losing a member and a manager), polished their English and learned how to play their instruments properly - thus removing all the reasons people liked them in the first place. The resulting sound is weirdly 90s - Donkey sounds like Republica crossed with L7, minus the singles. The last time a great party act dropped the ball this badly on their follow-up was the second Andrew WK album and where is he now? Rating: 4/10

(Review by Alex Sarll)

Little Ones - Morning Tide

This debut from Los Angeles indie-pop troupe The Little Ones is packed with sunny harmonies and an unfailingly cheerful disposition. A great pop track will usually be stuck in your head for days but none of the songs here quite manage that trick. The radio-friendly Ordinary Song is a clear play for the airwaves but falls the wrong side of cute and ends up just plain annoying. While the five-piece inject the likes of Everybody's Up To Something with plenty of pomp and bombast it ultimately feels a bit hollow. This is one tide that washes right over you. Rating: 5/10

(Review by Simon Harker)

Kid Rock - Rock N Roll Jesus

Back in 1998 Kid Rock was almost untouchable. Eleven million people bought his album Devil Without A Cause, and Cowboy was an indie-club hit. A decade later and Kid is considered more of a tabloid favourite than a musician - so has to prove himself all over again. Unfortunately this dated, repetitive offering falls well short of the mark. Fans will be pleased his trademark southern drawl and country beats are still present but it's essentially a parody of the character he's become. There are very few standout tracks but So Hot is catchy despite the ridiculous lyrics. Rating: 4/10

(Review by Polly Weeks)

Sharleen Spiteri - Melody

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned and as if we didn't know that already, Sharleen Spiteri's debut solo album hammers home the point. Written after the break-up of a 10-year relationship, the fiery Glaswegian, on a break from day job with Texas, is telling her ex exactly what she thinks of him. "Now I don't need you and I never did before," she spits on I'm Going To Haunt You, while song titles such as Stop, I Don't Love You Any More and Where Did It Go Wrong? are self-explanatory. Musically, Spiteri pays tribute to the likes of Lee Hazelwood and Nancy Sinatra and treads a fine line between homage and pastiche. Fortunately, deft production and a whole heap of enthusiasm mean that she pulls it off. Rating: 7/10

(Review by Andy Welch)

Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours

The title of Australian band Cut Copy's latest release says it all. This album embraces the 80s sound a la Depeche Mode and the Cure but gives the old spectres a much more uplifting sound. Opening track Feel The Love sets the tone - a floating introduction giving way to a number so jammed with 80s sounds you'll have the strobe light out in a flash. They love good, strong beats but pop artistry is what it's all about. Slick mixing, layered vocals and that icon of the 80s - the synthesizer - are all put to dance-inducing use. They even take time to pay homage to that most derided of bands, ELO - So Haunted goes from a stormy guitar intro into a chorus that could be from the pen of Jeff Lynne himself. Somehow none of the album sounds cheesy - it's a real treat. Rating: 8/10

(Review by Glen Corry)

My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade Is Dead

Live albums are generally considered “fans only” but the Daily Mail's hatemongering notwithstanding, MCR are not leaders of a sinister "suicide cult" (that the climactic song here's chorus begins "I am not afraid to keep on living" might be considered a clue). Rather, they're the younger generation's Queen and Smiths rolled into one. Pyrotechnics, theatrics - the Mexico City show making up the bulk of this has them all. The DVD also features a stripped-down club gig in Hoboken, perhaps for the rockists suspicious of such flamboyance. Rating: 8/10

(Review by Alex Sarll)

SINGLES REVIEWS

By Polly Weeks

Ida Maria - I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked

With its gravely vocals and instantly likeable hook, this is probably the single of the week, hopefully providing the Norwegian songstress with the breakthrough single she so rightly deserves.

Ting Tings - Shut Up And Let Me Go

The 80s revival continues with this irritatingly catchy follow up to That's Not My Name. Dare you try to not sing along?

Usher - Moving Mountains

This heartfelt ballad unfortunately seems to get lost halfway through. It's not a touch on the comparable slow tracks U Got It Bad and Burn, which made Usher the success he is.

LISTEN OUT FOR

Tony Christie - Made In Sheffield. The veteran crooner has enlisted a host of the Sheffield glitterati to help out on this album, including Richard Hawley (producer) and chief Arctic Monkey Alex Turner. It's due in October and should be brilliant.

UPCOMING TOURS

Will Young has announced additional dates for his tour later this year. The Pop Idol winner will now play extra shows in Manchester on November 24, as well as Birmingham and London on December 8 and 13. Visit www.livenation.co.uk for more details.

Roots Manuva has announced a 15-date tour for October. The Brit rapper kicks off in Gateshead on October 7, and finishes up in Plymouth on October 25. Visit www.rootsmanuva.co.uk for more details.