Rachel Stevens — I Said Never Again (But Here We Are)

That's Deuce Bigalow 2's Rachel Stevens, fact-fans. I hear she doesn't even get to speak during her cameo (and I draw the line at actually seeing the film to verify this). Anyway, the theme of this record seems to be: "*glances at previous chart positions* Oh dear. Anybody up for a bit of glitterstomp?" So we have a mixture of Adam Ant, Marilyn Manson, Some Girls, and a 70s song that I just can't pin down right now (although the words Tiger Feet keep creeping up on me). Better than the new Sugababes & Girls Aloud efforts, but I don't think it's going to send her back up to the top of the charts…although, the release date is around the time of Children In Need…

Franz Ferdinand — Do You Want To?

∀FF: Angles² + ∫ f(hype) = Eh + ∅

Stellastarr* — Sweet Troubled Soul

That asterisk will be the death of them, you know. I still don't hear The Cure in them, either, but everybody else does, so I give in. This is the first track from their new album, which appears to be going in the same direction as the first. In the immortal words of computer games journalists "if you liked the first, then you're sure to like — arrrrrrrrrggghhh" (Not quite so immortal after Stuart Campbell got his hands on a chainsaw, readers).

The Cardigans — I Need Some Fine Wine And You, You Need To Be Nicer

A Title of Champions, I'm sure you'll agree. Again, listen to this, and you'll instantly think "hmm, a Cardigans song". I was surprised to discover on first listening that a Cardigans song was exactly what I needed to hear. Not exactly a glowing recommendation, I know, but if you feel that you need to hear such a record, then this is as good as any (aside from Rise and Shine, of course, but then I always skewed twee).