Underworld - Push Upstairs (Junior Boys Own)
A much-awaited comeback from the beat-masters who brought us 'Born Slippy'. 'Push Upstairs' is, well, very similar to the old track, but somehow more mature. Sand-papered vocals, techno backbeats and 4/4 drum breaks still merge in a climactic, electronic splash. The music is more subtle too, less of the pounding and more of the ambience. A welcome return to form, and a single that will equal its predecessor's appeal.

Badly Drawn Boy - It Came From The Ground (Twisted Nerve/ XL)
Badly Drawn Boy is lo-fidelity as it was meant to be: raw, energetic and melodic. Distorted guitars combine with banging drums and contagious vocals like a crackling, homemade explosive as 'It Came From The Ground' painlessly storms the consciousness. Inventive music with a jagged edge.

Co.uk - Big Green Bath (Bright Star)
The press release for this one tells the old cliché of the band who are committed to quality and have refined their sound through recording several demos and gigging furiously. Even though 'Big Green Bath', as a debut single, might highlight a degree of talent in this Northern Irish three-piece, it's also very, very plain and, most importantly, not really attention-grabbing. Let's wait 'til the next offering and see if they're holding their trump card for later.

Church Mice - Make Me Smile (Auld Shebeen)
Did every boy band launch their career with a cover version? It seems that way. And so Irish youngsters Church Mice begin their career in pop with a cover of the old Steve Harley tune 'Come Up And See Me (Make Me Smile)'. But hold on a second: this is an exact copy of the original. Do these kids know that music as an art form (that's what it's supposed to be anyway) requires originality? If you're over nine years of age, avoid this one at all costs.

Fade Street - One Act Of Love (K-Tel)
The press release describes Fade Street as "a breath of fresh air in the cynical and manipulative world of the late '90s" and, apparently, the music "harks back to the days of simple songs and classic riffs". Firstly, we all live in the so-called cynical and manipulative late '90s, so we'd like to hear the music that our time has inspired, and, secondly, harking back to the days of simple songs is retro and requires little invention or thought. That's why Fade Street's 'One Act Of Love' is lifeless, diluted country music with old and dull acoustic riffs that never once sound enlightening.

Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - Talk About The Blues (Mute)
It's noisy but I love it. Why? Because it's got the kind of charm that most music is missing. It's got screamed vocals and noisy guitars, it's got brass instruments blaring out raspy notes and it's got that all-important newness to it, the thing that makes it stand out head-and-shoulders above the retro rabble. As music goes, there's a lot better on offer. For now, though, 'Talk About The Blues' is great because it's different.

The Paradise Motel - Drive (Infectious)
Steeped in strings, The Paradise Motel's remake of the Cars classic 'Drive' is intimate, minimal, moody and, above all else, an intimidatingly brilliant tune. Heartfelt lyrics are but background garnish to the stripped-bare music that breaks in waves throughout the song's four minutes. The whole package is textured with subtlety, never up-beat but always uplifting. A remarkable piece of work.

Furslide - Love Song (Meanwhile/ Virgin)
What can I say about Furslide's 'Love Song'? It is somewhat catchy and the guitar-lead has potential. It is, also, highly unoriginal and sounds like it has been transported here from White Middle-America circa 1993. It's on Nellee Hooper's new American label but don't let that fool you. It's mainstream guitar rock with a poor disguise of bleeps and breaks.

Skunk Anansie - Charlie Big Potato (Virgin)
I must admit, I nearly went into shock when I heard a drum n' bass intro to a Skunk Anansie song. Fortunately, though, 'Charlie Big Potato' breaks into the usual loud and pompous rock after a few seconds and then it's the same old annoyingly self-righteous drivel that's come to be associated with Skunk Anansie. Just add strings.

Atmos - Klein Aber Doctor EP (Flying Rhino)
Progressive trance from the Flying Rhino stable, and a powerful, gut-thumping chunk of atmospheric bravery too. The Slipstream Original is art on vinyl and the Boom Devil Cluster Mix is magic and groovy, a battering-ram of a tune that's been a Nick Warren favourite for some time now. The 48hr Excursion Dub Mix, created by electro-wizard Rhino manager Cass and the revered Slide was described by Atmos himself as "almost driving me to tears". Not a bad selection at all, then.