Dark Star - about 3am (Emi/Harvest)
Dark Star are about predominantly guitar-based rock. Not necessarily a bad thing, except that the masses (how fickle they are) have been long weaned off such material by a solid diet of Brit-pop and indie schmindie. Not quite as exciting as some of the blurbs would have you believe, but still very listenable. About 3am is enhanced by a pretty guitar arpeggio and some crackingly good drumming by Dave Francolini.
Does it rock? Well yes, but leave that pogo stick at home.

Stroke - internal call (XL recordings)
Maybe this is against my better judgement, but I like this. And not just because it comes in a nice blue cover, with a big atomic bomb on the front. 'Internal Call' is loaded with heavy dance influenced bass, voice distortion, moody minor chords and a steady rocking beat throughout. Atmospheric, intense, dark…you won't be seeing Stroke on TOTP (always a good sign).
Does it rock? Like a bandanna wearing sweaty Springsteen fan.

Spearmint - it won't be long now (Hitback records)
Ah yes. Just what the world needs after an onslaught of navel-gazing six-minute opuses (opusii?) - a two-minute pop tune. Simple, yet slightly chaotic in the middle, 'it won't be long now' isn't by any means 'Song 2' the second, but nonetheless it is a non-intrusive breath of fresh air. Spearmint are fronted by a guy called Shirley and sound vaguely reminiscent of The Wannadies. Catchy and indicative of even greater potential, 'it won't be long now' is well worth two minutes of your day.
Does it rock? Well, in a bouncy Blur way maybe.

BIS - detour (Wiiija records)
The masters of cheese are back with a third single from their "Social Dancing" album. 'Detour' is a laid back piece of easy listening, which is unlikely to change anybody's life. The song is a collaboration with American singer Lois Maffeo, who adds kind of a soully feel to proceedings. Incidentally, if you can keep visions of Roxette out of your head while listening to Bis, you'll be doing better than me.
Does it rock? Like only a novelty confectionery item from Blackpool can.

I am 7 - welcome (RnB recordings)
College Music Update tipped I Am 7 as "…the indie rock heroes of the future". A big statement given the lack of any such heroes in the present. 'Welcome' is typical student radio fodder, not terribly poor, but not terribly original either. There are some nice harmonies here, enhanced by an energetic punky sound.
Does it rock? Like a student booze cruise to Wales.

Penthouse - creeper's reef (Beggars Banquet)
I've never been trampled on by a herd of cattle, so I can only assume it would be preferable to listening to this crap. Maybe I'm being unfair, but then I'm not a Marilyn Manson fan and I don't read Kerrang, so perhaps this is really some musical masterpiece and I'm not getting the point. All I know now is that I want the pain to stop...
Does it rock? Sure, if you're partial to the taste of rat's blood

Lowcraft - fun with flashlights (Disco Volante)
Ah, this is more like it. Mellow, slightly psychedelic and floaty, lets have fun with flashlights is evident of Bowie/Bolan/Radiohead influences brought up to date with a connecting modem sound at the fadeout. Lead singer Nathan Khyber has a broad vocal range and does a great line in falsetto - check out his Bowie impression in the second song 'Trembling'. Exciting stuff.
Does it rock? Must be pumped up for maximum head rush effect.

Sheila Babikian - cry like an angel (planet 3 records)
I'll be kind by saying this kind of stuff is not my cup of tea. Babikian (a good Irish name eh?) who has been based in Dublin for the past few years hasn't done anything new here. Maybe she has other better material but all we get on the single is 3 (unnecessary) different remixes. At times she sounds like Shirley Manson from Garbage and if she draws on this, perhaps we might have more to look forward to.
Does it rock? Maybe if you're a VHI fan.