Robbie Williams - she's the one (Chrysalis)
Lilting piano chords, wistful strings, pretty harmonies… haven't we had something like this already? Well, OK, we have, but you can't help but like this well-intentioned ballad, an area of music where Williams seems most at home, presumably from his days with the Take That machine. With an appeal to both 13-year-olds and grannies, it has Top Ten written all over it. Incidentally is the Karl Wallinger who penned this the same Karl Wallinger from those seemingly defunct World Party people? Just wondering.

Liberty 37 - when we say (beggar's banquet)
It's nearly worth getting your hands on this for the sleeve alone. Yellow and pink with over sized letters and a host of cute cartoon animals. You see this and you think "oh this going to be Gorky's kind of stuff, folky and melodic, easy on the ear and pleasant to the eye". You press play and the drums kick in. You wonder when it's going to get cute. But no, it's just more of this guitar-based fare. However as this stuff goes, it's not the worst, (and believe me I've heard the worst).

Quannum feat. Lyrics Born and The Poets of Rhythm - I changed my mind (mowax)
The follow up to 'Extravaganza', 'I changed my mind' is the next single to be taken off the album "Spectrum". Funky and groovesome, the intro makes you want to go "Shack!" while wiggling your bottom. Comes with Stereo MCs remix. Cool.

Thebrotheregg - billy barty's brains (resistor)
This single defies categorisation - often a good thing. It's slide guitar, voice-down-the-telephone type vocals, chiming bells, pretty piano arpeggios. In some ways, pop as it should be yet tinged with a slight country sound. This kind of music is impossible to pigeonhole because it's just so diverse. As the press release states "It's lacking in genre but not style". If you haven't heard of Thebrotheregg, then you're in for a treat.

Groop Dogdrill - angel wings (mantra)
Thump...thump...thump. Crunch...crunch. No, what you've just heard was not the sound of your pet poodle being run over by a herd of elephants. Rather, it was a sample of the delicate delights offered by Groop Dogdrill, yet another band from that happy little place where Gavin Rosdale is God and Green Day are the best thing since sliced ham. "Over and Over" they sing. Ironic, huh?

Pachinos - Civa (rockaway beach)
Bit of a Smashing Pumpkins song title moment there, methinks. I'm sure it must all mean something in a parallel universe. Anyway, quite a catchy little riff going on in this venomous tale of revenge. Pachinos, if you haven't heard of them, are four brothers who like to dabble in the area of punk rock, currently playing support to ageing crooners the Buzzcocks. Mosh pit stuff this, and not at all bad.

Hedrock Valley Beats - Radio Beatbox/Rhode Island Swing
Play that funky music white boy! Hedrock Valley Beats have been keeping busy. Between remixing singles by Ash, James and the Clint Boon Experience, they have also been supporting the likes of Bass Odyssey, Johnny Moy and Les Rhythm Digitales. This double AA side establishes Hedrock Valley Beats among the big players and has a laugh along the way.

The Frank and Walters - plenty times (setanta)
The Frank and Walters are one of those bands who aren't shoved in your face every five seconds. And it's a pity. Cause they're so good. Glorious, yet simple pop, it's easy to see where new acts such as Brian got their inspiration. 'Plenty Times' is the first single to be taken off their third album, "Beauty Becomes More than Life", The Frank and Walters show that it's not necessary to be pompous arseholes to get ahead in this business.