BEING A GIRL

Mansun

Ah, Mansun. The joys of Stripper Vicar, the shimmering things that emanate from Wide Open Space, the powerhouse that was the Attack Of The Blue Lantern long-player. The sheer poetry of it all. Right, forget that. Experience the two-minute epic that is Being A Girl and you'll feel that none of it ever happened and it was all a dream. I kid you not, for it seems they've been in the wings all along just waiting to show you what they can really do, which is to pull off a frighteningly accurate impersonation of The Police in their early (ie. good) days. There, I've said it - Mansun are now officially a Police tribute band.

IF YOU TOLERATE THIS YOUR CHILDREN WILL BE NEXT

Manic Street Preachers

If it doesn't go straight to the top (which it should for the title alone) then it will be a travesty of justice unparalleled since Mr Blobby was Christmas Number One a few years back. Readers, I implore you, nothing like that must ever happen again.

100% COLOMBIAN

Fun Lovin' Criminals (album)

I wonder how they stay so relaxed - even when they're at their most energetic, they still sound like there's plenty in the tank reserved for something else. That's not to say that it's a bad thing, after all you don't want to burn yourself out after one album (see Bros, Peter Andre, Oasis). Therefore, the Criminals have decided to continue in much the same way as they left off and a grateful nation gives thanks. Proof of their genius surfaces in Love Unlimited, the current single, which is a tribute to Barry White so full of lurve and hey-baby-ness that Baz himself would be proud. Enjoy.