BABY SHAMBLES - KILLAMANGIRO new single 8 November

Hey everybody Pete Doherty's back, wait a minute we can't find him. I wish he'd sort himself out - The Libs and now The Baby Shambles have all the hallmarks of greatness ... unpredictability, great atmosphere, catchy hooks, unusually loose, and more than anything genuinely exciting! XXXXX www.babyshambles.com

EARTH THE CALIFORNIAN LOVE DREAM - GIRLS FIGHTING new single 29 Nov

These guys like a bit of innuendo, so to speak and Lead Singer Huw's Dad still lives in Tonypandy. Now based in Nottingham ETCLD have received great reviews for Porn Star and In The Garden. This carries on from there with a 'T-Rex' sound and a powerful vocal. Tracks 2 & 3, Pink Pink Skin features soft accoustic guitar work and Butterfly Girls more mellow again (and like Porn Star only 1'45"). Hit potential? Not sure - even though singles sales are so low. XXX www.earththecalifornianlovedream.com

MERCURY REV - SECRET FOR A SONG new download only single 7 November- new album 'Secret Migration' 24 January

For me the best yet from Mercury Rev, not for the dancefloor but for thoughtful well constructed and meaningful .. stuff. This could easily fit into any of the big timers playlists - Radio Two, Radio One and commercial radio. See them at Nottingham Rescue Rooms on 7 Nov, Bristol Bierkeller on 8 Nov and Cambridge Junction on 14 November. XXXX www.mercuryrev.com

MANIC STREET PREACHERS - FOR THE LOVE OF RICHARD NIXON new single 18 October

Nixon the well reknowned magician from the 70's has inspired this rather surprising effort with his jiggery pokery and ability to sell second hand cars. Wait a minute wrong Nixon - same skills though. This finds legendary Waterfront Drummer Greg Haver cementing his relationship with the Preachers still further by playing percussion. Timed perfectly for the Presidential and also for the lowest singles sales in chart history, The Manics will at this rate overhaul Shakin Stevens as Welsh artistes with the most Number Ones, now there is something worth shouting about. XXXx www.manics.co.uk

REM - AROUND THE SUN new album out 1 November

Very melancholy as usual - Leaving New York sets the sombre tone for what will I'm sure prove to be one of the biggest grossing tours of next year. Around the late 80's when they broke through for their first success - for some reason I had them down for a Police Tribute band, "It's The End Of The World", "Don't Go Down To Rockville", "Orange Crush" but as they've accumalated a sizeable near twenty year catalogue it's become apparent they are not "Shiny Happy People". Thoughtful and moving! XXXx www.remhq.com

KINGS OF LEON - AHA SHAKE HEARTBREAK new album out 1 November THE BUCKET new single out 25 October

Kings Of Leon have a certain unique quality to their sound but "over-indulgence, debauchery and general fast living" as it says on their job description makes for much of the subject matter on this their second Album. The three opening tracks Slow Night So Long, King Of The Rodeo and Taper Jean Girl would each make fine singles and Day Old Blues and the new single The Bucket are other highlights. XXXx www.kingsofleon.com

ACCOUSTIC 80's new compilation Double CD out now

A great collection of mellowish 80's indie, things like House Of Love's epic 'The Beatles & The Stones', ABC's 'SOS', Cure, Everything But The Girl, Elvis Costello's 'Allison' and wow... World Party's 'Ship Of Fools'! XXXXX www.umtv.co.uk

OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN - THE DEFINITIVE COLLECTION new CD out now

This collection include's all ONJ's hits even 'Suddenly', her 1980 Top Twenty with Sir Clifford of Richard. All the Grease hits - even the Megamix, ELO's No.1 Xanado, the 8 week US No.1 'Physical', the cover of George Harrison's 'What Is Life' and two great songs 'I Honestly Love You' and 'Sam'. Even the UK 1974 Eurovision 'Long Live Love' - less said about that one .... XXXx www.umtv.co.uk

LUDES - RADIO new single out 22 November

Radio is so popular it's number 1! A popular title this month anyway and this I feel is a much better song and record than Mr Williams. Radio, the long awaited follow-up to 'She Was Just A Girl' captures the atmosphere of Londoner's Ludes live shows perfectly - an exciting raucous listen. XXXX www.ludesmusic.com

NO HOPE IN NEW JERSEY - INVADERS (OF MY SPACE) new single out on download from 25 October

This is a very worthy follow-up to No Hope In New Jersey's debut single Narcolepsy/Sober, but perhaps a little too well produced. It's a catchy enough song but I get the feeling they could really let rip and the producers etc, may have told them to calm down. In that it's a bit unusual and maybe the recording of their first album which begins in December with Chris Sheldon will sound a little more wild like his other productions for Feeder, Foo Fighters and Biffy Clyro ... XXXx www.nohopeinnewjersey.com

ALFIE (SOUNDTRACK) - MICK JAGGER, DAVE STEWART & JOSS STONE out now

Mick Jagger, Dave Stewart, Joss Stone and Gary Mudbone Cooper. Hey this may give Jagger some kind of Solo Success then again perhaps he should have played Jude Law's Dad, or Grandfather. Joss is the biz, just had a number one album and if you can imagine Janis Joplin singing Alfie then you get a vision of where her delivery is, ie no where near Cilla's.... XXXx www.alfiemovie.com

LET'S GO GIRLS new compilation CD out now

This is another fine near £15's worth - Weather Girl's 'It's Raining Men', Donna Summer 'Hot Stuff', the original 'Car Wash', Girls Aloud's 'Jump', Irene Cara's 'Flashdance', I Will Survive, Dancing Queen - it really is girls night out, or in. XXXXx www.umtv.co.uk