Singles

SEAFOOD: Cloaking (Fierce Panda/Infectious) -- The first seafood single to last under three minutes and the first Seafood single to sound so over-produced that all the heart the song ever had has

been sucked out. Full of angry screaming, it seams the band have the approach of less tune, more noise. Bad Idea. Let's hope for a quick return to the form of old. (3/10) AH

PRESTON SCHOOL OF INDUSTRY: Whale Bones (Domino) -- This is new band of founder Pavement member Spiral Stairs. His new project gives a large nod to the style of his former band, all shimmering melodies, lazy beats and lyrics that tie up some of the loose ends of a certain band's recent demise. This and Stephen Malkmus's debut album show there is life after Pavement. (7/10) MA

SUPER FURRY ANIMALS: Juxtapozed With U (Epic) -- The first release from their fantastic upcoming album Juxtaposed sits firmly on the poppier side of the mix but still manages to contain all the usual Furries style. Full of over-the-top vocoders and off-beat lyrics, this is a band on top form and there is still a lot more to come. (9/10) MA WITNESS: You Are All My Own Invention (Island) -- The single from the Wigan quartet has a distinct pop influence from REM. Beginning with a gentle introduction and leading into a catchy chorus, it's a song that promises great things for their new album, out later this month. (8/10) CC

Albums

BIG DOG: Solid Nourishment (Zomba) -- Ten songs and 42 minutes of Kermit's disposable wit, whisked up with some wicked tunes, make Big Dog's debut album a snappy effort. The funky Genuinely Insincere, gets the ball rolling and, along with the excellent Black Super Hero, provides the only two flashbacks to when Kermit and Ged Lynch hung out with the Black Grape boys. Reminiscent of Kelly's Heroes and a time when Shaun Ryder's band were riding high in the charts, it makes compelling listening. But times have moved on and this is Kermit's project, with the rapper spreading his wings and taking on a stronger vocal role. A duet with Geno Washington sees the frontman at his talented best. Much of the album was recorded in Oswaldtwistle and, as Pendle keyboard Barney Williams makes a guest appearance, this album provides more evidence of the talent emerging from the area. (9/10) CL

ED HARCOURT: Here Be Monsters (Heavenly) -- Ed is a guy determined not to be pigeonholed. His debut album swings wildly in style from the sensual She Fell Into My Arms, through the smooth style of Something In My Eye, to the full-on stomp of Shanghai. The beauty of the album is the way in which Harcourt manages to pull all these different strands together to produce what becomes a very enjoyable album. Badly Drawn Boy did this type of collision of styles better but this is worthy of a place in any record collection. (7/10) CL