SINGLES

KORNEKRAFT 4000: Zombie Nation (MoS) -- We've had dozens of releases claiming to be the Ibiza summer anthem, so it came as a surprise when

this arrived without even a mention of the unprecedented success it's had on the White Island. Fantastically unique, haunting and catchy, this one is bound to go all the way over here too. (9/10) DH

WHISTLER: Happiness (Wiiija) -- The poor man's Belle and Sebastian are a long way off the mark with this effort. Threatening to explode into a powerful pop song at every juncture, Happiness never really kicks in and is over before you've really noticed it's started. (4/10) AH

MAXIM: Scheming (XL) This uninspiring single from the former Prodigy man is made to look even less impressive when compared to the brilliance of its predecessor, Carmen Queasy. Not helped by the garage vocals of Trina Allen, this is an obvious attempt at mainstream success which has gone horribly wrong.(3/10) AH

ALBUMS

THE WATERBOYS: A Rock in the Weary Land (RCA) -- The Waterboys aren't destined to return to the applause they received when they released the likes of Whole Of The Moon. But this album is very good. It's a mixture of sounds linked with one factor - strong lyrics. A lot of it sounds as if has been written from personal experience, which makes it all the better. (7/10) DH

CINERAMA: Disco Volante (Scopitones) -- When David Gedge gets something in his head its very hard for him to forget it -- just listen to most of the Wedding Present songs. So when he decided to shake off his frenzied-guitar for a schmoozier approach with new outfit Cinerama, it was kind of obvious that it would be more than just a passing fad. And so the band return with the follow-up to the nearly-classic Va Va Voom with Disco Volante. It is almost a carbon copy -- all swirling melodies and cynical lyrics. In short another near-classic. (8/10) JD

JJ72: Self titled (Lakota) -- It seems the young Irish trio of Mark Greaney, Fergal Matthews and Hillary Woods have been around almost too long to be just putting out their first album. But with a handful of quality singles and a live show that simply bursts with energy, this is very much their time. Drawing influences from the likes of Joy Division, Radiohead and the more recent Muse, singer/songwriter Greaney has found a style that 's cool enough for the indie-loving students yet capable of catching the imagination of the more mature middle-of-the-road fan. (9/10) CL