IAN BROWN: Love Like A Fountain (Polydor) - "I can climb any mountain for your love is like a fountain," says the former Stone Roses frontman on his long-awaited comeback single. Punctuated by a heavy percussive beat and his distinctive stoned-out vocals, it's not too much of a departure from Unfinished Monkey Business, but all the same it could spell the beginning of yet another second coming for the air stewardesses' favourite. (8/10) JS

MONK AND CANATELLA: Enter The Monk EP (Telstar) - Very much in-your-face, there's obviously no messing about where this lot are concerned. Together with some killer guitar breaks and spooky sampling, it's not unlike The Prodigy on a collision course with Asian Dub Foundation. Their motto seems to be to play hellishly loud and destroy all opposition. (7/10) JS

ALBUMS BERNARD BUTLER: Friends And Lovers (Creation) - The former Suede guitarist's brand of retro rock is not so much predictable as familiar. There's enough originality to make the songs appealing, and the easy-going guitar patterns help you get into the mood. This is a lazy rock album where sloppily-strummed guitars are embellished by twiddly guitar solos and piano-key slides. The upbeat numbers which kick-start the album later drift into rambling semi-ballads, which do little to retain the listener's interest. His finest hour was with his former band, but he shouldn't be discouraged from continuing. (6/10) PB

PET SHOP BOYS: Nightlife (Parlophone) - This low-key album is not so much nightlife as it is early-morning blues. Even the upbeat numbers New York City boy and I Don't Know What You Want But I Can't Give It Any More are dull attempts at recreating the camp disco feeling of bands like the Village People. Where is the sharp wit, the cynicism and the clever lyrical twists which used to set the Pet Shop Boys apart? These are sub-standard disco tunes and atmospheric synthesised slow songs which serve only to bore. A sad fall from grace. (2/10) PB

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.