SINGLES

THE LIGHTNING SEEDS: Life's Too Short (Epic) - No doubt the spectacular sci-fi effects on the video to this will ensure another hit. But this is nothing more than formulaic, synthetic pop which holds few surprises. Ian Broudie is right with the title, so isn't it about time he came up with new ideas? (3/10) JS

REGULAR FRIES: Dust It /Vega (JBO) - More organised chaos from the much-touted Regular Fries. A double header of devious dark delights, Dust It has a dirty Black Grape appeal, whereas the better track Vega is more spacey and danceable. (6/10) JS

GENEVA: Dollars In The Heavens (Nude) - With soaring vocal harmonies and uplifting guitars, this is an incredibly infectious pop song from a band who are on top form as they prepare to go out on a nationwide tour. Better still is the third track She's So Familiar, with its near-whispering vocals and neat atmospheric guitar break in the middle. Cool. (9/10) JS

ALBUMS

METHODMAN AND REDMAN: Blackout! (Island Def Jam Music Group) - A double dose of gangsta rap is enough to make even the mildest soul want to rob a bank. This pair have obviously teamed up to scare everyone witless with their obscene brand of hip-hop. Not my normal cup of tea but I'd better say I like it or they'll hunt me down. Some tracks are actually very catchy and innovative, others just loud. Then again, nowadays if anyone reads a shopping list out at three times the normal speed and bangs a frying pan with a wooden spoon, a hit is born. Not the kind of blokes you'd expect to take their kids to feed the ducks in the park on a Sunday morning. Angry, angry men. (5/10) IM

ERIC CLAPTON: Clapton Chronicles; The Best Of Eric Clapton (Reprise) - The authorities might have cause to prosecute under trade description laws were they to compare this album with his last "best of" compilation. Clapton's best hits of the past 15 years are present but they never approach his genius in the '60s and '70s. Clapton has mellowed with age and after his tough life you can't blame him for getting reflective and drawing on slow blues influences. But the sanitised soft rock stance which the former rock god has adopted is deeply disappointing when you consider that Clapton was part of Cream - one of the most innovative bands of the late '60s. Shopping mall versions of Layla and Wonderful Tonight appear alongside soppy film tracks such Blue Eyes Blue. The only time that he steps up a gear here is with the rock anthem Bad Love. (5/10) PB

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