SINGLES

BADLY DRAWN BOY: Once Around The Clock (XL Records) - The rhythm of this jazzy, happy little ditty is scratched out on what sounds like a well-worn acoustic guitar. The drummer's brushes add to the relaxed feel and the fact that the chorus consists of "do-da-do" and "ba-da-ba" sounds doesn't matter when the tune is so catchy and soothing. (7/10) PB

MEDAL: Porno EP (Polydor) - This five-piece demonstrate their moody rock power with swirling guitars and whining vocals but fail to convince. Second track Don't Go There, a weird little ditty with a comic organ part, shows they have some sense of humour. The third track out of five is a quiet, low-key affair and they later return to energetic guitar attack. What they're on about is anybody's guess. (5/10) PB

ALBUMS

CORDUROY: Clik (Big Cat Records) - One-time acid jazzers Corduroy have launched themselves in an unexpected new direction, ditching their feel-good '60s-flavoured tunes in favour of distorted guitars, samples and dance beats. They've lost none of their energy and they do manage to fit some pretty vocals in, but this album is a rather disjointed mish-mash of styles which rarely results in anything resembling a structured song. Notable exceptions are the bouncy funk beat of Thing For Your Love, the sitar-tinged Safety Light and grandiose finale New Seeker. They should be commended for trying something new . . . and then ordered to swiftly return to what they did best all along. (5/10) PB ELVIS COSTELLO: The Very Best Of (Universal) - This compilation contains no fewer than 42 greatest hits from a truly great songwriter (pictured). The sheer variety of Costello's work is reflected here, from upbeat early hits like Oliver's Army, Big Tears and (What's So Funny Bout) Peace Love And Understanding to semi-ballads like Alison and recent single She, from film Notting Hill. Then there are the in-between songs like Sulky Girl and Watching The Detectives which manage to be moody and uplifting at the same time. Not to mention great lyrics on tunes like Shipbuilding and last year's collaboration with Bert Bacharach, marked here by the elegant God Give Me Strength. His finest moments might have fitted on a single disc but this double CD gives more than just a flavour of two decades spent songwriting. (9/10) PB

FILTER: Title Of Record (Reprise) - This noisy rock-metal four-piece are heavy on the fuzz pedals but light on originality. Their aggression is channelled into tidy rock riffs and tough drum patterns. But the lyrical content is far from challenging and they don't sound too angry - they just want to be like their heroes. (4/10) PB

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