Album Reviews

This duo has been one of the best pop acts of the past two decades.

Though rarely in the single charts, they delivered superb albums mixing catchy melodies with Tracey Thorn's sublime voice.

Many of their best songs were hidden away on the albums -- in fact it's rare to find a duff moment.

So this "best-of" with a difference -- Tracey and Ben's favourite tracks -- promised much.

Yet listening to this 70-minute collection of B-sides, album tracks and the odd hits, I couldn't help being disappointed.

There are simply too few of the emotive moments and top tunes that made Everything but the Girl so special.

David Knights

Robbie Williams -- Escapology

There's no denying Robbie Williams has masses of fans but by far the biggest is himself.

I tried so hard not to dislike this album, in fact I'll admit that two of them are rather good tunes.

But five others are the usual self-indulgent drivel that Williams seems to thrive on, 13 containing the words "I", "I'm" or "Me".

EMI have boosted William's already over-inflated ego to the tune of £80 million.

His recent split from song writing partner Guy Chamber's could leave the record company with egg on its face.

Graham Scaife.

Pearl Jam -- Riot Act

Never having the pop sensibilities of Nirvana nor a demised lead singer, Pearl Jam have walked in the shadow of Courtney Love's income generator.

With their seventh studio album the band continue to sail their ship through familiar waters.

Without the voice of Eddie Vedder they would be just another band, but the emotion and power in his voice carry many of these songs.

There were echoes of Free and I was pleasantly surprised by the less raucous tracks. Worth investigating, but still not a patch on Nirvana.

Antony Silson

Blue -- One Love

I heard Blue's first two singles without seeing their photographs and supposed they were a classy garage band.

But no, they are boy band, and not that much different to all the other overgrown kids on the block.

Certainly the songs on their second album are nothing special, mixing and matching styles from Backstreet Boys and NSync to Westlife.

Blue are at their best when they lend their distinctive laid-back vocal style to songs in the vein of All Rise.

Then -- and it works on only a few tracks -- they sound something better than pretty boys trying to be tough.

David Knights

Alice Martineau -- Daydreams

What a joy to find a young performer releasing a debut album of 11 self-penned songs.

Alice writes with real maturity. From the opening piano chords of If I Fall through to Nothing Is Forever, every song is delivered with a voice I defy anybody not to fall in love with.

She sounds like Bjork, Dido and Beth Orton rolled into one glorious package.

A truly remarkable debut made all the more remarkable because Alice is seriously ill with cystic fibrosis.

A true inspiration and hopefully a true star for tomorrow.

Graham Scaife.

The Ultimate Gangster Movie Soundtrack (compilation)

Yes there's been many of these kind of compilations in the past and despite the odd dubious entry (Vinnie Jones singing Shake a Tail Feather, for one), this compilation does hold its own.

Everyone remembers Urge Overkill's version of Girl You'll Be A Woman Soon, immortalised by Urma Thurman shortly before she ODs in Pulp Fiction.

And the chilling connotations of Stealers Wheels Stuck In The Middle With You, on the film Reservoir Dogs. Great films, great songs.

No doubt your auntie will be dancing to some of these at Christmas, such as The Delphonics, Didn't I Blow Your Mind, from Jackie Brown.

She'll tell you in a slightly inebriated state how she bought the song first time around, well before Robert De Niro blasted Bridget Fonda's brains out in a car park.

James Heward

Tori Amos - Scarlet's Walk

I've never quite got the point of Tori Amos, dysfunction for all those Americans with therapists? Here she gives us a "sonic novel" describing a journey through America by a woman who is both Amos and Everywoman. So it's not pretentious then?

To me it's only one step away from the stuff Stevie Nicks and countless others make. Like a very bad Kate Bush.

If you like your lyrics meaningful (allegedly) and your music shallow, then this could be the CD for your Christmas list.

Antony Silson