THE MOONEY SUZUKI: Alive and Amplified (Columbia)

TOO often bands take themselves too seriously, How refreshing it is to some across a group that has a sense of fun -- and some blistering guitar riffs thrown in! The Mooney Suzuki are a bit of a throwback marrying witty lyrics with some genuine rock licks. Think early Queen (minus Freddie of course) mixed with The Sweet and you get an idea of what's going on.

EMBRACE: Out of Nothing (Independiente)

THEY were really big -- and then they disappeared. Now Embrace are back with a new album and fans will rejoice. This is grown-up, Radio Two rock which sometimes gets a little too close to Coldplay and Keane for my liking but demonstrates that Embrace are still a class act. Perhaps too many of the songs try too hard to be worthy for this to be a great album.

GRIMETHORPE COLLIERY UK COAL BAND: British Brass (BMG)

WHY shouldn't a brass band CD get a review? If you feel you need to have at least one example of all music genres in your collection this wouldn't be a bad one to represent that most traditionally northern form of the art. With several tracks familiar from the hit film Brassed Off - and a rousing version of 633 Squadron, you might just like it (although you will never admit to it).

GLEN MATLOCK & THE PHILISTINES: On Something (Liberty)

THE former Pistol has produced a hard-driving R&B rock album which does have a bit of an Eighties sound to it. Not that that is something to decry but you just wonder whether it sounds different enough to win over anyone other than the diehards and those of a 'certain generation'.