MANIC STREET PREACHERS: Tsunami (Sony) - The Manics (right) go from strength to strength and blend sweet harmonies with some sitar-like sounds on another fine single. This should perform well in the charts, given the airplay it is already getting, and shows the band's potential to broaden their horizons. The second track, Buildings For Dead People, is a dull plod-rocking number - but don't let that put you off. (8/10) PB

SURREAL MADRID: Freaky People (Fused and Bruised) - Dirty acid house with uncontrollable beats which leap out in all shapes and sizes, Surreal Madrid's follow-up to the recent sleazy Girls Of The Nite hit pays homage to people who deviate from the norm. Despite its DIY framework, it boasts some interesting touches and there are plenty of signs that this lot have a bright future. (7/10) JS

SUBCIRCUS: Do You Feel Loved? (Echo) - Placebo had better watch out because Peter Bradley Jnr is on their trail again. Having spent far too long in the dark, Subcircus finally decided to switch on the lights and go all glamorous. Taking a more humorous, but no less sexually deviant route than usual, fans of the letter F will be delighted by its repeated appearance here. (6/10) JS

FIVE WAY MIRROR: Playing Out Obscurity (Ochre) - Michigan's Windy and Carl team up with Violet Glass Oracle's Greg Gasiorowski for this fine atmospheric slice of cutting-edge underground electronica. (6/10) JS

ALBUMS

VARIOUS ARTISTS: Gatecrasher Wet (Sony) - Sheffield's highly-respected dance club Gatecrasher has been battling for more than two years with the likes of Liverpool's Cream as one of the North's top nightspots. If the shortened taster album reviewed here is anything to go by, then this album should bring home the quality of the steeltown club's nights. Big basslines, spooky space sounds and soft vocals combine throughout this album to make a highly danceable mix. Artists featured include Carl Cox and the vibe draws from both house and trance disciplines. (9/10) PB

SUICIDE: The Second Album And The First Rehearsal Tapes (Blast First) - The likes of the Jesus And Mary Chain, Depeche Mode and Pulp would be the first to confirm that New York's Suicide were the first true pioneers of electronic music. Last year, Blast First bravely reissued the band's 1977 debut album to much critical acclaim. Here is their second. On the first album, Alan Vega's confrontational psychobilly ranting and Martin Rev's minimalistic, doom-laden keyboard drones dominated. This album sees them turn their attentions to romanticism and even their commercial pop side. Although not as intense as their debut, this has its moments, particularly with Shadazz and Be-Bop Kid. The added bonus of a second disc featuring unreleased tracks from 1975 rehearsals makes this an essential purchase for fans. (9/10) JS

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