QFX: Say You'll Be Mine (Quality Recordings) - Scottish disco terrorists QFX want to keep you warm and dry, which is all well and good but you have to be a bit dubious about their intentions. They've obviously lost the plot. (0/10) JS

REEF: I've Got Something To Say (Sony) - Having written Place Your Hands On, Reef could have decided their genius was exhausted and resorted to pulling the same trick in a different key. With a voice like a lion-throttled buffalo, Gary Stringer could have decided that any old roaring anthem would be enough to send the masses scurrying to buy the latest single. But the lad has blues running through his veins and marrying a gospel-blues wig-out to his gutsy growl is just as good a way of making hard cash. (6/10) WT

SHERYL CROW: Anything But Down (A and M) - A lot of good songs have come out of the "sexiest mouth in rock", as Miss Crow is dubbed. But the feelgood factor disappeared from her later hits, churned out to make a quick dollar. This downbeat guitar rock lacks the kick that's been missing since If It Makes You Happy. Still, she's better than Alanis. (6/10) IM

VAN MORRISON: Precious Time (Virgin) - Seen by some as a genius, and by others as a fat Irishman, Van the Man still sounds like he's at a never-ending ceilidh. A merry, brass-backed ditty designed to get you dancing on the table at weddings. Cheesy, but hard to dislike. (6/10) IM CAMPAG VELOCET: To Lose La Trek (Pias) - Campag Velocet are more than mere Cockney drum 'n' bass rappers. The track I Forget here would be a great soundtrack for an Antarctic documentary, with its submarine sounds and whale noises. But then, sadly, someone uncovers a drum machine and the guitar starts to sound like a crazed duck. Singer Tom puts the song back on track with wispy vocals over a delicious guitar solo. (7/10) WT

ALBUMS

CHUMBAWAMBA: Uneasy Listening (EMI) - The Burnley anarchists take newer fans on a ride through the back catalogue. This is no greatest hits - the eight-piece steer clear of their Number One single Tubthumping, while follow-up Amnesia and older favourites like the uplifting anti-fascist rant I Never Gave Up are also missing. But this colourful compilation shows Chumbawamba at their best - outspoken, mixing musical styles and writing beautiful music. Must-listens here are acapella chant Homophobia, the anthem On The Day The Nazi Died and the don't-beat-about-the-bush aggression of Mouthful Of Sh*t. Much easier listening than you might think. (8/10) PB BUILT TO SPILL: Keep It A Secret (City Slang) - Built To Spill are Doug Martsch's brainchild. They are one of the few '90s bands prepared to test the boundaries of US-style guitar rock. With emotive lyrics battered and bruised by angst and highly complex guitar structures which are never far from pop, it's a album you'll want to return to time and again. (9/10) JS

NORMAN JAY: Miss Moneypenny's Presents . . . (Miss Moneypenny's Music) - The first in a new series mixing talents of the world's premier league of DJs. British DJ Norman Jay is a true all-rounder who proved his worth at Miss Moneypenny's through the celebrated Chuff Chuff dance nights. A double album split between housey garage and good grooves, the best tracks include I Know by Tim Deluxe, Sense Of Danger by Presence and Spellbound by Rae and Christian. (7/10) JS

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