Cheap Trick Baby Talk 45 (Sub Pop) The Dream Police + Steve Albini = Whoa! Outrageously heavy! 8 (LE)

Fear Factory Remanufacture (Road Runner/Attic) Gary Numan's car crashing at the speed of Sepultura. 7.5 (JC)

Allure Allure (Sony) Mariah Carey protégés deliver funk-lite plus guest rappers for added flavour. 7 (GD)

Various Traveller soundtrack (Asylum) Jimmie Dale, k.d., Royal Wade et al. update the country jukebox ca. 1958. 7 (CY)

that dog Retreat From the Sun (Geffen) Hi-grade indie girlpop that won't induce yawns. 7 (RB)

Various MTV's Amp (Astralwerks/Caroline) Yes, we know, "Electronica: The New Alternative." Prodigy et al., and not very alt. 7 (MS)

The Charlatans UK Tellin' Stories (Beggar's Banquet) In celebration of the 10th anniversary of Madchester. 5 (CY)

Joe Louis Walker Great Guitars (Verve/ Polygram) Chicago-style blues served at room temperature. 5 (JC)

Various The No.1 Sci Fi Album (Polytel) In space no one can hear you scream "This blows!" 3 (JC) more discs...