Susie Arioli It's Wonderful (S.A./Bros) It's delightful: a swing album with some choice tunes! 8.5 (LD)

The Salteens Short Term Memories (Endearing) The collegiate garage band approach to all things Bacharachian and Wilsonesque. Good on ya, kids. 7.5 (RB)

The Appleseed Cast Mare Vitalis (Deep Elm) Math rock pop played by Christians. Rumour has it that the A.C. and Stryper have never been seen in the same room together. Hmmm... 7 (JC)

Richard Ashcroft "A Song for the Lovers" EP (Virgin) Ashcroft sans Verve, or is that verve? Strings don't save this little symphony. 7 (CY)

Various Groove Essentials 2000 (BMG) Canadian soul-masters join their American counterparts in their bid to get your groove on. Essentially. 7 (GD)

Chumbawamba WYSIWYG (Republic/Universal) Without a drink-cum-arena anthem, this is just more songs about Microsoft, McDonald's and mining disasters. 7 (CY)

Various Quark Volume 2 (Pacific Time/Oasis) Remember clubs like Mars, Alcatraz and the Business before 1990? Some of the tunes on this comp will help the memories come alive. 6 (KE)

The Pimps To a Cool Person, Stay That Way (Hollywood/Universal) To a mediocre suburban funkmetal act... stay that way, but away from me. 4 (RB)

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