Francisco Lopez Untitled #104 (Alien8) Computer cut-ups of Meshuggah and other metal treats. A sonic assault, weirder than anything Fantomas could ever do. 9 (JC)

Various Team Mint Volume 2 (Mint/Outside) Cool, funny, upbeat West Coast fun with Carolyn & Neko and co., Duotang, New Town Animals, Smugglers, Huevos Rancheros and more. 9 (LC)

Ladytron Playgirl (Invicta Hi-fi/Emperor Norton) Six distinct, danceable takes on the big song by England's '80s electro boffins. 8 (LC)

Thirty Odd Foot of Grunts Bastard Life or Clarity (Artemis) That's right, Russell Crowe's band. Heartfelt, rootsy pub rock in that Aussie-but-could-be-Canuck vein. 7 (RB)

Emma Bunton A Girl Like Me (Virgin/EMI) Baby's not come a long way from her Spice roots, but the intensely derivative schmaltz is balanced by some decent, pleasant pop. Hey, it's better than frickin' Geri. 6.5 (LC)

Afroman Because I Got High (HBT) See how easy it is to cash in on this shit? Now go make hits. 5 (SC)

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