Latest releases reviewed.
WOLFMOTHER Mind's Eye Modular **
Cloud-hopping vocals, Floyd-ian drums, swirly Hammond organ bits and dodgy lyrics about "seeing the things we've come to find" - this Australian band are keeping alive the spirit of Yes, Camel, Rush, ELP and PFM. But where's the Roger Dean sleeve?
RICHARD ASHCROFT Break the Night with Colour Parlophone ***
The ex-Verve singer still has that psychedelic streak, and here's a multi-hued splash of sound that calls to mind everything from Lennon to The Waterboys. "Fools, they think I do not know" - Ashcroft's still got the delusions of grandeur, too, I see.
JOSE GONZALEZ Heartbeats Imperial/Peacefrog ****
The Swedish folkie with the Hispanic name is all over the telly - the Sony Bravia telly ad to be precise - so you'll already know this gently picked, hypnotic song, written by fellow Swedes The Knife. Dunno about TVs, but this'll sure boost sales of classical guitars.
QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE Burn the Witch Interscope ***
QOTSA's album, Lullabyes to Paralyze, was one of the good uns of '05, and here's a reminder of the record's twisted glory, featuring Mark Lanegan on grunts and beardy ol' Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top on guest guitar. Witchin'!
SUPERGRASS Fin Parlophone ***
The 'Grass have gone a bit leftfield with their last album, Road to Rouen, a pastoral tribute to their favourite beardy 1970s rockers. This is the one that sounds like Zep's Going to California, only without the shouty bits.
TEXAS Sleep Mercury ***
It's been nearly a decade since Sharleen Spiteri's comeback, and there's still no stopping her. Here she duets with Paul Buchanan from The Blue Nile, another Scot who's been around since the 1980s, on a simple song that won't tax our tired brains