The latest CDs reviewed

METALLICA
The Videos 1989-2004 Vertigo **

You could never accuse Metallica of not giving value for money - 21 video clips in chronological order, a few previously unreleased edits and a film trailer for the excellent Some Kind of Monster documentary. Truly, this is a goodie for the metal fan who, for some curious reason, may not be acquainted with the band's videos. However, aside from the changing fashion, hair styles and music (from 1989's One to 2004's Some Kind of Monster), there's little on it to challenge the discerning viewer. The band are not particularly adventurous in their choice of video directors, with only two each from Anton Corbijn (Hero of the Day, Mama Said) and Jonas Akerlund (Turn the Page, Whiskey in the Jar) to add a certain visual otherness to the standard metal act schtick. Best stick with them as a live act, then. www.metallica.com   Tony Clayton-Lea

THE SUPREMES
Reflections Universal ***

Once the most successful all-female group, now an example of streamlined-pop-in-aspic, The Supremes took the proverbial biscuit, dunked it into a steaming mug of hot chocolate and nibbled at it ever so gently before it all fell apart. All the hits are here, the 10 US Number 1 smasheroonies released between 1964 and 1967. While the music is superb Motown pop (often imitated, never bettered), it is perhaps more instructive to view the sequential television and promo appearances as a lesson in success, fame and ego: just look at how Diana Ross gradually nudges out Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong, and how, in the clip of a career-end performance of Someday We'll Be Together at the Hollywood Palace, the singers look as if they'd rather be anywhere than on stage with each other. Tony Clayton-Lea