Kevin Courtney's guide to singles, downloads and free audiostreams

ARCTIC MONKEYS Teddy Picker ****

"I don't want your prayer - save it for the morning after." That's telt ya, Simon Le Bon. Another fab, funky munky tune from everybody's favourite worst nightmare. Look, lads, why don't you just release every song on the album as a single, take over the Top 10 and get it over with?

AMY WINEHOUSE Love Is a Losing Game Island ***

Her hubby is banged up for alleged assault, and Amy has cancelled the rest of her current tour, saying she can't perform until he's free. Judging from her form on the early dates, it's a wise decision, but it looks like Amy Winehouse is fast losing the fame game. Great, old-gold song, though, as if anyone cares anymore.

STEREOPHONICS My Friends V2 **

Hello, Cwmaman! Are you ready to rock? Kelly & Co take their meat-and-two-veg sound to the next decibel level on new album Pull the Pin. They seem to have scavenged the leftovers from the heavy metal bin, and the result makes Placebo sound like Zep. With friends like these, etc.

KATE WALSH Tonight  Mercury ***

She's been called "the British Norah Jones" and she became the first unsigned artist to hit No 1 in the iTunes chart (with her debut album, Tim's House). This is about as safe and warm as the woolly sweater you got from your aunt last Christmas, but admit it: you secretly enjoy snuggling up in it.

SHAUN THE SHEEP Life's a Treat Tug Recordings *

Novelty tune that sounds like Chas & Dave dueting with Bob the Builder on the Mull of Kintyre? Must be Christmas No 1 time again. This is, of course, the woolly character from the Wallace & Gromit short A Close Shave who has become a star in his own right, with a TV series, toys and now an annoying theme song. Er, baa humbug.

TOM BAXTER Better Charisma ****

So far, the world has ignored Baxter's fine, supple voice, preferring the dreadful whinnying of James Blunt. With both Blunty and Baxter releasing singles this week, here's a chance to redress the balance and back this uplifting ballad of self-improvement. The pop world will be a better place, believe me.