Latest releases reviewed

IAIN ARCHER
When It Kicks In
We Love You
****

He won an Ivor Novello for co-writing Snow Patrol's Final Straw, and the Northern Irish singer-songwriter is in winning form on this incendiary rocker from his fourth solo album, Magnetic North. You'll know when it kicks in.

WARLORDS OF PEZ
Old Women with Broadband/ Monster Voice
EMI
***

A cybernetic army of hooded maniacs from Cork on a crusade to destroy mankind, the Warlords unleash their demented debut single, which no doubt contains a subliminal signal that turns everyone who hears it into a flesh-eating zombie.

RAZORLIGHT
Amercia
Vertigo
*

No, it's not Cyndi Lauper's Time After Time, but a crushingly dull ballad off of the Razorboys' overblown new album, which sees them running down the middle of the road and into the arms of America. Y'all can keep 'em, folks.

THE ORDINARY BOYS
Lonely at the Top
B-Unique
**

Having found fame with Celebrity Big Brother, Preston now has the time to muse on his good fortune, and realise that fame is like smoking: a hard habit to break. Still, he can still knock out a decent, workmanlike tune while he's up there.

JULIETTE & THE LICKS
Hot Kiss
Hassle
**

She used to be a top actress, you know, but Ms Lewis has become addicted to dirty-assed rock'n' roll, and she'll be bringing the noise to Dublin on October 3rd. Dave Grohl plays drums - and stomps all over the band.

LIONEL RICHIE
I Call It Love
Mercury/Def Jam
*

Nicole Richie's dad has a new album coming out soon, so get ready for lots of slushy soul ballads and tunes about dancing on ceilings. By the way, is there really a floor shop in Clondalkin called Lino Richie?

P DIDDY
Come to Me feat Nicole Scherzinger
Bad Boy Entertainment
**

The former Puff Daddy's back from semi-retirement, but even with a Pussycat Doll in tow, he still sounds like a 1990s man. Hey, is it true there's an Irish rapper called An t'Athair Puff?