The High Llamas: (V2)
While Pet Sounds is still the template for Sean O'Hagan's elaborate sound sculptures, the more exotic species of pop are still the inspiration. O'Hagan has been chipping away at his own, strangely-shaped rock since 1994's Gideon Gaye and, having taken so long to get it just the way he wants it, he's not about to change horses in mid-stream of consciousness. While Hawaii remains the High Llamas's most memorable record, Snowbug at least makes up for the luke-warm lounge of its predecessor, Cold & Bouncy. With guest vocals from Stereolab's Laetitia Sadier, and an array of exotic musical instruments including banjo, vibes, marimba, flugelhorn and squiggly 1960s electronica, Snowbug has more than its fair share of melodic tunesmithery.
- Kevin Courtney
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young: Looking Forward (Reprise)
Thirty years after Woodstock CSNY are back together and gearing up for a world tour in the new millennium, cleverly-entitled CSNY2K. The album may be called Looking Forward, but creaky songs such as Stand And Be Counted, Heartland and Seen Enough are backward glances towards an idyllic past. The ol' boys can still make sweet music together, but these days they sound more grizzly and gruff than lofty and clear. The lyrics deal in the usual West Coast cliches about people sharing hopes and dreams, and finding their way back home, while the music alternates between acoustic rambling and rock'n'roll dust-tramping. The old dogs may still have the pedigree, and they can still bark out the tunes, but there are no new tricks here.
- Kevin Courtney
Muse: Showbiz (Mushroom)
This Devon three-piece claim to be influenced by Radiohead's The Bends and Nirvana's Nevermind, but hearing Matthew Bellamy's near-perfect imitation of Thom Yorke, it's obvious which band really drives Muse's muse. Songs such as Sunburn, Cave and Uno are powerful, guitar-crashing tunes whose only handicap is that they're in danger of being mistaken for Radiohead B-sides. Even the guitar solos imitate Jonny Greenwood's unique style, and to seal Muse's fate, the band have even hired Bends producer Jon Leckie. But don't expect the kids to reject Muse and wait for the follow-up to OK Computer instead. This totally derivative threesome will undoubtedly sell millions, especially in the States, where pale imitations always seem to shine.
- Kevin Courtney
Various artists: The Best of Bond . . . James Bond (EMI)
You gotta hand it to the Irish. Here is the definitive CD collection of songs related to that quintessentially British spy and, let's face it, cultural imperialist, and on the cover you have a Paddy. Or, rather, a Brosnan . . . Pearce Brosnan! But kicking off with the original James Bond Theme from Dr No and zig-zagging its way through every Bond movie up to the theme song from Tomorrow Never Dies, as sung by Sheryl Crow, this is the business. Pity it's not chronological, but, hey, with a range of artists that includes Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey, Nancy Sinatra, Paul McCartney, Louis Armstrong, Gladys Knight, Matt Monro and Carly Simon, who's complaining? Though what dumbo ever decided to give semi-operatic Bond songs to saps like Duran Duran and A-Ha? Even so, party-album time, folks.
- Joe Jackson