The Brian Setzer Orchestra: (Interscope)
The Swing craze has swept through the US like an email virus, and former Stray Cat Brian Setzer is the rock-ceptable face of the genre. He's America's answer to Jools Holland, leading his band through the syncopated rhythms of Swing, and plucking out the guitar lines with admirable speed and dexterity. Swing is usually the preserve of teddy boys, prom queens and Ally McBeal viewers, but I couldn't help clicking my fingers to the brassed-up beat of Pennsylvania 6-5000, Jumpin' East Of Java and The Footloose Doll. Setzer's rock'n'roll roots come through in Drive Like Lightning (Crash Like Thunder) and '49 Mercury Blues, but not even the Setz can revive those boring old standards, In The Mood and Mack The Knife. However, his English-language version of Americano, the song sung by Matt Damon and Jude Law in The Talented Mr Ripley, will definitely get the joint jumpin'.
Kevin Courtney
Linoleum: The Race From The Burning Building LP
(Fierce Panda)
Remember Shoegazing, that modest, self-effacing movement which spawned a whole generation of floppy-fringed indie bands, whose songs consisted of one repeated note, and whose main method of communication was a non-committal shrug? London quartet Linoleum are the new torchbearers of Shoegazing, and their second album will bring you back to the golden age of swirly guitars, wispy vocals and what-on-earth-is-she-on-about lyrics. Luckily, Linoleum look beyond their shoes, taking in Goth and 1960s pop along the way, but there's still enough belly-button fluff examination here to keep Shoe-y types happy until that Lush reunion tour. Produced by long-time Curehead Dave Allen, and featuring a version of The Passions' 1981 hit, I'm In Love With A German Film Star, this is a pleasant, inoffensive reminder of pop's innocent past.
Kevin Courtney
Elvis Presley: That's The Way It Is (RCA/BMG)
We all know that Elvis was the king of rock'n'roll, but what was he really like on stage and in rehearsal in the 1970s? Packaged in a cool see-through box, this three-CD set marks the 30th anniversary of his death - and proves what a master performer he was. In particular CD 2, The Live Set, recalls Elvis at his very best. Nervous of what the fans might think of his new show, he jokes with the band and tries to kiss every woman in the crowd before delivering tremendous versions of Words, Sweet Caroline, Tiger Man and the classic Hound Dog - this is the full monty, previously unreleased tracks and all. CD 3, The Rehearsal, reveals both the funny side and the hardworking side of Elvis and offers a chance to compare the work-in-progress versions of That's All Right and Little Sister/Get Back wi th the live versions on the second volume. A de luxe treat to delight the fans.
Colm Banville
Ursula Connolly: Picture of Myself (UMC)
The democratisation of the music industry continues, with artists like Ursula Connolly funding, recording and releasing their own CDs. One drawback in this process, of course, is that the kind of quality control exerted by record companies may be missing: and too often is. Fortunately this album defies such fears. Beautifully produced, meticulously arranged, it features strangely haunting tunes such as Elenora Sleeps, sung with supreme sensitivity by Connolly - who also co-wrote many of the tracks, including the slightly self-serving title song. However, she's at her best in a stripped-down, acoustic setting. Clearly a "folkie" to her soul. Either way, there is a wonderful purity to this album, making it a balm to the listener's soul.
Joe Jackson