Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.HHHH excellent HHH good HH average H poor
Bernard Butler: People Move On (Creation, below) He sulked and scowled his way out of Suede, but Butler's debut album is a one-man responsibility, during which he only partly lives up to the godlike guitar geezer tag. The snowballing intensity of "Woman I Know" is delicious, and he manages multiple epic guitar passages without turning into Joe Satriani too often, but his voice doesn't carry enough weight to give the songs a killer instinct. Time to make some new friends - among better vocalists, perhaps. HHH
Carleen Anderson: Blessed Burden (Virgin) If the recent Ocean Colour Scene team up with PP Arnold was your bag, you'll be in ecstacy with this. Vocal Olympian Ms Anderson ropes in ex- Galliano members, as well as Paul Weller, and the result is a stunning collection of songs - rock with a 24-carat soul heart. Okay, the passion for old-school values gives it a whiff of worthiness sometimes, but the highly charged "Leopards In The Temple" or "Woman In Me" is proof enough that this is a blessed release indeed. HHHH
North & South: Allsorts (RCA) These BBC TV No Sweat stars deserve the somewhat dated teenybop tag, because this is hideously Eighties fare that even D:Ream would have baulked at. Songs are a conveyor belt of gauche, galloping synth-pop disasters like their hit, "I'm A Man not A Boy". Might get the white stilettos tapping in various disco nitespots, but anyone with taste will reach for the paracetamol after 10 minutes. H
Latryx: The Muzappers Mixers (A&M) There's a funky groove reminiscent of The Sugarhill Gang early on, despite the contemporary hand of DJ Shadow. Sadly, its party vibe soon descends into monotony as the same rhythms spill into several tracks, and a bundle of bland remixes clog up the second half of the album. HH
Angela Lewis
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments