SNOWBLIND: Cut (Heavenly) -- This debut is a mixture of New Order and the Beautiful South, with distinctive Yorkshire vocals. A respectable, quirky pop tune from a band who shortly embark on a less-respectable support tour with Deacon Blue. But there is enough evidence here to suggest that many more good things will follow. (8/10) SB

STARSAILOR: Good Souls (Chrysalis) -- If the success of their debut release Fever surprised the band, who come from Chorley and Wigan, then they'd better be sitting down when next week's charts are announced. Teaming-up with Steve Osbourne has given their acoustic ramblings a dance groove that sets them above their peers. (9/10) CL Albums ASH: Free All Angels (Infectious) -- Tim Wheeler and Ash have, like a long-lost prodigal son, returned to the fold. Whatever possessed them to go into grunge metal overdive for their last album has thankfully passed. And now they're back doing what they do best -- writing indie pop anthems for our country's disenchanted youth. The brightness of Shining Light and Burn Baby Burn have already sent tremors through the world of bubblegum pop. And while burning Westlife records was a mere stunt, their music is for real -- here to save the kids from those plastic pop wannabes. (9/10) CL

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN and THE E STREET BAND: Live in New York City (Columbia) -- Yet another live album from Bruce, charting an already overworked course through his vast catalogue of greatest hits. How many more times must we endure another version of Tenth Avenue Freeze Out or the overplayed Born to Run. Even the most nominal of fans will have nearly all this collection filed under A for ancient history. The only noteworthy exception is the emotive American Skin (41 Shots), written about a teenager shot dead by police as he reached for his wallet. For the first time since Philadelphia, Bruce has justified his title as The Boss but one moment of genius isn't enough to save this album. (3/10) CL