Singles

THUNDERBUGS: Friends Forever (Epic) - The latest in a long line of all-girl groups, Thunderbugs are like The Bangles with a touch of Belinda Carlisle thrown in for good measure. They warn that they're going to be "friends forever, just like Thelma and Louise." I recommend we stand well clear of them. (3/10) JS

GUS GUS: VIP (4AD) - Apart from the airy-fairy lyrics about "keeping each other satisfied", this is a departure from what I've come to expect from these eccentric Icelanders. With extra acid house mixes from Masters At Work and Francoise K, this has the potential to wipe the dancefloor clean. (6/10) JS

FAMILY OF GOD: Snatch (Bungalow) - Ex-Triffids collaborator Adam Peters and sidekick Chris Brick unleash another piece of witty sardonic delight from their New York base. Via their fusion of space-age electronic beats, potty lyrics and odd-sounding noises, they certainly know how to bring a smile to this otherwise miserable world. (7/10) JS

Albums

SKYRAY: Mind Lagoons (Ochre) - Paul Simpson, co-founder of The Teardrop Explodes and major force behind seminal Liverpool band The Swans, is one of the most creative musicians on the underground scene. His latest astral trip, under the guise of Skyray, has an aquatic flavour. You might say it is pop with mellow moods. This album would make an excellent soundtrack for a sci-fi movie. (8/10) JS BEN CHRISTOPHERS: My Beautiful Demon (V2) - Wolverhampton -based Ben Christophers entered this album a broken man and left it in the same manner. A man possessed, this debut platter is a deeply introverted, paranoid affair. Musically, the likes of Radiohead and Talk Talk are his reference points but, with emotions all over the place, his vocal approach is quite like that of Jeff Buckley. There's a real sense of loss throughout and, upon lending your ear, you immediately become part of his world. Amazing stuff. (9/10) JS

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.