GRASSHOPPER AND THE GOLDEN CRICKETS: Silver Balloons (Beggars Banquet) - Sadly, the band used up all their powers of invention on their name, leaving nothing in reserve for the lyrics. 'Tell me what she said, I think I want to stay in bed.' It would have been better all round if they had. (2/10) WT

SPARKLEHORSE: Painbirds (Parlophone) - Gentle without the slightest trace of sentimentality, Sparklehorse have returned. Painbirds is almost unbearably tender, and their slowed-down version of Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here is beautifully laid back. Unmissable. (9/10) WT

ASTRID: I Am The Boy For You (Nude) - Nude launch the new Joni Mitchell on the ears of an unsuspecting public. Astrid Williamson from Shetland delivers strong, haunting vocals and reflective lyrics. If you fall in love with this single, her album will be essential. (7/10) WT ALBUMS VARIOUS ARTISTS: Rock The Dock (Creation) - Wouldn't Blair and his spin doctors love to get back on the right side of this lot? There's music from Oasis, Paul Weller, Primal Scream and Dodgy, along with a spoken word appearance from Trainspotting author Irving Welsh. Unfortunately for Tony and his chums, these cult heroes are lining up to slate New Labour's "right-wing" policies and back the struggle of the sacked Liverpool dockers. And the album is brought together on Creation Records by former Labour devotee Alan Gee. What better proof that the ridiculous Cool Brittania phrase was nothing more than a lazy journalist's crutch? Of course, if there's a chance to put two fingers up to the establishment, then Burnley anarchists Chumbawamba and old-school activist Billy Bragg are bound to be there too. And it's these staunchly political animals that come out best, along with some rising stars from Scouseland. The big name bands' songs are just leftovers from the B-side pile. If you're feeling right-on though, you could do worse. (7/10) PB KOOL AND THE GANG: All-Time Greatest Hits (The Hit Label) - Speaking as a 31-year-old, depressed by the fact at least one colleague thinks I look 40, I must say it reassuring to see Kool and his chums looking so old. As for the music? Well, the album could have been twice as long, with classics including my own personal fave rave Victory strangely omitted. But what is here is classic disco retro from the days when the only e in mail was the envelope you put your Christmas cards in and mobile phones had to be carried around in a rucksack. Celebration still reminds me of a party when I fell off the garage roof while trying to jump up and down and clap my hands while holding on to a hamburger and a can of lager. (7/10) AT

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