The Marbles: "Snips" (M Music)
This six track EP from the Boyle, Co Roscommon trio is a psychedelic gem, a trip through such diverse influences as early Who and Ziggy period Bowie, with a bit of Dukes of Stratosphear and Magical Mystery Tour thrown in for some extra hallucinogenic effect. Either the mushrooms are good around Roscommon, or the trio of Jonathan McGlynn, Seamus, Simon and Justin Whelan really is a refreshing burst of sunlight in an otherwise dull Irish indie scene. Panic Attack provides a psycho punk opener, Ghosts is eerie and otherworldly, Getting Through, is a masterly melange of pop, metal and madness, and In My Eye is a sparkling slice of wideeyed pop-timism. Marble-ous!
The Frank & Walters: "Colours" (Setanta)
The wacky trio from Cork are back with a more focused outlook on life, and a tighter grip on heavenly melodies and hooks which grab you and dump you laughing into the river Lee. The band's comeback has been delayed by record label wrangles, but now that they've found a new home in Keith Cullen's Setanta label, expect the long awaited Grand Parade album to follow in due course.
Kerbdog: "Mexican Wave"
(Fontana)
Sticking with Irish trios, the Kilkenny metallurgists have toned down their Metallica and Nirvana fixations to created a little grungy corner of their own. You might have already heard the excellent JJ's Song, which stood head and shoulders above anything on the band's debut album, and while Mexican Wave sees Kerbdog still chopping away like Seattle lumberjacks, it's a nice, top heavy taster for their upcoming second long player, On The Turn.
Fun Lovin' Criminals: "King Of New York"
The sleeve is a mock Electric Ladyland cover, and the song is a hip hop tribute to John Gotli, the royal mobster of the title. Since the New York funksters are not really criminals, we can assume that they're not actually trying to deify their hometown don, but this tune is so smooth and funky, it could have the most law abiding citizen strutting like a wise guy.
Siona: "Do You Wanna Funk" (BMG)
The former hostess of the POD moves on to the dance floor with no less than six different mixes of this classic Sylvester hit. The insistent funk of the original has been replaced by repetitive Hi NRG, beats, which should make this a club favourite if not a chart hit. The radio edit highlights the persuasive purr of Siona's vocals, but it's not quite persuasive enough to seduce.
Lisa Stansfield: "The Real Thing" (BMG)
Ee by gum, the Lancashire Lassie still knows how to funk it oop, and this another typical sample of classic Stansfield soul. This is taken from Lisa forthcoming self titled album, which was written and recorded in Dublin, and it's another sure fire hit for the Black Country diva.
Whitney Houston: "I Believe In You And Me" (Arista)
If Whitney ever had an ounce of soul in her body, it's been outweighed by the tons of sentimental saccharine which drips from this dippy ballad. Taken from the soundtrack of The Preacher's Wife, in which Houston stars, natch, this tune won't win many converts to Whitney's mawkish muse.
Sheryl Crow: "Hard To Make A Stand" (A&M)
How does she do it? Hard To Make A Stand is another just bog standard country rock tune, but somehow Ms Crow manages to turn it into a sparkling, rhinestone encrusted pop hit. This one faithfully follows the path of its predecessor, Every Day Is A Winding Road, offering nothing new except another chance to see the 1990s Linda Ronstadt do her cowgirl routine on video.
Alabama 3: "Ain't Goin' To Goa" (Elemental)
While everyone else is scouring India's hippie resort looking for sightings of Richey Manic, Alabama 3 have decided to stay at home and bring us some sweet, purty, country acid house music. Available for the first time in Ireland - hallelujah!
